Awesome Christian Leaders have a lot in common. In this episode we review traits shared by Awesome Christian Leaders.

1. Everyone must be treated with dignity and respect!

a. At the most basic level, we dignify people by recognizing their value as human beings who are made in the image of God

b. "Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king" (1 Pet. 2:17)

2. High moral standards

a. 1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

3. Every day, positive attitudes, behaviors, and interactions!

a. Hope

i. Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

b. Faith

i. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

4. Take a stand for what is right, not what is convenient.

a. I recently spoke with someone who revealed their greatest struggle with faith, and it may be the same as yours. There is no shame in it, but this person is afraid to address their position on hot-button issues for fear of receiving backlash. The bad thing was that I did not even have to inquire why. I understand how difficult it is. I understand how painful it is to be persecuted. I understand how unjust it is to be overlooked. I am aware of the overwhelming response. I am aware that the adversary appears to be stronger. I am aware of the high costs. We have a duty in Christ to be strong (Ephesians 6:10), to fight (2 Timothy 4:7), to be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17), to be courageous (Joshua 1:9), to suffer (1 Peter 3:17), to be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12), to be hated (John 15:18). We all have a duty to stand for righteousness and spread the Gospel (Mark 16:15). I know the adversaries are loud and seem great in number. I know they will not come to reason or fight a fair fight. I know that they are boastful and proud in/of their sin. Nevertheless, Christ is with us (Deuteronomy 20:1), and He is greater (Deuteronomy 10:17).

5. Take a stand for yourself

a. God gives strength to his people. He enables them to be courageous through his gift of faith. God proves himself faithful to his promises and enables his people to trust him in everyday life.

6. Be truthful and upright – be faithful to your word.

a. Chuck Swindoll says - This rare breed of man is almost extinct. Whether an executive or an apprentice, a student or a teacher, a blue or white-collar worker, a Christian or a pagan—rare indeed are those who keep their word.

b. When a man . . . takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. (Numbers 30:2 NIV)

c. Judge yourself on keeping your word.

i. When you reply, "Yes, I will pray for you,"—do you?

ii. When you tell someone they can depend on you to help them out—can they?

iii. When you say you will be there at such-and-such a time—are you?

iv. When you obligate yourself to pay a debt on time—do you?

7. Help those around you (work) - relationships and service to others are central to life.

a. Wayne helped local store

b. Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

8. Do everything with passion

a. Passion is contagious

i. Sports team

b. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

c. What are you passionate about? What should a Christian be passionate about?

i. (Abhor) Hate What is Evil. Christians struggle with the term "hate." Rather than that, we use terms such as "dislike." However, that is not strong enough! God desires that we HATE evil! "The fear of the Lord is to despise evil," Proverbs 8:13 states. "I despise pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverted mouth." It is past time for Christians to hate evil. Of course, I am not advocating that we should hate evil people! Instead, we should want no part of their evil ways. It is not welcome in our homes, schools, or minds!

ii. Cling to What is Good. Again, Christian people have a way of watering this down too. We usually "like" what is good. However, in reality, that is not strong enough! We must be stuck to it like glue. We must be so committed to good that we are inseparable! Paul says we are to "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). Things like Bible study, fellowship, prayer, worship, and service are "good" things, and we need to be glued to them!

iii. Be Devoted to One Another. It is time that Christians learn to be devoted to one another in brotherly love. That does not mean you tolerate each other for a couple of weeks during worship! That means you are family! You are passionate about helping, serving, teaching, and even admonishing one another. When you see a brother in danger of losing his soul, you do not gossip about it; you go and talk to him! Church, be devoted to your family! I am very blessed in that we have small group bible study that meets every Tuesday. I care so deeply about these people that they are my family. We rejoice in one another's accomplishments, and we pray for each other and lift each other up to God when times are bad.

iv. Serving the Lord. Paul said not to be lagging in diligence and to be fervent in our service. The word fervent means to be boiling over! Can you say you are boiling over in your service to God? In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul wrote, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." Can you say you are "always abounding in the work of the Lord?" When was the last time you honestly wore yourself out in service to the king? If you are not busy, then it is time to get busy! You are never more useful than when you are selflessly serving the Lord with everything you have!

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Episode 25 - Traits of Awesome Christians Leaders