Leading self and others

The following is extracted from Pastor Jeff's blog. Indeed, in order to lead others, we must first lead ourselves well. When we are connected to the vine, we will bear much fruits and apart from God, we can do nothing.

Question: Why Lead With Diligence?

Leading Self

1) Because Leaders Must Guard Our Relationship with God Closely

Luke 21:37-3837: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

2) Because Leaders Must Be Watchful Of Our Character

Proverbs 4:23:Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

3) Because Leaders Must Lead By Example

1 Timothy 4:16:Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

4) Because Leaders Must Be Self-Motivated

Acts 22:4-5 (The Message)4-5"I went after anyone connected with this 'Way,' went at them hammer and tongs, ready to kill for God. I rounded up men and women right and left and had them thrown in prison. You can ask the Chief Priest or anyone in the High Council to verify this; they all knew me well. Then I went off to our brothers in Damascus, armed with official documents authorizing me to hunt down the followers of Jesus there, arrest them, and bring them back to Jerusalem for sentencing.

Acts 26:11Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Leading Others

1) Because Leaders Must Be Change Agents

1 Samuel 17:32: David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."

2) Because Leaders Must Disciple People

1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

3) Because Leaders Must Energise Others Around Them

1 Samuel 17:11: On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.1 Samuel 17:52Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron.

4) Because Leaders Must Carry The Vision

Habakkuk 2:2:Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

5) Because Leaders Must Be Learners

Ezra 7:10: For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.