An Absence of Leadership

Introduction:
A sure way for a congregation to find itself in decline is not to earnestly work to develop leaders within the congregation. We need men who will stand up, feed the flock, tend to spiritual illness, and seek to restore the lost. We need men who will be servant leaders—serving out of a love for Jesus and the congregation! While all point the way to Christ through a righteous example, we need those in the congregation who are willing to step up and make a difference for the cause of Christ. Joshua provides us with a great example of what a leader should be. He had a tremendous influence over his generation. Congregations that are full of men who are leaders and serve Jesus from the heart will grow & prosper! What kind of leaders are we cultivating here?

I. We need men of ________________.
    A. Before Joshua was a _______________; he was willing to ______________.
        1. Ex. 24:13; 33:11—a servant of _____________.
        2. Great leaders have no problem serving others.
    B. Even as a leader, he was willing to ______________.
        1. Josh 3:7; 4:14—God ___________ him.
        2. But yet, he still recognized who he was to serve. 5:13
    C. Great leaders understand when it is time to serve again.

II. We need men of _________ & full of ________ in God.
    A. _________ & _________ demonstrated faith in giving a faithful report! Num. 13:25-28; 14:6-9
    B. Joshua’s faith was demonstrated w/the battle at __________.
        1. 6:1-5—you want me to do what?
        2. Heb. 11:30—mentioned as a great act of __________!
    C. Great leaders trust in God! Not in men!

III. We need men full of _______’s __________.
    A. Josh. 1:7-8—fulfill the law; ________ on it.
    B. He expected others to live up to this! 1:12-15
    C. Taught the ______ to all the people—8:30-35.
        1. 11:15—left nothing undone!
        2. So Christians must do today! Phil. 2:15; Col. 3:17
    D. Rom. 10:17—how can a man be a man of ________ without being a man of God’s _______?
        1. 1 Tim. 4:13-16—applicable to all—especially those who lead!
    E. True leaders lead by example and not by a do as a I say, not as I do approach.

IV. We need men of ____________________.
    A. Josh. 7:6-9 – after the defeat at _________.
    B. Josh 10:9-14—in the midst of ________________. They were ____________ in God!
    C. What had Joshua not been a man of prayer?

V. We need men who will ________ ________ _____________!
    A. Even when other things are important. See 8:30-35. Calls people together! For what?
        1. 9:1-2 what are the enemies doing? Remember...God is in control! He will help!
    B. He made it clear he would __________ God! 24:14-16.

Conclusion:
A. A congregation will find itself in decline if it is not building up leadership w/in the body.
B. How are we doing? Need to obey the gospel? Do so today! See Mt. 16:24-26; 23:10-12.



An Absence of Leadership Introduction: A sure way for a congregation to find itself in decline is not to earnestly work to develop leaders within the congregation. We need men who will stand up, feed the flock, tend to spiritual illness, and seek to restore the lost. We need men who will be servant leaders—serving out of a love for Jesus and the congregation! While all point the way to Christ through a righteous example, we need those in the congregation who are willing to step up and make a difference for the cause of Christ. Joshua provides us with a great example of what a leader should be. He had a tremendous influence over his generation. Congregations that are full of men who are leaders and serve Jesus from the heart will grow & prosper! What kind of leaders are we cultivating here? I. We need men of ________________. A. Before Joshua was a _______________; he was willing to ______________. 1. Ex. 24:13; 33:11—a servant of _____________. 2. Great leaders have no problem serving others. B. Even as a leader, he was willing to ______________. 1. Josh 3:7; 4:14—God ___________ him. 2. But yet, he still recognized who he was to serve. 5:13 C. Great leaders understand when it is time to serve again. II. We need men of _________ & full of ________ in God. A. _________ & _________ demonstrated faith in giving a faithful report! Num. 13:25-28; 14:6-9 B. Joshua’s faith was demonstrated w/the battle at __________. 1. 6:1-5—you want me to do what? 2. Heb. 11:30—mentioned as a great act of __________! C. Great leaders trust in God! Not in men! III. We need men full of _______’s __________. A. Josh. 1:7-8—fulfill the law; ________ on it. B. He expected others to live up to this! 1:12-15 C. Taught the ______ to all the people—8:30-35. 1. 11:15—left nothing undone! 2. So Christians must do today! Phil. 2:15; Col. 3:17 D. Rom. 10:17—how can a man be a man of ________ without being a man of God’s _______? 1. 1 Tim. 4:13-16—applicable to all—especially those who lead! E. True leaders lead by example and not by a do as a I say, not as I do approach. IV. We need men of ____________________. A. Josh. 7:6-9 – after the defeat at _________. B. Josh 10:9-14—in the midst of ________________. They were ____________ in God! C. What had Joshua not been a man of prayer? V. We need men who will ________ ________ _____________! A. Even when other things are important. See 8:30-35. Calls people together! For what? 1. 9:1-2 what are the enemies doing? Remember...God is in control! He will help! B. He made it clear he would __________ God! 24:14-16. Conclusion: A. A congregation will find itself in decline if it is not building up leadership w/in the body. B. How are we doing? Need to obey the gospel? Do so today! See Mt. 16:24-26; 23:10-12.