Paul highlights God’s power to think in the realm beyond all we ask or think in his letter to the church at Ephesus.
Like most leaders, we tend to think too small. We can fabricate a number of reasons, but in the end, we place God in a box where we think He will not do something because we are convinced we can’t do it.
We need to stop limiting God and start thinking big, at least bigger than we have in the past.
What would we attempt to do if we knew we could not fail? Think about it.
Leadership can be lonely.
However, the truth about spiritual leadership is that no matter who walks away, God is always there. Paul reminds us that no one can bring a charge against God’s elect, no one can condemn or separate us from the love of Christ. We are not alone!
This truth makes it possible to lead with confidence, grow stronger in faith, overcome any obstacle, and instill hope.
When we understand we are not alone, perhaps we will learn how to meet the needs of others who need to know the same.
While several leadership qualities were demonstrated by Paul, one is key: flexibility (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Notice the driving force of Paul’s flexibility, “So that I might win…by all means save some.” Nothing took greater precedence in his life than leading others to Christ.
There was no compromise to the truth. The “anything goes” approach was unacceptable. At all times he was in submission to Jesus.
Notice the flexibility of personal choice: “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.”
If Christians could model this today, we could change the world.
Can God trust us to love His church, be a good student of His Word, share the gospel with others, make the right choices, and lead His people?
Will others trust us to lead with consistency, competence, and connect with them?
How would we answer these questions?
Paul claimed “…it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Co. 4:2).
As stewards of all God has entrusted to us, are we trustworthy?
Let us develop a character that is worthy of trust, God’s and other’s.
Procrastination is one of the most destructive practices for leaders.
Spiritually, there is a tendency to put off obeying the Gospel, sharing Jesus, or developing a plan for personal growth and development.
Will waiting until tomorrow, or until later, make it possible to avoid responsibility?
Scripture emphasizes the present. Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom…do not worry about tomorrow.” Paul said, “Now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.”
These few places express our present time with urgency.
We need to ask, “Why put off until tomorrow, what can be done today?”
Paul emphasized that slaves are to render obedience to their masters with sincerity, as though they were serving Christ, not by way of eye service, simply to please an earthly master.
We live in a society that thrives on image. We have a great concern for appearance, because of how we think others see us.
Godly leaders seek to please the Lord. To the church at Corinth, Paul expressed that pleasing the Lord should be our ambition.
Our family, people at work, neighbors, and fellow Christians are all watching. When we consider our conduct, is it because we want to please those who watch or is our motive to please God?
The most valuable commodity we have is time. While we all have exactly the same amount of time each day, how we use our time makes the difference.
Paul instructed Christians to walk with wisdom making the most of their time (Ep. 5:15-16). How?
Contrast the amount of time spent over the past week in activities with a self-centered focus, others-directed focus, and spiritual focus. Is there a proper balance?
Check the balance of time spent in work and with family.
A few simple questions, a little evaluation, and refocusing our direction helps us use our time more wisely.
We are all molded by the events of the past, whether teaching, experience, or influence. Each of these take on both a positive and negative trait.
Paul’s family heritage, academic credentials, knowledge of scripture, and zealous attack against the church left a mark he did not forget from his past.
However, he did not allow the past to dictate the direction of his future. Paul had a new spiritual focus.
Leaders must learn from the past in order to prevent repeating areas that hinder our Christian influence.
The challenges of yesterday are past. We need to redirect our attention toward a spiritual future.
When Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, he addressed the need for leaders to help the weak.
The idea simply refers to someone without strength. How fitting that leaders are to help strengthen those without strength. Leaders carry a responsibility to fulfill this incredible task.
They must consider the cause of the problem.
What resources will provide a solution?
Will leaders make the sacrifices needed to become that source of strength?
There comes a time when leaders must stop talking about the helplessness that exists and develop a strategy to provide the strength needed to overcome.
An interesting connection exists between suffering and glory. Look through God’s word and see how they relate and their connection to the life of Jesus.
Certainly, we are all aware of how Jesus suffered while here on earth: His persecution, shame, and sacrifice at the cross.
No one longs for or anticipates suffering. We desire the glory to come, but we must realize the suffering related to that glory and lead with an understanding of such.
Paul identifies that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed to us, but suffering does come first.