Introduction

  • Read God’s word every day!
  • If you rush past the ruler to get to the rules, you may not assess them correctly. The Bible is a Jesus book!

Nehemiah

  • Overview
    • Laments the sins of the people – Nehemiah 1:3-7
    • Travels far to go and help them – Nehemiah 2:4-11
    • Teaches repentance and renewal – Nehemiah 2:13-18
    • Motivates them to work together – Nehemiah 3
    • Stands against outside opposition – Nehemiah 4:8-16
    • Calls for unity, peace, and love – Nehemiah 5:1-13
    • Faces threat of death by enemies – Nehemiah 6:1-10
    • Finishes the work he sets out to do – Nehemiah 6:15-16
    • Becomes a leader for years to come – Nehemiah 5:14
    • Calls for continual faithfulness – Nehemiah 10:28-39
  • Would you have listened to Nehemiah?
  • Nehemiah was a shadow of a great leader: Jesus

Jesus

  • Overview
    • Laments the sins of the people
    • Travels far to go and help them – Philippians 2
    • Teaches repentance and renewal
    • Motivates them to work together
    • Stands against outside opposition
    • Calls for unity, peace, and love
    • Faces threat of death by enemies
    • Finishes the work he sets out to do – Hebrews 12
    • Becomes a leader for years to come
    • Calls for continual faithfulness
  • Is His passion enough for you? Or do you have to wait until it is your own idea?
  • Will you allow Jesus to call you to repent? To demand change?
  • Can He pull you into communal service, to church involvement?
  • Is He worth overcoming external and internal pressures to quit?
  • Is past involvement enough? Or can He call you in for more?

A call to service

  • Elders – I Timothy 3:10, 1
  • Deacons
  • Teachers
  • Evangelists
  • Hosts
  • Givers
  • Workers
  • Encouragers
  • Romans 12:1-8 – Don’t wait to feel the call. Hear the call!
  • Ephesians 4:11-16
  • When you get lazy and lethargic, you get mean and blame others. This doesn’t happen if you use your hands for good.

Conclusion

  • Matthew 16:24
  • Are you a 90 or a 52?