Review – Protecting Our Zeal Ways to Protect Our Fire: Ways to Protect Our Fire: – Don’t be fooled by Satan’s lies – Recovering from Burnout

Review – Protecting Our Zeal Recovering from Burnout: Recovering from Burnout: – Spend time alone with God (Heat) – Speak honestly to God (Heat) – See God working in His ways (Fuel) – Set out for the next act of service (Fuel) – Understand that we are never alone (Environment)

Changing the World Where We Are The Necessity of Letting Our Light Shine Mt. 5:14-16 Mt. 5:14-16 – Compare with Jn. 8:12; Jn. 9:4-5 – Christians are the light of the world "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Changing the World Where We Are Mt. 5:16 Mt. 5:16 Acts 9:36 Acts 9:36 Rom. 13:3 Rom. 13:3 Eph. 2:10 Eph. 2:10 1 Tim. 2:10 1 Tim. 2:10 1 Tim. 5:10 1 Tim. 5:10 1 Tim. 5:25 1 Tim. 5:25 1 Tim. 6:18 1 Tim. 6:18 Tit. 2:14 Tit. 2:14 Tit. 3:8, 14 Tit. 3:8, 14 Heb. 10:24 Heb. 10:24 1 Pet. 2:12 1 Pet. 2:12 Are Good Works Necessary?

Changing the World Where We Are Are Good Works Necessary? Jas. 2:14ff Jas. 2:14ff – Example in vv ? – Mt. 25:34ff

Changing the World Where We Are Praying for Open Doors & Walking Through Open doors for churches (Rev. 3:8) Open doors for churches (Rev. 3:8) Open doors for individuals (1 Cor. 16:8- 9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:2-4) Open doors for individuals (1 Cor. 16:8- 9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:2-4) The results of walking through open doors (Acts 17:6) The results of walking through open doors (Acts 17:6)

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Commitment: Determine to Make a Difference Problems in Judah? (1:3, 5-7) Problems in Judah? (1:3, 5-7) Which problem first? (2:3-5) Which problem first? (2:3-5) Focus on areas that tap into passions/strengths Focus on areas that tap into passions/strengths How was Nehemiah affected? (2:1-3) How was Nehemiah affected? (2:1-3) REMEMBER: HOW we use our zeal to address these areas MUST be with God’s authority. (Zeal fueled by wisdom)

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Communication: Speak with Clarity Where did Nehemiah go FIRST? (2:4) Where did Nehemiah go FIRST? (2:4) What did he do NEXT (2:11-16) What did he do NEXT (2:11-16) How did he communicate his plan to others? (2:17-18) How did he communicate his plan to others? (2:17-18) How did he communicate when plans were altered? (4:16-23; cf. 4:7-8) How did he communicate when plans were altered? (4:16-23; cf. 4:7-8)

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Cooperation: Involve the Right People Did Nehemiah enlist everyone’s help? Did Nehemiah enlist everyone’s help? – Outsiders (2:4) – Un-invested (3:5) – Unable

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Cooperation: Involve the Right People Not JUST stonemasons Not JUST stonemasons – 3:1, 22, 28 – priests – 3:8, 31, 32 – goldsmiths, perfumers, merchants – 3:9, 12, 15, 17, 19 – gov’t officials, women – 3:17 – Levites – 3:26 – temple servants

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Cooperation: Involve the Right People Results of involving the right people: Results of involving the right people: – Initiative to succeed (2:18) – Efforts coordinated with others (Ch. 3) – Contribute to areas they care about (3:10) – Zealously go the distance (3:20)

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Commitment – Determine to Make a Difference Commitment – Determine to Make a Difference Communication – Speak with Clarity Communication – Speak with Clarity Cooperation – Involve the Right People Cooperation – Involve the Right People

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Conflict Resolution: Rise above Interruptions Problems from within: Problems from within: – What was the problem? (5:1-5) – How did Nehemiah handle this? (5:7-19) – When issues are handled calmly, honestly, and immediately, God’s work can continue more fruitfully (5:12-13)

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Conflict Resolution: Rise above Interruptions Problems from without: Problems from without: – What were the problems? (2:19; 4:1-3; 4:7- 8; 6:1-2; 6:10-13) – What was consistent about the response? (2:20; 4:4-5; 4:9; 6:9; 6:14) – What else was consistent? While outside distractions should be acknowledged and measures taken to guard against them, they should never become the FOCUS of what is being done.

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Community: Address the Project & the People Celebrating Victories Celebrating Victories – Neh. 8:9-12; 12:27, 43 – Can we celebrate victories? (Rom. 1:8-9; 1 Cor. 4:-18; Phm 4-7; Acts 5:41; Jn. 4:34-38)

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Community: Address the Project & the People Group Study Group Study – Neh. 8:8-9 – Our spiritual fire will only be stoked to the level that we are invested in the effort.

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Community: Address the Project & the People Family Leadership Family Leadership – Neh. 8:13 – Deut. 6:5-8; 11:18-19 – Neh. 8:17 – Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 12:9

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Community: Address the Project & the People Personal Accountability Personal Accountability – Neh. 9:1-3 – Neh. 10:32-39

5 Keys: Making a Difference - Nehemiah Commitment – Determine to Make a Difference Commitment – Determine to Make a Difference Communication – Speak with Clarity Communication – Speak with Clarity Cooperation – Involve the Right People Cooperation – Involve the Right People Conflict Resolution – Rise above Interruptions Conflict Resolution – Rise above Interruptions Community – Address the Project & the People Community – Address the Project & the People

Review – Protecting Our Zeal Ways to Protect Our Fire: Ways to Protect Our Fire: – Don’t be fooled by Satan’s lies – Recovering from Burnout

Review – Protecting Our Zeal Recovering from Burnout: Recovering from Burnout: – Spend time alone with God (Heat) – Speak honestly to God (Heat) – See God working in His ways (Fuel) – Set out for the next act of service (Fuel) – Understand that we are never alone (Environment)

Changing the World Where We Are The Necessity of Letting Our Light Shine Mt. 5:14-16 Mt. 5:14-16 – Compare with Jn. 8:12; Jn. 9:4-5 – Christians are the light of the world "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Changing the World Where We Are Mt. 5:16 Mt. 5:16 Acts 9:36 Acts 9:36 Rom. 13:3 Rom. 13:3 Eph. 2:10 Eph. 2:10 1 Tim. 2:10 1 Tim. 2:10 1 Tim. 5:10 1 Tim. 5:10 1 Tim. 5:25 1 Tim. 5:25 1 Tim. 6:18 1 Tim. 6:18 Tit. 2:14 Tit. 2:14 Tit. 3:8, 14 Tit. 3:8, 14 Heb. 10:24 Heb. 10:24 1 Pet. 2:12 1 Pet. 2:12 Are Good Works Necessary?

Changing the World Where We Are Are Good Works Necessary? Jas. 2:14ff Jas. 2:14ff – Example in vv ? – Mt. 25:34ff

Changing the World Where We Are Praying for Open Doors & Walking Through Open doors for churches (Rev. 3:8) Open doors for churches (Rev. 3:8) Open doors for individuals (1 Cor. 16:8- 9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:2-4) Open doors for individuals (1 Cor. 16:8- 9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:2-4) The results of walking through open doors (Acts 17:6) The results of walking through open doors (Acts 17:6)