Leadership Principles for the Present Day Christian - I

Sermon series on the book of Nehemiah

THE SETTING

Nehemiah 1:1.

The words of Nehemiah

the son of Hachaliah.

And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year,

as I was in Shushan the palace,

Nehemiah means…

“Jehovah Comforts”.

“Be Determined”. Warren Wiersbe

“In my estimation, when it comes to leadership, Nehemiah stands with Old Testament heroes like Moses, Joshua, and David. It has done my heart good to study this book afresh and learn from Nehemiah the secrets of resolute leadership and successful service”.

What does the world say about Leadership?• Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. Peter

Drucker.

• Absolute identity with one's cause is the first and great condition of successful leadership. Woodrow Wilson

• Leadership is influence. John C. Maxwell

• Example is leadership. Albert Schweitzer

• The price of greatness is responsibility. Winston Churchill

• The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. Kenneth Blanchard

• To be a leader means to have determination. It means to be resolute inside and outside, with ourselves and with others. Lech Walesa.

(www.positivityblog.com and www.brainyquotes.com. Accessed: Feb 9, 2012).

What does the Bible say about Leadership?

• Mathew 5: 13-14. Ye are the salt of the earth: (influence; character; difference; impact) but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world (coach; doing the right thing; directing; leading). A city that is set on an hill (example; mentor; visible) cannot be hid.

• 1Peter4:10. Serve one another with the gifts each of you received, thus

becoming good managers of the varied graces of God. (use the resource to benefit the other to be the good leader of God’s grace).

• Matthew 20:25-28. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the

rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (serve one another to be God’s leader)

Reasons why we must study the book of Nehemiah?

I Canonical Timing

Reasons why we must study the book of Nehemiah?

II Historical Fulfillmenta. Attitude

Deut 28:47. Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of

heart, for the abundance of all [things];

b. Appropriation2 Chronicles 36:20-23.

Reasons why we must study the book of Nehemiah?

III Prophetic Importance

http://www.lamblion.com/images/publications/articles/chart_Daniels70Weeks.gif. Accessed: Feb 10, 2012

Reasons why we must study the book of Nehemiah?

IV Spiritual Lessons

J. B. Tidwell summarizes the benefits of the captivity for the Jewish people (Introducing the Old Testament, p. 178).

• The Jews became a separate people who did not want to become like their neighbors ever again. The Pharisees came from this era of Jewish history.

• They became pure monotheistic, giving up idolatry completely.• They developed theological literature and renewed interest in the Law of Moses.• They repented of their sins against Yahweh.• The synagogues were established as a place of worship centered on God’s Word, prayer, praise

and study.• Judaism became personal rather than a formal ritualism.• They became a missionary people to all the nations.• During this time God placed a longing for the coming of the Messiah in their hearts. The

Pharisees were especially instrumental in keeping the Messianic hope before the eyes of the people.

What’s the big deal about building a wall?

Nehemiah 2:17.

"Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."

How to Read the Bible Book by Book, Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart, p. 110

“Walls do not simply keep unwanted people out;

in ancient times they set boundaries

and therefore gave identity

to a city and its people”.

Nehemiah the Man

James J. Tissot (1836-1902, French artist and illustrator), "Cupbearer of the King"

His idea of God

Sovereign (1:5)

Covenant Keeper (1:5; 9:32)

Holy (1:3 – 4)

Forgiving (9:17; 26; 31)

Restorer (1:8 – 9) Gracious (2:8, 18)

Application

• Availability not Ability

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/blog/wp-content/ben11.jpg. Accessed. feb 10, 2012

Application

• Repair not despair

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/blog/wp-content/ben11.jpg. Accessed. feb 10, 2012

Application

• Watch and Pray

http://www.ccwh.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/pray.jpg. Accessed. Feb 10, 2012