54. Spiritual Leadership IV
G. Dealing with heart attitudes
People generally are more concerned about their reputation, (what people think about them), than they are about their character, (what they are made of). Let's contrast reputation and character:‑
REPUTATION is what we are supposed to be.
CHARACTER is what we are.
REPUTATION comes over one from without.
CHARACTER grows up from within.
REPUTATION is made in a moment.
CHARACTER is built in a lifetime.
A single newspaper report can give us a REPUTATION.
It takes a life of toil to build CHARACTER into us.
REPUTATION makes us richer or makes us poorer.
CHARACTER makes us happy or makes us miserable.
REPUTATION is what men say about us on your tombstone.
CHARACTER is what angels say about us before the throne of God.
Both reputation and character are important, but God's aim for my life is good character.
The Biblical example:
1 Cor 1:26‑31
1 Tim 3:1-12 (Qualifications of an Elder/Deacon, where most of the qualifications refer to a person’s character).
Prov 20:6
1 Cor 4:2
2 Tim 2:2
Luke 16:10‑13 faithful in a little, then faithful with much.
God is looking for FAT leaders!
FAITHFUL
AVAILABLE
TEACHABLE
G. 3. “Kind produces kind”
A law of nature, which has a spiritual outworking as well.
Luke 6:43‑45 v45 “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks”. What comes out, is inside.
Luke 6:39‑42 v39 “Can a blind man lead a blind man?” We cannot take others where we have not been.
Gal 6:7 “... A man reaps what he sows”.
We impart what we are, and not what we say we are.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Phil 4:9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice.” People need examples with "SKIN ON"!
A good testimony is living proof that God is alive, and that Christianity works.
A good testimony also gives authority to your ministry, protects you from careless living and satanic attacks.
We need to practice what we preach :‑
in our homes
at work
where we relax
in the activities of the church
IMPARTATION OF LIFE BEFORE LAW
2 Cor 3:6 “ ... the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life”.
Zech 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty."
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential.
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The promise of the Father is given to empower us:
to impart life
to discern
to exercise the gifts of the Spirit, (we must be prophetic to minister to people).
for "spiritual" energy
for revelation and wisdom, (Jas 1:5)
A PRIEST TO GOD FIRST
Exodus 40:15; Ezek 44:8‑16; 1 Chron 15:2; 23:13
John 4:23 - A lifestyle of worship, private as well as public.
As a priest, (leader), we need to be aware that our lives and conduct have ramifications far beyond ourselves. We live our lives for others. In being a priest to God first, we:‑
establish God's authority
release His power and deliverance
learn to exercise faith
release the anointing, and refresh the spirit of man (Isaiah 40:28‑31).
mobilise the armies of heaven. (Ps 91).
G. 4. The cross and suffering
The humanistic gospel is, "come to Jesus and get" ..., and "do everything at your convenience and pleasure."
Jesus came to serve, but He is not the waiter!
The Biblical gospel is, "to lay down your life," (Luke 14:25‑35). Count the cost of serving Him.
In serving Christ, there is a burden you need to take up, (Matt 11:28‑30).
The cross is always VICARIOUS, and involves suffering.
Paul's life as an example, 2 Cor 4:7‑12; 6:4‑10; 11:23‑29
The cross is the difference between humanism and hardship endured for the Kingdom, where your convenience is set aside for the sake of :‑
identifying
helping
building relationships.
Christians, and especially leaders, are created for commitment and sacrifice.
You overcome the enemy through your selfless and sacrificial attitude, (Rev 12:11).
When it comes to the cross and suffering, we need to :‑
reckon with it
accept it
take it up voluntarily
Taking up the cross is a decision of total commitment.
This principle is taught by Jesus in John 12:23‑26
The basis of this principle is that we die to self and the flesh, (the release), then we are resurrected to new life in Christ, (Rom 6:5‑10), i.e. the principle of water baptism.
This is an ongoing principle, where we will always be dying to some aspect of self, and be raised to new life and attitudes by and in the Holy Spirit.
The important thing is not to get stuck in either one, and not to become frustrated.
Our aim is to live by the Spirit, (Rom 8:13‑14).
Submit to the right authorities, i.e. in the home, the church and the state
Authority is given for teaching, disciplining and protection.
The story of the Centurion in Matt 8:5‑13 shows you how a correct understanding of authority produces a healthy life of faith, (v8 & 13).
Exercise the right authority :‑
not lording it, (Matt 20:25‑28)
always by invitation, (i.e. not imposed)
appeal to higher authority
never abdicate authority e.g. with a democratic approach to decision making.