LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES SEMINAR
THIS SEMINAR MATERIAL IS INTENDED BOTH TO ENCOURAGE THOSE ALREADY IN LEADERSHIP AND TO ASSIST ASPIRING LEADERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL
INTRO: A MAJOR CRITERIA FOR LEADERSHIP IS FAITHFULNESS (LUKE 16:10-16);UNLESS THERE’S A SOLID COMMITMENT TO BEING FULLY FAITHFUL, THERE’S LITTLE NEED OF ONE’S GOING FURTHER WITH THIS STUDY (PROV.25:19). THIS POINT CANNOT BE EMPHASIZED ENOUGH! FOR THOSE SOLIDLY COMMITTED TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST, THESE PRINCIPLES SHOULD PROVE QUITE HELPFUL
I. THE CALL:
A. DESIRING LEADERSHIP A GOOD THING - NOT WRONG!
1. I TIM.3:1 - DESIRES A GOOD WORK
2. I COR.12:28-31 - COVET EARNESTLY BEST GIFTS
3. I COR.14:1 - DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
4. I TIM.1:7 - DESIRE TO BE TEACHERS/DESIRE NOT THE PROBLEM
B. MUST QUALIFY: I TIM.3; TITUS 1:5-9
1. BLAMELESS - PHIL.2:14-16; II PET.3:14 - ABOVE REPROACH!
2. HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE (NOT PROMISCUOUS)
a. II COR.5:17 - COVERS B.C. RE-MARRIAGE
b. I COR.7:15 - FREES FROM BONDAGE WHEN INNOCENT (MATT.19:9)
c. POSSIBLE TO BE RE-MARRIED AFTER WIDOWED
d. NEITHER MALE/FEMALE IN JESUS: GAL.3:28 - ALL ONE!
e. ACTS 2:17,18 - SONS AND DAUGHTERS;SERVANTS AND HANDMAIDS
f. DEBORAH (JUDG.4,5)/ESTHER/RUTH/PRISCILLA (ROM.16:3,5)
3. HIGH STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR: SERIOUS-MINDED (EPH.5:2-4)
4. EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL - IN ALL AREAS (GAL.5:16,17,23)
a. NOT A DRINKER/DRUNKARD: PROV.20:1;31:4,5; ISA.28:7;56:10-12
b. LUKE 1:15 - JOHN BAPTIST
c. NOT ARGUMENTATIVE/CONFRONTIVE-SPIRITED (II TIM.2:24-26)
d. NOT LAZY OR SELF-INDULGENT (ROM.13:14:NO PROV.FOR FLESH)
5. HOSPITABLE - SERVING AND ENJOYING OTHERS
6.ABLE TO TEACH - BY BOTH WORD AND EXAMPLE:KNOW/LIVE WORD
7. NOT GREEDY OR ENVIOUS OF OTHERS - INCL.OTHERS’ MINISTRY SUCCESS
8. HAVE CHILDREN UNDER CONTROL - FAMILY IN ORDER (EPH.5)
9. HAVE EXPERIENCE/TIME IN THE LORD/CHURCH (I TIM.5:22)
10. FAVOR WITH NON-CHRISTIANS/CREDITORS/FELLOW WORKERS IN WORLD
C. RECEIVED OF GOD:
1. JN.15:16 - CHOSEN YOU, ORDAINED YOU
2. HEB.5:4 - NOT TAKEN OF SELF; CALLED OF GOD:
a. JAMES 3:1 - BE NOT MANY MASTERS
b. II TIM.4:3 - HEAP TO SELVES TEACHERS...
c. II COR.10:18 - WHOM LORD COMMENDS (NOT SELF!)
3.GIFTING FROM GOD:
a. I COR.12:8-11 - SPIRITUAL GIFTS GIVEN INDIVIDUALS
b. EPH.4:8,11-16 - GIFTED PERSONS GIVEN TO THE CHURCH/PURPOSE
c. PROV.18:16 - GIFT MAKES ROOM
4. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE(S): GOD INITIATES!
a. APOSTLE PAUL - OPENING STATE.OF EPISTLES:WILL OF GOD
1) DAMASCUS ROAD CONVERSION - ACTS 9
2) SEPARATION UNTO GOSPEL - GAL.1-2:2
b. MOSES - EX.3: BURNING BUSH... (ACTS 7 - STEPHEN’S ACCT.)
c. APOSTLES HAND-PICKED BY JESUS
d. MUST BE PERSONAL REVELATION/EXPERIENCE - MAY BE MANY!
1) MORE DRAMATIC - MORE NEEDED LATER FOR PROOF OF CALL
2) MAY HAVE MANY OVER TIME AS VISIONS ARE FULFILLED
3) MAY COME IN MANY WAYS:
i. THROUGH WORD THAT JUMPS OFF PAGE
ii. THROUGH WORD FROM OTHERS - MINISTER;PROPHECY
iii. THROUGH DREAM/VISION - PERHAPS REPEATED
iv. DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY OPENS
v. COMBINATIONS OF THE ABOVE - PREFERABLY!
D. MANY CALLED - FEW CHOSEN: MATT.20:16,22:14
1. EXCUSES GIVEN - LUKE 14:16-22: SUPPER INVITATION REJECTED
2. TOO HARD - MATT.13:20,21:NOT WILLING TO STUDY/TAKE PRESSURE
3. ISRAEL’S EXAMPLE: EX.19:5,6; 20:18-21; NUMB.8:10,11,13,14:
a. OFFER OF PRIESTHOOD MADE TO ALL (19:5,6)
b. OFFER REJECTED BY THE PEOPLE (20:18-21)
c. LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD ESTABLISHED INSTEAD (FEW)
4. MUST MAKE CALLING...SURE - II PET.1:10
a. ISA.6:1-8 - HERE AM I SEND ME
b. LUKE 1:38 - BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD...
c. ACTS 9:6 - WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ME DO? (SAUL’S ANSWER)
II. THE PREPARATION
A. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (BASIC/OBVIOUS EXCEPT TO RELIGIOUS):
1. MUST BE BORN AGAIN (JN.3:3,7)
2. MUST BE BAPTISED IN WATER (ACTS 2:38)
3. MUST BE BAPTISED IN HOLY GHOST
a. ACTS 1:8 - RECEIVE POWER...
b. ACTS 1:4,5 - PROMISE OF FATHER...
c. ACTS 4:29-33 - SPOKE WORD WITH BOLDNESS...
d. EPH.4:11-16 - GIVES GIFTS...(I COR.12:4-11,28)
4. MUST HAVE DAILY WALK WITH GOD: PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY...
a. SPECIAL TIME ALONE WITH GOD
b. RELATIONSHIP THROUGHOUT DAY - AWARENESS OF/HELP FROM
5. MEET QUALIFICATIONS LISTED ABOVE - WORK ON WEAK AREAS
6. MUST HAVE PERSONAL CALLING FROM GOD - KNOW THAT KNOW
a. ISA.51:2 - ABRAHAM CALLED ALONE (PROBLEM - TOOK LOT!)
b. JN.15:16 - I HAVE CHOSEN YOU AND ORDAINED YOU...
7. RECOGNITION FROM MATURE MEMBERS OF BODY OF CHRIST (ACTS 13:13)
B. STUDY THE WORD
1. I PET.2:2 - DESIRE MILK OF WORD
2. II TIM.2:15 - STUDY TO SHOW APPROVED OF GOD!
3. II TIM.3:16,17 - THOROUGHLY FURNISHED
4. HEB.4:12 - POWERFUL, SHARP...
5. PS.138:2 - HONORED ABOVE NAME
6. PS.107:20 - SENT WORD: HEALED AND DELIVERED
7. HEB.1:3 - WORD OF HIS POWER
8. LUKE 4:36 - WORD = AUTHORITY AND POWER...
C. EXPERIENCE THE WORD - REALITY IN DAILY LIFE:
1. PSA.105:19 - WORD OF GOD TRIED HIM
2. ROM.5:1-5 - PROCESS OF MATURITY
3. I PET.1:3-7 - TRIAL OF FAITH PRECIOUS...
4. I PET.4:12-14 - FIERY TRIAL NOT STRANGE...
5. EPH.1:18,19 - KNOW HOPE OF CALLING...
6. EZEK.20:35-38 - BRING INTO WILDERNESS:
a. BRING INTO SUBMISSION (I SAM.15:22,23)
1) TO GOD HIMSELF (JN.14:21,23)
2) TO GOD’S APPOINTED/ANOINTED LEADERS
i. I TIM.5:17 - ESTEEM HIGHLY FOR WORK’S SAKE
ii. HEB.13:17 - OBEY THEM WITH RULE OVER YOU...
iii. TOUCH NOT ANOINTED, DO PROPHETS NO HARM
a) I CHRON.16:22
b) PS.105:15
b. ESTABLISH GOD’S COVENANT (GEN.12:3; ISA.55:3;ACTS 13:34)
c. PURIFY/CLEANSE (I SAM.15:22; ISA.6;JER.1:9)
d. ALLURE INTO PRESENCE - SPEAK COMFORTABLY (HOS.2:14)
7. FAITH/DIRECTION FROM HEARING WORD (ROM.10:13;ISA.30:21)
D. KNOW GOD IN REAL WAY:
1. PHIL.3:10 - THAT I MAY KNOW HIM...
2. JN.17:3 - KNOW HIM = ETERNAL LIFE
3. ROM.8:14-18 - SUFFER WITH HIM = GLORY WITH HIM
4. I PET.2:21 - FOLLOW HIS STEPS...
5. JOHN 15:18-21 - EXPERIENCE REJECTION HE DID
6. PS.103:7 - KNOW GOD’S WAYS - NOT JUST HIS ACTS:
a. NUMB.12:6-8 - GOD SPOKE DIRECTLY TO MOSES
b. EX.33 - MOSES INSISTS ON SEEING GOD’S GLORY/PRESENCE
7. JOHN 15:15 - NOT SERVANTS - FRIENDS OF JESUS
E. LEARN WALK OF FAITH: (PROV.28:20 - FAITHFUL/FULL OF FAITH)
1. HEB.11:6 - W/O, IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM
2. HAB.2:4 - JUST LIVE BY FAITH (GAL.3:11;ROM.1:17;HEB.10:38)
3. ACTS 14:22 - CONTINUE IN THE FAITH...
4. ROM.14:23 - ANYTHING NOT OF FAITH IS SIN
5. I COR.16:13 - STAND FAST IN THE FAITH...
6. II COR.1:24 - BY FAITH YOU STAND
7. II COR.5:7 - FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT SIGHT
8. INCLUDES BEING FAITHFUL (GAL.5:22; MATT.7:16-20; LK.16:10-12)
F. GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE JOB IS: EPH.4:12-16:
1. PERFECTING THE SAINTS (MATT.5:48)
2. WORK OF THE MINISTRY (EPH.2:10;JOEL 2:17;ACTS 13:2,20:24)
3. EDIFY BODY OF CHRIST (ROM.14:19,15:2;I COR.14:26;EPH.4:29)
III. THE PRICE:
A. TOTAL COMMITMENT:
1. TAKE UP CROSS DAILY - LUKE 9:23
2. LUKE 14:33 - NOT FORSAKE ALL, NOT DISCIPLE
3. MATT.19:29 - FORSAKE HOUSES, ETC., RECEIVE, INHERIT...
4. MARK 10:29,30 - FORSAKE = RECEIVING, ETERNAL LIFE
5. MATT.10:32-40 - LOSE LIFE, FIND IT...
6. LUKE 12:48 - MUCH GIVEN; MUCH REQUIRED
B. FULL-TIME SERVICE (EVEN IF HAVE JOB FOR SUPPORT)
1. MATT.20:27 - BE SERVANT OF ALL (23:11)
2. MATT.24:46 - BLESSED SERVANT WHO’S DOING WHEN MASTER COMES
3. LUKE 16:13 - NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS...
4. MATT.6:33 - SEEK FIRST KINGDOM...
5. I PET.5:1-5 - FEED FLOCK;TAKE OVERSIGHT WILLINGLY...
6. SHOULD BE GOAL TO BE FREE FROM ANY OTHER EMPLOYMENT
7. MINISTRY SHOULD SUPPORT MINISTER:
a. DEUT.25:4 - NOT TO MUZZLE OX (EZEK.1:10)
b. I COR.9:7-11 - SOW SPIRITUAL; REAP CARNAL...(ROM.15:27)
c. I COR.9:14 - PREACHERS SHOULD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL
d. I TIM.5:17,18 - LABORER WORTHY OF REWARD (LK.10:7)
C. LEADERS MUST LEAD:
1. KEEP GROWING/MOVING WITH GOD - AHEAD OF FLOCK:
a. I PET.5:3 - BEING EXAMPLES
b. II PET.3:18 - GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE...
c. PHIL.3:13,14 - PRESS TOWARD THE MARK...
2. REQUIRES MAKING DECISIONS - SOME NOT POPULAR!(I SAM.15:24)
a. BEING SURE IT’S GOD EVEN THOUGH OTHERS DISAGREE
b. TAKING A STAND AGAINST UNGODLINESS/COMPROMISE
c. MOVING AHEAD WITHOUT VISIBLE PROOF OF SUPPORT
d. BRINGING CORRECTION - TO INDIVIDUALS OR THE CHURCH
e. START/END AREA OF MINISTRY
3. GET/COMMUNICATE FRESH VISION - AS FULFIL PREVIOUS
a. PROV.29:18 - W/O VISION PEOPLE PERISH
b. HAB.2:2,3 - MAKE PLAIN, WAIT FOR IT, IT WILL COME
c. EZEK.12:22-28 - WORD OF GOD WILL COME TO PASS
4. PREACH THE WORD W/O COMPROMISE OR APOLOGY
a. ISA.30:9,10 - REBELLIOUS WANT SMOOTH WORDS, NOT TRUTH
b. II TIM.4:2-5 - NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE...
c. APOLOGIES NEGATE AUTHORITY
1) MATT.7:28,29 - JESUS TAUGHT WITH AUTHORITY
2) LUKE 4:36 - WITH GREAT AUTHORITY HE SPOKE...
d. LACK OF AUTHORITY BREEDS DISCONTENT/UNCERTAINTY/STRIFE
1) JAMES 3:13-18 - WISDOM KEEPS PEACE;STRIFE=DESTRUCTION
2) ROM.16:17,18 - DIVISIONS AND OFFENSES...
3) I COR.3:3 - DIVISIONS, STRIFE...CARNAL
4) SCATTER W/O SHEPHERD (MATT.9:36,26:31; MARK 14:27)
e. SEEK/MINISTER WORD FROM GOD WITHOUT REGARD FOR
1) KNOWLEDGE OF EXISTING SITUATIONS/CIRCUMSTANCES
2) AGREEMENT WITH CURRENT POPULAR TEACHINGS OF OTHERS
3) EZEK.3:5-9 - TO BE HARDER THAN THEM...
5. SHOW STRENGTH IN ADVERSITY:
a. JER.12:5 - WEARY W/FOOTMEN, HOW RUN W/HORSES?
b. PROV.24:10 - FAINT IN ADVERSITY STRENGTH SMALL
c. I PET.5:7 - CAST CARE ON LORD - NOT PEOPLE!
d. PEOPLE LOOKING TO LEADER FOR ENCOURAGEMENT/STABILITY
1) MOSES AT RED SEA - SHOWED CONFIDENCE (EX.14:10-14)
2) II KINGS 6:15-18 - ELIJAH DEFEATS ENEMY OF GOD
6. ENDURE LONELINESS/REJECTION:
a. II COR. 12:15 - MORE LOVE LESS LOVED (MATT.7:6)
b. PS.109;4,5 - FOR LOVE BECOME ADVERSARIES...
c. JOHN 6:66,67 - JESUS EXPERIENCED IT!
d. BEST ATTEMPTS TO HELP PEOPLE OFTEN BLOW UP IN FACE!
e. REFUSAL TO HEED WORD/FOLLOW GOD/CHURCH - ALWAYS HURTS
f. MUST GUARD AGAINST BITTERNESS (HEB.12:12-15:BEWARE!)
g. II COR.11:21-30 - FACE CONSTANT PROBLEMS IN MINISTRY
h. EXPECT TO BE HATED BY MANY - EVEN SOME CHRISTIANS:
1) JOHN 15:18-23 - HATED JESUS;HATE US
2) LUKE 6:26 - BEWARE IF ALL SPEAK WELL OF YOU...
7. GUARD AGAINST PRIDE/DECEPTION: ANY SUCCESS IS OF THE LORD!
a. PRIDE LEADS TO A FALL:
1) I COR.10:12 - WHEN THINK STAND, BEWARE FALL
2) PROV.16:18 - PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION
b. MATT.13:22 - DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES (MAJOR MINISTRY)
c. I TIM.6:3-11 - SUPPOSING GAIN IS GODLINESS; WITHDRAW
d. JN.3:30 - HE MUST INCREASE; I DECREASE!
IV. GENERAL COUNSEL:
A. DON’T MINISTER TO MEET NEEDS - BUT TO DO GOD’S WILL!
1. DO ALWAYS WHAT PLEASES THE FATHER (JOHN 8:29)
2. POOR HAVE ALWAYS (MATT.26:11;MK.14:7;JOHN 12:8)
3. MATT.7:21-23 - I NEVER KNEW YOU
4. MATT.12:50 - DO WILL OF FATHER...
5. II TIM.2:3,4 - ENDURE HARDNESS...PLEASE HIM WHO CHOSE YOU
6. LEARN TO DISCERN GENUINE FROM PHONEY (MATT.7:6)
a. TOUGH TO LEARN - WANT TO HELP EVERYONE
b. ENEMY WILL WASTE TIME/RESOURCES IF WE LET HIM
c. MANY CHURCH PEOPLE TURN AGAINST IF REFUSE TO HELP PHONEYS
1) WON’T ACCEPT THAT THEY’RE PHONEY (VERY NICE/NEEDY)
2) DON’T TRUST LEADERSHIP’S MOTIVATION
3) OFTEN UNDERMINE MINISTRY AS A RESULT - DO IT ANYWAY
B. REMAIN TEACHABLE - WEIGH ALL COUNSEL CAREFULLY (PROV.15:22)
1. REGARDLESS OF FROM WHOM - EVEN CHILDREN OR UNSAVED PERSON(S)
2. REGARDLESS OF SPIRIT IN WHICH GIVEN - ANGER/MALICE/STRIFE
C. FIND/TRAIN OTHERS WHO WILL BE FAITHFUL
1. II TIM.2:2 - TEACH FAITHFUL, ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO
2. ACTS 22:26-32 - DECLARE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD;BUILD UP...
3. III JOHN V.3-6 - REJOICE WHEN CHILDREN DO WELL...
D. TRUST/ENCOURAGE GOD-SENT HELPERS:
1. ACCEPT THEIR GIFTINGS AS BLESSINGS/COMPLEMENTS TO OWN
2. ASSIST THEM TO HELP IN THE MINISTRY - W/O OPPOSING
E. RECOGNIZE/DEAL W/THOSE IN OPPOSITION TO VISION GIVEN OF GOD
1. ROM.16:17 - MARK THOSE CAUSING DIVISIONS...AVOID THEM
2. PROV.6:16-19 - GOD HATES HE THAT SOWS DISCORD
3. MATT.18:15-17 - GO ONE-ON-ONE;TWO OR THREE;TO CHURCH
4. PHIL.3:15 - LIKE MINDED OR REVEALED
LEADERSHIP #2
I. LEADERS TAKE THE LEAD:
A. FOLLOW GOD:
1. CONTINUING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP W/GOD ESSENTIAL
a. MUCH TIME IN PRAYER - TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
b. MUCH TIME IN WORD - FEED SELF! NOT JUST PREPARING
c. EASY TO SLIGHT:
1) MUCH CORPORATE MINISTRY/PRAYER/WORSHIP/MEETINGS
2) BUSINESS/IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL MINISTRY
3) THESE BECOME A SUBSTITUTE BUT MUST NOT!
2. HAVE BURDEN OF GOD FOR OTHERS - PASTOR’S HEART!
a. LOVE FOR THE LOST:
1) LUKE 5:32,19:10 - CAME TO SEEK LOST...
2) LUKE 13:34,19:41 - WEEP OVER CITY
b. CARE FOR THE SHEEP:
1) JN.21:16,17 - FEED THE SHEEP
2) I PET.5:1-5 - FEED/LEAD SHEEP
3) JN.10:11,15 - LAY DOWN LIFE FOR THEM
4) JN.10:12,13 - MUST NOT BE HIRELING (JUST A JOB!)
5) II COR.1:6 - ALL DONE FOR OTHERS
6) II COR.11:28 - DAILY CARE OF ALL THE CHURCHES
7) I THES.2:8 - IMPART OWN SOULS
8) II COR.12:15 - GLADLY SPEND & BE SPENT
3. HAVE VISION FROM GOD (GOALS):
a. PROV.29:18 - NO VISION = PERISH!
b. KNOW PART TO PLAY IN OVERALL PLAN
c. MOTIVATE OTHERS TO FULFILL GOD’S WILL
1) II TIM.2:2 - SHARE W/WHO CAN SHARE ALSO
2) III JOHN 3,4 - JOY WHEN OTHERS DO WELL
B. STAY ENCOURAGED - FAITHFUL!
1. TRIBULATION/TROUBLE WILL COME - DISAPPOINTMENTS
a. JN.16:33 - BE OF GOOD CHEER
b. II TIM.3:10,11 - DELIVERED OUT OF ALL...
c. II TIM.3:12 - ALL GODLY SHALL SUFFER!
d. HOW OFTEN COMES TO LEADERS:
1) PEOPLE WORKED WITH/HELPING TURN AGAINST
2) STRIFE/DIVISION COMES
3) SELF-DOUBT UNDERMINES AUTHORITY
2. DAVID’S EXAMPLE - MUCH SUFFERING:
a. PS.37:23,24 - THOUGH FALL NOT CAST DOWN
b. PS.42:5,6,11 - SOUL, WHY CAST DOWN
1) PRAISE HIM FOR HIS HELP
2) PRAISE HIM FOR SALVATION
3) PRAISE HIM BECAUSE HE’S GOD
c. I SAM.29,30 (30:6-TEXT) - ZIKLAG:
1) WORN OUT/REJECTED - ANXIOUS FOR HOME
i. HAD RESPECT OF PHILISTINE LEADER - HONORABLE
ii. PRINCES FEARED SO LEADER REJECTED
iii. THREE DAYS UNTIL REACHED HOME - READY!
2) FOUND TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF HOMES/CITY (30:1)
3) LOSS OF ALL FAMILIES (AS FAR AS THEY KNEW)
4) DAVID’S MEN TURNED AGAINST THEIR LEADER
5) DAVID’S ONLY RECOURSE - ENCOURAGE SELF IN THE LORD!
i. ALL LOST - OWN & MEN RESPONSIBLE FOR
ii.OWN MEN READY TO STONE HIM
6) DAVID MATURE ENOUGH NOW TO CALL ON LORD
i. CRIED OUT TO GOD FOR ENCOURAGEMENT
ii. ASKED GOD WHAT TO DO - NOT OPERATING IN FLESH!
7) GOD GAVE TOTAL VICTORY
i. FOUND/FOUGHT ENEMY
ii. GOD RESTORED ALL - INCLUDING FAMILIES!
3. PEOPLE HURT US - ADMIT HURT SO CAN DEAL WITH IT:
a. FIND FAULT & CRITICIZE
b. FIGHT PLANS AND LEADERSHIP
c. REFUSE TO LIVE UP TO THEIR POTENTIAL
d. ONES INVEST MOST IN TURN AGAINST & HURT THE MOST
1) NEVER ABLE TO SATISFY NO MATTER HOW HARD TRIED
2) WILL DO BEST TO STIR UP OTHERS TO OPPOSE ALSO
C. DEAL WITH PROBLEMS QUICKLY:
1. DON’T WAIT FOR GOD TO DO IT - MAY BE TOO LATE:
a. TROUBLE SPREADS QUICKLY - I COR.5:6: LITTLE LEAVEN...
b. INNOCENT/NEW GET HURT MOST - MAY BE PERMANENT!
1) ACTS 20:28-30: PERVERSE DRAW OTHERS AWAY...
2) ROM.16:18 - DECEIVE HEARTS OF SIMPLE
2. GODLY ORDER FOR DISCIPLINE: TOO OFTEN NEGLECTED!
a. MATT.18:15-18 - GO ONE, TWO OR THREE, TO WHOLE CHURCH
b. MATT.7:1-5 - CORRECTION REQUIRED (NOT JUST V.1!)
c. ROM.16:17 - MARK/AVOID TROUBLEMAKERS
3. FORGIVENESS NOT AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE/RESTORATION:
a. DO WHAT CAN TO BE RECONCILED - CONFRONT/FORGIVE
b. NOT ALWAYS REPENTANT - I COR.5:9-13: MUST REJECT!
4. GOD’S DESIRE IS THAT WE WALK IN UNITY & HARMONY:
a. MUST STRIVE TO HAVE (II TIM.2:24-26;ROM.12:16;I PET.3:8)
b. THOSE OPPOSING LEADERSHIP NEED TO LEAVE OR BE REMOVED
D. TRUST GOD:
1. OPERATE GIFTS IN DAILY MINISTRY (PROV.3:5,6)
2. ACCEPT GIFTS AS THEY OPERATE IN OTHERS
3. MINISTRY SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON GOD’S PROVISION
a. GOD’S VISION LARGER THAN HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO FULFIL
b. WE HAVE TO REACH OUT BEYOND OUR COMFORT-ZONE
4. PRAYER IS THE KEY TO VICTORY! (PHIL.4:6,7)