The storm threatens not only the life of Paul, but also the lives of all on board his ship. The death penalty is certainly one possibility. What are we to make of this dramatic change in Pauls standing before his fellow-shipmates? Far to the south, off the African coast, lay the notorious Syrtes (17), the graveyard of many ships, as underwater archaeology has vividly revealed in recent years. 31 What then shall we say to these things? Looking at leadership honestly means looking at the best and the worst. Regardless of where you find yourself, you have to lead. Take aids, or drugs, for example. Pauls circumstances certainly do no give him any status, any clout, with anyone on board that ship. He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. You can learn valuable and unique lessons on leading the church and furthering the gospel from these men of the Bible. 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). Because of its size and cargo, it required deeper water. 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. For our examples, I want to look at leaders that may be a little more obscure. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? The stern of the ship began to break up. Here are three people who stand out as servant leadership examples in the Bible. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. When this happens, there will be no protection for the lost. To Paul (in my opinion) this would be akin to jumping off the pinnacle of the temple, and thus putting God to the test (Luke 4:9-12). It has long been acknowledged as one of the most instructive documents for the knowledge of ancient seamanship. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 474. The danger in which they found themselves was unnecessary. 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. How can Paul, a prisoner, emerge as the leader on board a ship, while in the midst of a storm? The non-swimmers could wait a little longer, perhaps for the ship to further break up, and then clinging to some piece of floating wreckage, paddle their way to shore. He would build the walls on faith. 558 The fourteenth night is reckoned from the time they left Fair Havens. Every passenger made it safely to shore. Nobody said it would be easy. He was going to survive. In verses 27-29, Luke describes the ships approach to some body of land. Leadership Styles in 1 & 2 Kings Merida introduced his Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings by touting the relevance of the biblical text to the modern world. Given all these factors, the ship set sail from Fair Havens. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. 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. The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. Paul was a leader here because people followed him. He had the courage to speak to the evils of his day. Sailing past Cilicia and Pamphylia, they landed at Myra in Lycia (verse 5).546 It was here that they had to change ships. If Paul was completely right in his previous warning, then many were about to die. PDF Looking at Leadership: Lessons from 1 and 2 Kings - Good Faith Media What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. 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. I see leadership held out to men and women as a prize, rather than as a humbling responsibility. Scripture offers examples of both. Jesus: A leader is a servant first. These people saw first hand the hope of the gospel in Paul, when all hope was lost. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. If you want to know what type of leader God wants you to be, there is your answer. He has been beaten by the storm of Gods anger toward sin. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. I see people working for a place a leadership, rather than working to serve others, and letting leadership develop or not on its own. This channel is the place between two seas. Here the ship, in Smiths words, would strike a bottom of mud graduating into tenacious clay, into which the fore part would fix itself and be held fast, whilst the stern was exposed to the worst of the waves. After the long battering which the ship had endured for the past two weeks, its exposed part could not take this further punishment, and it quickly disintegrated. Bruce, p. 494. 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. 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). And so Paul was correct, though not speaking at the moment with prophetic inspiration, authority, or inerrancy. It was still late at night, too dark to try to make shore until it was light. Food supplies may have been washed overboard or ruined by moisture. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. Consider these two things: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home (Titus 1:8). I take it that this was a form of democratic rule. The angel of God told Paul not to be afraid, which would indicate that he was afraid. This is influence and leadership in action. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who dont have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 33 Who will bring a charge against Gods elect? This created a serious problem. 5 Inspiring Leadership Lessons From Biblical Characters - FaithPot Now they were ready for the days activities. Examples of delegated authority include parents and their children, masters and their servants, priests serving in the temple, and Christian leaders, as Christ's servants, with the members of a church. In a democracy leaders. 559 If the soundings were made at midnight, and if the passengers were at least inside the ship, rather than on deck, only the sailors would have known that land was approaching. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. (2) The Sovereignty of God and Mans Safety. Misconceptions about "Real" Leadership vs. Servant Leaders. The angry mob, which the Asian Jews had incited in Jerusalem, were trying to kill Paul, but God used Claudius Lysias and his soldiers to save his life. We live in a time of great crisis. I read in the paper the other day that when faced with the decision as to whether he should change to an alternate airport or press on to the original destination, the pilot of a commercial airliner left the choice with his passengers. The sovereignty of God means not only that God is able to intervene supernaturally, but that He is also able to work naturally, through human instruments (like the Roman soldiers, and in our story, like the centurion, in Pauls behalf). It is enough to discourage any pastor. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity. A friend of mine, Jonathan Leath, wrote a book he titled You Only Lead One (YOLO). A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. When Esthers words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the Jews will escape. Even running under the shelter of a small island (Clauda, verse 16), they could hardly get the ships dingy on board. Without God's constant guidance in our lives, how can we be confident of what we are teaching, how we are ministering, or why we are even leading? His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. Now, no one had the use of this boat. He was generous and that in itself bridges the gaps of selfish and greedy people if God's grace is given the opportunity to be operative. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. I would like to have heard that prayer, but Lukes silence here requires us to wait till heaven to find out what was said. There will come a time, however, when God will take His own to the full and final safety of heaven. As peoples personalities are different, so are the leadership styles. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Authoritarian Church Leadership and the Individual Freedom - CULTWATCH You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. Democratic Leadership Style in the Workplace: Pros and Cons In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to serve as a governor in the United States when she was inaugurated in Wyoming. I do not agree. We're sorry, an error occurred. He had had enough. Pauls leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. Whether you realize it or not, we are all called to lead. 482-483. At its heart, leadership for the Christian means loving God, walking in God's ways, acknowledging God's blessing, confessing personal limitations and corporate failures, doing justice, seeking peace and asking God for the gift of . Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. After all, a number of the passengers could not even swim (see verses 43-44). Today's nomenclature calls it tough love. But we can still have hope, even when we are afraid. Gods power and His sovereign control are no pretext for carelessness or recklessness. However, there is no story of Esther without Mordecai. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. The soldiers were acting, as it were, on Pauls orders. 11. 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. Peter: Leaders recover from failure. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. Handling the ship in this storm was almost impossible, and any attempt would require an expert crew. Myra lies due north from Alexandria, and its bay is well calculated to shelter a windbound ship. Bruce quoting J. Smith, Voyage, pp. Pauls leadership enhanced the preaching of the gospel. The need is great. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Their safety was contingent on the presence of Paul and the patience of God. Examples. 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. Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. (The term Augustan, i.e., His Imperial Majestys, was a title of honor bestowed on several cohorts of auxiliary troops.) Since leadership is important, how does Godly leadership fit into the equation? Now, in our text, Paul is again in great danger. He sold his land and gave it to the church treasury. The image of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples in John 13 is a striking one. But in addition to his surviving this storm, God promised to spare all the other passengers on board as well, not for their sakes alone, but for Pauls sake. 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). Paul was overruled. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:3-6). The potential gains were minimal, while the potential loss was great. Their arrival had not been without difficulty, but things were only to go from bad to worse. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. There are many different styles and forms of leadership. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. Thus, he did not expect a miracle, nor did he even ask for one. I confess, I am distressed at the ways in which Christians are trying to take control of the political and governmental positions of authority. It was Paul who showed caution, warning those in charge of the dangers ahead. A theophany had taken place in Joshua 5:15: "The commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. For some, your leadership responsibilities are limited to yourself and your home. Democratic Leadership - Explained by a CEO: Pros/Cons, Examples His leadership was built not so much on ancestry from the Jewish lineage as by faithfulness. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. In one of the more popular set of verses in the Bible, here is what Mordecai told Esther. And He has come forth from death and the grave, to give us new life. Beyond this, God is free to act or not to act in any way that He chooses. Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. Not the Adriatic Sea as we now call the sea between Italy and the mainland of Illyricum, but all the lower Mediterranean between Italy and Greece. Robertson, p. 469. 15:24; 16: 2-3). Inclusive Meetings A weekly meeting provides the best illustrations of the democratic ideology. They were so sure of the wisdom of their decision that they did not even draw up the small boat attached by a rope to the vessels stern (verse 16). Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. 10 Examples of Democratic Leaders - Examples Lab Bruce writes. 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. He was right in that a great storm had swept down on this ship, and that both the ship and its cargo would be lost. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:13-14). Paul lived dangerously, in one respect, but no one could have been any safer. 2:2). Airline pilots must constantly monitor weather conditions, and make decisions as to the route they will take, their altitude, and even their destination. They were not going to get to Rome until after winter was over anyway, and they could stay right where they were, with no real problems. 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Those who could swim should jump first, and make their way to shore. When you study closely, you will discover these examples of leadership in the Bible can help you address all of lifes situations. He left this to God. But more than this, God had already assured Paul that he would reach Rome. Doing so would be certain death, for the larger vessel offered more protection, so long as it held together. His church was a murmuring people. 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? These are examples of democratic leadership: All opinions are brought forward in team meetings. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. If the relative safety of the passengers was in being on board ship, with Paul, our certain safety is in being in Christ. He has weathered the storm of Gods wrath on the sinner. Not once or twice the world has had to thank the great saints and mystics for providing timely help in moments of crisis when realistic, practical men of affairs were unable to supply it. Bruce, p. 475. I would think that Paul would have more reason to be reckless than these seasoned seamen and the centurion, because he was a Christian. Their actions revealed that they did not believe Pauls words of assurance, that all would be saved, though the ship would be grounded and destroyed. Unsaved men do not have the answers. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26). We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. Smith suggests that the mainyard is meant; an immense spar, probably as long as the ship, which would require the united efforts of passengers and crews to launch overboard. Bruce p. 486. Democratic leadership style fosters high job satisfaction and productivity because followers are involved in decision making. Paul assured them that not a hair from their head would perish (verse 34). What the ships crew intended to do was a cowardly thing. The Greater Syrtis was still a great distance away, but the wind might continue to blow for many days, and that was the direction in which it was blowing them. When the outcome is known, and the One who determines it is both faithful and sovereign (in control), the danger of harm is removed, along with the need for fear. The chapter may therefore be outlined in this way: One way or the other, Festus must have found some way to explain Pauls appearance before Caesar. They also loosened the ropes which lashed down the rudders and hoisted the sail.561 They were on their way toward land. 555 From verse 38 we know that all the cargo was not thrown overboard at this time. Vision Statements of 12 Great Leaders in the Bible In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love, but also a time for courage. Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. The sovereignty of God is the basis for our safety and security, but it is not an excuse for our sloppiness.