Too many have sold out to the highest bidder. In the pursuit of greater numbers positions on truth have been altered. Challenge and controversy are avoided to gain popularity and profit.

To overcome the problems of immorality and indecency, we must make a stand.
To help the church mature as God designed, we must make a stand.
To help those who are lost find the true hope of salvation, we must make a stand.

The task is not easy. Conflict and controversy will arise. Trying to avoid it, sweep it under the rug, deny it exists, or hope it just goes away and resolves itself, will not work.

The world and the church need men ready to lead. How do we measure up?

What brings discouragement to leadership? Failure? Inability? People?

Discouragement causes us to lose confidence and enthusiasm. How do we prevent discouragement?

1. Focus on higher priorities and a greater cause.
2. Work to create confidence and enthusiasm in others.
3. Develop a work ethic of diligence and integrity.
4. Determine to do “what” is right not just “be” right.
5. Remember we will make mistakes. Deal with them properly and move ahead.

Following a few simple ideas can encourage others and bring greater encouragement to our leadership. Then we will see more times when we are up, rather than down.

Leprosy was contagious and often terminal. Lepers were rejected and forced outside the city in their own commune.

2 Kings 7 presents an interesting situation that involves four such men.

Because of a famine, they sought help from the enemy, hoping to receive mercy. When they arrived, the enemy was gone. God caused the Arameans to hear the sound of an army and they fled, leaving everything.

The lepers began to enjoy the spoils, but then realized how wrong it was to do so while their own people were dying. It was a day of good news. Punishment would result from their silence.

What a great lesson for us! This day is a day of good news. The message of Jesus is too great to remain silent. If we do, surely punishment will overtake us. THINK SOULS!

Most businesses offer some type of rewards program. The intent is to gain customer loyalty.

God also has a rewards program.

However, we cannot fly enough miles, buy enough electronics, eat enough at the same restaurant, or burn enough gasoline to earn what God offers through His Son. The power of God’s grace is about receiving what we do not deserve.

From a leadership perspective, we simply strive to help others see the magnitude of God’s love. The natural result should be our desire to follow Him.

Consider His reward, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things…”

Languages are not a strong suite for most of us. Imagine the difficulty of communicating within the multiplicity of languages around the world.

However, the key to communicating effectively involves understanding.

The ability to communicate so others understand is vital to our leadership.

Goals must be communicated in ways everyone understands.

Plans should be communicated effectively.

Roles and responsibilities must also be understood.

Above all, leading others to Christ demands communicating the message of the cross in ways they can understand.

Effective leadership should be immersed in learning. John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Our life is about learning.

There is no question about our leadership. We are going to lead. Now we need to know how vital learning is as part of our leadership. As we grow in our learning, we gain a greater understanding of others and our leadership of them. 

How and what are we learning to improve our leadership? Read any good books lately? The Bible would be a great place to start. I recommend it!

Nearly 2,000 years ago this question was asked by a governor with the power to deliver or destroy. Sadly, the influence of the Jews and fear of allowing a threat to Rome go free moved Pilate to crucify Jesus.

How we answer this question becomes foundational to our influence in several areas of life.

Family:Let us lead our family to heaven.

Job:Work to please Christ, not men.

Worship: Meet with God and bring a gift.

World: Be the influence our world needs.

What will we do? Our answer makes the difference in others seeing the influence of Jesus.

Nearly everywhere we look we see signs with the disclosure “authorized personnel only.” Who are these people?

We may not know who they are, but we do know if we are one those authorized or not.

If Jesus has been given “all” authority, then only those given authority by Him may enter. Is this not what Jesus claimed? “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus has the authority to grant entrance because He was given the authority.

Our job is to lead others to Him, because He alone grants entrance into the eternal home. How are we doing at our job? THINK SOULS!

The anticipation of an event often keeps us focused as we approach the event itself.

This idea was expressed by Paul for Christians. Several times in his letters to the church, Paul used the terminology of “eagerly anticipating.” Christians eagerly anticipate dwelling in God’s presence eternally.

Our spiritual leadership is built on the foundation of helping others anticipate this same event.

Imagine how overwhelming it will be the moment we first see our God and Savior. Consider the sound of His voice. Think about how incredible it will be when we first realize we are there.

I cannot wait! Can you?

Our anticipation is part of what will make the event so special. It is worth sharing with others.

Leaders are often masterful at telling others what to do. However, we often fall short of guiding others in how to do it.

If we are going to lead others, they must learn how to do the task. That means…

We must learn the best ways to accomplish the task.

We need a better working knowledge of people and how they work best.

We must express the application in ways that encourage and excite others to act.

Is it easy? No! Will it make a difference in our leadership? Absolutely!

Leading others hinges on proper application. Good leadership is not simply telling others what to do, but helping them learn how to do it.