SF1014 - ORGANIZE FOR EFFECTIVENESS- 3 OF 6 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO VICTORY (Neh 3 1-5)
Nehemiah 3:1-5
Introduction
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory…
Identify the Task (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)
Prepare for Victory (Nehemiah 2:11-20)
Organize for Effectiveness (Nehemiah 3:1-5)
Overcome Opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-23)
Resolve Internal Problems (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
Press on to Victory (Nehemiah 6:1-18)
Background
Many Bible commentators and preachers just skip this passage. I probably should have done that myself.
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.
Ø Vision without structure leads to chaos.
Ø “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 (3:1-3, 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, do not 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 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
Ø Streamline organization with an eye toward action.
2A. The Principle of Participation
1B. God uses all kinds of people
Ø Rulers and priest (3:1, 12-19),
Ø Men and women (3:12)
Ø Professional craftsmen (3:8, 32)
Ø Even people from outside the city (3:2, 4, 7)
2B. Leaders must set the example. (3:1)
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 10:31Therefore, 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 phrase in this passage is the “next to.”
Nehemiah walks around the entire wall and divides it all up.
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 (3:28-30)
1B. Encourage 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 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For 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."
Ø 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 FBC, 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 So 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 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith
Where is your place at FBC? 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
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 FBC?
Nehemiah 3:1-5
Introduction
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory…
Identify the Task (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)
Prepare for Victory (Nehemiah 2:11-20)
Organize for Effectiveness (Nehemiah 3:1-5)
Overcome Opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-23)
Resolve Internal Problems (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
Press on to Victory (Nehemiah 6:1-18)
Seven principles of successful organizing.
1A. The Principle of ______________________________________________ (3:1-3, 5)
1B. Organize around natural groupings. (3:1, 2, 3 & 5)
2B. The strongest organizations are the simplest. (Nehemiah 4:13)
2A. The Principle of ________________________________
1B. God uses all kinds of people (3:1, 2,4, 7, 8,12-19, 32)
2B. Leaders must set the _____________________________________. (3:1)
1 Corinthians 10:31Therefore, 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 ___________________________________________
1B. Give specific assignments to specific people.
2B. Break down major goals into smaller tasks.
3B. Develop clear job descriptions.
4B. Match the right person with the right task.
4A. The Principle of ____________________________________________ (3:28-30)
1B. Encourage ownership of the project
2B. Enlist people to work according to their passions (3:1)
5A. The Principle of __________________________________________________
1B. We can accomplish more together than as individuals. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
2B. Provide a supportive climate of trust and teamwork.
6A. The Principle of ___________________________________________________
1B. Someone has to be in charge.
2B. People do what you inspect, not what you expect.
7A. The Principle of ______________________________________________
1B. Make it personal.
2B. Recognize effort not just results. (3:20)
3B. Give credit to whom credit is due. (3:12)
Application
Every Christian it to be a minister, to serve. (Romans 12:4-6)
There are three kinds of workers in Nehemiah 3.
There were those who did no work, those who did some work; one guy who did enthusiastic work. God notices all three kinds. Which of the three describes your involvement in God's work?