Overcoming Opposition: Finding Strength in Christ

Today, we reflected on the reality that following Jesus often means encountering opposition, especially when we’re making a fresh start or stepping out in faith. Just as the Israelites in Ezra 4 faced resistance as they rebuilt the temple, we too should expect challenges—sometimes coming in the form of discouragement, accusations, or even help that isn’t truly helpful. The story of Ezra 4 is a vivid reminder that opposition is not a sign of failure or God’s absence, but rather a confirmation that we are on the right path. The enemy’s tactics are often subtle, sometimes masquerading as support or offering solutions that sound spiritual but lack the substance of Christ himself.

We considered how discouragement can derail us more quickly than any external threat. Like Florence Chadwick, who lost sight of the shore in the fog and gave up just short of her goal, we can lose heart when we focus on obstacles rather than the promises of God. Discouragement exaggerates our problems and minimizes God’s power, but Jesus calls us to rejoice even in the face of opposition, knowing that our reward is secure in Him.

Accusations, whether true or false, are another tool the enemy uses to halt our progress. The Israelites were accused of rebellion for doing exactly what God had called them to do. We looked at the example of Corrie ten Boom, who was arrested for her courageous obedience to God, and even Jesus himself, who was condemned by twisted accusations. If we face opposition for prioritizing Christ, it’s not a sign to retreat, but a reminder that we’re walking the same road as our Savior.

Sometimes, it may seem like the enemy is winning—like the work has stopped, or hope is lost. But God’s definition of victory is not measured by temporary setbacks or popular opinion. The cross looked like defeat, but it was actually the greatest victory. In Christ, we are more than conquerors, not after the battle is over, but right in the midst of it. So, when we encounter opposition, we don’t need to be surprised or discouraged. Instead, we fix our eyes on Jesus, our victorious King, who walks with us through every trial and promises that nothing can separate us from His love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Opposition often comes disguised as help. The adversaries in Ezra 4 offered to join the Israelites in building the temple, but their motives were not aligned with God’s purposes. In our lives, we must discern whether the “help” we receive is truly centered on Christ or simply self-help dressed in Christian language. Anything that promises what only Jesus can give, but leaves Him out, will ultimately lead us to a hard stop. [41:46]
• 2. Discouragement is a powerful weapon that can halt spiritual progress. Like Florence Chadwick, who lost sight of her goal in the fog, we can become overwhelmed by discouragement and lose our resolve. The enemy uses discouraging words, doubts, and even authority figures to make us afraid and frustrated, but God calls us to keep our eyes on Him, the one who overcomes every obstacle. [45:40]
• 3. Accusations—whether true or false—are inevitable for those who follow Jesus. The Israelites were accused of rebellion for obeying God, and Corrie ten Boom was arrested for doing what was right. Even Jesus faced false testimony. When we are accused for prioritizing Christ, it is a sign that we are walking in His footsteps, and we must not let it deter us from obedience. [51:55]
• 4. Temporary setbacks do not define God’s victory. The work on the temple stopped, and to the Israelites it looked like failure. But God’s story was not finished. The cross looked like defeat, but it was the turning point of history. In the same way, our setbacks are not the end; God’s resurrection power is at work even when we cannot see it. [55:52]
• 5. In the midst of opposition, we are more than conquerors through Christ. Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ—not tribulation, distress, or persecution. Our victory is not just after the trial, but in the very middle of it, because Jesus is with us and has already overcome. Fixing our eyes on Him gives us hope, peace, and courage to continue. [56:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Missionary Update: Hayward and Barbara Paul
• [03:10] - Prayer for Missionaries and Service
• [05:00] - A Fresh Start to a Hard Stop: Expecting Opposition
• [08:30] - The Skunk Story: Surprised by Obstacles
• [12:00] - Ezra 4: Opposition Disguised as Help
• [16:00] - Modern Examples of False Help
• [19:00] - Discouragement and Its Power
• [22:00] - Florence Chadwick: Losing Sight in the Fog
• [25:00] - Peter Walks on Water: Focus and Fear
• [28:00] - Accusation as Opposition
• [32:00] - Corrie ten Boom: Faithfulness Amid Accusation
• [36:00] - When It Looks Like the Enemy Wins
• [39:00] - The Cross: Apparent Defeat, Ultimate Victory
• [42:00] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond
• [45:00] - Communion and Baptism Invitation
• [48:00] - Closing Blessing and Next Steps

Bible Reading

Ezra 4:1-5, 11-24 (ESV) — Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do. And we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
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(See full passage for verses 11-24, which detail the accusations and the forced stop of the work.)

Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV) — “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Romans 8:35, 37-39 (ESV) — Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation Questions

1. In Ezra 4, what form did the initial opposition to rebuilding the temple take, and how did Zerubbabel and the leaders respond?
2. According to the sermon, what tactics did the adversaries use after their offer to help was rejected?
3. What was the result of the accusations made to King Artaxerxes about the Israelites’ rebuilding efforts?
4. In Matthew 5:11-12, what does Jesus say about being falsely accused or persecuted for His sake?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the adversaries in Ezra 4 disguised their opposition as an offer to help? What might have happened if the Israelites had accepted their help?
2. The sermon mentioned that discouragement can be more powerful than external threats. Why is discouragement such an effective tool for stopping spiritual progress?
3. How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:11-12 challenge our natural response to opposition and accusation?
4. The sermon draws a parallel between the apparent defeat at the cross and the Israelites’ setback in Ezra 4. How does understanding God’s definition of victory change the way we view setbacks?

Application Questions

1. The sermon warned that opposition often comes disguised as help, sometimes even using Christian language. Are there any “helps” in your life right now that promise what only Jesus can give, but leave Him out? How can you discern the difference this week?
2. Think about a time when discouragement made you want to give up on something God called you to do. What was the “fog” that made you lose sight of the goal, like Florence Chadwick? What would it look like to “picture the shoreline” and keep going?
3. When have you experienced accusations—true or false—because you prioritized following Jesus? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time?
4. The sermon said that sometimes it looks like the enemy is winning, but God’s story isn’t finished. Is there an area in your life right now where it feels like you’ve hit a hard stop? How can you remind yourself that God’s resurrection power is still at work?
5. Romans 8 says we are “more than conquerors” not after the battle, but in the middle of it. What would it look like for you to live as “more than a conqueror” in the midst of your current challenges?
6. The sermon encouraged us to fix our eyes on Jesus, not the obstacles. What is one practical step you can take this week to shift your focus from your problems to Christ?
7. If you’ve come to a “hard stop” in your faith journey, what is one thing you can do this week to take a small step forward again? Who can you ask to pray for you or encourage you?