Nehemiah - a Leader with Backbone 8 Memory Verse- I Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”

The walls of were rebuilt but Your THE WAY TO HEAVEN inside the walls the city was a mess. Hardly anyone Thoughts Realize That God Loves You. was living in Jerusalem and the residential area was “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that not fully rebuilt yet. Nehemiah worked hard to whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” organize the city so it could function and in turn (John 3:16). thrive. He organized the people placing the right leaders in the right places. The Bible Says That All Men Are Sinners. Nehemiah new that God must “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory to God.” be placed in the center of the city. (Romans 3:23). Nehemiah organized public worship Think about it: for the inhabitants of the city. He God’s Word Also Says That Sin Must Be Paid For. institutes traditional holidays back Problems arising are “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through into the calendar. Life in Jerusalem is defining moments in a Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). back to normal with people filling the leader’s life. streets and houses. The people make The Good News Is That Jesus Christ Paid for Our Sins. many promises to God in 10:28-38. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Nehemiah returns to the palace in Shushan after twelve years of service in Jerusalem. He is We Must Personally Pray and Call on Jesus Christ as Our Personal there for a short time and then returns back to Saviour. Jerusalem after receiving negative reports. The The Bible Says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord people have forsook their promises to God. The shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13). people are quickly turing away. Does this show a flaw in Nehemiah’s leadership? No, this is just another defining moment in Nehemiah’s leadership. Online at cfccampusministry.com Read Nehemiah 13:1-31. Copyright © 2021 Lessons on Leadership Lesson 1

Your He Contends with the Rulers (8-14) Your Thoughts Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to find that The merchants camp around the city trying to Thoughts has moved into a room in the Temple. What is lure the people to buy. Nehemiah confronts these wrong with him living there? First, he is an Ammonite people and says, “Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye (4:3) and God said, “that the Ammonite and the do so again, I will lay hands on you.” Nehemiah is Moabite should not come into the congregation of God serious and not scared to confront an issue. forever”. The high priest has actually allowed him to He Contends with the People (23-31) move into the Temple of all places and then into a Now we see the people have broken yet room that was dedicated to keep the offerings to God. another promise to God, the mixed marrying with Nehemiah comes into the Temple and throws forbidden people. Nehemiah goes straight to the all Tobiah’s belongings out into the street. He cleans people and confronts them. He reminds them that even and restores the room to its original purpose. the great King Solomon was lured away by strange Nehemiah then goes straight to the rulers. The Bible wives. He gets physical and chases certain ones out of says he, “contended with the rulers”. This means he town. Nehemiah does not back down or compromise. opposed and disputed with the leadership. He sets things right. He is not swayed by the majority, Nehemiah goes straight to the the people, or the culture. Nehemiah has convictions Think about it: source of the problem, the leaders. that he lives and dies by. Remember that everything rises or falls Everything rises Nehemiah’s point of reference is Think About it: upon the leadership. New people are God and His Word. This is the ruling or falls upon placed into new leadership positions. factor in his life and all his decisions. He Take a moment & leadership. This will add new influence and more is not afraid of man. The fear of man is think about how you accountability. one of the biggest hinderances for would have reacted He Contends with the Nobles (15-22) leaders confronting issues. It is always in each situation. Not only has the high priest allowed a easier not to confront an issue. forbidden person to move into God’s Temple, but the A leader’s job is not finished when the goal is people are also not keeping the Sabbath day. reached. There is always ongoing work in a leaders Nehemiah comes and finds that people are working life. Everything revolves around people. People who and selling merchandise on the day of rest. What does have a sinful nature. Nehemiah diagnosis the Nehemiah do? He immediately stops the work and problems and provides immediate remedies. selling dead in its tracks. Again he goes straight to the Nehemiah stands strong alone. Leaders will have to source, the leaders, and contends with them. He stand alone. Standing for what is right when the reminds the people of the consequences of the past for majority does not takes courage and boldness. violating this same law. He places new leaders to How does the fear of people guard the gates and city. affect how you lead and live your life?