The explanation for the great success of the church is the introduction of the "Ministry of Deacon". Deacons were the first assistant ministers. The ministry gifts were given to the church and the "Deacons" were given to the ministers to assist and assure his successes and ultimately the success of the church.

"Paul and Timothy, both servants of Christ Jesus, the Messiah, to all the saints (God’s consecrated people) in Christ Jesus who are at Phillippi, with the bishops (overseers) and deacons (assistants)." Phil. 1:1

The church will be successful as it’s ministers. Churches sometimes get the pastor they deserve. (Vice versa)

"What would my church be like if everyone were like me?"

I have news for you, the church is just like you. They reflect the relationships, attitudes and demeanor that they have observed in the leadership of the church. The church can rise no higher than the quality of it’s example.

"Example" – usually good of it’s kind; of exceptional merit, virtue, etc.

"People need to see what they ought to be. A cartoon punch line read, "No matter what you teach the child, he insists on behaving like his parents." – Dennis the Menace often reinforces this truth. On one occasion, while holding the remnants of a tricycle which had been smashed to smithereens, Dennis the Menace asked his dad, "What are some of those words you say when you hit a bad golf shot?" He learned that there was a certain way to behave when you are frustrated. John Maxwell, Be a People Person

Since you’re going to be an example, be a good one!

"So, David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life, and David was in the wilderness of Zipfh in a forest. Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God, and he said to him, "do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you, you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that." 1 Samuel 23:15-18

"Enthusiastic" – Having or showing enthusiasm; possessed by a God, inspired, intense, eager, zeal - fervor.

"Encouragement has the effect of a gentle rain, it causes steady growth. The secret of Andrew Carnegie, genius for developing others was his ability to encourage good qualities, while holding fault finding to a minimum. Confidence withers under fault finding." John Maxwell, Be a People Person

Remember: you can’t help someone go higher without going higher yourself! Two major hindrances to be an enthusiastic encourager is jealously and pride. We don’t want others to succeed.

"Effective" – Having an effect – producing deserved results. "Executive" – capable of carrying out duties.

No one likes change. Change is inevitable and desirable. Good leaders don’t react to change, they are the reason for change. Attitude is the key to change.

"Some folks are more comfortable with old problems than new solutions."

Before the leader makes change he must build up change with the people. People don’t like surprises! Don’t out-spend your change. Not all change is improvement, but without change there can be no improvement.

Leadership is influence. Influence is intentional. You don’t influence all people the same. Why? They’re not the same. Exceed your personal best. There are giants who will awake from slumber when they hear the sound of "what might be", "what can be", "what must be".

They do ordinary things in neat ways. Do it creatively, people will hear you.

If others are going anywhere near where you were headed jump on the wagon. Lyle Schyller

Even the turtle doesn’t go anywhere without sticking his neck out. If you want your moment in the sun, expect some blisters.

Insight with oversight. Leaders see things before others, and they see things others don’t. Wisdom is responding properly to what you see.

"But exhort one another daily..." Hebrews 3:13

"Exhort" – to call near, invite, invoke, implore, to instruct, you do not motivate each person in the same way.

The Exhorts Task

Conclusions: Everything rises or falls on leadership. Go, be a leader and assure the success of your church.

"You're bright, hardworking, ambitious ... why aren't you more successful? The answer might be in you - inside your personality where learned and old character traits sabotage every move you try to make." Dr. Daniel Amen

"We have met the enemy, and he is us." Pogo Possum

Self inflicted wounds are not only painful they are embarrassing. Self defeating behavior is attitudes, actions, and reactions that originate from within ourselves, within our thoughts and emotions. Self-defeating behavior is usually repetitive and often unconscious.

1. Attitude (vs. 17) - "A proud look". Pride is an attitude of self sabotage that leads to self destructive behavior, this is the "Disease of Me". Selfishness is the number one cause of problems. Selfishness grows in the soil of pride. When your attitude stinks, the whole world stinks!

2. Mental (vs. 18) - "A heart that devises wicked plans"; wicked imaginations or imaginings.

3. Communication (vs. 17,18) - "A lying tongue" - "A false witness who speaks lies". "Do not lie to one another ..." Col. 3:9 The most damaging lies are the ones we tell ourselves. "Do not boast and lie against the truth". James 3:14 We must not lie (contradict the truth of God's word) either to ourselves or to others. "To thine own self be true".

4. Relations (vs. 17,18) - "Hands that shed innocent blood - feet that are swift in running to evil." One that shows no regard for the interest, well being, or feelings of others. "Self interst is the enemy of all true affections." Tacitus "The moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out." James Baldwin "To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved." George McDonald

5. Organizations (vs. 14,19) - "One who sows discord among the brethren." "When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." Kikuyu Proverb When a gifted team dedicates itself to unselfish trust and combine instinct with boldness and effort, it is ready to climb." Pat Riley, The Leader Within "Divisiveness breeds weakness." Donald T. Phillips, Lincoln on Leadership

1. Learn to hate what God hates (vs. 16) - "There are six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him." "You who love the Lord hate evil. PS 97:10 "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." PS 101:3 "Through your precepts I gain understanding; therefore I hate every false way." PS 119:104 "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." Prov. 8:13 "Hate evil and love good ..." Amos 5:15 When you hate something there is no affection for it! The word "hate" in Hebrew means to hate utterly, personally, fully, and passionately.

2. Learn to love what God loves. - "But to the son he says: your throne O God, is forever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom, you have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions."

Two results of choosing the good and refusing the evil - Holiness (wholeness) and Happiness. "Happy is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly." PS 1:1 Who are the truly happy people? Their portraits are painted for us in Matt. 5:1-12.

3. Learn to exalt God's word in your life. - There are eight areas in which we must exalt God's word. God's word must be exalted: feelings, failures, family, frame, fame, flesh, faculties and finances.

PS 19 gives seven characteristics of the word of God: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous.

The perfect word produces two drastic effects on the believer who exalts the word: converts or restores the soul and imparts wisdom for life.

By the word our spirit is reborn, our souls (mind, will and emotions) are re-trained and our will is redirected.

A model is one serving as an example to be imumulated or imitated, one who is worthy of imitation.

Joseph, a model leader, was a man of dreams and a sense of destiny. He serves as a model of how God goes about fulfilling dreams and destiny. Often in his grace He hides the tremendous cost. When we have dreams and destiny we usually think in terms of the glory and ultimate fulfillment, not the cost. God motivates us to pay the price by showing us the prize. Suffering is often the road to glory. A.W. Tozer observed, "God can't use a man until he has hurt him deeply."

The message to Paul was, "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name sake." (Acts 9:16) The suffering always has this promise: "If indeed we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together." (Rom. 8:17). Joseph's feet were hurt in the stocks. "He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters. He was laid in irons until the time that his word came to pass. The word of the Lord tested him. The king released him. The ruler of the people let him go free. He made him Lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions." (PS 105:17-21) "The bumps are what we climb on" according to Warren Wiersbe.

A final word from the apostle Peter. "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you! But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. Blessed are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in the matter." (1Peter 4:12-17)

1. His Confidence (vs. 19-20) - "Joseph said to them, Don't be afraid, for am I in the place of God?" Vs. 19 Notice this is not a statement but a question. Joseph is saying, "Am I in a position to interfere of my own accord with the purpose of God, and not rather submit to him. I find myself here by divine providence as do you. God has determined my place and the route I take to get me here."

Joseph's confidence issues from his fear of God. "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children have a place of refuge." (Prov. 14:26) Joseph accepted that it was God's place to execute vengeance and to compensate the victor (Heb. 10:30; Rom. 12:19). He accepted his place. He was not God. Therefore, he was secure and confident in God.Joseph's confidence came from knowing God's purpose also. "But as for you, you meant evil against me; But God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (vs. 20)

2. His Compassion (vs. 16-17) - "How far Joseph was from thinking of ultimate retribution and revenge, is evident from the reception, which he gave their request (vs. 17): Joseph wept at their address to him." Keil-Delitzch "Before he could ever be used, Joseph had to come to the place where he loved, where he totally forgave - I believe Joseph wept because he was so hurt that they thought that he wanted to hurt them." R.T. Kendall, God Meant It For Good

The proof of total forgiveness: You no longer want others punished or to live in fear of you. (vs. 19) You refuse to use your position to hurt or exact revenge. When you see the benefits and blessings coming from the experience. Gen. 45:5 "Be not grieved, nor angry with yourself that you sold me here, for God did send me before you to preserve life."

When you desire others freedom from result of their actions. "Joseph's brothers knew they were totally forgiven because Joseph was saying, 'this was meant to be' and when they could see that he really thought that, it freed him." R.T. Kendall, God Meant It For Good When you are able to pardon repeatedly. (Matt. 18:21; Luke 16:3-4) When you're willing to provide for their well being. "Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." (vs. 21)

3. The Leader's Commitment (vs. 21) - "Now therefore do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones ..." The ministry is about focusing on the needs of others. In Col. 1:24-29, the apostle makes five observations concerning the minister and ministry. These observations verify his premise that the ministry is "for you". This "for you" is seen in verse 24 twice, verse 25 once, and verse 26 "for the saints". In chapter two verse one, another "for you". The ministry is from God, through the minister, for you.

Paul concludes the chapter with his great passion for ministry: "... that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

4. His Communication (vs. 21) - "And He comforted them and spoke kindly to them." 1Kings 12:7, 1Sam. 40:1, Luke 6:35-36. Truth is not truth until you speak it in love. To speak the message of God in a different demeanor than He intended is to change or distort His message. Truth must be tempered by love. Truth is both bold and benevolent.

Proverbs - The tongue of the wise if healing. (17:27, 16:6)