Leadership Is Part 5 – Initiative
Pastor Scott Applegate and Brian Sump
Sermon Notes:
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 NIV
“God calls everybody to use their gifts and the passion they have, but not everyone picks up the phone.” – Rick Warren –
Initiative is beliefs, convictions, and vision in action
“…Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:18 NIV
Biblical examples: Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:1-14), David (1 Samuel 17), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3), Esther (Esther 4:14, 16),
Peter (Matthew 14:22-33), Paul (Acts 16:6-10)
The Enemies of Initiative:
- Comfort and Convenience (Proverbs 6:10-11)
- Laziness (Proverbs 20:4)
- Fear of Failure (Matthew 25:14-30)
Developing an Instinct of Initiative:
- Put God’s word into practice
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
- Put God’s agenda first
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27 NLT
“If you can’t feed a thousand people, feed one.” – Mother Theresa –
- Don’t put off what you should do today
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 NIV
“Anything worth doing, is worth doing now.” – Ralph Stayer –
“Success comes to the person who does today what they were thinking about doing tomorrow.” – Unknown –
- It’s never too late until it’s too late.
- If not you, then who? If not now, when?
- What relationship needs your attention?
- What “someday” will you start today?
- Where is God calling you to step out in faith? Risk? Into action?