Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-21
Extreme Ownership
Intro.
1. Jesus holds us accountable, Matt. 25:19, 24-30; 2 Cor. 5:10.
2. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: “It’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate” that makes the difference between effective leadership, and a frustrated team that fails to succeed.
3. “Too many of us are quick to point our fingers when it comes to explaining why something misfired. Just a few of the many excuses for poor performance I’ve encountered in the past few months:
“Corporate did not provide us the investment we need,”
“The budget passed down from on high was unreasonable,”
“The mid-market sales team failed to execute their plan,”
“In all three cases, it is the leader’s job to execute the assigned mission, regardless of investment and personal opinion of the budget. As for the team, if they failed, it’s the leader, not the team. This tendency to assign and not own fault is a failure of leadership and leadership character.
“The next time you are tempted to look around and explain why something on your watch failed, stare into the mirror and own up: “I failed. It was my fault, and here’s what I am going to do to fix it going forward.” We need more extreme ownership in this world.
“In a world filled with finger-pointing politicians, broke state and city governments and vexing global challenges, it can truly be said, “we get what we tolerate.” Whether it’s in business or in our public institutions, let’s adopt an extreme ownership mentality to promote positive change. Anything less is a prescription for failure.” (Art Petty, Leadership Caffeine™—“It’s Not What You Preach, it’s What You Tolerate”).
4. This principle is grounded in divine truth, Gal. 6:7; Rom. 14:12.
I. AN ELDERSHIP: “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU PREACH, IT’S WHAT YOU TOLERATE.” Titus 1:9-14; Acts 20:28-31
A. Shepherds must Protect the Sheep, Ezek. 34:1-4, 10.
B. We Must Help Them, Heb. 13:7, 17.
II. A GOSPEL PREACHER: “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU PREACH, IT’S WHAT YOU TOLERATE.” 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Phil. 1:12-18
A. The Readiness to Preach What is Needed, the Way it is Needed and When it is Needed, 4:2 (Acts 20:20, 27).
B. The Soberness to Endure Rejection, 4:3-5.
III. IN A LOCAL CHURCH: “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU PREACH, IT’S WHAT YOU TOLERATE.”
A. Concerning False Doctrine, Rev. 2:14-16 (Rom. 16:17-18)
B. Concerning Immorality, 1 Cor. 5:1-2; Rev. 2:20-23 (1 Cor. 5:4-5, 13). (Immodesty, profane language, modern, social dances...)
C. Concerning Fellowship with Sin, Eph. 5:11; 2 John 9-11.
IV. IN YOUR HOME: “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU PREACH, IT’S WHAT YOU TOLERATE.” Eph. 6:3-4; Heb. 12:5-6 (7-11)
A. Parents: Training your Children is Vital to their Success in Life, Prov. 22:6.
1. Education and correction, Prov. 13:24; 19:18.
2. Follow through on correction when instruction is disobeyed.
3. Training children is a battle of the wills, and yours must prevail.
4. Support young parents in their essential work.
B. Husbands and Wives: Servant Leaders (submission) and Helper/Homemakers (praised, honored), Col. 3:18-19.
Conclusion
1. Extreme ownership: Effective leadership is applied by accepting our responsibilities and accountability to Christ when He gives us our marching orders, Matt. 25:21.
2. Don’t be a finger-pointer, be a problem-solver, Gal. 6:1-5.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: February 28, 2017