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. They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Ex. How often, I wonder, are others benefited by the presence of a believer? Verses 9-13 describe a crucial decision that was made. Pastor Appreciation Month and Pastor Appreciation Day are great opportunities every October to show how much you care for your pastor and church leaders. I suspect so. His military role came at a pivotal time in world history- World War II. His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. 72-73, p. 480. 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). If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. The lives which Paul warned would be lost were those lives which were spared by God, for Pauls sake (see verses 22-24). And so they were strengthened, both in spirit and in body. Because it was a part of Gods sovereign plan, God did purpose to spare Paul and the ships passengers, but in a way that would to some seem only like good luck. The miraculous aspect is seen in Pauls prediction of what happened in complete agreement with all that did happen, even to the minute details. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. 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 1:6-9). Nevertheless, they decided to press on to a better harbor. Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. However, there is no story of Esther without Mordecai. (5) The storm, and the gospel which leads to salvation. Except for Paul, they had all reached the conclusion that the situation was hopeless and that they were doomed. It was a coasting vessel, which was to call at various ports of the province of Asia; at one of these Julius knew he would find a ship, preferably a grain ship, bound for Italy. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 477. 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? 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. No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. Godly leadership is honest leadership that allows you to lead out of who you are. Jesus (Luke 5:16) Of course, one cannot talk about godly leadership without pointing to the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. 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. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. Some things dont change. Paul is one of a number of prisoners, on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. Think of it. Inclusive Meetings A weekly meeting provides the best illustrations of the democratic ideology. Did he do anything? 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. He had God on his side. His God was in control of all things, including the sea. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. The winds seem to have blown the ship away from the island of Crete. 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. 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. 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." of 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. 4. Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. He left this to God. Pauls caution is rather interesting. This problem would require the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, which is foundational to Godly leadership. Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. As it was the middle of the night and the storm was still fierce, the sailors put out anchors, to drag along the bottom, to slow down their drifting. 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. 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. He must live a devout and disciplined life. If there were but ten righteous in the city of Sodom, God would have spared the city for the sake of those righteous (Genesis 18:22-33). They intended to put all the prisoners to death,563 thus eliminating the risk of an escape. . 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. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. Looking at leadership honestly means looking at the best and the worst. The sovereignty of God is the basis for our safety and security, but it is not an excuse for our sloppiness. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. The ship would be lost, but not one of the passengers would perish. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away. A friend of mine, Jonathan Leath, wrote a book he titled You Only Lead One (YOLO). Your family. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. 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. Whether by divine revelation, intuition, or by learning of their plans from some human source, Paul became aware of their intentions. Julius and the others did not seem to look upon Paul in religious or spiritual terms, but only in terms of practical and proven ability and knowledge. The wise leader will work hard at blinding his or her eyes to the pettiness of church members' criticism. When the ship is grounded and the passengers must swim for their lives, the soldiers plan to kill Paul, along with the other prisoners, to prevent any from escaping. A centurion of the Augustan cohort by the name of Julius543 was placed in charge of the prisoners. It is enough to discourage any pastor. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. I see leadership held out to men and women as a prize, rather than as a humbling responsibility. Since leadership is important, how does Godly leadership fit into the equation? This was probably due to seasickness, and perhaps to the difficulty of cooking under such circumstances. The prisoners (at least the dangerous or violent ones) may have been in chains. 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. Paul lived dangerously, in one respect, but no one could have been any safer. Paul encouragement the passengers to trust God to do all that He promised. He had had enough. The storm caught the ship in its force, and so they could do nothing but allow the ship to be driven along by it. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Did Paul pray for their meal, as well as his own? 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. Fearing that they might drift into shallow and dangerous waters some distance to the south,553 they put out a sea anchor of some kind, perhaps something like a parachute, which filled with water and slowed the ship down.554, The storm continued through the night, and the next day things looked even worse. Today's nomenclature calls it tough love. He portrays Paul in many roles throughout Acts, but here he shows him standing out as the practical man in a critical emergency--keeping his head when all about him are losing theirs. Please see below for details. He was going to survive. 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. 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. Lukes remark has point only if it fell rather late in the solar calendar that year. Leaders in the bible had six key characteristics that included commitment, credibility, purpose, gifts, accountability, and self-discipline. They may have the power, but they do not have the trust. 545 This seems to be the same Aristarchus mentioned in Acts 19:29; 20:4; Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 24. Great leaders wash their people's feet. Paul need no longer fear, because he knew the outcome of this storm. What is the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular leadership? "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. He had a special place. Paul knew that he would reach Rome, but he also strongly sensed that the ship and some of its passengers would not. The name of this leadership style is derived from the word "democracy," which means "run by the people." Democratic leaders welcome and value others' input, rely heavily on team participation, and facilitate discussions that enable multiple members of their group to weigh in on decisions. When I come to Acts chapter 27, it is like a breath of fresh air to me. An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude, 10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others. Moses. I take it that this was a form of democratic rule. As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. 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. Not one soul was lost. 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. The angel of God told Paul not to be afraid, which would indicate that he was afraid. He . They could not handle the ship in the stormy waters. What grace was made evident in this storm! In the early church there was a problem. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:3-6). 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. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. Here is a man whose personal safety was assured, and yet who lived with care and caution. All in all, it would be best to wait out the storm at sea. He was right in that a great storm had swept down on this ship, and that both the ship and its cargo would be lost. 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). Engage group members: The leader involves members and encourages them to involve others. Paul once again stepped forward, speaking out to all aboard, so as to assure and encourage them, as well as to persuade them to prepare themselves for the rigors and physical demands of the hours that were to follow. Finally, in the following chapter, there will be the snake bite, from which Paul will be spared as well. Examples of democratic leaders A few specific examples of leaders who have demonstrated this style of leadership include: Former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, demonstrated how much she valued her team members by writing personalized letters to their parents. 15:24; 16: 2-3). 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. Where is your God, he asked. 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? What are some examples of democratic leadership? 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. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. The soldiers were thus acting to save themselves, as well as the rest on board. 563 This seems to suggest that the charges against these prisoners were serious. Gods promise was fulfilled, just as Paul had said He would. Paul took bread, and giving thanks to God before all, he began to eat. Paul was not striving to be a leader here, but simply trying to be of help. If the sailors didnt believe Paul, the soldiers did. 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. If the prisoners were to make it to land, the soldiers would have to release them. Not the Adriatic Sea as we now call the sea between Italy and the mainland of Illyricum, but all the lower Mediterranean between Italy and Greece. Robertson, p. 469. Vision Statements of 12 Great Leaders in the Bible 553 The storm was now heavy upon the lumbering vessel, as it came roaring out of the north-east. There is no place safer than the place of obedience to the Word of God. The storms of your life may not have been sent your way to destroy you, but to turn you to Gods salvation. Those who could swim should jump first, and make their way to shore. We're sorry, an error occurred. He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. 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. These prisoners were (pardon me for this) twice pardoned.. Paul was as secure as any man could be. As peoples personalities are different, so are the leadership styles. Is this principle of extended deliverance perhaps an explanation of Pauls comments in 1 Corinthians 7, that the unbeliever is sanctified on account of the believer? There were no petty thieves on board this ship. You may be familiar with the story of Esther. 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. 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). The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. You are the devil's advocate. Flee to safety today. He loved God. 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. From here on, sailing will not be smooth. 1. Your community. It would seem that they had fasted nearly two weeksthroughout the entire time the storm was raging. Here are three people who stand out as servant leadership examples in the Bible. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity. But what are some of these purposes and promises? Several days before, Paul had told the passengers, who had lost all hope, that they would all be saved, although the ship would run aground (verses 21-26). Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 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. In other words, your leadership style should be authentic to you. "Perhaps he's sleeping and will wake up!" The doctrine of Gods sovereignty is multi-faceted, something which careless and thoughtless Christians often forget or set aside. Paul had a fair bit of experience with sea travel. 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). 36 Just as it is written, For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. The potential gains were minimal, while the potential loss was great. God has given each leader specific gifts. While there are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible, there are some you are probably more familiar with than others. All 276 passengers were saved. {For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Sailing past Cilicia and Pamphylia, they landed at Myra in Lycia (verse 5).546 It was here that they had to change ships. 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. Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. Because of their very limited visibility, they might not see the land until it was too late. Even running under the shelter of a small island (Clauda, verse 16), they could hardly get the ships dingy on board. Airline pilots must constantly monitor weather conditions, and make decisions as to the route they will take, their altitude, and even their destination. Other words for democratic leadership By the way, Paul may not have been frightened so much for himself as for the others. in 1971. If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? Paul was overruled. 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. 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. In A.D. 59 it fell on October 5, but in all the neighboring years from 57 to 62 it fell earlier. What kind of leadership did Paul exercise, and how did this impact the gospel? 542 The ship in which they embarked belonged to Adramyttium (modern Edremit), a seaport of Mysia in northwest Asia Minor, opposite the island of Lesbos. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Their objective was to work with two groups of people from different cultures and make sure one did not feel slighted over the other. Up to this point in time, they had gone a long while without food. While Paul had not lost hope, as had his shipmates, he must have been afraid. The ships crew tried to hug the shore of Crete, until they could reach Phoenix, a harbor not all that distant. This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. He was nicknamed "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). When Esthers words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 561 Before, adrift in the sea, they made no effort to guide the ship. The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Proud member Because of one prisoner on board that ship, all the other passengers were spared. All must abandon ship now. He has surrounded himself with executives that are experienced and insightful. 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. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for us not to work, but the assurance that our work is not in vain, in the Lord. Had they heeded his warnings, this would not have happened. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. Pauls leadership enhanced the preaching of the gospel. There are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible as God has always raised up men and women to lead others. If Paul was completely right in his previous warning, then many were about to die. They were so sure of the wisdom of their decision that they did not even draw up the small boat attached by a rope to the vessels stern (verse 16). Paul was frequently the instrument through which Gods power was manifested. But Pauls concern here was not for himself, but for others. Titus would be a good place to start, and there are other scriptures as well. "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). This journey began on an Adramyttian ship, which took them as far as Myra, where they boarded an Alexandrian ship, headed for Italy. In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to serve as a governor in the United States when she was inaugurated in Wyoming. Simply put, Paul warned those making the decision about whether or not to press on that continuing on was not wise. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. Paul had courage in the face of opposition because he had limitless horizons in his mission. When he spoke, there was no vote taken. Great leaders focus on serving those who follow them. Such would have been the case in Sodom and Gomorrah. Paul assured them that not a hair from their head would perish (verse 34). I would like to have heard that prayer, but Lukes silence here requires us to wait till heaven to find out what was said. Paul: "Believe in something bigger than yourself." "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). Scripture offers examples of both. In verses 27-29, Luke describes the ships approach to some body of land. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? If their safety was assured then let them do what they could to help themselveslet them eat. 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. But in addition to his surviving this storm, God promised to spare all the other passengers on board as well, not for their sakes alone, but for Pauls sake. His church was a murmuring people. "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. One more detail about the future was revealed by Paul: the ship must run aground on a certain, but unnamed, island. Are You Expecting Too Much of Your Pastor. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? A late night visitation by an angel of God and Pauls words of encouragement to his shipmates is reported in verses 21-26. Leaders in this category encourage creativity while members are highly engaged. Priscilla and Aquila were hospitable. Salem Media Group. Look at what was necessary for these men to be qualified to carry out this task. He spoke prophetically of the fate of the ship and its passengers. Paul was told by the angel not to be afraid, because he was going to stand before Caesar. 2:2). The amount of talking by the leader is another clue. He doesn't mince words when he calls them "a brood of vipers.". They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all . [1] It is important to note that he learned leadership principles and faith from his parents (Hebrew 11:23 . Pauls circumstances certainly do no give him any status, any clout, with anyone on board that ship. Here, Julius, the centurion in charge of Paul and the other prisoners, allowed Paul to go to his friends and be cared for by them (verse 3).
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