Last week we looked at verses 14-15 and the first of the four commitments that every spiritual leader must make:
I. (:14-15) LETTING GO OF RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES —
MODELING SERVANT LEADERSHIP
A. Good Example: Mindset of Foregoing Legitimate Privileges
B. Bad Example: Mindset of Forced Rule and Feathering One’s Own Nest
C. Fundamental Motivation: Mindset of Fear of the Lord
This week we will be looking at the remaining three commitments.
II. (:16) LABORING AT THE TASK AT HAND –
MODELING PARTNERSHIP COMMITMENT INSTEAD OF EXPLOITATION
A. Rolling up one’s own sleeves vs. Ivory Tower Delegation
“I also applied myself to the work on this wall;”
1. Shared Labor — “I applied myself”
Some spiritual leaders present themselves as the designated “Visionary” – but their great vision involves you doing all the work that they find distasteful or tedious
Must be willing to do the dirty work – not just rally the troops to work hard; Nobody around to make Nehemiah do this; he applied himself to the work at hand
Problem of too many chiefs and not enough Indians
2. Sweat Equity – “to the work”
Sam Ewing: Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.
1 Tim. 3:1 “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do”
3. Staying on Task – “on this wall”
Stayed on task – the work on this wall; did not get distracted; did not introduce his own agenda; did not rely on his own wisdom to come up with some other plan; allowed the Lord to build a vision in his mind and than implemented that vision
Christ (the Carpenter): “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” (John 4:34)
“For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)
Came to seek and to save the lost – passed on to His disciples the Great Commission – we know what the task at hand is
Apostle Paul (the Tentmaker): worked night and day
“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus , that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:33-35)
B. Valuing the Vulnerable vs. Selfish Exploitation
“we did not buy any land,”
Look at how “public servants” enrich themselves while in office and set themselves up for further riches when they leave office
- All types of real estate scams involving high level politicians
- Example of Insider Trading – always at the expense of someone
- Example of people using political office to get themselves a high-paying job when they leave
Breneman: The land Nehemiah refers to is that which governors could accumulate from people’s failure to pay taxes or to repay debts.
MacArthur: Even though the time to purchase property from those forced to sell couldn’t have been better, Nehemiah maintained a consistent personal policy not to take advantage of another’s distress. He worked on the wall rather than spending his time building personal wealth.
Jer. 22:13-19 Key Passage [separate sermon]
Instead Christ modeled Compassion – Is. 42:1-4
Edward J. Young: Just as the bruised reed cannot withstand any force that might soon break it, so weak men, broken in power and strength because of oppression they are suffering, will collapse under violent force. The servant does not destroy such weak men. Rather, he takes pity upon their low estate. His actions are in strong contrast to those of earthly conquerors.
C. Committing Family Resources vs. Spoiling the Royal Household
“and all my servants were gathered there for the work.”
No one missing in action; followed Nehemiah’s example
Benefiting the nation rather than working on his personal estate; like an Amish barn raising; many hands make light work; the lazy always make excuses
III. (:17-18) LEADING BY EXAMPLE IN THE AREA OF GENEROSITY —
MODELING SACRIFICING FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
A. (:17-18a) Unselfish Sharing
1. Generous Hospitality — Feeding the Appropriate Guests
a. Providing for the Key Officials of the Kingdom
“Moreover, there were at my table one hundred and fifty Jews and officials,”
You thought you didn’t have a big enough dining room table to entertain people!
b. Providing for the Visiting Dignitaries from other Nations
“besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us.”
True public servant – ran the government at his own expense
Apostle Paul: “nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.” (2 Thess. 3:8-9)
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Gal. 6:10)
2. Generous Provisions – not talking about institutional type food here
a. Allotment of Beef
“Now that which was prepared for each day was one ox and six choice sheep,”
b. Allotment of Poultry
“also birds were prepared for me;”
c. Allotment of Wine
“and once in ten days all sorts of wine were furnished in abundance.”
Yamauchi: meat sufficient to provide one meal for 600 to 800 persons
Christ: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matt. 6:11) patterned after the manna in the wilderness
Apostle Paul: “for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means; and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:11-13)
2 Cor. 9:6-9 “not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”
B. (:18b) Unselfish Sensitivity
“Yet for all this I did not demand the governor’s food allowance, because the servitude was heavy on this people.”
Absorbing the pressure and responsibility instead of passing it along to a people that were already overburdened
Don’t be a Burden on the people, but a Blessing – (review of Point #1) – Nehemiah had no problem sacrificing in order to be a blessing to the people; he knew how much pressure they were already under
I. (:14-15) LETTING GO OF RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES –
MODELING SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Example of Egyptians by contrast – Jews were afflicted and oppressed and cried out; response was to beat them and lay even harder burdens on them (“Hand Me Another Brick” – play on title of Swindoll’s commentary) – Exod 1 :13-14; 5:7-21
Example of Split of Kingdom – Rehoboam – 2 Chron. 10:1-11 – followed the foolish advice of the novice counselors who advocated an oppressive type of domineering rule; instead of following the wise counsel of the older elders who lobbied for kindness and compassion
IV. (:19) LOOKING FOR REWARD FROM GOD – CONCLUSION —
MODELING CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
“Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”
Same plea repeated at the end of the book 13:14, 22, 31
A. Appeal to God’s Faithfulness
“Remember me,”
- Many promises about future rewards; God will not forget His loyal servants
B. Appeal to God’s Sovereignty
“O my God,”
C. Appeal to God’s Goodness
“for good,”
– comes down on the side of goodness; loves to give good gifts to His children
D. Appeal to God’s Justice
“according to all that I have done for this people.”
Harvest Law still applies
In contrast to instant gratification and recognition and reward; Remember God’s Harvest Law – as you sow, so shall you also reap; the compensation will ultimately be commensurate with the faithfulness; therefore be careful how you build; integrity of ministry is important
Max Lucado: (lesson that someone related to him) “God has shown me that IT’S NOT ABOUT ME, and IT’S NOT ABOUT NOW.”
You want to look for reward from the right place; if you are a man-pleaser or looking for reward right now you will not endure through the ministry challenges and remain faithful
When you are motivated by the fear of the Lord and the desire to please Him . . .
When you act on the basis of love and compassion for God’s people – sacrificing your own material resources to make sure you don’t further burden down others . . .
You should have the expectation of ultimate reward from the righteous judge
Nehemiah’s efforts brought tangible good results to God’s people
Swindoll: This could appear to be a bold, self-promoting prayer at first glance, asking to be rewarded for all the good he’s doing for the people of Jerusalem. But it’s much more. This is a prayer that invites the Lord to hold him accountable for his actions and to treat him accordingly. (Psalms 139:23-24) Furthermore, he commits himself to such conduct as would be worthy of reward.
Leadership is no bed of roses –
J. Oswald Sanders: A cross stands in the way of spiritual leadership, a cross upon which the leader must consent to be impaled.
CONCLUSION:
- Another birthday – How do I want to be remembered?
- How did Nehemiah want to be remembered?
- How did Paul want to be remembered?
As one who exemplified each of the 4 commitments of spiritual leaders we have just studied:
A. Servant Leadership
Wise master builder who followed God’s plan for church structure and ministry philosophy – that includes a plurality of godly servant elders in each local church – submitted to the Chief Shepherd (1 Cor. 3:10); not a shoddy builder who cuts corners and follows the path of expediency – whatever seems to produce the best results at the moment
B. Partnership Commitment
Aggressively using my spiritual gift for the furtherance of the kingdom; as well as promoting the ministry of my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord; in my case that means discernment and accuracy in expositing God’s Word; a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)
C. Sacrificing for the Needs of Others
Boasting in not being a Burden to God’s people, but rather a Blessing; Generous, unselfish, hospitable, gracious (1 Cor. 9:3-18; 2 Cor. 11:23-27)
D. Confidence in God’s Faithfulness
Finish the course laid out for me as a faithful steward of what has been entrusted to me and look for that future reward (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
Related posts:
- Example of Sacrificial Ministry — Part 1 — Neh. 5:14-15
- Partnership in Mutual Ministry — Neh. 3
- How To Respond When Church Becomes An Embarrassment
- Financial Support In The Ministry – 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
- The Coming of the Holy Spirit — Part 5 — The Ongoing Ministry of the Exalted Jesus — Acts 2:33-36
