Community & Discipleship

MVP Leadership (Nehemiah 2:1-10)

2012.01.01Rev. Eddie Byun

Leaders who grow in the Lord know their God-given mission, catch a vision from him, make a practical plan, and keep evaluating progress, so that their lives and ministry honor Christ.

Mission answers why we exist and what our purpose is (1-10)

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, but when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins and the city's gates had been burned, he wept, prayed, and sought the Lord. The mission became clear to him, and he stated it to the king: to go to Judah and rebuild the city. Mission is present tense and answers why we exist and what our purpose is. Knowing one's purpose is not optional, because people who lose their sense of purpose can fall into despair. Every believer shares the same mission, which is to glorify God and expand his kingdom, and this looks different in each calling, whether as a stay-at-home mom, a student, or a worker in the public sphere. Our church's mission is to get you on mission with God by serving the church, the city, and the nations.

Vision points to where we want to go and who we want to become

Vision is future tense and answers where we want to go and who we want to become. A godly vision is clear, clarifying, captivating, a catalyst for action, and Christ-honoring. Nehemiah saw the problems but moved from problems to possibilities, and his vision was to see God's people restored in a way that honors Christ. Complaining does not make anyone a leader; a leader moves people toward a brighter future. We must hold a holy discontent toward the injustices of our day and dream great dreams for the kingdom of God. Our church's vision is to be an Acts 29 church by sending out teams that plant healthy, reproducing churches in every country.

Plan is the practical steps from mission to vision (6-8)

Nehemiah did not only have a mission and a vision; the king asked him how he would do it, and he had a practical plan. Many people have great mission and vision statements but no idea how to achieve them. Our plan is a process of spiritual health: know God and enjoy his family's fellowship, grow in him through small groups and discipleship, sow the gifts God has given through ministry and service, show God's grace through outreach and missions, and worship for the glory of God. A healthy Christian moves through these steps, and a healthy church is planted through healthy believers.

Progress evaluation keeps the work effective (13)

The fourth and most easily neglected part is progress evaluation, which asks how we are really doing. Nehemiah evaluated his situation, looking at what was working, what the problems were, and what the obstacles were, and he changed course as needed. Separating excellence from average requires asking whether our efforts are effective and whether some things must be stopped before others are added. All of this depends on God, because godly leaders are led by him through his word and prayer. Prayer is a place of honor, since we gain the audience of God Almighty, and this year we are called to honor the Lord by seeking his mission, vision, and plan.

Apply to Life

  • Let us know our God-given mission by asking why we exist and what our purpose is.
  • Let us pray for a holy discontent toward the injustices of our day and dream great dreams for the kingdom of God.
  • Let us make a practical plan to move from mission to vision through knowing, growing, sowing, and showing for the glory of God.
  • Let us evaluate our progress regularly and make changes so that our efforts become more effective.
  • Let us honor the Lord this year by reading God's word and growing in prayer, the place of honor.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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