THE TEMPTATIONS OF LEADERSHIP>>Learning Leadership From Jesus

THE TEMPTATIONS OF LEADERSHIP

Learning Leadership From Jesus

 “Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”  Matt.  4:1 (NCV)

 

1. THE________________________________________TEST

      “For forty days Jesus ate nothing and became very hungry.  Then the Devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.’  But Jesus said, ‘The Scriptures say, “People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.”’”        Matt.  4:2-4 (NLT)

      When I’m empty, hurting, or confused, will I                                to meet my needs or rush to satisfy them                               ?

      “My people have done two evil things: They’ve forsaken me - the fountain of living water, and they’ve dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can’t hold water at all!” 

       Jer.  2:13 (NLT)

      “Let him who walks in the dark and has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on God.  But you who live in your own light and warm yourselves from your own fires and not from God’s will live among sorrows.”  Isa.  50:10 (NIV) 11 (LB)

     

ANTIDOTE

       “Don't worry...  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”    Matt.  6:31-33 (NLT)

       “Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus.”Matt.4:11    (NLT)

2. THE ________________________________________TEST

      “Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, set him on the highest point of the Temple, and said, ‘If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for the Scripture says, “God will give orders to his angels and they’ll hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt.’”  Jesus said, ‘The Scriptures also say, “Do not test the Lord your God.”’”

        Matt.  4:5-7(TEV)

      Will I use my abilities to serve God and others or to gain                                                           for myself?

      “Just when Rehoboam was at the height of his popularity and power, he abandoned the Lord, and the people followed him in this sin.”  2 Chron.  12:1 (LB)

      “Praise is the test of character.”  Pr. 27:21 (NEB)

ANTIDOTES

      “...  Let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  Then we won't need to look for honors and popularity...”  Gal.  5:25-26 (LB)

      “If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time He will lift you up.”  1 Peter 5:6 (LB)

3. THE ________________________________________ TEST

      “Then the devil… showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and all their splendor, and said, ‘If you’ll bow down and worship me, I’ll give you all these things.’  Jesus said, ‘Go away from me, Satan!  It is written “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”’”  Matt.  4:8-11 (NCV)

       Do I value                                     on earth more than                                      in heaven? 

      “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his                                            soul?” Matt.  16:26 (NIV)

      “Use your money to do good...give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given you.  By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity!  And you will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.”  1 Tim.  6:18-19 (LB)

“When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.”  Luke 4:13 (NLT)

      Every time you pass a test, you’re given                         

      “Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him...  He stood up to read the Scriptures and was handed the book of Isaiah.  He found the place where it is written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me -- to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to recover the sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, and announce the time has come when the Lord will save his people.’”

      Luke 4:14-19 (TEV)           

Wealth (Part II) True Wealth: Healthy Friends and Family

Wealth

(Part II)

True Wealth:  Healthy Friends and Family 

Strong relationships are essential to healthy friends and family, and true friendship is the foundation of such relationships.  Whether it’s marriage, parent/children or just pure friendships, learning how to have great friends is essential. Here are seven principles required for healthy friendships.

I. A TRUE FRIEND MUST BE COMMITTED

Prov. 18:24

²⁴ A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (Good News)

"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."

II. A TRUE FRIEND MUST BE CONSIDERATE

            Prov. 17:9

⁹ He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Prov. 17:9

"Love forgets mistakes, nagging about them parts the best of friends."

  

III. A TRUE FRIEND MUST BE CONFIDENTIAL

Prov. 11:13

¹³ A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Prov. 16:28

“…And a whisperer separates the best of friends.”

IV. A TRUE FRIEND MUST BE CANDID

Prov 25:5-6

⁵ Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. ⁶   Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 24:26 (Good News)

"An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship."

Three rules on how to be candid with friends:

1.      You compliment in public; you correct in private. 

2.      You never rebuke a friend until you've proven that you are open to rebuke from them. 

3.      You correct them when they are up not when they are down, when they're feeling good not when they're feeling bad.

  

V. A TRUE FRIEND MUST BE CONSTRUCTIVE

Prov. 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Real, genuine friends, build each other up, they stimulate each other to grow.  They bring out the best in each other.  They encourage each other.  They lift you up.  They motivate you.  They don't de-motivate you.

The Bible says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep."

                        1 Cor. 15:33

³³ Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

VI. MUST BE CONSISTENT

Prov. 17:17

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

1.                  There are acquaintances -- the people you mail your Christmas cards to. 

2.                  Then there are companions -- often the people you work with.

3.                  But there are genuine friends who stick with you and stay with you.

VII. WE MUST BECOME FRIENDS WITH GOD

Rom 5:10-11  NLT

¹⁰ For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. ¹¹ So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

You express what you receive from God

             John 15:12

                ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

WEALTH (Part I) What is Wealth?

WEALTH

(Part I)

What is Wealth?

Psalm 66:12
¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. 

Prov. 10:22

²² The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

What does God want me to have?

       I.  ENOUGH TO LIVE

1.      Daily Bread

Matthew 6:9-11

⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name ¹⁰ Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

2.      No Thought

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? ²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

     II.  ENOUGH TO BE PREPARED

Proverbs 6:6-8

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, ⁷ Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, ⁸ Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber A little folding of the hands to sleep— ¹¹    So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

Proverbs 21:20

²⁰ There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

Genesis 41:35-36

³⁵ And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. ³⁶ Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

Luke 19:8

 ⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

  III.  ENOUGH TO GIVE

Acts 20:35

“…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Deut 8:18

¹⁸ “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

James 2:15-16

¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 

1 Cor. 16:2

² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.  

 IV.  ENOUGH TO ENJOY

1 Tim 6:17

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Genesis 3:6

⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

2 Sam 12:8

⁸ I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!

    V. ENOUGH TO LEAVE

Prov 13:22

²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Numbers 27:9-11

⁹ If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. ¹⁰ If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ¹¹ And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the relative closest to him in his family, and he shall possess it.’ ” And it shall be to the children of Israel a statute of judgment, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

Exodus 3:6

⁶ Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN 33 YEARS OF MINISTRY

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN 33 YEARS OF MINISTRY

       I. WISDOM WORKS

Proverbs 4:5-9

⁵ Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. ⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. ⁸ Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. ⁹ She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

1.     It helps you solve problems

1 Kings 3:23-28

²³ And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ” ²⁴ Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. ²⁵ And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.” ²⁶ Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” ²⁷ So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.” ²⁸ And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

           

2.     Wisdom gives special insight into the nature of things

1 Kings 4:32-34

³² He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. ³³ Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. ³⁴ And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

3.     Wisdom gives you special skill

Exodus 31:1-6

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴ to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵ in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. ⁶ “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you.

4.     Wisdom Promotes you

                        Ex. Joseph’s promotion was because of Wisdom not just revelation.

     II. WHEN I GROW MY CHURCH/FAMILY GROWS

James 4:3

Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Mathew 25:14-29

¹⁴ “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  III. PLANNING IS VITAL

Hab 2:2-3

² Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets,That he may run who reads it. ³For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

 IV. UNITY IS IMPORTANT

Psalm 133

¹Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! ² It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. ³ It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

  V. DISCERNING SEASONS IS CRITICAL

1 Chron 12:32

³² of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command.

 VI. BELIEVING GOD IS BETTER THAN STRIVING

Hebrews 4:

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³ For we who have believed do enter that rest.

VII. HUMILITY IS GOLD

James 4:6

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.”