He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. Regardless of where you find yourself, you have to lead. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. "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. It is enough to discourage any pastor. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? The centurion respected and trusted Paul a great deal, as can be seen by his previous dealings with him (see verse 3). "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Not one soul was lost. But what are some of these purposes and promises? 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. A democratic leader encourages open conversation and helps their employees set goals, evaluate their own performance and motivates them to grow. Thankfully if God has called you to leadership, he will take the time to help you grow into it. The Bible is pretty clear about what Godly leadership looks like. No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. He bridged the gaps between the Greek and Jewish worlds. An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude, 10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others. His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. "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. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. (5) The storm, and the gospel which leads to salvation. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. Gods promise was fulfilled, just as Paul had said He would. The precise status of Julius is difficult to determine: from the authority which he assumed when once (from Myra onward) he found himself on board a ship of the Alexandrian grain fleet, it might be inferred that he was a frumentarius, an officer charged with supervising the transport of grain (frumentum) to Rome. Bruce p. 477. That sounds like leadership to me. But more than this, God had already assured Paul that he would reach Rome. The image of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples in John 13 is a striking one. 482-483. (4) The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility. Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. Some are not as visible; all are useful. (2) The Sovereignty of God and Mans Safety. These people saw first hand the hope of the gospel in Paul, when all hope was lost. As a church staff or volunteer ministry leader, you can learn valuable and unique lessons from several biblical characters. This is influence and leadership in action. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. Second, the majority of those who voted on this issue favored going further. 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. (1 Kings 18:27). The stern of the ship began to break up. What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. So, says Luke, they lowered the instrument, not being more specific perhaps because he did not know, or did not remember, the technical name for whatever it was that was lowered. You may be familiar with the story of Esther. Salem Media Group. If you remember the qualifications of a leader that we looked at earlier, you will see why this is a great example of Godly leadership in the Bible. 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. Paul encouragement the passengers to trust God to do all that He promised. In Acts 20:35, we see him say to the elders of the church in Ephesus, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more . Leadership Styles in 1 & 2 Kings Merida introduced his Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings by touting the relevance of the biblical text to the modern world. Apparently Paul discerned that those in charge were predisposed to sailing a little further. Progress was slow, due to wind conditions. A democratic leader likes people who disagree with them and challenge their views. What are we to make of this dramatic change in Pauls standing before his fellow-shipmates? 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath {of God} through Him. I suspect so. Peter, the most well-known disciple of Jesus, denies even . When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26). Now they were ready for the days activities. Mordecais words influenced Esther to take an action that she would have otherwise not taken. The meeting's facilitator will be acting democratically if they actively seek out the team's thoughts and opinions and encourage them to voice them. What was it about Paul that made him a leader among men, even in matters pertaining to sailing and storms? The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. These prisoners were (pardon me for this) twice pardoned.. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. When I come to Acts chapter 27, it is like a breath of fresh air to me. Accompanying Paul were Luke544 and Aristarchus, who was from Thessalonica.545. He must live wisely and be just. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. The safety of the passengers, involved their actions, in eating a good meal, in lightening the ship, and in swimming to shore or in clinging to some wreckage and floating to shore. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? 547 Ramsay is of the opinion that the ship was a government vessel of which the centurion, as senior officer, was properly in charge. In so doing, the sailors would not only be abandoning ship, they would be abandoning all the passengers on board ship, leaving them helpless. I would think that Paul would have more reason to be reckless than these seasoned seamen and the centurion, because he was a Christian. 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). 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 was some level of favoritism going on. I confess, I am distressed at the ways in which Christians are trying to take control of the political and governmental positions of authority. Furthermore, Paul was an apostle, a man through whom God had worked many signs and wonders. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. They had little to gain and much to lose. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. He has been beaten by the storm of Gods anger toward sin. This necessitated sailing close to the coast of Cyprus, which, to some degree, sheltered them from the contrary winds (verse 4). Democratic Leadership Examples President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was famously democratic in his leadership style, once said that "leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well." Paul did not have a formal position as leader, but was rather a functional leader. Great leaders wash their people's feet. It was still late at night, too dark to try to make shore until it was light. 564 Would he not have dared to command the soldiers not to kill Paul, but to have allowed the others to be put to death? Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, 10 Gift Ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month, Pastor Appreciation Month: 5 Ways to Say Thanks, Why Prayer is Essential in the Life of a Leader. The God who was to rescue them was Pauls God, the God whom he served, and to whom he would bear testimony before Caesar. Romans 13:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votesNot Helpful. 11. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. Luke now passes over the details of a number of the days that followed, indicating only that many days passed, and that the storm continued to abuse the ship and to terrify its passengers. It seems as thought they had left it in the sea, towed along behind, when the storm suddenly came upon them and swamped it. 553 The storm was now heavy upon the lumbering vessel, as it came roaring out of the north-east. A church leader is a manager of Gods household, so he must live a blameless life. He did get disgusted. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Verses 14-20: A Sudden Storm and Lost Hope, Verses 21-26: Pauls Night Visitation and Words of Encouragement, Verses 30-32: Sailors Stopped From Abandoning Ship, Verses 33-41: Pauls Encouragement and the Ships Grounding, Verses 42-44: Prisoners and Passengers Spared From Death. He was not a sailor; in fact he was not even a paying passenger. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Just about every pastor has "struck the rock" at one time or another; but then, like Moses, the same pastor usually has the resilience to see things through. Moses. The sovereignty of God is the basis for our safety and security, but it is not an excuse for our sloppiness. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. To sail on, therefore, was a foolish decision in Pauls opinion, and thus he discouraged it as strongly as he could, but to no avail. Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. 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. These are questions that we shall seek to answer in our study of Acts chapter 27. The job or position title does not make you a leader. Brooks Faulkner previously served as the senior pastoral ministry specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. To reinforce his words, Paul now did what he urged each of them to dohe ate. A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. She had entered the election the previous year following the death of her husband, the incumbent governor who was campaigning for a second term. Democratic leadership is an effective leadership style but can sometimes be too slow when fast decisions are needed. For some, your leadership responsibilities are limited to yourself and your home. The grounding of the ship, some distance from shore, and then its breaking up poses another threat, which all survive. Neither Lasea nor Fair Havens is mentioned by any ancient writer, two of the hundred cities of Crete. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 460. When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. 552 A south wind having blown gently, in marked contrast to the violent northwest wind that they had faced so long. 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. One church member compliments your Sunday morning message, the next complains about your quoting Carl Jung because he is not a Christian. Here are three people who stand out as servant leadership examples in the Bible. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. 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. It was time for another word of encouragement. The short version is that there was a plot to destroy the Jews, and Mordecai got wind of the plot. Humanly viewed, Paul was constantly in grave danger, but he was never more safe or secure than when he was on his way to Rome. 561 Before, adrift in the sea, they made no effort to guide the ship. 1. The Fast is the day of atonement (Yom Kippur), which falls on Tishri 10. Misconceptions about "Real" Leadership vs. Servant Leaders. 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. 1 Timothy 4:12. The approaching land brought a new temptation to the sailors, who better than anyone else knew they were coming upon land.559. Since this was not an ideal place to spend the winter, and sailing conditions looked favorable at the moment, they decided to press on to a more accommodating port. 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. These are examples of democratic leadership: All opinions are brought forward in team meetings. Paul is one of a number of prisoners, on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. My guess is that he had skills the like of which Moses himself admired, perhaps even envied. If that doesn't work, he outlasts them. Paul was kept safe, and as a result, all of those with him were saved as well. 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. 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. The most memorable aspect of effective leadership of a pastor is when he has survived the polarities of differing opinions and modeled having each side respect the other's. Titus would be a good place to start, and there are other scriptures as well. 2:2). In a storm, control of the ship is limited, and so navigating a narrow entrance to a port would be almost impossible. 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. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. I read in the paper the other day that when faced with the decision as to whether he should change to an alternate airport or press on to the original destination, the pilot of a commercial airliner left the choice with his passengers. He had the courage to speak to the evils of his day. 557 This is not to suggest that Paul now emerged because he knew that this was the low-point of his fellow-passengers, but because the night before the angel of God had appeared to him. If the prisoners were to make it to land, the soldiers would have to release them. Pauls safety and deliverance was so certain that it was sufficient for others as well. The passengers were not to lose hope, but to keep up their courage. How this decision would be regretted, and soon! The Greater Syrtis was still a great distance away, but the wind might continue to blow for many days, and that was the direction in which it was blowing them. By the end of this time, all hope had been lost, either of the storm abating, or of any rescue. He only said that their remaining on ship was necessary if these soldiers wanted to survive. When the outcome is known, and the One who determines it is both faithful and sovereign (in control), the danger of harm is removed, along with the need for fear. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:12-14). Examples have not been reviewed. When the ship was far out at sea, and no one knowing how far they might be from land, abandoning ship was no temptation. No doubt there were some anxious thoughts racing through the minds of the passengers. 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. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. The potential gains were minimal, while the potential loss was great. Jesus (Luke 5:16) Of course, one cannot talk about godly leadership without pointing to the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. The lives which Paul warned would be lost were those lives which were spared by God, for Pauls sake (see verses 22-24). It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. All rights reserved. Let us consider just a few: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The ship ran aground on a reef, where it would be broken up by the action of the still raging waves. And Joshua did so.". Please see below for details. 16:8, 16-20). His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. 549 Smith observes that Fair Havens is so well protected by islands, that though not equal to Lutro [Loutron, a port some 40 miles farther west along the coast], it must be a very fair winter harbour; and that considering the suddenness, the frequency, and the violence with which gales of northerly wind spring up, and the certainty that, if such a gale sprang up in the passage from Fair Havens to Lutro, the ship must be driven off to sea, the prudence of the advice given by St. Paul may probably be supported even on nautical grounds. Bruce, pp. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. 550 As they waited for a change of wind at Fair Havens, it soon became clear that they could not complete the voyage to Italy before the onset of winter. There would be no one left who was an experienced sailor, who could help land the crippled ship. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Brooks Faulkner on Tuesday, September 08, 2015 at 6:00 AM. Proud member God has given each leader specific gifts. Indeed, the fate of the ship was not exactly as Paul had warned, for there was no loss of life.551 He simply spoke as a seasoned traveler, an astute observer, and one who had experienced dangers at sea. They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. When this happens, there will be no protection for the lost. And so Paul was correct, though not speaking at the moment with prophetic inspiration, authority, or inerrancy. 7 Best Democratic Leadership Examples to Know 1. 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. The wise leader will work hard at blinding his or her eyes to the pettiness of church members' criticism. 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. What the ships crew intended to do was a cowardly thing. What are some examples of democratic leadership? The sovereignty of God is no excuse for careless or reckless living. The gospel sustains men in the greatest storms of life. Paul was overruled. The smaller boat, was much more easily handled, and would have been the logical choice when trying to make shore, especially in such circumstances. "Perhaps he's sleeping and will wake up!" You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. The decision that faced these sailors is not an uncommon one, even in our day. The ship would be lost, but not one of the passengers would perish. Handling the ship in this storm was almost impossible, and any attempt would require an expert crew. Do you want to go deeper in your walk with the Lord but cant seem to overcome the stuff that keeps getting in the way? The soldiers were thus acting to save themselves, as well as the rest on board. I would say that is a great example of Godly leadership. 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. They planned to slip away, on the pretext of laying out anchors, but they were going to take the lifeboat (as it were) and leave the people to fend for themselves in the ravaging storm, in a ship drifting ever near the rocks of the approaching shore. (This also required a small boat, which was going to be taken by those abandoning the ship.) The ships crew tried to hug the shore of Crete, until they could reach Phoenix, a harbor not all that distant. Leaders in this category encourage creativity while members are highly engaged. It would seem that they had fasted nearly two weeksthroughout the entire time the storm was raging. Until now, they had been trying to save the ships cargo, but now some of it555 was thrown overboard, lightening the ship and reducing the stress on the hull. Here are some examples of their leadership. Pauls faith and his courage were contagious. Just so you know, the person they are talking about in Acts 18:26 is Apollos. Here are 12 examples of inspiring leaders in the Bible who teach us what a great leader could and should be as well as how leaders should carry themselves. The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? What he recognized was the person who had the ability to help bring deliverance to the Jews was Esther. But today, we want to focus on a . They followed Paul because he knew where he was going and inspired confidence in others to follow him. What can we learn about leadership, which can benefit others, and can promote the gospel? He . And who would not be afraid in such a storm. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. Because of its size and cargo, it required deeper water. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Pauls leadership emerged in a time of crisis, in an hour of need, when no one else seemed to have any answers.565 Functional leadership (as opposed to formal leadership) emerges in times of need. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company [photolithoprinted], 1966), p. 191, quoting Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen, p. 319. Even when John Mark was being severely ostracized by Paul, Barnabas stood by John Mark. A crucial decision had to be made at Fair Havens.549 Sailing was not safe in the winter, due to wind conditions and seasonal storms. God used the centurion, who had come to deeply respect and admire Paul, to spare him, along with the rest. Too often, I hear leadership spoken of as a place of status, rather than a place of service. Scripture offers examples of both. . Paul lived dangerously, in one respect, but no one could have been any safer. But he was wrong about the loss of passengers. Then the passengers would have a better chance to reach shore. God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Your community. (3) The Sovereignty of God and the Ultimate Peril of the Lost. 1 Timothy 3:5. Did Paul pray for their meal, as well as his own? His leadership was built not so much on ancestry from the Jewish lineage as by faithfulness. 33 Who will bring a charge against Gods elect? 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. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. If this was all that Paul said to these soldiers, he did not tell them that these men were attempting to abandon ship. A theophany had taken place in Joshua 5:15: "The commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." All 276 passengers were saved. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away. The soldiers were acting, as it were, on Pauls orders. He would build the walls on faith. Petty criticism wears on the leader. Obedient Daniel. Time would prove Paul right. Where is your God, he asked. . If the leader becomes a wimp, he will lose his leadership role. It has long been acknowledged as one of the most instructive documents for the knowledge of ancient seamanship. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 474. Their arrival had not been without difficulty, but things were only to go from bad to worse. The God whom Paul served was a God who was (and is) in control. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. Leaders in the bible had six key characteristics that included commitment, credibility, purpose, gifts, accountability, and self-discipline. Paul was a leader here because people followed him. Lets examine some of these, because whether you lead one, a few, or many we all have to lead. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This harbour would protect them for a time from the winds. If their safety was assured then let them do what they could to help themselveslet them eat. The encouraging news that Paul was about to tell them was that he was both right and wrong when he had warned them not to sail. 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. They also loosened the ropes which lashed down the rudders and hoisted the sail.561 They were on their way toward land. He arose, then, for two reasons: (1) his shipmates were in desperate need of encouragement, and (2) he now had a word from God for them. 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. With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. When the ship set sail, they began to encounter unfavorable winds. Look at what was necessary for these men to be qualified to carry out this task. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:13-14). It was needlessly endangering others that Paul was trying to avoid. There were no petty thieves on board this ship. They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Ex. Another example of a servant leader in the Bible is Stephen, who was known for his selfless love and care for others. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. It may not come quickly. But there was a problem. From here on, sailing will not be smooth. Airline pilots must constantly monitor weather conditions, and make decisions as to the route they will take, their altitude, and even their destination. A true leader has to be brutally honest with all those he comes in contact with. There will come a time, however, when God will take His own to the full and final safety of heaven. 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. Because of one prisoner on board that ship, all the other passengers were spared. If Paul had been right before, and his words had come to pass, he had even more important words to speak now, not from his own perception or judgment, but from the God whom he served. Verse Concepts. Paul knew that he would reach Rome, but he also strongly sensed that the ship and some of its passengers would not. Verses 30-32 describe the sailors attempt to abandon ship, which they aborted, due to the action taken by the soldiers, who heeded Pauls words of warning. For others it extends beyond the walls of your home possibly into your community, your job, or even your ministry. 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).
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