“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Building a Foundation of Righteousness THE CALL FOR GODLY, SPIRIT-LED LEADERSHIP NEHEMIAH CHAPTER FIVE

Why Do You Get Angry? Immature Anger Righteous Anger Self-Focused, Vindictive Righteous Anger Zealous for God’s Honor Compassion for the Suffering/Disadvantaged

Exemplified in Life of Jesus Jesus got angry in the Temple- Matt. 21:12-13 Jesus got angry in the Synagogue- Mk. 3:1-5 Because God is holy and perfect in righteousness, He naturally hates injustice and unrighteousness.

“And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.  He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” MATTHEW 21:12-13

“And He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart,” MARK 3:3-5 (emphasis mine)

Nehemiah’s Righteous Anger A Season of Suffering Unable to Pay Taxes; Famine Victimized by Fellow Workers Charged Excessive Interest Lost Property/Children

“Building a Foundation of Righteousness” Building a wall was good, but not good enough. God sought to build a nation that exalted righteousness. God’s vision: A Church that exalts righteousness

ACTS 2:44-47 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

is always influenced by godly, Spirit-filled leadership. A church that exalts righteousness is always influenced by godly, Spirit-filled leadership. Nehemiah is an example of godly leadership.  

Godly Leadership Principle #1 Willingness to Confront Sinful Behavior Sin threatens unity and the effectiveness of the Church.

Godly Leadership Principle #2 Ability to Confront Issues in a Controlled and Gentle Manner “sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, not violent but gentle, and not quarrelsome“ 1 Timothy 3:1-3

2 timothy 2:24-25 "The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” (emphasis mine)

Godly Leadership Principle #3 Seeks Bible-Based Solutions to Problems the Bible provides clears answers and principles for all of life’s issues.

2 timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth." (emphasis mine)

Godly Leadership Principle #4 Strives to be God’s Servant-Leader Leads by humble example Lives to please God, not man

Luke 22:25-26 “Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” (emphasis mine)

1 peter 5:1-4 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

1. Pray for Nominating Committee 2. Let the Bible Instruct You Action Steps: “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”. James 1:22 1. Pray for Nominating Committee 2. Let the Bible Instruct You 3. Pray Proverbs 30:8 “ Give me neither poverty nor riches;     feed me with the food that is needful for me.”

The fixer- upper “And all who believed were together and had all things in common… …And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”