“So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19
Our Series has taken us through Truth, Purity, and Wisdom. Tonight we are going to talk about leadership.
God is calling up Christian Young People to elevate the standard of leadership in today’s world.
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions…” Acts 2:17a
Today’s Christian teenager has a calling of God upon his or her life to be a vocal leader and a visionary for the cause of Jesus Christ.
Check out what the world is saying about an awkward-looking man named Bill Gates:
“He has an all-consuming desire to succeed.” Venture
“He is the single most influential figure in the computer history, now the richest man in America, called ‘Boy Billionaire.’” Wall Street Journal
Bill Gates didn’t wait to get out of high school to learn how to succeed and be a leader. He and his friend, Paul Allen, worked on developing software programs until 4:00 am on school nights and all day during the weekend. At age 15, Gates and Allen wrote a traffic program, formed a company called “Traf-O-Data,” and made $20,000 on their first project. During Gates senior year he was paid $30,000 to write software in his spare time. He would soon become our nation’s youngest billionaire ever. Why should our Christian young people wait until they are mature, gray-haired adults before they do something great for God in their World?
If you want to be a leader then you must think like a leader.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” Proverbs 23:7a
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2a
Your thoughts will determine what you will do and who you will be.
1) A leader thinks about how to serve others well.
“This means I am not bound to obey people just because they pay me, yet I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:19
Who is the leader in the fast food industry and why? McDonald’s of course! They have risen to power and dominance in the fast food market by serving families and children with quick, colorful, fun, inexpensive food. They thought “service,” and now they lead the way!
When you make a commitment to serve others in your church, school and community, you will become a leader.
When you make a commitment to serve others in your church, school, and community, you will become a leader.
Who would you fallow?
Mean boss who is not willing to help out and just tells you what to do or
A boss who is willing to get dirty who is not afraid to serve and get dirty.
2) A leader thinks about preparation.
“The horse are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31
“The more you sweat in preparation, the less you bleed in battle.” (Anonymous)
God has always required great preparation in order to achieve great results in leadership.
Joseph received a dream at the age of 17 and the fulfillment of the dream at age 30. (That’s 13 years of preparation!)
Abraham was 75 years old when God made a covenant with him. He was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
David killed Goliath at 16 years old and was promoted to king at 37 years old.
Jesus spent 30 years preparing for his three years of earthly ministry.
If I told you that in one year you will have a fight here at Oneighty in front of everyone with the Jake Canales. Who would take that year to prepare and find a way to have an advantage on this fight, or who would just sit back and wait until that day to have the battle.
The difference between a leader and everyone else is that the leader will prepare and everyone else takes the battle when it comes.
3) Leaders think about how to use their time wisely.
“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
In a lifetime, the average American will spend:
Six months sitting at stoplights.
Eight months opening junk mail.
One year looking for misplaced objects.
Two years unsuccessfully returning phone calls.
Four years doing housework.
Five years waiting in line.
Six years eating.
How much time are you wasting on other non-productive activities like endless watching television, surfing the internet or talking on the phone?
If you stole one hour of each day from your TV and telephone-time, or if you got up one hour early everyday, in one year you would add 15 full days to invest in the leadership goals of your choice.
4) Leaders think big and think how to carry that BIG thought out.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:20
Leaders are known by their accomplishments and by their impact on the world. Leaders don’t let their circumstances limit their potential or change their focus. How much you accomplish in your life is directly related to how BIG you think.
Make a list of steps you must take to reach your goals and start doing them one at a time. The key is diligence and persistence.
Are you ready to make the commitment to be the kind of leader God is looking for?
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