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These prisoners were (pardon me for this) twice pardoned.. 554 The wind would tend to blow the ship much more quickly than the current, and so a sea anchor would reduce the force of the wind on the ship by using the sea as a brake. Tim Cook, for example, hires people who challenge and inspire him. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love, but also a time for courage. He had God on his side. His God was in control of all things, including the sea. The soldiers who were guarding them were not as concerned about their survival as much as the possibility of an escape. By the end of this time, all hope had been lost, either of the storm abating, or of any rescue. Let us consider just a few: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. A friend of mine, Jonathan Leath, wrote a book he titled You Only Lead One (YOLO). The passengers were not to lose hope, but to keep up their courage. Since this was not an ideal place to spend the winter, and sailing conditions looked favorable at the moment, they decided to press on to a more accommodating port. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. Paul was told by the angel not to be afraid, because he was going to stand before Caesar. [1] It is important to note that he learned leadership principles and faith from his parents (Hebrew 11:23 . His leadership was built not so much on ancestry from the Jewish lineage as by faithfulness. When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. They all waited for the morning light. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? After all, the ships captain and the pilot had more experience, and they also had more to lose. {I have been} on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from {my} countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:25-26). The storm threatens not only the life of Paul, but also the lives of all on board his ship. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? Nelson Mandela (1918-2013).South African political leader victim of the racial policies of Apartheid that segregated black and white, in favor of the former. They would hardly wish to be close to shore in the storm anyway, for there was more danger of the ship breaking up on the rocks than of it breaking up in the open sea. The Fast is the day of atonement (Yom Kippur), which falls on Tishri 10. 541 Lukes narrative of the voyage and shipwreck of Paul on his way to Italy is a small classic in its own right, as graphic a piece of descriptive writing as anything in the Bible. Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. What has happened over the course of these events, so that a lowly prisoner, a man at the bottom of the ladder, so far as position and influence are concerned, is now the outstanding leader? 545 This seems to be the same Aristarchus mentioned in Acts 19:29; 20:4; Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 24. Look at what was necessary for these men to be qualified to carry out this task. The angel of God told Paul not to be afraid, which would indicate that he was afraid. Every passenger made it safely to shore. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Airline pilots must constantly monitor weather conditions, and make decisions as to the route they will take, their altitude, and even their destination. Several factors contributed to the decision to sail on. It was the crew of the ship who lived dangerously, foolishly risking the ship, the cargo, and the lives of all on board, just to get ahead a little. That sounds like leadership to me. 36 Just as it is written, For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. He was most likely the envy of other young leaders. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. Pauls faith and his courage were contagious. The safety of the passengers, involved their actions, in eating a good meal, in lightening the ship, and in swimming to shore or in clinging to some wreckage and floating to shore. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Regardless of where you find yourself, you have to lead. Other words for democratic leadership In A.D. 59 it fell on October 5, but in all the neighboring years from 57 to 62 it fell earlier. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company [photolithoprinted], 1966), p. 191, quoting Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen, p. 319. 15:24; 16: 2-3). An elder must live a blameless life. There were no petty thieves on board this ship. Just so you know, the person they are talking about in Acts 18:26 is Apollos. It was drifting wherever the storm carried it. No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. If this was all that Paul said to these soldiers, he did not tell them that these men were attempting to abandon ship. That safety is only in Christ. Is there not a kind of parable here? The ships crew tried to hug the shore of Crete, until they could reach Phoenix, a harbor not all that distant. A church leader is a manager of Gods household, so he must live a blameless life. Paul encouragement the passengers to trust God to do all that He promised. Jesus (Luke 5:16) Of course, one cannot talk about godly leadership without pointing to the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:3-9). Born a Cypriot and reared a Levite, he linked the Hellenistic world and the Jerusalem church. 33 Who will bring a charge against Gods elect? Let us, like Paul, have a word from God for such needy times as ours. Resilience may be the cornerstone of effective leadership. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. As the journey to Rome continues, there are yet to be more signs and wonders accomplished through the hands of Paul (see 28:3-10). They followed Paul because he knew where he was going and inspired confidence in others to follow him. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong (Titus 1:9). If Gods sovereignty is the source of comfort to the Christian, it is the source of terror for the unbeliever, for God has warned of His coming judgment. He had a special place. The lives which Paul warned would be lost were those lives which were spared by God, for Pauls sake (see verses 22-24). The time which had been lost, due to unfavorable winds, made it evident that they would not be able to reach Rome, not without wintering at some port, and finishing the journey in the Spring.550 The only question now was where they would winter, and whether or not they would press on to some more favorable port. Democratic leadership style fosters high job satisfaction and productivity because followers are involved in decision making. When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. They could not see the sun nor the stars (verse 20) and so they were unable to navigate. Paul had a fair bit of experience with sea travel. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. Beyond this, God is free to act or not to act in any way that He chooses. Related articlesHow and Why Should I Pray for Leaders?An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others, Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? But there was a problem. In the early church there was a problem. (5) The storm, and the gospel which leads to salvation. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. In the sea of Adria (en toi Hadriai). The centurion found an Alexandrian ship,547 laden with wheat that was headed for Italy. 550 As they waited for a change of wind at Fair Havens, it soon became clear that they could not complete the voyage to Italy before the onset of winter. Take aids, or drugs, for example. To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. Paul had courage in the face of opposition because he had limitless horizons in his mission. . They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. He turned to the centurion and the soldiers and gave them what were really orders: Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved (verse 31). He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, 10 Gift Ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month, Pastor Appreciation Month: 5 Ways to Say Thanks, Why Prayer is Essential in the Life of a Leader. Discouraged by the disapproval of Jesus, yet blessed by the warmth and affection of Jesus. This necessitated sailing close to the coast of Cyprus, which, to some degree, sheltered them from the contrary winds (verse 4). Paul did not have a formal position as leader, but was rather a functional leader. He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate them this year. Jesus: A leader is a servant first. Godly leadership like this can impact homes, communities, churches, businesses, schools, politics, sports basically every area of life. Pauls leadership emerged in a democratic society. We are told that the majority reached the decision to sail on, rather than to winter in Fair Havens. Why not get better at it? Neither Lasea nor Fair Havens is mentioned by any ancient writer, two of the hundred cities of Crete. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 460. They intended to put all the prisoners to death,563 thus eliminating the risk of an escape. What he recognized was the person who had the ability to help bring deliverance to the Jews was Esther. These people saw first hand the hope of the gospel in Paul, when all hope was lost. Gods mission for Paul was to go to Rome and there to preach the gospel. Remember, he struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. What kind of leadership did Paul exercise, and how did this impact the gospel? He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. Humanly viewed, Paul was constantly in grave danger, but he was never more safe or secure than when he was on his way to Rome. Whatever dangers might arise, He will protect His people, in accordance with His purposes and promises. Los usurpadores de poder suelen ser democrticos si han sido elegidos en elecciones . They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. Pauls leadership emerged in a time of crisis, in an hour of need, when no one else seemed to have any answers.565 Functional leadership (as opposed to formal leadership) emerges in times of need. Priscilla and Aquila were hospitable. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. But we can still have hope, even when we are afraid. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Verses 14-20: A Sudden Storm and Lost Hope, Verses 21-26: Pauls Night Visitation and Words of Encouragement, Verses 30-32: Sailors Stopped From Abandoning Ship, Verses 33-41: Pauls Encouragement and the Ships Grounding, Verses 42-44: Prisoners and Passengers Spared From Death. He wanted to spare him, and so he forbade them from killing any of the prisoners.564 All of the prisoners were spared, on account of one personPaul, just as all of the passengers were spared for Pauls sake. His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. He took Pauls warnings seriously here, too. 16:8, 16-20). It is enough to discourage any pastor. During the night, an angel of God had appeared to Paul, with a sure and certain word about the future, a word that would bring encouragement to all on board ship. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. He left this to God. Several days before, Paul had told the passengers, who had lost all hope, that they would all be saved, although the ship would run aground (verses 21-26). The God whom Paul served was a God who was (and is) in control. He doesn't mince words when he calls them "a brood of vipers.". Consider these two things: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home (Titus 1:8). There are portions of Scripture that talk about the qualifications of a leader in the church. Gods power and His sovereign control are no pretext for carelessness or recklessness. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. The Bible is pretty clear about what Godly leadership looks like. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal. Susan Ward. One more detail about the future was revealed by Paul: the ship must run aground on a certain, but unnamed, island. There was some level of favoritism going on. Isnt it true that men do those things which they know to be risky, partly for the love of the risk, and often due to some small gain they wish, prompted by a false sense of assurance, and by the hope for some small gain? (3) The Sovereignty of God and the Ultimate Peril of the Lost. All one needs is a clean needle or a condom or possibility an abortion and theyre off and running, seeking a little pleasure, at the cost of the loss of their life, and of their soul. Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969) - The 34th President of the U.S. Eisenhower was the Supreme Command of NATO before he served two terms as the U.S. President. Those who could swim should jump first, and make their way to shore. Is this principle of extended deliverance perhaps an explanation of Pauls comments in 1 Corinthians 7, that the unbeliever is sanctified on account of the believer? It will, however, come eventually. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. Julius and the others did not seem to look upon Paul in religious or spiritual terms, but only in terms of practical and proven ability and knowledge. Paul lived dangerously, in one respect, but no one could have been any safer. The death penalty is certainly one possibility. But what are some of these purposes and promises? 1 Timothy 4:12. The winds seem to have blown the ship away from the island of Crete. There are also plenty of real-life examples of leadership in action. 561 Before, adrift in the sea, they made no effort to guide the ship. Titus would be a good place to start, and there are other scriptures as well. Because of its size and cargo, it required deeper water. Pauls leadership was not viewed as spiritual leadership by those on board the ship. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. If they were to have the strength necessary to make it to shore, they would need to start the day with a good meal. I know it sounds more like mother or a TV commercial, but Paul was dealing with a very practical necessity. You may be familiar with the story of Esther. 1 Peter 5:3. Thus, the safety of the ship, according to Pauls words, required the presence of the crew. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). What are some examples of democratic leadership? But he was wrong about the loss of passengers. The ship ran aground on a reef, where it would be broken up by the action of the still raging waves. They were not in control of the ship. Time would prove Paul right. Here is another example of Godly leadership in the Bible that sometimes gets overlooked. 546 With the westerly winds which prevail in those seas, says James Smith, ships, particularly those of the ancients, unprovided with a compass and ill calculated to work to windward, would naturally stand to the north till they made the land of Asia Minor, which is peculiarly favourable for navigation by such vessels, because the coast is bold and safe, and the elevation of the mountains makes it visible at a great distance; it abounds in harbours, and the sinuosities of its shores and the westerly current would enable them, if the wind was at all off the land, to work to windward, at least as far as Cnidus, where these advantages ceased. The meeting's facilitator will be acting democratically if they actively seek out the team's thoughts and opinions and encourage them to voice them. Scripture offers examples of both. My guess is that he had skills the like of which Moses himself admired, perhaps even envied. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. But Pauls concern here was not for himself, but for others. A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. Not one soul was lost. I could talk about David, Moses, or Nehemiah, but I want to talk about three lesser-known leaders who make great examples of Godly leadership in the Bible. If Paul had been incompetent and impotent in this time of crisis, who would have wanted to hear him tell about faith in Jesus as the Messiah? With renewed strength, the passengers set about lightening the ship by throwing the remainder of the cargo the cargo of wheat overboard. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. (This also required a small boat, which was going to be taken by those abandoning the ship.) Paul took bread, and giving thanks to God before all, he began to eat. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who dont have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. The one whose fate was sure and certain, was the most cautious; those whose ultimate fate was most uncertain were those who lived most dangerously. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. I suspect so. I do not think that Pauls words were meant as a typical I told you so so much as they were spoken to motivate his peers to listen to him now. Because of their very limited visibility, they might not see the land until it was too late. The point was, before you can lead others you have to learn how to lead yourself. Nevertheless, they decided to press on to a better harbor. He sold his land and gave it to the church treasury. The journey was delayed by unfavorable winds. The first 8 verses of the chapter take Paul from Caesarea to a harbor named Fair Havens, not far from the city of Lasea. The cultural expectations on pastors are mostly unbiblical, entirely impractical, and generally downright unrealistic. These are examples of democratic leadership: All opinions are brought forward in team meetings. It has become an untenable situation, a burden no man can bear. As a church staff or volunteer ministry leader, you can learn valuable and unique lessons from several biblical characters. The soldiers were acting, as it were, on Pauls orders. One of the most outstanding examples of leadership in the Bible is the example of Moses. With great difficulty, the dinghy was hoisted on board, and then supporting cables were used to undergird the bottom of the ship, so that it might not break up under the weight of its cargo and the stresses of the storm. Looking back on these words would demonstrate that this was indeed prophecy. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. Furthermore, Paul was an apostle, a man through whom God had worked many signs and wonders. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. of Democratic Leadership Examples President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was famously democratic in his leadership style, once said that "leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well." He spoke prophetically of the fate of the ship and its passengers. Accompanying Paul were Luke544 and Aristarchus, who was from Thessalonica.545. (1) A look at leadership. If you want to know what type of leader God wants you to be, there is your answer. And so they were strengthened, both in spirit and in body. The ship did not make it all the way to that beach toward which they were steering it. 565 In particular, much may be learned from Lukes portrayal of Pauls character and behavior in circumstances in which the real man is most likely to be revealed. All must abandon ship now. He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for us not to work, but the assurance that our work is not in vain, in the Lord. Your Bible study. When you study closely, you will discover these examples of leadership in the Bible can help you address all of lifes situations. 2:2). Photo Credit: Sparrowstock. They had little to gain and much to lose. When they set sail from Fair Havens, fifty or sixty miles brought them under the lee of Cauda (v. 16); on the fourteenth night from Cauda they drew near the coast of Malta (v. 27), and the next day (v. 39) they landed on that island, where they spent three months (28:11). What the ships crew intended to do was a cowardly thing. The precise status of Julius is difficult to determine: from the authority which he assumed when once (from Myra onward) he found himself on board a ship of the Alexandrian grain fleet, it might be inferred that he was a frumentarius, an officer charged with supervising the transport of grain (frumentum) to Rome. Bruce p. 477. He was not a sailor; in fact he was not even a paying passenger. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! Obedient Daniel. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. They were now well into the dangerous season; as Luke notes, even the Fast had now gone by. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:3-6). Then the passengers would have a better chance to reach shore. God does not jump through our hoops and thus Paul never presumed that he had Gods power on tap to use when and how he chose. Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. Clearly the answer is yes. If you are a Christian, the same safety is yours, when you are walking in obedience to His commands, and within His purposes. The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. Paul: "Believe in something bigger than yourself." "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). He only said that their remaining on ship was necessary if these soldiers wanted to survive. For Pauls sake, all the passengers on board his ship were spared from the storm. In Acts 20:35, we see him say to the elders of the church in Ephesus, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more .