Leadership’s most effective tool
Leadership by example
1. The importance of strong leaders
a) Strong leaders produce strong followers
Like begets like
You produce fruit after your own kind
You can never produce something in others that you have not produced in yourself …
b) The task at hand requires strong leaders.
If we are going to reach our Neighbors
Neighborhoods
Nation
We are going to need to have some strong leaders
c) God always uses people to maintain what He is doing
John 20:21-22
We represent His work and His Kingdom here on the earth
d) People want to be lead
John 10:3-5
Sheep need a shepherd
People will follow you with or without your permission
Your only choice is will you be a - Good example
- Bad example
2. How do we lead?
a) Simply by example
Numbers 27:17
1 Peter 5:1-3
Illustration: measles and mumps
You get what I’ve got not what I say I’ve got!
b) Live your message
Hebrews 13:7
1 Tim 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
In business and in politics people can lead in spite of their personal lives. This is not possible in the Kingdom of God
c) Your life speaks more powerfully than your words
“What you are speaks so loudly that people cannot hear what you are saying”
3) Be an example in these areas:
A) An example in servant hood
We are servants of God not of people.
If you can’t serve me – you can’t serve God
If you can’t serve each other – you can’t serve God
Often when people say I can’t what they really mean is I won’t
Acts 27:23
Rom 1:9
2 Tim 1:3
Cannot pander to the “mister nice guy” syndrome
I am a servant of the Lord
B) An example in praise and worship
This lets people know that we take praise and worship seriously
Show up on time
This is not a preaching center
Don’t play with kids during praise and worship
Distracts others
Shows the kids you are not serious about praise and worship
Rather use it as an opportunity to teach and train your kids on the importance of praise and worship
Help to set the tone and direction
Contribute positively
C) An example in punctuality
This shows people that you place importance on what is taking place
It also honors the people that are there on time
When you are late you are saying “What I was doing is much more important than what I have come to do”
We always look for the pattern not the exception
Shows lack of discipline
D) An example in flexibility
Matt 9:16–17
New wineskins for new wine
Learn to accommodate people who are different
Be prepared to move with the Spirit of God
12 tribes of Israel
6 go
6 stay
Who split the church?
E) Be an example in family life
Men are the head of the home
This doesn’t mean women must make men the head of the home
It means men need to lead strongly in every area
Badly behaved/disciplined children are a direct reflection on the husband according to Scripture
A growing marriage
F) An example in finances
Make every effort to live debt free
Tithing Mal 3:10 … emphasis on … “That there may be food in my storehouse”
So that the church can be the blessing it was meant to be
There are 5 types of giving in the New Testament
Tithes
Offerings
Alms
Apostolic
General
Be a good steward
With money and with things
Basically those that are tithing are underwriting the vision of the church
G) An example in prayer
Both private and corporate
Luke 5:15 – 16
The busier we are the more we should pray
H) An example in hard work
1 Tim 3:7 … reputation with outsiders
There is a danger in appointing people who their peers will not recognize
The devil sets a trap for people who do not work with integrity
1Thess 5:12
2 Thess 3: 6- 15
I) An example in witnessing
Acts 1:8
Is 55:4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a Leader and commander of the peoples.
This is the true shepherd’s anointing
J) An example in speaking the word of God
People don’t want your opinion they want to know what the word of the Lord is
1Cor 2:4+5
K) An example in friendship
Make a friend – be a friend
Always room for one more
Friendships should always be inclusive rather than exclusive
Prioritize social events in the life of the church
L) An example in morality
Above reproach
Unchallengeable morality
4) Personal disciplines of a leader
Prayer
Study the word of God
- Further studies God uses people with talents
Prepare to preach
Tidiness
Punctuality
Serving
Exercise
Finances
Faithful – Appointments
- Commitments
Accountability
Fasting
Conclusion
Our Heart Motivation:
Is always a deep and committed love for God and a deep and passionate love for His people
