Message Notes

13th YAG RETREAT
Session #1
3-4 JUNE 2011
Theme: “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP II”

GOALS OF RETREAT

1. Theory and Practice (Real Life) distinguished

a) Theory

i) Preparation
ii) Instruction
iii) Anticipation

b) Practice

i) Real-Life
ii) Transition from theory to practice
iii) Actual lessons in life
iv) Maturation of faith and character
v) Life-transforming experiences

2. Leadership lessons

a) When theory is put to the test
b) When extent of resistance is felt not just anticipated/comprehended
c) Lessons in prayer
d) Lessons in the exercising of trust
e) Learning how to wield the power of God
f) Learning lessons of wisdom
g) Lessons of overcoming personal battles

i) Doubts (resurfacing)
ii) Fears (redoubling)

h) Lessons with reference to personal life
i) Lessons with reference to ministry

3. Why some fail at leadership

a) Not enough knowledge of what leadership entails
b) Not enough consciousness of God
c) Not fully cognizant of the ministry entrusted
d) Not able to apply faith in life and ministry
e) Overcome by strong resistance
f) Naïve expectations
g) Not as strong as imagined

4. Success in spiritual leadership a great possibility

a) Spiritual lessons must be learned well
b) They are to be remembered
c) They are to be carefully and consciously applied
d) Faith in the Lord and His promises is absolutely indispensable
e) The spirit of the leadership must be further strengthened at all cost

5. The world’s influence on spiritual leadership

a) Secular methodology
b) Secular mindset
c) Spiritual mindset takes a backseat
d) Spiritual leadership principles are hardly applied consciously
e) Ultimately the work of the Lord suffers

A. Initial Lessons on Spiritual Leadership
Focus: Obedience

1. Initial lessons about obedience to God’s command/commission

Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh…

Exodus 5:1a

a) Afterward

i) After Moses had met with God            Exodus 3:1-22
ii) After Moses had all his objections answered            Exodus 3-4
iii) After Moses had all his fears addressed            Exodus3-4
iv) After Moses was given Aaron as his spokesman            Exodus 4:14-17
v) After God’s commission was accepted            Exodus 4:18-31

b) Facing Pharaoh

Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.

Exodus 3:10

i) Consciousness of what God had said to Moses
ii) Overcoming initial fears            Exodus 3:11
iii) Exercising faith in what God had said about deliverance of Israel            Exodus 3

2. Lessons about Applying God’s word

Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’

Exodus 5:1b

a) Thus says the LORD God of Israel

i) Consciousness of God
ii) Clear comprehension of God’s word
iii) Learning to employ/proclaim the name of God in ministry

b) Let My people go

i) God’s people distinguished (Israel was God’s firstborn son)            Exodus 4:22
ii) God’s word was to be obeyed- even by mighty Pharaoh
iii) His people were to be released from bondage            Exodus 3:17; 4:8-10
iv) Israel had been oppressed for long enough            Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7; 4:7

c) That they may hold a feast for Me in the wilderness

i) Words couched in mystery
ii) A religious feast was mentioned
iii) Worship was something Egypt understood
iv) Egypt had many gods
v) Each deity had its own special worship requirements
vi) The God of Israel was being introduced to Pharaoh

d) A good start

i) Promising
ii) Positive
iii) Purposeful

3. Lessons about Resistance (from Pharaoh)

But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand

Exodus 3:19

And Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.’

Exodus 5:2

a) Forewarned            Exodus 3:19

i) Pharaoh will not let Israel go
ii) Even when the mighty name of God is invoked he would not easily comply

b) Pharaoh’s arrogant stance

i) Who is the LORD?
ii) I do not know the LORD!
iii) Why should there be obedience to the voice of the LORD?
iv) Why should he let Israel go?
v) Conclusion: He will not let Israel go

c) This was a new experience for Moses

i) He had feared that this would happen
ii) He had to face not just Pharaoh but his personal fears
iii) He had to learn that ministry is never easy

4. Challenges

a) To assess knowledge of theory and real-life practice
b) To assess level of consciousness of God in real-life ministry
c) To cultivate a greater sense of awareness

i) God’s word
ii) God’s specific word concerning ministry
iii) God’s special work concerning leadership

d) Obedience to God must be given due consideration!

i) Fear of the Lord brings about obedience
ii) Trust in God results in obedience
iii) Love for God enhances obedience
iv) Enlightened leadership skills teach us about the importance of obedience

e) To develop toughness when facing difficult circumstances

i) Mind
ii) Heart
iii) Spirit