____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ April 6, 1997 ____________________________________________________ What Makes A Good Leader? by Tom Edwards As in many things, the answer to this question will probably vary, depending on whom we ask. Hollywood's Portrayal Hollywood, for instance, often portrays the following Bible characters in this article as having dynamic appeal. They are usually depicted as good-looking, well-built men with great voices and finesse, and with a charisma able to attract virtually anyone. ``Larger than life'' is a phrase sometimes used to refer to this magnified portrayal of such a one. The four Bible characters we will briefly consider are Moses, Joshua, the apostle Paul, and Jesus. How would these measure up to the qualities in the above paragraph? If they lived today, could they play their own roles via Hollywood very successfully? or would there be much need for enhancements or improvements in their speech, appearance, and manner? Moses In responding to God's request to go before Pharaoh to seek the release of the Israelites, Moses told the Lord, ''...'Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue''' (Exod. 4:10). Yet Moses was still a great leader of God's people. At the time of the Exodus, there were an estimated 2 million Israelites entrusted to his responsibility; and because of his intercession for them, there was a time he even saved them from extinction (Exod. 32:7-14). For most of his life, Moses remained true to the Lord; and, as we would normally expect, the closer one lives to God, the more upright and tuned-in to the way of the Lord that person will be. Ironically, this great leader who had thousands of people under his leadership is spoken of as having been ''...very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth'' (Num. 12:3); and, yes, it is the humble man whom God will exalt (James 4:10). And how can we forget what the Hebrew writer said about Moses in Hebrews 11:24-27: ``By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.'' But this doesn't mean that Moses was perfect. No, there was a time when in his anger he spoke rashly and struck the rock (instead of speaking to it, as the Lord had commanded) in order to bring forth water for the Israelites. Because of this, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Num. 20:7-12; Psa. 106:32,33). All in all, however, we view this man Moses as having been a great leader for God's people who was apparently humble most of his life with the exception of the above mentioned transgression; he was a man willing to sacrifice, and willing to suffer for the cause of his Lord; a man who had heaven and serving God as a top priority in his life. Joshua Joshua, rather than being this good-looking fellow in his late 30s, as Hollywood might portray, was actually about 85 years old when he became Moses' successor and began the period of the conquest as a great military leader for God's people (Josh. 14:10) -- yet, he still did have the same strength as from forty years earlier (v. 11). He is one who is described as having ``followed the Lord fully'' (Num. 32:12). Out of all the twelve spies that had been sent into Canaan for 40 days, only Joshua and Caleb brought back the positive report that they should go in and take possession of the land as God had directed. These men had enough faith in God to help override any possible deterrence due to the formidable appearance of the giants in the land. It was their trust in the Lord that gave them this courage and ability to respectfully stand on the promises of the Lord. Toward the end of his life, Joshua had told Israel, ''...choose for yourselves today whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord'' (Joshua 24:15) -- a statement which can be seen confirmed throughout Joshua's life by the way he lived: God was first, and God he served. Paul Some were saying of the apostle Paul that ''...'His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and his speech contemptible''' (2 Cor. 10:10). Of course, Paul emphasizes the important matter, and that is: ``Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present'' (v. 11). In other words, Paul is referring to the spiritual lives they led -- not merely the trivialities of physical appearance or eloquence. Paul was definitely committed in his service to God. No matter what the cost, he was always willing to pay the price: ``Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness'' (2 Cor. 11:23-30). The above passage shows us of some of the extent Paul was willing to go to follow his Lord. Consider also 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. Jesus Incidentally, it is also said about Jesus that ''...He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him'' (Isa. 53:2). Christ's ``beauty'' far exceeded that of the superficial -- it was His inner ``beauty'' that manifest itself in word and deed that makes Christ so appealing, while He was on earth. We also note in Christ's life that those things which he commanded of us -- except for repentance -- He also carried out in His own life. ``For I gave you an example,'' Jesus states, ``that you also should do as I did to you'' (Jn. 13:15). Also in His own words: ``But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, `You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many''' (Matt. 20:25-28). And Peter writes: ``For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously'' (1 Pet. 2:21-23). While on earth, Jesus was always doing everything that His Father had commanded Him (Jn. 8:29), and for this His Father was well pleased (Matt. 17:5). Us The apostle Paul walked so close with God that he was able to say, ``Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ'' (1 Cor. 11:1). How many of us today would be able to say the same thing? How would the work of evangelism go if everyone spent the same amount of time that we do in talking to others about Jesus and the gospel? How well and consistent would the attendance be if everyone made it to the services as often as we do (not including absence due to sickness)? How many prayers would be prayed if everyone prayed as often as we do? How well would the contribution be if everyone gave as much as we do? How much of the Lord's will would get done if everyone obeyed it as much as we do? Paul was able to say what he did because of the close walk he had with the Lord. This needs to also be true with each of us, and can you imagine how much better the church would be today if this is carried out by each member? Inferences from Above In these above worthy examples, if we would study more about each of these individuals we would probably find various common characteristics that made them the great leaders that they were; but, simply put, one of the common qualities that made them this way is that they were each a follower of God, and did so diligently, lovingly, and sacrificially. As Sam Rayburn once wrote, ``You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.'' Paul spoke of those who.. ''...are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness...you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For `the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,' just as it is written'' (Rom. 2:19-24). How can we lead in a direction that we are not even willing to go ourselves? As we see in the above passage, it is hypocrisy for the one who would teach others the right way to live, but at the same time refuse to also comply with that way. Let us close with this good point from Walter Lippman. He writes: ``The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.'' And I might add, that even after the death of great leaders, followers can still follow and receive encouragement. Abel is still remembered for worshiping the Lord in God's way; and, thus, continues to encourage all to do likewise (Heb. 11:4). Paul, who said ``Be imitators of me...,'' is still a worthy example that many of us are striving to emulate in his dedication and service to the Lord. To sum it up, our goal in life should actually be to become a truly committed follower of Jesus Christ. For if we are concentrating on this, our lives will also be, as an outgrowth, a life worth striving to follow by others. Good leaders are simply those who follow the Lord fully, with humbleness. They are willing to sacrificially pay whatever price their service to the Lord will involve for they have made obedience to God their chief objective. As Solomon writes, ``The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person'' (Eccl. 12:13). Tersely put, what makes a good leader is being a good follower. ___________________________________________ Welcome Visitors! We are glad for your presence and look forward to seeing you again soon! Thank you for being here! ___________________________________________ News & Notes Ruth Slome, an elderly woman whom Susie Lykins works for, passed away recently. Let us be praying for her friends, family, and loved ones. Alice Malolepsy's mother is seriously ill at the Hendricks Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Texas. I'm sure the family would appreciate our prayers. Kenny Vernor requests prayer for his sister Kathy White who hasn't been doing well. Royce Barger asks prayer for his sister-in-law, Margaret Barger, of Memphis, Tn. She is in need of a complete heart transplant, and has been suffering from various illnesses. Derek Chambers solicits prayers for ``Claudette Ward, the faithful wife of Jim Ward (not the preacher) who is an elder with the West End Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX....'' After having had a bone marrow transplant 42 days ago, she has now been hospitalized 48 days. Derek writes, ``Although her operation went well, she now has an air-born respiratory virus. The doctors have given her a 50/50 chance of survival. Jim and Claudette's three sons, who are faithful brethren living in three different States, have been called home to be by their mother's side.'' It's with much regret that I say we will probably have to soon discontinue the mass mailing of our bulletin, due to financial reasons. If you have an e-mail address, however, you could still receive it via that. There are presently about 470 homes that receive the bulletin as e-mail. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go ________________________________________