DAVID, REAL LEADERSHIP (30 OF 32)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: II Samuel 18:1-33
This content is part of a series.
David, Real Leadership (30 of 32)
Series: David - Keeping It Real
Steve Jones
II Samuel 18
Introduction: From S. I. McMillen's book "None of These Diseases."
A young woman wanted to go to college but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received a letter from the college saying: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."
However, the picture reflected in that story does not reflect reality in my experience. In my experience most people do NOT see themselves as leaders, they see themselves as followers. I think that's unfortunate because our great need in the church and in society in general is for more and better leaders.
The definition of leadership that I have adopted is that advocated by John Maxwell who says, "Leadership is influence." That leadership influence may be positive and Godly. For example, the apostles were leaders, Romans 12:8, speaks of the "gift" of leadership, and the Hebrew writer says to "remember" your leaders and imitate their faith. That leadership influence may be negative and ungodly as when Jewish leaders incited the crowds against Jesus and later against the apostle Paul.
All of us have influence so we all have a measure of leadership. We have influence in our family, upon our co-workers, fellow students, friends and even our enemies. It is God's will for us to use that influence, and INCREASE that influence, for a Godly purpose. God WANTS us to be a positive influence. That's what Jesus means in the Sermon on the Mount when he calls us to be SALT and LIGHT in the world. Those are metaphors for INFLUENCE, for LEADERSHIP. That's what the Hebrew writer has ...
Series: David - Keeping It Real
Steve Jones
II Samuel 18
Introduction: From S. I. McMillen's book "None of These Diseases."
A young woman wanted to go to college but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received a letter from the college saying: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."
However, the picture reflected in that story does not reflect reality in my experience. In my experience most people do NOT see themselves as leaders, they see themselves as followers. I think that's unfortunate because our great need in the church and in society in general is for more and better leaders.
The definition of leadership that I have adopted is that advocated by John Maxwell who says, "Leadership is influence." That leadership influence may be positive and Godly. For example, the apostles were leaders, Romans 12:8, speaks of the "gift" of leadership, and the Hebrew writer says to "remember" your leaders and imitate their faith. That leadership influence may be negative and ungodly as when Jewish leaders incited the crowds against Jesus and later against the apostle Paul.
All of us have influence so we all have a measure of leadership. We have influence in our family, upon our co-workers, fellow students, friends and even our enemies. It is God's will for us to use that influence, and INCREASE that influence, for a Godly purpose. God WANTS us to be a positive influence. That's what Jesus means in the Sermon on the Mount when he calls us to be SALT and LIGHT in the world. Those are metaphors for INFLUENCE, for LEADERSHIP. That's what the Hebrew writer has ...
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