The Influence Of A Godly Leader Series

The Influence of a Godly Leader

Nehemiah 2: 9-20

Can you imagine the excitement and anticipation that Nehemiah must’ve felt at this point in life? God had placed a great burden on his heart for the needs in Jerusalem. There was great devastation, a tremendous task to undertake. He was in a position of prominence, having obtained the blessing of the king, but now the real work would begin. Nehemiah had been granted the necessary credentials and resources, but he would need to influence and motivate the people to join him in this great task if the walls were to successfully be reconstructed.

Often these opportunities are hoped for and dreamed about, but many times they are never realized. We must remember that Nehemiah was not seeking a project of his own choosing. He was following the leadership and direction of the Lord. Like Nehemiah, we need godly leaders who will obediently follow the Lord’s direction and actually engage in the Kingdom work. Understandably, the task is too great for an individual; successful leaders must be able to influence others to join them in the task God has given – effectively casting a vision that others will embrace and follow.

Our text today finds Nehemiah in Jerusalem, having made the long journey from the east. He will experience first-hand the devastation of the city and the determined opposition of those who do not desire the walls to be rebuilt. Nehemiah will have to evaluate the damage, form a plan for reconstruction, and deal with those determined to hinder his efforts. Godly leaders today face similar challenges but must find a way to influence others to engage in ministry efforts. As we examine the disciplines of Nehemiah, I want to consider: The Influence of a Godly Leader.

I. The Leader’s Determination (9-11) – We find that Nehemiah had finally reached his destination. Scholars estimate the journey would have taken around three months, covering about 1,500 miles. The journey alone would have required great determination and commitment. However, the difficulty associated with travel in that day was not the only adversity Nehemiah faced. We find that Sanballat and Tobiah were greatly grieved that Nehemiah had come seeking the welfare of the Israelites, V.10. These men, and others sympathetic to their cause, would create much trouble for Nehemiah. Clearly, just being committed to go to Jerusalem and beginning the rebuilding effort required great determination and resolve.

In order to be successful in any effort for the Lord, leaders must be determined and committed to the work. Like Nehemiah, often there will be quite a journey to endure before the actual work begins. Leaders must be committed for the long-haul, determined to remain steadfast until the project is ready to begin and remaining diligent until it is complete. Abraham, Joseph, and Moses are just a few examples of those who needed determination to continue with the Lord. We too must be determined to complete the task the Lord has given.

Leaders might as well expect opposition along the way. The enemy seeks every way possible to hinder and discourage the work of the Lord. The Lord never promised the task would be easy, but He did promise to be there with us each step of the way. Leaders cannot allow opposition and worldly resistance to prevent them from pursuing the work of the Lord. We must keep the faith, fight the good fight, and finish the course as Paul described.

II. The Leader’s Preparation (12-16) – Nehemiah was well aware that the task before him would require much effort and preparation. He was also convinced that the work was a worthy task, one that he was determined to complete. In regard to Nehemiah’s preparation, the text reveals:

A. An Enormous Task – Nehemiah set out one night to survey the city walls in order to get an idea of the enormity of the task at hand. That night, he traveled around the perimeter of the city walls, surveying almost two miles of wall that lay in ruin. The gates were burned with fire and there were places where the devastation was so great that the beast he rode was unable to get through the rubble. Clearly, much work would need to be done removing the rubble before the work of rebuilding the walls upon their foundations could begin.

The task before us is enormous as well. We live in a world of over 8 billion people. A large percentage of those have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ – His death, burial, and resurrection for the salvation of mankind. As the church, the body of Christ, we are tasked with taking the gospel to the nations, to the uttermost parts of the earth. That is an enormous task. Effective godly leaders are aware of the enormity of the Great Commission and strive to prepare adequate strategies to reach the nations with the gospel. It is an enormous task, but nonetheless, it is ours to pursue. We need godly leaders who will prepare to pursue such a task.