The whole church enjoyed unity and generosity, and it all started at the top. The example of the apostles spread a spirit of generosity throughout the whole church. Unfortunately, a couple of pretenders, Ananias and Sapphira, sold some land and gave part of the proceeds to the apostles, reporting that they had given all the money to the church. God revealed their deception to Peter, and he called them on it. Their sin was not lack of generosity, but lack of honesty. They lied about what they had done. They wanted to be thought of as generous without paying the price.

God would have nothing to do with it. He surgically removed the spiritual cancer from the church by taking their lives. “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things,” Luke says (Acts 5:11).

Let’s look more closely at the problem and itemize it. Ananias and Sapphira…

1. Clung to their possessions.
2. Agreed to lie about their giving.
3. Pretended to be someone they were not.
4. Thought they could get by with appearing to be generous.
5. Felt more concerned with their image than their relationship to God.

Many leaders struggle with the same issues. Not only do we live in a materialistic world, but we buy into the world’s economy. We think that if we grasp and cling to our possessions through our own cleverness, we will eventually “make it.” God’s economy is radically different. He is an extravagant Lord who gives generously to everyone with a need. He enjoys meeting the needs of His followers, directly or indirectly. He doesn’t merely give of His resources, but of Himself.

Building Generosity into Your Life

Nothing speaks more loudly to others or serves them better than a leader’s generosity. Effective leaders gather for others, then give it away. Consider several ways to cultivate generosity in your own life:

1. Be grateful for whatever you have.
2. Put people first.
3. Don’t allow greed to control you.
4. Regard money as a resource.
5. Develop the habit of giving.

Sometimes we hold on to our possessions because we fear we might run out – life seems scarce. But when we believe that giving is the way to live, we will produce more in the future – life seems abundant. This is the life Jesus had in mind for us (John 10:10).

Little steps towards generosity go a long way. I noticed my cat’s favorite toy had a hole in it. I took a moment to be generous and patched the hole. He shows his generosity by playing more with it and is glad it is lasting longer.

Show more awareness of how you can apply it in more areas of your daily life.

Acts 5:1-11

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶ Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

⁷ About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

⁹ Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

¹⁰ At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

After the Holy Spirit falls on the believers (Acts 2:1-4), those visiting Jerusalem begin to wonder how these disciples of Jesus could speak so many languages (2:5-13). While some think the disciples are drunk, most just feel confused. Chaos seems to rule.

That’s when Peter stands up and begins to speak. This same Peter, who ran in fear on the night of Jesus’ trial, now speaks boldly. Within minutes, he has captivated everyone with his compelling words. The crowd gladly accepts his message. Why? He has charisma. Through a combination of God-given wiring and the gift of the Holy Spirit, this leader captures and motivates three thousand people to follow Christ.

What Are the Traits of a Charismatic Leader?

Most people think of charisma as something mystical, almost indefinable. They think it comes at birth or not at all. But that’s not true. Charisma is the ability to draw people to you or your cause. Some people possess more of it naturally. Like other character traits, however, it can be learned. Notice what made Peter so charismatic (2:14-40):

1. Confidence: Peter displayed poise and optimism as a buoyant communicator.
2. Conviction: He knew where he was going and what he had to say. He spoke straight from his heart.
3. Connection: He focused not on himself, but on others. He magnetically connected with his audience.
4. Compassion: He exuded warmth and love. He gave the people practical answers to their needs.

By the end of his message, everyone asked, “What shall we do?” (2:37). They felt motivated and ready to act. God used Peter’s charisma like a magnet.

How Can We Build Charisma?

How about you? Do you demonstrate charisma? To make yourself the kind of person who attracts others, build the following into your life:

1. Love life. Celebrate; don’t complain. Enjoy the journey.
2. Put a “10” on everyone’s forehead. Expect the best of people and treat them well.
3. Give people hope. Everyone looks for hope; leaders deal it out.
4. Share yourself. Be vulnerable and real. Share your heart, wisdom, and resources.

Great direction from John Maxwell. Are you applying these lessons in your life so that others see it in the actions you take? You don’t have to tell them; you have to show it.

Acts 2:1-41

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
²¹ And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’^[c]

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,^[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. ²⁵ David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
²⁷ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’^[e]

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. ³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. ³³ Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
³⁵ until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’^[f]

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

1. The Law of the Lid: Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.
   • John 1:35-37 – John the Baptizer knew Jesus could lead his disciples further than he could.
   • John 6:66-68 – Peter confessed that the disciples had no better leader to turn to.
2. The Law of Influence: The true measure of leadership is influence – Nothing more, nothing less.
   • Matthew 4:18-20 – Jesus called His disciples, who left everything to follow Him.
   • John 11:47, 48 – The Pharisees feared that if Jesus continued, everyone would follow Him.
3. The Law of Process: Leadership develops daily, not in a day.
   • Luke 2:52 – Jesus continued to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men.
   • Hebrews 5:7-9 – Although He was God’s Son, Jesus grew and learned through suffering.
4. The Law of Navigation: Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.
   • Matthew 10:1-23 – Jesus gave specific direction in sending out His disciples.
   • Luke 14:25-35 – Jesus taught the value of planning and calculating one’s resources.
5. The Law of the Picture: People do what people see.
   • Matthew 10:24, 25; John 15: 5-20 – Jesus taught that followers soon look like their leader.
   • Matthew 14:22-33 – When Jesus walked on water, Peter imitated Him and attempted it.
6. The Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of leadership.
   • Matthew 17: 24-27 – To prevent offending anyone, Jesus paid even the smallest tax.
   • Matthew 22:15-46 – Jesus debated enemies and answered questions with integrity.
7. The Law of Respect: People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
   • Matthew 3:11-15 – John the Baptizer acknowledged Jesus’ superiority over his ministry.
   • Matthew 8:5-10 – A centurion sought out Jesus, knowing His authority over all things.
8. The Law of Intuition: Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias.
   • Matthew 9:35-38 – Jesus saw the masses and discerned how to reach them.
   • Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus saw Simon’s leadership potential when he didn’t see it himself.
9. The Law of Magnetism: Who you are is who you attract.
   • Mark 10:28-31 – Peter reminded Jesus that he left everything, just as Christ did.
   • John 17:13-21 – Jesus confessed the similarities and unity of the men God gave Him.
10. The Law of Connection: Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.
    • Luke 8:22- 9:1 – Jesus met the needs of His disciples, a demoniac, and Jairus – then sent them out.
    • John 4:7-26 – Jesus connected with a Samaritan woman right where she lived.
11. The Law of the Inner Circle: A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him.
    • Luke 9:1-10:42 – Jesus sent out the Twelve and the 70, who multiplied His impact.
    • John 17:1-26 – Jesus spent a night praying for the success of His inner circle.
12. The Law of Empowerment: Only secure leaders give power to others.
    • John 13:1-20 – Jesus felt secure enough to wash feet and send men out to do the same.
    • Luke 10:1-24 – Jesus gave His power away to the 70 so they could serve others.
13. The Law of Addition: Leaders add value by serving others.
    • John 13:1-17 – Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and gave an example of adding value.
    • Matthew 14:21-31 – Jesus sought solitude but continued to serve others and meet needs.
14. The Law of Buy-In: People buy in to the leader, then the vision.
    • Luke 5:3-11 – Jesus built His team before they understood the details of His vision.
    • Luke 9:57-62 – Jesus confronted men who followed Him before they knew His vision.
15. The Law of Victory: Leaders find a way for the team to win.
    • Matthew 14:13-33 – Jesus found a way to feed the masses and saved His disciples on the ship.
    • Mark 16:1-20 – Jesus’ resurrection surprised everyone and restored their hope.
16. The Law of the Big Mo: Momentum is a leader’s best friend.
    • Mark 1:40-45 – Jesus’ fame spread to the point that He couldn’t even enter a public place.
    • John 12:9-19 – After Lazarus’s resuscitation, it seemed the whole world sought Jesus.
17. The Law of Priorities: Leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment.
    • Mark 1:32-38 – Jesus ministered all night, then got alone and decided to move on.
    • Luke 10:38-42 – Jesus narrowed Martha’s to-do list to one key priority.
18. The Law of Sacrifice: A leader must give up to go up.
    • Matthew 20:20-28 – Jesus demonstrated that if you want to be great, you have to serve.
    • John 10:10-18 – Jesus willingly laid down His life for His sheep.
19. The Law of Timing: When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go.
    • John 7:6-8 – Jesus knew when His time had come to reveal the kingdom.
    • John 11:1-6 – When Lazarus got sick, Jesus waited to visit him until after he had died.
20. The Law of Explosive Growth: To add growth, lead followers; to multiply, lead leaders.
    • Mark 16:15-20 – Jesus trained and sent leaders, and expected them to reach the world.
    • John 14:12 – Jesus prepared the Twelve to do greater works than He did.
21. The Law of Legacy: A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.
    • Acts 1:6-8 – Jesus’ most important words were His last ones to the next generation.
    • Acts 17:1-6 – The apostles’ reputation spread: They turned the world upside down.

Find ways to apply all of this to your life, too!

The flawed worldview of the Jewish leaders contributed greatly to their continuing inability to understand Jesus. They sat in a place of power and feared being displaced. Jesus taught that leadership meant serving others; they sought titles and positions of honor. Jesus taught that leadership meant giving up rights; they took pride in their heritage as sons of Abraham. Jesus told them that their actions revealed their true father – and that’s when they had had enough. This Jesus simply was too radical for them. Still, they couldn’t win a debate with Him. He seemed to know the Scriptures better than they did! He was different from them – but much to their disappointment, He was right.

The Pharisees sought power and were already competing with the Roman Empire for control of the masses. Not only did they have to deal with their own king, Herod, but they also needed to consider a Roman governor named Pontius Pilate. Consequently, they protected every bit of turf they could.

Does this sound like any leader you know? Someone who fights to maintain manmade traditions and rules? Someone blind to the needs of others and preoccupied with himself or herself? Such leaders stand in contrast to the servant leadership Jesus modeled.

Secular Leadership vs. Spiritual Leadership

Take a moment to contrast the world’s leadership model with Jesus’ model.

Issue… Secular Leadership… Spiritual Leadership

How to gain influence… Leverage power… Love people (Phil. 2:3-11)

How to possess confidence… Compete and win… Depend on God (2 Cor. 3:4-6)

How to acquire authority… Claim your rights and position… Servanthood (Matt. 20:20-28)

How to grow an organization… Demand of people… Develop people (Acts 19:8-10)

What vision drives you… Temporal gain… Eternal gain (Matthew 6:31-32)

What is success… Overcoming the competition… Obeying the Lord (1 Cor. 4:1-5)

The heart of leadership… The boss… A Father (1 Cor. 4:15)

What does your leadership look like? Are you a Pharisee or a servant?

Thoughts of John Maxwell to maximize leadership skills of truly being a servant.

John 8:1-59

¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” ²⁰ He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is

²¹ Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

²² This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

²³ But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴ I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

²⁵ “Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. ²⁶ “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

²⁷ They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. ²⁸ So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up^[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. ²⁹ The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” ³⁰ Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.^[b]”

³⁹ “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would^[c] do what Abraham did. ⁴⁰ As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. ⁴¹ You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. ⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! ⁴⁶ Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. ⁵⁵ Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

While Peter emphatically denied Christ around a little courtyard fire, that moment merely expressed the condition of his heart. His commitment level had already drained away in the Garden of Gethsemane. There, he felt helpless, powerless to maintain the promise he had made (Matt. 26:35).

When our commitment drains away, we follow the same progression as Peter:

Stage 1: His following became distant. “Peter followed at a distance” (Luke 22:54). This is not what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 16:24). This is not what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 16:24. Peter is still following Christ, but incognito. He’s no longer ready to die.

Stage 2: His fellowship became divided. “Peter sat among them” (22:55). Now the guilty disciple is mixing with an uncommitted crowd. He’s a man without a country. He’s torn between the apathetic and the committed.

Stage 3: His faith became deluded. “But he denied Him, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know Him'” (22:57). His words now reveal his weakness, even among men and women who pose no immediate threat to him.

Stage 4: His fervor became denial. “But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!'” (22:60). Peter rejects any association with Jesus. His words no longer display apathy, but rejection.

Levels of Commitment

Jesus always related to people at the level of commitment they were ready to make. Note the four levels of commitment in Jesus’ disciples:

Level One: Come and See

This is the level of curiosity (see John 1:35-51). At this stage, Jesus’ interaction is light and easy. When people are here, look for chemistry and faithfulness.

Level Two: Come and Follow

This is the level of commitment (see Luke 5:1-11). Jesus’ words now call for some commitment. The person is ready to be challenged. Look for hunger and teachability.

Level Three: Come and Surrender

This is the conviction level (see Mark 8:34,35). This step is appropriate only after a deep relationship and mutual trust have developed. Look for initiative and determination.

Level Four: Come and Multiply

This is the commissioned level (see Matt. 28:19,20). Here, Jesus calls His men to reproduce what He did with them. Look for leadership and people skills.

Great tips from John Maxwell for understanding the different stages and levels. This helps evaluate your relationships and how to improve them.

Luke 22:54-62

Peter Disowns Jesus

⁵⁴ Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

⁵⁷ But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

⁵⁸ A little later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Everyone knows that leaders must demonstrate competence to earn the trust and respect of their followers. No one chooses to follow an incompetent leader over a competent one, regardless of personality. Friendships are not synonymous with leadership; people can like you as a friend but not follow you as a leader. To the degree they feel you as a leader. To the degree they feel you are incompetent to lead, they will distance themselves from your leadership.

Competence goes beyond words. It’s the leader’s ability to say it, plan it, and do it in such a way that others know you know your business – and know that they want to follow you. Competence must be sought at every organizational level. Incompetence can be tolerated nowhere. John Gardner once wrote, “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.”

Jesus highlights the issue of competence in the two stories recounted in Luke 14. In both stories, what is missing is competence. The builder and the king in these stories lacked what it took to get the job done. Therefore, the tower never got built, and the war was never won. According to Jesus, competence requires three ingredients:

1. Commitment – Jesus said our commitment to Him must look like disdain for everyone else. We must pick up our cross and follow Him.
2. Resources – Jesus spoke about a builder calculating whether he had enough to finish a tower. Determine whether your resources, gifts, talents, and abilities are available to do the job.
3. Intelligence – Jesus spoke about a king seeking counsel to know whether he should go to battle. Part of competence is the insight to know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

The combination of these three components spells not only competence, but excellence. It’s what makes people follow a leader. So – in what area are you most competent? Where do you excel? What makes others follow you?

Great questions and thoughts from John Maxwell. It forces me to think about my strengths and what others around me have mentioned they like to build on. Keep building your resources to deepen your use of your intelligence and tools.

Luke 14:28-32

²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

John needed passion to fulfill his God-given calling. Every pioneer needs passion. Pioneers cannot be satisfied with mere maintenance, for they have nothing yet to maintain. They create from nothing. The common folk often view them as eccentric – but their passion attracts other pioneers.

What gave John his passion?

1. He spent time in solitude. Before John began his public ministry, he lived in the wilderness and spent much time with God. He boiled with the presence of God and could hardly stay quiet.
2. He felt consumed with his mission. John knew of Jesus’ identity and His soon-coming advent. John urgently tried to prepare the way for Him.
3. He possessed a magnetic temperament and wiring. John is described as a voice crying out (Luke 3:4) and as an exhorter (3:18). Like a magnet, he repelled some and attracted others.
4. He possessed a strong sense of justice. When people asked John what they should do, he told them to do justice (3:10-14). This hunger for justice drove him. He wouldn’t sit still until he saw results.
5. He saw things as black and white. Like others with prophetic gifts, John saw most issues as either black or white. While this may sound narrow to most pastors or businesspeople, it is part of what gave John his passion.
6. He felt dissatisfied with anything but action. John was a doer. He didn’t want people to merely talk about repentance and faith. He told the Pharisees they should bring forth fruit to prove their repentance.

Passion makes for an effective ministry. So how can you increase your passion?

1. Take your temperature. Get an honest assessment from coworkers: Are you passionate about what you do? You can’t start a fire in your organization unless it first burns in you.
2. Return to your first love. Many leaders allow life to push them off track. Think back to when you first began your career. What drove you? What made you enthusiastic?
3. Associate with people of passion. Birds of a feather flock together. Hot coals stay hot when they remain in the fire. Find passionate people and let them rub off on you.

People who have a passion show it strongly. Great thoughts of passionate leadership from John Maxwell.

Luke 3:2-22

during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
⁶ And all people will see God’s salvation.’”^[a]

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

¹¹ John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

¹² Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

¹³ “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

¹⁴ Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. ¹⁶ John answered them all, “I baptize you with^[b] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with^[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” ¹⁸ And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

¹⁹ But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, ²⁰ Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Israel, gives us a sad example of a leader who failed to take responsibility. When Jesus appeared before him for judgment, he could find nothing wrong with Him. Yet instead of judging Him as innocent, he succumbed to the pressure of the crowd. Sensing they wanted to punish an innocent man, he gave them a choice: Barabbas or Jesus? When they wrongly chose Jesus as the more guilty man, Pilate walked over to a basin of water and tried to wash his hands of any responsibility for his decision. He pretended he could evade ownership of the consequences. Pilate committed the sin of omission and tried to get off on a legal technicality.

None of this surprised the Jews, since Pilate had a history of such behavior. He tended to withdraw whenever things heated up. Once he put the Roman eagle in the temple, prompting 5,000 Jews to march to his vacation home to demand he remove it. He called in the army and demanded that they leave. When they refused, he threatened to cut off their heads. The Jews got down on their knees, in essence saying, “Go ahead!” Shocked by their moral conviction, he backed down. From that point on, the Jews knew this man lacked a backbone and would run from responsibility. He illustrates moral and political compromise.

Just why did Pilate “wash his hands” of responsibility?

1. He had a problem with foundations (v. 22). Pilate never forged the character to withstand adversity. Conflict paralyzed him.
2. He had a problem with futility (vv. 23, 24). He perceived that no good would come from a right decision, so why waste time? Apathy proliferates when we sense that action seems useless.
3. He had a problem with fear (v. 24). Pilate felt preoccupied with survival. If he fought the Jews, he feared the loss of control, image, or position. His wife’s warning added fuel to his fear.
4. He had a problem with failure (v. 24). Pilate knew a riot was brewing. The last time it happened, he failed to rise to the occasion, and the Jews called his bluff. They knew he worried more about failure than they did.
5. He had a problem with focus (v. 24). Leaders cannot be neutral or passive over crucial decisions. Pilate picked up a basin and tried to wash his hands of the whole mess. No good leader does this.

Devotional by John Maxwell. Matthew 27:11-31 teaches how you can learn from these leaders to be stronger in your responsibility.

Jesus Before Pilate

¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. ¹⁶ At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus^[a] Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. ³⁰ They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. ³¹ After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to be crucified.

1. They don’t provide security for others.
2. They take more than they give.
3. They continually limit their best people.
4. They continually limit or sabotage their organization’s success.
5. They spend more energy trying to keep their job than doing their job.

Effective leadership begins with an emotionally and spiritually healthy leader. Why is this true? Why must we focus on our personal security? Consider several reasons:

1. Leadership must flow out of “being,” not merely “doing.”
2. Strong character is necessary to sustain strong conduct.
3. Insecure leaders cause their organizations to plateau.
4. Personal security provides the infrastructure to support leaders in adversity.
5. Insecure leaders will never empower and develop secure followers.
6. Inward strength provides the only hope of finishing well.

Most of us struggle with feelings of insecurity. Leadership roles, however, work like a magnifying glass on our personal insecurity, blowing everything out of proportion because we know everyone is watching. We tend to react by trying to cover up our flaws, rather than being honest. This is yet another reason why leaders must commit to laying a strong foundation for personal security.

None of us ever grows beyond four fundamental human needs:

1. A sense of Worth – if missing, we feel inferior.
2. A Sense of Belonging – if missing, we feel insecure.
3. A Sense of Purpose – if missing, we feel illegitimate.
4. A Sense of Competence – if missing, we feel inadequate.

How then should we respond to these crucial issues?

1. Leaders should settle this issue with God before they reach positions of influence.
2. Our personal worth and security must come from our “secret history” with God.
3. We should never place our emotional health in the hands of another.
4. We must release people from the expectation that they will meet our basic needs.

We become healthy leaders only when we don’t expect others to meet the needs that only God can meet.

Devotional thoughts of John Maxwell. This reminds me to really evaluate on how I respond to issues, threats, and things people are looking for reactions to. Standing strong and using these leadership skills shows that we are really skilled in knowing others needs first.

Matthew 2:1-18

The Magi Visit the Messiah

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’^[b]”

⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Escape to Egypt

¹³ When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵ where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”^[c]

¹⁶ When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. ¹⁷ Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

¹⁸ “A voice is heard in Ramah,
    weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
    and refusing to be comforted,
    because they are no more.”^[d]

Why Do We Fail to Initiate?

It seems easier to run from a challenge than to step out and take a risk. When we initiate, we commit ourselves to a direction. We may feel uncertain about what the future holds. What if we change our minds? What if we fail in front of our followers? We run from commitment and initiative for a variety of reasons.

Reason 1. We are afraid we’ll be unable to keep the commitment.

Issue – Low sense of security.

Reason 2. We suspect we might find “greener grass” somewhere else.

Issue- Paralyzed will

Reason 3. We expend time and energy only for personal gain.

Issue – No surrender

Reason 4. Our past makes trust difficult.

Issue – Emotional baggage.

Reason 5. We are lazy and unmotivated.

Issue – Apathy and neutrality

Reason 6. We fear rejection.

Issue – Poor self-esteem.

Reason 7. We fear the unknown and the unfamiliar.

Issue – Low confidence.

Reason 8. We don’t want to lose our freedom.

Issue – Entitlement philosophy

Reason 9. We fear being different from others.

Issue – Politically correct.

Reason 10. We don’t really know who we are.

Issue – Gifts and calling.

Jonah had to learn initiative. It started with learning submission to God. Once we surrender to His call on our lives and leadership, we can step out to follow Him. We can take risks because our future lies in His hands. Once Jonah submitted to God’s call, he saw all kinds of results. What happens when we accept God’s call to initiate and commit?

1. We assume healthy personal responsibility (1:12).
2. We’ll likely see many come to faith in God (1:13-16).
3. We receive a God-given time and place to gain perspective (1:17).
4. We deepen our experience of worship and prayer (2:1-9).
5. We progress toward a new level of personal freedom (2:10).
6. We enjoy partnership with God (3:1-9).
7. We gain the satisfaction of seeing changed lives (3:10).

Great initiative of John Maxwell to push us to take the initiative in our loyalty towards the Lord. Be more aware of why you step back and what it will take to move forward.

Jonah 2:10-3:10

¹⁰ And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah Goes to Nineveh

3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

³ Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. ⁴ Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” ⁵ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

⁶ When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in the dust. ⁷ This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. ⁸ But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. ⁹ Who knows? God may yet relent and, with compassion, turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

¹⁰ When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.