Spirit Enabled Leadership

Saul is enabled by the Holy Spirit to lead the Tribes in a decisive victory.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD LEADER?

Leaders in community, family, government, church, etc??? WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD LEADERS DISPLAY?

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Finding Good Leaders

What kind of person is best able to involve others and himself in good decision making? J. Keith Louden lists seven qualities:

1. The ability to look ahead and see what’s coming—foresight.

2. Steadiness, with patience and persistence and courage.

3. A buoyant spirit that in spite of cares generates confidence.

4. Ingeniousness, the ability to solve problems soundly yet creatively.

5. The ability to help others.

6. Righteousness, the willingness to do the right thing and speak the truth.

7. Personal morality of a quality that commands the respect of others.

A terrifying disaster is about to take place.

Lot’s descendants, Nahash and the Ammonites have come to Jabesh and demanded that all the men come out of the city so they could gouge out their right eye.

Blinding the right eye would have rendered these men unable to fight in battle. the left eye was generally behind a shield, so they could not see to fight....

Isn’t Nahash a nice guy? He does not want to kill them, he wants to maim them.

Here is a MAP:

Jabesh Gilead to Gibeah is almost 40 miles away...

This is the “First Kingly Duty” of Saul.

He leads the people.

He delivers the people.

He encourages the people.

He gives grace to the people.

We will read the story and let it speak for itself adding some commentary along the way....

1 Sam 11-12

In chapter 12, Samuel gives warnings to the people if they follow a human more than they follow God.

Just like the people in crisis said “GIVE US A KING” The world will (and some have been) asking for a New King, a New Government, a New World Order.

As incompetent as many leaders are today - I can understand why there is a renewed call for new way of governing.

Antichrist is probably here now. He may or may not know “He’s the man.”

Saul is filled with the Spirit of God.

1 Samuel 11:6 KJV 1900

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

Here are 3 things the Spirit Enables in Saul...

He is Decisive. 6-7

He is Unifying. 7

He is Graceful. 12-13

The Spirit Enables Us too!

1. He is always in the Christian:

Romans 8:9 KJV 1900

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

2. He is Comforting Us.

John 14:16 KJV 1900

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

3. He is praying for us.

Romans 8:26 KJV 1900

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

4. He can control us if we yield to Him.

Ephesians 5:18 KJV 1900

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

A TURNING POINT IN OUR LIVES ARE WHEN WE ARE “FILLED” OR CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT.

He ”Indwells” us at Salvation.

He can “Fill” or control you today, enabling you to have victory as well.

My Favorite Illustrations Indwelling and Filling by the Spirit

The New Testament speaks of Christians being both indwelt and filled by the Holy Spirit. There is a difference between the two.

Through its wiring system a building may be indwelt by electricity. It is filled with its power only as it is allowed to work through electrical appliances: light bulbs, motors, and the like.

At the moment of regeneration the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (see John 14:17). But the individual is filled by the Spirit when he yields his life to the Spirit’s direction and power. If you wish to be filled with the Holy spirit, you must yield your body, your total self, to Him that He might work in and through you.

Spirit Filled Leaders are the kind of leaders we need.

D and A

What qualities are important to you in a leader?

Why do some call for new leadership?

Explain how decisiveness is needed?

Discuss the unity the Tribes had when following Saul into battle. Why did they respond this way?

Define grace and give examples of showing grace to others.