What Are Competent Leaders?

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you an able or competent leader?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show the qualities and characteristics of an able or competent leader. In the T-A-G-S acronymn namely: Talents - Abilities - Gifts - Skills , never look for any of these T.A.G.S. but look for the A as Able.

IV. TEXT:

Exodus 18:21 (Amplified Bible)

18:21 Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people—God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain—and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers.

Parallel :

Acts 6:3 (Amplified Bible)

6:3 Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have given us the qualities of a competent leader, like You, we look for people like You. We continually pray that you make us able men: GOD-fearing, men of truth, and hate unjust gains, so we can lead souls to your kingdom.

VI. TITLE:

What are competent leaders?

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author and Central Character: Moses

B. Date written: 1447-1410 b.c.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

C. Purpose: To be a permanent reminder of God's redemptive act on Passover night; and of His care and direction, through the cloud of day and the pillar of fire of night, during His people's wilderness wanderings on the way to Canaan.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. To whom written: Each new generation of Israel

E. Main Theme: History of Israel from death of Joseph to the erection of the tabernacle

F. Key word: deliverance

G. Key verses:

Exodus 12:40-43 (Amplified Bible)

12:40 Now the time the Israelites dwelt in Egypt was 430 years.

12:41 At the end of the 430 years, even that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out of Egypt.

12:42 It was a night of watching unto the Lord and to be much observed for bringing them out of Egypt; this same night of watching unto the Lord is to be observed by all the Israelites throughout their generations.

12:43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat of it;

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Able men's characteristics/qualities:

Able, competent or "chayil" in Hebrew meaning:

1. a force

2. means or other resources

3. army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

These qualities or characteristics must be all present in a man or woman you are prospecting as leaders.

Men that have strength of heart, as Ben Gersom expresses it, men of spirit and courage, and are not afraid to do justice, to repress vice, and countenance virtue; - Ben Gersom (John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)

Proverbs 28:2 (Amplified Bible)

28:2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

1. GOD-fearing

Fear or "yare" in Hebrew meaning:

1. fearing

2. reverent

3. afraid, fear

Reverently fearing GOD, meaning you must be a worshipper of GOD - is the entire duty of a man on earth.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Amplified Bible)

12:13 All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

2 Samuel 23:3 (Amplified Bible)

23:3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me, When one rules over men righteously, ruling in the fear of God,

Genesis 42:18 (Amplified Bible)

42:18 And Joseph said to them on the third day, Do this and live! I reverence and fear God.

2. men of truth

Truth or "emeth" in Hebrew meaning:

1. stability

2. certainty, trustworthiness

3. establishment, faithful, right, sure

Truth is defined by Webster as:

1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be.

2. True state of facts or things.

3. Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth

4. Veracity; purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth

So truth therefore must be based on fact, and we rely on Divine facts - the Bible is a collection of truths that must be applied in our living to set us free.

John 8:32 (Amplified Bible)

8:32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

Isaiah 16:5 (Amplified Bible)

16:5 Then in mercy and loving-kindness shall a throne be established, and One shall sit upon it in truth and faithfulness in the tent of David, judging and seeking justice and being swift to do righteousness.