Lead Up | Jan 15, 2023
Lead Up: Sheep Pen Beginnings
Psalm 78:70-72
“There are no shortcuts to worthwhile destinations. The destination dictates the journey.” Charlie Weir
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Circle #6 World
Psalm 78:70-72 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; 71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. 72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
What is a sheep pen?
A sheep pen is a safe place to learn.
A sheep pen forges integrity.
A sheep pen is a launching place.
A sheep pen is an anchor point.
Common Leadership Partnerships
The reluctant leader
The overlooked leader
The Call Begins: Exodus 3:10 – 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Moses’ Reluctance #1: Exodus 3:11 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
God’s Response #1: Exodus 3:12a “…And God said, ‘I will be with you’”.
Moses’ Reluctance #2. Exodus 3:13 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God’s Response #2: Exodus 3:14-15 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
Moses’ Reluctance #3: Exodus 4:1 “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
God’s Response #3: Exodus 4:2-9 2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So, Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.” 6 Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. 7 “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So, Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. 8 Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”
Moses’ Reluctance #4: Exodus 4:10 10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
God’s Response #4: Exodus 4:11-12 11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
Moses Conclusion: Exodus 4:13 13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
God’s Conclusion: Exodus:14-17 14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”
Two common leaders with whom God partners.
The reluctant leader
The overlooked leader
God uses reluctant, overlooked and flawed people for spiritual influence for spiritual impact. Surrendered, faith-filled movement overcomes disqualifying actions and squandered opportunities.
Never underestimate the power of a simple step of faith.