Leaders need to lead from conviction

Godly leaders live and minister from conviction, keeping the passion for lost people in mind.

In this short inspirational session André Kruger shows why leaders must grow in the evangelistic anointing. Todays’ devotional study is inspired by a devotional reading in his book Increasing Heaven’s Flow (Day 31 Deep Conviction, p75). For more on his teachings and book go to www.heavensflow.org

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

4  For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5  because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.  6  And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7  so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Observation and personal reflection Questions

1. Why could Paul and his company be convinced be convinced that the “God… has chosen” the Thessalonian believers? (verse 4)
2. From this text, what do you learn about…
3. …how God viewed the Thessalonians? (verse 4)
4. …the preaching of Paul and his company? (verse 5)
5. …the response to Paul’s preaching? (verse 6-7)
6. Test yourself in the light of this Scripture. How have you grown in the…
7. …confidence and freedom to preach the gospel? What inhibits you?
8. …the demonstration of the power of the gospel in preaching? What prevents you?
9. …sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading in the sharing of the gospel? What obstructs you?
10. …personal conviction in the sharing of the gospel? What causes doubt?

Application

Paul’s whole life and powerful ministry flowed from a deep, shameless conviction about the life-giving gospel of the risen Christ.  Truly, he believed all men were dead in their sin apart from Christ, and preached that this Gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation; there was no other name by which man could be saved.  Paul’s existence was justified by this conviction.

1. Look yourself in the mirror (or look a good Christian friend in the eyes) and answer these questions:
2. What do you believe about hell? Why do you believe that?
3. What do you believe about eternal life? Why do you believe that?
4. What do you believe are the eternal consequences of your neighbors and colleagues who do not trust in Christ only for their salvation? Why do you believe that?

Prayer

Pray that you may increase in the realities of eternal life and eternal punishment, as well as your personal conviction of Christ’s complete and sure gift of salvation with freedom and demonstration of power in the Holy Spirit.

Five Fold Ministry 4

The aim of this devotional study is to grow in understanding and appreciation of the gift of the evangelist.

Scripture

Acts 8:1-16

1  And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  2  Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3  But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

4  Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.  5  Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.  6  And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

7  For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  8  So there was much joy in that city.

9  But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.  10  They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11  And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.  12  But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13  Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14  Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Observation

Note: Philip was one of the first seven deacons appointed by the apostles (Acts 6:5), and is elsewhere explicitly called “Philip the evangelist who was one of the seven” (Acts 21:8).  This account above follows directly after the execution of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

1. Philip went to “evangelize” (share the “evangeli” or “good news” or “gospel”) in Samaria.
   1. What accompanied the spreading of the gospel? (verses 6-7, 13)
   2. What was the “good news” Philip preached? (verse 12)
   3. What was the result of the preaching of the gospel by Philip the evangelist? (verses 8, 12-13)
   4. What did the church leaders do after the good reception of the gospel by Philip’s preaching? (verses 14-16)

Reflection

1. What is the natural ministry inclination of an evangelist?
2. What do you suspect would be the natural frustration of the evangelist with a local church?
3. If Jesus “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry…” what do you think should the evangelists equip the members in the local church to do?
4. Considering the text above, what is the church’s relationship and responsibility to the evangelist and his/her gift?

Application and prayer

1. Have you been equipped by an evangelistic ministry to share your testimony and share the gospel conviction and power? If not – decide to today to “be equipped for the work of the ministry!” Ask your church leaders to help and pray that God will lead you to be equipped to share his gospel.
2. Do you have evangelists functioning in your local church? If you know them, ask the Lord for more grace and boldness and a platform to teach and inspire in the church. If you do not know any, pray to the Lord for these gifts to raise or add these gifts in your church.
3. Lastly, ask the Lord to infuse you with boldness and passion to share the good news of Jesus where you go today. Whom will you share it with?