JORASOM

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION OF MANAGEMENT

COURSE CODE: CRS301

JORASOM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

This course is part of the JORASOM International University, a program designed to equip
believers for effective spiritual harvest.

The basic theme of the training is to teach what Jesus taught, that which took men who were
fishermen, tax collectors, etc., and changed them into reproductive Christians who reached their
world with the Gospel in a demonstration of power.

This manual is a single course in one of several modules of curriculum which moves believers
from visualizing through deputizing, multiplying, organizing, and mobilizing to achieve the goal
of evangelizing.

©JORASOM International University

http://www.jorasom.com

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 INTRODUCTION
This study presents principles of management revealed in God's written Word, the Holy Bible.
"Management" is another word for "stewardship.” "Stewards,” or "managers,” are responsible
over something entrusted to them by someone else. As believers, each of us are managers of
spiritual resources with which God has entrusted us.

A serious problem with many Christian leaders is that of organizing and managing these spiritual
resources. If laborers for spiritual harvest are few as the Bible indicates, then they should be
properly organized and mobilized.

Human growth occurs through the multiplication of living cells and the development of a
skeleton to support them. For the body of Christ to grow, structure is also important. Spiritual
life brings growth which we must be prepared to support.

This course is first in a series of three in the "Organizing Module" of training offered by
JORASOM International University. This study, along with the courses "Environmental
Analysis" and "Management By Objectives" which follow, will help you become a good steward
of spiritual resources. We recommend that these three courses be studied in order for proper
understanding of the leadership, planning, and organization necessary for effective ministry.

This course introduces the subject of management, identifies leadership positions, and stresses
the importance of the anointing to lead. Biblical principles of leading like a servant and shepherd
and qualifications for leaders are also discussed.

Major tasks of leaders are reviewed, with emphasis on decision making and handling conflicts.
Guidelines for training leaders and followers are given, and principles of success and reasons for
failure examined.

The Appendix of this course provides opportunity for learning additional principles by studying
examples of great leaders in the Bible.

MODULE ELEVEN
FACING FAILURE

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OBJECTIVES;

Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:

• Write the Key Verse from memory.

• Identify three basic causes for failure.
• Identify Biblical leaders who triumphed over failure.
• Identify Biblical leaders whose lives ended in failure.
• List Biblical guidelines for turning failure to success.

KEY VERSE;

A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. (Proverbs 24:16)

INTRODUCTION

This lesson is one of the most important ones in this course on "Biblical Management
Principles.” It deals with failure. God has perfect plans, but He works through imperfect
leaders to accomplish His plans. Because you are imperfect, you must understand the reasons for
failure and know what to do when you fail.

In this lesson you will learn the basic causes of failure. You will study examples of leaders
whose lives ended in failure and those who turned failure into success. You will also be given
Biblical guidelines for facing failure and turning it to success.

WHAT CAUSES FAILURE?

There are three basic reasons for failure:

1. FAILURE IN RELATIONSHIP:

Many leaders fail because they have an improper relationship with God. They may not have
developed the proper spiritual foundations listed in Hebrews 6:1-3. When they try to build a
work for God on a poor spiritual foundation, it collapses.
Some leaders get so busy doing "God's work" that they neglect prayer, Bible study, fasting, and
seeking the Lord and His will. Others lose their first intense love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Instead of God and His Kingdom being the priority, cares and riches of the world, making
money, or pleasing people begin to take first place in their lives.

King Uzziah is an example of a leader who failed because of his own relationship with God.
King Uzziah started well. He sought the Lord (II Chronicles 26:6-8). He did well in battles

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against Israel's enemies (II Chronicles 26:6-8). But when King Uzziah became well known and
prideful, he began to "act corruptly,” was unfaithful to God, and no longer sought the Lord (II
Chronicles 26:16).

To be a leader, you must have close fellowship with God. Many leaders who have failed discover
that their problem began with a failure in their own personal relationship with God.

2. FAILURE BY COMMISSION:

"Failure by commission" means failure caused by your own sinful actions. Sins of "commission"
include every wrong action, word, attitude or motive. Such acts or sins of "commission" result in
failure.

3. FAILURE BY OMISSION:

"Failure by omission" means failure caused by what you do not do. When you sin by
"omission,” you fail to do what you should do. The Bible says:

For to him that knoweth to do right and doeth it not it is sin.

(James 4:17)

Sins of "omission" are things the Word of God says you should do but which you fail to do.
Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His time for such "omissions.” He said...

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and
anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law,
judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not leave the
other undone. (Matthew 23:23)

LEADERS WHO TRIUMPHED OVER THEIR FAILURES

The Bible contains many examples of great men who at some point in their lives failed as
leaders:

Abraham: He lied about Sarah being his wife for fear he would be killed and his wife taken
from him. Yet he is called a man of faith and the "friend of God.”
Moses: In anger he struck the rock and called forth water instead of speaking to the rock as God
directed. Yet the Bible says there has never been another prophet as great as Moses.

King David: He committed adultery with another man's wife, then had the man killed to try to
cover his sin. Yet he was a great king and is called "a man after God's own heart.”

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Jonah: He went the opposite direction when God called him to preach in Ninevah. Later he
preached the greatest revival in history. The whole city repented.

Joshua: This man was a great military commander who assumed leadership of the nation of
Israel after the death of Moses. One of the challenges God gave Joshua was to lead Israel to
claim their promised land. But at one point Joshua was so discouraged that he longed to be back
on the other side of Jordan in the wilderness. At another time he was deceived by the Gibeonites.
Yet this man went on to conquer the land promised by God.

The Prophet Elijah: A wicked queen named Jezebel sent a messenger to the prophet Elijah
informing him she was planning to kill him. Elijah...

...went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a
juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is
enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
(I Kings 19:4)

Here was the great man of God who had healed the sick, raised the dead, and controlled elements
of nature in the name of the Lord. Now he was hiding, fearful, despondent, and requesting to
die. Yet Elijah returned to demonstrate God's power before the entire nation of Israel at Mt.
Carmel.

Peter: This man denied Jesus, but later became a great leader in the early church.

The Apostle Paul: The Apostle Paul also faced failure. He wrote once that due to experiences in
Asia he was "pressed out of measure" and "despaired even of life" (II Corinthians 1:8). He
expressed times when he was troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down (II Corinthians
4:8ll). He said he had fears and troubles (II Corinthians 7:5-6). But the Apostle Paul
successfully spread the Gospel to the Gentiles, raising up great churches and leaders throughout
the nations of the world.

LEADERS WHOSE FAILURES ENDED IN DEFEAT

The Bible also contains many examples of leaders whose lives ended in failure and defeat:

Samson: Who was a great judge of Israel and had great physical strength given him from God.
He began to deliver Israel from the Philistine enemy. Through involvement with a heathen
woman, Samson was taken captive and died while yet a prisoner of the enemy.

Uzziah: He became a king when he was 16 years old and as long as he did what was right in the
sight of the Lord, he prospered. Uzziah sinned by entering the temple and performing duties
which only the priests were permitted to do. God smote him with leprosy and he died.

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Saul: Saul was the first king of Israel, adored by the people, and a man upon whom the Spirit of
God rested. Because of disobedience, Saul was rejected by God and another king was selected to
complete his task. Saul's life ended in failure, disgrace, and suicide.

Eli: He was originally a great priest in the house of the Lord. Because of disobedience, Eli and
his sons died in disgrace.

Judas: Judas was a disciple of Jesus during His earthly ministry. He witnessed the great
miracles of Jesus and heard His teachings. Yet he betrayed Jesus and ended his own life by
suicide.

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

Some of these leaders recovered from their failures and went on to be great men of God. Others
never changed. Their lives ended in defeat. What made the difference?

To answer this question, let us examine in more detail the lives of two great leaders of the nation
of Israel, the kings David and Saul. First, read the story of David's failure in II Samuel Modules
11-12. Then read the story of Saul's failure in I Samuel Module 15.

In our human reasoning, David's failure seems so much greater than that of Saul. Saul simply
brought back some oxen as spoil from battle when God had directed him not to do so. David
committed adultery with another man's wife. When it was discovered she was pregnant, he had
her husband killed to try to cover the sin. Saul was rejected by God as king, yet David remained
on the throne and was called "a man after God's own heart.”

Why did one man's life end in failure while the other went on to future successes? The answer is
one word: Repentance. When the prophet Samuel confronted Saul with his sin, Saul said...

...I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and
thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
Then he said, I have sinned; yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders
of my people and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I worship the
Lord thy God. (I Samuel 15:24 and 30)

Saul was caught in his sin and he admitted it. He was sorry, but only for being caught. Being
sorry for sin is not enough. That sorrow must lead to repentance:
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but
the sorrow of the world worketh death. (II Corinthians 7:10)

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Saul admitted he had failed, but he blamed his failure on other people. He wanted Samuel to
honor him before the leaders of the people so he would not be disgraced. He wanted Samuel to
worship God with him to show to the people he was still a spiritual man.

Saul never confessed his sin to God, repented, and asked forgiveness. He refused to accept
personal responsibility for his actions. He offered God worship when God wanted repentance.
Saul was more concerned about his reputation among the people than his relationship to God.
He saw the Kingdom not as God's Kingdom, but as a way to build his own empire.

Because of this, Samuel told Saul:

...The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath
given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou. (I Samuel 15:28)

The kingdom was taken from Saul and given to David.

When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, David immediately acknowledged:

I have sinned against the Lord. (II Samuel 12:13)

He did not try to blame others. He did not blame Bathsheba. He admitted his failure and humbly
repented before God. David's great prayer of repentance is recorded in Psalms 51. Read this
entire Psalm in your Bible. David acknowledged his sin and asked forgiveness:

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight...
Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
(Psalms 51:3,4,10)

When confronted with failure, David repented and changed direction. Saul did not. He strayed
farther from the will of God and his life ended in failure, defeat, and suicide.

WHEN YOU FAIL

When you fail there are Biblical guidelines which, if you follow them, can turn failure into
success. To study these guidelines we will use the example of Jonah. Read the book of Jonah
(four Modules) in your Bible before proceeding with this lesson.

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Jonah was commanded by the Lord to go and preach repentance to the sinful nation of Ninevah.
Instead of obeying God's voice, he headed the opposite direction. Jonah took the following steps
to correct his failure. These are steps to take when you experience failure:

REVEALING:

When you fail, ask God to reveal the cause of that failure. Be assured: God has ways of letting
you know when you have failed. A great storm at sea revealed Jonah was out of the will of God.
Jonah admitted his guilt after this revelation (Jonah 1:12). As long as you do not acknowledge
your failure you will remain a failure:

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(I John 1:8)

Do not let any excuse prevent you from admitting failure. Here are some common ones:

-"People will lose confidence in me."

-"If I admit failure it is admitting I was wrong."
-"I already failed. I might as well give up."
-"It's too late."
-"I am a bad example, so I should just quit."
-"I am too far out of God's will to get things right."

It is not necessary to reveal your failure publicly unless it has affected the lives of others and you
must seek their forgiveness. But you must always admit your failure to yourself and to God.
This is the first step to change failure to success: The sin must be revealed. You must confront
it.

REPENTING:

After the cause of your failure is revealed, you must repent:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

Jonah's great prayer of repentance is recorded in Jonah Module 2. Jonah acknowledged his sin
before God, repented, and asked forgiveness. When you fail, come before the Lord in
repentance. Ask God to forgive you for your failure. Be sure to forgive yourself, too!

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RETURNING:

Through prayer, the written Word of God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God will reveal to
you the point at which your failure began. You must then return to that point and reverse your
direction.

In the case of Jonah, he realized his failure began when he went the opposite direction from
Ninevah. He had to return to this point of failure and reverse his direction. True repentance
involves a change in direction. When you return to a point of failure you go back to where you
first sinned and correct your error. This is done by...

RESTORING:

In the case of Jonah, when he recognized his failure began by heading the opposite direction
from Ninevah, he reversed directions. He went towards Ninevah. He corrected his failure
(Jonah 3:3). He did what he could to make things right. This is called "restoring.”

Sometimes you can do nothing to correct your failure except repent. In the example of David
which we discussed, he could do nothing about his sin with Bathsheba after it was committed.
The mistake was already made. The adultery was committed and her husband was dead. There
was nothing he could do to correct it except repent.

But in situations where you can return to the point of failure and make restitution, you must do
so. You may have to apologize to someone. You may have to return something you have stolen
or admit you told a lie. These are all examples of restoration.

You also need time to restore yourself and rebuild your spiritual strength after failure. You may
need to temporarily step down from ministry responsibilities. You will definitely need time alone
with God.

Here are some ways to restore your spiritual strength:

-Study God's Word.

-Spend time in prayer and fasting.

-Review the basic causes for failure (given in this lesson) so you will be able to avoid future
failures. Ask God to reveal and help you correct any problem areas in your life.

-Review strategies of spiritual warfare to help you wage more effective warfare next time. (See
the JORASOM International University course entitled "Spiritual Strategies: A Manual of
Spiritual Warfare.”)

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-Rest physically. Man is body, soul, and spirit. When your physical body is exhausted, Satan
can take advantage and affect your soul and spirit and cause you to fail.

ON TO SUCCESS!

After you have taken these steps, put your failure behind you and go on to success. Jonah put his
failure behind Him. The Lord spoke unto him a second time and said, "Arise, and go to
Ninevah" (Jonah 3:1-2). This time he quickly obeyed. In Ninevah, Jonah led one of the greatest
revivals in history. The whole city repented. By following the steps of revealing, repenting,
returning, and restoring, his failure was turned to success.

The Bible contains many stories of men like Jonah. These men failed but admitted their failure
and asked forgiveness of God. When they did, God never failed to forgive and provide new
direction. This is the Biblical pattern for turning failure into success.

God can do the same for you! He is not looking at your past failures. He is not looking at you as
you are today. He is seeing the man or woman...the leader you can be if you only walk in
obedience to Him.

LEARNING FROM FAILURE

Paul wrote:

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to
us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch
that we despaired even of life.

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in
ourselves, but in the God which raiseth the dead;

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust
that He will yet deliver us. (II Corinthians 1:8-10)

Paul explained that problems in Asia taught him an important lesson..."we should not trust in
ourselves, but in God." This is a great lesson to learn from failure. You cannot trust in yourself.
Your power, your authority, your success as a leader is assured only in Christ Jesus. Paul looked
beyond the natural world to see the spiritual benefits of problems, temptations, trials, and
failures:

For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man perish, yet the
inward man is renewed day by day.

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 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things, which are
not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:16-18)

Paul had learned that even though the outward man perished, the inward man was being
renewed. Instead of giving up, Paul learned from failure and went on to success. In II
Corinthians 1:10 he indicated that God...

"Delivered" (In the past)

"Does deliver" (In the present)
"Will yet deliver" (In the future)

...us from all of our problems, trials, temptations, and failures. He said we were...

Troubled....BUT NOT DISTRESSED.

Perplexed...BUT NOT IN DESPAIR.
Persecuted...BUT NOT FORSAKEN.
Cast down...BUT NOT DESTROYED!
(II Corinthians 4:8-9)

In spite of all the perplexities, persecution, trouble, and despair, Paul was able to say in the
closing days of his life:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
(II Timothy 4:7)

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 SELF-ASSESMENT

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. List three Biblical examples of great leaders who triumphed over their failures.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. Identify three Biblical examples of men whose lives ended in failure.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. List Biblical guidelines for turning failure to success:

R_______________________ R_____________________

R_______________________ R_____________________

5. What are three basic causes of failure?

________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

MODULE TWELVE
SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:

• Write the Key Verse from memory.

• Define success.
• Explain how success in God's Kingdom differs from that of the world.
• Summarize basic principles of success.
• Do further study on Biblical principles of success.

KEY VERSE:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to
all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and
then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

INTRODUCTION

Successful people are often asked, "What is the secret of your success?" Those in the world
system often list education, position, ambition, talent, power, and money as secrets of success.

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Many books have been written on the subject, but the true principles of success are revealed in
the Bible. In this lesson you will learn Biblical principles of success.

It is assumed that you have already laid the foundations of faith identified in Hebrews 6:1-3. A
proper spiritual foundation is necessary in order to apply Biblical success principles in your life
and ministry.

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

In God's Kingdom success is "the maximum use of one's gifts and abilities within the range of
responsibilities given by God.” You are successful when you properly use your spiritual
resources for the work of God.

Success in God's Kingdom differs from worldly standards of success. The world views success
materially. God views it spiritually. In God's Kingdom there is a different standard that defines
success. The world sets its own standard. The standard set by God is called "faithfulness.”

There is a different basis of success. The basis of success in the world is changing and temporal.
In God's Kingdom, the basis of success is stable and eternal because it is based on revealed truth.
There are different motives for success. In the world, people are motivated by greed, pride, and
the desire for fame. Believers are motivated to succeed for God's glory.

There is a different model of success in God's Kingdom. The world looks to rich and powerful
men. Our model is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a different goal of success. Money, power
and position are stressed as worldly goals. The goal in God's Kingdom is Christlikeness.

Success in God's Kingdom emphasizes giving instead of getting, serving instead of position,
humbleness instead of pride, weakness instead of power. The world views success in terms of
what you are doing. God views it in terms of what you are. Excellence of character is stressed
rather than excellence of achievement.

In God's Kingdom, success is not measured by what you are. It is measured by what you are
compared to what you could be. Success is not measured by what you do for God. It is
measured by what you do compared to what you could be doing.

SECRETS OF SUCCESS

God wants you to be successful in ministry. He wants you to accomplish the purpose and plans
He has for you. Spiritual "secrets of success" are not really secret. They are openly declared in
God's Word. They are only "secret" because people refuse to seek and find them.

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We cannot cover every principle of success in God's Word because there are so many. The "For
Further Study" section of this lesson provides guidelines for continued study of other Biblical
principles. But here are some very important basic principles:

HAVE A PROPER HEART ATTITUDE:

Success begins with the hidden man of the heart:

...For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (I Samuel 16:7)

A proper heart attitude includes love, humility, obedience, a serving spirit, and true holiness.

KNOW THE SOURCE OF SUCCESS:

It is not what you know, but who you know that makes you successful. Relationship is based on
who you know, not what you know. All of life is based on relationship. Who you know (Jesus)
not what you know gets you to Heaven.
Knowing the Lord results in success:

Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in His wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But
let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,
that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth... (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits, and they that
understand among the people shall instruct many. (Daniel 11:32-33)

SEEK THE LORD:

Seeking the Lord means waiting on Him by inquiring of Him, praying, and studying the Word in
order to know Him and do His will. The benefits of seeking the Lord were proven by a godly
king of Judah called Hezekiah. He sought God and this is the reason for his success:

And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was
good and right and truth before the Lord his God.

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in
the law, and in the commandments, to seek His God, he did it with all his
heart, and prospered. (II Chronicles 31:20-21)

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It is also said of a king named Uzziah:

...And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

(II Chronicles 26:5)

It is important to seek the Lord because God desires to reveal His plans and purposes to leaders
(see Amos 3:7.)

MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

Success is promised to those who meditate on the Word of God. The Lord told Joshua:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to
all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and
then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

"Meditate" means "to think about, dwell on, recall, and study in detail.” One who meditates
believes God has spoken to man, that the Bible is a record of what He has said, and that God's
Word is true.

OBEY THE WORD:

It is not just meditation that results in success, it is also obedience to the Word...

...that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for
then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good
success. (Joshua 1:8)

Before Solomon became the King of Israel, David gave him this counsel:

Now, my son, the Lord be with thee; and prosper thee, and build the house of
the Lord thy God, as He hath said of thee.

Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding and give thee charge
concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God.
(I Chronicles 22:11-12)

Every commandment in God's Word is important. Keeping these commandments will make you
successful.

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Not only must you personally meditate on and obey the Word of God, you must elevate it to its
proper place of authority before the people you lead. Read how Nehemiah restored the authority
of God's Word in Nehemiah 8:1-8. The reforms Nehemiah made would not have lasted apart
from the authority of God's Word. A ministry based on the authority of the Word will always
succeed.

BE CALLED OF GOD:

You learned previously in this course of the importance of being called of God. You will not be
successful unless you know and minister in the specific calling of God, using the spiritual gifts
which He has given you.

EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD:

It is the presence of God that prospers ministry:

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in
the house of his master the Egyptian.

And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all
that he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:2-3)

God can only be "with you" when you are walking in fellowship with Him, ministering in your
specific calling, and living a holy life.

HAVE THE ANOINTING OF GOD:

Module Three of this course explained the importance of the anointing of God. You need this
anointing to be successful in ministry.

FACE PROBLEMS AND DECISIONS:

Refusing to face problems and decisions leads to failure. Confront problems promptly and make
decisions wisely using the strategies you learned in this course.

KNOW YOUR PURPOSE:

God has a specific purpose for each believer. Knowing your purpose involves having spiritual
vision, a knowledge of why you exist and what God has called you to do. (You can learn more
about this in the JORASOM International University course, "Management By Objectives.”)

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A man with a vision does not live in the past, fretting over mistakes and failures or gloating over
success. A vision and clear knowledge of purpose helps you focus on the future. As Paul said:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before... (Philippians 3:13)

HAVE A PLAN:

You will never achieve your purpose unless you have a plan to do so. You can learn how to plan
in the JORASOM International University course, "Management By Objectives.”

IMPLEMENT THE PLAN:

Having a good plan is not enough to achieve your purpose in ministry. You must also implement
the plan. You must be able to organize, delegate, and supervise. One test of good spiritual
leadership is whether or not it results in the successful achievement of God's purposes and plans.
You can learn how to do this in the JORASOM International University course entitled
"Management By Objectives.”

LIVE A HOLY LIFE:

You will only be successful in ministry if you live a holy life, meeting the qualifications for
leaders discussed in Module Four of this course. Sin guarantees failure. Holiness assures
success.

He that covereth this sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

SEEK WISDOM FROM GOD:

Human wisdom is not sufficient to make good decisions and lead others. You must have wisdom
from God to be a successful leader:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE:

Do not settle for "good enough.” Strive for excellence:

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 ...Approve things that are excellent. (Philippians 1:10)

DO ALL FOR GOD'S GLORY:

If you do everything for God's glory instead of your own, you will be successful:
And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God... (Colossians 3:17)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM:

You will be successful if the Kingdom of God is your priority:

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these
things (including success) shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Kingdom priorities can be set through proper organization. (See Acts 6:1-7.)

FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE:

As you learned in this course, Jesus is the example of the greatest spiritual leader. Jesus said:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
(John 13:15)

When you compare yourself to anything other than the example of Christ, it is not good. Jacob
compared Joseph to his brothers and set in motion events motivated by jealousy and hatred. The
people of Israel compared themselves to other nations and adopted their wicked ways. Saul heard
a comparison of himself to David and was poisoned by jealousy.

Comparison may be useful to stretch your vision and challenge you to fulfill your potential. But
another person's achievements are not the standard for your life. Your success is not measured in
relation to the performance of others. For this reason Peter's question to the Lord about John,
"Lord, what about this man,” received the rebuke, "What is that to you? You follow me." (John
21:21-22).

DECISION, DISCIPLINE, DIRECTION, DETERMINATION

Actually, success can be easily summarized in one statement:

Follow the example of Jesus in decision, discipline, direction, and determination.

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The Apostle Paul did this:

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the
prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now
they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the
air;

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(I Corinthians 9:24-27)

Paul made a decision. He wanted to be successful. He wanted to win the "race" of life (Verse
24). To do this, he realized he must be disciplined, which means to be temperate in all things
(Verses 25 and 27). He had direction. He did not run or fight aimlessly. He was not uncertain
about his purpose or plans (Verse 26). He was also determined to obtain, to be successful
(Verses 24-25).

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS

Are you willing to pay the price of success? Here it is:

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be
beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be
much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will
ask the more. (Luke 12:48)

The more successful you are, the more God requires of you. This is the price of success.

SELF-ASSESMENT

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

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2. Define success.

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3. How does success in God's Kingdom differs from that of the world?

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4. Summarize the basic principles of success which you learned in this lesson.

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MODULE THIRTEEN
COUNTING THE COST

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:

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 • Write the Key Verse from memory.
• Summarize three aspects of the cost of leadership.
• Identify the true test of spiritual leadership.

KEY VERSE:

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

INTRODUCTION

In this course you have learned about management of spiritual resources through proper
leadership. You have learned how to be a good steward and lead like a servant and shepherd.

You learned of the qualifications and tasks of leaders, the importance of the anointing and how to
make decisions and solve problems. You studied principles of success and were warned of
things that result in failure. You also learned how to train leaders and followers.

Only one question remains: Are you prepared to pay the high cost of serving as a spiritual
leader?

COUNTING THE COST

Jesus stressed the importance of counting the cost before you make spiritual decisions. He used
two natural examples, those of a man building a tower and a king going to war:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and
counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all
that behold it begin to mock him.

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first,
and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that
cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Or else, while, the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and
desireth conditions of peace. (Luke 14:28-32)

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By these examples Jesus illustrated the importance of counting the costs before you make a
spiritual commitment. Just what are the costs of serving as a spiritual leader?

THREE ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP

Read Luke 9:57-62 in your Bible. In this passage three men approached Jesus wanting to be
disciples. To each of these potential disciples, Jesus reveals a different aspect of the costs of
spiritual leadership:

CONSIDERED COSTS: (Luke 9:57-58)

The first man attempts to become a disciple through self-effort. He does not wait to be called by
Jesus. Like discipleship, leadership is not an offer man makes to God. It is a call of God to
man. If you try to lead by self-effort, you will fail. You must be called and anointed of God.
Jesus said to this man, "If you follow me, this is what you will face.” The costs of leadership
include sacrifice as well as service:

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us;
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (I John 3:16)

The cost of leadership includes loneliness. The Apostle Paul wrote:

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me...
(II Timothy 1:15)

A leader often experiences rejection and criticism:

He (Jesus) came unto His own, and His own received Him not. (John 1:11

A leader may also experience persecution. Read of the terrible things Paul experienced in II
Corinthians 11:23-27.

A leader has many duties:

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily,
the care of all the churches. (II Corinthians 11:28)

A leader must be disciplined:

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 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (I
Corinthians 9:27)

A leader has a great responsibility to walk worthy of his spiritual calling:

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in

craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of
the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of
God. (II Corinthians 4:1-2)

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called. (Ephesians 4:1)

PROPER PRIORITIES: (Luke 9:59-60)

The second man was called by Jesus to "follow.” As you have learned, to "follow" means to
come after one that goes before, to imitate an example. It involves both belief and obedience.

When Jesus called His 12 disciples, He told them to come and follow. He did not outline a
career path. He did not give them details of the program. The disciple had to leave the old life
behind because of the call alone. What decisions, partings, and sacrifices this might require
remain unknown.

The leader is a follower who must leave a life of security for one of insecurity in the eyes of the
world. The commitment is not to a program, but to a person. That person is the Lord Jesus
Christ. In the Luke passage, the response of this man to the call to follow was "suffer me
first....” He wanted to follow Jesus, but it was not his priority.

Jesus would never suggest that a person ignore the needs of his parents (see John 19:25-27). It is
a matter of priorities which is stressed in this story. This man said he wanted to "bury his father"
first. In Old Testament times when a person said he was waiting to "bury his father,” it did not
necessarily mean his father had died. It meant he was waiting until his father died in order to
receive the inheritance that rightfully belonged to him. So, when this man used this excuse, he
was placing his future inheritance before the call of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the critical
moment when Jesus calls a man to follow Him and become a leader, nothing must be placed
before that call.

In another passage, Jesus explained in more detail the importance of proper priorities:

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 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

Self-denial must come before we can take up the cross. The old selfish and sinful nature must be
denied. (Read Romans 7-8 about Paul's struggle in this area.) When self has died, the cross
must become your priority. The cross is symbolic of the sacrifice, pain, rejection, insult, and
hardship involved in doing God's will. The cross may even mean a call to death by martyrdom
for the sake of the Gospel.

"Taking up the cross" does not refer to the burdens of life. These are common to all men. They
are the afflictions, trials, disappointments, and depression that come to us because of living in a
sinful world. The believer is not excluded from such burdens of life. He experiences illness,
accidents, fire, and natural hazards because he lives in a world marred by sin. But these burdens
are not "taking up the cross.” Cross bearing is voluntary, not something imposed by the burdens
of life. It is a continuous (daily) choosing to deny the desires of self in order to do God's will.

Jesus said, "Whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
Taking up the cross is not pleasing to human nature because it involves self denial. It must be
done voluntarily for the sake of Christ.

To take up the cross, you must empty your hands of the things of the world. If your heart is set
on money and material things, your hands are too full to take up the cross. If your time is
consumed by pleasure and things that please the flesh, your hands are too full to take up the
cross. After denying self and taking up the cross, the next step is to follow. You must leave
behind the old lifestyle and sinful relationships.

You will never become a leader by sitting and waiting for it to happen. YOU must take the first
steps: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow. Matthew could have remained at the tax
table and Peter at his nets. They could both have pursued their trades honestly and might have
enjoyed spiritual experiences. But if they wanted to become spiritual leaders, they had to leave
the old situation and enter the new. Matthew left the tax tables and Peter left his nets.

This does not mean everyone must leave his present job and home to become a leader. What it
does mean is that it will require a change in lifestyle. In some cases it may also mean leaving
home, jobs and loved ones for the sake of the Gospel. You must follow wherever Jesus leads.

Proper priorities means you must forsake all else to accept this call:
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he
cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)

Serving others must become a priority:

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 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let
him be your minister:

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant;

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28)

The Kingdom of God must become your main priority:

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we

drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?...

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:31,33)

ABSOLUTE AIMS: (Luke 9:61-62)

The third man in Luke 9:57-62 wanted to follow, but he wanted to do so on his own terms.
Bidding his family farewell was a normal thing to do, but Jesus had called him. What was his
real aim in life? Did he want to become a leader or to follow his own plan for life? This man's
aims in life were not settled. He was holding back, torn between the old life and the new to
which Jesus called. His absolute aim in life was not the call of God. Your commitment to
leadership must be complete. It must become the absolute aim of your life.

THE TRUE TEST OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

The true test of leadership is what happens when you are no longer present with your followers.
Do they continue to be faithful to what you have taught them? Do they teach others what they
have learned? Can they continue to mature spiritually without your physical presence? If so,
you have passed the true test of spiritual leadership.

A FINAL CHALLENGE

Always remember your great responsibility as a leader:

A disciple is not above his teacher (leader), but everyone when he is fully
taught will be like his teacher. (Luke 6:40) Revised Standard Version Do not
be discouraged by problems with followers. Jesus experienced such problems. On
one occasion, Peter, James and John displayed a hateful attitude by wanting to call
fire from heaven to destroy an unreceptive Samaritan village (Luke 9:51-55). Peter

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 denied the Lord three times (Luke 22:54-62). All three were asleep in the Garden of
Gethsemane when they were told to pray (Luke 22:45-46).

But this handful of followers were worth the investment of time and ministry by Jesus. They
proved to be faithful men, despite their faults and failures. Through them, the Gospel spread
throughout the nations of the world. If you are willing to pay the high costs to serve as a spiritual
leader, is it possible that you, too, can be used of God to raise up such committed followers?

I heard a call "come follow”...that was all.

Earth's joys grew dim;
My soul went after Him.
I rose and followed...that was all.

SELF-ASSESMENT

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

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________________________________________________________________________

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2. What were the three aspects of the cost of leadership discussed in this lesson?

________________________________________________________________________

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3. What is the true test of spiritual leadership?

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