Leadership: A God-Given Assignment

August 2021

Everyone has an assignment each day that the Lord has appointed them to fulfill. I encourage you to wake up each morning and ask the Lord, “What can I do for You today?” As we get our assignments, obey, and do what He puts before us each and every day, we can walk in His will for our lives. Matthew 22:14 says, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” It is important to understand that every single one of us has been called to be leaders for Christ in our everyday lives. He has appointed us to be good examples to those around us that He has put along our path. 1 Timothy 4:12 explains that we need to, “Set the believers as an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” It is extremely important for us to arise in this hour and realize the importance of obeying the assignment on our lives as we lead the way with God by our side. First and foremost, we need to understand that all forms of leadership are a daily assignment from the throne of God to be accomplished in the earth. J. Oswald Sanders said that, “Spiritual leadership is not a calling we choose to pursue; it is a calling we choose to answer. We don’t decide to become leaders; we decide to respond and keep responding to God's call in our lives. Along the way, whether we like it or not, that involves us in leadership.” 1 John 2:17 says, “Whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Each day we must awake and say “Yes” to our assignment from God, choose His will over our will, and obey.

ASSIGNMENT ALIGNMENT

Throughout the Bible there are many mighty leaders we can look to as examples that have set the bar for leadership extremely high. There are so many good books, chapters, verses, and characters in the Bible that model good, godly, spiritual leadership that it makes it hard to choose which ones to discuss. The book of Nehemiah is one of many we can look at as a great standard and road map for leadership as it discusses the rebuilding of broken-down walls through prayer and hard work. Another great story is the life and legacy of Peter.

The last instruction we see in the Word of God between Peter and Jesus, Jesus says in John 21:15, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?” Jesus continues to instruct Peter by saying, “Feed My lambs.” He then overrides that instruction by saying in John 21:19, “Follow Me.” This example in scripture clearly shows us that no matter the commission on our lives, following Jesus and listening to His voice through intimacy with Him is the highest overriding call on our lives.

J. Oswald Sanders explains through his experience that, “Through all the highs and lows of leadership, in times of certainty and crippling uncertainty, those who have led in the rebuilding of broken-down walls (like Nehemiah) and bringing God’s message of light and life into dark places have been those whose souls have never ceased to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ invitation, to ‘Follow Me.’” As we follow Jesus at all costs He may place us in a leadership position, but a position should never be our ultimate goal, selfish ambition, or the intent of our hearts.

Wolsey once said to the great English general, “Cromwell, I charge thee, flig away ambitions, by that sin fell the angels; how can a man then, the image of his Maker, hope to profit by’t?” Following Jesus and obeying His commission should be the fuel behind every action as we stick to Jesus at every twist and turn along our journey in this life. Saying “Yes” to the call of God means to follow Him no matter the cost. It means to come into alignment and follow Him no matter how crazy it may seem—even in the face of persecution. Paul called leadership a type of “honorable ambition” in 1 Timothy 3:1 and therefore our ambitions must be honorable and in alignment with God’s desire and assignment for our lives; knowing that what God appoints, He provides for.

LEADERSHIP COMES WITH A PRICE

Many people make a common mistake by thinking leadership is easy peasy lemon squeezy. Leadership will always cost something. Paul knew that being a leader came with a high price. Although Paul urges that leadership within the church is the most important work of all, He also knew that only a deep love for the Lord and a call to the church would motivate a leader to continue the work the Lord put before them. Paul gave up and surrendered his life for the commission of God and led by example. As Christians who seek examples to follow, we should always turn to the life of Jesus Himself. Jesus died for the ones who loved and followed Him. Leadership will always cost the yielded vessel something and possibly may even cost them their whole life. However, the cost comes with eternal reward. Matthew 25:23 shows us how faithfulness to the call brings forth great reward, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” As leaders are faithful in the small tasks before them, then God will raise them up. What may feel like a major cost in fact brings about the best return.

Leadership also comes with higher standards, more accountability, and is extremely hard work with long hours. Some may actually be surprised when they chase a stage, name, or platform at the amount of work and spiritual warfare they face once they achieve what they thought they wanted. Only the ones willing to pay the price, that are truly commissioned by God, will sustain and remain as strong leaders in the Kingdom. As the pressure continues to intensify in the world around us, you will quickly see which leaders are God appointed and which ones are not. Through all that presses on the role of a leader, God appointed ones rise to the challenge while self appointed ones crumble. Self ambition is never the right way and will never lead to success. J. Oswald Sanders states that, “Ambition which is centered on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a mighty force for good.” Leaders should ultimately seek to make Jesus famous in all they do as they bring glory to His name.

Since true leadership is never without a cost, a real spiritual leader that is called by God will be focused on how he can serve God first and others second without seeking self exaltation, an office, or status. Matthew 20:26 explains the importance of serving others instead of lording and ruling by saying, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” Zinzendorf, the founder of the Moravian Church, made a simple yet profound statement that we as leaders should adopt and put into practice. He said, “I have one passion: it is He, He alone.” To be great we must first become small. Even Moses, one of the greatest leaders in the Bible, was called in Numbers 12:7, “Moses, My servant.” John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” A leader's level of humility shows the true intent of their heart.

In the Kingdom of God, going lower causes you to soar higher. James 4:10 explains that as we humble ourselves the Lord will lift us up. Whether it’s a leadership role to the masses or servant position within the home, as we focus on Jesus, the ultimate example of leadership, everything will fall into place. Everything should be done as unto the Lord, for the Lord, and bring glory to His name.

LEADERS MUST ARISE

True spiritual leaders with integrity are hard to find and are in extremely low supply. George Liddell shares the power of finding a humble, honest, pure, spiritual leader and what they can accomplish through complete obedience and with God on their side. He said, “Give me a man of God––one man, one mighty prophet of the Lord, and I will give you peace on earth, bought with a prayer and not a sword.” 1 Samuel 13:14 explains how God is searching for men and women after His own heart so He can appoint them to be leaders in all spheres of life. We must search after God’s heart and not just His hand (what He can do to meet our selfish desires) or the position of a grand leader.

Although leaders with a clarion call from Heaven are lacking in the body of Christ and greatly needed in today’s society, when one arises, J. Oswald Sanders says that, “Churches will grow in every way as they are guided by spiritual leaders with the touch of the supernatural radiating in their service.” Only God creates and appoints leaders that walk in the supernatural, but by their choices and through obedience, they remain leaders in the Kingdom. Some leaders start strong but quickly fade or crush under pressure. Therefore, this proves the need for strong, courageous leaders to arise in the power of the Lord.

Samuel Brengle stated that leadership, “Is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heart-searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and by eternally looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gained to us as loss for Christ. This is a great price, but must be paid by the leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth, and in hell.” Even those close to Jesus didn’t quite understand the need for good leadership. James and John wanted the glory, but not the cup of shame; the crown, but not the cross; the role of master, but not of a servant.

We are in need for the true leaders to arise in this hour, not as power hungry stage seekers, but servants for the Kingdom of God who are willing to scrub toilets over holding a microphone. Those truly anointed will sound the clarion call and the sound of Heaven no matter where God has placed them. The true leaders arising will seek only to bring Him glory in every situation.

Spiritual leaders have one task and that is to remain yielded to the Lord. Through their yieldedness, they grow into His likeness and form qualities of good leadership. Some qualities and essential leadership traits that these arising leaders need to possess but are not limited to: great discipline in all areas of their life, vision, wisdom, decision making skills, courage, humility, integrity and sincerity, humor, not angry, patience, a good friend, a good husband/wife, a good father/mother, a good host, excellent tact and diplomacy, inspirational power, executive ability, a good listener and counselor, a good writer and communicator, studies and teaches the Word of God, manages their time well, creative, administration skills, self-sacrificing, able to handle loneliness, overcomes fatigue, endures criticism, does not take on rejection, handles the perplexity of pressure, knows that leadership will cost them and those around them, a servant, gives good advice and guidance, an innovator and an initiator, does not compromise truth, great ambition, overcomes impossibilities, rises from failure, not jealous, a good delegator and team player, empowers his team to lead even if they aren’t there, great faith, reproduces themselves, has overcome pride or egotism, does not seek popularity, infallible judgement, does not fall into temptation, not emotionally driven, understands and uses their spiritual gifts for God’s glory, and the list goes on.

But the single most important quality that leaders need is to be able to set time aside everyday to be saturated in the presence of God as they are freshly infilled with the Spirit. They should continually seek a deeper intimate walk with Jesus, understand the importance of spending time in prayer and reading the Word, and above all they must seek to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind more each and every day as they allow Him to be their guide. In Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Greatness comes from being a servant to others and leadership comes through becoming a slave of God––obedient to Him in all your ways.

Leaders must first be followers of God in order to lead others by example. Through their yieldedness, His light can shine. Paul affirms that each and every person has a God-given plan for their lives as he said in Ephesians 2:10, “Created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Through daily submission to the Holy Spirit, prayer, and fasting, the Lord will empower leaders to do the good work which He has called them to do to impact the world for His glory and fame.

LEAD WITH GOD BY YOUR SIDE

We often overlook the power of a leadership role and how leaders have mass influence on those watching on the sidelines. Because of that influence, there is a great need to allow God to be our guide. First and foremost, a leader must be filled with the Spirit and allow God to lead them. Li Hung Chang says that, “Leaders move others.” As spiritual leadership meshes with natural leadership qualities, we must make sure that the Kingdom qualities are our ultimate standards in life over worldly ones.

When the Spirit of God guides a leader, they use their influence to further the Kingdom of God in power over promoting their own name and fame. A.W. Tozer so wisely said, “A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position by the inward leading of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances.” True leaders follow God’s lead at all costs and are not afraid to move with the Holy Spirit. They chase the Holy Spirit into the unknown without an afterthought or ounce of doubt.

When Jesus chose leaders He went against all protocol of His day and time. He chose very unlikely people to fill leadership roles. As a matter of fact, He chose some pretty out-there, crazy, courageous, and bold people who were willing to step into the unknown for Him. Although there are traits that make a good leader, Jesus knows best.

Like in the story of Esther, what looks like an unqualified leader to us may in fact be the one God has chosen for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). J. Oswald Sanders says that, “When God calls us, we cannot refuse from a sense of inadequacy. Nobody is worthy of such trust. When Moses tried that excuse, God became angry in Exodus 4:14. Let us not pass the buck of leadership because we think ourselves incapable.” While natural leadership qualities are nice, spiritual qualities far outweigh the rest.

Even good spiritual leaders have character flaws and default modes. I encourage leaders to concentrate on those weak areas and seek to strengthen them. A good leader always seeks to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them, sharpen them, and discipline them as they walk in the fullness of His character, purity, and likeness.

Leaders guided by the Holy Spirit know that no matter what is thrown their way, the joy of the Lord is their strength and that He will get them through any circumstance they may face. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Charles Spurgeon, a great pioneer in the faith, understood that joy brings strength and was even criticized for his quick humor during his sermons. He stated once that, “If you only knew how much I hold back, you would commend me.” The joy of the Lord strengthens us when we are weak and lubricates life to slide into its fullness. Romans 15:13 explains that the God of hope fills us with all joy and peace so that we may abound by the power of the Holy Spirit. A.E. Norrish, a missionary to India, says, “You will never lead others far without the joy of the Lord and its concomitant, a sense of humor.” As leaders allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen their weaknesses, He will give them joy, power, and hope to fulfill their commission in the earth.

Paul writes in 1Corinthians 3:9-17 how believers and churches should be built on the solid foundation of Christ. Good godly character, found throughout the Word of God, is the foundation on which a leader should stand. By their surrender, purity, and obedience, they can use their godly, spiritual influence to lead others to the Lord and not away from Him. Paul had such a powerful encounter with the Lord that it propelled Him into being a powerful and influential leader in the Kingdom. In the same way Paul led many back to the Father’s heart by his example, true leaders should also be so transformed by the power of God that it propels them forward into their calling. Like Paul, no matter how inadequate we may feel or seem, the power of the Holy Spirit will launch us into our destiny as we follow God in obedience.

We, as Christian leaders, don't have to fear the challenges that come with the weight of leadership roles if we will allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide. 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast our burdens on the Lord and in Matthew 11:30 it says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Although we don’t have to fear, we as leaders must learn to lay all our hurts, fears, worries, insecurities, doubts, flaws, pride, and heavy burdens of those we lead at the feet of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said, “Lay everything at His dear feet who bled and died for you.” Jesus wants to be the leader of every area in our lives and therefore our burdens are ultimately His. As we continually lay our burdens at Jesus’ feet and let Him carry the load, we will find it easier to face the challenges of leadership.

As leaders walk in the example of Jesus and continue to allow Him to be their guide, those leaders begin to create a picture of Jesus on the earth. Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9 says, “God...fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Godly leaders with spiritual wisdom lead others back to Jesus by example. When followers point to the leader, those leaders who truly follow the Lord will make sure to note that Jesus is the One they need in any and all situations. Leaders that point back to Jesus hold godly wisdom and understanding, which is the direct result of allowing God to be their Guide. Dr. A.C. Dixon, who was pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, said of the great revivalist Reuben Torrey, “He chose to be a prophet of God rather than a mere leader of men, and that is the secret of his power with God and men.” Leaders that allow the Lord to guide them know the secret of God’s life transforming power.

Even though not everyone is called to leadership within the church, every believer is called to be a leader of the gospel to influence others for God's glory within their sphere of influence. As leaders arise and awaken to the fascinating reality that spiritual leadership is a God-given, Holy Spirit-filled assignment, they will begin to walk in the power given to them from on high. Although there are challenges leaders most likely will face, true leaders are willing to pay the cost. I encourage leaders to soar above the noise in this hour and follow the voice of God in obedience. As true end-time leaders arise, they will walk closely with God by their side and stay in alignment with His voice. Arising leaders who chose to be friends of God and desire to please Him instead of men will hold the secret of His power and find favor with God and men.

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SUPPORT TEAM

GROUP LESSON NOTES

GROUP ACTIVITY

“Hand Jive”

DIRECTIONS:

This activity can be done in person or online.

This activity is a lot like the game “Follow the Leader.” Choose a leader to begin. Begin the hand jive motions (see the directions below). Start out slow and progressively increase the speed and intensity. Anyone who does not keep up with the increasing speed of the hand motions as led by the leader or misses a motion is out of the game.

HAND JIVE MOTIONS:

STEP 1: Pat your thighs and clap your hands. The first movement in the hand jive is to bend slightly at the waist and pat your hands on your thighs twice. After patting your thighs, stand up and clap your hands twice.

STEP 2: Criss Cross your hands. Standing up straight, cross your right hand over your left hand. After you have crossed your hands, immediately open them again in a quick motion. Both of your palms should be facing the ground. Your hands should not touch each other, but instead, glide past each other in the air. Complete this motion twice. Then cross your left hand over your right in the exact same way. Again, complete this motion twice.

STEP 3: Make your hands into fists. The next move is to make your hands into two vertical fists, as if you were grabbing a pole. Place your right fist over your left fist and knock them together twice. Then put your left fist over your right fist and knock them together twice.

STEP 4: Give a thumbs-up sign with both of your hands. Then, beginning with your right hand, point your thumb backwards over your right shoulder twice. Then complete the same movement with your left arm.

REPEAT STEPS 1-4

GROUP DISCUSSION:

- Did you find it hard to follow the leader and keep up with the increasing speed?

- Did you find yourself needing to pay attention and watch more carefully as the speed increased?

- What did you find that helped you stay focused as the activity sped up?

- Why do you think it was harder to follow the leader as the motions increased in speed?

RECAP

As leaders it is important to follow God’s voice, intently listen, and obey. We must follow His lead above the increasing pressures of this world and stay in tune with Him. As things in our life get busy, noisy, or increase in pressure/stress, we can discipline ourselves and learn to focus and listen more closely so we follow His lead over our own. The end goal is to come out on the other side a winner for His glory and fame. As we allow Him to lead us, we then become the leaders He wants us to be. As leaders we are to follow Him at all costs!

GROUP QUESTIONS

1. Do you find it hard to listen and obey God's voice at times? If so, in what situations is it more difficult? In what situations is it easier?

2. Do you agree with the following statement, “To be a good leader, we must first follow God”? Why?

3. What disciplines and qualities do you feel a good leader needs to possess? Which of those disciplines would you like to include in your own life/leadership?

4. What is one thing you would like to take away from this lesson and how can you apply it to your own life?

GROUP BIBLE STUDY

READ THE SCRIPTURES BELOW

Matthew 22:14 says, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

1 Timothy 4:12, “Set the believers as an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

1 John 2:17 says, “Whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Matthew 25:23, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

Matthew 20:26, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Matthew 22:37, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Ephesians 2:10, “Created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Colossians 1:9 says, “God...fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

ACTIVATION DISCUSSION

• Have you ever been faced with persecution or trails because of your faith in the Lord? If so, how did you or how would you like to handle persecution?

• Read the following excerpt from the lesson, discuss what it means to each person in the group, and ask how they can apply it to their everyday lives: “Following Jesus and obeying His commission should be the fuel behind every action as we stick to Jesus at every twist and turn along our journey in this life. Saying “Yes” to the call of God means to follow Him no matter the cost. It means to come into alignment and follow Him no matter how crazy it may seem—even in the face of persecution.”

• Have you made the common mistake in the past by thinking leadership is easy peasy lemon squeezy? If so, what have you learned about leadership and what cost have you had to pay by being in leadership?

•Reflect on this statement and discuss as a group how you can apply it to your own lives and leadership: “A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position by the inward leading of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances”( A.W. Tozer). Since true leaders follow God’s lead at all costs and are not afraid to move with the Holy Spirit, how can we chase the Holy Spirit into the unknown without an afterthought or ounce of doubt?

PERSONAL SELF-STUDY

Read: John 21, James 4:10, Esther 4:14, Romans 15:13,1 Corinthians 3:9-17,

1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:30

GROUP PRAYER POINTS

ITEMS NEEDED: Paper and Pen

• Write down the prayer requests of those in the group on a piece of paper (or slide/document if the group is held online). Pray over the list in agreement, believing that God will do the impossible and meet every single need and desire. Your group may want to add to the ongoing list each week.

• Pray for and forgive any leaders who have wounded you in the past, lay them at the feet of Jesus, and ask the Lord to heal those wounded areas in your life.

• Pray for any leaders or aspiring leaders in the group.

• Pray for the leaders that are in your life: home, family, church, affiliated ministries, school, workplace, city, state, nations, etc.

• Pray for the up and coming, future leaders of the next generation.

Leadership: A God-Given Assignment Lesson Notes.pdf

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