We’re now in Week 3 of our Rebuild series through the book of Nehemiah. The tagline of this series has been that God can rebuild what looks irreparably broken. We’ve seen this in Scripture, in our church, and in our own lives—families restored, faith revived, callings rediscovered, and strength returning where shame once lived.

But Nehemiah shows us something we must be clear-eyed about: Rebuilding does not happen without resistance.

  • In Week 1, we learned that crisis drives us to dependence, and dependence drives us to prayer.
  • In Week 2, we saw that godly vision is powerful, and when spoken out loud, it compels and strengthens the people of God.

This week, Nehemiah shows us that when God rebuilds, there will be spiritual battle.

The Mission of God Takes Us Into Spiritual Battle

By the time we reach Nehemiah 4, the wall is already going up. Progress is happening, hope is building, and then opposition rises. I want you to see clearly here that when God’s people start building, the enemy starts battling. There is only a war because there is a mission. If there were no rebuilding, there would be no resistance. The enemies did not oppose the people simply for existing. They opposed them because they were rebuilding what sin had ruined.

What was true for Nehemiah is just as true for us today: stepping into your God-given assignment will stir up spiritual battle.

That’s true when you:

  • Lead a group
  • Share the gospel
  • Invest in fostering or adoption
  • Step into recovery
  • Start walking in holiness
  • Give generously
  • Plant a church
  • Raise your kids to follow Jesus

The enemy does not fight spiritual spectators. He fights spiritual builders. As a pastor, I feel like Nehemiah so often when I preach: “Everyone, pick up the tools! The mission is too great to sit on the sidelines!” So, the question becomes: Are you engaged in a mission significant enough to draw the enemy’s attention?

This reality shouldn’t scare us—it prepares us. The wall goes up with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other.

Your Assignment

“We all returned to the wall, each to his work.” (Nehemiah 4:15)

In Nehemiah 4, every person had a role. None were spectators. Nehemiah led, but the people built. God gives each of us an assignment for His mission. The church is not a crowd gathered to watch ministry happen. The church is the ministry. Ephesians 4 says pastors exist to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, not to do ministry instead of them.

So:

  • If you belong to Jesus, you belong to His mission.
  • If you have the Spirit, you have an assignment.
  • If you are in Christ, you are not done. God is not finished with you.

The Sword and the Trowel

“Those who carried burdens labored with one hand and held a weapon with the other.” (Nehemiah 4:17)

Laboring with a sword in one hand and a trowel in another is the Christian life. We build, and we battle. We build marriages, homes, friendships, churches, ministries, disciples, legacies. That’s the trowel.

But we do so while resisting spiritual darkness. That’s the sword.

Scripture tells us what the enemy is doing right now:

And Scripture warns us —

“So that we would not be outwitted by Satan.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Which is why we are commanded:

“Put on the whole armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:11)

So, here’s the principle: If you are going to pick up the trowel, you better pick up the sword. Don’t be surprised or discouraged by spiritual resistance. Expect it and stand ready.

Preparing for the Battle

This passage gives us three ways to be spiritually prepared for the battle:

1. Rally Together

“When you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us. Our God will fight for us.” (Nehemiah 4:20)

You were not meant to fight alone. At Mercy Hill, this is why Community Groups matter. When the battle hits, blow the trumpet. Let people into your life and stand together.

2. Keep Your Spiritual Armor Handy

“Half held the spears from dawn until the stars came out.” (Nehemiah 4:21)

Nehemiah’s builders didn’t set their weapons down, not even for a moment. They worked with the wall in front of them and their sword at their side. This is the same image Paul gives us in Ephesians 6:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil… Take up the shield of faith… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:11, 16–17)

Do not lay down your spiritual armor. Do not put your Bible down and assume you’ll be strong later. Do not step back from worship and expect joy to remain. Do not isolate and expect spiritual stability. Keep Scripture, prayer, worship, and fellowship close. Keep your sword close.

3. Stay Vigilant

“Each kept his weapon at his right hand.” (Nehemiah 4:23)

The enemy preys on the distracted, the tired, the isolated. The call for us here is to stay awake, aware, and watchful. This doesn’t mean we live anxious. It means we live engaged.

The Gospel: Why the Battle is Worth It

Nehemiah’s wall protected the people from enemies on the outside. But 500 years later, a greater Builder rode into Jerusalem—not to rebuild walls, but to restore hearts. Sin had made us enemies of God. But Christ came to bring us back to the Father. He was not just a rebuilder—Jesus was the One who was broken so we could be made whole.

He didn’t just fortify stone walls—He resurrected dead souls. He didn’t just guard life—He gave it.

And because Jesus fought and won, we are forgiven, secure, loved, and sent. We are not here to build walls but to build the church Jesus died to redeem.

So yes, the mission will bring spiritual battle. But the One who fights for us is greater than the one who fights against us.

Pick up the trowel.
Pick up the sword.
Let’s rebuild what sin has broken.

Watch the full sermon from week three of our Rebuild series here:

Andrew Hopper