SOME LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ACTS 2

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: Chapter 1—A NEED FOR REPLACEMENT IN THE MINISTRY WORK

15 AND IN THOSE DAYS PETER STOOD UP IN THE MIDST OF THE DISCIPLES (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), AND SAID,
16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 FOR HE WAS NUMBERED WITH US AND OBTAINED A PART IN THIS MINISTRY."
20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it'; AND, 'LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.' "
Acts 1:15-17,20

• There might be a need for replacement in the ministry work (Acts 1:15-20).

• Peter quoted Psalm 69:25; and 109:8 to substantiate his point, the need for a replacement—the giving of Judas' place or office to another person: " “FOR IT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: " ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; AND, ‘LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE' " (Acts 1:20 NKJV).
• Note:
  a. If you are serving in the ministry leadership, know that, there might be a need for a replacement If you did not do what you are called or assigned to do.
  b. Your place or position or function can be given to another person If you did contrary to the ethics of the work (2 Timothy 2:4).
  c. Another important truth is, If you are not walking in line with God's Word, and you are not building according to the pattern shown or given to you by God (Hebrews 8:5), you might be replaced.
  GOD can allow the work, whatever you have built, to scatter, If you are the founder; and caused you to start all over again (Genesis 6:7).

• Some ministers, because of their unethical behaviours in the ministry work, God has halted or suspended their works or ministries; whilst some people's ministries have been completely cancelled and their places or functions or works have been given to other people. It is my prayer that your place would not be given to another person in Jesus' name.

• The unethical thing found in the life of Judas was the greed for money or material things (John 12:6; Mark 14:10,11; 1 Timothy 3:3).
• Whoever is called to serve in the ministry should discipline himself or herself on monetary issues. Such should not be covetous nor greedy for money (1 Timothy 3:3,8; 6:10,11).
• Two people who had the potential to have a great and glorious ministries missed it because of covetousness or greediness—greed or untamed desire for money and material things: Gehazi, Elisha's servant (2 Kings 5:20-27), and Judas Iscariot, one of the Disciples of Christ Jesus (Mark 14:10,11; John 12:6).
• If you had an untamed appetite for material things, the things of the world, as a believer or a minister of God; you would do well to pray and ask God to help you and deliver you from such an appetite (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Peter 2:13-15; 1 John 2:15-17).

• The truth is: money is not everything in the ministry work, although a passage of Scripture says money answers all things (Ecclesiastes 10:19).

• It is a fact that money is needed for the work of ministry and a minister needs money to fulfil his or her God-given vision or ministry or assignment; however, money should not be their goal for the work—the reason why they do the work.
• If you cannot tame or control your appetite or desire for money, you may not go far in the ministry work:
  9 BUT PEOPLE WHO LONG TO BE RICH FALL INTO TEMPTATION AND ARE TRAPPED BY MANY FOOLISH AND HARMFUL DESIRES THAT PLUNGE THEM INTO RUIN AND DESTRUCTION. 10 FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL. AND SOME PEOPLE, CRAVING MONEY, HAVE WANDERED FROM THE TRUE FAITH AND PIERCED THEMSELVES WITH MANY SORROWS" (1 Timothy 6:9,10 NLT).

• Note:
a. Love of money can make a minister of God lose the anointing on his or her life (2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 2:14,15).
b. A minister can lose his or her place because of crave or desire, or greed and love for money (Acts 1:20; Philippians 3:18,19).
c. A minister can fall into the snare of the devil through the love for money (1 Timothy 6:9,10).
d. It also could lead to a premature death (Acts 1:18,19).

• If your goal in the ministry work is to get or make money, you may not get it; It would be farfetched, elusive, and a mirage—unattainable like illusion.
• God works with the motives of whoever comes to Him or claims to be working for Him. He watches the heart of each individual believer and relates with them on that basis.
• If your motives are wrong in the ministry work, what you do might not receive God's approval, favour and blessings.
  a. If I may ask you, Why are you in the ministry work?
  b. Are all your works, things you do, commanded by God, or they are being done in order to make money?
  c. Are you making merchandise of the the people under your leadership? In other words, Are you unlawfully milking the people under your leadership—using them as a means of making money?
• If your motives are not right, If they are all about how to make money in the ministry work, and amass material possessions; your place undoubtedly would be given to another person.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
• Whatever is not of God in your system that is working against your wellness and good health, such is rebuked and completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!