Stay on the Wall Nehemiah 6:1-4

Nehemiah 6:1 -  Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

Subtle –  1. Delicate and elusive, mysterious. 2. Having a keen or quick mind.  3. Discerning, acute, sly, crafty, or tricky.  4. Secretly treacherous in operation.

Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made,

I. The Attack - Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

1. Motivation for the Attack was Success

Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

2. They were Motivated to Slay him! – “But they thought to do me mischief.”

II The Attitude - 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

1. The Significance of the work is Realized!

2. The Steadfastness of the work was Required.

III. The Affirmation – 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work,

Application –  1. When you leave the work of God you always go down! 2. Nothing is more Important than the Work of God! 3. Anything that pulls you off the wall is not of God!