Blind Spots The Biggest Mistakes

BLIND SPOT THE FIVE BIGGEST MISTAKES SPIRITUAL LEADERS MAKE Dick Mayhue Sr. Vice-President and Provost, The Master’s College Sr. Vice-President and Dean, The Master’s Seminary I.

FIVE TELL-TALE MARKS OF AN OUT-OF-CONTROL SPIRITUAL LEADER A. He is AUTHORITARIAN. His motto is, “My way or the highway!”

B. He is GREEDY. Money (success) is more important than ministry that honors Christ.

C. He is SENSUAL. Emotions such as lust, anger, and/or depression are frequent and intense.

D. He is SITUATIONAL. Wrongs are rationalized as right because (supposedly) the ministry-end justifies the unbiblical means.

E. He is UNACCOUNTABLE. To other godly believers, he continually says, “I answer to no one but God!”

II.

EIGHT FREQUENT PERSONAL DISQUALIFIERS FROM SPIRITUAL MINISTRY A. Moral failure

2 B. Financial indiscretion

C. Doctrinal deviation

D. Relational ineptitude

E. Family disruption

F. Pastoral incompetence

G. Personal slothfulness

H. Spiritual indifference

3 III.

FOUR CORE CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS A. Exodus 18:21 (real life in the Old Testament) 1. Sufficient “able men” (cf. Ruth 3:11 and Proverbs 31:10) a. 2 Timothy 2:2 b. Motivation must be accompanied by ability/skill c. Look at Peter in Acts 2 2. Submitted “who fear God” a. 1 Samuel 16:7 b. Externals be accompanied by right internals c. Look at David in Acts 13:22 3. Spiritual “men of truth” (cf. NIV “trustworthy”) a. Proverbs 3:3–4 b. Knowledge must be accompanied by character c. Look at Zaccheus in Luke 19:1–10, esp. 19:8 4. Steadfast “those who hate dishonest gain” a. 1 Timothy 3:10; 2 Timothy 2:2—“faithful b. Availability must be accompanied by time-testedness c. Look at John Mark in 2 Timothy 4:11 B. Exodus 18:21 (defines real life in the New Testament)

4

Primary Qualities

Exodus 18:21

Acts 6:3

1 Tim. 3:1-7, 10

Christ

SUFFICIENT

able men

whom we may put in charge

3:4-5,7

Matt. 9:28-30

SUBMITTED

who fear God

full of the Spirit

3:1

Matt. 26:39

SPIRITUAL

men of truth

full of wisdom

3:2-3

Luke 2:52

STEADFAST

who hate dishonest gain

good reputation

3:6,10

Matt. 4:1-11

IV.

SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS OF EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (2 Timothy 2:1–26) A. Reproducing, disciple-making teacher (2:1,2)

B. Loyal, sacrificing soldier (2:3,4)

C. Disciplined, committed athlete (2:5)

D. Faithful, enduring farmer (2:6)

5 E. Skilled, accurate craftsman (2:14–19)

F. Holy, usable vessel (2:21,22)

G. Humble, peaceable bond-servant (2:23–26)

V.

FIVE MAJOR BLIND-SPOTS OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS A. A PRAGMATIC spiritual leader—one who fails to consistently build his ministry on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture.

B. A HYPOCRITICAL spiritual leader—one who fails to habitually live at the highest level of spiritual example.

C. A PRIDEFUL spiritual leader—one who fails to cultivate true humility, personally and pastorally.

6 D. A NEGLECTFUL spiritual leader—one who fails to balance the commitments of feeding the flock and shepherding the sheep.

E. An INDIFFERENT spiritual leader—one who fails to work hard in the ministry.

VI.

SIX HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS A. Max DePree, Leadership Is An Art, Dell. B. John MacArthur, Influence, Thomas Nelson. C. Larry J. Michael, Spurgeon on Leadership, Kregel. D. Steve Miller, C.H. Spurgeon on Spiritual Leadership, Moody. E. Donald T. Phillips, Lincoln on Leadership, Warner. F. J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, Moody.