"THE KEY TO DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP"
(The Leader’s Faith)
1 SAMUEL 17:1-54
Someone has wisely stated, "everything rises or falls on leadership." Through the years there have been major decisions made by leaders that would either make or break countries.
I am reminded of the decision Harry Truman (the thirty-second president of the United States) made when authorized the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan with the first Atomic bomb. Also, when John Kennedy gave an ultimatum to Russia to pull out of Cuba or we would declare an act of war against them and on February 23, 1991 when George Bush gave Saddam Hussein an Ultimatum to withdraw from Kuwait. All these leaders made decisions that were both crucial and critical.
The occasion found here is just such a time. It was a crucial point of decision the nation of Israel was facing. It absolutely required a dynamic leader. There were many leaders involved in this event with Saul as commander and chief at the top. Yet, no one rose to the occasion except young David. David is the true giant in the valley of Elah. Why? Because he is a spiritual giant!
What made the difference between David and the other men of his day? What is the key to dynamic leadership? What unlocks our greatest potential? Effective faith in God! Because when a leader believes in God and the honor He deserves and believes God then his leadership is going to be governed by God. All that he does will come under the direction of the Lord and be in the name of the Lord of hosts 17:45.
I want you to understand this type of effective faith that releases our potential to become dynamic leaders doesn’t come cheap. I want us to examine this type of faith.
I want you to notice the of a dynamic leader’s faith.
I. CONDITIONING (to put in a fit or proper state) 17:34-37, 39 "I have not tested them"
II. CHALLENGE 17:4, 8-11 "And there went out a champion"
III. CRITICISM 17:28 "Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said"
IV. COMMITMENT 17:29, 45-47 "Is there not a cause"
V. CONFIDENCE 17:26, 32, 37, 40, 45-48* "David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine."
VI. CONQUEST 17:49 "smote the Philistine" (notice he fell upon his face - if the force of the rock had defeated him, he would have fallen backwards - so what happened? God hit him in the back of the head!)
VII. CONTAGIOUSNESS 17:52 "And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines"
