LEADERSHIP BY THE BOOK: ASSESSING MOSES’ LEADERSHIP

Moses - A Man of Selfless Dedication/Chapter 14: Why Leaders Crack Up

Charles Swindoll argues that the problem of delegation seems to be the common struggle of leaders across the globe. This problem occurs “when leaders try to do too much on their own, when they neglect to bring others into the job to help them shoulder the load” (218).

Many Christian leaders feel like they must be all they can to all people to assuage lingering guilt or to win someone’s approval (even God). Most times the result of this peril are leaders who become overworked, drained, and exhausted. Following closely comes confusion, vision loss, burnout, and for some, the loss of family.

Exodus 18 is a study in leadership and the fine art of delegating.

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.² After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her ³ and her two sons. One son was named Gershom,^[a] for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; ⁴ and the other was named Eliezer,^[b] for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”⁵ Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. ⁶ Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”⁷ So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent.

Moses received a surprise visit from his father-in-law, a welcomed surprise. Jethro brought along Moses’ wife and kids. One should be grateful when (1) you can let down your guard and share with another leader/mentor; and (2) you have a good relationship with the in-laws.

Jethro ended the day by leading Moses and company into worship. He was not jealous of Moses’ experiences; he rejoiced for his success. Jethro blessed God for his son-in-law and the work God did through him

 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹⁰ He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹¹ Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” ¹² Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

It is a blessing to have good relationships with family members and to have the ear of an encouraging mentor/friend.

ü  Leaders need relational support – encouragement and affirmation.

What Type Of Leader Are You? Consider Moses

 Pivoting Towards Leadership Plurality

Leadership challenges related to growth and maturity amongst God’s people are not a novel concept. As far back as 13^th to 14^th BCE, Moses (prophet and leader of the Israelites) concluded, on the advice of his father-in-law (Jethro), that the most effective way of leading his people was through a plurality of leadership. The book of Exodus provides the context of their exchange:

But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves (Exod. 18:17-18, 25-26, BSB).

 

Moses was challenged, and relief was provided in the form of wisdom from an observer. Walvoord and Zuck (1989) posit that Jethro urged a delegation of responsibilities, but Moses was not to abdicate his responsibility to teach the people. Relief would be achieved through a collaborative effort where Moses would “appoint spiritually and morally qualified men as judges to implement the keeping of the Law (Exod. 18:16, 20-21; Walvoord and Zuck, p. 136). Foundry (2018) further describes how collaborative ministry greatly benefited the people of God: Jethro recognized that the current system would fail, as the workload was too heavy for Moses; the result was “the implementation of a multi-tier judicial system of capable leaders with indispensable qualifications” (p. 202).

The Spirt-Filled Life

 The Spirit-Filled Life: Receive Ye The Spirit

You will receive POWER

You will receive POWER

You will receive POWER…….When do you receive POWER?

 

When the Holy Spirit comes on you (Acts 1:8). When does the Holy Spirit come on you (so that you receive power)? When you become a Christian through the NEW BIRTH – Water and Spirit Baptism.

If you have been baptized in Jesus name, then you have been given power. Jesus said, If you are His (through spirit and water baptism), then you shall do GREAT WORKS.

The BreadBasket Mission: Feeding, Serving, & Educating The Bahamas

 

The call of every Christian leader is to show compassion and create a culture of believers/followers who do the same. In the same way God modeled love, so are Christian leaders to make every effort to “do and be love.” Look no further than the account of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10: 25-37) for an example of Christian leaders totally committed to the work of the “church” and are by nature without compassion for the one in need. It was the “non-churched” who assumed the duty to “care-for-the-one-in-need.”

 

In our day, caring for the unfortunate Is mostly the responsibility of the government, businesses and non-profit organizations.

Target groups outside the church: Homeless, Widows, Elderly, Single Parent Families, Children, Low-income households.

Unity & Liberality in the Early Church (Haitian Creole)

 PENNI: WOUT LA/WOUT LA

Inite ak liberalite nan premye legliz la (Travay 4-6)

 

Kounye a, gwoup moun ki te kwè yo te gen yon sèl kè ak yon sèl nanm

• Yon sèl kè - yo te santi yo sanble, yo te enterese nan menm bagay yo, sa ki enpòtan pou Bondye te enpòtan pou yo.

Nou ka aprann nan men premye legliz la. Ranpli ak lespri lanmou (yon kado ki soti nan Sentespri a), kwayan yo te BAY nan sa yo posede liberalman (libèman, pa atann anyen an retou). Piske Bondye posede tout bagay, yo konsidere tèt yo kòm bon jeran benediksyon l yo. Yo te men, kè ak pye Bondye ( Mat. 25:37-40 ). Se poutèt sa, li te natirèl pou yo pataje soti nan depase yo, siplemantè yo, menm nan ti kras yo te genyen. Lidè yo pa t oblije bay yo; yo te tou senpleman eksite pou yo fè pati yon kominote ki pran swen youn ak lòt.

Does the Bible Permit a Woman to Preach?

The Christian leader

 

Can the Christian leader’s influence be driven by a biblically aligned worldview? Indeed, he should! As a matter of fact, he/she is compelled to do so (Jn. 17:21). Authoritarian and opportunistic leaders have self-interest as their goal – “personal promotion, recognition, monetary gain, prestige.” These are antithetical to Christian leadership, but the common factor here is human nature. We still struggle with “the self” (Gal. 5:17). A friend of mine told me some time ago how someone close to her was exploring the pastorate as he felt “there was money in it.” Motive!

The Doctrine of Sanctification

                       

Sanctification is an “inside-job,” performed by the Holy Spirit (1 Thes. 5:23; Eph. 5: 25-7; Tit. 2:14; Heb. 13: 20-1; Gal. 5:15-16). It is a subjective work – happening (perennially) within us, transforming the character and condition of the person. It is a supernatural work – performed by God through the Holy Spirit (Phil. 1:6); Col. 3:9-10). Sanctification is “the continuing work of God in the life of the believer making them holy – a process by which one’s moral condition is brought into conformity with one’s legal status before God (Justified! You are the righteousness of God; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21).[1]

This ongoing process of sanctification implies holiness – a separation from; to be set apart for the purposes of God; of dedicated use; to be cut off from (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh).

Wisdom's Vindication - A Background (Matthew 11)

WISDOM’S VINDICATION

Matthew 11: 7 – 19 

Background:  Matthew 11:1 – 19

Unusual and unexpected behavior will most likely be vilified and labeled eccentric, foolish, or wrong. Both Jesus and John faced this predicament. Jesus declared that both His and John’s actions “would be proven wise by their subsequent deeds.” [1]

Opposition to Jesus has taken a turn. His rivals will make it clear in no uncertain terms their dislike for Him, His ministry, and His claims. When does this opposition to Jesus begin to ramp up?

“11:1 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to         teach and proclaim his message in their cities.”

When He began to teach “in their cities.”   Note – watch out when you begin to proclaim the kingdom of God in what was formerly the devil’s space. Teachers, don’t be surprised when you encounter opposition to teaching the Word.

What we are about to see are varied responses to Jesus’ actions, His sayings, and those of John a little later.

                                                Not Johnny!!!

A Biblical Response on Race | Sermon by Tony Evans