Intro
Leading well is something every man should desire to do. God took a reluctant leader in Moses and used him to bring the entire nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt.
We’re starting a new series today on the podcast and the focus is going to be on leadership. We’re going to be looking at several characters from the Bible and lessons we can learn from them about leading well. I know some of you may be tempted to tune out. You might think, “I’m not a leader.” Maybe you’re an introvert or maybe you would say you’re socially awkward or not an effective communicator. If that describes you, please stick around. I think the Bible would challenge that attitude. We’re going to kick off this series by looking at Moses. And though we’re calling it “Lead like Moses”, we’re going to start by learning from some of Moses’ mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. Moses shows us that we can grow in our leadership and early failures don't mean God can't use us. If you define leadership as simply getting others to go where you want them to go, Moses had to be one of the greatest leaders of all time.
Moses: Overcoming reluctance
Joshua: Sticking to it
Jonathan: Earning trust
Jesus: Serving humbly
Calling All Men
God can use anyone, regardless of your past. God isn’t calling all of us to lead large groups of people, but he is calling all of us to lead our families if we’re married, and lead at least one other person in discipleship.
Exodus 2:11-12 Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.
Background on Moses’ birth, cultural context of israelites after the time of Joseph.
I don’t know what mistakes you’ve made in life, but I would imagine they fall short of murdering someone. God still had a plan to use Moses.
Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
Paul recognizes that one of the spiritual gifts is leadership. He says, “If” God has given you leadership. That implies that not everyone has that spiritual gift. Not everyone is called to lead large groups of people. But, if we do have it, we need to take the responsibility seriously. How many men are recognized as leaders in their community or in their profession, but fail to lead at home? They fail to lead in their church. If you sense God has given you the gift of leadership, exercise that gift. Doesn’t mean we base leadership positions in the church using the same criteria the world uses. God judges the heart. The world looks at the outward appearance.
This is one of the reasons I’m in ministry. I’ve always been what I could call a reluctant leader. Captain of the football team in high school, even though I wasn’t the most gifted player, president of the show choir in high school even though I wasn’t the most gifted singer, led small groups by default, recruiting and led 1800 sales professionals in previous career and yet, if it was up to me, I’d stay in the shadows. I was challenged by Christian men who recognized I had the gift of leadership to take the responsibility seriously.
Ephesians 5:23-34 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
Though we’re not all called to lead large groups of people, all men are called to lead in the home if you’re married. All men are called to lead at least one other person in discipleship. The great...
