BE CAREFUL NOT TO BECOME INSENSITIVE TO PEOPLE

 THE LEADER BECOMES INSENSITIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE.

The guy who is a model for this is a guy named Rehoboam.  Rehoboam had such a poor understanding of people.  He was a real klutz.  He was Solomon's son.  He was so unsympathetic. He only thought of himself.  When he became king, he brought some advisers in and said, "What do you think I ought to do?" and the old men said, "Love the people, serve the people, honor the people.  Put the people's interests ahead of your own and they will honor you."  Then some other punks came along and said, "No.  Be hard on them.  Say you thought my father was hard?  I'm going to be twice as hard.  You watch what I'm going to do.  We're going to raise the taxes, make it tougher.  You're going to serve me."  (How to win friends and influence people ?!?)  In 1 Kings 12:4-11 is the whole story.  Rehoboam said, “They said to Rehoboam, `If you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.'  But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him.  v. 17 They all deserted him except for the tribe of Judah."  That's where the kingdom, which had been united under David and under Solomon, split.  It split because the leader was insensitive to the people.  And the tribes split.  Deserted him.

Proverbs 28:13 "A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful but if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance."  If you've hurt people in your ministry, if you've bruised people by being insensitive to them, you need to go to them and confess it.

What's the antidote to becoming insensitive to people in your ministry?  The antidote is never stop listening to others.  Learn to listen to people.  Encourage the people in your ministry and the people you're serving to talk to you.  Let them tell you about your problems and their troubles and their fears and their aspirations and their dreams and their hurts and the things that are personal to them.  Stay open and look for other perspectives in your ministry.  Don't just try to see it your way.  Be sensitive to people.

"Get all the advice you can and you will succeed.  Without it you will fail."  If you want to succeed, you're going to need advice.  "Pay attention to what you're taught and you'll be successful."  "Get good advice and you will succeed.  Don't go charging into battle without a plan."

When you contrast Rehoboam with David (2 Samuel 9:1) after all of David's victories he didn't just say, "I'm just going to seat back and let everybody serve me."  He said, "Is there anybody still left in the house of Saul that I could show kindness to for Jonathan's sake?" and he found a young man by the name of Mephibosheth, a relative, and said, let me show kindness to this guy – the exact opposite of his grandson – showing sensitivity to people. This verse might be a good way to start. James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

THE LEADER STOPS CARING

The leader stops having a passion for the ministry and the people in the ministry and for the Lord. The example of this is the king called Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25:2 "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but not wholeheartedly."  That is one of the most subtle traps in ministry.  Go through the motions, serve the Lord but not with your heart.  Do it because you know it's the right thing to do but you're not doing it with your whole heart.  The Living Bible says "He did what was right but sometimes he resented it."  That's not the way to minister.  The Good News says "He did what was right but he did it reluctantly."  

Why is it that people who are serving in ministry often stop caring about it?  What causes that loss of passion?  What causes people to lose their motivation, to loss the heart, the love that they once had?  

I think there are three things that cause a loss of spiritual passion:

1.  Familiarity with spiritual matters.  In other words, you're around it so much you become accustomed to the things of God and nothing seems like a miracle anymore.  You can hear so many answered prayers or you can see so many lives changed, you forget that most of the people don't live this way.  Most of the people have no hope and have no joy and are barely making it in life.  You forget that they way you feel is not normal for most people.  Most people feel hopeless. They don't understand the hope.

2.  A lack of balance.  I want to urge you as the core of this church – the people I depend on, the people that you make the ministry happen in this church – balance your life.  Take time to have fun.   Jesus did not say, "I've come that you might have meetings.  What would happen if all of a sudden we cut out all the meetings, what would be left of Christianity?  Jesus said "I've come that you might have life," not meetings.  There's got to be something there for everybody but if you're going to have a good home life you've got to be home. At least.  And if you're not, then something's out of order in your life.  You get out of balance and pretty soon you get out of balance and you stop caring.

3.  Compassion fatigue.  

I have to fight this constantly.  Those of you who have done counseling know what I'm talking about.  There is a limit to the number of people's problems you can handle.  I can't handle so many problems at one time, neither can you.  Nobody can.  So you have to learn the antidote for not losing your heart.  Look at Hezekiah "Hezekiah was successful because in everything he did, he did it with a spirit of complete loyalty to the Lord."  Maintain your spiritual passion.  If you don't maintain your spiritual passion, your ministry is going to plateau.  How do you maintain your spiritual passion?  Two ways:

1.  Never forget your motive for serving.  Never forget why you're doing this.  Not to make a big name, not because it's always fun, not because I'm not getting paid for it.  I'm doing this for Jesus' sake.  That's why you're in ministry.  You owe your life to Jesus Christ and so do I.  And out of gratitude for what He did for me on the cross and my love for Christ and out of the knowledge that one day I'm going to stand before Him and hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant," that's what motivates me.  You never forget your motive.  

2.  Never stop praying.  2 Chronicles 26:5 is about Uzziah, another king, "As long as he sought the Lord, God gave Uzziah success."  As long as I seek the Lord, God will bless my ministry.  As long as you seek the Lord, God will bless your ministry.  Never stop praying.  "Ask the Lord to bless your plans and you will be successful in carrying them out."  Do you pray about your ministry or do you just do it?  You ought to pray about your ministry.  Ask God to bless it.

In the book of Revelation, there's the story about the church at Ephesus.  God says "I've got one thing against you.  You've lost your first love."  They had stopped caring.  And when they lost their first love, God said to do three things.  This, by the way, is the way to restore a lost love in a marriage.  If someone says, "I don't love my husband/wife anymore," tell them to do these exact three things:  Remember, repent and return and do the things you did first.

Remember.  Remember the way it used to be when you were in love with Jesus.  What you need to do when you've lost your passion for ministry, you stop caring, you need to stop and say, "What was it like when I first came to Christ?"  Can I remember that joy, that excitement, that thrill, that freshness, that newness?  Can I remember that?  Think on it.  

Repent.  Turn your mind around.  Metanoia.  Reverse your mind.  Look at your ministry in a different way.

Do the things you did first.  In a marriage, when you want to restore love, you start acting the way you used to act when you were in love.  Act your way into a feeling.  Even if you don't feel it.  It's easier to act your way into a feeling than it is to feel your way into an action.  If you act loving, those feelings will come back.  So return and do the things you did at first.  

What did I do when I had a passion for the Lord?  I had a quiet time.  I got together with other Christians.  I was fellowshipping with the Lord.  I did the things that brought me joy.

A leader stops caring – the antidote is maintain your spiritual passion.

NEVER STOP GROWING

By far the single greatest reason that a ministry stops growing is the leader stops growing.  Growing ministries require growing leaders.  The moment you stop growing, you stop leading.  All leaders are learners because there is no growth without change and there is no change without being flexible. 

When a leader stops growing, he becomes inflexible.  A good example of this is the story of Moses.  Exodus 17.  The first time Moses had a water problem, God said, "I want you to go and strike the rock and water will come out."  So he did that.  Later on, as they were crossing the wilderness, God said, "This time we're going to do it differently.  This time instead of striking the rock, I want you to speak to the rock.”  Number 20:8-11 "The Lord said, `Speak to the rock and water will gush out of it.  In this way, you will bring water out.'  But Moses struck the rock twice."  

What did he do here?  He said, "Lord, we've never done it that way before.  We've always struck the rock.  Now You're saying speak to it.  I don't want to do it in a new way.  I want to do it the old way.  I want to do it in the way that worked the first time."  

Have you ever felt this?  To simply repeat the past?  What's he's saying is, "I want to lead the way I used to lead, the way I've always led." 

The fact is, our world is changing – 2010 is not going to be 2009.  Not only is the world changing but the pace of change is increasing rapidly.  Greater and greater.  The attitudes and skills that brought you to this point in your ministry are not going to take you to the future.  New problems require new solutions.  New situations require new attitudes.  New difficulties and new opportunities require new skills and new attitudes.  What brought you this far and made you a success – that's why success kills churches.  

The root behind resistance to change is fear.  I don't want to change because I'm afraid of loss.  I've done it this way and I feel comfortable with it.  Therefore what am I going to lose if I do ministry in a new way?  The root is the fear of change.  

That means that an unwillingness to change is a lack of faith.  That's what God says.  Numbers 20:12 "So the Lord reprimanded Moses, ‘Because you did not have enough faith...’"  Don't have enough faith?  But all he did was strike the rock instead of speak to it.  

It requires faith to change.  When you are resistant to change that is an indication of a lack of faith, saying, "I really don't think God will take care of me in the future.  I better hold on to the security of the way I've always done it."

The result here is this:  "The Lord reprimanded Moses, `Because you did not have enough faith, you will not lead them into the land I promised to give them.'"  Circle the phrase "You will not lead them."  This shows how important flexibility is.  God says Moses lost the right to lead because he was inflexible.  He lost the right to lead because he refused to change.  He was left behind.  The dream that God gave him – "You're going to lead the people into the Promised Land", 40 years waiting for it, 40 years leading them out – God says, "You didn't pass the final exam.  You're unwilling and unfit to lead."  This was the sin that kept him out of the Promised Land.  

I don't want to get left out of what God is going to do in the future.  So I must stay open to change.  Flexible, willing to grow, willing to become all that God wants me to be.

The point I want to make is:  Whenever you find yourself resisting a new way of doing something, or defending the status quo, or opposing a change that God's told you to do, or striving simply to repeat the past because it worked last year in your ministry, watch out.  You're about to lose your place of leadership.  That's a strong word.

What's the key to overcoming this trap of leadership?  The antidote is never stop developing.  Never stop developing your skills, your character,  your perspective, your vision, your heart, your dependence upon God.  Never stop developing.  Read books, read magazines, read the Bible, get with Christian friends, listen to tapes, take seminars, take the LEADERSHIP classes.  Never stop developing.  

Proverbs 19:8 "He who loves wisdom loves his own best interest and will become a success."  God says if you want to be a success, you never stop learning.  You always keep growing.  You never think you've learned it all.  

The moment I think I've got it all together as pastor of New Dawn, I'm dead in the water.  The moment you think you've learned all there is to know about your ministry, all there is to know about being a leader you're dead in the water.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 "If the ax is dull and the edge is unsharpened more strength is needed but skill will bring success."  This is one of my life verses.  The Bible says skill brings success.  You may be dedicated but if you're not learning new skills it won't work.  You can't use a corn harvester on a wheat field.  You can't use a cotton picker in an apple orchard.  You've got to use the skills that match the people you're trying to minister to.  So you always be learning new skills to take yourself to a new level.  When you come to LADERSHIP class, you're sharpening your ax.  That's what we're doing here on a monthly basis, sharpening your ax.  And you're never wasting your time when you're sharpening your ax. 

If you stop learning, you soon experience what's known as the Peter principle – that people tend to rise to their level of incompetence and then they get stuck there.  The guy who's a good shoe salesman gets appointed to manager and he's never learned management skills and he's bored and ineffective and incompetent the rest of his life because he never kept on developing.  

If you don't watch out, your ministry will get too big for you and you become the bottle neck.  The leader must never stop growing.  Never stop developing your skills.

Rejoice, It's our turn now!

Isaiah 54:1 Rejoice, O barren, which did not bear, break forth into singing and cry of joy, which never was in labor for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife, saith the Lord. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and the curtains of your room to be deployed, spare not lengthen thy cords, and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread to the right hand and left hand, and thy seed shall inherit nations and inhabit the desolate cities. 4 Fear not, because you will not be confused, and do not be ashamed, because you will not be insulted, but you forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will have no memory. 5 For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name, and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, God of the whole earth will be called.

Perhaps you are saying "I am sterile.

Well, God is glorified in things and people who are barren or sterile.

Because when something is barren from the natural standpoint, it gives God an opportunity to manifest his glory. God always has done miracles with barren women but when they gave birth it always brought a prophetic purpose in God. You will never get out of bareness by means of complaint and condemnation.

It's going to take a stance of faith so that the barren start to sing. It's going to take a stance of faith so that the barren may of voices of joy. 

In this season you will give birth to money you will give birth to a wife, you give birth to a husband, you will give birth to new skills, I'm going to give birth to churches, buildings, money, books, new songs, crowds of people, new skills, new ministries in this church, new properties, new things, new projects. Rejoice. 

We qualify because we were barren and God has decided that it's our turn now!!

Faithful people pass on what they learn

Faithful people pass on what they learn to faithful people.

The Bible says “Commit these things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  It’s a transferring process of multiplication.  Paul says, I gave it to you, Timothy.  You’re to give it to faithful men and the faithful men are to give it to others and on and on.  None of us would be here today if there hadn’t been faithful men and women in the last 2000 years of the church. We’re here today because some faithful men and women took time to write down the Scriptures. And others preserved the Scriptures, and others translated the Scriptures.  We’re here because of the testimony of faithful people. If God teaches you a spiritual truth and you’re learning a spiritual truth, it’s your duty to pass it on to others.  

What has God given me?  Everything.  Your family, your ministry, this church, resources, the fact that you’re in America, your career.  1 Corinthians 4:2 “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  I am to be faithful with whatever God has given me.”  If he’s given me a family, I’m to be faithful to that.  

If He’s given me a job, I’m to be faithful to that.  If He’s given me finances, I’m to be faithful with that.  If He’s given me a ministry, I’m to be faithful with that.  

The Bible says “Be instant in season and out of season. … Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you.”  Always be ready to serve, to give. 

How do I become faithful?  Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.”  It’s one of the nine fruits.  When the Holy Spirit lives in my life, I will demonstrate faithfulness.  How do you know when you’re filled with the Spirit?  What is the test?  Some kind of emotional experience?  Not necessarily.  You can have an emotional experience and not be filled with the Spirit.  What is the test?  The fruit is the test.  How do I demonstrate that I’m filled with the Spirit?  That I’m faithful.  When I’m faithful to the responsibilities that God has given me, it is indication that I’m filled with the Holy Spirit. 

A FAITHFUL PERSON KEEPS HIS WORD, HIS PROMISES.

A FAITHFUL PERSON KEEPS HIS WORD, HIS PROMISES.

Proverbs 25:14 “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts that he does not give.”  He’s saying be careful about what you promise.  When He evaluates our faithfulness, He’s going to look at all the promises we made.  That ought to put us in holy terror.  “I’ll get back to you…. I’ll return it as soon as I’m through with it …. The check’s in the mail …. I’ll do it later … I’ll pray for you … “  those kind of things.  As a parent, you know you often make promises in moments of weakness – just to get the kids to stop pestering you.  I’ve learned that’s fatal!  Many times I’ve made promises to my kids and it does not even register with me consciously.  But my kids, when it comes to promises, have a mind of an elephant.  They never forget.  

Proverbs 20:25 “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later consider your vow.”  

It’s easier to get in debt than to get out of debt – that’s making a promise to pay.  It’s easier to get into a relationship than out of a relationship.  It’s easier to fill up your schedule than it is to fulfill your schedule.  The Bible is saying that faithfulness is a matter of if you say it, you do it.  You keep your promises.  The number one cause of resentment are unfulfilled promises.  

Psalm 15:4-5 “Whoever does what he promises no mater how much it may cost will always be secure.”  The King James Version says “Whoever sweareth to his own hurt.”  Have you ever made a promise and then thought, “I really don’t want to do this,” but you do it anyway.  God says that counts.  That’s faithfulness.  God is looking for all the times that we’ve stated something and then did it.  We need to ask ourselves, What promises do I need to keep?  Promises to spend more time with the kids.  Promises to spend more time with my husband/wife.  Take a vacation.  Whatever.  Jesus said, “Let your yea, be yea and your nay be nay.”  A Christian ought to be able to just say, “Yes, I’ll do it,” or “No, I won’t.”  You would not believe the excuses we’ve had from people who at the last minute didn’t want to do a Sunday School class or be an usher or greeter or whatever.  They’d call at the last minute.  That’s not faithfulness.    

“Whoever does what he promises no matter how much it may cost will always be secure.” It has personally cost me to keep my own word.Has it for you? If your not faithful to keep your own word why would someone trust you. If you want to have strong self-esteem, the key is to keep your word.  You’ll be a man/woman of your word.

THE BLESSING OF FAITHFULNESS

This is the secret of blessing.  If you want to know the secret of getting God’s blessing on your life, just be faithful.  Be faithful in the little things.  What counts is not what you are up in front, when you’re on stage, in public.  What counts is your private life.  

It guarantees God’s blessing on my life.  “A faithful man will be richly blessed.”  That’s a promise of God.  Many times you think, “Nobody sees what I’m doing for the Lord.  Nobody cares.  I’m not getting strokes.  Nobody appreciates me.  Nobody knows what I’m doing.”  God does.  It doesn’t matter; you shouldn’t live for the strokes of other people.  You shouldn’t live for the applause and approval of other people because the Bible says, “The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord and He pondereth all his goings.”  God sees everything that’s going on in your life and my life and He says faithfulness produces blessing. 

In contrast, Proverbs 25:19 “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.”  He’s saying that unfaithful people are a pain in the blessed assurance.  Inconsistency produces irritation.  You expect the repairman to show up at a certain time and he doesn’t show.  You’re ticked!  You expect the paperboy to give you the paper every night and it’s not and you’re upset.  You put in an order with the waitress and it comes and it’s the wrong order or there’s a delay.  I think one way God teaches us patience is if you’ve ever had to be in a car pool with anybody.  Waiting and delay.  Maybe they don’t show up.  

He’s saying that unfaithfulness causes problems.  In fact, I’d say if you look at many of the problems we have in life a lot of them have to do with this lack of dependability.  When people are undependable, it causes problems.  When people don’t show up in your group, does that cause problems?  When you don’t show up, does that cause problems?  

It guarantees God’s blessing on my life.  The opposite is true.  If I’m not faithful it produces problems in my life.

FAITHFULNESS IS A QUALIFICATION FOR MINISTRY

The Bible teaches very clearly that faithfulness is a qualification for ministry.  If I’m unfaithful, I have no business being in the ministry.  If I’m disloyal, uncommitted, if I do not keep my word, if I’m not trustworthy, if I can’t be counted on, then I’m not qualified for ministry.  1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord that He considered me faithful, putting me in the ministry.”  Paul says, the reason God put me in the ministry is He considered me to be trustworthy, faithful.  Then he says to the Corinthians, “For this reason I’m sending you Timothy who is faithful in the Lord.  He will remind you of my way of life in Christ.”  Paul says, I’m in the ministry because God considered me faithful and I’m sending Timothy to you because I consider him faithful. 

2 Timothy 2:2 he says to Timothy “The things you [Timothy] have heard of me through many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.”  

Paul says, God considered me faithful; He put me in the ministry.  I consider Timothy faithful; I put him in the ministry.  Now Timothy, you’re to find other faithful people and you’re to move them into the ministry.  Faithfulness is a characteristic or qualification for ministry.