550 As they waited for a change of wind at Fair Havens, it soon became clear that they could not complete the voyage to Italy before the onset of winter. Democratic leadership style fosters high job satisfaction and productivity because followers are involved in decision making. It opens to the East and Southeast, but is not fit to winter in. The sovereignty of God means that He is not at our disposal, to carry out our whims or wishes, but that we are at His disposal. 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? Leaders in this category encourage creativity while members are highly engaged. Here, Julius, the centurion in charge of Paul and the other prisoners, allowed Paul to go to his friends and be cared for by them (verse 3). This created a serious problem. A democratic leader encourages open conversation and helps their employees set goals, evaluate their own performance and motivates them to grow. 36 Just as it is written, For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. You are the devil's advocate. Verse Concepts. Indeed, the fate of the ship was not exactly as Paul had warned, for there was no loss of life.551 He simply spoke as a seasoned traveler, an astute observer, and one who had experienced dangers at sea. The stern of the ship began to break up. And also for Pauls sake, all of the prisoners were spared from execution by the soldiers. 560 The higher the ship floated in the water, the closer to shore they could get before the ship grounded. Hence the battle to maintain a westerly course, aided, it appears, by a veering of the wind to the east, as the cyclonic disturbance shifted its centre. Blaiklock p. 190. Verses 14-20 describe the sudden onslaught of the storm, the steadily deteriorating conditions, and the complete loss of hope of those on board. The approaching land brought a new temptation to the sailors, who better than anyone else knew they were coming upon land.559. Pauls leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. It was the crew of the ship who lived dangerously, foolishly risking the ship, the cargo, and the lives of all on board, just to get ahead a little. The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. (4) The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility. He only said that their remaining on ship was necessary if these soldiers wanted to survive. 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). They would hardly wish to be close to shore in the storm anyway, for there was more danger of the ship breaking up on the rocks than of it breaking up in the open sea. This centurion was to develop a deep respect for Paul, so that he would extend considerable liberties to him, take seriously his advice, and make every effort to protect him. An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude, 10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others. 547 Ramsay is of the opinion that the ship was a government vessel of which the centurion, as senior officer, was properly in charge. Neither Lasea nor Fair Havens is mentioned by any ancient writer, two of the hundred cities of Crete. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 460. Had they heeded his warnings, this would not have happened. God used this two-year delay of Felix and the bungling of Festus to bring Paul to the point where he would appeal to Caesar. When the ship set sail, they began to encounter unfavorable winds. 72-73, p. 480. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. It was a coasting vessel, which was to call at various ports of the province of Asia; at one of these Julius knew he would find a ship, preferably a grain ship, bound for Italy. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 477. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 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). 31 What then shall we say to these things? The ship did not make it all the way to that beach toward which they were steering it. Paul was kept safe, and as a result, all of those with him were saved as well. Where is your God, he asked. 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? Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. There is no place safer than the place of obedience to the Word of God. Fearing that they might drift into shallow and dangerous waters some distance to the south,553 they put out a sea anchor of some kind, perhaps something like a parachute, which filled with water and slowed the ship down.554, The storm continued through the night, and the next day things looked even worse. Moses is remembered as the liberator, the leader, the law-giver, the prophet, and the intermediary in the covenant between God and the Jewish people. As time went on, as Paul was better known, and as the crises on board the ship became more pronounced, Paul stepped forward, giving both direction and hope to all the others on ship. In the early church there was a problem. Are You Expecting Too Much of Your Pastor. It was needlessly endangering others that Paul was trying to avoid. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. Their safety was contingent on the presence of Paul and the patience of God. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. It is enough to discourage any pastor. The gospel sustains men in the greatest storms of life. Airline pilots must constantly monitor weather conditions, and make decisions as to the route they will take, their altitude, and even their destination. Several days before, Paul had told the passengers, who had lost all hope, that they would all be saved, although the ship would run aground (verses 21-26). 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. 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 need no longer fear, because he knew the outcome of this storm. What can we learn about leadership, which can benefit others, and can promote the gospel? The doctrine of Gods sovereignty is multi-faceted, something which careless and thoughtless Christians often forget or set aside. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? What are some examples of democratic leadership? Is there not a kind of parable here? He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. [1] It is important to note that he learned leadership principles and faith from his parents (Hebrew 11:23 . Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. He must live a devout and disciplined life. Jesus (Luke 5:16) Of course, one cannot talk about godly leadership without pointing to the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. The centurion respected and trusted Paul a great deal, as can be seen by his previous dealings with him (see verse 3). As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. He would build the walls on faith. Because of his special blessing, he was appointed as one with judicial powers and responsibilities in Joshua 14:6-15. The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Paul took bread, and giving thanks to God before all, he began to eat. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, 10 Gift Ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month, Pastor Appreciation Month: 5 Ways to Say Thanks, Why Prayer is Essential in the Life of a Leader. To reinforce his words, Paul now did what he urged each of them to dohe ate. Furthermore, Paul was an apostle, a man through whom God had worked many signs and wonders. The broad issue is that of 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. All rights reserved. (5) The storm, and the gospel which leads to salvation. It may not come quickly. Paul encouragement the passengers to trust God to do all that He promised. Gods mission for Paul was to go to Rome and there to preach the gospel. Not one soul was lost. It was still late at night, too dark to try to make shore until it was light. Gods power and His sovereign control are no pretext for carelessness or recklessness. Bureaucratic leadership is defined as a form of leadership in which there is a hierarchy of authority that creates rules for management and decision making. The encouraging news that Paul was about to tell them was that he was both right and wrong when he had warned them not to sail. They had to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Verse Concepts. This journey began on an Adramyttian ship, which took them as far as Myra, where they boarded an Alexandrian ship, headed for Italy. Reminder: You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. He must live wisely and be just. I believe leadership must be positive influence . (The term Augustan, i.e., His Imperial Majestys, was a title of honor bestowed on several cohorts of auxiliary troops.) Thus, he did not expect a miracle, nor did he even ask for one. Here are some examples of their leadership. How can Paul, a prisoner, emerge as the leader on board a ship, while in the midst of a storm? Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. Paul had a fair bit of experience with sea travel. He was going to survive. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. 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. He left this to God. Pay attention to the type of men they chose to handle this problem. "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Pauls leadership enhanced the preaching of the gospel. In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. Look at what was necessary for these men to be qualified to carry out this task. I am not certain that anyone ever thought of Paul as the leader, but he did lead and they followed. And Joshua did so.". Had people ceased eating, in part perhaps, because they thought they were going to die anyway? Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Unsaved men do not have the answers. There are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible as God has always raised up men and women to lead others. Every passenger made it safely to shore. An elder must live a blameless life. Progress was slow, due to wind conditions. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. But by the end of this chapter, it is Paul who is active, Paul who is leading, and the others are following him. Several factors contributed to the decision to sail on. The great leaders of the Bible, men like Joseph, Moses, David, and Daniel, were men who had an impact because they were men of God, men of great skill and ability, and men who God raised up. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. For others it extends beyond the walls of your home possibly into your community, your job, or even your ministry. 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. I would say that is a great example of Godly leadership. What the ships crew intended to do was a cowardly thing. The name of this leadership style is derived from the word "democracy," which means "run by the people." Democratic leaders welcome and value others' input, rely heavily on team participation, and facilitate discussions that enable multiple members of their group to weigh in on decisions. Here are three people who stand out as servant leadership examples in the Bible. He bridged the gaps between the Greek and Jewish worlds. And who would not be afraid in such a storm. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Their safety was relative, however. Let me suggest a few characteristics of Pauls leadership in this crisis, which may provide fuel for future thought. If there were but ten righteous in the city of Sodom, God would have spared the city for the sake of those righteous (Genesis 18:22-33). 544 We know that Luke was on board ship because of the we references, and because of the great detail that he includes, as an eyewitness of the journey, the storm, and the safe landing of the passengers. Pauls leadership emerged in a democratic society. We are told that the majority reached the decision to sail on, rather than to winter in Fair Havens. Such would have been the case in Sodom and Gomorrah. They did not know exactly where they were and they could not recognize anything familiar about the land, but they did resolve to run the ship aground in a bay which they could see ahead. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company [photolithoprinted], 1966), p. 191, quoting Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen, p. 319. Apparently Paul discerned that those in charge were predisposed to sailing a little further. He had had enough. 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. Paul assured them that not a hair from their head would perish (verse 34). When the ship is grounded and the passengers must swim for their lives, the soldiers plan to kill Paul, along with the other prisoners, to prevent any from escaping. Their arrival had not been without difficulty, but things were only to go from bad to worse. It was, I believe, for the sake of the gospel that Paul and these passengers were saved. What is the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular leadership? Verses 9-13 describe a crucial decision that was made. Thus, the sailors continually took soundings, measuring the depth below them, so that they could discern, far in advance, their approach to land (which would be indicated by progressively diminishing depths). Gods Word gives us those answers. The smaller boat, was much more easily handled, and would have been the logical choice when trying to make shore, especially in such circumstances. All in all, it would be best to wait out the storm at sea. He refused to bow to the king and ended up in the lion's den. Flee to safety today. It seems as though the passengers, including Luke and Paul, were needed to help carry out this operation (see verse 19).556. In fact, it seems that virtually everyone voted against him when the decision was made. This harbour would protect them for a time from the winds. Few managers or politicians understand that. All 276 passengers were saved. If you remember the qualifications of a leader that we looked at earlier, you will see why this is a great example of Godly leadership in the Bible. Your family. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Obedient Daniel. Now, no one had the use of this boat. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Some Christians are inclined to live their lives sloppily, believing that because God is sovereign He will, on demand, produce a miracle to deliver us from the fruits of our own foolishness. A centurion of the Augustan cohort by the name of Julius543 was placed in charge of the prisoners. It is only when all hope is lost that Paul addresses his fellow shipmates.557 Much time had passed, the storm had not diminished, the ship was being constantly mauled by the storm, and the passengers had gone a long time without food. From here on, sailing will not be smooth. The danger in which they found themselves was unnecessary. When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. He spoke prophetically of the fate of the ship and its passengers. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). Proud member God does not jump through our hoops and thus Paul never presumed that he had Gods power on tap to use when and how he chose. 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 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. Peter, the most well-known disciple of Jesus, denies even . He doesn't mince words when he calls them "a brood of vipers.". (1 Kings 18:27). But it is here, in our text, that I see Paul as a very wise man in practical matters, a man who is a leader of men, and whose counsel is taken seriously because he knows what he is doing. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39). Second, the majority of those who voted on this issue favored going further. The meeting's facilitator will be acting democratically if they actively seek out the team's thoughts and opinions and encourage them to voice them. It is as certain as the salvation of His own. Pauls caution is rather interesting. A friend of mine, Jonathan Leath, wrote a book he titled You Only Lead One (YOLO). 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. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. 11. {For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). The one whose fate was sure and certain, was the most cautious; those whose ultimate fate was most uncertain were those who lived most dangerously. Isnt it true that men do those things which they know to be risky, partly for the love of the risk, and often due to some small gain they wish, prompted by a false sense of assurance, and by the hope for some small gain? 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. . 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? As the song goes, More secure is no one ever, than the loved ones of the Savior. The short version is that there was a plot to destroy the Jews, and Mordecai got wind of the plot. Simply put, Paul warned those making the decision about whether or not to press on that continuing on was not wise. For our examples, I want to look at leaders that may be a little more obscure. Here are some examples of their leadership. In the sea of Adria (en toi Hadriai). Given all these factors, the ship set sail from Fair Havens. Did Paul pray for their meal, as well as his own? Tim Cook became CEO of Apple in 2011. nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. Leaders in the bible had six key characteristics that included commitment, credibility, purpose, gifts, accountability, and self-discipline. Imagine this, they would have Paul to thank for their deliverance. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. There were no petty thieves on board this ship. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Since this was not an ideal place to spend the winter, and sailing conditions looked favorable at the moment, they decided to press on to a more accommodating port. And so they were strengthened, both in spirit and in body. 1. 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. My guess is that he had skills the like of which Moses himself admired, perhaps even envied. They made port in Sidon, a city about 70 miles north of Caesarea. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. In verses 27-29, Luke describes the ships approach to some body of land. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. 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). Regardless of where you find yourself, you have to lead. The final verses (42-44) tell of the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners, of the intervention of the centurion, and the safe arrival on land of all 276 passengers. Photo Credit: Sparrowstock. There are many different styles and forms of leadership. Paul: "Believe in something bigger than yourself." "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). This necessitated sailing close to the coast of Cyprus, which, to some degree, sheltered them from the contrary winds (verse 4). There was some level of favoritism going on. Clearly the answer is yes. Pastor Appreciation Month and Pastor Appreciation Day are great opportunities every October to show how much you care for your pastor and church leaders. Remember, he struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. The point was, before you can lead others you have to learn how to lead yourself. Scripture offers examples of both. The sovereignty of God will then result in the overthrow of His enemies and in the judgment of the wicked. 16:8, 16-20). Paul encourages all on board to eat, and they do. And so Paul was correct, though not speaking at the moment with prophetic inspiration, authority, or inerrancy. When you study closely, you will discover these examples of leadership in the Bible can help you address all of lifes situations. Paul believed in the power of God and in His infinite control over all things, in heaven and on the earth. Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Netherlands are a few others. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. She had entered the election the previous year following the death of her husband, the incumbent governor who was campaigning for a second term. Moses. 561 Before, adrift in the sea, they made no effort to guide the ship. 4. One more detail about the future was revealed by Paul: the ship must run aground on a certain, but unnamed, island. Now they were ready for the days activities. "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. 1 Timothy 3:5. 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. They all waited for the morning light. 1 Timothy 4:12. Misconceptions about "Real" Leadership vs. Servant Leaders. Elijah had both. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. 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. He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. 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). In a storm, control of the ship is limited, and so navigating a narrow entrance to a port would be almost impossible. They were also able to build a church that met in their home. Mordecais words influenced Esther to take an action that she would have otherwise not taken. He sold his land and gave it to the church treasury. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. Just so you know, the person they are talking about in Acts 18:26 is Apollos. He took Pauls warnings seriously here, too. of 551 Although there almost certainly would have been some loss of life, apart from divine intervention. Three days have already passed, and Luke provides us with the description of some incident for each day. In other words, your leadership style should be authentic to you. Up to this point in time, they had gone a long while without food. 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. Many of the great democratic leaders in history are today cult object and recognition, as an example to follow in the fight for more just, peaceful and orderly societies.. Allow me to make one last observation here. I suspect so. His military role came at a pivotal time in world history- World War II. A true leader has to be brutally honest with all those he comes in contact with. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. Since leadership happens inside and outside the church, these examples are good wherever you lead. When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. How often, I wonder, are others benefited by the presence of a believer? Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:8-10). Pauls influence was not the result of his political maneuverings, but mens response to his personal competence. Godly leadership like this can impact homes, communities, churches, businesses, schools, politics, sports basically every area of life. There is no thus saith the Lord here, but Pauls words were worth heeding. In so doing, the sailors would not only be abandoning ship, they would be abandoning all the passengers on board ship, leaving them helpless. Born a Cypriot and reared a Levite, he linked the Hellenistic world and the Jerusalem church. God has given each leader specific gifts. They could not see the sun nor the stars (verse 20) and so they were unable to navigate. You may be familiar with the story of Esther. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). The seas were closed to sailing until the beginning of February at the earliest; the three months spent in Malta must therefore have corresponded roughly to November, December, and January, so they must have left Fair Havens not much before mid-October. There is nothing wrong with a healthy fear of danger. 7 Best Democratic Leadership Examples to Know 1. Paul was a leader here because people followed him. Just about every pastor has "struck the rock" at one time or another; but then, like Moses, the same pastor usually has the resilience to see things through. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Titus would be a good place to start, and there are other scriptures as well. These passengers were spared, I suspect, so that they could not only hear the gospel, but experience the hope which the gospel gives, and the power by which the gospel saves unworthy sinners.