Back to the Basics 1

A Christian Leader is Chosen

Maywald Jesudass

Discover – Task 1 1. According to you – Who is the greatest leader in the Bible?

• A person who inspired you• A leader who has been your model / example • Someone who had far reaching influence in his time and who continues to inspire.

2. What is your definition of a Christian Leader?

Leaders ??? * Leaders – How do they come about?

Some say Leaders are born.

• Natural leaders – born with certain abilities ... Innate Qualities. • They can be easily spotted in the football field ... In the classroom ... In the Church• They stand out – have influence. Others follow them.

Are Christian leaders born?

Some say Leaders are made.

• Highly educated – broad based education in which they have degrees across fields (BA in education, Masters in Business, PhD in Psychology).• Specialized education – they are involved in research and become experts in certain field(s). • They acquire various skills. I know of a pastor who was hired coz he knew how to play golf. • These are people who will constantly acquire certificates & skills to keep ahead of others to have influence – to be marketable.

Are Christian Leaders made?

The Bible says,

“I have chosen one of his sons to be King.”

1 Sam. 16:1

Christian Leaders are chosen by God and recognized by Spirit

filled servants of God.

• Moses was chosen when he was in his eighties ... When he had unlearned ... When he felt that he could not even stand before the Pharaoh, who was his playmate. • David was chosen as a boy over his strong militarily trained brothers. • God chose Saul, head and shoulders above the Israelites, and then tried to work on his heart. • When that failed ... He chose David who’s heart was stayed on Him. Later equipped him to be the greatest King of Israel. • Prophet Jeremiah was chosen ...“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born ... I ordained you a

prophet” Jer. 1:5

Christian Leaders are chosen by God at different point in time to fit into a need ... To

lead His people ... To fulfil His eternal purposes.

God’s Criteria for Choosing ...

• Although the criteria will depend on the task. Yet all those chosen have one thing in common ... •1 Sam 16 : 7 tells us that God’s criteria is different from man’s.

• Its not the physique – outward appearance is often deceptive. • It’s not the gray matter – a brilliant mind is often dependent on oneself, is given to reason, limiting His wonder working power.• It’s not the abilities – people who are conscious of their abilities are often full of themselves, they take things into their hands.

God chooses leaders based on the ‘heart

matters’ The inner man is what

makes a Christian leader.

When God Looks Down ... • He sees the corrupted ...

Violent ... Wicked world

• He also sees & interacts with

Noah. • God did not choose Noah – a. Coz he was a

great builderb. Coz he had a

large following ...

was recognized as a local leader

c. Coz he was a convincing preacher

d. Coz he was good with animals

God called Noah to do that great task coz God was the centre ...

the first in Noah’s life.

• Gen. 6: 9, 20; 8:20;

God chose Noah coz ...

a. Noah was a righteous man

b. blameless among the people of his time c. he walked with God.

d. Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” e. The first thing Noah did when he stepped on dry land was to build an altar for the Lord and worshipped Him. Gen. 6:9, 20; 8:20

If God is to choose you, strengthen your DAILY walk

with Him and ask Him to give you a heart that obeys

implicitly.

Visibility of a Christian leader

• Is a Christian Leader easily spotted by man?• In the land of the Midians people knew Moses as a adventurous shepherd who climbed hills & mountains. • In the eyes of God Moses was the leader to bring deliverance to the Israelites.

Even Prophet Samuel was so confused in Jessie’s house. In his assessment each of the seven sons of Jessie

could have been the next King of Israel. Don’t forget ... Christian Leaders are chosen by God and recognized by Spirit filled servants of

God who listen to His promptings.

Shepherd Boy by Ray Boltz

One by One Jesse’s sonsStood before the prophetTheir father knew a king would soon be found And each one passed except the lastNo one thought to call himSurely he would never wear a crown

But when others see a shepherd boy God may see a kingEven though your life seems filledWith ordinary thingsIn just a moment He can touch youAnd everything will changeWhen others see a shepherd boyGod may see a king