Gods promise was fulfilled, just as Paul had said He would. Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 7 Biblical Models of Leadership | Lifeway 554 The wind would tend to blow the ship much more quickly than the current, and so a sea anchor would reduce the force of the wind on the ship by using the sea as a brake. Are You Expecting Too Much of Your Pastor. Their safety was relative, however. He was generous and that in itself bridges the gaps of selfish and greedy people if God's grace is given the opportunity to be operative. The death penalty is certainly one possibility. Moses | Biblical Leaders - Seminar - WordPress.com For others it extends beyond the walls of your home possibly into your community, your job, or even your ministry. He turned to the centurion and the soldiers and gave them what were really orders: Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved (verse 31). He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. 556 The following day, a more drastic measure was necessary: the spare gear had to go if the ship was to have any chance of surviving. The otherstwo hundred and seventy-six in allfollowed his example. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:3-9). Since leadership happens inside and outside the church, these examples are good wherever you lead. It was the crew of the ship who lived dangerously, foolishly risking the ship, the cargo, and the lives of all on board, just to get ahead a little. Paul believed in the power of God and in His infinite control over all things, in heaven and on the earth. Gods Word gives us those answers. The short version is that there was a plot to destroy the Jews, and Mordecai got wind of the plot. The danger in which they found themselves was unnecessary. It was a coasting vessel, which was to call at various ports of the province of Asia; at one of these Julius knew he would find a ship, preferably a grain ship, bound for Italy. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 477. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). Since this was not an ideal place to spend the winter, and sailing conditions looked favorable at the moment, they decided to press on to a more accommodating port. Moses. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. They would hardly wish to be close to shore in the storm anyway, for there was more danger of the ship breaking up on the rocks than of it breaking up in the open sea. Several factors contributed to the decision to sail on. To sail on, therefore, was a foolish decision in Pauls opinion, and thus he discouraged it as strongly as he could, but to no avail. 2:2). It opens to the East and Southeast, but is not fit to winter in. If the relative safety of the passengers was in being on board ship, with Paul, our certain safety is in being in Christ. He has weathered the storm of Gods wrath on the sinner. The gospel sustains men in the greatest storms of life. The passengers were not to lose hope, but to keep up their courage. They were so sure of the wisdom of their decision that they did not even draw up the small boat attached by a rope to the vessels stern (verse 16). 561 Before, adrift in the sea, they made no effort to guide the ship. Democratic style on the other hand refers to leadership style in which leaders are the final decision makers with the input of followers. They followed Paul because he knew where he was going and inspired confidence in others to follow him. Here is a man whose personal safety was assured, and yet who lived with care and caution. 553 The storm was now heavy upon the lumbering vessel, as it came roaring out of the north-east. Think of it. Everyone speaks their minds in team meetings. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:13-14). They were not going to get to Rome until after winter was over anyway, and they could stay right where they were, with no real problems. In Acts 20:35, we see him say to the elders of the church in Ephesus, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more . Paul did not seek to sanctify his words by giving them any spiritual flavor. And Joshua did so.". His church was a murmuring people. Until now, they had been trying to save the ships cargo, but now some of it555 was thrown overboard, lightening the ship and reducing the stress on the hull. This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. 5 Inspiring Leadership Lessons From Biblical Characters - FaithPot I read in the paper the other day that when faced with the decision as to whether he should change to an alternate airport or press on to the original destination, the pilot of a commercial airliner left the choice with his passengers. Leaders in this category encourage creativity while members are highly engaged. Nearing land in a storm is a very dangerous thing. You can learn valuable and unique lessons on leading the church and furthering the gospel from these men of the Bible. Effective leaders have the courage to speak even when it is unpopular to speak because they speak the truth with love. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. If you see shortcomings, those are the areas that you can ask God to help you develop. How does Pauls safety relate to you? He . We're sorry, an error occurred. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:8-10). The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. Paul was overruled. Such would have been the case in Sodom and Gomorrah. Handling the ship in this storm was almost impossible, and any attempt would require an expert crew. What Does the Bible Say About Democracy? - OpenBible.info Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. The centurion found an Alexandrian ship,547 laden with wheat that was headed for Italy. The ships crew tried to hug the shore of Crete, until they could reach Phoenix, a harbor not all that distant. Let us, like Paul, have a word from God for such needy times as ours. It seems as thought they had left it in the sea, towed along behind, when the storm suddenly came upon them and swamped it. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. It was only some forty miles to Lutro. Robertson, p. 461. They could not handle the ship in the stormy waters. Here, Julius, the centurion in charge of Paul and the other prisoners, allowed Paul to go to his friends and be cared for by them (verse 3). Examples of Democratic leaders | SpanishDict At its heart, leadership for the Christian means loving God, walking in God's ways, acknowledging God's blessing, confessing personal limitations and corporate failures, doing justice, seeking peace and asking God for the gift of . And so they were strengthened, both in spirit and in body. Whether by divine revelation, intuition, or by learning of their plans from some human source, Paul became aware of their intentions. Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. If Paul was completely right in his previous warning, then many were about to die. To Paul, the sovereignty of God was not an excuse to avoid his human obligations or his personal responsibility; it was the motivation for him to live responsibly. His military role came at a pivotal time in world history- World War II. 1. Several days before, Paul had told the passengers, who had lost all hope, that they would all be saved, although the ship would run aground (verses 21-26). Except for Paul, they had all reached the conclusion that the situation was hopeless and that they were doomed. Fourteen days have passed since they left Fair Havens and the storm first struck the ship.558 The sailors now have little idea as to where they were, or how far they might be from land. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. Inclusive Meetings A weekly meeting provides the best illustrations of the democratic ideology. Godly Leadership in the Bible - 3 Powerful Examples - Bible Study Tools 7 Best Democratic Leadership Examples to Know 1. Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. He has been beaten by the storm of Gods anger toward sin. of Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. The job or position title does not make you a leader. The centurion respected and trusted Paul a great deal, as can be seen by his previous dealings with him (see verse 3). If there was ever a time for Christians to emerge as leaders, it is now. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for careless or reckless living. Salem Media Group. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The storms of your life may not have been sent your way to destroy you, but to turn you to Gods salvation. The sovereignty of God means that we dare not presume that God will work a miracle for us, at the time and in the way we choose, due to our foolishness, carelessness, or sin. Here are 12 examples of inspiring leaders in the Bible who teach us what a great leader could and should be as well as how leaders should carry themselves. Given all these factors, the ship set sail from Fair Havens. Neither Lasea nor Fair Havens is mentioned by any ancient writer, two of the hundred cities of Crete. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 460. (1 Kings 18:27). Thus, he did not expect a miracle, nor did he even ask for one. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. 557 This is not to suggest that Paul now emerged because he knew that this was the low-point of his fellow-passengers, but because the night before the angel of God had appeared to him. The first 8 verses of the chapter take Paul from Caesarea to a harbor named Fair Havens, not far from the city of Lasea. It seems as though the passengers, including Luke and Paul, were needed to help carry out this operation (see verse 19).556. Where is your God, he asked. Now they were ready for the days activities. You are the foundation. Their actions revealed that they did not believe Pauls words of assurance, that all would be saved, though the ship would be grounded and destroyed. Jesus: A leader is a servant first. These prisoners were (pardon me for this) twice pardoned.. 558 The fourteenth night is reckoned from the time they left Fair Havens. Whether you realize it or not, we are all called to lead. The lives which Paul warned would be lost were those lives which were spared by God, for Pauls sake (see verses 22-24). Pauls leadership enhanced the preaching of the gospel. They had little to gain and much to lose. Paul need no longer fear, because he knew the outcome of this storm. Whatever God has promised to do, He will do. God has given each leader specific gifts. Myra lies due north from Alexandria, and its bay is well calculated to shelter a windbound ship. Bruce quoting J. Smith, Voyage, pp. But Paul did not presume to have God on tap and thus to be able to perform some miracle any time his wished. If that doesn't work, he outlasts them. Servant Leaders in the Bible | Servant Leader | Servant | Leadership Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity. A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? PDF Looking at Leadership: Lessons from 1 and 2 Kings - Good Faith Media You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Ex. Just about every pastor has "struck the rock" at one time or another; but then, like Moses, the same pastor usually has the resilience to see things through. At the beginning of the chapter, Paul is the object, the one who is acted upon. 4 The United States is one. What can we learn about leadership, which can benefit others, and can promote the gospel? The soldiers who were guarding them were not as concerned about their survival as much as the possibility of an escape. Elijah had both. Your Bible study. The sovereignty of God means not only that God is able to intervene supernaturally, but that He is also able to work naturally, through human instruments (like the Roman soldiers, and in our story, like the centurion, in Pauls behalf). If this was all that Paul said to these soldiers, he did not tell them that these men were attempting to abandon ship. As it was the middle of the night and the storm was still fierce, the sailors put out anchors, to drag along the bottom, to slow down their drifting. This may have been the case, and if so the calculations upon which the shipmaster (not owner as AV and RV, according to Ramsay) based his rash advice are less apparent. E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. Looking back on these words would demonstrate that this was indeed prophecy. They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. Paul: "Believe in something bigger than yourself." "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47).
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