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. He only said that their remaining on ship was necessary if these soldiers wanted to survive. And also for Pauls sake, all of the prisoners were spared from execution by the soldiers. His leadership was built not so much on ancestry from the Jewish lineage as by faithfulness. The sovereignty of God means that we dare not presume that God will work a miracle for us, at the time and in the way we choose, due to our foolishness, carelessness, or sin. The centurion did not seem to be concerned with any of the prisoners, except one Paul. The sovereignty of God means that He is not at our disposal, to carry out our whims or wishes, but that we are at His disposal. It is only when all hope is lost that Paul addresses his fellow shipmates.557 Much time had passed, the storm had not diminished, the ship was being constantly mauled by the storm, and the passengers had gone a long time without food. 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. Fourteen days have passed since they left Fair Havens and the storm first struck the ship.558 The sailors now have little idea as to where they were, or how far they might be from land. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Brooks Faulkner on Tuesday, September 08, 2015 at 6:00 AM. In the sea of Adria (en toi Hadriai). 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). I see people working for a place a leadership, rather than working to serve others, and letting leadership develop or not on its own. Some things dont change. What kind of leadership did Paul exercise, and how did this impact the gospel? Tim Cook became CEO of Apple in 2011. Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all . Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. As the song goes, More secure is no one ever, than the loved ones of the Savior. Consider these two things: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home (Titus 1:8). A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. There would be no one left who was an experienced sailor, who could help land the crippled ship. He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. Myra lies due north from Alexandria, and its bay is well calculated to shelter a windbound ship. Bruce quoting J. Smith, Voyage, pp. Paul was a prisoner, on his way to stand trial before Caesar in Rome. They just happened to run aground at the place where two seas met.562 It seems that the action of the water created some kind of sandbar or shallows, on which the ship stuck fast. 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. Here is a man whose personal safety was assured, and yet who lived with care and caution. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who dont have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. In doing so, he cites Romans 15:4 (NKJV), which states, "whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the . While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. In a storm, control of the ship is limited, and so navigating a narrow entrance to a port would be almost impossible. 544 We know that Luke was on board ship because of the we references, and because of the great detail that he includes, as an eyewitness of the journey, the storm, and the safe landing of the passengers. los lderes demcratas (41) dirigentes socialdemcratas (18) lderes democrticos (15) lderes demcratas (13) demcratas (8) If elected in free elections, the usurpers of power are usually democratic leaders. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:3-6). Every passenger made it safely to shore. But once the sailors discerned that land was nearby, staying on board ship became increasingly dangerous. Paul and a number of other prisoners were put aboard an Adramyttian ship,542 which was setting sail for ports along the coast of Asia. Allow me to make one last observation here. Pauls skillfulness and leadership gave the gospel a credibility it would not have otherwise have had in the eyes of these people. Pauls Bay is sheltered on the northwest by the island of Salmonetta, which is separated from the Maltese mainland by a narrow channel about a hundred yards wide. Then the passengers would have a better chance to reach shore. Several factors contributed to the decision to sail on. 558 The fourteenth night is reckoned from the time they left Fair Havens. 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. Pauls caution is rather interesting. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. The storm threatens not only the life of Paul, but also the lives of all on board his ship. 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? Paul took bread, and giving thanks to God before all, he began to eat. If the prisoners were to make it to land, the soldiers would have to release them. Our world, like that ship of Pauls, was headed for destruction. of Verse Concepts. Here are some examples of their leadership. 562 St. Moses. Obedient Daniel. 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. They boarded this ship and set sail. If you are a Christian, the same safety is yours, when you are walking in obedience to His commands, and within His purposes. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. Is there not a kind of parable here? When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. The storms of your life may not have been sent your way to destroy you, but to turn you to Gods salvation. 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. He . Doing so would be certain death, for the larger vessel offered more protection, so long as it held together. Look at what was necessary for these men to be qualified to carry out this task. 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). The ships crew tried to hug the shore of Crete, until they could reach Phoenix, a harbor not all that distant. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? The point was, before you can lead others you have to learn how to lead yourself. This is influence and leadership in action. 556 The following day, a more drastic measure was necessary: the spare gear had to go if the ship was to have any chance of surviving. What was it about Paul that made him a leader among men, even in matters pertaining to sailing and storms? When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for careless or reckless living. The centurion respected and trusted Paul a great deal, as can be seen by his previous dealings with him (see verse 3). But we can still have hope, even when we are afraid. 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 . 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. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. The final verses (42-44) tell of the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners, of the intervention of the centurion, and the safe arrival on land of all 276 passengers. 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. Peter, the most well-known disciple of Jesus, denies even . Where is your God, he asked. It seems as though the passengers, including Luke and Paul, were needed to help carry out this operation (see verse 19).556. That sounds like leadership to me. With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. It was still late at night, too dark to try to make shore until it was light. 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. 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. 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. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. But by the end of this chapter, it is Paul who is active, Paul who is leading, and the others are following him. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. 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. Time would prove Paul right. Lukes remark has point only if it fell rather late in the solar calendar that year. The decision that faced these sailors is not an uncommon one, even in our day. 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. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. He left this to God. "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Not one soul was lost. If you want to be a godly leader, I encourage you to focus on the qualities that God identifies as necessary in a leader. Verses 33-41 report Pauls encouragement, in words and deeds, and the grounding and breaking up of the ship. (5) The storm, and the gospel which leads to salvation. When you study closely, you will discover these examples of leadership in the Bible can help you address all of lifes situations. I take it that this was a form of democratic rule. Now they were ready for the days activities. 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. Paul was told by the angel not to be afraid, because he was going to stand before Caesar. 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. 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." Here are three unique leaders who serve as great examples of democratic leadership: Abraham Lincoln President Lincoln took office understanding his decisions over the next four years would determine the fate of the United States. They may have the power, but they do not have the trust. With renewed strength, the passengers set about lightening the ship by throwing the remainder of the cargo the cargo of wheat overboard. Nevertheless, he did not presume that God would intervene in this instance. You may be familiar with the story of Esther. In verses 27-29, Luke describes the ships approach to some body of 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. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:3-9). Pay attention to the type of men they chose to handle this problem. His military role came at a pivotal time in world history- World War II. He has surrounded himself with executives that are experienced and insightful. Pauls influence was not the result of his political maneuverings, but mens response to his personal competence. There are also plenty of real-life examples of leadership in action. Your family. After all, the ships captain and the pilot had more experience, and they also had more to lose. 546 With the westerly winds which prevail in those seas, says James Smith, ships, particularly those of the ancients, unprovided with a compass and ill calculated to work to windward, would naturally stand to the north till they made the land of Asia Minor, which is peculiarly favourable for navigation by such vessels, because the coast is bold and safe, and the elevation of the mountains makes it visible at a great distance; it abounds in harbours, and the sinuosities of its shores and the westerly current would enable them, if the wind was at all off the land, to work to windward, at least as far as Cnidus, where these advantages ceased. Remember, he struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. When he spoke, there was no vote taken. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! Because of its size and cargo, it required deeper water. 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). Finally, in the following chapter, there will be the snake bite, from which Paul will be spared as well. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. (3) The Sovereignty of God and the Ultimate Peril of the Lost. Gods Word gives us those answers. 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. For some, your leadership responsibilities are limited to yourself and your home. modern political leaders are good examples (Tony Blair, Geogrge Bush, Sarcosie, JFK, David cameron) What is a sentence with the words democracy and democratic? 1. The storm caught the ship in its force, and so they could do nothing but allow the ship to be driven along by it. Elijah had both. He bridged the gaps between the Greek and Jewish worlds. Handling the ship in this storm was almost impossible, and any attempt would require an expert crew. Did Paul pray for their meal, as well as his own? 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. in 1971. It was Paul who showed caution, warning those in charge of the dangers ahead. From here on, sailing will not be smooth. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. I confess, I am distressed at the ways in which Christians are trying to take control of the political and governmental positions of authority. Other words for democratic leadership His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. Hence the battle to maintain a westerly course, aided, it appears, by a veering of the wind to the east, as the cyclonic disturbance shifted its centre. Blaiklock p. 190. The Bible is pretty clear about what Godly leadership looks like. If you possess these types of qualifications, would that make you a better leader? Verse Concepts. The chapter may therefore be outlined in this way: One way or the other, Festus must have found some way to explain Pauls appearance before Caesar. The God whom Paul served was a God who was (and is) in control. 1. He was not an "out front" kind of person, but rather stayed in the background as a fan and supporter of Paul. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity. Many of the great democratic leaders in history are today cult object and recognition, as an example to follow in the fight for more just, peaceful and orderly societies.. 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. Please see below for details. All rights reserved. The God who was to rescue them was Pauls God, the God whom he served, and to whom he would bear testimony before Caesar. Three days have already passed, and Luke provides us with the description of some incident for each day. 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. Such would have been the case in Sodom and Gomorrah. He loved God. What has happened over the course of these events, so that a lowly prisoner, a man at the bottom of the ladder, so far as position and influence are concerned, is now the outstanding leader? 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. All 276 passengers were saved. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. The journey was delayed by unfavorable winds. However, there is no story of Esther without Mordecai. This was probably due to seasickness, and perhaps to the difficulty of cooking under such circumstances. Your Bible study. Great leaders wash their people's feet. No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. In other words, your leadership style should be authentic to you. 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? 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. Jesus: A leader is a servant first. Reminder: You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. 541 Lukes narrative of the voyage and shipwreck of Paul on his way to Italy is a small classic in its own right, as graphic a piece of descriptive writing as anything in the Bible. You are the foundation. It may not come quickly. Leaders in the bible had six key characteristics that included commitment, credibility, purpose, gifts, accountability, and self-discipline. 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). As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. And He has come forth from death and the grave, to give us new life. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love, but also a time for courage. 1 Peter 5:3. How can Paul, a prisoner, emerge as the leader on board a ship, while in the midst of a storm? Are You Expecting Too Much of Your Pastor. Scripture offers examples of both. Examples of democratic leaders. "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). 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. Some are not as visible; all are useful. The soldiers who were guarding them were not as concerned about their survival as much as the possibility of an escape. 1 Timothy 4:12. Whether by divine revelation, intuition, or by learning of their plans from some human source, Paul became aware of their intentions. 552 A south wind having blown gently, in marked contrast to the violent northwest wind that they had faced so long. 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. If they were to have the strength necessary to make it to shore, they would need to start the day with a good meal. I know it sounds more like mother or a TV commercial, but Paul was dealing with a very practical necessity. Discouraged by the disapproval of Jesus, yet blessed by the warmth and affection of Jesus. Second, the majority of those who voted on this issue favored going further. Even running under the shelter of a small island (Clauda, verse 16), they could hardly get the ships dingy on board. 11. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. But there was a problem. (2) The Sovereignty of God and Mans Safety. He had the courage to speak to the evils of his day. 33 Who will bring a charge against Gods elect? If Gods sovereignty is the source of comfort to the Christian, it is the source of terror for the unbeliever, for God has warned of His coming judgment. What can we learn about leadership, which can benefit others, and can promote the gospel? He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. They were now well into the dangerous season; as Luke notes, even the Fast had now gone by. The hour is hopeless. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. Everyone speaks their minds in team meetings. What is the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular leadership? To Paul (in my opinion) this would be akin to jumping off the pinnacle of the temple, and thus putting God to the test (Luke 4:9-12). 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. He spoke prophetically of the fate of the ship and its passengers. What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. He must live wisely and be just. Related articlesHow and Why Should I Pray for Leaders?An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others, Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? 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." But today, we want to focus on a . These people saw first hand the hope of the gospel in Paul, when all hope was lost. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39). 16:8, 16-20). This necessitated sailing close to the coast of Cyprus, which, to some degree, sheltered them from the contrary winds (verse 4). Few managers or politicians understand that. Paul did not have a formal position as leader, but was rather a functional leader. Paul encouragement the passengers to trust God to do all that He promised. 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. "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. Joshua had been in the presence of God. Their objective was to work with two groups of people from different cultures and make sure one did not feel slighted over the other. Paul did not seek to sanctify his words by giving them any spiritual flavor. It seems as thought they had left it in the sea, towed along behind, when the storm suddenly came upon them and swamped it. Now, no one had the use of this boat. When this happens, there will be no protection for the lost. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Lets examine some of these, because whether you lead one, a few, or many we all have to lead. The gospel sustains men in the greatest storms of life. If you see shortcomings, those are the areas that you can ask God to help you develop. A church leader is a manager of Gods household, so he must live a blameless life. These are questions that we shall seek to answer in our study of Acts chapter 27. 72-73, p. 480. 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. We live in a time of great crisis. It is enough to discourage any pastor. Effective leaders have the courage to speak even when it is unpopular to speak because they speak the truth with love. In a democracy leaders. Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. 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. Pauls safety and deliverance was so certain that it was sufficient for others as well. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. It will, however, come eventually. You can learn valuable and unique lessons on leading the church and furthering the gospel from these men of the Bible. Paul was spared so that he could go to Rome, and there proclaim the gospel. (1) A look at leadership. The reason this type of leadership was necessary is because they were not just passing out food; they were solving a potentially bigger problem. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). If their safety was assured then let them do what they could to help themselveslet them eat. 563 This seems to suggest that the charges against these prisoners were serious. They had little to gain and much to lose. Food supplies may have been washed overboard or ruined by moisture.
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