Leadership without blemish (Prophet Samuel a case study)

 

Text : 1 Samuel 12 :1-5

Topic : Leadership without blemish (Prophet Samuel a case study)

 

*Sub Headings:

 

* Background

* A prayer answered

* Called and Positioned by God

* Grew up in a terrible environment

* Accountable in words and deeds

* Few hints on how to live a leading life without blemish

 

Background

 

1 Sam 8 details how the children of Israel requested for a king against Gods plan and arrangement for their lives. 

v.7. Latter in that chapter  vs 10ff precisely  God warned them through Prophet Samuel about what the king would do but they were recalcitrant vs 19.Chapter  9  God elects Saul who was anointed in Chapter 10. Chapter 11  The king becomes fully operational after God gave him victory over the Ammonites, leading to the sort of valedictory/ accountability speech in  chapter 12 which is our focus Tonight.

 

A prayer answered

He was a prayer answered, Elkanah had two wives but the first wife had children while Hannah didn't 1 Sam 1:1-2.  "Situation happens the most important thing is how do we react" ?

what is your situation and how are you reacting?

Hannah prays Continually to God for a solution vs 3-7, God answered her with Samuel vs 15-19

Just to apply this a little further lets note this.

 

*Some person’s presence/ ministry/leadership or other persons exit from the same/similar scene/spot is answered prayers the choice is always ours to determine which is an answered prayer. let’s think about it

Your leadership presence or exit which do you want to be a prayer answered.

     We all know what happened when the news was announced of Abacha's death, hope we have not become abachas in our sphere of influence?

 

Called and Placed by God

 

      1 Sam 3: 1-21 with special emphasis on verses 19-21.

1 Sam 3: 19-21. God called Samuel and all Israel could attest to it and God continued to appear to give messages to Him at Shiloh. Man of God what is/are the arears that God gives message or messages to you? food for thought.

     Those not called by God or placed by God have no GRACE to fall from, they are already on the floor.

     As far as calling and positioning are concerned.

* They can't but be with scars,

* blemishes

* and injuries to themselves and

* The people they lead. It is like forcing a round peg into a square hole.

  In Ministry, Only God calls and places people in leadership, anything short of this is problem and will give birth to more problems.

 

   It should also be noted that those called and placed by God also can Fall from GRACE even as tenet 11 of CAC says, the scripture also says in 1 Sam.2: 27-36.

 

Grew up in the worst of environment 1 Sam.3: 11-14

 

*  Lived under the same roof with blasphemous children vs 13

Saw Impatience around but didn't learn it 1 Sam.2:12-17

*  Saw Immorality at close range and in high places, sleeping with women who were not their wives 1Sam.2 :22

 

*  Prophet Samuel grew up in a very horrible environment, a semblance of Sodom and Gomorrah and maybe our environment today yet he stood for God we wont have an excuse.

 

 Accountable in word and deed.

 

* The life of Prophet Samuel is a great life  to learn from, he served as a leader long enough( for most of his life) to bully everyone to silence even if he was off the track/ misbehaving yet he gave the people chance to access his leadership. A very rare action/attitude amongst leaders today.

 

He did this by:

*  Providing a platform of discussion as he was even going off the stage and indirectly rejected 1 Sam 12:1-2.

*. He asked with a sincere view to get sincere response .

v3.  possibly about his cheating, stealing, bribes and oppression.

*  He gave room for response.

*  Not just talking to make an impression or deceive/ bully people.

V 4 & 5 He didn't use his rejection as an escape root for his possible misbehavior may God help us all in Jesus mighty name.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Few hints on how to live a leading life without blemish Gen 39:9, Ps 119:11

 

*.  Make up your mind to be without blemish as a leader. Dan.1:8,Gen 39:9

*  Always remember God (His word and Spirit should be our guide) in all decisions and interactions as a leader. Gen 39:9

*. Keep Godly companion Prov. 13:20, Prov. 11:14

*.  Pray to God for supplies & strength Ps 121:1 ff ( lack may makes a leader become the led or compromise)

*. Be accountable to people, you will earn their trust and you will know you are checked/ or will be checked someday both by God and men.

*.  don't go to debt or pay them as God blesses it is a major stain on leaders. Prov.22:7

God gives the empowerment/capacity to be without blemish but man has to start the process with a decision

      Our generation is bedeviled with selfish/demonic/self-seeking leaders ranging from political, academic, societal and unfortunately Spiritual.

 

Prayer:  God help us not to become part of the decadence of the world especially as it relates to leadership in Jesus mighty name(Amen).

Go and become a better leader in Jesus mighty name (Amen).