They were now well into the dangerous season; as Luke notes, even the Fast had now gone by. I suspect so. Paul's leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. God does not jump through our hoops and thus Paul never presumed that he had Gods power on tap to use when and how he chose. Pay attention to the type of men they chose to handle this problem. He did get disgusted. They made port in Sidon, a city about 70 miles north of Caesarea. That safety is only in Christ. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Paul was spared so that he could go to Rome, and there proclaim the gospel. Examples of democratic leaders. If their safety was assured then let them do what they could to help themselveslet them eat. I would like to have heard that prayer, but Lukes silence here requires us to wait till heaven to find out what was said. As the journey to Rome continues, there are yet to be more signs and wonders accomplished through the hands of Paul (see 28:3-10). This channel is the place between two seas. Here the ship, in Smiths words, would strike a bottom of mud graduating into tenacious clay, into which the fore part would fix itself and be held fast, whilst the stern was exposed to the worst of the waves. After the long battering which the ship had endured for the past two weeks, its exposed part could not take this further punishment, and it quickly disintegrated. Bruce, p. 494. To Paul, the sovereignty of God was not an excuse to avoid his human obligations or his personal responsibility; it was the motivation for him to live responsibly. Servant Leaders in the Bible | Servant Leader | Servant | Leadership If the sailors didnt believe Paul, the soldiers did. His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong (Titus 1:6-9). The decision that faced these sailors is not an uncommon one, even in our day. But Pauls concern here was not for himself, but for others. Paul lived dangerously, in one respect, but no one could have been any safer. I do not agree. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. Authoritarian Church Leadership and the Individual Freedom - CULTWATCH You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. The angry mob, which the Asian Jews had incited in Jerusalem, were trying to kill Paul, but God used Claudius Lysias and his soldiers to save his life. Consider these two things: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home (Titus 1:8). There is no place safer than the place of obedience to the Word of God. The dangerous season for sailing began about September 14 and lasted until November 11; after the latter date all navigation on the open sea came to an end until winter was over. Examples of democratic leaders? - Answers Discouraged by the disapproval of Jesus, yet blessed by the warmth and affection of Jesus. If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? PDF Looking at Leadership: Lessons from 1 and 2 Kings - Good Faith Media Nelson Mandela (1918-2013).South African political leader victim of the racial policies of Apartheid that segregated black and white, in favor of the former. When the ship set sail, they began to encounter unfavorable winds. Did he do anything? He had already survived one shipwreck, and he knew the dangers of sea travel: Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. He turned to the centurion and the soldiers and gave them what were really orders: Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved (verse 31). These passengers were spared, I suspect, so that they could not only hear the gospel, but experience the hope which the gospel gives, and the power by which the gospel saves unworthy sinners. They would hardly wish to be close to shore in the storm anyway, for there was more danger of the ship breaking up on the rocks than of it breaking up in the open sea. They want to use numbers and influence decisions based upon voting power. About midnight on the fourteenth day, the sailors determined that land was nearing because the depth of the sea below had diminished from twenty fathoms to fifteen. He . In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. While there are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible, there are some you are probably more familiar with than others. It was, I believe, for the sake of the gospel that Paul and these passengers were saved. 2:2). Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. Democratic Leadership Style: Definition, Characteristics, Examples Doing so would be certain death, for the larger vessel offered more protection, so long as it held together. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. After all, the ships captain and the pilot had more experience, and they also had more to lose. Paul tells the soldiers that the sailors must remain on board ship, if they themselves are to be saved. Pauls leadership emerged in a democratic society. We are told that the majority reached the decision to sail on, rather than to winter in Fair Havens. I would think that Paul would have more reason to be reckless than these seasoned seamen and the centurion, because he was a Christian. Pauls skillfulness and leadership gave the gospel a credibility it would not have otherwise have had in the eyes of these people. Imagine this, they would have Paul to thank for their deliverance. This problem would require the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, which is foundational to Godly leadership. The great leaders of the Bible, men like Joseph, Moses, David, and Daniel, were men who had an impact because they were men of God, men of great skill and ability, and men who God raised up. Peter: Leaders recover from failure. He spoke prophetically of the fate of the ship and its passengers. Flee to safety today. It was still late at night, too dark to try to make shore until it was light. They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. And Joshua did so.". On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. 1 Timothy 3:5. He wanted to spare him, and so he forbade them from killing any of the prisoners.564 All of the prisoners were spared, on account of one personPaul, just as all of the passengers were spared for Pauls sake. Paul was kept safe, and as a result, all of those with him were saved as well. It is as certain as the salvation of His own. Lets examine some of these, because whether you lead one, a few, or many we all have to lead. One church member compliments your Sunday morning message, the next complains about your quoting Carl Jung because he is not a Christian. Pauls leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. How does Pauls safety relate to you? 5 Inspiring Leadership Lessons From Biblical Characters - FaithPot Thus, he did not expect a miracle, nor did he even ask for one. God used the centurion, who had come to deeply respect and admire Paul, to spare him, along with the rest. There are also plenty of real-life examples of leadership in action. Proud member I have always looked upon the Apostle Paul as a godly man, a zealous servant of Jesus Christ, and a powerful preacher of the gospel. They followed Paul because he knew where he was going and inspired confidence in others to follow him. Paul was overruled. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? The grounding of the ship, some distance from shore, and then its breaking up poses another threat, which all survive. in 1971. The centurion did not seem to be concerned with any of the prisoners, except one Paul. Everyone speaks their minds in team meetings. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. As time went on, as Paul was better known, and as the crises on board the ship became more pronounced, Paul stepped forward, giving both direction and hope to all the others on ship. This harbour would protect them for a time from the winds. Now, no one had the use of this boat. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). The Greek-speaking Jewish believers complained that their widows were being overlooked in the distribution of food when compared to the widows who were Hebrew-speaking. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Now, in our text, Paul is again in great danger. It was the crew of the ship who lived dangerously, foolishly risking the ship, the cargo, and the lives of all on board, just to get ahead a little. The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. Democratic Leadership - Explained by a CEO: Pros/Cons, Examples During the night, an angel of God had appeared to Paul, with a sure and certain word about the future, a word that would bring encouragement to all on board ship. Related articlesHow and Why Should I Pray for Leaders?An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others, Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. What Does the Bible Say About Democracy? - OpenBible.info They boarded this ship and set sail. Clearly the answer is yes. Paul was as secure as any man could be. He had a special place. 15:24; 16: 2-3). He would build the walls on faith. They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Ex. If that doesn't work, he outlasts them. I am not certain that anyone ever thought of Paul as the leader, but he did lead and they followed. In Matthew 16, Peter was both a "rock" and a "stumbling block." Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. Paul was a prisoner, on his way to stand trial before Caesar in Rome. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. Salem Media Group. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to serve as a governor in the United States when she was inaugurated in Wyoming. Paul spoke up, cautioning them about sailing on any further, and warning them that if they pressed on this would result in the loss of lives and property. This journey began on an Adramyttian ship, which took them as far as Myra, where they boarded an Alexandrian ship, headed for Italy. Those who could swim should jump first, and make their way to shore. los lderes demcratas (41) dirigentes socialdemcratas (18) lderes democrticos (15) lderes demcratas (13) demcratas (8) If elected in free elections, the usurpers of power are usually democratic leaders. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:8-10). Nobody said it would be easy. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Unsaved men do not have the answers. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Hence the battle to maintain a westerly course, aided, it appears, by a veering of the wind to the east, as the cyclonic disturbance shifted its centre. Blaiklock p. 190. Paul was a leader here because people followed him. Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. 31 What then shall we say to these things? The centurion respected and trusted Paul a great deal, as can be seen by his previous dealings with him (see verse 3). Great leaders focus on serving those who follow them. When they set sail from Fair Havens, fifty or sixty miles brought them under the lee of Cauda (v. 16); on the fourteenth night from Cauda they drew near the coast of Malta (v. 27), and the next day (v. 39) they landed on that island, where they spent three months (28:11). 562 St. Pauls circumstances certainly do no give him any status, any clout, with anyone on board that ship. Far to the south, off the African coast, lay the notorious Syrtes (17), the graveyard of many ships, as underwater archaeology has vividly revealed in recent years. Pastor Appreciation Month and Pastor Appreciation Day are great opportunities every October to show how much you care for your pastor and church leaders. 12 Leaders in the Bible Inspirational and Passionate - Bibilium Let us, like Paul, have a word from God for such needy times as ours. The sovereignty of God means that He is not at our disposal, to carry out our whims or wishes, but that we are at His disposal. The Bible is pretty clear about what Godly leadership looks like. Their actions revealed that they did not believe Pauls words of assurance, that all would be saved, though the ship would be grounded and destroyed. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. What is the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular leadership? Misconceptions about "Real" Leadership vs. Servant Leaders. (1 Kings 18:27). Your family. It was drifting wherever the storm carried it. Had they heeded his warnings, this would not have happened. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. The doctrine of Gods sovereignty is multi-faceted, something which careless and thoughtless Christians often forget or set aside. In a storm, control of the ship is limited, and so navigating a narrow entrance to a port would be almost impossible. How this decision would be regretted, and soon! What grace was made evident in this storm! "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. They took down the sail, which would have been ripped to shreds by the winds, and lashed down the rudders, which would have been broken up as they were smashed against the ship by the waves. Examples of delegated authority include parents and their children, masters and their servants, priests serving in the temple, and Christian leaders, as Christ's servants, with the members of a church. Scripture offers examples of both. When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. When this happens, there will be no protection for the lost. Here is a list of famous examples of democratic leaders: Dwight Eisenhower, The 34th U.S. President Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple Larry Page, Co-founder of Google Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter Read more about these Famous examples of democratic leadership and feel inspired. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. The most probable account is that they dropped a floating anchor or drift anchor, which was dragged astern at the end of a rope of suitable length so as to offer the maximum resistance every time the ship plunged down from the crest of a wave. Bruce, p. 486. (1) A look at leadership. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). Paul was frequently the instrument through which Gods power was manifested. They all waited for the morning light. Take aids, or drugs, for example. 554 The wind would tend to blow the ship much more quickly than the current, and so a sea anchor would reduce the force of the wind on the ship by using the sea as a brake. Christianity is not a fair weather religion. Gods promise was fulfilled, just as Paul had said He would. It was only some forty miles to Lutro. Robertson, p. 461. He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. It would seem that they had fasted nearly two weeksthroughout the entire time the storm was raging. Paul and a number of other prisoners were put aboard an Adramyttian ship,542 which was setting sail for ports along the coast of Asia. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. Leaders in this category encourage creativity while members are highly engaged. The job or position title does not make you a leader. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. 1. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong (Titus 1:9). Up to this point in time, they had gone a long while without food. In so doing, the sailors would not only be abandoning ship, they would be abandoning all the passengers on board ship, leaving them helpless. (2) The Sovereignty of God and Mans Safety. 7 Great Leaders From The Bible | Jack Wellman - Christian Crier Moses is remembered as the liberator, the leader, the law-giver, the prophet, and the intermediary in the covenant between God and the Jewish people. If Paul had been incompetent and impotent in this time of crisis, who would have wanted to hear him tell about faith in Jesus as the Messiah? I do not believe that Lukes central purpose in Acts 27 is to teach us about leadership, but I do think that Pauls leadership is very apparent in our text. The approaching land brought a new temptation to the sailors, who better than anyone else knew they were coming upon land.559. Pauls execution was sought by the Sanhedrin, which first tried to execute him legally (like Stephen) and then by assassination, but God used Roman soldiers once again to spare His servant. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. The bottom line is that everyone leads in some fashion, be it great or small. The sovereignty of God means that we dare not presume that God will work a miracle for us, at the time and in the way we choose, due to our foolishness, carelessness, or sin. What he recognized was the person who had the ability to help bring deliverance to the Jews was Esther. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). He must live wisely and be just. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. Leading others is just too big of a responsibility for us to handle without continual prayer. Many of the great democratic leaders in history are today cult object and recognition, as an example to follow in the fight for more just, peaceful and orderly societies.. Inclusive Meetings A weekly meeting provides the best illustrations of the democratic ideology. A true leader has to be brutally honest with all those he comes in contact with. (4) The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility. These people saw first hand the hope of the gospel in Paul, when all hope was lost. The potential gains were minimal, while the potential loss was great. Vision Statements of 12 Great Leaders in the Bible Others decided Paul and the other prisoners should set sail, and so Paul and they were turned over to Julius. Moses. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. He left this to God. Thus, the sailors continually took soundings, measuring the depth below them, so that they could discern, far in advance, their approach to land (which would be indicated by progressively diminishing depths). There are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible as God has always raised up men and women to lead others. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! Not once or twice the world has had to thank the great saints and mystics for providing timely help in moments of crisis when realistic, practical men of affairs were unable to supply it. Bruce, p. 475. The assassination conspiracy was still the main hope of the Sanhedrin as Paul was imprisoned for two years by Felix, but God kept Paul from Jerusalem. But today, we want to focus on a . You are the foundation. To reinforce his words, Paul now did what he urged each of them to dohe ate. Bureaucratic leadership is defined as a form of leadership in which there is a hierarchy of authority that creates rules for management and decision making. His church was a murmuring people. If the relative safety of the passengers was in being on board ship, with Paul, our certain safety is in being in Christ. He has weathered the storm of Gods wrath on the sinner. Now, when they knew where they wanted to go, they again began to rig the ship for sailing, to whatever degree this could be done in such a storm. He must live a devout and disciplined life. They were also able to build a church that met in their home. These prisoners were (pardon me for this) twice pardoned.. He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. A democratic leader likes people who disagree with them and challenge their views. There were no petty thieves on board this ship. Remember this applies whether you are leading one or many. Effective leaders have the courage to speak even when it is unpopular to speak because they speak the truth with love. 3 Servant Leadership Examples in the Bible - Crosswalk.com 18 Bible verses about Examples Of Leadership - Knowing Jesus When you study closely, you will discover these examples of leadership in the Bible can help you address all of lifes situations. They were not men who manipulated people or their circumstances in order to further their own power or position. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. For others it extends beyond the walls of your home possibly into your community, your job, or even your ministry. The otherstwo hundred and seventy-six in allfollowed his example. Food supplies may have been washed overboard or ruined by moisture. I do not think that Pauls words were meant as a typical I told you so so much as they were spoken to motivate his peers to listen to him now. If Gods sovereignty is the source of comfort to the Christian, it is the source of terror for the unbeliever, for God has warned of His coming judgment. It seems as thought they had left it in the sea, towed along behind, when the storm suddenly came upon them and swamped it. 551 Although there almost certainly would have been some loss of life, apart from divine intervention. This centurion was to develop a deep respect for Paul, so that he would extend considerable liberties to him, take seriously his advice, and make every effort to protect him. The journey was delayed by unfavorable winds. The broad issue is that of leadership. There is nothing wrong with a healthy fear of danger. Had people ceased eating, in part perhaps, because they thought they were going to die anyway? Smith suggests that the mainyard is meant; an immense spar, probably as long as the ship, which would require the united efforts of passengers and crews to launch overboard. Bruce p. 486. All in all, it would be best to wait out the storm at sea. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Pauls safety and deliverance was so certain that it was sufficient for others as well. of Verses 9-13 describe a crucial decision that was made. If you possess these types of qualifications, would that make you a better leader? He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity. The non-swimmers could wait a little longer, perhaps for the ship to further break up, and then clinging to some piece of floating wreckage, paddle their way to shore. Some Christians are inclined to live their lives sloppily, believing that because God is sovereign He will, on demand, produce a miracle to deliver us from the fruits of our own foolishness. This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. He sold his land and gave it to the church treasury. He has been beaten by the storm of Gods anger toward sin. He was generous and that in itself bridges the gaps of selfish and greedy people if God's grace is given the opportunity to be operative. Here is one passage that talks about the qualifications of a leader. Now they were ready for the days activities. One more detail about the future was revealed by Paul: the ship must run aground on a certain, but unnamed, island. He loved God. Paul was not striving to be a leader here, but simply trying to be of help. Your Bible study. I see people working for a place a leadership, rather than working to serve others, and letting leadership develop or not on its own. When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. Paul had courage in the face of opposition because he had limitless horizons in his mission.