Nehemiah – Becoming A Disciplined Leader

• Then there was the guy who hadn’t gotten a promotion in 10 years…
• Rationale for inserting this descriptive paragraph here (see 5:1-13)
• Promotion and perks! Didn’t Nehemiah deserve his "expense account"? After all, he was responsible for 150 people (v. 17,18)
• One ancient text has Ashurnasirpal II feeding 69,574 guests for 10 days
• When Solomon dedicated the temple, look what he did! (I Kings 8:62-65)
• Compare Solomon’s daily provisions for one day (I Kings 4:22-23)
• Former governors, even their aides, had been abusing privileges (v. 15)
• This was an ever greater crime considering the troubles in 5:1-13
• This is what Nehemiah meant in verse 16
• Notice how Nehemiah’s aides acted (v. 16)

• What motivated Nehemiah to avoid abusing privileges, and to avoid using privileges? His choices relate directly to how he viewed his role
• First and foremost, he feared God. (v. 15) also, remember 5:9?
• Nehemiah was sensitive to people’s needs (v. 18)
• Nehemiah wanted God’s special blessing (v. 19)
• God spelled out his promises in Deut. 28
• Remember Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1 (1:8-9)
• Remember God’s word to Joshua (1:7-8)
• God didn’t give us these verses just to have something to read on Sundays! This is God’s blueprint for how to live!
• Do we approach our daily activities as representatives of the Lord?

#1) We should consider promotion as a potential blessing from God

#2) We should consider promotion as an opportunity to benefit and help others

• See Proverbs 29:2

#3) When we accept a promotion, we must realize we will face new temptations

• A sudden change can upset our balance

#4) When promoted, we must never abuse our privileges.

#5) When promoted, we might be wise to give up certain rights

• Consider Paul’s example (I Cor. 9:1,4,7,11-12)

#6) We should always accept a promotion with proper motives

For next week, read Nehemiah Ch. 6:1-14