A. Joshua first made himself a servant (Exodus 24:13; 33:11)
B. Even as a leader, Joshua was willing to serve
1. He was exalted by God (Joshua 3:7; 4:14)
2. He still served One who was greater (Joshua 5:13-15)
II. Good leaders put their faith and trust in God
A. Spying out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:27-28, 31-33; 14:6-9)
B. The fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-5; Hebrews 11:30)
III. Good leaders are men of God’s Word
A. One can only follow the Word if he knows the Word (Joshua 1:7-8)
B. Joshua’s commitment to God’s Word is shown:
1. When he reminded the 2 ½ tribes of their responsibility (Joshua 1:12-15)
2. When he renewed the covenant at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (Joshua 8:30-35)
3. When he encouraged the people to obey God, even at the end of his life (Joshua 23:6,14-16)
IV. Good leaders put God first
A. Following God’s command is more important than following human wisdom (Joshua 8:1-2, 30-35; 9:1-2)
B. Care about what God thinks about us more than what people think about us (Joshua 24:14-16)
A. “Mighty in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15)
B. “Instructed in the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25)
1. John’s baptism (Mark 1:4; 11:30; as opposed to Matthew 28:19)
2. Re-baptism in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-5)
II. APOLLOS’ ATTITUDE WHEN HE LEARNED THE TRUTH
A. He humbly accepted correction
B. He believed that those in error should change (Galatians 1:6-9; Acts 18:26)
III. APOLLOS’ TREMENDOUS ZEAL
A. “Being fervent in spirit” (Acts 18:25; Romans 12:11)
1. zeo – “to boil with heat, be hot…metaphorically, used of ‘boiling’ anger, love, zeal for what is good or bad”
2. Zeal must be based on truth (Romans 10:1-3)
B. “Vigorously refuted the Jews publicly” (Acts 18:28)
C. The teacher is not the thing to put your faith in; put your faith in God (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)
A. Barnabas took action (Acts 9:26-28; 8:1-2)
B. We must seek opportunities to encourage others
II. ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE CONGREGATION
A. “With purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:19-26)
B. The attributes of Barnabas (Acts 11:24)
1. “A good man”
2. “Full of the Holy Spirit”
3. “Full of faith”
C. The action of Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3)
III. ENCOURAGEMENT IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
A. From “Barnabas and Saul” to “Paul and Barnabas” (Acts 13:42-49)
B. Accepting our roles in His church (1 Timothy 3:1; Acts 20:28-30; Hebrews 13:17; 3 John 1:9-11; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
IV. ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE FACE OF CONFLICT
A. The conflict between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:35-41; 2 Timothy 4:11)
B. We must never compromise the faith (1 Corinthians 1:10; Jude 1:3)
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)
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