SF869 - How To Organize for Victory - OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO VICTORY (Neh 3 1-5)
Nehemiah 3:1-5
Introduction
Many Bible commentators and preachers just skip this passage. I probably should have done that myself. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:40 "Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." We are looking at principles for victory. We said first an overcomer prays, then he plans, then he presents the plan and motivates people. However, motivation without organization leads to frustration. Vision without structure leads to chaos. “A good organization is never seen but always needed.” I want to share with you seven principles of successful organizing.
Ø The Principle of Simplification
Ø The Principle of Participation
Ø The Principle of Delegation
Ø The Principle of Motivation
Ø The Principle of Cooperation
Ø The Principle of Administration
Ø The Principle of Appreciation
1A. The Principle of Simplification (1-3, 5)
1B. Organize around natural groupings.
The priests in verse 1, the men of Jericho in verse 2, sons of Hassenaah in verse 3, the men of Tekoa in verse 5. These are natural groups that are already associating together. The point is don't create organization if you don't need it.
2B. The strongest organizations are the simplest.
Ø What is the most natural grouping of organization? The family Nehemiah 4:13
Ø Streamline organization – Committees?
2A. The Principle of Participation
1B. God uses all kinds of people
Ø Rulers and priest (1, 12-19), men and women (12), professional craftsmen (8, 32), and even people form outside the city (2, 4, 7).
2B. Leaders must set the example. (3:1)
Ø The fact that the high priest used his consecrated hands to do manual labor shows that he considered the work on the wall to be a ministry to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) 31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
3B. Work with those who want to work.
4B. Accept the fact that not everyone will work. (3:5)
5B. Love everyone, but focus on those who are willing to work.
3A. The Principle of Delegation
1B. Give specific assignments to specific people.
The key word in this passage is the word "section," this word is used 13 times in the NIV. He walks around the entire wall and divides it all up almost counter clockwise. Everybody's responsibility is nobody's responsibility. Somebody has to assume specific responsibility.
2B. Break down major goals into smaller tasks.
This is the capacity to cut problems down to size. Nehemiah attacks this huge problem of building the wall by breaking it down into bite size pieces.
3B. Develop clear job descriptions.
Every one deserves to know what is expected of them.
4B. Match the right person with the right task.
The wrong person in the wrong task causes chaos. It causes all kinds of motivational problems. In good delegating, you have to understand what the task is all about and you have to understand what the person is good at and get them together.
4A. The Principle of Motivation (28-30)
1B. Encourage for ownership of the project.
Verse 10 says a guy made repairs opposite his house. Verse 23 another fellow repaired in front of his house, verse 28 another beside his house. The priest repaired each in front of his own house. Verse 29, repaired in front of his house. Verse 30 a guy built his in front of his living quarters.
What is the result when you allow ownership in a project? High motivation.
2B. Enlist people to work according to their passions. (3:1)
5A. The Principle of Cooperation
1B. We can accomplish more together than as individuals.
Ø The key phrase is "next to him" or "next to them". This phrase is used fifteen times in this chapter.
B.C. Forbes, the guy who founded Forbes magazine said, "You spell success, T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K."
Geese can fly 72% farther when they are in formation than when they fly off by themselves. Who taught them that? God did.
Ø When we cooperate, when there is teamwork there is great growth.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV) 9Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
2B. Provide a supportive climate of trust and teamwork.
Ø In the Bible, when referring to Christians in the church, the phrase "one another" is used 58 times.
Ø In the first ten chapters of Acts, ten times, it says, "they were of one accord... of one heart ... unified." When you have unification like they did in Acts you will have the power of Acts.
6A. The Principle of Administration
1B. Someone has to be in charge.
We see two examples of supervision. Notice verse 17 says certain repairs were made "under Rehum", verse 18 certain repairs were made "under Bavvai". There were appointed supervisors who were helping control the work, manage it, administer it and make sure it was going.
2B. People do what you inspect, not what you expect.
7A. The Principle of Appreciation
1B. Make it personal.
Obviously, Nehemiah knew their names. That is a mark of a good leader. In this passage, there are 38 individual names of guys he said did a good job on the wall.
2B. Recognize effort not just results. (3:20)
Ø Circle "zealously.” That is the only descriptive term in the entire chapter.
Ø God notices enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the Greek word, that means "God possessed"
3B. Give credit to whom credit is due. (3:12)
Application
What if we were to make a list of all those who are actively involved at PBC, who would be on it?
Most churches run on the 80-20 principle: 20% of the people do 80% of the work. It is true financially, it is true physically, and it is true spiritually.
The Bible says Nehemiah had a list, I could make a list, but the most important thing is, are you on God's list?
Romans 14:12 (NKJV) 12So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
What matters, is God knows. What will God say about me and my service for Him? Will he say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant
Every Christian it to be a minister, to serve.
Romans 12:4-6 (NASB) 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly…
Where is your place at PBC? What part of the wall are you building?
Notice there are three kinds of workers in Nehemiah 3. There were those who did no work, there were those who did some work, and we know that there was one guy who did enthusiastic work. God notices all three kinds.
Which of the three describes your involvement in God's work? Where is my place on the wall at PBC?
HOW TO ORGANIZE FOR VICTORY
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory – Part 4
Sunday, January 23, 2000 - Nehemiah 3:1-5
1A. The Principle of ______________________ (1-3, 5)
1B. Organize around __________________ groupings.
2B. The strongest organizations are the ____________.
2A. The Principle of _____________________________
1B. God uses all kinds of ________________________
2B. ___________________ must set the example. (3:1)
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) 31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
3B. Work with those who _________________ to work.
4B. Accept the fact that not everyone _______________ work. (3:5)
5B. Love everyone, but _______________ on those who are willing to work.
3A. The Principle of _____________________________
1B. Give ____________ assignments to specific people.
2B. Break down major goals into _____________ tasks.
3B. Develop clear ___________________ descriptions.
4B. Match the right ______________________ with the right _________________.
4A. The Principle of _____________________________
1B. Encourage for __________________ of the project.
2B. Enlist people to work according to their _____________________.
5A. The Principle of _____________________________
1B. We can accomplish more _________________ than as individuals.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV) 9Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
2B. Provide a supportive climate of ________________ and ______________________.
6A. The Principle of _____________________________
1B. Someone has to be in _______________________.
2B. People do what you _________________, not what you expect.
7A. The Principle of _____________________________
1B. Make it ___________________________________.
2B. Recognize ______________ not just results. (3:20)
3B. Give credit to ______________ credit is due. (3:12)