The Leadership Lifestyle – #10215

March 6, 2026

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Every summer we used to take a large delegation to a great youth conference in Ocean City, New Jersey. One of our veteran staff was in charge of that delegation, and it was a big responsibility at the shore. When my son was old enough to go to that conference, he commented on Greg’s leadership. He said, “You know, Greg’s really serious.” Well my wife and I kind of laughed. We said, “Oh, you should hear some of the crazy things he’s done down at Ocean City.” And then my son said, “Not any more. He’s in charge now.” Well, my son was making a pretty valid observation. As your authority increases, so does your responsibility. Followers, I guess, can goof off, but leadership; oh, that’s serious business.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Leadership Lifestyle.”

Now, our word for today from the Word of God is about leaders, and you might be one whether you realize it or not. Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” Now, I’ve all the time thought “Hey, wouldn’t it be great to be one of those leaders? You get to be obeyed and submitted to.” Yeah, wait till you hear the remainder of the verse. “…they keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” Whoa.

That signifies that when you have anybody trying to you, you’ll sooner or later have the privilege and the chance to elucidate to God what you probably did with these individuals. Man! “God, here’s how I influenced those people and why they ended up as they did.”

Well see, God’s on the lookout for those that He can belief with a promotion. He’s on the lookout for academics and leaders, and musicians, and shepherds for His Kingdom. And perhaps He’s trusted you with some affect: a category, or a research group, a church, perhaps a musical ministry, a place of authority in God’s work. Well, then, watch out how you reside. You can accomplish that a lot good, and you are able to do a lot hurt.

In a letter that James Dobson wrote years in the past he advised about an incident that occurred when he went to a Christian e book vendor’s conference and for the primary time he noticed all of his supplies displayed and his image in every single place. And he mentioned, “I heard as it were almost an audible voice saying, ‘Jim, look around you. I have chosen for reasons that you don’t understand to make you visible and influential with My people. And in that sense, I am preparing to make the work of My Kingdom vulnerable to you. That’s why I’m telling you to be careful; think before you act; hold a tighter reign on your tongue and on your thought life than ever before. When your natural impulse is to become angry or vindictive, resist the temptation as much as possible, and keep your life free of willful and deliberate sin. You will soon be in a position to hurt my people. See that it doesn’t happen.'” Whew! Man!

Now, you are not a Dobson, or some non secular star maybe, however perhaps God’s lifted you to a spot the place others are you or to you. And it is thrilling, however it’s a heavy accountability, one for which you need to give account the Bible says. Exercise care in what you say, what you joke about. Be cautious what you watch. Stop with the unfavorable feedback, the vital feedback earlier than anyone can hear them, these shows of anger. Not for you; not now.

God has referred to as you to some measure of management and the accountable life-style that goes with that. I believe that is an awfully highly effective incentive to be all you had been meant to be in Christ. It’s a great factor; a great motive to reside as much as what Jesus needs for all of His youngsters. But He has put belief in your arms. He’s put His repute in your arms. He has made His Kingdom susceptible to you. You are able to harm a few of God’s individuals. See that it would not occur.