“Each one should use whatever gift he has received
to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10,
NIV)
“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of
God’s grace given me through the working of his power.” (Ephesians
3:8, NIV)
“But by the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians
15:10, NIV)
The
gifts of pastor, teacher, apostle, administrator, psalmist, etc. are just that,
grace gifts. There is an ease and grace to ministry when you are a square
peg operating in a square hole. I have wished at times
that I had some of the skills and gifts that others operate in so easily and
naturally like singing melodiously, because I felt that if I somehow had more
skill, then my ministry would grow and I would be more “successful”. What a TYRANNY!
GRACE:
“Grace” derives from the Greek, charis. In secular
Greek, charis was related to
chairo, “to rejoice.”. Charis came to
signify “favor,” “goodwill,” and “lovingkindness” — especially as granted by a
superior to an inferior. In the New Testament, “grace” is mentioned 156
times and it takes on a special redemptive
sense in which God makes available his favor on behalf of sinners, who
actually do not deserve it.
This
word speaks of deliverance from enemies, affliction, or adversity. It also
denotes enablement, daily guidance, forgiveness, and preservation. Grace may be defined as the unmerited
or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.
"This righteousness is
given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference
between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came
by Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:22-24).
"In him we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of
God’s grace" (Eph. 1:7).
"For it is by grace you
have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift
of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do" (Eph. 2:8-10).
LEADERSHIP:
1. The individuals who are the leaders
in an organization, regarded collectively.
2. The activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability
to do this.
Leadership involves:
Ø
Establishing
a clear vision,
Ø
Sharing
that vision with others so that they will follow willingly,
Ø
Providing
the information,
Ø
Knowledge
and methods to realize that vision, and
Ø
Coordinating
and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholders.
A leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively
in difficult situations. Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught,
although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Someone
with great leadership skills today is Bill Gates who, despite early failures,
with continued passion and innovation has driven Microsoft and the software
industry to success.
3. The act of inspiring subordinants to
perform and engage in achieving a goal.
Conclusion:
Success is simply being
everything God has called you to be. The size of The Rescue Operators is not
related to whether we are successful or not. You could have a sizable church,
but if you are driven and grumpy, are you really successful? I think we are
successful when we are simply doing what God has called us to do with GRACE
and love.
Whenever
we compare ourselves to someone else, we are usually measuring our
deficiencies, and it is not the Father’s will to live life in someone else’s
shadow. When we are content in what the Lord has called us to, and appreciate
the way He has wired us, then we will be so much easier to live with, and so
much more content as leaders! When I look at the leaders who have emerged
around me, I see people who are different to me in many ways, but we celebrate
that diversity and it makes us, and the body, that much stronger. Be the best
you can be. Celebrate who you are, love how God has made you, jubilate on your
wired nature.! It is Gods desire
“A man can only receive what is given him from
heaven.” (John
3:27, NIV)
“I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation…”
(Philippians 4:12, NIV)