October 17, 2022
Leadership is Caught Not Taught
“For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth. “In righteousness, you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear and from terror, for it will not come near you. (Isaiah 54:5,14)
Beloved one, the singular missing component missing in leaders today is credibility. Paul tested his level of credibility with the Corinthian followers reminding them of how he had modeled and lived a holy life. Then he pleaded with them to imitate him as a father in the Lord. Paul understood the law of the picture. People do what you do, not what you say. They imitate what they see, not what they hear. Leaders add limitless weight to their words by exemplifying the principles they teach. Paul was able to admonish the erring people and firmly correct them because he never asked them to do something he hadn’t already done. Listen to Paul:
1. His leadership was on display and open for ridicule, and Jesus’ own half-brothers and sisters (Joseph and Mary’s children) ridiculed Him. (1 Corinthians 4:9, John 7:2-9)
2. He was willing to play the fool to model a life completely yielded to Christ(1 Corinthians 4:10, John 18:1-9, 19-26, 31-37)
3. He endured mocking from others but did not waver in his commitment to God, and so did Jesus. (1 Corinthians 4: 10, Matthew 9:24, 20:19, Mark 5:40, 10:34, Luke 8:53, 18:32)
4. He sacrificed living a luxurious life that others enjoyed, and so did Jesus. (1 Corinthians 4:11, Galatians 2:20, John 10:18)
5. He worked hard and didn’t retaliate against all opposition and neither did Jesus. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13, Hebrews 12:3, Matthew 26:36-38, 39, 42,44)
6. He saw his role as a spiritual father, living an exemplary life for his children, and Jesus did also for the disciples.
(1 Corinthians 4:14-15, John 17:1-5, 6-19,20-25)
7. He urged his followers to imitate his life, and so did Jesus. (1 Corinthians 4:16, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 10:21, Matthew 16:24-26)
8. He sent Timothy to help them live up to godly standards, and Jesus sent His disciples after He ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.
(1 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 10:5-8, Luke 10:1-24)
9. He warned them of his own coming, and Jesus has warned us of His coming for a spotless bride. (1 Corinthians 4:19)
10.He reminded them that God’s Kingdom was not about talk, but power. (1 Corinthians 4:20-21, Mark 16:17-18)
You do not have to tell people you are credible they see it by your example. Jesus was our role model. It is my desire to look more like Jesus every day in my walk. People know when they see a leader who is the real deal. I challenge you to live, walk, talk and look just like Jesus, this should be our daily goal.
