NEHEMIAH - LEADERSHIP ON PURPOSE

INTRODUCTION

One of the best books on leadership I have JoAnn Franz gave me. By Leith Anderson Leadership that Works. Even signed by Leith and JoAnn. I have been to Wooddale Church. Wooddale was her sending church. I have heard him personally 2 times. Last was a year ago in MPLS. I introduced myself and said I was JoAnn’s Pastor from Colfax. He know about us, her family, her work, he had visited her in Africa and knew the tough conditions she worked in. However, when I talked with him, we were in the Men’s Rest Room. Oh well, I at least got to talk with him personally.

We are learning from Nehemiah, leadership that works. In the past 2 weeks we have learned that Godly leaders have passion, pray, prepare, promote, and are proficient. 7 virtues from 7 chapters in Nehemiah. Today the concluding virtues.

6. We need Godly Leaders…who are Persistent 4:1-6:14

• Nothing is ever simple. QUOTE: Murphy’s Law: “If something can go wrong it will - and at the worst possible moment.” O’tooles’ commentary: “Murphy was an optimist.”



• Anytime you have people, property, and/or politics you have problems.



• Nehemiah records 3 chapters of problems. He had problems from outside the community, and problems from inside the community. Enemies where out there and in here.



• The problems Nehemiah and his people experienced:
1. Contempt from enemies 4:1-6
• 3 menacing men mocked and made fun of their efforts.



2. Conspiracy for warfare 4:7-23
• 4:17 - set up guards along side workers



3. Confronted by greed 5:1-19
• people charging interest, going into slavery, taking land
• People stopped. Even Nehemiah didn’t tax his people.
• 5:7 “I said to myself, “Self””



4. Compromise by deceit 6:1-14
• These 3 are the trilateral commission, pull Nehemiah away from the work, hired people to deceive.



5. Contending with disloyalty 6:17-19
• Some on his own people made agreements with the enemy and seeking to undermine the work.



• Any of those problems sound familiar? Nothing really has changed.



• Through it all Nehemiah was persistent in rebuilding the wall.



• How did they do it? How did they overcome the problems?
1. Knew the Power of Purpose 4:6; 6:3 focus goal - finish walls.
• would not be side tracked, were committed, said “NO”



2. Knew Power of Prayer 4:4, 9; 5:19; 6:9, 14



3. Knew the Power of God. 4:14, 20; 6:9
• God called them, they trusted God, God will accomplish.



• Leaders persistent on purpose. He encouraged his people, discouraged his enemies, stood by his calling and convictions, and trusted God.



• QUOTE: “He is one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. He got men to doing things they had not done in generations. And he was able to keep them going in spite of difficult circumstances and strong opposition from the enemy.” (Butler, 9)



• Yet Nehemiah built this wall without Menards, Lowes, or Home Depot. Even without electricity, internal combustion engines, and hydraulics.



• But he didn’t have to deal with computer problems, car problems, high fuel costs. He didn’t have to deal with unions, withholding taxes, medical ins., pension plans. He didn’t have to memorize the church constitution, Roberts Rules of Order, and moderate quarterly church business meetings.



• He didn’t even realize how blessed he really was. I don’t feel so good.



• But Godly leaders are persistent to get the job done in spite of problems. Noah built the ark. Moses lead the people out of Egypt to promised land. Joshua conquered and settled the land. Solomon built the Temple. The Apostles spread the gospel to world. Jesus said “I will build my church...”



• We need Godly leaders who are persistent over problems on purpose.

7. We need Godly Leaders…who Perform 6:15-7:73

• 6:15-16 He did the job. Succeeded, accomplished task, achieved goal.



• Walls were finished in 52 days. Took 71 years to get to that point.



• We spent decades talking about parking lot. We in quickly/united made a decision. God provided resources. And done in 7 working days.



• In spite of obstacles, persecutions, labor trouble they built the wall.



• Even enemies recognized clearly it was a work of God. v. 16b.



• Chapter 7, three elements of a healthy community:
1. Faithful Leadership 7:1-3, in essential positions.



2. Family Identity 7:4-66, important to know each other of the community family.
   
   
3. Financial Support 7:67-73, voluntary gifts to support the community - it takes money…



• Powerful applications: Are our leaders faithful people who fear God? Do we as a church have a common bond of Christ? Are you supporting this church faithfully? What jobs need to be done around here?



• We need leaders for 2008. Some ministry and financial challenges. We handle about a quarter a millions dollars a year - we need to be good stewards. We are a large ministry in a small town - we have a big responsibility. We are Christ centered - we have a dynamic gospel message. We are Bible based - so we have firm foundation of authority.



• It is not enough to set goals and say we want to do something, we must fulfill the action steps and accomplish something for the Kingdom of God.



• Leaders perform on purpose. The walls were finished and they stood firm, but also community is stronger, a family, committed to each other.

THERE! 7 virtues of Godly leaders from the first 7 chapters of Nehemiah.

The rest of Nehemiah is mainly about Ezra the Priest’s ministry, until chapter 13:4, personal pronouns show up again, 12 years later. There is one more virtue to add to the list for God leaders, a spiritual moral virtue that we cannot pass by. It underscores the rest. THE ADDED VIRTUE:

We need Godly leaders...who Pursue Purity. 13:4-31

• Nehemiah was gone for a while, back to Babylon, when he returned he was appalled by the moral laxity of the people. Probably 12 years later.
1. Pursues purity for the Sacredness of the house of God. 13:4-14.
• 13:4-9 The priests had compromised with Tobiah by giving him a room in the Temple. The solution - throw the rascal out.
• 13:10-14 The Levites were not being paid so they got other jobs. Solution - brought them back, people to give their tithes. His passion 13:14.



2. Pursues purity for the Sabbath 13:15-22.
• People working on the Sabbath, buying and selling. Solution - closed gates on Sabbath, kept venders away. His passion 13:22



3. Pursues purity for the Sanctity of marriage 13:23-31
• They had compromised in marriages and disciplined the people and purged the priesthood. His passion 13:29-31
• Godly leaders have godly character, moral integrity. They lead by example, and corrects and directs the people to be godly themselves.
• A tough job. Not popular. But obedient to the word and will of God. God is righteous - right and wrong ways of doing things. We must know what is right, do what is right, and lead what is right.
• One great purpose behind preaching, teaching, discipleship is not to give you nice information, but motivate and create life change so you and I can be godly too. Godliness is not just for leaders, for followers too.

CONCLUSION

First Baptist Church needs Godly leaders and Godly followers who have passion for God’s people and God’s work, who pray fervently, who prepare to do their ministry with excellence, who promote the ministry God has called them, who are proficient skilled in serving God and his people, who are persistent in spite of problems from without and within, who perform by actually accomplishing their jobs, and who pursue purity in their life and the life of God’s people with moral excellence.

Theme verse of my ministry here - 2 Peter 3:15
For leaders and followers - each of you -

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and for eternity.”