There are many obstacles to be overcome and there are many pitfalls to be avoided.
A leader should learn to absolutely depend on God and should constantly trust in the limitless resources of our God
As leaders in the service of the LORD, we face disappointments in our ministry; our relationship with others and even with our own commitment to the work of the Lord but God has made provision of His grace to aid us through it all.
A leader must always recognize God’s Grace is sufficient 2 Cor 12:9. He makes us able to be His ministers. It is not by our own ability.
A leader must be real with him/herself by evaluating his/her motivation, priorities and lifestyles.
A leader must always recognize that he/she has been chosen by God to bear fruit John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last..”
The starting point:-
A leader must recognize that he/she cannot build on any other foundation 1 Cor 3:11-13 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”
Case study: Nehemiah chapter 3- a record of building the wall around Jerusalem.
As a leader, you must know what you are cut out for/ your mission. He/she must know and understand what God’s will is. To enter into any service for God without regard for what may be the will of God is not only foolish but also sinful.
A leader must have an objective/ goal and must show a warmhearted and enthusiastic spirit to achieve the objective effectively and efficiently.
Nehemiah chapter 3, my attention is drawn to a phrase that occurs four times in this chapter “… he repaired… over against his house.” This is where every real work for God begins- at home. Here is the starting point for everything. A church is not stronger than its homes (a church is made up of families).
As I examine this record of those who repaired near their houses, I am impressed with the significance of their names. In the Hebrew tongue, a man’s name was often descriptive of his character. Let’s look at the four names that are used here in relation to our lives and churches.
1. Jedaiah- Neh 3:10, his name means “Invoker” (one who calls upon God), meaning his life was founded on prayer. Prayer is an armor and it is very significant in our ministries today. It is important to build the wall of prayer in our own lives.
To pray is to keep in communication with God for you to know His will for you, and for you to thank Him for His blessings and to inquire if He will grant you what you are in need of.
2. Benjamin and Hasshub- Neh 3:23. Hasshub means an “Associate” and Benjamin means “the son of my right hand” the one who is there to protect. We need leaders who can protect the ministry and the ministers. They also worked together.
3. Zadok the son of Immer- Neh 3:29. Zadok means “Justice” and that is a connotation of integrity. As a leader you must be faithful to your vows, be it in marriage or at work or even school. Accountability, submission, openness etc such aspects each leader must consider.
Zadok was the son of Immer-his name means “talkative.” There is no known weapon that does more harm in the home than the tongue.
A leader should guard against criticizing the servants of God and pray for them instead.
4. Meshullam the son of Berechiah also repaired over against his chamber. Neh 3:30. Meshullam lived in his one-roomed apartment alone “his chamber” maybe he felt insignificant. His name means, “Devoted.” Moreover, he is the son of Berechiah meaning, “the Lord has blessed him.” The blessing of the LORD does not depend on whether it is big or little. Sometime some excuses used by people for not participating in the work of the LORD is a feeling of insignificance, helplessness, lack of devotion to the task and rejection.
Every leader must be devoted to the task God has entrusted them with and should not let any excuse be a hindrance.
Note: the wall is continuous, and if there is a hole somewhere, the enemy will breakthrough. Eph 4:27 “leave no room or foothold for the devil.” A leader must ensure that all loopholes are closed up through prayer and in unity of purpose.
Summary
Ø A leader must know and understand that God has chosen Him for a specific task.
Ø A leader must have a vision and must take responsibility
Ø A leader must have a warmhearted and enthusiastic spirit in serving God and the people.
Ø A leader must recognize the starting point is in him/her and his/her family
Ø A leader must build a wall of prayer around his life.
Ø A leader must protect his people/ ministers of God.
Ø Leaders must work in unity.
Ø A leader must acknowledge that everyone is significant.
Ø A leader must build on the firm foundation-Christ jesus.
Ø A leader must give each man a sense of responsibility for the work for accountability.
Ø A leader must be able to organize the work for maximum efficiency.
Ø A leader must know where to start. Beginning with the spiritual aspect of the work and by consecrating everything to God.
Ø A leader must be willing to let people try new things - goldsmiths, priests, and perfumers all became construction workers in building the wall around Jerusalem.
Ø A leader should never disqualify people because of a past of sin and compromise or mistake.
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