“PEARLS FROM PAUL-WHAT A LEADER LOOKS LIKE”
ACTS 20:17-27
INTRO: What do we mean when we use the word leadership? If I were asked
to define it in one single word, the word would be influence. The late
President Harry Truman often referred to leaders as people who can
get others to do what they don’t want to do—and make them like
doing it.—J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership (1)
General John Galvin, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and
Commander-in-Chief of the United States European Command was
once asked what it was like to be in charge of so many various forces.
His reply was, “I often feel like the director of a cemetery. I have a lot
of people under me but nobody listens.” Leadership has nothing to do
with titles or positions, it is influence. A person often thinks because
he has a title people are going to automatically follow him. But there
is a difference in having a boss and having a leader. Many have
authority but don’t have leadership.
Charles Swindoll in his book, Paul, A Man of Grace and Grit says, “I
am more impressed with Paul than I am with any other leader I’ve
ever studied..he was constantly buffeted by the powerful forces of
Satan and his domain as he set in motion a Christian enterprise that
would impact the entire world for centuries. Like fine gold thread,
excellent leadership qualities weave their way through Paul’s ministry”
(Swindoll, p. 217). Paul shows us, through his life and ministry, the
portrait of a leader. It is an example that every man of God should
follow. We have too many “lords” over God’s flock today and not
enough leaders who lead by example. As Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter
5:2-3, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a
ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being
ensamples to the flock.” Let us examine today this incident in the life
of the Apostle Paul as we think on the subject, “WHAT A LEADER
LOOKS LIKE.”
NOTICE, PAUL WAS:
(1) A MAN OF CONSISTENCY
ACTS 20:18—“And when they were come to him, he said unto
them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia,
after what manner I have been with you at all seasons.”
A. THE DEFINITION OF CONSISTENCY. We hear much about values
today. Values tend to vary from person to person. Values really refer
to what we think is important. Consistency means we live by that
standard that we have established so our walk matches our talk. It
has been said that the number one cause of stress in our world today
is inconsistent values; saying we believe something then act contrary
to what we say we believe. If we clarify our values and live consistently
by them stress in our lives will go down and peace of mind will go up.
When you met Paul you immediately knew where he stood. And if you
spent very much time with him, you would see that he was a man that
stood for what he believed. Paul says in v18, “..Ye know...after what
manner I have been with you at all seasons.”
ILLUS: PRACTICE What You Preach
Jerral Kay
A fountain pen salesman persuaded a merchant to order 500
dozen pens. He was writing the order in his notebook when
suddenly the merchant exclaimed, "Hold on! I'm canceling that
order!" Then he turned to wait on a customer. The salesman
left the store perplexed and angry. Later, the merchant's
bookkeeper asked, "Why did you cancel that fountain pen
order?" "Why?" responded the merchant, "because he talked
fountain pens to me for half an hour, using a number of
forcible arguments, and then booked my order with a lead
pencil. His practice did not agree with his profession."
Does your Christian practice agree with your profession? Be on
guard, as you'll be tested when you least expect it!
Paul’s life defined consistency. He practiced what he preached. He
preached Christ and he lived Christ.
B. THE DEMANDS OF CONSISTENCY. Two things are needed if we are
going to be consistent in our lives:
1. Determination. The motto is Paul’s life was “For me to live is
Christ…” (Phils. 1:21a) and that is how he lived his life. If you are
going to be successful at anything, you must have determination.
Charles Swindoll said, “Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men
with talent. They lack only determination” (2).
ILLUS: We're all impressed when we pick up magazines, and
newspapers, and learn what the top CEO Chief Executive
Officers. . . of the major corporations in the US. made. The
top one in '87 counting long term compensation made $26
million dollars, Jim Manzi of Lotus Corporation. Lawrence
Rawl of Exxon was the 25th highest paid. . . He made $5.5
million dollars, counting long term compensation...... "I
wonder what those men have in common," you wonder. I
think one thing you can be certain of . . . they stick. . . to
goals. . . to people. . . They just assume failure is part of
succeeding and don't quit when the going gets rough.
Paul was “stuck” to Jesus. That was the determining factor in his
life! His relationship with Christ caused him to suffer pain and
problems. But he was determined to live a life consistent with what
he believed!
2. Dedication. Determination without dedication is no determination
at all. When you are dedicated to something you are willing to give
your life for whatever you are dedicated to.
ILLUS: This simple but wonderful epitaph is inscribed on a
weathered tombstone in England: "In the worst of times, he
did the best of things." The times we live in are difficult;
immorality is rampant; many Christians are lax; but your
duty is to remain faithful. No matter how bad the times,
do the best of things. - Mark Sutton, "Sermon
Illustrations," Proclaim (January-March, 1997) 19
Paul’s life was dedicated to the cause of Christ. He was determined
to live for HIM and also, if need be, die for HIM!
ILLUS: “What Characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports or
sales of some skill? What single quality in a business builds respect
deeper than any other? What brings security in relationships? What
makes us choose a particular brand name over all others? What is
needed most by parents in the home? What draws you to the same
restaurant time and time again? What do you want most from your
paperboy…or milkman…or postman? What will add more weight to
your witness for Christ than anything else? CONSISTENCY.” (Chuck
Swindoll, The Seasons of Life, p. 19)
Paul was a great leader because he was A MAN OF CONSISTENCY, ALSO Paul was…
(2) A MAN OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT
ACTS 20:19a—“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind..”
A. THE MEANING OF GENUINE HUMILITY. Paul said he was “serving
the Lord with all humility of mind..” Humility means "Without
arrogance, pride, or a spirit of dictation; without a desire to “lord it over
God’s heritage”; without being elated with the authority of the apostolic
office, the variety of the miracles which he was enabled to perform, or
the success which attended his labors. What an admirable model for all
who are in the ministry; for all who are endowed with talents and
learning; for all who meet with remarkable success in their work! The
proper effect of such success, and of such talent, will be to produce
true humility. The greatest endowments are usually connected with the
most simple and childlike humility (Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible).
Many claim to be humble today. But as Watchman Nee said, “Genuine
humility is unconscious…God’s workmen must be so emptied of self
that they are unconsciously humble” (3).
ILLUS: Andrew Murray said, "The humble man feels no jealousy or
envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed
before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is
forgotten because...he has received the spirit of Jesus, who
pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor.
Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has put on
the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering,
and humility." Humble people are not conscious of being
humble. As Dr. M. R. De Haan used to say, "Humility is
something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank God
that we have."
B. THE MARK OF GENUINE HUMILITY. Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-
28—“..Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over
them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall
not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be
your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The truly humble
person will be a servant. Somehow our leaders in our Churches have
lost that servant mentality. Those in leadership positions should serve
others as they themselves serve the Lord.
ILLUS: In his excellent book Empowered Leaders, Hans Finzel writes,
“There is nothing about leadership that says we have to make
people think we are powerful and important. On the contrary,
servant leadership finds great strength in serving the needs of
followers…Top-down leadership is out of place in the Church.”
Han’s words cut across the grain of current church leadership
trends. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:6, “Nor of
men sought we glory, neither of you, not yet of others, when we
might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” That’s
a remarkable statement. Good leaders are not self-serving.
They are passionate about meeting the needs of others (4).
Paul was A MAN OF CONSISTENCY and A MAN OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. Also, Paul was:
(3) A MAN OF COMPASSION
ACTS 20:19b—“Serving the Lord…many tears..”
A. PAUL SHARED HIS EMOTIONS. Paul did not hesitate to show his
emotions to others. It says “..many tears..”. "Only eyes washed by
tears can see clearly."- Louis L. Mann- _Instant Quotation Dictionary_,
p. 304. One of the greatest disservices we men teach our children is
that it is not manly to cry. “A tear is a distillation of the soul. It is the
deepest longing of the human heart in chemical solution.”—M. R.
DeHaan (5) Tears win victories. A cold, unfeeling, dry-eyed religion
has no influence over the souls of men” (6).
ILLUS: Many years ago there was a medical missionary in Africa
named George Harley. He built a small clinic and a chapel next
to it. Very quickly the natives started coming to the hospital
but for some reason they refused to go to the church. For the
better part of four years the only people who entered that
chapel were Dr. and Mrs. Harley and their young son.
One day, though, Harley's son fell off a ledge and hit his head
on a sharp rock. The missionary ran to the youngster's side,
but he could not save the boy's life. A casket was made for the
lad from old shipping crates and a memorial service planned.
Only the two missionaries attended, and not a word was
spoken. Dr. Harley recounted, "I could not speak, I could not
pray, so finally I just picked up the casket and put it on my
shoulder and started to carry it out to the place where he
would be buried. As we walked along the road, a man came
alongside and asked, 'Great Father, what do you have in that
box?' I replied, 'It's my son. He died last night.' Then the man
took one end of the casket and I took the other, and we carried
it to the graveside where I broke down completely and began to
cry, 'Why, God, why?'
Then man looked at me and then ran back to the village with
the announcement, shouting it from house to house, 'The
Great Father cries, just like us. The Great Father cries just like
us.' Then they came running from all directions and put their
arms around us, and tried to comfort us. And from that time
on, every time we had a service in the chapel, those who were
not in the clinic were in the chapel. And that's how we finally
got through. But oh, the cost." -- Paul W. Powell, "How to Start
a Church Fire" p. 43-44.
B. PAUL SHOWED HIS COMPASSION. We see Paul’s compassion in his
“many tears.” Paul knew what it was to water the seed of the Word
with tears (v31). Paul wept at the obstinacy and unbelief of some, and
at the distresses and afflictions of others, as well as on account of the
unbecoming walk of some who professed to know Christ. Swindoll says
in his book, Paul, A Man of Grace and Grit, says “I’m grieved by strong
leaders who consistently walk over people…Neither the world nor the
ministry needs more bosses. Both need more leaders—servant-hearted
souls—who lead as Paul led, with sensitivity and affection toward
others…If people know you love and value them, they’ll go to the wire
for you” (Swindoll, p. 226).
Paul was A MAN OF CONSISTENCY, A MAN OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT, A MAN OF COMPASSION, and also…
(4) A MAN THAT FACED MUCH CRITICISM
ACTS 20:19c—“Serving the Lord...with…temptations, which befell
me by the lying in wait of the Jews.”
A. CRITICISM WILL COME. Every leader at one time or another has had
to face criticism. Paul encountered trials and had enemies. Someone
had said, “criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing,
doing nothing and being nothing.” Charles Spurgeon said, “It is only at
the tree loaded with fruit that men throw stones” (7). Paul was doing
the will of God and the devil’s crowd didn’t like it. It is always that way!
Paul said he faced, “…temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait
of the Jews.” The Jews were hardened against Paul’s ministry and
hated the Gospel which he preached. They did not believe it and spoke
evil of it. They laid in wait to take his life. But Paul remained faithful
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears..”
B. CRITICISM WILL EITHER BUILD US OR BREAK US. It is how we
handle criticism when we are faced with it that will determine whether
it builds us or breaks us. Swindoll says of the criticism Paul faced,
“A sure sign of personal insecurity is wanting to be liked by everyone.
peace at any price. Remaining neutral lest someone be offended. Paul
had learned to resist that trap…understood the perils involved in
telling people what they wanted to hear, rather than telling them what
they needed to hear…His motive for ministry wasn’t complicated:
Please God, not people (Charles R. Swindoll, Paul, A Man of Grace and
Grit, p. 221). “I don't worry about what critics think. As far as I can
discover since the beginning of recorded history, no one has ever
erected a statue to a critic. Apparently they must not be held in very
high esteem! - Zig Ziglar
ILLUS: I once heard the story of a young preacher who preached the
truth but was having trouble with one critical parishioner.
This fellow had as his favorite expression, "Great Day."
One Sunday morning the young preacher announced, "I'm
preaching on the text, "And Jesus fed five men with five
thousand loaves of bread and two thousand fishes." The
critical church member stood up and said, "Great day, that's
no miracle! I could do that!"
The young pastor was so shattered that he couldn't even
preach the sermon. The next Sunday, out of spite he
announced correctly, "And Jesus fed five thousand men with
five loaves and two fishes." He then looked right down at his
outspoken member and asked, "And I guess you could do
that too?" The man replied, "I sure could preacher!" The
young pastor asked, "And just how would you do it?" The
man answered, "That's easy! I'd use what was left over from
last Sunday!"
Listen, any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain -- and most
fools do, but we must not let criticism keep us for standing for God!
Paul was a man that faced much criticism, but he didn’t fold up his
tent and quit he kept standing for God!
Paul was A MAN OF CONSISTENCY, A MAN OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT, A MAN OF COMPASSION, A MAN THAT FACED MUCH CRITICISM, and also…
(5) A MAN WHO WAS CONSCIENTIOUS
ACTS 20:20-21—“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable
unto you, but hath shewed you, and taught you publickly,