Learning to Lead - Leading with Joy

Winnie the Pooh has been a favorite character for generations!

Who were some of his friends?

· Rabbit

· Piglet

· Owl

· Eeyore

Who was the leader of the crew?

· Pooh

Eeyore was never the leader!

· He was never the one to help anyone get better

· Instead he was the one that occupied the others attention to try to help him overcome his melancholy.

o He is generally characterized pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, unmotivated

You can’t be a leader and be an Eeyore!!

This is the last of the series on Learning to Lead

· Sub-title – Leading with Joy!!

I. A godly leader – Love’s God and Love Others

· Nehemiah obviously loved God

o Evidenced through prayer

o Reliance on God in all things

· Nehemiah loved others

Both Ezra and Nehemiah begin with building projects that, once completed, allow the focus to shift to the rebuilding of God’s people:

o Ezra 1–6—Rebuilt Temple

o Ezra 7–10—Rebuilt People

o Nehemiah 1–6—Rebuilt Wall

o Nehemiah 7–13—Rebuilt People

· Ultimately, Projects are about People!

o For us – it is

o People coming to a saving relationship with Jesus.

II. A godly leader is filled with Joy.

· Eeyore never inspired anyone

· True joy comes from a right relationship with God

o From there flows purpose

o From there flows production

§ The story of three bricklayers is rooted in a true story. After the great fire of 1666 that leveled London, the world’s most famous architect, Christopher Wren, was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral.

§ One day in 1671, Christopher Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold, one crouched, one half-standing and one standing tall, working very hard and fast.

· To the first bricklayer, Christopher Wren asked the question, “What are you doing?” to which the bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.”

· The second bricklayer, responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.”

· But the third brick layer, the most productive of the three and the future leader of the group, when asked the question, “What are you doing?” replied with a gleam in his eye, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

III. A godly leader leads others toward Joy

· Here is where we find our key verse

· Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

o Background

§ The wall was report

§ Ezra the scribe – read the law

§ The Priests explained it to the people

§ The people wept for this sins

· Rightfully so!

· Joy comes from a right relationship with God

o But here is the next step

· Once they confessed and repented of their sins, the Lord forgave them. There was no longer reason for mourning and crying. Once forgiven, they were to stop grieving and give thanks and praise to the Lordfor His forgiveness. But they needed to believe God, trust His Holy Word that He had forgiven them. And if they truly believed, they now needed to joy and rejoice.

§ After repentance it is time for joy!!!

· Celebrate – some people never get there

· They are in constant mourning over their past that has been confessed and forgiven!!!!!!

§ Feast on rich foods - Provide for those who don’t have any!

· Pizza – Wings – Cheesesteaks Pasta – Italian bread out of the oven – whipped butter –

· Lasagna - Wedding Soup Pizza – Wings – Pasta

· Tacos

· Warm waffle with ice cream and fresh strawberries!!

· Cheesecake – apple pie ala mode

· Enjoy!!!

o What were the disciples and Jesus on the night he was betrayed

§ The Feast of the Passover

o What were they celebrating when the Holy Spirit came upon in Acts 2

§ The Feast of Pentecost

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Some people look at a feast and say what a waste.

I look at a Feast and Say what a God!!

· Who provides

· Who blesses

· Who watches over

· Who protects

· Who Lavishes – The God of more than enough!

Godly leaders Let the people Rejoice by staying focused on the Favor of God and not faults of people!!!!!

That is the Joy of Lord!!!

It is on the inside – no matter what is going on on the outside

Because of what Jesus has done in our lives!!

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross