Godly Leadership: Guiding Families and Communities in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Worship as the Foundation of Leadership

True leadership begins with prioritizing worship, as Nehemiah did by appointing Levites and singers. Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a daily practice that shapes our identity and security. When we center our lives around worshiping God, we align ourselves with His purposes and find true fulfillment. This principle is crucial for leaders in the home, church, and community. By making worship a priority, we create an environment where God's presence is felt, and His guidance is sought in every decision.

Nehemiah understood that true security and identity come from worshiping God, not from physical or material safeguards. He re-established true worship in Jerusalem by appointing Levites and singers, ensuring that the community's focus remained on God. This act of prioritizing worship serves as a model for us today. In our homes, we should create spaces and times dedicated to worship, teaching our families the importance of seeking God first in all things. [59:21]

Bible Passage: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: How can you make worship a central part of your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure that your home is a place where God is worshiped and honored?

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Day 2: Faithfulness and God-Fearing Leadership

Effective leadership in our homes and communities requires a deep reverence for God and a commitment to His ways. Nehemiah chose leaders who were faithful and God-fearing, setting a standard for us to follow. Faithfulness to God should be evident in our actions and decisions, reflecting our commitment to His principles. This kind of leadership inspires trust and respect, creating a positive influence on those around us.

Nehemiah's choice of leaders who were faithful and God-fearing teaches us that true leadership is rooted in a deep reverence for God. These leaders were committed to God's ways, and their faithfulness was evident in their actions and decisions. As we lead in our homes, workplaces, and communities, we should strive to embody these qualities. Our faithfulness to God should be visible in how we live, make decisions, and interact with others. [01:06:39]

Bible Passage: "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life can you demonstrate greater faithfulness to God? How can you show a deeper reverence for Him in your daily actions and decisions?

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Day 3: Creating Safe Environments

Just as Nehemiah ensured the safety of Jerusalem by setting guards and controlling the gates, we must protect our homes from harmful influences. This involves being vigilant about what enters our homes, both spiritually and physically. By modeling godly behavior and setting boundaries, we create a safe environment where our families can grow in their faith and feel secure.

Nehemiah took practical steps to ensure the safety of Jerusalem, setting guards and controlling the gates to protect the city from external threats. Similarly, we must be vigilant in protecting our homes from harmful influences. This includes monitoring what we allow into our homes through media, relationships, and activities. By modeling godly behavior and setting clear boundaries, we create a safe environment where our families can thrive spiritually and emotionally. [01:11:07]

Bible Passage: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: What are some harmful influences that you need to guard against in your home? How can you create a safer environment for your family to grow in their faith?

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Day 4: Promoting Goodness and Fairness

Nehemiah re-established justice by ensuring people received their rightful inheritance, reflecting God's goodness and fairness. As leaders, we should strive to be fair, just, and kind, embodying the compassion and forgiveness outlined in Colossians 3:12-14. By promoting goodness and fairness, we create an environment where trust and respect flourish, and God's love is evident.

Nehemiah's actions in re-establishing justice and ensuring people received their rightful inheritance highlight the importance of fairness and goodness in leadership. As leaders, we are called to reflect God's goodness by being fair, just, and kind in our interactions with others. This includes showing compassion, forgiveness, and understanding, as outlined in Colossians 3:12-14. By promoting these values, we create an environment where trust and respect can flourish, and God's love is evident. [01:17:03]

Bible Passage: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you promote fairness and goodness in your daily interactions? What steps can you take to ensure that your leadership reflects God's justice and kindness?

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Day 5: Fostering Hospitality

Nehemiah welcomed the exiles back to Jerusalem, ensuring they felt at home. We are called to be hospitable, opening our homes and hearts to others. This extends to building relationships within our church community and making everyone feel included and valued. By fostering hospitality, we create a sense of belonging and demonstrate God's love in tangible ways.

Nehemiah's act of welcoming the exiles back to Jerusalem and ensuring they felt at home is a powerful example of hospitality. As followers of Christ, we are called to open our homes and hearts to others, creating a sense of belonging and community. This extends beyond our immediate families to include our church community and those in need. By fostering hospitality, we demonstrate God's love in tangible ways, making everyone feel included and valued. [01:18:11]

Bible Passage: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice hospitality in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to make others feel welcomed and valued in your home and community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to honor our graduates and reflect on the importance of leadership, particularly in our homes and communities. We celebrated the achievements of our high school, college, and seminary graduates, recognizing their leadership roles and the fruits they have produced. We prayed for their protection and guidance as they embark on new journeys, asking God to help them be lights in the darkness and leaders for the gospel.

We then transitioned to our ongoing series on Nehemiah, focusing on Nehemiah 7. The central theme was leadership, specifically godly leadership, and how it can transform our homes, churches, and communities. Nehemiah exemplified this by establishing a household of true worship, faithfulness, safety, goodness, and hospitality. These principles are not just for leaders in the church but are crucial for parents, especially fathers, in leading their families.

Nehemiah's actions in re-establishing worship, appointing faithful leaders, ensuring safety, promoting goodness, and fostering hospitality serve as a blueprint for us. We are all leaders in some capacity, whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities. By embracing these godly leadership principles, we can guide those around us into deeper devotion to the Lord.

The sermon emphasized the importance of fathers in the spiritual development of their children, citing studies that show children are more likely to continue in their faith if their fathers are actively involved. This underscores the need for fathers to be the primary disciple-makers in their homes, modeling godly behavior and leading by example.

In conclusion, we are called to be leaders who reflect Christ's example of justice, goodness, and worship. By doing so, we can create environments where our families and communities can flourish in their faith.

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Key Takeaways

1. establishing true worship by appointing Levites and singers. This highlights that worship should be central in our homes and churches. True security and identity come from worshiping God, not just from physical or material safeguards. [59:21]
2. Faithfulness and God-Fearing Leadership: Nehemiah chose leaders who were faithful and God-fearing. This teaches us that effective leadership in our homes and communities requires a deep reverence for God and a commitment to His ways. Faithfulness to God should be evident in our actions and decisions.

3. Creating Safe Environments: Nehemiah ensured the safety of Jerusalem by setting guards and controlling the gates. Similarly, we must protect our homes from harmful influences, both spiritually and physically. This involves being vigilant about what enters our homes and modeling godly behavior.

4. Promoting Goodness and Fairness: Nehemiah re-established justice by ensuring people received their rightful inheritance. In our leadership, we should strive to be fair, just, and kind, reflecting the goodness of God. This includes being compassionate and forgiving, as outlined in Colossians 3:12-14.

5. Fostering Hospitality: Nehemiah welcomed the exiles back to Jerusalem, ensuring they felt at home. We are called to be hospitable, opening our homes and hearts to others. This extends to building relationships within our church community and making everyone feel included and valued.

### [59:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:27] - Honoring Our Graduates
[30:50] - Prayer for Graduates
[31:34] - Encouragement for Graduates
[41:03] - Offering and Doxology
[42:17] - The Importance of Giving
[44:14] - Prayer for the Offering
[45:32] - Introduction to Nehemiah 7
[47:01] - What Kind of Leader Are You?
[48:27] - John Maxwell on Leadership
[49:50] - Levels of Leadership
[51:12] - Leadership in the Home
[53:54] - Nehemiah's Godly Leadership
[56:43] - Establishing True Worship
[59:21] - The Role of Levites and Singers
[66:39] - Faithfulness and God-Fearing Leadership
[71:07] - Ensuring Safety
[77:03] - Promoting Goodness and Fairness
[78:11] - Fostering Hospitality
[81:24] - The Role of Fathers in Discipleship
[84:22] - Jesus as the Supreme Leader
[86:59] - Closing Prayer and Final Hymn

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Nehemiah 7:1-6 (ESV) — > "Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. And I said to them, 'Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.' The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it..."

2. Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
> "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

3. Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV)
> "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."

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Observation Questions

What were the roles of the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites in Nehemiah 7:1?
According to Nehemiah 7:2, why did Nehemiah appoint Hanani and Hananiah to oversee Jerusalem?
In Colossians 3:12-14, what qualities are believers encouraged to "put on"?
What does Psalm 95:6-7 emphasize about our relationship with God?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Nehemiah prioritized the appointment of gatekeepers, singers, and Levites after the wall was built?
How does the faithfulness and God-fearing nature of Hanani and Hananiah reflect the type of leadership Nehemiah valued?
How can the qualities listed in Colossians 3:12-14 help in creating a godly household and community?
What does Psalm 95:6-7 suggest about the importance of worship in our daily lives?

Application Questions

Worship in Leadership: How can you make worship a central part of your home life? What specific steps can you take to ensure that worship is a priority for your family?
Faithfulness and God-Fearing Leadership: Reflect on your own leadership roles, whether at home, work, or in the community. How can you demonstrate faithfulness and a deep reverence for God in these roles?
Creating Safe Environments: What are some practical ways you can protect your home from harmful influences? How can you model godly behavior for your family?
Promoting Goodness and Fairness: Think of a recent situation where you had to make a decision. How did you ensure that your decision was fair and just? How can you promote goodness and fairness in your daily interactions?
Fostering Hospitality: How can you open your home and heart to others in your church community? Identify one person or family you can invite over this month to build a stronger relationship.
Role of Fathers in Discipleship: If you are a father, how are you actively discipling your children? What changes can you make to be more intentional in this role? If you are not a father, how can you support and encourage the fathers in your community to take up this mantle?
Reflecting Christ's Example: Jesus exemplified justice, goodness, and worship. How can you reflect these qualities in your leadership? What specific actions can you take this week to lead like Christ in your home and community?

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We pray that as they go to school to go to college that they can be a light in the darkness, that they can speak forth your word, that they can be leaders for your gospel and not followers of the world that's out there." [31:34](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What a beautiful thing it is to sow into the kingdom of God. I'm going to invite our second grade and younger, our young people, to head out to the back and follow Miss Jen right back here. This is our 'Let's Grow,' this is our during the service Sunday school program, and we invite your kids of their second grade and under to join with them and enjoy this praise and worship in only the way that a second grader can." [41:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When we're giving, we're sowing into the kingdom of God. Not only is God pleased, but all of us are pleased and praise God. We all get to share in the benefits of seeing God's mission go forward. And so when we bring in that sacrifice of offering, that's exactly what we're doing. We're sowing into the kingdom." [42:17](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Nehemiah exemplifies the importance of godly leadership. By embracing Nehemiah's example of leadership, we can guide our homes and our churches into deeper devotion to the Lord because that's what Nehemiah did." [56:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus exemplified justice. He exemplified goodness. He exemplified worship. He exemplified all of these things that are important to do. If you want to know how to be a true man, you have to watch Christ. You have to watch how he was able to be angry and sin not. You need to be able to see how he showed kindness and goodness, but then a backbone when the time came." [01:24:22](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Nehemiah established a household of true worship. In other words, true worship was very important to Nehemiah. And we see that right in verse 1. It says, 'Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors and the gatekeepers, then the singers and the Levites had been appointed.' Well, let's go through that and see what's going on in the book of Nehemiah." [59:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Nehemiah established a household of faithfulness, faithfulness to God. Verse 2: 'I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.' So let's walk through this a little bit. I gave my brother Hanani—we got clear distinctions because this could be a little confusing—Hanani is the brother of Nehemiah, but Hananiah is a governor." [01:06:39](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Nehemiah established a household of safety. Verse 3 and 4 goes like this: 'And I said to them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be open until the sun is hot, and while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.' You see, the way that you usually would open up the gates is when the sun would rise." [01:11:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Nehemiah established a household of goodness. What do I mean by that? Verse 4: 'The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been built. Then my God put into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy, and I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it.' Okay, what's going on here?" [01:15:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Nehemiah established a household of hospitality. And this is going on to verse 6 of Nehemiah. It says, 'These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had carried into the exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own home.' Not only did he extend justice and fairness to them, but he also made sure that they felt welcome." [01:18:11](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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