J. Oswald Sanders quotes - page 2

If the world is to hear the church's voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Sacrificial, because this trait follows the model of Jesus, who gave Himself for the whole world and who calls us to follow in His steps. (J. Oswald Sanders)
A leader is only able to lead others because he disciplines himself. The person who does not know how to bow to discipline imposed from without, who does not know how to obey, will not make a good leader-nor will the one who has not learned to impose discipline within his own life. Those who scorn scripturally or legally constituted authority, or rebel against it, rarely qualify for high leadership positions. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition's character. Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
The deity of Christ is the key doctrine of the scriptures. Reject it, and the Bible becomes a jumble of words without any unifying theme. Accept it, and the Bible becomes an intelligible and ordered revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
The spiritual leader will choose the hidden path of sacrificial service and approval of the Lord over the flamboyant self-advertising of the world. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
We can lead others only as far along the road as we ourselves have traveled. merely pointing the way is not enough. If we are not walking, then no one can be following, and ware not leading anyone. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
True greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one's service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
There is no such thing as a self made spiritual leader. He is able to influence others spiritually only because the Spirit is able to work in and through him to a greater degree than in those he leads. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
The final estimate of men shows that history cares not an iota for the rank or title a man has borne, or the office he has held, but only the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
If those who hold influence over others fail to lead toward the spiritual uplands, then surely the path to the lowlands will be well worn. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
One reason why people are unable to understand great Christian classics is that they are trying to understand without any intention of obeying them. (J. Oswald Sanders)
We are not responsible for our endowments or natural abilities, but we are responsible for the strategic use of time. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
If Jesus is not God, then there is no Christianity, and we who worship Him are nothing more than idolaters. Conversely, if He is God, those who say He was merely a good man, or even the best of men, are blasphemers. More serious still, if He is not God, then He is a blasphemer in the fullest sense of the word. If He is not God, He is not even good. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Jesus was the meeting place of eternity and time, the blending of deity and humanity, the junction of heaven and earth. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Leaders who want to show sensitivity should listen often and long and talk short and seldom. Many so-called leaders are too busy to listen. True leaders know that time spent listening is well invested. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Are you responsibly optimistic? Pessimism and leadership do not mix. Leaders are positively visionary. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Our consciences are not infallible, and they can become warped or weakened if not kept aligned by the infallible Word of God. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
An exhausted man easily falls prey to the adversary. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Will the leader reflect the ugliness of egotism or the transfigured glory of Christ the Lord? View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
To be a leader in the Church has always required strength and faith beyond the merely human. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
The original meaning of the word tact referred to the sense of touch (as in 'tactile'), and came to mean skill in dealing with persons or sensitive situations. Tact is defined as: 'intuitive perception, especially a quick and fine perception of what is fit and proper and right.' It alludes to one's ability to conduct delicate negotiations and personal matters in a way that recognizes mutual rights, and yet leads to a harmonious solution. (J. Oswald Sanders)
God prepares leaders with a specific place and task in mind. Training methods are adapted to the mission, and natural and spiritual gifts are given with clear purpose. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
It is very possible to be proud of the spiritual gifts God has entrusted to us and to strut about ostentatiously, forgetting that we have nothing which we have not received, that grace is a gift, an undeserved favor. We can actually be filled with pride at the eloquence and brilliance of our sermon on humility. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
Our sense of humor is a gift from God which should be controlled as well as cultivated. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders
A leader is a person who has learned to obey a discipline imposed from without, and has then taken on a more rigorous discipline from within. Those who rebel against authority and scorn self-discipline - who shirk the rigors and turn from the sacrifices - do not qualify to lead. View quote
J. Oswald Sanders