Session 17: Leaders

We live in a day and age when leaders are generally not trusted and respected.
Children are not inclined to show respect towards their parents and other leaders in their lives.
Employees don’t give their leaders the benefit of the doubt.
Citizens disrespect their national leaders, and the media mocks them.
Leadership is handcuffed in the democratic climate of our churches.

I have spent my life dealing with the issue of leadership. Think of the following illustrations from just my last week of experiences.
• India: ECI/FMPB/CGC—ETTC (one head bishop)
• NYC: MAN; CCC (two network bishops)
• One of our resource center churches/networks blowing up over confusion of leadership
• All night Thursday night—BILD Executive
Leadership Team
• Movie— Last King of Scotland
• This week— Leaders and the Early Church course

Our enterprises/main body of work
BILD —Biblical Institute of
Leadership Development
Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development
25 courses —lifetime work

is critical to the course of our lives and ministries: It affects our life opportunities and intertwines with our personal destinies.
We need to learn this and accept it if we are going to be anywhere near the center of God’s plan.

Artisanship and the Lifelong
Pursuit of Wisdom
Part I Artisanship: Mastering Your Craft
(3 messages)
Part II The Skillful Life
(6 messages)
Part III The Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
(2 messages)

Artisanship and the Lifelong
Pursuit of Wisdom
Part II The Skillful Life
(6 messages)
There is a wisdom corpus (body of literature) in the O.T.
It gives us a taxonomy (disciplined framework) by which to live life.
We must master this wisdom body of literature!

Artisanship and the Lifelong
Pursuit of Wisdom
Basics of a Skillful Life (A Perfect Taxonomy)
B.
Character and Mental Acumen
C.
Money, Honesty, and Disciplined Work Habits
D.
Marriage, Children, and an Ordered Home
E.
Emotions, Words, and Skill in Conflict
F.
Authority, Respect, and Generational Harmony

We have created a tool to guide you in mastering the
Proverbs.
In fact, we have a course and resource notebook with tabs, worksheets, and a reader . . . and eventually videos and a workbook.

The Skillful Life
65 Categories
6
…living harmoniously in community
…respect for authority and administration
…kinds of generations
…justice
…a habit of lifelong learning
…character development
33
• character types
• character traits
• mental acumen
One leading a skillful life
…disciplined in work
…honest and fair practices
…good use of money
6
…dealing wisely and fairly with people
14
…control of emotions and words
...handling conflict
…well ordered home
…an excellent wife
…discipline of children
6

Core Life Skills
Authority, Respect, and Generational Harmony
Leaders
Honor, humility, and power in high places
Corruption and injustice
Rights of the poor and oppression
Citizenry, living harmoniously in community
Kinds of generations

Leaders
5 types of people in the proverbs today:
1. Top leader (king, ruler, leaders in charge)
2. Administration/other leaders (servants, officials, prominent leaders)
3. Aspiring leaders
4. Thriving people (or hiding people)
5. Poor people (poor, needy, destitute)

Leaders
The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.
Proverbs 16:10
“A divine decision is in the lips of the king.” (NASB)
Oracle = divine decision by oracle, delivering it as a verdict. It is the equivalent of a divine decision.
The meaning here is a little difficult to get at. This is a good king. It may mean that it is almost like God speaking; but probably it means that the Lord will honor the decision —it is how God works.

Leaders
It appears that God works through (even honors) decisions of those in top authority.
The point here is that it is critical that these leaders do not err in their judgment. They need to know what they are doing and make careful decisions.

Leaders
Fear the Lord and the king, my son,
And do not join with the rebellious,
For those two will send sudden destruction upon them,
And who knows what calamities they can bring?
Proverbs 24:21 –22
This is an unusual way to relate the Lord and the king.
“those two will send.” It is sort of like a partnership. We will come back to this special relationship later.

Leaders
Rebellious = “intriguing” officials (Waltke) literally to change, to be different.
The semantic range is from “to be different to demand change to rebel.” It pictures one who disguises himself (different clothes), to change one’s clothes.
Watch out for those who want change, disguise themselves, have intriguing ideas that —outside of full debate —seem better.
Avoid getting involved with those plotting to undermine legitimate authority and seize power for themselves.
(Waltke)

Leaders
12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
Proverbs 16:12
Detest = disfavor, repulsion.
Favor and disfavor is the issue here. When you do wrong you fall out of favor with leaders.

Leaders
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
Proverbs 16:13
Take pleasure = strong desire, favor, approval
Value = like or love
It is best to be honest and frank around authorities.
They will value this. Often a person is careful and measured around authorities. Believe me, leaders can see it. A person who is not straight forward is not likeable.

Leaders
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.
Proverbs 16:14
King = king, ruler of various status (KB)
It pictures a leader who is in authority. The leader in charge, head of a department, governor, bishop, etc.
Both leaders of nations and the people of God are in view here.
Appease —give a gift, pacify
Again, the issue of favor

Leaders
15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
Proverbs 16:15
Again favor is in view.
Again and again we see that kings have a lot of authority and granting favor is how the system works.
It needs to be fair, but regardless, it is the way the world works.

Leaders
The idea of being in and out of a leader’s favor seems like an arbitrary and mostly a bad thing to us. It seems unfair, that our rights are not protected in some way.
But this is not the way to think about it. Authority is established by God —good or bad authority. God will use it to accomplish his purposes, to develop character in our lives, and many other things as we shall see as we go along this morning.
How we respond will tell us, God, and in many cases the ruler leader himself what we are made of.

Leaders
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool;
Much less are lying lips to a prince. (NASB)
Proverbs 17:7
Excellence = speech of nobles (Waltke) outstanding, out of the ordinary, superiority
Prince = nobleman, a powerful and respected member of a king’s court
Top leaders need a level of eloquence, outstanding speech. They must have good ability to communicate.
But there must also be an integrity about their speech. Public speaking and persuasion must be part of their repertoire.

Leaders
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
Proverbs 20:8, 26
Winnows — scatter out (KB) cast away, disperse (TWOT)
A top leader needs to be able to get rid of some people.
This is an idea that is often regarded as not caring about people, but just caring about the cause or goal. People who think this way just do not understanding leadership.

Leaders
Again, this is an idea we have a hard time with. Notice the increased intensity of the 2 proverbs:
20:8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
20:26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
A big part of the role is judging. In the first proverb, his eyes see the problems and scatter the evil. In the second one he rolls the wheel over the wicked and crushes them, then flings them out like worthless chaff. All part of top leadership.

Leaders
Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.
Proverbs 20:18
Here we have in view the key leader getting good advisors around him. Many leaders make up a top leader’s team.

Leaders
Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
Proverbs 20:28
Here we see the balance. A leadership is made secure by both having the ability to get rid of people, and yet a true love for people —the whole of his people. He protects the unity of the leadership for the good of the people he loves and protects.
But I thought in a democracy the people protect themselves and therefore need to listen to those who would undermine strong leadership? (3x)

Leaders
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1
Another idea is now brought into balance —this idea of favor. If we are afraid of the power and favor of a king, we fail to recognize that it is the Lord who is shaping that favor. Sort of a divine system is being revealed.

Leaders
2
3
4
5
6
7
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith; remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
Proverbs 25:2 –7 (in pairs)

Leaders
2
3
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Proverbs 25:2 –7 (in pairs)
I said earlier I would come back to this mysterious relationship of the Lord and kings.
This is a very important and, again, foreign idea to many of us in our American culture.

Leaders
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
25:3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
3 key words:
Conceal = hide (oneself and the secret things) (KB)
A matter = happening, event, thing (LN)
Search out = search out, discover, probe, examine, test, i.e. to try to find out information about an object or event (LN)
Matter is same word again
Unsearchable = not knowable, places not able to be learned about; fathoming, to have an understanding about (LN) cannot investigate (KB)

Leaders
The idea seems to be this:
God has hidden many of His plans and glorious things for man to discover.
Kings and rulers, distinguished nobles, and unusually gifted leaders are gifted to explore many of these and see things others do not.
These few, chosen by God, are unsearchable by most people. They have a special calling. Again, this is just the way things are. Good leaders will open doors of “thriving and prosperity” to the people they lead.

Leaders
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;
5 remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
Proverbs 25:2 –7 (in pairs)
A glimpse here into what happens when the wicked are removed, a people are established in community. Out comes great material for people to work with.
We will come back to this in our thriving/hiding proverbs in a moment.

Leaders
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman
Proverbs 25:2 –7 (in pairs)
A word to aspiring leaders:
These things are exciting. But don’t think you know as much as you think you do. Be aware of the first
2 pairs and be a faithful servant where you are asked to serve. God will exalt you if He wants.

Leaders
Progression of these 3 pairs:
Kings given special abilities.
When they deal with certain people, gold comes out.
Wait for leaders to chose you.

Leaders
12
14
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure.
Proverbs 29:12, 14
Back to the top leader’s leaders. Leaders (different word) —to govern, be in charge over persons or governments (LN)
Lies = either false or useless info (infers a leader is really not looking into the matter carefully and accepts what he want to hear
Officials = ministers; lower status, serving a superior
(usually used of religious leaders) (LN)

Leaders
Here the pattern is becoming clearer.
The top leader is given special ability to see into the times, the events happening. What if he does not do his job? He relies on advisors who are not part of the true search —not nobles of weight. Others know it, realizing the leader lacks integrity, become corrupt themselves, and start looking out for their own interests.
Vision and higher purpose leave the scene.

Leaders
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.
Proverbs 28:15 –16
Here is a ruler who fails to grasp the significance of his role and call, his uniqueness as a tool of God, and serves himself.
He will have a horrible effect on his people. We have seen ruler after ruler in the 20th century devour his people.

Leaders
Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that man gets justice.
Proverbs 29:6
Now to the people being led/ruled.
If you are seeking justice and protection, don’t assume that your ultimate card to play is top leaders. Rather the Lord. God has set up the leader system, but He is in charge of everything ultimately.

Leaders
31 The sayings of King Lemuel —an oracle his mother taught him:
2 “O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows,
3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 “It is not for kings, O Lemuel — not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:1 –9

Leaders
What is he saying and not saying in this cluster of
Proverbs? What is parallel and what is not parallel?
1. He is saying be disciplined and intentional about your roles and responsibilities as a leader.
He is not saying refuse to drink wine or enjoy life with your wife (Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes)
2. He is saying use your decision making power as a leader to help others less fortunate.
He is not saying provide wine and beer so those who are less fortunate can drown their sorrows.

Leaders
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
Proverbs 11:14
As a key leader, multiple strong leaders and advisors need to be part of the whole picture.
This is critical for any leader in the key position (special position) —king, etc.—to understand. With all we have learned about the special place of a top leader at this time, it is far from a one man show. Without a strong team the nation/religious community will fail.

Leaders
A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
Proverbs 14:28
A leader needs to build a critical mass!
Waltke “withdrawal of popular allegiance topples a leader…this must be held in tension with the biblical teaching that large numbers are of little value with the
Lord’s presence.”

Leaders
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury — how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
Proverbs 19:10
This simply says that top leaders are prepared and developed over time, and that it is proper for them to be cared for well. It is a shame to any nation, people or community when there is a dearth of leaders and fools take over.

Leaders
When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.
When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Proverbs 28:12, 28
Now let’s turn to the power of leaders.
They can either ruin a people, or provide a tremendous platform for people, industry, and enterprise to thrive!
Notice the two main contrast words: “hiding/thrive”
Thrive = be numerous, become great, accomplish great things

Leaders
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:2,16,18
3 more proverbs of the same: the power of leaders to enable a people (nation, religious people, etc.) to thrive.
The last proverb is key.
Revelation = prominent appearance; strong covenant agreement (LN) vision (KB) = (strong leadership with strong vision)

Leaders
Collectively the last 5 proverbs communicate that good leadership matters.
1. Good leaders brings people joy; bad leadership sends people into hiding. (Stalin, Pol Pot, Hitler,
Amin, etc. etc. etc.)
2. Good leadership provides a context for people to thrive in their lives; bad leadership causes them to withdraw.
3. Good leadership provides the kind of vision that keeps people disciplined/makes them great; bad leaders empowers sin and lack of restraint.

Leaders
A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
Proverbs 14:35
Again, the task of an aspiring leader is to become wise —skillful.

Leaders
Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
Proverbs 22:29
More specifically, in the work that you have been given by leaders (work, positions of leadership), become skillful. The praise for your skill will work its way up to the top. You will be noticed.

Leaders
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Proverbs 19:12
He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.
Proverbs 22:11
Key to rising in your own leadership is to gain favor of top leaders by sincerity and graciousness. Not demanding change and upsetting the leader.

Leaders
1
2
3
When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
Proverbs 23:1 –3
This is a very interesting little section.
Here the “persistent social climber is gently chaffed.” (Kidner)
Great issues are at hand if you are with a top leader. Don’t assume too much, nor get carried away by the moment. You are probably being tested. Try to discern what is up.

Leaders
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15
This is a nice proverb to end with.
This whole study may produce insecurity in you. The biblical leader has lots of power to affect your entire life. That is scary —well, besides God being in control of the leader, and you also have some control. You can skillfully and gently persuade. The onus is on the patience of the one under authority (not today).

Leaders —Baker’s Dozen
1.
A top leader’s pressures and emotions are real; causing them to grant favor and delight in people they are entrusting responsibility to. This is just reality.
2. To find favor with top leaders is a good thing but should never be done dishonestly or manipulatively.
3. It is important to live and serve wisely and speak honestly and forthrightly with leaders, and God will use it to cause your work to advance and your life to prosper.
4. Leaders make a difference in our lives. Good leaders will provide a context for us to prosper and thrive, living with purpose, and bad leaders will drive us into hiding.

Leaders —Baker’s Dozen
5. It is proper for leaders to enjoy a certain lifestyle and good things, but this should never be abused or allowed to distract them from their calling of serving people, especially the poor. It is fitting and needed for top leaders to be well provided for.
6. Top leaders should recognize their rare opportunity to seek out the times and the mystery of the opportunity and events put in front of them, knowing that God appoints leaders and works His ways through them.
7. Aspiring leaders need to adopt a reputation of wise service, not constantly calling attention to themselves or claiming that they ought to be being advanced.

Leaders —Baker’s Dozen
8. Top leaders need to assemble good advisors and use those advisors rather than listen to outside people who might be telling them what they want to hear. They must be careful to build a strong team of leaders around them.
9. An aspiring leader should become skillful in his work and with any task he has been delegated; if he wants to be used to his fullest potential.
10. Aspiring leaders should be careful not to join in with those “intriguing officials,” leaders on the team with better ideas, not really fitting in. This will ultimately lead to disaster.

Leaders —Baker’s Dozen
11. We each need to recognize that we do not have to fear strong leaders. God controls their hearts, we can appeal to Him for righting our cause/injustices, and we also have great power in persuading leaders if we are patient and gentle.
12. Top leaders must understand the importance of dealing as strongly as needed with people who undermine the authority of their leadership and the thriving of the community, even to the point of getting rid of them if they will not change.
13. The presence and clear vision of strong leaders is needed for a people to stay disciplined and focused on the right things, which will cause them to become a great people.

We live in a day and age when leaders are generally not trusted and respected.
Children are not inclined to show respect towards their parents and other leaders in their lives.
Employees don’t give their leaders the benefit of the doubt.
Citizens disrespect their national leaders, and the media mocks them.
Leadership is handcuffed in the democratic climate of our churches.

is critical to the course of our lives and ministries: It affects our life opportunities and intertwines with our personal destinies.
We need to learn this and accept it if we are going to be anywhere near the center of God’s plan.

Using this guide, go to Part V and pick one individual proverb.
A. Leaders
B. Honor, humility, and power in high places
C. Corruption and injustice
D. Rights of the poor and oppression
E. Citizenry, living harmoniously in community
F. Kinds of generations

Front of Life Cycle Guide —
Proverbs Worksheet
Cycle 3: Young & Middle Adulthood
Proverbs Worksheet
Proverb __25:2,3_______
Date __________________
Explanation of Proverb:
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Issue & Questions:
Issue: Unique calling of kings
Questions:
1. Why does God conceal the meaning of events and happenings as history unfolds?
2. In what way are the hearts of kings unsearchable?
3. What is the essence of this unique relationship between the
Lord and the king?
4. In what sense is it THE glory of kings to search the matter?

Back of Life Cycle Guide —
Proverbs Worksheet
Life Situation
Sarkosy —France—How Will God use him? (Testimony)
Projects
Key matters today — understanding the times — make a list.
Read Sarkosy’s Testimony
Memory Verse
Front of 3 x 5
Memory Card
Category
Proverb
Back of 3 x 5
Memory Card
Long-term prayer request and answers

Core Life Skills
Authority, Respect, and Generational Harmony
Next 3 weeks
Leaders
Honor, humility, and power in high places
Corruption and injustice
Rights of the poor and oppression
Citizenry, living harmoniously in community
Kinds of generations