Godly Leadership (Proverbs 16:10-20) May 11, 2015

Transcription

1 Godly Leadership (Proverbs 16:10-20) May 11, 2015 TEXT: Proverbs 16: MAIN IDEA The LORD raises up godly leaders to exert a positive influence and humbly serve others for His glory and their good. This kind of leadership has an eternal impact and reward. MEMORY VERSE Mark 10: GODLY INFLUENCE (Proverbs 16:10-15) One s ability to influence others is a simple definition of leadership. We each have an influence on others to a certain degree. Yet we must ask what type of influence do I have (godly or ungodly, positive or negative)? Presidents, judges, congressmen, governors, mayors, businessman, teachers, pastors, parents, and any other form of leadership all require moral authority to be leaders worth following. Moral authority gives leaders the credibility to lead effectively. These proverbs teach us about godly leadership using the example of earthly kings. V10-Kings and those in authority must speak righteously in their official capacities. V11-The LORD is the source of honesty and justice in all-human enterprises. Therefore proper weights and balances were expected in business transactions. V12-A righteous administration determines the stability of a government. Kings detest criminal acts because their thrones are established in righteousness. Deut. 17:14-20; Prov. 14:34 V13-People who are honest and candid are valuable to governments and to leaders. We all have blind spots and excellent leaders know that without these kinds of people around them there would be anarchy. V14-Angry kings had power to pronounce death quickly and effectively. The wise person knows how to calm the unexpected or irrational anger of leaders. James 1:19 V15-Favor from a king is encouraging to his people. This is the opposite of the previous verse. *What area of influence has God given you? Are you a parent, sibling, leader, teacher, coach, or business owner? God has called us to be a godly influence for Christ. Matt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12, HUMBLE SERVICE (Proverbs 16:16-20) Godly leaders walk in wisdom and humility. These leaders are godly therefore they value God s wisdom found in the scriptures and diligently seek to apply them in their family and work relations. Godly leaders are servant leaders who lead by humbly serving others.

2 This is the type of leadership Christ established and blesses and the book of Proverbs encourages. V16-God s Wisdom is more valuable than money. Though wisdom and wealth often go together; the comparison here is between wealth without wisdom and wisdom without wealth. Prov. 2:10-12, V17-Righteous living is a safeguard against calamity. The principle taught in this verse is that integrity avoids evil, and the person who guards his way protects his life. Luke 9:23; Heb. 12:14; Isaiah 35:8 *Are you traveling on this highway? Do you believe and rest in Christ alone for your hope of eternal life? V18-Pride leads inevitably to a downfall. Pride is the first step down and this verse once again wisely warns us to beware of personal pride and arrogance. *How teachable are you? Do you welcome and invite correction? How good are you at listening to people who love you and are in authority over you? William Macdonald on pride A tall tree attracts lightning. So God puts down those who are conceited. Stuck-up people usually suffer some humiliating experience, designed to deflate their ego. It takes only a small pin to prick a large balloon. V19-This verse teaches that it is better to be oppressed than to oppress others. The humble and the proud are contrasted again and again throughout the Bible encouraging us to go after the rewards of humility. James 4:6, 10; Luke 14:11 V20-Faithfulness to the LORD brings his blessing. The principle is simply this: God rewards those who trust in the LORD. Isaiah 66:1-2 The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of Servant Leadership. (See Mark 10:42-45) *Here are a few simple ways to humble yourself: read and listen to God s Word; pray; be spiritually/ morally accountable to others; practice extending and receiving forgiveness; give Christ the credit for your accomplishments; take responsibility for your failures and be thankful. CONCLUSION God has called us as Christians to influence those around us by humbly serving others for their good and God s glory. May we by His grace practice godly leadership and bring Him great glory.

3 Godly Leadership (Proverbs 16:10-20) TEXT: Proverbs 16: May 11, 2015 MAIN IDEA The LORD raises up godly leaders to exert a positive influence and humbly serve others for His glory and their good. This kind of leadership has an eternal impact and reward. MEMORY VERSE Mark 10: GODLY INFLUENCE (Proverbs 16:10-15) One s ability to influence others is a simple definition of leadership. We each have an influence on others to a certain degree. Yet we must ask what type of influence do I have (godly or ungodly, positive or negative)? Presidents, judges, congressmen, governors, mayors, businessman, teachers, pastors, parents, and any other form of leadership all require moral authority to be leaders worth following. Moral authority gives leaders the credibility to lead effectively. These proverbs teach us about godly leadership using the example of earthly kings. V10-Kings and those in authority must speak righteously in their official capacities.

4 V11-The LORD is the source of honesty and justice in all-human enterprises. Therefore proper weights and balances were expected in business transactions. V12-A righteous administration determines the stability of a government. Kings detest criminal acts because their thrones are established in righteousness. Deut. 17:14-20; Prov. 14:34 V13-People who are honest and candid are valuable to governments and to leaders. We all have blind spots and excellent leaders know that without these kinds of people around them there would be anarchy. V14-Angry kings had power to pronounce death quickly and effectively. The wise person knows how to calm the unexpected or irrational anger of leaders. James 1:19 V15-Favor from a king is encouraging to his people. This is the opposite of the previous verse. *What area of influence has God given you? Are you a parent, sibling, leader, teacher, coach, or business owner? God has called us to be a godly influence for Christ. Matt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12, HUMBLE SERVICE (Proverbs 16:16-20) Godly leaders walk in wisdom and humility. These leaders are godly therefore they value God s wisdom found in the scriptures and diligently seek to apply them in their family and work relations.

5 Godly leaders are servant leaders who lead by humbly serving others. This is the type of leadership Christ established and blesses and the book of Proverbs encourages. V16-God s Wisdom is more valuable than money. Though wisdom and wealth often go together; the comparison here is between wealth without wisdom and wisdom without wealth. Prov. 2:10-12, V17-Righteous living is a safeguard against calamity. The principle taught in this verse is that integrity avoids evil, and the person who guards his way protects his life. Luke 9:23; Heb. 12:14; Isaiah 35:8 *Are you traveling on this highway? Do you believe and rest in Christ alone for your hope of eternal life? V18-Pride leads inevitably to a downfall. Pride is the first step down and this verse once again wisely warns us to beware of personal pride and arrogance. *How teachable are you? Do you welcome and invite correction? How good are you at listening to people who love you and are in authority over you? William Macdonald on pride A tall tree attracts lightning. So God puts down those who are conceited.

6 Stuck-up people usually suffer some humiliating experience, designed to deflate their ego. It takes only a small pin to prick a large balloon. V19-This verse teaches that it is better to be oppressed than to oppress others. The humble and the proud are contrasted again and again throughout the Bible encouraging us to go after the rewards of humility. James 4:6, 10; Luke 14:11 V20-Faithfulness to the LORD brings his blessing. The principle is simply this: God rewards those who trust in the LORD. Isaiah 66:1-2 The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of Servant Leadership. (See Mark 10:42-45) *Here are a few simple ways to humble yourself: read and listen to God s Word; pray; be spiritually/ morally accountable to others; practice extending and receiving forgiveness; give Christ the credit for your accomplishments; take responsibility for your failures and be thankful. CONCLUSION God has called us as Christians to influence those around us by humbly serving others for their good and God s glory. May we by His grace practice godly leadership and bring Him great glory.