INTRODUCTION
Behind everything you see is something you don’t see. This book ‘Top Ten’ is designed to outline nuggets of wisdom that often remain invisible behind thriving churches and ministries. Mixed with a touch of humour,
Top 10 of Everything looks into the Private World, the Practical World, the Handy Hints World and the Wide World of Knowledge. It gives advice on many subjects that may prove to be invaluable to established and up-and-coming leaders. Read it all at once or read it one Top Ten at a time. This book can also provide new preachers with an opportunity to ‘borrow’ some of the Top Ten outlines to create live and dynamic sermons. Enjoy and be inspired – by Dave Gilpin
This book is available from Hope City Church, The Mega Centre, Bernard Road, Sheffield S2 5
By Rev, D. Gilpin minister of Hope Church Sheffield
TOP 10 ways for leaders to kill the ‘old man.’
Make a killing. Followers blame the Devil for too many things. Leaders know that our greatest enemy is ourselves. The Bible says that it’s our own ‘evil desires’ that cause the trouble. The only power the Devil has in our lives is the power we give him through activating the ‘old man’ and giving into our ‘evil desires.’ A man had a dream where he saw the Devil crying in the gutter beside a road. He asked the Devil why he was so sad and he answered ‘Because people keep blaming me for things I never did.’ Leadership takes responsibility and ownership of the real problem.
- suffocation
Jacob said that Judah’s hands would be on the neck of his enemies. Judah means ‘praise.’ Fill the air with praise and worship and suffocate the ‘old man.’
2. Starvation.
The one that wins in the wrestling match between the ‘old man’ and the ‘new man’ is the one you feed the most. Give the ‘old man’ no food and he’ll run out of fuel.
3. Conviction.
The Holy Spirit convicts us when we are about to activate the ‘old man’. Listen to your conscience and to the guardian of your mind – the peace of God.
4. Redemption.
The ‘old man’ is crucified with Christ. God sees you as if you’ve never sinned. The slate is clean and God’s power is more than enough for a life of total victory.
5. Motivation.
Increase your vision of God and your God-given future, and your desire to sin will greatly decrease. In the words of the famous song ‘the things on earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.’
6. Ramification.
Do a little thinking about the effect of your private life could have upon your public life. The sin could grow into the stuff that ruins marriages and ministries.
7. Restoration.
The more you obey, the more God restores – the fractures of the soul are healed and the Devil finds it more difficult to tempt you. His foot-holding ability is diminished.
8. Decision.
The greatest power you have is the power of decision. Resist the Devil and he’ll finally stop annoying you.
9. Magnification.
As you magnify the successes of the ‘new man’, you’ll create the unsung power of momentum.
10. Repetition.
The more you do the right thing, the less you do the wrong thing. The more you create good habits, the more you break bad habits. Bible Extra Galatians 2: 20; 5: 16-25; 1 Timothy 1:5; James 1: 13-15; 4: 5-10
