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10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson
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Studies in Nehemiah Lesson 11
HANDLING LEADERSHIP, PROMOTION AND THE LIMELIGHT
Intro.
The two hardest things to handle in life are failure and success.
Promotion is often harder to handle than adversity. The paths and means
of subversion are quite different, but either can lead to one's destruction and
ruin. Far more people are able to handle adversity than can handle prosperity.
Prosperity so often produces pride and self-sufficiency. It has been said that
luxury disturbs one's spiritual, emotional and moral equilibrium.
Each one of us would do well to keep clearly in mind that behind every
promotion is the sovereign hand of God. *Psalm
75:5-7.
Nehemiah was "their
governor" Neh. 6:14.
This was the highest position in Judah. More of God's people need to enter into
positions of leadership. In our world, the absence of godly men and their power
and influence has allowed multitudes of godless men to take control and produce
a godless environment. The real power centers which control and mold society
this day are largely in the hands of God-rejecting men and women: (1) politics,
(2) education, (3) the media and (4) big business. Proverbs
29:2 affirms that which is observable, "When
the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth
rule, the people mourn." This age cries out for godly, committed
attorneys, judges, board of education members, major magazine and newspaper
publishers, radio and television station owners, governors, senators, doctors
and CEOs.
Nehemiah's case illustrates four dangers inherent in promotions and how
to deal successfully with them.
I.
PROMOTIONS BRING PRIVILEGES. Neh.
5:14
"I was...their governor."
A.
Promotion means more power, liberties and opportunities.
1. Almost without
exception, promotion provides access to more money, expenses accounts,
opportunities to step on other people, opportunities for immorality and
occasions to cheat.
2. The higher the
position, often the greater the opportunity and thus the temptation for
corruption.
B.
Nehemiah did not once exploit his privileges.
1. He made no attempt to
make this his empire or his will.
2. This work was God's.
Nehemiah kept in clear focus that he was only
the governor.
Study notes:
Do you know cases where a the privileges that came with promotion became
the downfall of one who had previously done well. Share.
Note:
There is no mention of the wall in the first 15
verses of chapter 5.
1.
You can't build to God's glory with sin in your life.
2.
You can't build while on strike
II.
PROMOTIONS THREATEN POLICIES. Neh.
5:15
"The former governors that had been
before me were chargeable unto the people."
A.
Nehemiah named three ways the former governors had abused their
promotion.
1. They "had
taken of them bread and wine." Brides, kickbacks and pay-offs.
2. They had also taken "forty
shekels of silver." Oppressive taxation.
3. They had promoted "even
their servants to bare rule over the people." Their servants had been
elevated to domineering power over the rightful leadership.
Study notes:
Does it appear that political corruption has really changed very much
over the years?
B.
The pressure of policies is very great.
1. Those around and in the
machine herd people politically. Old rules and former leaders are hard to
oppose. Old trends, policies and ways do not die easily.
2. Nehemiah's example is
one for all ages. "So did not I." Why not? "Because of the fear of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
3. Nehemiah changed the
policies for the better.
III.
PROMOTIONS INVOLVE PROJECTS. Neh.
5:16.
"I continued in the work of this
wall."
A.
Never let pressure, things or people cause you to lose sight of the
project. (There is always the danger that they will.)
1. Never lose sight of
what you came to do. Churches do. Individuals do.
2. Attend the machinery,
but never lose sight of the product.
3. Bend and alter, if
you must, but stay with the project. Nehemiah didn't do it the same ole way.
Study notes:
Discuss the importance of flexibility in life. Can one be flexible and
remain true to God? Is all compromise bad? When is compromise bad?
B.
Never let the project cause you to lose sight of God. (There is always
the danger that it will.)
1. So easy to become so
wrapped up in the project that you lose sight of the one who is behind it all.
2. This is one of the
easiest pitfalls for Christian people. We can feel so good about being busy and
involved, yet be far from God. Mat.
15:8-9.
Study notes:
Is a busy life in the work of God an infallible indication that one is
truly walking with God?
IV.
PROMOTIONS AFFECT PEOPLE. Neh.
5:18-19.
"This people."
A.
In promotion, to achieve your goals, there is ever the danger of running rough-shod
over the people around you, especially those who oppose or who are not pleasant.
B.
As you climb the ladder of success, always stay sensitive to the needs of
the people.
1. Don't lose your
compassion.
2. Nehemiah used his
promotion to do "good" for the people, never to take advantage of them.
Study notes:
Do you suppose that working with people is always an easy thing? Why not?
Discuss the people business.
"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"