Leadership Characteristics of Jesus (Part 2)

Authority Matt 9 Typical understanding of authority – what Jesus says, goes Matt 10:1 – Jesus has given us authority over sicknesses and diseases As leaders, we need to exercise authority We exercise authority by expecting follow through We ensure things get done The buck stops with us, the leader, we don’t blame our team or followers When we don’t lead with authority, momentum and morale is destroyed

Authority If we don’t produce results, it demotivates our team We take responsibility for the result and we follow up people to ensure a good result Decisive means sticking to our decisions and not being uncertain It does not mean that we will always get it right Apologising and acknowledging our mistakes is a good thing We build trust when we acknowledge a wrong decision

Authority Matt 7:24 Jesus taught with authority but didn’t command a result Jesus was direct and clear with His teaching. He taught a universal principle (applied to everybody, no exceptions) Jesus makes clear statements - “It did not fall” Jesus was not afraid to tell the truth, even if it was ‘bad news’ Jesus called it out for what it was – ‘foolish’ Jesus spoke the truth without fluff Yet Jesus always spoke the truth in love, He wants what’s best for others, even if it’s not what they want to hear

Authority means speaking the truth in love Jesus spoke the truth without purposely being offensive, even though the truth was offensive Authoritative leadership means not shying away from speaking the truth We need to ensure that when we speak the truth, we do it with their best interest in mind Speak the truth in love, not purposely harshly

Authority Matt 21:23 The chief priests and elders answered out of fear (and could not give an answer) Jesus, in His authority, did not feel the need to even give them an answer Authority means that we don’t give in to fear and public opinion and worry. We decide based on biblical principles and the truth Authority also means that we don’t owe an explanation or a defence for the choice we made Still does not negate acknowledging wrong decisions

Authority means not owing answers You are in the unique position to make certain decisions that no one else can, it is your responsibility Therefore, you don’t have to explain the decision Engage in discussion beforehand Listen to ideas, be open to other thoughts In the end, make a decision and stick with it, don’t be fearful of man You can be open to feedback but you don’t owe anybody an explanation (except your leader, and ultimately, God)

Wisdom 2 Chron 1:10 We can’t lead without wisdom. Not “How do I lead with wisdom” but “How can I lead without wisdom”? Solomon needed wisdom to lead “who is able to govern this great people of yours?” We are not more worthy or more able to lead other people, who are equal in value Wisdom gives us the ability to lead others, to make decisions and to have input into their lives Not a right and not because we are more important – a responsibility

Wisdom Without wisdom, no success, people will suffer Wisdom gives us solutions to problems we have not faced Wisdom gives us answers for questions we have not heard 1 Kings 3:16 Solomon comes up with the wisest of solutions to an impossible problem

Get wisdom Luke 2:52 – Jesus grew in wisdom Wisdom is not exclusive to the old or to the experienced. Age and experience do not automatically produce wisdom James 1:5 – If we want wisdom, we need to ask God gives wisdom generously (He wants you to have wisdom) He gives wisdom to all – no one is exempt or unable to gain wisdom He gives without finding fault – wisdom is not a reward or a prize for doing the right thing. Wisdom is for those stuck in sin as well. Why? Because wisdom will get you out of sin. If we ask, it will be given (it’s a guarantee)

Get wisdom If we ask, we cannot doubt What does doubt look like? Uncertainty and not making a decision When you ask for wisdom, don’t doubt by making a decision, believe that God has given you wisdom When we doubt, it is like the wave of the sea, being moved by the wind – indecisiveness, not making a decision Wisdom goes hand in hand with authority – own the decision, but make the wise decision. If you get it wrong, stay in authority and fix it If we are uncertain and unwilling to make a decision, we cannot expect anything from God We remain unstable and continuously double-minded, never committing. But everyone can gain and grow in wisdom