Leadership

Joshua 24:29-31

Introduction:

When we hear the word leadership we think of many different definitions. We think of those who lead our nation, those who lead our industry and business and even those who lead our churches and worship. We all seem to have to some extent an image of what a leader should be like, look like or speak like. Well God doesn’t necessarily share our views, he has historically chose the most unlikely candidates for leadership, those who were not the most well spoken, the best dressed, or the best educated. However God always has chosen the person with the best heart for the job. Tonight look with me at Joshua Gods example of a leader, Joshua was first of all.

I. A man of Humility

A. Before He was a Leader, He was willing to serve.

1. For forty years he served under Moses in the wilderness

2. He was known as “Moses’ Assistant”, “his servant” Exo24:13

[Leaders are people who willingly serve others this helps prepare them to lead]

B. Even as a Leader, He was willing to serve

1. Though having been magnified by the Lord himself (by the parting of the Jordan,

God magnified Joshua in the eyes of his people)

2. He was still willing to serve One greater than himself

Jos 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, [Art] thou for us, or for our adversaries? (14) And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? (15) And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.

Leaders don’t confuse responsibility with authority, they know when its time to

lead and time to serve.

[Joshua’s humility is evidenced as we consider another quality that we find in him, Joshua was]

II. A man of Faith and Trust in God

A. As Demonstrated when sent to spy out the Land

1. Ten of the twelve spies demonstrated their lack of faith in God by their report

[Joshua and Caleb were the only two of twelve who had Faith regardless of the

Situation in Canaan]

B. As Demonstrated in the Fall of Jericho

1. The Lord gave him the instructions to take the city-Joshua 6:1-5

[concerning Jericho, Joshua never doubted the word of God]

Hebrews 11:30 tells us that it was faith that fell the walls of Jericho

[Preach faith in God for their pastor not for their own vision of what they want]

[Another quality Joshua had that made him a great leader is that he was a]

III. A man of God’s word

A. Time and again, we see that Joshua was true to the word

1. Joshua reminded the two and one half tribes of their responsibilities

Joshua 1:12-15 [they were required to fight for Israel]

2. In renewing the covenant at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim

[As Moses ask Joshua made sure that the law was placed before them]

3. A summary of Joshua’s devotion is found in [Joshua 11:15, what God wanted

God got]

We need to heed the charge God gave Joshua which is similar to the one Paul gave Timothy 1Ti 4:13-16 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Not only is Joshua a man of faith and trust he also is

IV. A man of Prayer

A. We see Him praying for his peoples failures

1. Following the defeat at Ai – Joshua 7:6-9 [after Israel got defeated at Ai,

Joshua knew something was wrong so he sought God, the reason, and His forgiveness

And Israel’s restoration.

B. We see Him Praying in the midst of warfare

1. As Israel is routing the kings of the south – Joshua 10:9-14

[If Joshua had not been a man of prayer, and aid of the Lord would not have

been provided. When leaders need all the help they can get, they need to be

men of prayer] The lord heard Joshua and fought for Israel

Finally from what we have covered we should see that Joshua was a

V. Man who put God First

A. Before Business at hand

1. In the middle of a military campaign [business was never more important than

God]

2. When it looks like you have gave your enemies the time to join forces, [by

putting God first he will be glorified and the victory will be yours]

B. Before Others.

1. He cared not what others might do or think, he world serve the Lord, his strong

stand influenced others for good Jos 24:14-16 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. (15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (16) And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Conclusion:

The qualities that made Joshua a strong leader was humility, faith, trust, following Gods word, prayer and putting God first. These same qualities still make strong leaders there is no doubt that today with our world in such sad shape; we have too many times thrown away or sacrificed these qualities. If we are going to claim Jesus as our savior and God as our Father we must be will to follow their requirement for our service. Before we can lead others to them we must be willing to serve them. God doesn’t always call the prepared but He will always prepare the called, if we will be like Joshua, willing to serve as he was with Moses. God will prepare us, we must be willing to be patient it took 40 years for Joshua, but when God was ready to cut him loose, nothing could stop him. I challenge you tonight to examine yourself, remove the phrase “I can’t” from you vocabulary and turn yourself over to God and trust Him to prepare you for his service. Stand with me please.

Gilead Baptist Church

November 4, 2003