Sermon Notes 2/4/24

Nehemiah 5: 14-19 | The Fear of the Lord for the Love of Your Brother p.2 : Godly Leadership Lived Out

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Did you know, the last amendment to the U.S Constitution was approved in 1992……. but it was first proposed in 1791!  It took 200 years to get this amendment added to the Constitution.  Why?

27th Amendment text:

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

 

In other words, congress can’t vote to give themselves a pay raise today.  They have to wait until the next congress gathers.

Why is this needed?  Power and leadership are things that easily tempt people toward their own worldly gain.

Nehemiah’s story demonstrates something so much different. ….

 

Main Idea: 

The fear of the Lord should drive us to love for our brother and our neighbor

 

Why (transformational intent of the passage)?: 

So our lives and leadership are grounded in the fear of the Lord

 

Nehemiah 5:14-19:  Three Part Breakdown

• Nehemiah’s fear of the Lord and what the brings out

 

• Nehemiah’s desire to ease the heavy burdens of his people

 

• Where is Nehemiah’s true treasure found

 

Nehemiah 5:14-19:  The Fear of the Lord

• Nehemiah treats the people differently than past governors

 

• • He doesn’t take his food allowance

 

• • He has a concern for the burden on the people

 

Nehemiah 5:14-19 – Lifting the Heavy Burdens of the People

• The Jews in Jerusalem were in trouble and shame

 

• • There was no care for the well being of the people

 

Nehemiah wans to build a wall in order to protect the city filled with redeemed people of God

Nehemiah prefigures Christ in his desires and his actions

• The character and actions and life of Nehemiah show us glimpses of the true savior and redeemer to come.

 

Nehemiah 5:14-19 – Treasure Not of This World

• V19 – “Remember for my good, O my God”….

 

• • Fear of the Lord gave Nehemiah a desire for treasure beyond what he could take for himself in this world

We see the theme of this passage repeated in the life and the words of Nehemiah:  Fear of the Lord drives our love for our brother

 

Nehemiah 5:14-19 – Application

We study this passage so that our lives and leadership are grounded in the fear of the Lord

• Look for, and pray for, leaders who fear the Lord
• Fear the Lord to lead and live like Jesus
• Where is your treasure stored?