Jesus Style Leadership 3 - Crop & FaithSampel

Listening to God

Leadership Lesson

The best place to hear God is in worship.

Read Acts 13:1-3.

Comment

Sometimes we hear the voice of God when we least expect it, but often God speaks most clearly and powerfully when we are worshipping, fasting, and praying with others. This is what happened in this Scripture. In the middle of a worship meeting, the Spirit gave His revelation. He had a mission for Barnabas and Saul, and the church was to send them off. Now this might sound reasonably straightforward, but Barnabas was the senior pastor of this church, and Saul (Paul) was a very gifted member of the pastoral team. These two men were the most experienced and gifted leaders in the church. But God had big plans for evangelizing the Roman world, and He needed these guys. The church may not have known all that God was going to do through these men, but it knew that this faith vision required an immediate response, and they obeyed without question. The church sent out its leaders, and the results were incredible. Sometimes faith visions require lots of small steps over a long period, but there will be times when pursuing a faith vision will require a big call. The church at Antioch fasted and prayed some more, and then sent them off (13:3).

Prayer

Lord, I want to hear your voice. I’m new to this, so please be patient with me. I need you to speak really clearly as I learn to listen. While I’m spending this time in prayer now, if you want to give a direction or promise for the future, then I am open. Speak because I am listening.

Personal Reflection

Probably God is calling you to be faithful and consistent as a Jesus-style leader, serving others as you pursue a long-standing faith vision. But just check whether there is anything challenging that God is asking you to do. Take a few minutes to worship and listen. Write down anything you sense God may be saying.