Post on 24-Feb-2016
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NEHEMIAH: GODLY LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
Outline Setting the stage Leadership and decision making principles
from Nehemiah Foundations for leadership and decision making Developing the plan Executing the plan
The importance of purpose Personal purpose (mission & vision) Family purpose (mission & vision) The Great Adventure Church purpose (mission &
vision)
Setting the Stage Jerusalem, new small temple but city
walls and gates in ruins Nehemiah develops plan Nehemiah gets support from Artaxerxes Scopes out and resources project Overcomes obstacles Completes restoration of city wall and
gates in 52 days
Definitions Leadership: showing the way, to direct
the course of, guide Decision Making: selecting a course of
action from alternative options
We are all Leaders and Decision Makers
Work Civic organizations Professional societies Local church
Elders/deacons Ministry Small group Sunday School
Homes Life
Framing the Issue We all lead and make decisions For a Christian, how he/she do leads and
makes decisions makes a difference Nehemiah’s life illustrates how to lead
and make decisions in a God honoring manner
Nehemiah’s Leadership Factorsfrom Donald Campbell
Established a reasonable and attainable goal Had sense of mission Willing to get involved Rearranged his priorities to accomplish the
goal Patiently waited for God’s timing Showed respect to his superior Prayed at critical times Made his requests with tact and graciousness
Campbell cites 21 Leadership Factors (Cont)
Prepared and knew needs in advance Went through proper channels Took time to rest, pray and plan Investigated the situation firsthand Informed others only after he knew the full
scope of the problem Identified himself as one with the people Set before them a reasonable/attainable goal Assured people that God supported the
project
Campbell cites 21 Leadership Factors (Cont)
Displayed confidence in facing obstacles Displayed God’s confidence in facing
obstacles Did not argue with opponents Was not discouraged by opposition Courageously used the authority of his
position
Foundations for Leadership and Decision Making
God’s perspective Prayer God’s timing
Foundations:Ensuring God’s Perspective
Neh 1:4, 2:17 “There is a way that seems right to man,
but its end is the way to death.” Prov 14:12
Adam and Eve, Israel’s desire for a king, etc.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:2
Foundations:Prayer and the Word
Neh 1:4-10, 2:4, 4:4, 6:9, 8:1-8 Staying connected to the infinite God, the source of
strength and wisdom “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.”
1 Thes 5:17 “…The prayer of a righteous man has great
power….”Ja 5:16 “…for the blessing granted us through the prayers
of many.” 2 Cor 1:11 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path.” Ps 119:105
Foundations:God’s Timing
Neh 1:4 and four months later Artaxerxes 2:1-8
“So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night….” Neh 9:11
“…at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom 5:6
“…the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. For there is a time and a way for everything…” Ecc 8:5-6
“If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all….” Ja 1:5
Developing the Plan Mastering the situation Obtaining support/permission Creating the actual plan Resourcing the plan
Developing the Plan:Mastering the Situation
“…and I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped…and concerning Jerusalem.” Neh 1:2
“Then I arose at night…I inspected the walls of Jerusalem and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.” Neh 2:12-13
Mastering the situation results in the best leadership and decisions. Conversely, a poor understanding often leads to poor decisions.
Take your time and get the facts, consider personally validating the facts
Developing the Plan;Obtaining Support/ Permission
“…send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves…that I may rebuild it….let letters be given me to the governors of the province…” Neh 2: 5-7
Actions without permission can backfire Get permission from parent, spouse, boss,
elder, etc.
Developing the Plan:Creating the actual plan
Many people identify lots of problems, far fewer develop the plans required to fix the problems
Nehemiah did not just bemoan the situation, he mastered the facts and developed a plan
Nehemiah had a plan ready so that when the opportunity presented itself, was asked by Artaxerxes, he could make it reality. Neh 2: 1-8
Plans (solutions to problems) are the basis for meaningful action
Have you created plans to solve your problems?
Developing the Plan:Resourcing the Plan
“…and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber….” Neh 2:8
A plan without proper resources is a failed plan The plan of salvation was resourced with the
blood of Christ. “In Him we have redemption through His blood…” Eph 1:7
We must ensure proper resources to ensure plan success
Resourcers: Parent, spouse, boss, GAC treasurer, budget
Executing the Plan Assigning Duties Individual and group tasks Motivating and encouraging the people Persisting in spite of opposition Realizing and celebrating success
Executing the Plan:Assigning Duties
Nehemiah divided up the work. You can swallow an elephant one bite at a time
He selected tasks the workers could identify with Priests repaired the Sheep Gate. Neh 3:1 People repaired the areas in front of their
homes. Neh 3:28
Executing the Plan:Individual and Group Tasks
“…The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us. “ Neh 4:19-20
Application: At the GAC, we each have ministries, but at times, all are needed for corporate service. Answer the “trumpet” when corporate service is required
Executing the Plan:Motivating and Encouraging
“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Neh 2:18
Gave credit to all his key builders. Neh 3 “…Do not be afraid of them. Remember the
Lord, who is great and awesome….” Neh 4:14 David and Jonathan 1 Sam 18:1-4 Paul’s farewell to the Ephesians Acts 26:13-38 Don’t forget to motivate and encourage
Executing the PlanPersisting In Spite of Opposition Nehemiah encountered incredible
opposition but he persevered “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Rom 8:31 Much more on this important topic next
week
Executing the PlanRealizing and Celebrating Success
“So the wall was finished …in 52 days. When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid…for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Neh 6:15-16
Celebrated by reading the law, and “eat, drink and make great rejoicing” Neh 6
There are many examples of celebrating accomplishments. Vital however, to give God the glory
Nehemiah’s PurposeMotivated His Actions
Ultimate goal; the vision Fully restored city of Jerusalem that brings
glory to God…walls intact, gates tight, rubble cleaned up, people living by God’s law
Immediate task; the mission Rebuild the city walls and gates
Importance of Purpose Provides meaning Inspires and motivates Results in focus of energy/resources Aids in efficiency Results in moving a person/organization
to a new level of meaningfulness/usefulness
Personal Mission and Vision
The Westminster Catechism: The prime end (purpose) of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever
Apostle Paul: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21
Personal mission: Glorify God by becoming more Christ like and influencing others for Christ, while serving on the administration of Emmaus Bible College
Personal vision: To become fully Christ like
Family Mission and Vision Family mission: A strong Christian family,
influencing others in the community for Christ.
Family vision: To become known in the community as a bright shining lighthouse providing physical, mental and spiritual support that leads to decisions for Christ.
Importance of Purpose Provides meaning Inspires and motivates Results in focus of energy/resources Aids in efficiency Results in moving person/organization to
a new level of meaningfulness
What is the Purpose (Mission and Vision) of the Great Adventure Church?
What are we doing as a local church? What should we be doing? How is the GAC supporting members’
growth in the Lord/potential for ministry? What do you think the Lord wants the
GAC to become? These are mission and vision issues
What is the Mission and Vision of the Great Adventure Church? Example: Most of us would agree we need to be
thinking about a larger/different facility What type of facility should it be? The answer will be dictated by the
content of our mission and vision statements
Planning Process Initiated Planning committee will keep the church
members informed of progress Formulate draft mission and vision Develop supporting goals Lead effort to create specific measurable
objectives Your input is vital…the time for input is now….
not after the plan is completed Next week, you will receive mailing explaining
how to provide your initial input via an online survey
Challenge Study and apply the principles of
Christian leadership and decision making as exemplified by Nehemiah
Establish a personal mission and vision Establish a mission and vision for your
family Join with us in establishing a mission and
vision for the Great Adventure Church