LEADING BY GRACE Helping Those You Lead Live in the Realities of God’s Grace

INTRODUCTORY MATTERS 1. A Word About Today’s Approach

2. A Few Acknowledgements

3. Thinking Personally, Thinking Specifically Where are you exercising leadership?       What are the “top 3” in terms of importance?

4. What exactly does “Leading by Grace” mean? Essentially, it’s operating with the reality of God’s grace as your dominant, controlling category in the exercise of leadership  Helping people see God at work in their lives  Orienting people toward this work of God in their lives  Seeing and helping others see their lives from an eternal perspective  Seeing and helping others see everything in relation to the great work of grace on the cross  Helping those you lead live in the realities of God and his grace

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? I. We Lead by Grace When We Act in Confidence of God’s Grace in Other’s Lives.

I. The Exercise of Leadership –

When engaging with another, which are you more aware of, the prior activity of God in their lives or their present deficiencies? Are you more aware of evidences of grace than areas in need of growth?

A Reliable Test – Private Expressions of Gratitude

Leadership by grace acts in confidence of God’s grace in people’s lives and therefore is going to include much thanksgiving to God in private.

II. We Lead by Grace When We Make Others Aware of Evidences of Grace in Their Lives.

The Challenge of Perceiving Evidences of Grace –

“Right now God is working all around you and in your life. One of the greatest tragedies among God‟s people is that while they have a deep longing to experience him they are experiencing God day after day but do not know how to recognize him.” Henry Blackaby

Leading by grace is recognizing God is at work and helping people perceive how God is at work in their lives.

Be aware of the “broad work” of the Spirit so that you will know how to recognize God’s work in people’s lives.

Specific Applications 1. As you relate to your wife, what does she become more aware of, evidences of grace in her life or areas in need of change?

2. As you relate to your children, what are they more aware of, evidences of grace or areas in need of growth?

3. As you exercise leadership in your _____________________, what are people more aware of, evidences of grace or areas in need of correction?

A Word of Caution -

Paul’s compelling example – I Corinthians 1

Only the humble can identify evidences of grace in those in need of adjustment.

A Return to Our Test – Public Expression of Gratitude

It is our privilege and responsibility to communicate to those we serve how grateful we are to God for them.

III. We Lead by Grace When We Help Position Others For Grace. Confidence in a Great Promise – “But he gives us more grace. That is why the Scripture says: „God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble . . .Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” James 4:6, 10

 the availability of grace and the eagerness of God to give it

 the particularity of grace

The Encouragement of Humility –  acknowledging sin

 acknowledging dependence

IV. We Lead by Grace When We Seek to Motivate Others By Grace.

The Effect of the Cross –

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” I Tim. 1:1216 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” I Cor. 15:10 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20 “For Christ‟s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” II Cor. 5:14-15.

The Effect of God’s Promise of Future Grace and the Promise of God’s Faithfulness to Bring His Work to Completion -

“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” Jude 24 “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” I Cor. 1:9.

Motivation by Grace and this thing called Patience -

V. We Lead by Grace When We Manifest the Grace of God in Our Own Lives.

Influencing (i.e. showing people a vision and whetting their appetites) by Example –

The Shaping Effect of the Gospel: The Fruits of Grace –

Grace in the form of Joy –

Leadership by grace shows itself in serving the Lord with gladness!