Session 1: Andy Stanley

He spoke from Daniel 4-5, on Daniel's encounters with Nebuchadnezzar and Beltshazzar. Both kinds were prideful and arrogant, and this led to their destruction, as well as to the destruction of Babylon. The key verse is Daniel 4:25. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that his judgment (he would go insane and live outside with the animals) was due to the fact that he did not acknowledge that the "Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes." Even though God's people were exiles in Babylon, this did not mean that God was off his throne. God would not allow His glory to be stolen even by a pagan king.

Andy said that if we believe this (that we too have been put in our places of leadership by God), then it should lead to us being diligent, fearless, and humble.

Diligent – We are in our places of leadership for a purpose. Therefore we should not be lazy. We should work hard.

Fearless – God put us in our place of leadership, not a hiring committee. We need to primarily concentrate on pleasing the Father. He will take care of things. Who do we have to fear?

Humility – If God put us here, He can also remove us anytime He wants, for any reason He chooses. He is definitely not dependent on us. Our leadership is temporal and must be stewarded. This is why men like Moses was ok with not being allowed to go into the Promised Land, why David was ok with Solomon building the temple, and why John the Baptist was ok taking a backseat to Jesus once he began his ministry. It’s not about us. It’s about the Father.