Created to Be a Leader

Text: Gen. 1:26 - Men’s Ministries

I. Created To Be a Leader

A. Created in God’s Image / Likeness (Gen. 1:26)

1. God = Majestic, Strong, Patient (Leadership Qualities)

B. God Gave Man Dominion

1. God is Sovereign Lord, KING (Rule, Reign, Realm)

2. God has placed greatness inside of you…Seed form.

· The mighty oak – All it will ever be is confined within its small beginning - inside an acorn shell. (Post, Live Oaks)

a. Young man on the backside of Ur (Chaldean area); called by God to come out of the idol-infested country. Chosen for greatness by God. (Abraham – the Father of our faith)

BRIDGE: As God called to Abraham, He is calling to us today, to rise up and take the mantle of leadership in our respective areas…on our job sites, in our civic duties, in the church & in our homes. It’s easy to become discouraged in leadership, especially when you feel you’re going it alone. That why God has given us the gift of one another.

II. Encouragement to the Leader

A. The Main Emphasis of Men’s Ministries (In a manly setting)

1. Deut. 3:28 – “…command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.”

a. Why did God command Moses to encourage Joshua?

1. New leader coming on the scene (fears, trepidation)

· Comparison to the former leader – shoes to fill??? Plagues, staff = snake, parted the Red Sea, Marah, Entertained the very presence of God, Given the very words of God written by the hand of God.

· Deut. 31:3 “…crossing before you…”

a. A leader must, at times, walk alone, carrying the burden on his own shoulders.

· A leader cannot take his people to places he himself has not been.

b. How did Moses encourage and strengthen Joshua for the monumental task before him?

1. Num. 27:18a “Take Joshua with you.” (Fellowship)

· To the disciples (2x2)- strengthens one another, doesn’t allow the adversary an advantage (note Elijah – depression)

2. Num. 27:18b “…and lay your hand on him.”

a. Two-fold reason:

· Affirmation - Deut. 31:7 – Affirming before all the people that he is the Lord’s choice. This helped to bridge the gap; the tension caused in change of leadership.

· Impartation – The spirit of Moses was imparted to those that he laid his hands upon.