Acts 2 becomes a pivotal point in the New Testament for us to observe.  It describes how 120 people had gathered together in that upper room in Jerusalem and became the charter members of the New Testament Church.

 

Further into the chapter these 120 people explode into more than 3,000 members.  The bible describes to us how when the Holy Spirit falls in Acts 2:1-4, those visiting Jerusalem begin to wonder how these disciples of Jesus could speak so many languages as they were hearing their own language coming from them (Acts 2:5-13).

 

The bible says some were amazed and perplexed saying “what does this mean?”  While others began to mock them and declared them to be drunk (Acts 2:12-13).  But we read where Peter took his stand with the 11 and begins to speak concerning the situation and within only a few short minutes has captivated the crowds with his words.  The question is…How?  Remind you this same Peter only a few weeks earlier ran and denied even knowing Him but on this day (outpouring) he takes his stand with his God given ability (charisma) and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Peter captures and motivates 3,000 people to follow Jesus Christ.

 

Most tend to think that charisma as something mystical, undefinable.  They think that it comes as birth or even not at all but that’s not true.  Charisma is the ability to draw people to you or your cause.  Some naturally posses more of it…like other character traits, however it can be learned and developed.  Here are a few things that made Peter so charismatic and were able to capture the attention of so many:

 

1. Confidence:  This same guy that ran and denied now stands with confidence as he begins to speak to a crowd that’s mocking what they see.
2. Conviction: He spoke from his heart.  He knew what he was saying and where he wanted to lead the people in his communication.
3. Connection:  His message was not about himself but on others.  He was connecting to the audience to the point the audience was asking “what must we do?”
4. Compassion:  He was drawn to the people he was connecting with.  They felt motivated and ready to act.

 

To attract others we need to build the following things in our life:

1. Love life:  Celebrate; enjoy the journey and put aside complaining.  Everyday is valuable and everyday is filled with purpose.
2. Put a “10” on everyone’s forehead:  Expect the best of people, value them and treat them well.
3. Find a way to give people hope:  Hope is the indispensable quality of life that we can’t live without.  Everybody needs it!
4. Give yourself away:  Stay vulnerable and authentic, share your heart, love, wisdom and resources.
5. Stay Passionate: When Peter stood up to preach no doubt they saw his passion.  His passion made up for his lack of natural gifts and education.  Passion draws passion!

 

Chuck Pelham

 

Sources;

John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership

Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled life bible

 

Charisma has been defined as a magnetic personal attraction that draws others to the leader, making them feel better about themselves. Effective leaders do well to develop some level of Charisma.

The Greek word for Charisma means “gift.” Everyone posses a degree of charisma. The role of leadership is to give it away to others; good charismatic people are others-centered. They always have the interest of others at heart. In these chapters we find King Ahab and Queen Jezebel who failed to demonstrate charisma for the good of the people. Here are a few things to ponder.

1. They set out to selfishly build their own kingdoms (1 Kings 22:8)
2. They used people in order to get ahead; anyone was expendable. (1 kings 19:2)
3. The worried about image and lived under false pretenses. (1 Kings 21:8-13)
4. They got angry when they didn’t get their way. (1 Kings 21:4)
5. They pretended to be someone they were not. (1 Kings 21:25-27)
6. They abused the authority they had been given, (1 Kings 21:18-19)

Instead of using and developing charisma to lead people effectively they allowed their position to control people and to use them. To build charisma, you have to have the good of others in mind. Leaders who think about others and their concerns before thinking of themselves develop charisma quickly.

How would you rate your own charisma? Are other people naturally attracted to you? Are you well liked? Listed are hindrances to charisma…see if you posses any of these?

1. Pride: Nobody wants to follow a leader who thinks they are better than anyone else…arrogant leaders lose the respect of others.
2. Insecurity: If you are uncomfortable with yourself, others will be, too. Only secure leaders can provide a secure atmosphere.
3. Moodiness: If people never know what to expect from you, they stop expecting anything. Eventually, they won’t even approach you.
4. Selfishness: People can tell if you are using them merely to reach your own goal. No healthy person stays for long in such an unhealthy environment.
5. Perfectionism: People respect the desire for excellence, but loathe unrealistic expectations. No one wants to feel the program is more important then they are.
6. Cynicism: People don’t want to be rained on by someone who sees a cloud around every silver lining. Negative leaders repulse healthy followers.

When our heart is for the good of others we lead, demonstrate and model healthy leadership which is attractive. I want to encourage you today to lead with charisma not control and provide for others the “gift” of leadership that rallies people to a cause that’s greater than any one person. Blessings

Chuck Pelham
Sources;
John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership
Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled life bible

In these few versus the prophet Micah is crying out against Samaria and Jerusalem for the impending punishment that the people were to endure. Because of his assignment from the Lord he delivers to them what God is about to do through His judgments. Then in versus 8-10 Micah shows the heart of a true leader when he begins to Mourn for the people he loves.

The more a leader matures, the more value and commitment they have on people. At the end of the day when all is said and done, leadership in not about strategy, marketing, organization, efficiency, or high quality products, it’s about people. Micah shows us his love for people by demonstrating when they hurt he hurt…even though they were wrong. The value he placed on people teaches us the following…

a. People are the churches most appreciable asset.
b. People skills are a leader’s most important asset.
c. If you are good with people, you can lead in a variety of contexts.
d. You can have people skills and not be a good leader, but you cannot be a good leader without people skills.

Great leaders not only have a connection with people but they genuinely care about and value people.

Chuck Pelham

Sources;
John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership
Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled life bible

Throughout Israel’s early history God had made covenants of blessing with them but they were always conditional.  Blatant disobedience would mean that the pleasurable aspects of blessing would be replaced by punishment.  The fulfillment of the promise could always skip a few generations of disobedient Israelites.

We find here in this portion of scripture that Jerusalem remembers all her pleasant things that she once possessed.  God had given His people so many possessions and for centuries they had enjoyed the conquest of the promise land.  But now here they are in our text and have lost everything because they had sinned gravely and had become vile.

Great Conquests must be supported by Great Character.  Whatever gains we make we can lose in a flash, unless we simultaneously develop character to support those gains.  We all have watched over the years many leaders fall morally…in the church and in secular society.  Mainly, because their charisma (gifts) exceeded their character (moral infrastructure)…their gift grew bigger than them.

It has been said, “nothing is so hard to gain, and so easy to lose, as a good reputation.”  In fact the bible teaches us in Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…” fame and popularity is fleeting.  What is a lifetime and what we should give ourselves to is the constructing of our character.  Only then we keep the gains of conquest that God provides.

• Most people see the talents and gifts but equally important is the solid character and integrity.
• Most recognize the product but equally important is the process that develops along the way.
• Most recognize excellence in performance but equally important is the excellence in discipline.
• Most recognize external appearances but equally important is the internal stability and obedience.

Character is what happens daily not in a day.  It’s never enough to just enter the land and have conquest but its God will for us to occupy what we conquer. 

Chuck Pelham

Sources:

Maxwell J, Thoughts on Leadership

Hayford J. W., “Spirit Filled Life Bible”

Job 6 & 7

All of Job’s friends had their theory about Job’s troubles, but he simply asked them to check his life out and to point out any place where he lacked integrity.  Job felt so certain of the blamelessness of his own heart that he invited his peers to scrutinized him.  This takes a strong leader with strong character and a strong sense of security to do this.

 

I like the way C. S. Lewis said about this kind of quality, he said it was “Leaders with Chests.”  Lewis likened the properly ordered soul to the human body; the head (reason) must rule the belly (sensual appetites) through the chest (character and spirit).

 

The CHEST is the indispensable liaison between REASON and the APPETITES.  I call it the INTEGRITY CHECK.  Without a strong “chest” people would succumb to excuses, relativism, and compromise, Lewis went on to say that people with no character or integrity are (people) “men without chests”.

 

Job was able to invite his peers to check him out because he possessed the following;

–          Strong Security: He was emotionally secure enough to take criticism.

–          Clear Conscience: He kept a clear and sensitive conscience regarding sin.

–          Pure Motives: He refused to entertain self-indulgent motives.

–          Solid Character: He was committed to doing the right thing at any cost.

 

I encourage us today to be men and women who can lead with Integrity!

 

 

Chuck Pelham

 

 

Sources:

John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership

C.S. Lewis, quote