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?