.Thank
God For Real Leaders1 Thessalonians 2:6-12 (NIV)
What does it take to be a real leader? A great book on leadership is the
Bible. Paul gives some of the qualities of real leadership. That includes
ministers, elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, Youth Sponsors, Nursery
workers, anybody who is leading others.
Paul identifies himself, and others as "apostles of Christ" in vs.6. The word "Apostle" means "one sent". Paul is not describing the official Apostles. He is describing those who are sent out because of their dedication to Christ. An apostle is one who is sent by Christ
What does it take to be a real leader?
REAL LEADERS ARE LOVERS
Real leaders show their love in the way they treat their followers. Paul said they were "gentle" w/the Thessalonians "like a mother caring for her little children." Paul was a man of authority and used his authority in love.
These babes in Christ would sense his tender-loving care. He was indeed like a mother caring for her children. A nursing mother imparts her own life to the child. You cannot be a nursing mother & turn your baby over to someone else. That baby must be in your arms, next to your heart. The nursing mother eats the food & transforms it into milk for the baby.
Real leaders share their lives. Paul said, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share w/you our lives." It takes time & energy to care for children. If we are to be real leaders we must first become servants
This truth was taught by Jesus in (Mark 10:43-45). We become people who share our lives with those we lead.
REAL LEADERS ARE WORKERS
{9} Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
Real leaders work hard. We know that Paul was a tentmaker. He was earning a living as he was traveling around the world preaching the gospel. We must acquire Paul's work ethic for the kingdom. It takes hard work to have an effective ministry.
Real leader's work is constant Paul & his companions were working night & day. He worked physically to pay his way (probably during the day). At night he did his work for God.
Real leaders are constantly working for the Lord. No matter what our occupation we are working for the Lord. There is never a time when we are not thinking of better ways to help out the kingdom.
This doesn't mean you have to be at the church 24 hours a day. No matter where you are & what you are doing, you are doing it for the Lord.
I am not saying you do not take time for your family or other activities. When you take time for your family & other activities you still are involved in the work of the kingdom. You don't get away from kingdom work just because it isn't Sunday. The Kingdom of God is always within you.
REAL LEADERS ARE EXAMPLES
Illustration:
A father was teaching his son what a Christian should be like.
When the lesson was over, the father got a shock he never forgot.
The little boy asked, "Daddy, have I ever met one of these Christians?"
That question should never be asked of a Christian leader.
READ vs.{10}
You are witnesses, ... of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among
you who believed.
Real leaders are examples of holiness. To be "holy" is not just being separated from the world & united w/God. It has to do with our attitude toward God. Real leaders give themselves fully to God while serving those around them. We are separate from the world yet giving ourselves to the salvation of the world
REAL LEADERS ARE ENCOURAGERS
READ vss. 11-12
{11} For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with
his own children, {12} encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives
worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Leaders encourage us. They encourage us like a father with his children. They encouraging & comforting us. A father doesn't do everything for us
Real leaders approach us with encouragement that says "You are a valuable person because Jesus Christ died for you." Real leaders teach how to become what Christ wants them to be. Real leaders encourage their followers to become leaders themselves. Real leaders encourage & build up the body of Christ
Real leaders encourage by teaching us. Every child must learn how to walk. Real leaders give their spiritual children good models to follow. Leaders encourage believers by showing them how to live a life that is pleasing to God
The most effective way we do that is by living such a life ourselves.
Conclusion:
Just because people call me a Pastor doesn't make me a leader. To be
a real leader I must live as an example to you. Then God will consider us
leaders in His Kingdom. Thank God for Real Leaders.