The ultimate deliverance was accomplished by Jesus at the cross. The result brought deliverance from our bondage to the consequences of sin.
This deliverance is identified as salvation, forgiveness, grace, and the indescribable gift.
It is the result of God’s immeasurable patience and love. Consider the lengths taken by God to provide for our greatest need and think for just a moment.
Our spiritual leadership is defined by it. The souls all around us depend on it.
Tying a string around our finger does not really help. Mental exercises are often prescribed to assist, but few follow through because they forget. The older we get the more difficult it becomes to remember.
What can we do to help us remember? Leaders, we must connect to this need.
The writer of Hebrews instructs us to remember those who led us. Certainly, there is a need for leaders to remember also.
Remember there is accountability.
Remember souls are at stake.
Remember nothing is more vital to the development of God’s kingdom than leading.
Do we know what should be done? Why are we waiting to do it? 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.
God has given us the ability and resources to make it happen.
Why are we waiting?
With so much at stake, will our waiting be worth it if we wait too long?
Application generally applies to anyone who delays obedience to the gospel. The same is true for 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!
Rarely do we examine our time and influence in leadership. When you look back on 2024 consider a few questions.
Were you a good steward of your time in leadership?
Are the lives of others better because of your influence and example?
How many souls did you reach for Christ?
Are you accomplishing your goals for the year?
What changes would you make to improve your leadership?
These are a few of many we should ask as enter the final quarter of the year.
Look back and consider how you will set the stage for next year. Ask a few questions and make the needed adjustments.
Spiritual leaders need to consider the words of Paul, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”
Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation.
In a self-serving and self-driven world, it is challenging to find those who have a greater desire to give than receive. However, as spiritual leaders, our focus must be on giving ourselves to others so that they might be saved.
I pray our spiritual leadership is of such nature that we look for ways to give of ourselves to help direct people to heaven.
An opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.
In part, leadership is about seeing the possibilities and taking advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.
Few people would turn down the opportunity to double an investment in a short period of time. When the stakes are guaranteed we know the need to act quickly.
The same is true spiritually. Consider: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to souls around us? 2) Do we take advantage of the opportunities God presents?
An opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.
Leadership involves the ability to see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.
Consider two significant questions: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to the souls around us? 2) Are we ready to take advantage of the opportunities God presents?
Unless we see the possibilities and are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus fades to indifference.
Seek, Ask, and Knock.
Too many times we put forth just enough effort to get by, not to do it right, and certainly not to excel.
John Wooden once asked, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
As spiritual leaders, the results of only doing enough to get by are tragic. Souls are at stake! If we fail to do it right, there may never be enough time to do it over. We may only have one chance to make a good first impression.
Recognize the need, but also the urgency, to do it right the first time.
Leaders must be preoccupied with a path that leads to godliness, see through the eyes of mission, possess a heart of compassion, and minister with the legs and feet of a servant.
Leaders must be preoccupied with the Gospel, understanding the urgency of reaching each soul, leaving no stone unturned or challenge unmet, and overcoming every obstacle because the salvation of others takes precedent.
While preoccupation is a two-way street, and can easily lead to a negative side, the point for leaders is to be preoccupied in the right and positive ways to change people’s lives eternally.
The basic understanding of leadership involves moving someone from point A to point B.
Jim Rohn said, “If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.”
A biblical leader helps those who are outside of Christ (point A) turn from a self-directed life to obediently follow the Savior (point B). A key element to this prescriptive help is teaching.
The need is urgent and relevant to every soul we encounter daily.
Precious souls need encouragement to pursue the right course, a course to find eternal hope.