How long will it be until the Lord returns? This is the $64 million dollar religious question.

If the answer were known, what would happen?

Some would delve into or continue in sin right up until the last minute, try to make amends, repent and then expect to be rewarded by God.

It is possible some would use the knowledge to create fear for personal gain. We have seen this among those who predict the return of Christ.

There are those who would make the necessary preparation for His return and others who would remain diligent in the Lord’s work until He returns.

The question is not about when the Lord will return. The question waiting to be answered is, how long will it be until we decide to lead?

God demands spiritual leadership.
The church is hungering and thirsting for spiritual leadership.
The world is filled with people dying for a lack of spiritual leadership.
Preparation for the Lord’s return demands spiritual leadership.

How much longer will we wait?

If we want to stand out in a crowd we just need to be ourselves.

Following the crowd, the latest fad or trend, or jumping on the bandwagon, are familiar phrases. In fact, the idea has probably been around longer than anyone reading this post.

Is this what our leadership is all about? Are we simply trying to fit in or blend in with what appears to be the latest and greatest?

Spiritual leadership should be unique. We are to lift up the Light of the world. Therefore, we should stand out in a world of darkness.

Why is it so important to stand out when it seems easier to follow the crowd?

Following the majority can have severe and eternal consequences. Jesus teaches this principle in the Sermon on the Mount. Remember, “whatever is popular may not always be what is right, and what is right may not always be what is popular.”

Our path is a matter of choice. The choice we make influences others. If it helps others get to heaven standing out in / from the crowd is worth it.

Last week I began reading a book on Christian Ethics by Norman Geisler. From the first page, the book addresses a number of areas surrounding a subject desperately needed today.

Ethics deals with what is right and wrong morally. The basis upon which this system exists determines how everyone lives life.

A correct understanding of ethics is vital to the direction of spiritual leadership. It should be obvious, but I will say it anyway. God’s word should be the only foundation for our ethical standard.

The book of Judges describes a time when there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Israel rejected God and the standard of ethics given them in the Law. The result led Israel into idolatry and, ultimately, destruction.

Sadly, we can see the same mindset and result in the 21st century. Allowing the influence of humanism, situational, and post-modernistic ethics destroys spiritual leadership.

We must be diligent to live and lead by the standard of ethics determined and given by our God. Only then will have ethical leadership.

A recent channel surfing venture landed on a movie starring Sean Connery. I am not recommending this or any movie. The title caught my attention.

From the few minutes I watched, a villain assembled a number of extraordinary men as a “league.” They were assembled as a challenge to prevent him from starting a war.

The title made me think about leadership.

Jesus assembled a league of extraordinary men and entrusted them with a Great Commission.

It was not because of their educational level, or charisma. It was not their social standing in Judea. They were not perfect and they were not connected with the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice.

They were selected because they believed Jesus was the Christ and they were willing to submit to His Lordship.

Studying the lives of the apostles proves them to be a league of extraordinary men.

We need men today who believe in Jesus and submit to His Lordship. We need men willing to give their lives for the cause of Jesus. We need those who will stop at nothing to carry out the work entrusted to them.

The result will be a league of extraordinary leaders.

It was not uncommon when my children were younger to tell them “I’m from Missouri.” The statement was usually a follow up to some outlandish, if not impossible, feat they had heard about at school. The kids quickly learned Missouri is the “Show-Me” state and dad was basically saying, “you have to show me.” I wanted proof.

What about our leadership? Can we prove it? The question implies a measure of evidence. The claim of being a leader does not make one a leader. People who follow someone out of compulsion, does not make the one they follow a leader. A title does not make one a leader.

What evidence proves our leadership? Are people willing to follow? An old adage claims: “if you think you are leading and no one is following, then you are just taking a walk.”

The proof of our leadership is also determined by how we answer the following questions.

Do we demonstrate love for those who follow, seeking their highest good?

Are our goals driven by spiritual or selfish desires?

What determines our decisions?

Examining the proof of our leadership determines how we lead.

A friend and brother in Christ, Bennie Wallace, is a student of leadership and children. He recently submitted the following.

“Studies have shown that the attention span of the average person is between 18 and 20 minutes. All of us who have children know that a child’s can be much shorter. One of my grandsons will always ask, “what are we going to do next,” just as soon as I have told him what we are about to do now.

One plan that seems to work well is to always have three activities planned at any given time. The first will be the present activity being done within the next couple of weeks. Just before this activity begins, start promoting the second activity and as the time draws near for the second activity, start promoting the third. At any given time the children will know about 2 activities that are planned.

If you can keep the above going, children will not lose interest. We need to keep the children busy in God’s work and we will have fewer in trouble and more leaders in the future.

Leaders need to always be on the lookout for things to occupy and educate the children. They are the future of the Church.”

One of the most graceful sports of the Winter Olympics is figure skating. I have grown to appreciate the elegance and precision demonstrated by each skater.

The idea of elegance and precision are unique in several ways.

Elegance involves a manner characterized by grace and style.
Precision describes the approach, exact and accurate in nature.

Combining these two areas not only lays a foundation for an Olympic figure skater, they also make a leader unique.

Jesus epitomized both elegance and precision. His ministry from beginning to end was characterized by grace. The timing behind every word and lesson taught was exact and accurate. He was / is the Master. Every demonstration of power was taken on His Father’s time schedule. He took no step apart from the will of His Father.

Leaders today must constantly work to perfect spiritual leadership. We need to think, plan and execute with elegance and precision every aspect of leading others to and for Christ. Every word spoken should be as the utterances of God. Every step taken should be an action based on the counsel of God’s will. Doing so ensures unique leadership.

To lead is to sacrifice. Leadership is sacrifice. When will the sacrifice need to be made? What sacrifice will be necessary?

Above all, are we willing to make the sacrifice?

The apostle Paul made great sacrifices in serving the Lord and the church.

First, Paul claimed nothing held more value than knowing Christ Jesus. He suffered the loss of all things in order to know Christ. Notice the terminology associated with knowing Jesus: the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

Paul wanted to know Christ, experiencing the same sacrifices.

Second, Paul’s willingness to suffer was past and future tense. Later in Paul’s ministry, he states what he had given up in the past and why, but he further points out his willingness to endure.

If we go below the surface and examine Paul’s leadership, we will find a leader of great sacrifice. His level of sacrifice is exemplified throughout his writings. He willingly made sacrifice for His God and the church.

Let us arise and make the necessary sacrifices to lead according to the example we find in Paul.

Do we know what should be done?
Why are we waiting?

Do we have the ability and resources to make it happen?
Why are we waiting?

Souls are waiting. The church is waiting. Our God is waiting.

We know what should be done. God has given us the ability and resources to make it happen.
Why are we waiting?

With so much at stake, are we willing to wait?

When we stand before God will our procrastination be worth it, knowing we waited…too long?

Application is generally made to the individual who delays obeying the gospel. The same applies to leading.

We need to challenge our excuses. We cannot wait any longer. Paul’s words to the church at Corinth should be remembered. Act like men. Leadership will not wait!

The past few years for me have highlighted a greater study of key words in the Bible. A recent article emphasized “king” and “Lord” as key words from 1 Samuel.

Based on these two words, the thought of Samuel provides a key to understanding spiritual leadership.

Israel wanted a king. They failed to recognize in their request, they were rejecting the Lord as their king. A valuable lesson should be learned.

To lead as God desires, the Lord must reign as King.

Spiritual leaders submit to His authority in making decisions.
Spiritual leaders point others to the Lord as King.
Spiritual leaders seek God’s approval rather than approval of man.
Spiritual leaders willingly sacrifice for the good of others.
Spiritual leaders know the higher cause of leadership.

Men trusting in men will ultimately lead to destruction. The Lord’s supremacy is the basis for true spiritual leadership.

What key words would describe our spiritual leadership? Are we seeking our own lordship or does the Lord have His proper place?