Leadership Lessons from A Shepherd

Matthew 18:12-14

“[12] How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [13] And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. [14] Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”

A summary of the above scripture indicates that:

• The shepherd had 100 sheep

• One of his sheep was lost

• The shepherd left the 99 sheep to find the one lost sheep

• The shepherd rejoiceth when he finds the lost sheep

The leadership lesson for us is in this text is taken from the point of veiw of the shepherd.  We must lead with compassion and love of a shepherd who had 100 hundred sheep and one went astray.  This teaches us that:

We actively love all whom we serve

True leaders do not value the group while neglecting the individual. The shepherd’s concern for one sheep demonstrates that every soul matters.

Application:

Leadership is not about numbers it is about people. Every individual under your care has value.

We put emphasis on those which are lost by seeking them

The shepherd did not ignore the one who strayed; he pursued it.

Application:

Effective leaders identify those who are drifting spiritually, emotionally, or relationally and make intentional efforts to reach them.

We actively seek the lost  to  restore their condition

The sheep did not find its way back the shepherd went searching.

Application:

Leaders do not wait for people to return on their own. They act, pursue, and engage proactively.

We rejoice when one who was lost is now restored

When the sheep was found, the shepherd rejoiced.

Application:

Leaders should celebrate spiritual recovery, repentance, and growth not criticize past failure.

Spiritual Insight

This passage reflects the heart of God in that His desire is that none would perish.  He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to seek, save and restore the lost.  He through the preaching of gospel intends to save all who obey His word.

God is not satisfied with the majority being saved.  He desires that none be lost.