Living faith Christian center “Refresh, Refine & Revive!” Monday Night Live Heirs of God, Joint Heirs with Jesus Christ. The Need for Leadership

Why is leadership so important? Leaders are important because God needs leaders to fulfill His purpose on the earth.

Leaders are the stewards of God’s purpose! Genesis 1:28 - Noah Genesis 17:6 - Abraham Genesis 26:22 - Isaac Genesis 35:11 - Jacob Genesis 48:4 – Joseph

Leaders are important because people need to be led? Numbers 27:17 – Joshua Chosen 1 Kings 22:17 – Micaiah tells King Jehoshaphat the truth. Acts 20:28 – Paul’s instructions to the Ephesian Elders.

New Testament reflection for the need for leadership Jesus made it clear: Matthew 9:36-38: They are weary, confused and helpless (NLT) More leaders were needed to lead.

Paul Made it clear that people need leaders because: People need encouragement: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 2 Corinthians 7:1 Galatians 5:1, 13-15 Philippians 1:27 Ephesians 4:1,17-32

Assistance between right & wrong: 1 Corinthians 6:,2,3,9,16,19 Affirmation when they are doing well. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

Examples for others to follow: 1 Corinthians 11:1 Philippians 3:17 Instruction in the ways of God: 1 Corinthians 12:1 1 Thessalonians 4:13; 5:14-22

Need of assistance in helping others find their place and entering God’s Purpose: Ephesians 5:17 Philippians 32:12-16 Colossians 1:9-12; 4:17 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Equipping for their ministry calling: Ephesians 4:11-12 Understanding during their dealings with God: Romans 8:28 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 James 1:2

Guidance for many of life’s decisions: Ephesians 1:15-18 Impartation of spiritual gifts to be established: Romans 1:11

Need assistance in resolving conflict and coming to unity: 1 Corinthians 1:10 Philippians 4:2 To warn and alert of dangers around them: Romans 16:17-19 Philippians 3:2 Colossians 1:28; 2:8 Corinthian Church: Enriched in everything by Him: utterance and knowledge. Issues: They were not speaking the same thing; contentions among them about baptism; who baptized who. Philippians 4:2 : Paul urged Euodia ad Syntyche to be of the same mind. Romans 16:17-19: Paul urges to avoid those who cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine which they learned. Philippians 3:2: Paul warns against the Judaizers, Jewish Christians who taught that observance of the Law was necessary for salvation sabotaging the gospel of free grace. (Mutilation or Circumcision) V3: Paul declares, “We are the circumcision, wo worship God in the Spirit)

To bring adjustment and remain doctrinally sound: Galatians 1:6-10;3:1 Colossians 2:11-23 In bringing assistance in relating to the times and seasons in which we live: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Galatians: Judaizers, taught that certain Old Testament laws were still binding upon Christians. They reasoned that God’s promises extended only to Jews, and that Gentiles must e circumcised before they could fully experience salvation. Galatians 1:6-10: If anyone preaches any other Gospel then what is written in the Bible, let him be accursed. During this time, there was no bible, only the instructions that the disciples, in this case, Paul, preached to the Galatians. Colossians 2:11-23: Paul tells them that Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, made a public spectacle of them and then goes on to tell them let no one judge you in food, drink ore regarding a festival; let no one cheat you out of your reward; false humility and worship of angels. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: Paul reminds them of the season they are in.

Leaders provide an important service to people by: Instructing in sound doctrine: 1 Timothy 4:6; Titus 2:1 Being an example to them. 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:6-8 1 Timothy 4:6: Paul warns that some will depart from the faith, giving themselves over to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. What does this mean? The do it repeatedly that after awhile, there are numb to the sin so it does not provoke them or bother them to continue living in a sinful nature because they have justified what they are doing. Examples in every area o life.

Exhorting and admonishing them when needed. 1 Timothy 5:1; 2 Timothy 2:14; Titus 2:15 Challenging them to keep their priorities right. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Titus: Paul encourages Titus as a pastor/leader to exhort, rebuke with all authority.

Investing themselves into furture leaders: 2 Timothy 2:2 Reminding them of their position in Christ. 2 Timothy 2:14

Investing themselves into furture leaders: 2 Timothy 2:2 Reminding them of their position in Christ and their responsibilities as believers 2 Timothy 2:14 Titus 3:1-2 2 Timothy 2:2: Paul encourages Timothy to invest into others so they can teach and invest into others. 2 Timothy 2:14 (reference 11-13) Position. Titus 3:1-2: Remind them!

Preaching and teaching the Word of God: 2 Timothy 4:1-4 2 Timothy 4:1-4: In the face of adversity and lawlessness, Paul tells Timothy – to be watchful, be watchful, endure afflictions and do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

If God has called you to be a leader, it is important that you know that your success as a leader is not in you fulfilling your personal calling; it is about your being an instrument in God’s hands to assist others in reaching their God-ordained destiny

Leadership concepts

Why is it important to have a biblical concept of leadership? Your concept of leadership will affect expectations, attitudes, and actions in ministry.

It will affect you as a person It will affect expectations of ministry and ministry goals. It will affect your attitude in relation to those that you lead. It will affect the actions or the way you function within your leadership.

It will affect those you lead It will affect expectations of those that you lead It will affect the attitudes of those that you lead. It will affect the actions of those that you lead.

It will affect other leaders that you develop If will affect the expectations of those you develop. It will affect the attitudes of those that you develop. It will affect the actions of those you develop.

It will affect your representation of the lord People will either get a correct view of the Lord and His leadership in their lives or they will get an incorrect view.

What are some of the commonly accepted concepts of leadership? Someone who is successful in his or her field of endeavor Someone with personal charisma who has the ability to attract people. Someone who has a strong vision for the future.

Someone with superior intelligence.  Someone who is aggressive and able to dominate in relationships.  Someone who can motivate others to do what they want them to do. Someone who can make decisions and solve complex problems.

What is a more biblical view of leadership? Someone who is called by God to be a leader. Someone who is anointed by the Holy Spirit and given the gift of leadership. Someone who knows how to be under authority and how to use authority.

Someone who is an expert at serving others. Someone who has a shepherd’s heart like God’s heart. Someone who has been given godly wisdom to lead. Someone who is humble, moldable and teachable before the Lord.

Someone who excels in personal integrity and character. Someone who loves people. Someone who is willing to live as an example

How can some of the common views of leadership be redeemed? Extracting out the fallen human elements: Selfishness Wrong Motives Personal Ambition Misplaced Values Striving and Competition

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others. Philippians 2:3-4

When these views are redeemed they look a lot different Leaders should be people who achieve the place in the Body of Christ that God has prepared for them.   Leaders should be those with a personal charisma or anointing that is tempered by the fruit of the Spirit operating in their lives.

Leaders should be those with a strong vision and drive to accomplish their role or function relative to the eternal purpose of God.

Leaders should have wisdom, knowledge and understanding that has come to them by virtue of their communion with God and His word.   Leaders should be those who move with boldness and decisiveness against the strategies of the devil all the while being totally submissive to and under the control of God.

Leaders should be those who can inspire, motivate and encourage others to be all that they can be in the context of God’s plan for their lives.   Leaders should be those who can lay decisions before God and bring solutions to complex problems.

Jesus’ model of leadership Next week!