HOW DOES THE SHEPHERD LEAD HIS SHEEP?”
Psalm 23:1-3
Dr. Larry Petton, Senior Pastor
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Everything rises and falls upon LEADERSHIP and Psalm 23 is no exception. King David, a great leader himself, writes to us under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and tells us what our Great Shepherd does to guide us through life and death.
THINK ABOUT IT….
(1) Who would you consider to be great leaders in history? ___________________________________
(2) Who would you say is the greatest personal leader you have ever seen? ___________________
WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A GREAT LEADER?
1. Understanding and Wisdom
2. Decisiveness
3. Compassion
4. Delegation & Accountability
5. Confidence
6. Optimism
7. Integrity
8. Vision
9. Inspiration
10. Selflessness
FIVE LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP
1. Rights – people follow because they have to
2. Relationships – people follow because they want to
3. Results – people follow because of what you have done
4. Reproduction – people follow because of what you’ve done for them
5. Respect – people follow because of who you are & what you represent
GREAT QUOTE
“Leadership qualities, are not the qualities that enable people to attract followers, but those that enable to attract followers, but those that enable them to do without them.”
THE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS, OUR SHEPHERD
1. Jesus was willing to invest in people others would have dismissed.
2. Jesus released responsibility and ownership in a ministry.
3. Jesus had a leadership succession plan.
4. Jesus practiced servant leadership.
5. Jesus was laser focused on His vision.
6. Jesus handled distractions with grace.
7. Jesus was into self-care.
8. Jesus was into leadership development and replacement.
9. Jesus held followers to high expectations.
10. Jesus cared more about people than about rules and regulations.
11. Jesus celebrated success in ministry.
12. Jesus finished well.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS the Shepherd has is that of LEADERSHIP. How does the Shepherd lead His Sheep in Psalm 23:1-3:
(1) He leads besides “STILL WATERS”.
(2) He leads to “PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”.
(3) He leads for “HIS NAME SAKE”.
HOW DOES GOD LEAD HIS SHEEP (BELIEVERS IN CHRIST) TODAY??
He leads us through the power and Presence of the HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:13).
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. He teaches – John 14:26
2. He glorifies Christ – John 15:26
3. He speaks – I Cor. 2:13
4. He commands – Acts 8:28
5. He intercedes – Romans 8:26
6. He calls and sends workers – Acts 13:4
7. He comforts – Rev. 22:17
8. He convicts of sin – John 14:6-18
9. He gifts believers – I Corinth. 12-14
10. He anoints with power – Acts 1:8. 10:38
11. He fills – Ephesians 5:18
12. He seals – Ephesians 4:32
13. He indwells the believer – I Cor. 6:19-20
14. He guides the sheep – Romans 8:14
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST?
1. He guides us into knowing and doing God’s will – Psalm 143:10
2. He guides us to pray for God’s will to be done – Rom. 8:26-27
3. He guides us by God’s Word - Ezekiel 36:27.
4. He guides us through words of wisdom and knowledge – I Cor. 12:8
5. He guides us away from sin (Galatians 5:16).
6. He guides us into truth (John 16:13).
7. He guides us through open doors of ministry – I Corinth. 16:9
8. He guides us through godly advice from leaders & friends – Prov. 11:14
9. He guides the believer Home at death – Acts 7: 54-59
SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. By the Believer
(1) Grieving the Spirit – Eph. 4:30
(2) Lying to the Spirit – Acts 5: 3-4
(3) Quenching the Spirit – I Thess. 5:9
2. By the Unbeliever
(1) Resisting the Holy Spirit – Acts 7:51
(2) Insulting the Holy Spirit – Heb. 10:39
(3) Blaspheming the Holy Spirit – Matt. 12:31-32
APPLICATION: Are you willing to FOLLOW the Leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life, regardless of where He leads you?
QUESTIONS to CONSIDER
1. Name some of the greatest leaders you have ever studied or seen.
2. Which mark of a great leader stood out most to you?
3. Are you a follower or a leader?
4. Which Leadership Principle of Jesus really spoke to your heart?
5. What spiritual gifts has the Holy Spirit given you? (I Corinthians 12-14)
6. What has the Holy Spirit spoken to your heart that you need to do?
