Great Leaders Will Do This Instinctively

Luke 15:3-7 - So He told them this parable, saying, "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?..."  NASU 
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• Dan Gable Told Me This Story 

My son and I were driving Dan Gable, Tom and Terry Brands from the Hershey Airport to Lock Haven, PA where he was going to be teaching a wrestling coach's clinic. During the drive Dan told the story about when he left his team to go and search for one wrestler, Barry Davis, who had gone AWOL.
 
The team was preparing to leave for the 1982 Big 10 Wrestling Championships in Michigan when it was discovered that Barry wasn't going to make the trip because of a weight issue.
 
Dan sent the other coaches and wrestlers on to Michigan. Dan went to search for one missing wrestler.
 
Dan found Barry in a convenience store at 7 am. Dan was able to convince Barry to come with him. Barry went with Coach Gable and lost 8 more pounds in two days, made weight, and won his 2nd of 4 Big Ten Championships.
 
Two weeks later Barry would wrestle and win his 1st of three NCAA Championships.
 
Barry won the Olympic Silver medal in 1984 and was the head coach at the University of Wisconsin for 20+ years.

One can only imagine how different Barry's life would be had Coach Gable not left the Nine wrestlers for the One. (Next week's Pump Up will be about what Barry says he did wrong in this situation)

• Whose Life Are You Going To Change? 

Great leaders help people change their lives.
 
Look at all the lives Jesus has changed while He was on earth. Look at all the lives He is changing now that He is alive in Heaven.
 
I can tell you He has changed my life. I would venture to say I would not be alive now if Jesus hadn't changed my life in 1975. Some of you who are reading my Pump Ups may not be alive today if Jesus hadn't changed your lives also.
 
So, who is that One lost sheep that you want to bring back to the fold? 

• You Can Be The Bringer Of Joy To God 

If you will notice the text doesn't say the angels will rejoice. 
 
It says in verse 7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
 
In the parable of the lost coin we get a clearer picture of who is rejoicing. Luke 15:10 -"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  NASU
 
The "joy" is in the presence of the angels. I believe God is the One with the "joy" who is in the presence of the angels.
 
If you ever wanted to bring joy into the life of God here is an opportunity, bring one back who has lost his or her way.
 
Has one of your friends, co-workers, teammates, or Christian brothers or sisters gone AWOL?
 
Here is a chance for you to be a Great Leader like Jesus: go find them and help them return to active duty.
 
Think About These:
 
A fault which humbles a man is of more value than a virtue which puffs him up.
 
Virtue has more admirers than followers.

Stay Pumped, 

Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word