1. Leadership Characteristics of Jesus (Part 2)

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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