Summit Church
ReFormation Pt 6 | A Lifestyle of Victory | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Nehemiah 4:6-23
“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.”
“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.”
The Big Idea: Victory is a lifestyle.
A Few Reminders:
- The enemy is real.
Nehemiah 4:7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious.
- The Battle is inevitable.
Nehemiah 4:8- They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
- Victory is possible
Nehemiah 4:9 - But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
A Few Reminders:
- The enemy is real.
Nehemiah 4:7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious.
- The Battle is inevitable.
Nehemiah 4:8- They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
- Victory is possible
Nehemiah 4:9 - But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
Anything worth having will take a fight.
You will have to fight to have a good marriage, you will have to fight to raise godly kids, you will have to fight to maintain your integrity in this world and the work place. You will have to fight. It is a fact of life. Your restoration is no exception.
You will have to fight to have a good marriage, you will have to fight to raise godly kids, you will have to fight to maintain your integrity in this world and the work place. You will have to fight. It is a fact of life. Your restoration is no exception.
5 Strategic Practices for Victory:
1. Pray as regular as breathing.
Nehemiah 4:9 - But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
We prayed, and guarded the city day and night.
1. Pray as regular as breathing.
Nehemiah 4:9 - But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
We prayed, and guarded the city day and night.
2. Choose to be Positive Always
Nehemiah 4:10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
Who made this complaint?
Judah – the tribe who leads in praise!
Nehemiah 4:10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
Who made this complaint?
Judah – the tribe who leads in praise!
3. Move from the enemy and draw near to God.
Nehemiah 4:11-12 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
There is fear when you live in proximity to the enemy.
In verse 22 Nehemiah moves the people from outside the city walls to the inner parts of the city to meet this fear.
Nehemiah 4:11-12 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
There is fear when you live in proximity to the enemy.
In verse 22 Nehemiah moves the people from outside the city walls to the inner parts of the city to meet this fear.
4. Focus on the answer not the enemy.
Nehemiah 4:14 “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14 “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Be strong and courageous
Do not be afraid or discouraged. - Joshua 1:9
The Israelites and the Snake
The answer wasn’t in fighting the snakes—it was in looking up.
In John 3:14, Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
Do not be afraid or discouraged. - Joshua 1:9
The Israelites and the Snake
The answer wasn’t in fighting the snakes—it was in looking up.
In John 3:14, Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
5. Participate in the community of the Church.
Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.
Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”
- If they were attacked they blew the trumpet
- If they heard the trumpet, they were to run and fight
Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.
Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”
- If they were attacked they blew the trumpet
- If they heard the trumpet, they were to run and fight
Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Response:
- Pray in circles of 3-7 people
- Pick 1 of the 5 strategies to put in play right now
- Lead well in your Oikos
- Pray in circles of 3-7 people
- Pick 1 of the 5 strategies to put in play right now
- Lead well in your Oikos
5 Practices Response Card
The 5 Practices for Victory
Commit to one of the following strategies, and add over time.
1. Pray as regular as breathing.
I will commit to the following practice to grow my prayer life:
My accountability partner will be __________________
2. Choose to be positive always.
I will eliminate negative conversation from my mouth and replace it with positive language only.
My accountability partner will be ___________________
3. Distance yourself from the enemy and draw near to God.
I will eliminate the habit of ____________________________
for (this long)___________ and I will use that time to be with God.
My accountability partner will be __________________
4. I will focus on the answer, not the enemy.
I will trade discouraging thoughts about my problems for positive praise and prayer to God, every time.
My accountability partner will be __________________
5. Participate in the community of the Church.
I will seek to connect to my church family relentlessly until I have found my groove.
My accountability partner will be __________________
Commit to one of the following strategies, and add over time.
1. Pray as regular as breathing.
I will commit to the following practice to grow my prayer life:
My accountability partner will be __________________
2. Choose to be positive always.
I will eliminate negative conversation from my mouth and replace it with positive language only.
My accountability partner will be ___________________
3. Distance yourself from the enemy and draw near to God.
I will eliminate the habit of ____________________________
for (this long)___________ and I will use that time to be with God.
My accountability partner will be __________________
4. I will focus on the answer, not the enemy.
I will trade discouraging thoughts about my problems for positive praise and prayer to God, every time.
My accountability partner will be __________________
5. Participate in the community of the Church.
I will seek to connect to my church family relentlessly until I have found my groove.
My accountability partner will be __________________
Discussion Guide
Community Group Discussion Guide
The Big Idea: Victory Is a Lifestyle
1. What’s one thing you had to fight for in life (a job, a relationship, a goal)? What did you learn from that experience?
2. Scripture Focus
Read Together: Nehemiah 4:6–23
Key Verse: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” (v.6)
3. Pick an area of your life that is a great struggle or challenge right now.
* If God had His way, what would that area look like?
* If the enemy had his way, what would it look like?
* What do you notice when you compare the two?
4. “The enemy is very real, and he is not happy about the restoration happening in your life.”
* Why are we often surprised by spiritual resistance when we pursue growth or healing?
* How can you tell the difference between God’s conviction and the enemy’s condemnation?
5. Strategic Practices for Victory
Pick ONE of the following strategies. Reflect on it, and then discuss:
1. Pray as Regular as Breathing
* What does your prayer life currently look like?
* What would it look like to pray and post a guard in your situation?
2. Choose to Be Positive Always
* How do you typically respond to discouragement or fatigue?
* What’s one trial you can start speaking life into this week?
3. Move from the Enemy / Draw Near to God
* What are you living too close to that might be dragging you down spiritually?
* What would it look like to draw near to God this week?
4. Focus on the Answer, Not the Enemy
* Are you focusing more on what’s wrong than on who God is?
* What would it look like to “remember the Lord and fight for your family”?
5. Participate in the Community of the Church
* What does meaningful spiritual community look like for you right now?
* When have you needed help but stayed silent?
“When you need help, sound the trumpet. When you hear it—come fight.
Call to Action:
Which of the 5 strategies will you put into action this week?
The Big Idea: Victory Is a Lifestyle
1. What’s one thing you had to fight for in life (a job, a relationship, a goal)? What did you learn from that experience?
2. Scripture Focus
Read Together: Nehemiah 4:6–23
Key Verse: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” (v.6)
3. Pick an area of your life that is a great struggle or challenge right now.
* If God had His way, what would that area look like?
* If the enemy had his way, what would it look like?
* What do you notice when you compare the two?
4. “The enemy is very real, and he is not happy about the restoration happening in your life.”
* Why are we often surprised by spiritual resistance when we pursue growth or healing?
* How can you tell the difference between God’s conviction and the enemy’s condemnation?
5. Strategic Practices for Victory
Pick ONE of the following strategies. Reflect on it, and then discuss:
1. Pray as Regular as Breathing
* What does your prayer life currently look like?
* What would it look like to pray and post a guard in your situation?
2. Choose to Be Positive Always
* How do you typically respond to discouragement or fatigue?
* What’s one trial you can start speaking life into this week?
3. Move from the Enemy / Draw Near to God
* What are you living too close to that might be dragging you down spiritually?
* What would it look like to draw near to God this week?
4. Focus on the Answer, Not the Enemy
* Are you focusing more on what’s wrong than on who God is?
* What would it look like to “remember the Lord and fight for your family”?
5. Participate in the Community of the Church
* What does meaningful spiritual community look like for you right now?
* When have you needed help but stayed silent?
“When you need help, sound the trumpet. When you hear it—come fight.
Call to Action:
Which of the 5 strategies will you put into action this week?