Church Leaders Not Helpless in Fulfilling the Great Commission

Category: Leader Basics    >    Great Commission

As a church leader you might sometimes get to feeling inadequate for the task ahead of you. Like Moses at the burning bush, you might put up all sorts of reasons you are not adequate.
How did God respond when Moses asked, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Ex. 3:11-12) -- "I will be with you."
Just like Joshua you might have reason to fear. Joshua had seen the problems the previous leader had with the people. He knew there would be difficult battles to win ahead.
What words did God use to encourage Joshua as he assumed his leadership position? -- "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Josh 1:9)

Adequacy Found in God's Presence

God's presence was more significant than any kind of training these leaders could have gone through or any special skills they could have acquired. Having God with them meant that they would never be helpless. The all-powerful, all-knowing, always wise, sovereign One was with them. They were not left to their own resources, power, or efforts. They might not have been qualified but the God who was with them was more than adequate.
 
Likewise, as we "go and make disciples," we are not alone. Jesus assures us that He is with us always. He does not merely come alongside of us but He is in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? (1 Cor. 3:16)
Therein is your confidence as a leader. You are not helpless because you are not alone! You might not be adequate but God is and He is both with you and in you!
 

The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide includes this reminder of God's presence along with some encouragement of how this truth brings confidence into all we do as leaders.

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