Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 114 - Essential qualities of leadership: Review of our work thus far.

Title: Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 114 - Essential qualities of leadership: Review of our work thus far.

 

Announcements / opening prayer:

 

 

7. Essential qualities of leadership.

 

1. Good and bad ambition.

2. God appoints His leaders, not men, and only when they are prepared.

3. The Master's master principle: servant and slave of all.

 

4. The leader must travel the course and not just point the way.

5. Is there a type of person that makes a good leader?

6. Insights into leadership from Peter; 1PE 5:1-7.

 

1PE 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

 

1PE 5:2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

 

1PE 5:3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

 

1PE 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

 

1PE 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

 

1PE 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

 

1PE 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

 

7. Essential qualities of leadership.

 

Under essential qualities of leadership, we have covered:

 

A. Discipline

B. Vision

C. Wisdom

D. Decision

E. Courage

 

Discipline: He is not slothful, lazy, or disorganized. He is able to lay aside play when it is time to work, daydreaming when it is time to pray, procrastination when it is time to do the unpleasant.

 

All of these characteristics are the function of faith. Discipline results from obedience which is the same as faith.

 

Vision: He sees the path before him and the objective of God for that path.

 

Vision is seeing God's path and having the faith to follow it. Often vision is faith in that which is unseen, which is not ironic in the plan of God. Sight often brings  doubt, but vision with faith sees the possible and steps out in faith in that direction, trusting God to lead the way.

 

HEB 11:24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

 

HEB 11:25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;

 

HEB 11:26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

 

HEB 11:27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

 

"as seeing the invisible" = godly vision

 

Wisdom: the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity (discernment).

 

Wisdom is the result of putting our faith in the word of God. The mind of Christ is the only source of wisdom, but it must be put into action in the believer's heart if wisdom is to result from knowledge.

 

Decision: When all the facts are in, swift and clear decision is the mark of a true leader. A visionary may see, but a leader must decide.

 

Faith removes the indecision that we can have when it comes to making important decisions. Many hesitate because making a commitment always carries with it the possibility of failure. Making no decisions means no failures, but it also means no successes. Faith makes a final decision based on wisdom and does so assuredly and rapidly. Faith is willing to take full responsibility for the consequences of the decision, good or bad. 

 

ACT 15:36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

 

ACT 15:37 And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also.

 

ACT 15:38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

 

ACT 15:39 And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

 

ACT 15:40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.