Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the month “March, 2025”

24 Mar 2025

Leading from Fear or Faith?

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40 ESV
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 ESV

Kingdom leadership demands a reliance upon the faithfulness and power of God, rather than self. As we have noted, fear is not condemned for it is a God-given emotion. But when our behavior is controlled by fear instead of faith in God then we are on dangerous ground.

The word is only used three times in the NT, twice in the synoptic gospels (Matthew and Mark) in describing Jesus calming the storm and His rebuke for their lack of trust in Him. The third use is found in Revelation 21, and we note that it leads the list of characteristics of those who will experience the ‘fiery lake of burning sulfur… the second death.’

The inclusion of cowardice in the Revelation 21 list at first glance may appear out of place. Certainly John did not mean to equate murderers or idolaters with the cowardly, did He? Yes, He did! For those controlled by fear trust their own abilities and resources to protect themselves and seek their own safety. Kingdom leadership is casting off from the safety of the known into threatening unknown because Jesus said to. It is obeying Him with our whole heart, not just when it’s easy or convenient.

The Lord launches Joshua into his new leadership role with this exhortation (Joshua 1:6-7 ESV): Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

May we all be courageous leaders who lead from faith, not fear, confident in the truth that the Lord is faithful to His promises.

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , ,
10 Mar 2025
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Leading with the Long-Term View

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. … Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:1, 4-6 NIV

John writes about the revelation shown him regarding the present and the future towards the end of his life, probably around 90 AD. He had been exiled to the island of Patmos off of what is known today as the western coast of Turkey. And in this revelation, the Lord has some instructions and exhortations for seven churches in the province of Asia – western Turkey.

Note that Paul and friends had invested much in Ephesus some 40 or so years earlier. Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus at the end of his second tour, spent over 2 years there on the third tour, and left Timothy to lead the church while he was imprisoned. Yet now, with such good foundations laid, Jesus’ assessment is that they have ‘fallen from a great height’ and ‘left your first love.’ Tragic!

Good beginnings do not necessarily ensure good long-term, sustainable outcomes. The church at Ephesus had taken their eye off of the ball – focusing on something else other than the simplicity of Jesus. They had lost attachment to the true vine (see John 15) and now were in danger of being removed by the Lord. The call was to repentance and doing what they had done at first when they had come to know Him.

The church at Ephesus started well, but within a few decades was struggling to maintain its primary focus and resulting influence for Christ. As we labor and lead others, let’s remember that we are seeking lasting impact by changing the lives of individuals who will change the world. Ministries will come and ministries will go. Keep the long-term view by maintaining a short-term focus on Jesus and what you did when you first came to know Him.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , ,

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