Be Like Jesus
“Jesus Christ is, beyond all reasonable question, the greatest Man who ever lived. The greatness of a man is to be estimated by two things; first, by the extent of his influence upon mankind, and secondly—for no one is altogether great who is not also good—by the purity and dignity of his character. Tried by both these tests, Jesus is supreme among men. He is at once the most influential and the best of Mankind.”—P. Carnegie Simpson
I. Understand Your Purpose [Vision]
Review from the SLH: Vision is a well-defined picture a strong leader foresees in the future for the organization to reach its highest potential and mission.
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.—Warren G. Bennis[1]
Vision influences the direction and commitment of leadership
A. Why Purpose is Important!
B. Jesus Understood His Purpose and was fully Submitted to doing the Will of His Father—John 6:38—“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 4:34—“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them.
C. Jesus Communicated His Mission Clearly [Luke 19:10]—“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” In marketing we call this branding—getting your message out so that it is clearly understood.
Mark 1:38--And He said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.”
John 10:10--A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
John 12:46--I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.
John 18:37—“ . . . I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
D. What is Your Purpose?
The thought that a human soul can fulfil the predestined purpose of God is a great one.—Oswald Chambers in Biblical Psychology
You can identify your mission by answering three questions:
· What is my purpose for being alive? To raise up and train Godly Leaders
· How am I uniquely equipped to fulfill that purpose? 40+ years of Leadership Exp
· What do I value above all else? —Bill Perkins in the Jesus experiment Jesus!
II. Work with a Team [Teamwork] CliftonStrengths
Review: Teamwork influences the magnitude of leadership
A. Jesus Selected and Recruited His Disciples
Mark 1:17—“Follow Me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people!”
Mark 3:13-15--Then He went up the mountain and summoned those He wanted, and they came to Him. He also appointed 12—He also named them apostles—to be with Him, to send them out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons.
Building the team is as important as producing the product.--Bob Taylor
B. Jesus Worked closely with His Father
Luke 6:12—“During those days He went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God.”
John 17:4—“I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”
What causes us not to work well with others? Ego, ambition, selfishness, confusion, conflict, differing agendas . . .
C. Jesus Modeled Unity
John 17:21—“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us,so the world may believe You sent Me.” Notice Jesus didn’t just model unity—He expected that we follow His example.
Unity gives us strength and allows us to accomplish much more than we could on our own. Ecc. 4:12—“And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
D. Jesus Shepherded and Protected His Team
John 17:12—“While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.”
John 10:11—“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
III. Be a Holy Example. [Character]
Review: Character influences the nature and quality of leadership
I define character as “the summative features, qualities and traits that form one’s moral nature and reputation.”
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.—Goethe
A. Jesus Lived a Perfect Life (Quenched the flesh)
Mark 1:13—“He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.”
Heb. 4:15—“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
Character building takes time. There are no shortcuts. Two factors determine the length of time required for God to develop character worthy of spiritual leadership—trust in God and obedience to God.—Henry & Richard Blackaby in Spiritual Leadership
Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion.—Aristotle
B. Jesus Endured Suffering—the great Tester of Character
Character is not developed by the easy life. It is forged in the furnace of affliction. You find out what truly matters to a person when you see them endure trials.
Isa. 53:3—“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.”
Mat. 16:21—“From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Heb 2:18—“For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.”
Our Lord is more interested in developing our character than in preserving our comfort.—Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Discipleship We don’t like suffering and we try to get through it as fast as possible. But God uses suffering to develop us so that we understand what really matters and live in a way that pleases Him. Bryan’s example.
When we go on Jesus Christ’s way, slowly and steadily we find He builds up spiritual and moral character along with intellectual discernment—these develop together; if we push one at the expense of the other, we shall get out of touch with God.—Oswald Chambers in If You Will Be Perfect
IV. Glorify God [Attitude]
Review: Attitude influences the spirit, will, and force of leadership
People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude . . . The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up —John C. Maxwell
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.—Lou Holtz
Daily pursuing the attributes of Jesus will make it difficult for sin to gain a foothold in your life.—R. Roderick Cyr in Difficult is the Path
Have you ever worked in a toxic environment? Several times in my military career I worked in commands that were toxic because a few people in power constantly worked with a negative mindset. I had to purposefully choose to keep my attitude positive—if I gave in to negativity it would ruin my day and hurt the people I served. One technique I found to be helpful was to whistle worship music. This accomplished two things: it announced my arrival (I was the only one who whistled) and it served notice that I was of a positive mindset.
A. Jesus was Joyful
John 15:11—“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
Jesus embodied a stubborn joy. A joy that refused to bend in the wind of hard times. A joy that held its ground against pain. A joy whose roots extended deep into the bedrock of eternity.—Max Lucado in The Applause of Heaven
Joy produces energy. Joy makes us strong.—Richard J. Foster in Celebration of Discipline
B. Jesus was Sorrowful
John 11:35--Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the Bible tells us about our Savior.
Mat. 26:37—“Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.”
Let Sorrow do its work, send grief or pain; Sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain. If they but work in me, more love, O Christ, to thee, More love to thee, more love to thee.—Hannah Hurnard in Hind’s Feet On High Places
C. Jesus was Peaceful
John 14:27—“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
Reflected peace is the greatest evidence that I am right with God, for I am at liberty to turn my mind to Him. If I am not right with God I can never turn my mind anywhere but on myself.—Oswald Chambers in Christian Disciple 105
He who best knows how to suffer shall possess the most peace; that man is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, and the inheritor of heaven.—Thomas A Kempis in The Imitation of Christ
To have peace is to be rich. To be a maker of peace is to be a dispenser of the best that even heaven has to give to men.—J.R. Miller in The Master’s Blesseds
D. Jesus was Humble
Mat. 11:29—“All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.”
Humility is the exhibition of the Spirit of Jesus Christ and is the touchstone of saintliness.—Oswald Chambers in The Moral Foundations of Life 239
The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become.—Allen Bond
In the Kingdom, there are no great men of God, just humble men whom God has chosen to use greatly. How do we know when we are humble? When God speaks, we tremble. God is looking for a man who trembles at His word. Such a man will find the Spirit of God resting upon him; he will become a dwelling place for the Almighty.—Francis Frangipane in Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God
E. Jesus was Grateful
Luke 22:19—“And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” Just try and imagine what Jesus was going through when He offered this prayer and gave thanks!!!
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.—Brian Tracy
F. Jesus was Angry
John 11:33,38--When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved. Then Jesus, angry in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
There is a righteous anger, an anger against sin and unrighteousness. The Bible does not specify why Jesus was angry—it may have been their unbelief, it may have been seeing the effect of death on His friends . . .
V. Live Well [Conduct]
Review: Conduct influences the behavior of leadership
A. Jesus Faithfully Taught and Practiced the Golden Rule
1. by Healing
Mat. 4:23--Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
2. by Protecting
We saw this last night in John 17:12—Jesus as a Shepherd protecting His flock.
How do we protect those we serve? By praying for them. By helping them make wise decisions. By standing up for them when others are critical. People are so quick to believe bad press. Make sure you have all the facts and understand the context before judging the actions of someone. Be a defender whenever possible. By speaking the truth in love. By keeping away those who are in rebellious towards God.
3. by Serving
Mark 10:45--For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.
When does a leader become a servant? What should be our motivation to serve others?
4. by Encouraging
Mat. 16:18--And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. One of the greatest things you can do for those you lead is to encourage them. Negative leadership results in negative consequences. Positive leadership builds people up, motivates them, and gives them renewed energy. Bring someone up and encourage them publically.
5. by Praying
Luke 6:12—Remember we read last night how Jesus spent the whole night in prayer with His Father. In Mat. 6:9-13 He taught His disciples how to pray—the Lord’s Prayer.
I want you to gather in teams of two and to ask the other person one thing they would like prayer for and then pray for that person.
6. by Equipping
Luke 6:40--A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Jesus trained His disciples—He taught them parables and gave them rich instruction like the Beatitudes. He showed them how to live. He sent them out on assignments. The world would not have picked the men Jesus selected. Yet after Jesus returned to heaven those men would turn the world upside down. Each week I meet with a team in Uganda and a team in Kenya to equip them in leadership.
7. by Nurturing
Mat. 9:36--When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus took His disciples out away from the crowds at times so they could rest.
Mark 6:31,32--He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place,
Those of you who are mothers really understand this word nurture because you know firsthand that babies and young children especially need nurturing.
8. by Rebuking
Demons—Mat. 17:18--Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed.
Followers—Mark 8:33—But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan, because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s!”
Teaching—Mat. 18:15--If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
B. Jesus Modeled Competency
Mat. 13:54--He went to His hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him?
VI. Gain and Apply Wisdom! [Wisdom]
Review: Wisdom influences the efficacy of leadership.
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.—Charles H. Spurgeon
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.--Galileo
Jesus is the Epitome of Wisdom--
Luke 2:52--Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God and in favor with man.
Mat. 12:42--The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here!
What are you doing to grow in wisdom? One of the best ways to grow is to find a mentor and to be a mentor. This is equally true for women as for men. I consider Ralph to be a mentor. Javier considers me as his mentor. We grow by asking for advice and listening and we grow by considering what we are asked and giving advice. Both are important. I have a mentoring relationship with my daughter’s husband. Each week Mark calls me and we share and pray together. I consider this a precious responsibility. By mentoring my son-in-law, I am directly benefiting my daughter and my grandkids!
What are your questions?
[1] Bennis is an author, University Professor and Distinguished Professor of Business Administration and Founding Chairman of The Leadership Institute at the University of Southern California.
I. Understand Your Purpose [Vision]
Review from the SLH: Vision is a well-defined picture a strong leader foresees in the future for the organization to reach its highest potential and mission.
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.—Warren G. Bennis[1]
Vision influences the direction and commitment of leadership
A. Why Purpose is Important!
- Several years ago, sixty students who had attempted suicide were asked why they had wanted to end their lives. The majority, 85 percent, said they had tried to kill themselves because their lives seemed meaningless and without purpose.—Gary R. Collins in Christian Coaching
- “Francisco, what’s the most depraved type of human being?” “The man without a purpose.”—Ayn Rand in Atlas Shrugged
- If you aren’t clear about your purpose, why would others want to follow you?—Bill George in Discover Your True North
- Purpose is the foundation for everything.—Dave Kraft in Leaders Who Last
- Having a sense of purpose in life seems to provide a shield against illness—particularly in old age . . . Those with the highest sense of purpose were half as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with the lowest sense of purpose during seven years of follow-up . . . In an earlier study, the same group [Rush University Medical Center in Chicago] found that the risk of dying from any cause was nearly cut in half among women and men with a greater sense of purpose.—Joe Rojas-Burke in “Antidote for illness comes with life goals” The Oregonian Thursday March 11, 2010.
B. Jesus Understood His Purpose and was fully Submitted to doing the Will of His Father—John 6:38—“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 4:34—“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them.
C. Jesus Communicated His Mission Clearly [Luke 19:10]—“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” In marketing we call this branding—getting your message out so that it is clearly understood.
Mark 1:38--And He said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.”
John 10:10--A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
John 12:46--I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.
John 18:37—“ . . . I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
D. What is Your Purpose?
The thought that a human soul can fulfil the predestined purpose of God is a great one.—Oswald Chambers in Biblical Psychology
You can identify your mission by answering three questions:
· What is my purpose for being alive? To raise up and train Godly Leaders
· How am I uniquely equipped to fulfill that purpose? 40+ years of Leadership Exp
· What do I value above all else? —Bill Perkins in the Jesus experiment Jesus!
II. Work with a Team [Teamwork] CliftonStrengths
Review: Teamwork influences the magnitude of leadership
A. Jesus Selected and Recruited His Disciples
Mark 1:17—“Follow Me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people!”
Mark 3:13-15--Then He went up the mountain and summoned those He wanted, and they came to Him. He also appointed 12—He also named them apostles—to be with Him, to send them out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons.
Building the team is as important as producing the product.--Bob Taylor
B. Jesus Worked closely with His Father
Luke 6:12—“During those days He went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God.”
John 17:4—“I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”
What causes us not to work well with others? Ego, ambition, selfishness, confusion, conflict, differing agendas . . .
C. Jesus Modeled Unity
John 17:21—“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us,so the world may believe You sent Me.” Notice Jesus didn’t just model unity—He expected that we follow His example.
Unity gives us strength and allows us to accomplish much more than we could on our own. Ecc. 4:12—“And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
D. Jesus Shepherded and Protected His Team
John 17:12—“While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.”
John 10:11—“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
III. Be a Holy Example. [Character]
Review: Character influences the nature and quality of leadership
I define character as “the summative features, qualities and traits that form one’s moral nature and reputation.”
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.—Goethe
A. Jesus Lived a Perfect Life (Quenched the flesh)
Mark 1:13—“He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.”
Heb. 4:15—“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
Character building takes time. There are no shortcuts. Two factors determine the length of time required for God to develop character worthy of spiritual leadership—trust in God and obedience to God.—Henry & Richard Blackaby in Spiritual Leadership
Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion.—Aristotle
B. Jesus Endured Suffering—the great Tester of Character
Character is not developed by the easy life. It is forged in the furnace of affliction. You find out what truly matters to a person when you see them endure trials.
Isa. 53:3—“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.”
Mat. 16:21—“From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Heb 2:18—“For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.”
Our Lord is more interested in developing our character than in preserving our comfort.—Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Discipleship We don’t like suffering and we try to get through it as fast as possible. But God uses suffering to develop us so that we understand what really matters and live in a way that pleases Him. Bryan’s example.
When we go on Jesus Christ’s way, slowly and steadily we find He builds up spiritual and moral character along with intellectual discernment—these develop together; if we push one at the expense of the other, we shall get out of touch with God.—Oswald Chambers in If You Will Be Perfect
IV. Glorify God [Attitude]
Review: Attitude influences the spirit, will, and force of leadership
People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude . . . The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up —John C. Maxwell
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.—Lou Holtz
Daily pursuing the attributes of Jesus will make it difficult for sin to gain a foothold in your life.—R. Roderick Cyr in Difficult is the Path
Have you ever worked in a toxic environment? Several times in my military career I worked in commands that were toxic because a few people in power constantly worked with a negative mindset. I had to purposefully choose to keep my attitude positive—if I gave in to negativity it would ruin my day and hurt the people I served. One technique I found to be helpful was to whistle worship music. This accomplished two things: it announced my arrival (I was the only one who whistled) and it served notice that I was of a positive mindset.
A. Jesus was Joyful
John 15:11—“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
Jesus embodied a stubborn joy. A joy that refused to bend in the wind of hard times. A joy that held its ground against pain. A joy whose roots extended deep into the bedrock of eternity.—Max Lucado in The Applause of Heaven
Joy produces energy. Joy makes us strong.—Richard J. Foster in Celebration of Discipline
B. Jesus was Sorrowful
John 11:35--Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the Bible tells us about our Savior.
Mat. 26:37—“Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.”
Let Sorrow do its work, send grief or pain; Sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain. If they but work in me, more love, O Christ, to thee, More love to thee, more love to thee.—Hannah Hurnard in Hind’s Feet On High Places
C. Jesus was Peaceful
John 14:27—“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
Reflected peace is the greatest evidence that I am right with God, for I am at liberty to turn my mind to Him. If I am not right with God I can never turn my mind anywhere but on myself.—Oswald Chambers in Christian Disciple 105
He who best knows how to suffer shall possess the most peace; that man is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, and the inheritor of heaven.—Thomas A Kempis in The Imitation of Christ
To have peace is to be rich. To be a maker of peace is to be a dispenser of the best that even heaven has to give to men.—J.R. Miller in The Master’s Blesseds
D. Jesus was Humble
Mat. 11:29—“All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.”
Humility is the exhibition of the Spirit of Jesus Christ and is the touchstone of saintliness.—Oswald Chambers in The Moral Foundations of Life 239
The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become.—Allen Bond
In the Kingdom, there are no great men of God, just humble men whom God has chosen to use greatly. How do we know when we are humble? When God speaks, we tremble. God is looking for a man who trembles at His word. Such a man will find the Spirit of God resting upon him; he will become a dwelling place for the Almighty.—Francis Frangipane in Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God
E. Jesus was Grateful
Luke 22:19—“And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” Just try and imagine what Jesus was going through when He offered this prayer and gave thanks!!!
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.—Brian Tracy
F. Jesus was Angry
John 11:33,38--When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved. Then Jesus, angry in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
There is a righteous anger, an anger against sin and unrighteousness. The Bible does not specify why Jesus was angry—it may have been their unbelief, it may have been seeing the effect of death on His friends . . .
V. Live Well [Conduct]
Review: Conduct influences the behavior of leadership
A. Jesus Faithfully Taught and Practiced the Golden Rule
1. by Healing
Mat. 4:23--Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
2. by Protecting
We saw this last night in John 17:12—Jesus as a Shepherd protecting His flock.
How do we protect those we serve? By praying for them. By helping them make wise decisions. By standing up for them when others are critical. People are so quick to believe bad press. Make sure you have all the facts and understand the context before judging the actions of someone. Be a defender whenever possible. By speaking the truth in love. By keeping away those who are in rebellious towards God.
3. by Serving
Mark 10:45--For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.
When does a leader become a servant? What should be our motivation to serve others?
4. by Encouraging
Mat. 16:18--And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. One of the greatest things you can do for those you lead is to encourage them. Negative leadership results in negative consequences. Positive leadership builds people up, motivates them, and gives them renewed energy. Bring someone up and encourage them publically.
5. by Praying
Luke 6:12—Remember we read last night how Jesus spent the whole night in prayer with His Father. In Mat. 6:9-13 He taught His disciples how to pray—the Lord’s Prayer.
I want you to gather in teams of two and to ask the other person one thing they would like prayer for and then pray for that person.
6. by Equipping
Luke 6:40--A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Jesus trained His disciples—He taught them parables and gave them rich instruction like the Beatitudes. He showed them how to live. He sent them out on assignments. The world would not have picked the men Jesus selected. Yet after Jesus returned to heaven those men would turn the world upside down. Each week I meet with a team in Uganda and a team in Kenya to equip them in leadership.
7. by Nurturing
Mat. 9:36--When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus took His disciples out away from the crowds at times so they could rest.
Mark 6:31,32--He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place,
Those of you who are mothers really understand this word nurture because you know firsthand that babies and young children especially need nurturing.
8. by Rebuking
Demons—Mat. 17:18--Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed.
Followers—Mark 8:33—But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan, because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s!”
Teaching—Mat. 18:15--If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
B. Jesus Modeled Competency
Mat. 13:54--He went to His hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him?
VI. Gain and Apply Wisdom! [Wisdom]
Review: Wisdom influences the efficacy of leadership.
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.—Charles H. Spurgeon
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.--Galileo
Jesus is the Epitome of Wisdom--
Luke 2:52--Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God and in favor with man.
Mat. 12:42--The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here!
What are you doing to grow in wisdom? One of the best ways to grow is to find a mentor and to be a mentor. This is equally true for women as for men. I consider Ralph to be a mentor. Javier considers me as his mentor. We grow by asking for advice and listening and we grow by considering what we are asked and giving advice. Both are important. I have a mentoring relationship with my daughter’s husband. Each week Mark calls me and we share and pray together. I consider this a precious responsibility. By mentoring my son-in-law, I am directly benefiting my daughter and my grandkids!
What are your questions?
[1] Bennis is an author, University Professor and Distinguished Professor of Business Administration and Founding Chairman of The Leadership Institute at the University of Southern California.
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