Politics…politics…politics….

...politicians have been campaigning forever, it seems, and all of us have become weary of the whole process.  Let’s break down the word…Politics…Poli means many and ticks are blood sucking parasites!  Pretty good description.  On a more serious note, how should we vote…who should we vote for?  Our choices don’t seem so good, Pastor Rick, so what should we do?  Maybe it will help you to stop looking at the people and start looking at their platform…what they believe and what they support.  I have had a simple formula for years and maybe it will help you.  The easy answer to how you should vote is to Vote Like a Pro!

1. Vote for those who are pro-life.  This is a biggy for me!  If you read both platforms one is for protecting unborn babies and the other platform if for abortion up to the day of birth.  Vote pro-life!

2. Vote for those who are pro-biblical marriage.  The Bible is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman for a lifetime.  Anything else is against God’s Word and, no, I do not care what the Supreme Court has said about it.  Vote pro-biblical marriage!

3. Vote for those who are pro-Israel.  Not just in their rhetoric but in reality.  God says that Israel is the apple of His eye…He will bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them.  Vote pro- Israel!

4. Vote for those who are for our protection.  God thought it was important enough to send Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and to replace the gates. He also told them to separate themselves from those who did not believe in Jehovah God.  Vote for those who will protect the United States of America!

5. Vote for those who are pro-Christian.  They may not seem to be Christian to us but the question is “Will they defend our religious freedom and protect us from those who would change our very foundation we were founded on?”  They will protect our Judea-Christian values and rights.  Vote pro-Christian!

Vote like a Pro!  Enough said!

We all want change...

...  but are we willing to be the change we want to see? Are we willing to pass on to others what we have learned like Moses did for Joshua? Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV) ⁷  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. John D. Rockefeller said “Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” Leadership is a process, not a job. It requires the passing of the torch from one leader to another. We see this with Moses and Joshua. So what can you do to be ready to lead.

A.  Pay attention to what is going on around you. To become a great leader you cannot just focus on one thing but you must be able to see the big picture. See what is needed to make the organization better and wisely share with the leader the facts.

B. Be a problem solver. Problem solving will more than likely come from someone who is forward thinking, not always looking back of how we used to do it. Past experience can be beneficial but be willing to learn. Many churches and businesses have brought much detriment to themselves but always looking back. I read a few years ago that many of our churches are trapped in the 50s and 60s and that is why they do not grow.

True leadership is about solving problems and helping to take the load off of the head of the organization. You get better at solving problems as you encounter problems…start practicing before you lead.

Ketterling:  You probably think about becoming a leader more than existing leaders think about you becoming a leader.  They have other things on their minds.  If there isn’t someone to hold you accountable, hold yourself accountable.  Don’t let the day to day routine leave you in the shadow.  

In Luke 13:15 (NIV) 15 The Lord answered him,...

... "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?” Jesus had very little patience with the religious of His day and I love His style..."You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?”

Jesus had no problem with initiative...He saw a need and He met it...He saw the woman and He healed her after being crippled 18 years. In His impatience with their hypocrisy...He said to them...when something is set before you that represents a need...a cripple woman or a tied up donkey, do what you are supposed to do! 

This what He said to them and I believe He is saying to us...Untie your donkey...KJV!

We have prayed, we have asked, and we have believed God will open a great and effective door and that He will give us life more abundantly...it is time we untie our donkey and move toward the goal set before us. Say to your neighbor...untie your donkey. James 4:17 (NLT) “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Example - It is one thing to want to go thru that great and effective door in the area of your finances, to pray it will happen, to tell everyone your need, but it is another thing to untie your donkey or get off your donkey and start searching for a job or for more work.

It is one thing to be frustrated and concerned about the condition of our nation but it is another to educate yourself where the candidates line up, or don’t line up with Scripture, and then untie your donkey, and go vote, and get others to do it also. Find out who is pro-life, pro-Israel, pro-family, pro-marriage (man and a woman), and for protection of our country and then vote for that candidate. Remember the four lepers were in a horrible situation...did I mention they were lepers...Hear this...They were put outside the gate because of their disease (limited...sound familiar?) They were broke, busted, and disgusted not to mention they were starving to death...Their options were not good...go to the enemy camp or stay there until they died. These lepers asked each other...why do we keep sitting here until we die...it is time for us to untie our donkey and get up and go do something. They said “Let’s untie our donkey” and head to the enemy’s camp and just see what God is going to do for us...If we die...we die!  Though He slay me yet will I trust Him!!!

We have been speaking about...

... you being the change you want to see. As we have mentioned: Sometimes good leaders have to make decisions. Here are some simple steps in making good and informed decisions.

A. Approach decision making with humility.  Understand that good decisions are made when a highly committed team, with a selection of perspectives, life experiences and personalities come together for the good of the team. Proverbs 15:22 (NLT) ²²  Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. 

B. Ask “What if” to identify alternative solutions.  Keep asking the question until you have exhausted all possibilities.

C. Evaluate alternatives that are given and identify the ones best for the team and organization. 

D. Choose a plan and go with it with all your heart. People are watching to see your confidence or lack of it.

E. Communicate the decision and the plan of action. More information is better than less.

F. Execute the decision and plan with excellence. More failure in business results from good decisions executed poorly than from poor decisions. 

G. At some point, evaluate the decision and make any necessary adjustments.  No decision will be completely perfect.  The goal is to make the decision right, not for you to always be right.

Great leaders inspire other leaders.

A. Communicate your vision.  

B. Offer encouragement and support.  People want to know that what they are doing matters.

C. Challenge people to go beyond their perceived limits. Never settle for where you are; keep raising the bar and asking people to stretch their thinking and creativity.

D. Set reachable, measureable goals. People want to know how well they are doing.  Are we reaching our Missions goals and going beyond them? Are we really growing to one thousand?

E. Get out of the way.  Trust your team and let them execute the vision.

We all have to realize...

... at some point that leadership matters…it should matter to you and it obviously will matter to those who you are trying to lead. General George S. Patton said, “We heard sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people.  Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” There is a big difference in being a leader and being the person in charge.  There are people who are in leadership positions who try to herd or drive people…Moses really did not know what to do. Though they fill a position as leader, they are not truly filling the position of leader.  Real leaders have the ability to inspire people to follow a movement or a cause. 

1. Let us look at the qualities of good leaders. T. J. Addington said, “Positional authority is based on one’s position and responsibility in the workplace.  Personal authority is the standing I have with others because of my behavior, values, treatment of others, and morality…what is interesting is that it is possible to have positional authority without personal authority.” Let’s look at six qualities of authentic leaders.

A. You must be teachable.  To be a great leader you must have a teachable spirit and a willingness to always be learning.  Being a good listener will help you learn.

B. You must be perceptive.  Strive to look beyond your own little world and show genuine concern for those you lead. Be concerned about their lives outside your specific work context.

C. You must invest emotionally in the team.  You are only as important as the team who surrounds you. Showing appreciation for good feedback and asking their opinions will build loyalty.

D. You must set the right example.  Model the way.  If you want those around you to care, to be excited about what they are doing, and to be appreciative, you must behave in the same manner.

E. You must be honest.  Be real with people and be honest with them.  Transparency tells them that you trust them.

F. You must be sincere.  Be who God created you to be and be the best you possible with His help. Tell the truth and invest in others and you will earn ultimate super power…respect.

2. Sometimes good leaders have to make decisions. Understand that good decisions are made when a highly committed team, with a selection of perspectives, life experiences and personalities come together for the good of the team.  

3. Great leaders inspire other leaders. Communicate your vision.  Those who will help the organization the most are those who align themselves with the vision and mission that has been set forth. Life Church is a Missions Church. We have to learn to delegate and then get out of the way.  I tell my staff and leaders that if I have to watch over you…I have the wrong person leading.

I believe we all want...

... to make a difference…I believe Gideon wanted to make a difference but he could not see how it would be possible…he said the world is a mess and my family is the weakest around. Our weaknesses may not be the same and our excuses for not doing something for God may not even come close to Gideon’s but the time to be the change you want to see is now. Stephen Covey  says, “The key is taking responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about, and prioritizing your life around the most important things.” Rob Ketterling  says, “Those who lead with intentionality and purpose can inspire people to do more than they thought possible.” John Maxwell says, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

1. Real leaders know the way. John 14:6 (NLT) ⁶  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Sadly many people do rise to their level of incompetence, we do not have to be those people. Real leaders not only see the future, they have specific strategies in place for taking themselves and their organizations into the future. Our key here at Life Church is Holy Spirit.

2. Real leaders go the way. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) ¹  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. This is leadership by example…leaders should not be afraid to step out in faith first. They do not ask people to do what they are not willing to do themselves. Be excellent in everything you do. Do what you say you will do.

Make people important. Encourage cooperation. Deal with conflict quickly. Invest in others.

3. Real leaders show the way. Our job is to show people how to be connected and not to be so discouraged by someone else’s success.  Be thankful others are stepping up and carrying the load. John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence…nothing more…nothing less.” All of us need to ask the question…Would you follow you?

A few years ago we did a series...

... on Sunday mornings called “Fully Devoted” and just as a reminder I want to share a few things with you to stir up your heart again for the church. Whether you realize it or not we need each other. The new converts on the Day of Pentecost were transformed by the power of Holy Spirit baptism but they needed an ongoing experience that would carry them thru. Acts 2:4243 (NIV) “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” They devoted themselves (dedicated themselves) to the Word, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Can I be so bold to say to you today that if you are going to survive in these end times and if you are going to thrive as a believer, it will be because you are fully devoted to these things in the context of the local church. We have committed ourselves to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God because we know that is what will change your lives and give you direction. We have made it possible for you to be in fellowship with others who can encourage you but if you do not show up...we are limited on how we can help. We break bread together in the context of the Lord’s supper or communion but we also provide Connect Groups to break bread in a casual setting. When we are together we have the privilege of praying for each other and seeing God work miracles.

The verses in our text said that when we do these things many wonders and miraculous signs will be done. Again, it is in the context of being here at Life Church hearing the Word, having fellowship together, breaking bread together, and praying together. Who doesn’t want God to do miracles and wonders?  My exhortation to you is to “jump in” and be fully devoted to God and His house and watch your lives begin to change!