Summary
Highlights
The speaker begins by highlighting how some leaders, full of self-knowledge and relying on personal experience, reject counsel, leading to their downfall. He draws parallels to situations where God removes such leaders to make them fail, known to themselves and others, so they have no excuse when judged. He stresses that counsel is important not just for guidance, but also to make followers feel included and valued, illustrating this with Jesus asking his disciples where to buy bread despite knowing what to do. This involvement fosters joy and ensures people follow willingly.
Referencing 1 Kings chapter 12, the speaker discusses Rehoboam's counsel from the elders, which advised him to be a servant to his people, speak good words, and serve them to gain their loyalty 'forever.' He emphasizes that leadership is 'give and take,' advocating for leaders to be servants themselves. He criticizes leaders who are aloof and unapproachable, stating that humility, love, good words, and kindness are essential to win people's hearts. He quotes Luke 6:38, 'Give, and it shall be given unto you,' to underline the principle of reciprocity in leadership.
The speaker urges leaders to honor all men, regardless of their status, reminding them that their position doesn't make them superior. He highlights that true humility from the leader inspires humility in followers. He uses the example of Jesus being born in a humble manger, requiring people to bow down to enter, symbolizing the need for leaders to humble themselves. Leaders should be 'devoid of self,' not seeking self-pleasure or self-promotion, and be full of humility, embodying love in words, appearance, and actions. He stresses the need for gentle and soft words, controlling anger, and being peaceful.
The speaker contrasts the wise counsel with the bad counsel Rehoboam received, leading to his downfall. He stresses that leaders must take every counsel to God for justification or disapproval through prayer. A leader must be prayerful to discern God's will and avoid relying on personal experience or carnal thinking. He calls for leaders to be examples in prayer, actively participating in prayer and not just organizing it. He likens prayer to the water needed to cook yam, stating it's essential to mix the word with prayer for life to come forth in people. He recounts an experience where earnest prayer was needed to cleanse a crusade ground from spiritual pollution before God's presence could descend.
Rehoboam's failure to consult God and follow the young men's harsh counsel (to be tough and rule with an iron fist, effectively 'employing Satan' into his government) resulted in the division of Israel, with 10 tribes departing and eventually being led to idolatry and scattering. The speaker warns that bad leadership has immense and destructive effects, causing many to stray from God. Therefore, he implores followers to pray for their leaders rather than criticize or envy them, to rescue them from pride, evil, and bad counselors, as the lives of many depend on their leadership.
The speaker summarizes key leadership principles: 1) Remember that followers are human and deserve good treatment, peace, comfort, and recognition. Treat them as you would want to be treated. 2) Understand that followers desire good conditions just as much as leaders do; therefore, seek to provide them with good conditions. 3) Embrace leadership as a 'give and take' dynamic, where giving love and honor brings back loyalty and service. 4) Take all decisions to God in prayer. 5) Seek counsel from others when required. 6) Use persuasion based on truth and love, not force. 7) Forbear threatening, unless dealing with the extremely hardened, always taking a Christ-like approach. 8) Be led by God so that you can effectively lead others, demonstrating submission to authority yourself.