TRAITS OF A GODLY LEADER

SS LESSON AUG. 23, 2015 TRAITS OF A GODLY LEADER WILSON KILGORE TRAITS OF A GODLY LEADER Joshua 1:1-18 PRE LESSON HUMOR: BIBLICAL BLOOPERS These a...
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SS LESSON AUG. 23, 2015

TRAITS OF A GODLY LEADER

WILSON KILGORE

TRAITS OF A GODLY LEADER Joshua 1:1-18

PRE LESSON HUMOR: BIBLICAL BLOOPERS These are slightly skewed scriptural insights from children of Christian and Jewish faiths: 1) In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off. 2) Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. 3) Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night. 4) Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. 5) The Egyptians were all drowned in the desert. 6) Afterward. Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Amendments. 7) The First Commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple. 8) The Fifth Commandment is "Humor thy father and mother."

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The Seventh Commandment is "Thou shalt not admit adultery." 9) The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him. 10) Solomon, one of David’s sons, has 300 wives and 700 porcupines. 11) When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta. 12) When the three wise guys from the east side showed up, they found Jesus and the manager. 13) Jesus was born because Mary had an emaculate contraption. 14) St. John, the Blacksmith, dumped water on his head. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which is "Do one to others before they do one to you." 15) The Bible says a man is only supposed to have one wife. This is called monotony. ©1998 John Boy & Billy Inc.

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JOSHUA CHAPTER 1 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper 3|Page

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wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.'" 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.' 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and 4|Page

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help them, 15 until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD's servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise." NKJV

INTRODUCTION A. MAIN THOUGHT: “GOD PROVIDES GODLY LEADERS TO LEAD HIS PEOPLE.” QUOTATION BY Matt Clarke: “Most people would agree that there is a real dearth of capable, inspiring leaders these days. This is not only true in our nation but also in our homes & churches. The ineptitude of Christian parents & church leaders has led to our young people 5|Page

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leaving the Faith in droves looking elsewhere for fulfillment and meaning. Loved Ones, don’t be deceived this is a national epidemic and it can be traced back to poor spiritual leadership. CT latest poll suggests that 3 out of 4 children raised in Christian homes leave the church after they are out of the home (CT; Aug, ‘07) [Mark Clarke]

B. THE BOOK OF JOSHUA recounts Israel’s conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. It spans about 25 years of Israelite history.

C. WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITIES FOR A LEADER TO HAVE? The world needs leaders...      

who cannot be bought; whose word is their promise; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; 6|Page

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 who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;  who will be honest in small things as well as in great things;  who will make no compromise with wrong;  whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;  who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";  who are true to their friends through good report and  evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity;  who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and  hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;  who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth  when it is unpopular, who can say no with emphasis, although the rest of the world says yes. Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, pp. 19-20

D. A NAME CHANGE

(Henry & Richard Blackaby

in their book—Called to be God’s Leader: Lessons from the Life of JOSHUA”—on pp. 21-22 write:)

1. “In Old Testament times, a Jewish person’s name was significant because it was considered a reflection of one’s character. “ 7|Page

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2. “The Scriptures show that when God personally encountered people, He often changed their names to reflect His will for them:  Abram & Sarai became Abraham & Sarah to signify that God would establish a nation through them.  Jacob’s new name was Israel, meaning ‘God strives,’ to match God’s work in his live.  Jesus changes Simon’s [hears, obeys] to Peter [a rock,] to match the sturdy character God would develop in him.” 3. “It was a highly meaningful act when God altered someone’s name. When God renamed Joshua (from Hoshea), the difference was significant—Num. 13:16:” 8|Page

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These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua. NKJV

4.

Hoshea, meaning “He has saved,” was good, respectable name . . . [but] Joshua meant “Yahweh saves.”

5.

“God moved from generalities to specifics. Hoshea did not refer to a particular god. In an age of rampant idolatry, the name could have referred to any of the numerous false gods.”

6.

“But Joshua specified the one Lord God. It was personal. . .The name change was subtle, but the difference was profound.”

7.

“Hoshea had a religion.” 9|Page

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8.

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“Joshua had a relationship with God.”

9. OUR NEW NAME: Revelation 2:17--"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone A NEW NAME WRITTEN which no one knows except him who receives it."' NKJV

E.

TIMES OF TRANSITION 1. Moses was 120 years old and had been told by God He was about to die. 2. The Israelites had wandered 40 years in the wilderness (because of their disobedience) but now stood just across the Jordan River from the Promised Land. 10 | P a g e

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3. God tells Moses that Joshua (who commentators say was somewhere between 60 and 90 years old at this time) is to become the leader that

will take his place and lead the people into the Land. 4. The Transitions of life can be very difficult—they bring with them: a. Difficulties and Opportunities b. Fear and Faith c.

Possibilities of Success & Possibilities of Failure

5. In today’s lesson we will look at a time of significant transition, a change of leadership from Moses to Joshua that took place on the east side of the Jordan River about 3,400 years ago. 11 | P a g e

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We will look at the three-fold dimensions of Godly Leadership and Joshua’s time of transition!

F. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 1: 1. GODLY LEADERS ARE COMMISSIONED 2. GODLY LEADERS ARE COURAGEOUS 3. GODLY LEADERS ARE FOLLOWED

I. GODLY LEADERS ARE COMMISSIONED A. JOSHUA CALLED (turn to Deut. 31)

1. BY MOSES –

(Deut. 31:7-8, 14-15, 23)

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Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go 12 | P a g e

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with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit 8

it. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." 14

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, the days approach when you must die; call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of meeting, that I may inaugurate him." So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of meeting. 15

Now the LORD appeared at the tabernacle in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood above the door of the tabernacle. Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you." NKJV 23

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a. FIRST: MOSES CALLS JOSHUA – PUBLICLY (Deut. 31:7—8) **Note 2 Things in this Charge: b. FIRST:

THE CHARGE:

7

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 1ST:

BE STRONG

2ND: MUST GO

c.

SECOND: THE PROMISE 8

And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." 1ST:

GOD WILL BE WITH YOU

2ND:

DO NOT FEAR 14 | P a g e

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2. BY GOD (Deut. 31:14-15, 23) a. GOD CALLS JOSHUA – PUBLICLY **Note the 3 things in this calling: b. FIRST: THE COMMAND (Deut. 31:14) 14

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, the days approach when you must die; call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of meeting, that I may inaugurate him." So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of meeting. c.

SECOND: THE CLOUD

(Deut. 31:15)

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Now the LORD appeared at the tabernacle in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood above the door of the tabernacle. d. THIRD: THE COMMISSION

(Deut. 31:23)

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Then He inaugurated [commissioned, appointed] Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you." NKJV 23

**COMMISSIONED = “to be officially empowered and authorized by legal authority to do a specific task.” [GREAT COMMISSION TO US…”GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH . . . MAKING DISCIPLES]

3. “WE” ARE ALL CALLED BY GOD a.

OUR CALLING FROM GOD     

 

Called from labor to rest (Matt. 11:28) Called from death to life (1 John 3:14) Called from bondage to liberty (Gal 5:13) Called out of darkness into light (1 Pet. 2:9) Called from bondage to peace (1 Cor. 7:15) Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Cor. 1:9) Called to preach, witness (Mk 16:15, Lk. 24:48) 16 | P a g e

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b.

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ILLUSTRATION:

“In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king." "I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you." "Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "GO BACK TO YOUR THRONE AND SERVE FAITHFULLY IN THE PLACE WHERE GOD HAS PUT YOU." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." WHEN WE TIRE OF OUR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, IT HELPS TO REMEMBER GOD HAS PLANTED US IN A CERTAIN PLACE AND TOLD US TO BE A GOOD ACCOUNTANT OR TEACHER OR 17 | P a g e

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MOTHER OR FATHER. CHRIST EXPECTS US TO BE FAITHFUL WHERE HE PUTS US, AND WHEN HE RETURNS, WE'LL RULE TOGETHER WITH HIM. Steve Brown, Key Biscayne, Florida.

c.

Listen to this Quote by Scott Berkum: “I think leadership comes from integrity - that you do [or have done, or are willing to do]whatever you ask others to do. I think there are non-obvious ways to lead. Just by providing a good example as a parent, a friend, a neighbor makes it possible for other people to see better ways to do things. Leadership does not need to be a dramatic . . . [to be leadership]."

B. GOD SPEAKS TO JOSHUA (Joshua 1:1-4)

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now 1

therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and 18 | P a g e

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all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. ***NOTE 3 PRINCIPLES IN GOD’S SPEAKING TO JOSHUA:

1. THE POINT: “LORD spoke to Joshua” After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 1

Up to this time God had spoken to Moses! LEADERS NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD! 2. THE PERSPECTIVE: “Moses is dead!” 19 | P a g e

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2

"Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. a. Two-fold Message: 1.) 1st:

PAST

2.) 2ND: FUTURE

b.

Moses is Dead! Arise, Go Forward!

QUOTES ON LEADERSHIP: 1.)

“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been." — Henry Kissinger

2.)

“A leader is one who influences a specific group of people to move in a God-given direction." — J. Robert Clinton

3. THE PROMISE:

I have given you 20 | P a g e

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3

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I 4

said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. a.

NOTE WHAT GOD DID NOT SAY!

 NOT “I MAY GIVE”  NOT “I SHALL GIVE”  BUT . . . “I HAVE GIVEN!” b. MAP OF ISRAEL’S TERRITORY!

ISRAEL’S PROMISED LAND WOULD INCLUDE: PALESTINE, PARTS OF SYRIA, PARTS OF IRAQ, PARTS OF SAUDIA ARABIA.

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II. GODLY LEADERS ARE COURAGEOUS (1:5-9) A. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR COURAGE (1:5-7a) 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous…

a.

--"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” NKJV b. —“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” NKJV 22 | P a g e

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1. LOOK AT THE THREE PROMISES IN THIS PASSAGE THAT BUILT JOSHUA’S CONFIDENCE & COURAGE:

a. 1st: PROMISE: (1:5a) No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life

b. 2nd: PROMISE: (1:5b) so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

c. 3rd: PROMISE: (1:6b) you shall divide as an inheritance the land

2. GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT – HE TELLS JOSHUA FOUR TIMES: Be strong and of good courage 7 Be strong and very courageous 9 Be strong and of good courage 18 Be strong and of good courage 6

Septuagint-Greek translation of the Old Tesstament reads -- "Be strong therefore, and play the man to the uttermost." 23 | P a g e

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QUOTE: by Robert Schuller:

“WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULDN’T FAIL?” B. GOD’S WORD IS CRITICAL FOR GODLY LEADERSHIP (1:7b-9) 7 … that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 24 | P a g e

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1.

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ILLUSTRATION: J. Oswald Sanders in Chp. 8 of his book, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer, lists THE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP—7 QUALITIES: a.

1ST: DISCIPLINE

b.

2nd: VISION

c.

3rd:

WISDOM

d.

4th:

DECISION

e.

5th:

COURAGE

f.

6th:

HUMILITY

g.

7th:

INTEGRITY & SINCERITY

2. SUCCESS & PROSPERITY: 8 For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 25 | P a g e

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a.

QUOTATION MEASURING SUCCESS: “In the life of the Christian believer, prosperity and success aren't to be measured by the standards of the world. These blessings are the byproducts of a life devoted to God and His Word. If you set out on your own to become prosperous and successful, you may achieve your goal and live to regret it. "In whatever man does without God," wrote Scottish novelist George MacDonald, "he must fail miserably, or succeed more miserably." –Bible Exposition Commentary

b. IN OUR TEXT IN ORDER TO HAVE SUCCESS AND TO PROSPER IN LEADERSHIP THERE ARE THREE THINGS A LEADER MUST DO IN REGARD TO GOD’S WORD: 26 | P a g e

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1.)

TRAITS OF A GODLY LEADER

FIRST:

WILSON KILGORE

KEEP IT! (1:7)

7

Turning to the right meant doing more than God required by becoming stricter than or adding to the law. Turning to left meant doing less than God required by becoming more lenient than or taking from the law. GOD WANTED JOSHUA’S OBEDIENCE; NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.

2.)

… that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

SECOND: SPEAK IT! (1:8) 8a

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth

3.)

THIRD: THINK IT!

(1:8)

but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. 8b

Meditate comes from Hebrew word which means to “mutter.” It was the practice of the Jews to read Scripture aloud and talk about it to themselves and one another. –Bible Exposition Commentary

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III. GODLY LEADERS ARE FOLLOWED (1:10-18) 10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.'" 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.' 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession 28 | P a g e

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and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD 's servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise." 16 So they answered Joshua, saying, "All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage." NKJV

In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote" "One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door. This he proceeded to do, but 29 | P a g e

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unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion. "This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where you're going. Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!" from Stuart Briscoe, Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People.

Illustration: HELPLESS ON MY OWN Philip Keller was a sheep rancher. In his book, "A Shepherd Looks at the Twenty-third Psalm," he says that sheep they require more attention than any other livestock. They just can’t take care of themselves. Unless their shepherd makes them move on, sheep will actually ruin a pasture, eating every blade of grass, until finally a fertile pasture is 30 | P a g e

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nothing but barren soil. Sheep are near-sighted & very stubborn, but easily frightened. An entire flock can be stampeded by a jack rabbit. They have little means of defense. They’re timid, feeble creatures. Their only recourse is to run if no shepherd is there to protect them. Sheep have no homing instincts. A dog, horse, cat, or a bird can find its way home, but when a sheep gets lost, it’s a goner unless someone rescues it. So the over-riding principle of Psalm 23 is that sheep can’t make it without a shepherd. SOURCE: Melvin Newland in "The Lord Is My Shepherd" on www.sermoncentral.com.

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In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4.

Myron Rush identifies tough issues facing every Christian leader in The New Leader. We are wise to ponder them slowly. - You must be willing to stand alone. - You must be willing to go against public opinion in order to promote what you believe. - You must be willing to risk failure. - You must become master of your emotions. - You must strive to remain above reproach. 32 | P a g e

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- You must be willing to make decisions others don't want to make. - You must be willing to say no at times, even when you'd like to say yes. - You must sometimes be willing to sacrifice personal interests for the good of the group. - You must never be content with the average; you must always strive for the best. - People must be more important to you than possessions. - You will have to work harder to keep your life in balance than people do who are not leaders. Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, pp. 177-178.

"All Leadership is influence." — John C. Maxwell The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant." — Max DePree I think leadership comes from integrity - that you do whatever you ask others to do. I think there are non-obvious ways to lead. Just by providing a good example as a parent, a friend, a neighbor makes it possible for other people to see better ways to do 33 | P a g e

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things. Leadership does not need to be a dramatic, fist in the air and trumpets blaring, activity." — Scott Berkun If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." — John Quincy Adams

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