Leadership Principles

Nehemiah

Summary: A historical account of a Jewish statesman who left his affluent position in the Persian courts to oversee the construction of Jerusalem’s walls. Under Nehemiah’s godly leadership, with intense opposition, a 94 year project was completed in 52 days, Israel returned to God and national reforms were established.

Part I: The Book of Nehemiah

1. A 94 year building project is completed in just 52 days.
2. Construction of Jerusalem’s finished wall
3. Two builders, one purpose
   1. Nehemiah, Jerusalem’s governor, built physically.
   2. Ezra, Priest & Scribe, built spiritually.
4. The productivity of an united team under a godly leader
5. Key People: King Artaxexes, Nehemiah, Ezra, (good) Sanballat, Tobiah (bad)

Part II: The Person of Nehemiah

1. The cupbearer to Persia’s King Artaxerxes
2. A patriot of Israel
3. A relative of Esther
   His boss, King Artaxerxes, was Esther’s step-son.
   She possibly opened the door for him to be hired.
4. Born in exile.
   It had been 140 years since Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and God’s people were taken there to live in captivity.
5. A political statesman
6. Became governor of Jerusalem
7. A national reformer

Part III: 10 Leadership Attributes of Nehemiah

1. A MAN OF PRAYER (1:4, 7:5)
   • In thirteen chapters, there are fifteen references to Nehemiah praying
     Can you find them? Notice what he prayed for, too.
   • Responded to bad news with prayer, fasting and the Word
   • Spent 3-4 months praying about moving to Jerusalem
2. A MAN OF PURPOSE (2:5)
   • Purpose asks “What are you doing?” Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem
   • Natural purpose – doing something for God
   • Supernatural purpose – doing something with God
3. A MAN OF VISION (2:18)
   • Vision asks “Why are you doing this?” To restore God’s glory to Jerusalem
   • Purpose changed to vision when he recognized that “God had put it into his heart.” 2:12
   • Vision provides a reason and focuses on the result 2:17
4. A MAN OF SACRIFICE (2:5)
   • Left luxurious, affluent, royal position, great benefits, and family security
   • Trekked across *700 miles of dangerous deserts filled with thieves and wild animals on an unpredictable journey and thankless task II Cor. 4:8-9 * 700 miles = Houston to Atlanta, GA.
5. A MAN OF FAITH (2:20)
   • What a confession! “The God Himself will prosper us and we, His servants will arise and build…”
   • Faith always gives a good report
   • Nehemiah boasted of “the good hand of God.” 2:18
   • Spoke courage to fearful workers 4:14, 4:20
6. A MAN OF LEADERSHIP (4:6, 13)
   • “He said,” and in response, “they said.” 2:17-18
   • The “people had a mind to work…” 2:6
   • Opposition arose, “Therefore, I positioned men…” 2:13
   • They worked twelve hour shifts with passionate loyalty 4:20
   • Overcame seven weapons: ridicule (4:3), threat of attack (4:7), discouragement (4:10,12), extortion (5:1-7), compromise, slander (6:7), treachery (6:17)
7. A MAN OF FOCUS (6:3, 6:15)
   • Opposing parties attempted to meet and negotiate with Nehemiah five times!
     “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 6:3
   • Did whatever it took. Assigned night workers/watchmen 4:9
   • Slept in clothes 4:23
8. A TEAM PLAYER (8:1)
   • Nehemiah worked on the wall, too. 5:17
   • “Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square…” (8:1)
   • Ezra and Nehemiah; an unbeatable team
   • Did everything he required his priests and officials to do: 9:38, 10:28-40
9. A MAN OF INTEGRITY (2:6. 5:10, 5:17)
   • He and his aides accepted no salary for twelve years. (5:14)
   • Returned to Persia twelve years later as promised
   • Regularly fed 150 Jewish officials & refused to make levy against ppl. (5:18)
10. A STANDARD SETTER
    Read ch. 13 and watch what extreme measures Nehemiah made to keep Israel’s standard high. He refused to compromise God’s standard!
    13:3 Expelled foreigners from assembly immediately
    13:8 Evicted Tobiah, “threw out his belongings” from the room, then demanded room be thoroughly cleaned and restored to God’s purposes
    13:11 Confronted leaders for not paying and caring for Levites
    13:15 Publicly opposed merchants working and selling on Sabbath
    13:17 Reprimanded Judah’s leaders who allowed Sabbath sales
    13:19 Re-wrote laws and hired personal gate guards to ensure Sabbath rest
    13:25 Reprimanded parents for allowing children to intermarry with pagan
    13:30 Key verse of spiritual leadership: purge, delegate, manage

LEADERS DO WHAT’S RIGHT,
WHEN IT’S RIGHT,
JUST BECAUSE IT’S RIGHT.