iLead – Jesus to Disciples

Because I was not able to complete last weeks message from Paul to Timothy, we will not be able to do what I had planned for this week … so I’ll just blog it.

Mark 16:10-20 …”Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.“

Jesus had told them that He was going away but that He would not leave them orphans (John 14:16).  He was going to send a “comforter” — the Holy Spirit.  He was going to be the great teacher of all truth.  The truth of the Gospel that He compels us to actively and effective share with people far from God.  That’s what true Biblical leadership is all about.  Leading people who are far from God to a place where God can lovingly and compassionately confront them with their sin that separates them from Himself.  It is man’s problem that God solved through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  God laid upon Him the inquity of us all.

In Mark, the scripture states:  “… the Lord working with them … ” — the Baker New Testament Comentary says this … “In obedience to Christ’s command (verse 15; cf. Matt. 28:19) the disciples “preached everywhere,” a statement which one would naturally associate with a period of church history considerably later than Pentecost. However, their preaching would have been ineffective had it not been for the enabling power of the Lord, who was “constantly working with them” (cf. Rom. 8:28) and “confirming his word by means of signs that attended it”.  That same working should be active in the lives of believers today.  For we have the same Spirit … the same power … the same anointing that the disciples would have had.  Biblical leadership taps into the working and anointing of the Holy Spirit that lives IN them.

There should be evidence of His working as we lead, just as it was with the disciples.  Believers should not convince themselves that God working in them does not effect those around them.  That’s as if I could light a match and throw it into a gallon of gasoline and nothing would happen.  The Holy Spirit working in and through Biblical leaders produces great results for the Kingdom.  Now those results may be measured in different sizes … but that’s not the point … the point is, there are some kingdom results.

As it was from Jesus to the disciple … so it is with you and me today.  May we lead (iLead) in a way that it is evident of the Holy Spirit’s anointing (John 14:15-16) that results in impacting our world with the Gospel.

iLead – Paul to Timothy

Leadership understands the need for “creative tension”.  This takes place in a family, organization, or church, when a compelling vision of the future and a clear picture of current reality are held in continuous concurrence. 

 

What drives change in our lives?  We know, for the most part, that change is coming.  Our bodies change, our priorities change, our careers change and our children change.  Just about anything in life goes through significant change.  Change happens when the reality we face meets the vision we see. When reality and vision are so far apart, change needs to take place or the vision will never become a reality.

 

Vision is the ability to see that which cannot be seen as being seen until everyone can see it. It is that God given vision that compels us to connect, grow, and serve in the Kingdom.  We know that this world is temporary and our desire is to live for something bigger … something that will last and make an impact on lives, families, friends, and communities.

 

But with this gap comes “creative tension”.  This is what motivates and moves us toward change.  Too much tension causes the situation to crumble and division to take place.  Not enough tension allows for mediocrity to rule.  Neither is acceptable to God’s people.  We desire to be where God wants us.  In the middle of creative tension …. making us change, adjust, appraise, and so forth. 

 

We can see this leadership skill like a rubber band.  Too much tension it will snap.  Not enough tension and it becomes useless.  So the proper amount of tension is needed for the rubber band to become useful and allow it to function properly.

 

Spiritually we need to seek the Lord in such a way as to find our lives in “creative tension”.  In every area of our lives … work … family … friendships … hobbies … and education.  This tension will bring us to the point of transformation.  Not being conformed to this world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds … “creative tension”.

 

Look for “creative tension” as you:

1. Discern and describe a vision that comes to be broadly shared.
2. Communicate a clear picture of current realities.
3. Engage in the process that generates and sustains creative tension.

 

See you this Lord’s Day as we grow in leadership and seek Biblical “creative tension”.

iLead – Moses to Joshua

Have you read the article below … check this out …

Taxi Driver Follows GPS into River

A Norfolk taxi driver ended up stranded after he followed his GPS system’s directions – straight into a river. The mini-bus driver was on his way to collect a fare when he took a wrong turn into the River Nar. Fortunately he had no passengers aboard – but he did have the embarrassment of having to phone his bosses for help. Owners Keith Jarvis and Pat Bowles took along a towrope, expecting to find the eight-seater minibus just off the road. But Mr Jarvis said: “It took ages to find him and we couldn’t believe it when we saw where he was – it was several hundred yards along the river! “The vehicle still had its engine running and headlights on, and the driver was sitting in it with his trousers rolled up round his knees. I shone a flash light in the river and there were fish swimming around the headlights.” Pat Bowles added: “Normal people would stop and back out. But because his GPS told him to keep going that’s what he did. “I don’t think he even thought about what he was doing until it was to late.” Ms Bowles said it had given the driver’s colleagues plenty of amusement: “He’s had taxi drivers going into the office with snorkels on.” “We’ve also had phones calls, and text messages coming through asking if they can book river trips.”

BOTTOM LINE: In the same way, people often find themselves in embarrassing or dangerous situations because they’ve followed bad advice from their friends or family or something they saw on TV. But Christians always need to check that still small voice within for guidance from the Holy Spirit. For he never fails to lead us in the way everlasting. Matt 7:14 “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

This Sunday we’ll begin a new journey into God’s Word as we seek to have a better understanding of God’s GPS for Biblical Leadership. God has always allowed some to leave so that others could step up to the spiritual plate and swing the bat. Swing the bat by using their God-given spiritual gift(s) to impact a world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Lord’s day we will turn to Joshua 1:1-9 … Moses has now left and it’s Joshua’s turn to step up to the plate of leadership. He doesn’t think he can do it … we’ve all heard that before. But with God help he can. That phrase continues to haunt us … I can’t but He can!

See you this Lord’s Day as we begin iLead – Stepping Up to the Legacy of Others!

Blessings,

Dr. Poly Rouse