LEADERSHIP-Taking Responsibility

The start of any leadership is taking responsibility. Blaming others for incidents directly under your control does not excuse you, it only denies you the privilege of growth and shows that you are not ready for leadership.Others had the same obstacles and they overcame, so you are responsible. Take responsibility for your life and your decisions, it is a prerequisite for leadership.

"Who told you that you were naked?" the Lord God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?" The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it." [Gen 3:11-12]

And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took...[1Sam 15:20]

Leadership - personal leadership

There is no point leading others if you can't lead yourself. How do you set goals and accomplish them. How disciplined are you with time, food, money and sex. At the end, your actions will always speak out.

Also, who are you submitted to? It will be illogical to ask people to submit to you if are not submitted as well. Beloved, take heed to yourself and develop the leader in you first.

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich. [Gen 14:22-23]

But I discipline my body and bring [it] into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.[1corinthians 9:27]

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.[1Corinthians 11:1]

 Leadership - Capacity development

Positional leadership is the least form of leadership, it is the starting point but you have to move on to inspirational leadership. Your character (virtue) and skills(abilities) are the things that inspire others.

So develop your character and your capacity, your leadership will be greatly enhanced. Leadership failures are basically due to leaders with undeveloped capacities or character defects.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.[2Peter 1:5-7]

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.[1 Timothy 4:12]

Leadership - clear vision

As a leader, your first and paramount responsibility is to set the vision for the group both in the short and long term. Why are you here? What and how do you do your assignment?

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus declared Isaiah 61:1-2 as his vision and when he called his disciples, he told them what they are to do: follow him and be made fishers of men. If Jesus did it, you can't but follow.

The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,.[Luke 4:18].

 vs 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Then the LORD answered me and said: " Write the vision And make [it] plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.[Habakuk 2:2]

Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed him.[Matthew 4:19-20]

Leadership - Diversity

Having followers who think like you, have your kind of experience and rarely question your decisions might seem good initially but it is dangerous for your leadership. Never seek to build a monolithic group.

The diversity of opinions and thoughts helps you more than you can imagine. It keeps you from complacency and ensures your actions gets the most acceptance. There is safety in multitude of counsels.

As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.[Mark 2:14]

Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.[Proverbs 11:14]

"Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you." [Mark 9:38-40]

Leadership - Raising leaders

The most important duty of a leader is to produce other leaders. It is a duty that cannot be delayed. It involves identifying delegating and equipping your followers. It is myopic to hoard knowledge when by reproducing yourself; you free yourself to be able to go to the next level of leadership.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.[2 Timothy 2:2]

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. [Acts 4:13]

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [John 4:12]

Leadership - Learn, unlearn and relearn

Nokia were the leaders in phone production and they stayed on what they knew and became obsolete. As a leader, you need to learn new things, unlearn some things you knew and relearn some things you thought you knew.

Stay inquisitive and always ready to learn, your leadership is as good as your knowledge. Above all, you have the Holy Spirit in you to teach you, rely on him.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.[John 15:13-13]

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—* *[2timothy 1:15 Amp]

Paul - Skilled and Educated

 

Bible character study - Paul

Paul - Skilled and educated

Saul as he was initially called, was an urbane, upwardly mobile guy, probably would have been a PhD holder in our contemporary world. He was different from majority of the disciples. Some might even call him over-qualified (lawyer, teacher, builder).

Beloved, your qualifications does not scare God, in fact he wants to use you with them as there are places only that qualification can help gain access to for the gospel.

Be the best you can be though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. [Phillipians 3:4-5]

When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. [Acts 22:2-3]

Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. [Acts18:3]

 Paul - zeal and passion

Pre and post salvation, Paul was consistent in his zeal and passion for whatever he did. He was not given to half measures. Whether it was in persecuting the church or spreading the gospel, he gave his all and the result is there for all to see.

Beloved, give your whole heart to what you are doing, it is the least you can do to honour God.

Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you. [Acts 22:3]

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. [1corinthians 15:10]

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself [His] own special people, zealous for good works. [Titus 2:14]

Paul - Conversion

Paul had a most dramatic conversion experience, it was the Lord Jesus himself appearing to him. He repented in a hurry. But God still used a man to complete the work.

Beloved, God loves even the most hardened of sinners and he needs you to reach out to them.

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied. "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."[Acts 9:3-6]

 

The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [Acts 9:10-11]

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight.[Acts 9:17-18]

 Paul - His call and commissioning

Right from conversion, there had been a divine mandate on Paul's life but he still needed to submit himself to the learning of Christ. And at the set time, his commissioning came right in the place of service.

Beloved, that you saw a vision of yourself doing ministry does not mean it is time to launch out. Go and submit yourself to build character and capacity. When it is time to start, you, your pastor and the brethren will know it clearly.

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. [Acts 13:2-3]

But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."[Acts 9:15-16]

So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. [Acts 9:28]

Paul - submission to leadership

We learn from Paul the right perspective to Christian leadership. Jesus is the head and we are all his body thus every Christian must have someone that can call him/her to order. Even though he received his revelation directly from heaven, *Paul still submitted it to the apostles.

And Peter in his letter conferred legitimacy on Paul's epistle. Beloved, you need a pastor /father/mentor that can correct you, you are not the Lord Jesus.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. [Acts 15:4]

I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.[Galatians 2:2]

 Paul - knowledge in love

Knowledge puffs up and often, knowledgeable persons repel people. Paul used love to balance his knowledge to great effects. He was all things to all people so he could connect with them.

Beloved, your knowledge must be mixed with love to produce result, talking above people never works. Come down to their level.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. [1Corinthians 9:20-23]

So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge... Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.[1Corinthians 8:13]

 Paul - Grace revelation

The majority of what the body of Christ knows about grace is as a result of Paul's revelation. He expounded on the difference between law and grace as revealed by the spirit. We are saved by grace devoid of works. He also showed what a life of grace is; continuously receiving grace to do more both in terms of work (job, career) and living right. We are saved by grace and we live by grace.

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? [Romans 6:1-2]

 

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. [1corinthians 15:10]

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God [Titus 2:11]

John The Beloved

 

Bible character study - John

John the beloved

John like Peter was also a fisherman and he was called along with his brother James. He was also a member of the inner circle of Jesus.

He wrote 5 books in the new testament (4 of which bare his name).
His writings were not to meant to only narate the events that took place, but to show that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. In studying him we see the transforming power of Jesus and his words in a life yielded to him.

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here And we know that his account of these things is accurate. Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written [John 21:24-25]'.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life.The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.[1John1:1-2]

John - desiring greatness

You know those childish desire to have your parents pronounce you as the best of their children, well John brought it to adulthood. He along with his brother enlisted their mother to help plead their case with Jesus.

Through this interaction we learnt a foundational Christian value, the way to greatness is through service. Serving is the way up. The greatest among you shall be the servant of all.

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. "What is your request?" he asked. She replied, "In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left. [Matthew 20:20-21]

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave [Mark 10:41-44]

John - Fire and brimstone

Showing off power did not start today, John and James had it aplenty. They were willing to destroy a village with fire because they did not allow them to enter the village🤦‍♂️and a man using the name of Jesus who was not in their company must be stopped.

Beloved, the power God gives you is not for show off, it is to bless lives for you are inhabited by the spirit of love.

"Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you." [Mark 9:38-40]

And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"  But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save [them.]" And they went to another village.[Luke 9:52-56]

John - Apostle of love

From desiring to be seated at Jesus' right hand to the penchant for calling down fire, it is quite beautiful that he is the apostle that is known most with love. Through the instrumentality of the word and the spirit, a visible change occurred in his life.

Beloved, no matter where you are now or what challenges you are battling with, the word of God and his spirit are more than able to transform you, just submit yourself to them.

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. [1John 3:14]

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister[1john 4:21]

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.[1John 4:7-8]

John - revealing the Holy Spirit

Most of what we know of the ministry and the person of the Holy Spirit from the gospel were due to the revelation of John. He was not just interested in telling the story, he wanted to impart the life.

Beloved don't go after the letters and the drama, get the life in God's word by his spirit.

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. [John 14:16-17]

Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.[John 3:5-6]

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.[John 6:63]

John - Revelation

Of the 12 apostles of the Lamb, John was the only one to not be martyred. And it was not for lack of trying, he was thrown into hot oil without any effect on him before he was banished to the island of Patmos.

And the revelation of the end times (Revelation) was given to him on the island. Beloved, God is more than able to preserve and protect you for his purpose.

Jesus said, If I want him to live until I come again, what's that to you? You--follow me.That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, If I want him to live until I come again, what's that to you [John 21:22-23]

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report [Revelation 1:1]

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God's Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. [Revelation 1:9]