The Making Of A Spiritual Leader
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:22-24 NIV)
Four phases God takes a leader through as He prepares them for ultimate impact.
1. Spirit’s Prompting
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem …” Acts 20:22 (NIV)
There are moments in life when God compels us to do something for Him and it will drive us to take a risk.
STEP AWAY FROM YOUR SECURITY TO STEP INTO YOUR DESTINY.
We leave what is secure, sometimes what we know how to do and what we are successful at, to submit to God’s unfolding plan for our lives. We are to pay attention to how God is moving, we look around and see what we’re not okay with and that may be what God is compelling us to do.
In what ways are you sensing the Spirit’s prompting in your life and ministry?
2. Certain Uncertainty
“… not knowing what will happen to me there.” Acts 20:22 (NIV)
Many of us know what we want to do, but we don’t have a clue as to what that means. It’s okay to have a level of certain uncertainty. Many times God won’t give us all the details because we couldn’t handle them. We are just to be faithful to Him. God often puts something on our hearts. If we knew how it was going to get done, then He wouldn’t get the glory. If we’re not dependent upon Him, we struggle to be led by the Spirit.
IF WE ONLY DO WHAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING, WE DON’T NEED GOD.
What about your future is most uncertain these days? How comfortable are you with this uncertainty? What will it take for you to rely more deeply on God as you are in the waiting season?
3. Predictable Resistance
“I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” Acts 20:23 (NIV)
One of the things we forget is that when we lead, tough times are coming. Leading is not easy. If we're not ready to face opposition to be used by God, then we may not be ready to be used by Him. When there is something new and effective, it will predictably be met with resistance. God often uses resistance to move us so that He can use us.
DON’T WORRY WHEN YOU FACE RESISTANCE. WORRY WHEN YOU DON’T.
What hardships are you currently facing? How has your leadership met with resistance in the past? How is your leadership meeting with resistance these days? What is the Holy Spirit warning you about as you step out to follow Jesus in faith?
4. Uncommon Clarity
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV)
This is when we know why we are where we are and what God has called us to do. When that clarity comes, we are to finish the race and complete the task God has given us so that we can testify of the gospel of the grace of God.
How would you currently finish the sentence: “I consider my life worth __________.” Does your life reflect that answer? Is that encouraging to you or do you find your answer troublesome? Are you clear about what race you are to run and what the task is that Jesus has given you? What would help you to become crystal clear about your “only aim”?
Paul was the kind of leader who didn’t seek to make a name for himself. He even went beyond being a leader whose life made a difference. He was a leader who made history. He was fully surrendered to the Father’s will because he was convinced that God is good and that he could trust the Lord with his entire life. He understood that his life and leadership were all to point to Jesus – to make much of Him!
Don’t be so FOOLISH AS to make a name for yourself, but make a difference in history by making much of Jesus.
Resource: Craig Groeschel Catalyst Dallas, 2013
Four phases God takes a leader through as He prepares them for ultimate impact.
1. Spirit’s Prompting
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem …” Acts 20:22 (NIV)
There are moments in life when God compels us to do something for Him and it will drive us to take a risk.
STEP AWAY FROM YOUR SECURITY TO STEP INTO YOUR DESTINY.
We leave what is secure, sometimes what we know how to do and what we are successful at, to submit to God’s unfolding plan for our lives. We are to pay attention to how God is moving, we look around and see what we’re not okay with and that may be what God is compelling us to do.
In what ways are you sensing the Spirit’s prompting in your life and ministry?
2. Certain Uncertainty
“… not knowing what will happen to me there.” Acts 20:22 (NIV)
Many of us know what we want to do, but we don’t have a clue as to what that means. It’s okay to have a level of certain uncertainty. Many times God won’t give us all the details because we couldn’t handle them. We are just to be faithful to Him. God often puts something on our hearts. If we knew how it was going to get done, then He wouldn’t get the glory. If we’re not dependent upon Him, we struggle to be led by the Spirit.
IF WE ONLY DO WHAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING, WE DON’T NEED GOD.
What about your future is most uncertain these days? How comfortable are you with this uncertainty? What will it take for you to rely more deeply on God as you are in the waiting season?
3. Predictable Resistance
“I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” Acts 20:23 (NIV)
One of the things we forget is that when we lead, tough times are coming. Leading is not easy. If we're not ready to face opposition to be used by God, then we may not be ready to be used by Him. When there is something new and effective, it will predictably be met with resistance. God often uses resistance to move us so that He can use us.
DON’T WORRY WHEN YOU FACE RESISTANCE. WORRY WHEN YOU DON’T.
What hardships are you currently facing? How has your leadership met with resistance in the past? How is your leadership meeting with resistance these days? What is the Holy Spirit warning you about as you step out to follow Jesus in faith?
4. Uncommon Clarity
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV)
This is when we know why we are where we are and what God has called us to do. When that clarity comes, we are to finish the race and complete the task God has given us so that we can testify of the gospel of the grace of God.
How would you currently finish the sentence: “I consider my life worth __________.” Does your life reflect that answer? Is that encouraging to you or do you find your answer troublesome? Are you clear about what race you are to run and what the task is that Jesus has given you? What would help you to become crystal clear about your “only aim”?
Paul was the kind of leader who didn’t seek to make a name for himself. He even went beyond being a leader whose life made a difference. He was a leader who made history. He was fully surrendered to the Father’s will because he was convinced that God is good and that he could trust the Lord with his entire life. He understood that his life and leadership were all to point to Jesus – to make much of Him!
Don’t be so FOOLISH AS to make a name for yourself, but make a difference in history by making much of Jesus.
Resource: Craig Groeschel Catalyst Dallas, 2013