leading god’s people god’s way lesson 17 – the law of victory

Leading God’s People Leading God’s People God’s WayGod’s Way

Lesson 17 – The Law of VictoryLesson 17 – The Law of Victory

The Law of The Law of VictoryVictory

Leaders find a way for the team to winLeaders find a way for the team to win

Proverbs 11:14 Proverbs 11:14

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. many advisers make victory sure.

1 Corinthians 9:241 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? runners run, but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Where there is no guidance or wisdom a Where there is no guidance or wisdom a nation, or a team, falls. But, where nation, or a team, falls. But, where there is Godly, wise leadership, victory there is Godly, wise leadership, victory is sure. What are you doing in your life is sure. What are you doing in your life to grow in wisdom?to grow in wisdom?

b)b) Paul said when we run a race we should Paul said when we run a race we should run in such a way as to win. In other run in such a way as to win. In other words, we should think like a winner and words, we should think like a winner and expect to win. Do you think like a expect to win. Do you think like a winner or a looser? How can you think winner or a looser? How can you think more like a winner?more like a winner?

Our Story in HistoryOur Story in History

750 550650

Northern Kingdom of Israel taken into captivity by Assyria c. 722 BC

Josiah becomes King of Judah at age 8, after his father Amon died c. 640 BC

Josiah is killed in battle against Egypt. He ruled in Jerusalem for 31 years. c. 609 BC

David Jesus

c. = circa (about)

IsraelIsrael

700 600

Southern Kingdom of Judah taken into captivity by Babylon c. 586 BC

Judah Josiah

Scriptures to ReadScriptures to Read

2 Chronicles 34:1-332 Chronicles 34:1-33 2 Chronicles 35:1-272 Chronicles 35:1-27

Kishon River

Valley of Megiddo

Sea of Galilee

Dead Sea

Jord

an R

iver

Josiah Purges JudahAnd Jerusalem

In the 8th year of his reign, at the age of 16, Josiah began to seek the Lord

In the 12th year of his reign, at the age of 20, he began to purge Jerusalem and Judah of all worship of idols and false gods.

Naphtali

MANASSEH

Zebulun

Ashe

r

Jerusalem

JUDAH

EPHRAIM

Samaria

Kishon River

Valley of Megiddo

Sea of Galilee

Dead Sea

Jord

an R

iver

Josiah Purges all Israel

Samaria

Josiah also went throughout Israel and destroyed all traces of idol worship and collecting an offering to rebuild the temple. After he was done he returned to Jerusalem

NAPHTALI

MANASSEH

ZEBULUN

ASHER

Jerusalem

JUDAH

EPHRAIM

Josiah Commissions the Repair of the Temple

KID

RO

N V

ALL

EY

Wall of the city in Josiah’s time

Meters

Present day wall of Old City

Josiah sent his officials to begin repairing the temple. While they were doing that, they found the Book of The Law and brought it to Josiah.

Josiah Has the Law Read to the People

KID

RO

N V

ALL

EY


Meters


Josiah had the Book of the Law read before all the people. This lead to repentance and revival amongst the people.

Josiah Celebrates the Passover

KID

RO

N V

ALL

EY


Meters


After Josiah read the Law before the people, he realized that they had neglected to celebrate the Passover as the Lord had said. So, on the fourteenth day of the first month. Josiah celebrated the Passover according to the directions that God gave Moses.

Josiah is Killed in Battle

King Neco of Egypt was on his way to fight Carchemish on the Euphrates. King Josiah went out to meet him in battle, even though Neco said he did not want to fight Josiah. But, Josiah insisted, and was hit by an arrow in battle. He died on the way back to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem

Egypt

Carchemish


a)a) Even as a young man, Josiah sought the Even as a young man, Josiah sought the Lord to walk in his ways. What are you Lord to walk in his ways. What are you doing in your life to seek the ways of the doing in your life to seek the ways of the Lord, and to find out His will and Lord, and to find out His will and purpose for your life?purpose for your life?

b)b) Josiah initiated reforms that led to the Josiah initiated reforms that led to the breakthrough that Israel needed to breakthrough that Israel needed to experience victory. He was always experience victory. He was always looking for a way to help the nation win. looking for a way to help the nation win. What are you doing to help your team or What are you doing to help your team or organization experience victory?organization experience victory?

What Do We Learn From Josiah?What Do We Learn From Josiah?

1.1. Victory is preceded by a breakthrough.Victory is preceded by a breakthrough.

2.2. Victory is possible despite impossible Victory is possible despite impossible circumstances.circumstances.

3.3. A leader’s first victory is over himselfA leader’s first victory is over himself..

4.4. The people’s victory follows the The people’s victory follows the leader’s breakthrough. leader’s breakthrough.

Victory is preceded by a Victory is preceded by a breakthrough breakthrough

Breakthrough precedes victory. Josiah did Breakthrough precedes victory. Josiah did five things to ensure breakthrough: five things to ensure breakthrough:

1.1. He modeled openness and teachabilityHe modeled openness and teachability

2.2. He created a hunger for change and He created a hunger for change and renewalrenewal

3.3. He initiated reforms which led to He initiated reforms which led to breakthroughbreakthrough

Victory is preceded by a Victory is preceded by a breakthrough breakthrough

Breakthrough precedes victory. Josiah did Breakthrough precedes victory. Josiah did five things to ensure breakthrough:five things to ensure breakthrough:

4.4. He understood the root issues that He understood the root issues that would bring victorywould bring victory

5.5. He demonstrated commitment to He demonstrated commitment to getting the job done getting the job done

Victory is possible despite Victory is possible despite impossible circumstances impossible circumstances

Success has nothing to do with luck, Success has nothing to do with luck, talent, or the family we are born into. talent, or the family we are born into. Like most of the rest of us, Josiah had Like most of the rest of us, Josiah had to overcome many obstacles: to overcome many obstacles:

1.1. His age His age

2.2. A horrible family background A horrible family background

3.3. The absence of a positive role model The absence of a positive role model

4.4. The miserable spiritual condition of the The miserable spiritual condition of the nation nation


a)a) Breakthrough is often what makes the Breakthrough is often what makes the difference between being successful or difference between being successful or not. Have you every experienced a not. Have you every experienced a breakthrough that led to a victory in breakthrough that led to a victory in your life?your life?

b)b) Success has nothing to do with luck, Success has nothing to do with luck, talent, or the family we are born into. talent, or the family we are born into. Josiah had to overcome many obstacles Josiah had to overcome many obstacles before he was successful. Do you push before he was successful. Do you push through obstacles until you see success, through obstacles until you see success, or do you accept defeat?or do you accept defeat?

A leader’s first victory is over A leader’s first victory is over himselfhimself

How does a leader go about seeking the How does a leader go about seeking the first victory over self? Here is what first victory over self? Here is what Josiah did:Josiah did:

1.1. He remained open and teachable He remained open and teachable

2.2. He removed obstacles from the past He removed obstacles from the past

3.3. He realized what he needed to give and He realized what he needed to give and gave it gave it

4.4. He recognized the key to victory He recognized the key to victory

5.5. He retained a personal commitment to He retained a personal commitment to succeed succeed

The people’s victory follows the The people’s victory follows the leader’s breakthroughleader’s breakthrough

Leaders must help their people to have Leaders must help their people to have breakthrough. Here are some things breakthrough. Here are some things you can do:you can do:

1.1. Understand breakthrough timing Understand breakthrough timing

2.2. Pray for a breakthrough Pray for a breakthrough

3.3. Become a breakthrough person Become a breakthrough person

4.4. Find breakthrough leaders Find breakthrough leaders


a)a) The first battle every leader must win is The first battle every leader must win is the battle with himself. You must learn the battle with himself. You must learn to lead yourself before you can lead to lead yourself before you can lead others. Are you taking responsibility for others. Are you taking responsibility for winning the battle over yourself?winning the battle over yourself?

b)b) A leader must also help his people to A leader must also help his people to experience breakthrough and victory in experience breakthrough and victory in their lives. Are your people winning or their lives. Are your people winning or losing? Are you helping them to losing? Are you helping them to experience breakthrough and victory?experience breakthrough and victory?

Homework – Scriptures to ReadHomework – Scriptures to Read

1 Kings 1:28-401 Kings 1:28-40 1 Kings 3:1-281 Kings 3:1-28 1 Kings 4:1-341 Kings 4:1-34 1 Kings 5:1-121 Kings 5:1-12 1 Kings 9:15-261 Kings 9:15-26

leading god’s people god’s way lesson 17 – the law of victory

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