Preacher: Tim Sansbury

Scripture: Nehemiah 6

Why, when we are surrounded (North, South, East and West) by hostile forces why do WE have to become our own enemy. It's like an autoimmune disease; the Body attacks itself. We think of modern parallels as the Christian Church is fragmented - not only the Big Three Traditions (RCC, Protestant and EOC) but also the hundreds of little sects and splinter groups and differences even in our own congregation. Are WE getting along? Are WE UNIFIED? Are differences impeding our progress?

Let's look at this painful episode and its redemptive end:

1. Truth Will Out
2. What's Good for the Goose…
3. Business as UN-usual

This whole episode becomes a case-study in conflict AND what often results from conflict i.e., discouragement. It's the loss of courage (dis-courage) and it can sap a person of energy, vitality, motivation and joy. It's one symptom of what Augustin and later, Martin Luther called "incurvatus in se" -- we curve IN on ourselves - like an ingrown soul.

We can ALL relate to it. There's a good possibility you found yourself discouraged THIS very week. Some of us were perhaps discouraged for the whole week and it's exhausting. So how will our man at the front deal with this conflict that's leading to group discouragement - what magic trick or motivational spell will he conjure to get the people up and running in the face of threats and dangers?

Let's look at:

1. When the Rubble Piles Up
2. Practicing the Presence
3. The Both-And Response