"THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP"
(The Leader’s Call)
1 SAMUEL 16:1-13
Not everybody that is in a place of leadership is called by God
God doesn’t call every Christian leader to quote, "full time Christian service"
There are 3 elements that make up God’s selection:
The Christian person that is called to lead should be:
I. SOVEREIGNLY CHOSEN 16:1 "I have provided me a king"
"The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up." (1 Samuel 2:7) God Himself plays the major role in the selection. There is nothing we can do to make God choose us but there are things we must do if He’s going to choose us. However, He’s not looking for the perfect leader there are none!
The basis for God’s choice is:
A. The Need 16:1 (tofulfill the will and plan of God)
B. The Scriptures (see 1 Cor. 1:26-28)
C. The Heart 13:14 a person who’s life is in harmony with the lord. What is important to Him is important to you.
"But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee." (1 Samuel 13:14)
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)
II. SINCERELY COMMITTED 16:11 "he keepeth the sheep"
I believe God weighs and determines sincere commitment by:
A. Integrity (see David’s words in Psalm 26:1-12) " A bishop then must be blameless" 1 Timothy 3:2a
B. Faithfulness (David was already a leader - a leader of sheep now he’s being promoted!)
"His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21)
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;" (1 Timothy 1:12)
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)
C. Motive
29 "That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1)
III. SPIRITUALLY CONTROLLED 16:13
What are some the identifying factors of one who is controlled by the Holy Spirit?
A. Submission to God 16:1&12 "my servant" "brought him in"
B. Progression with God 16:18 "the Lord is with him" because he was with God
Listen to this statement: "Leaders are normal people that are growing (being developed by the Lord)." Dennis Deese
"If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct." (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8)
"when you’re through growing you’re through" John Maxwell
C. Faith in God 17:37
"But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
