6.28.12 "What you lookin' at?"

"What you lookin' at?"

2 King 13:1-14:29
Acts 18:22-19:12
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 18:2-3

We live in a society that looks to heroes. The heroes range from Political leaders to sports figures, to family members and spiritual leaders. There are interesting dynamics that go along with this hero mentality. We want to emulate our heros. This manifests itself in different ways, from clothing styles to brand of shoe, to using the same kind of golf balls, etc.

Another interesting fruit of hero worship is when the heros let us down. That makes news! Look at the celebrity trials, or political news, etc. Why the big deal? I believe one factor is because there's a subconscious satisfaction in human nature that when we see a "hero" fail, it excuses our own lack of success. 

Remember when you were in school & you didn't have your homework done? You asked your friend if they did theirs because you didn't want to be the only one. There was some version of peace knowing that you weren't alone in your delinquency.

We'd probably all agree that society is full of hero worshipers, but at the same time you're probably saying, "I'm not a hero worshipper!" Let's bring it a little closer to home. Think of an authority in your life, maybe your boss. Now, i know that in most situations your boss is not your hero, but they are your leader nonetheless. Each of us will have a different response or reaction to the success and failures of our leader, depending on our view of them.

Today's scripture is Psalm 146:3 "Don't look to men for help; their greatest leaders fail."

I use the phrase "Sunday School Answer" alot, and it means that in our head we know this, but it may not be felt in our heart. So, as you read this scripture, your Sunday School Answer is "Of course! we look to God for help!" But really examine your heart.

When your leader fails, or makes a mistake, do you find yourself excusing your own behavior or attitude? Do you find yourself justifying your lack of success because of the faults in your leader? If so, what does that mean? Doesn't that mean that you've been looking to man for help?

After reading the "Tale of Three Kings" (a book I highly recommend!) I sent this note to one of the leaders I work with. 

"You may be frustrated with me as a leader because of my flaws, but you
must understand that God is completing his work in my life, and has
placed me in this position to accomplish his work. In fact, he has placed you under my
leadership in order to complete his work in your life. My strengths
AND my weaknesses are part of his plan for YOU. How you respond to my
faults are key to helping you work through yours. God's work will not
be made complete unless we work together."

Understand that the point is not to say "I'm a leader... so what if I make a mistake." That's totally the wrong angle. 

The point is, we need to stop being shocked that our heros or leaders have flaws. It's as if we are looking for perfection in leadership for us to be able to accomplish what God has called us to. Wrong answer. We need to understand that the rough edges in our leaders are there to work out the rough edges in us. We are all here to equip one another. 

A key element to living the "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship" (DLOW) is that we look to God first in all situations. If you are looking to man for help, you definitely don't got your DLOW. There is such freedom in working for God! You begin to look at flaws & quirks in your leader as opportunities to bless instead of an obstacle. You look at them as a chance to advance in your own character development. To stand in opposition to your leader is to be a rebel. Today's Proverb 18:2 says, "A rebel doesn't care about the facts. All he wants to do is yell." We need to make our goal to kill the rebel within.

In 2 Kings 13, Jehoahaz began his reign over Israel. "But he was an evil king, and he followed the wicked paths of Jeroboam... So the Lord was very angry with Israel... But Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord's help, and the Lord listened to him; for the Lord saw how terribly the king of Syria was oppressing Israel. So the Lord raised up leaders among the Israelis to rescue them from the tyranny of the Syrians; and then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days." (2 Kings 13:2-5)

Jehoahaz had flaws. The Lord raised up leaders to fill the gaps. That's why God has placed you where he has. You are to equip your leader in whatever area they have need. It can be tough sometimes because your own pride and opinion get in the way. We have to understand that Relationships Devoted to Unity cannot occur without submission. Submission is the active setting aside of pride, will and opinion to meet the need of another. 

Look to God today and live the D! Meet the needs of those around you and live the R!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ