LOOKING FOR LEADERS

LOOKING FOR LEADERS

"CHARACTERISTICS WE NEED"

 

Intro:

            There is an old saying that says, "To many chiefs will spoil the stew."  In most aspects of life, this is indeed a true statement.  However, in the church today, we are suffering from just the opposite.  Instead of to many leaders, we don't seem to have enough.  Throughout our history, we have searched for those among our number who would lead us in those prescribed paths of righteousness.  In the past, those men have often been found.  However, as of late, we seem to have a void.

In this lesson, I want to consider the characteristics of an effective leader.  I want to look at three men of the Bible who were great leaders.  Each of these men brought something a little different to the table.  I hope that through our study that we will learn to take these traits, combine them together, and become the types of Christian leaders God would have us to be.

 

I JOSHUA WAS A LEADER BECAUSE HE WAS HUMBLE (Josh 24: 29-31)

 

1. Before we can lead, we must first be able to serve.

A. For forty years, Joshua served in the wilderness with Moses.

B. Exodus 24: 13 the Bible itself calls Joshua Moses' "assistant, or servant."

C. “Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking

about yourself one way or the other at all.”

D. Joshua, like many leaders both before and after himself, understood that humility is the first step on the road to effective leadership.

2. However, the true leader understands that he must continue to be a servant, if he hopes to be a leader.

A. Joshua 4: 14, 5: 14 though he had been exalted by God, Joshua continued to be a servant.

B. John 3: 14, Mt 20: 28 though Christ was to be lifted up by God, he himself continued to serve.

C. James 4: 10 we ourselves can be lifted up and exalted by God, but we should continue to serve!

 

II DAVID WAS A LEADER BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH IN GOD (1Samuel 16:7)

 

1. In times of physical distress David put his faith in God.

A. 1Samuel 22: 1-3 as the battle raged, David trusted the Lord!

B. Psalm 25: 2 when his enemies came calling, David trusted in the Lord!

C. Because of his relentless faith in God, David became a great leader!

2. In times of spiritual distress, David put his faith in the Lord.

A. Psalm 51: 3 when David sinned, he put his faith in God!

B. Psalm 23:3 when David's soul grew weary, he put his trust in God! 

C. Proverbs 3: 5 if we hope to become effective leaders, we must learn to put our faith in God!

 

III JESUS WAS A LEADER BECAUSE OF HIS PRAYERFUL SPIRIT (Matthew 6: 9)

 

1. Jesus, in serving as our best example of an effective leader, led his followers by the guidance of the Father.

A. Mark 1: 35 before the day had bloomed, Christ prayed for guidance.

B. Luke 5: 16 when his soul grew thirsty in the heat of the day, he prayed.

C. Matthew 26: 44 when the hardships of the day chased him through the night, Christ prayed!

2. Why would this great leader have prayed?

A. 1Peter 2: 21 Christ came to serve as our example.

B. Luke 1: 37 he prayed that we might remember that regardless of the greatness of the leader in question, it is only with God on our side that all things are possible!