THE FATHER’S HEART – LOYALTY LESSON 1 – 8

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LOYALTY LESSON 1

MEANING:

To be loyal means to be faithful, true as a lover, firm in allegiance, personally devoted to a leader or an organization. In summary a loyal person must be:

Faithful
Available
Committed
Teachable
Submissive

WHY LOYALTY IS VERY IMPORTANT

1. Loyalty more than ability is a principal requirement for every worker, minister, leader etc …..it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4:2

2. Loyalty has serious growth implication on churches and ministries. In fact, mega churches are being led by people that are loyal and faithful.

3. Loyalty is very important to have a long lasting ministry. “ loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king and his throne is upheld by righteousness” Prov. 20:28 (RSV).

4. A loyal person is rewarded with increase in many areas from God. In fact, loyalty is the master key to enlargement. Math 25:21, Prov 28:20

5. Loyal people experience the favour of God. Psalm 41:11

6. Loyalty is key to have a large and successful ministerial Team

7. To fight the 5th column. The devil is an expert at destroying the church from within especially where 3Ms are present- Money, Miracles and Multitude.

LOYALTY LESSON 2

THE PRINCIPAL LAWS OF LOYALTY:

1. Loyalty emanates from the Head. Psalm 133:2

2. Loyalty breeds Loyalty:

a. It secures your future generation. “ And David said is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Sam. 9:1
b. It speaks for you in time of trouble. Esther 6:1-3

3. Disloyalty breeds Disloyalty. I Kings 18: 3-6

4. Loyalty has a single eye. You can’t focus on two organizations and claimed to be loyal. Math 6:22-24

5. Loyalty does not join or create factions in the church 1 Corinth 1:11

6. A proud person cannot be loyal. In fact the root of disloyalty is pride. Prov 13:10
Symptoms of Pride include:
a. Answering back
b. Feeling indispensable
c. Refusing to come when called
d. Constant criticism
e. Feeling that l am as good as my senior.

7. Loyalty is an integral part of your character. Loyalty must emanate from the heart.

8. Familiarity breeds Disloyalty. Mark 6:3-4

9. A Loyal person does not destroy what he builds. Gal. 2:18

10. Loyalty is the key to expansion and growth.

LOYALTY LESSON 3

THREE TESTS OF LOYALTY:

1. The Test of Distance.
“ But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when l am present with you” Gal. 4:18

2. The Test of Time.
“ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” Gal. 1:6

3. The Test of Fire. Mal. 3:3
God often puts the heat on his servants in order to bring the best out of them.

OTHER BASIC FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT LOYALTY

1. Disloyalty is often a fruit of immaturity.

“ And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything “ 2 Sam. 15:11

2. Loyalty today does not mean Loyalty tomorrow
.
“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season” Luke 4:13

3. Loyal People catch the anointing.

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so” 2 Kings 2:9,10

LOYALTY LESSON 4

ATTITUDE AND HABITS OF A LOYAL PERSON:

1. He prays daily for the church and the leaders

2. He does not withhold information from the leaders. Esther 2:21,22

3. He does not gossip about the church and the leaders. Prov. 16:28 ‘If there are no listening ears, there will be no gossip’ ‘If they gossip to you, they gossip about you’

4. He does not show offence or talk rudely to his leaders. 1 Sam. 1:15

5. He speaks faith-filled words over his church. Prov. 18:21

6. He always invite people to church. Inviting people to church is a great way to be a soul winner. Mark 1:17

7. He is a consistent giver. Ecl. 11:1

8. He flows with decisions and policies made by the head. He does this even if he has a different opinion.
.
9. He does not establish a private, side-fellowship in the church without the knowledge or approval of his pastor.

10. He takes notes at meetings whilst his senior pastor/leader is talking or ministering.

11. He is protective of his senior pastor. He is prepared to defend against any problem arising out of his pastor’s mistakes.

12. He is content to be an assistant. Exodus 20:12

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY LESSON 5

SIGNS OF DISLOYALTY:

1. A person who disappoints you in time of pressure or crisis. Act 15:38

2. A person that has moral weakness. 1 Tim. 5:2

3. Someone that has a financial weakness. John 12:6

4. A person who loves or admires worldly things. 2 Tim. 4:10

5. A person who is prepared to attack his own father or senior in ministry. 2 Sam. 16:11

6. Wounded persons who have never recovered from their hurts. 2 Sam 13:22.

7. Workers/leaders who are not prepared to be trained or re-trained in ministry. 1Tim 6:20

8. Workers who are not prepared to do menial jobs. Luke 22:27

9. A person with a persistently stormy marriage. 1 Tim 3:4

10. Workers who are irritated and reactionary every time you correct them. Eccl 4:13

11. A person who gives excuses and continually justifies himself. 1 Sam 15: 20-23

12. A person who does not keep promises. Psalm 15:4

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY LESSON 6

MORE SIGNS OF DISLOYALTY:

1. A person who is vying for promotion or recognition. 1 Kings 1:5

2. A person who does not say amen or smile whilst you are preaching.

3. A person who is not faithful in another person’s work. Luke 16:12

4. A person who does not pay tithes and offerings. Mal 3: 8-10

5. Worker who is always late or does not attend certain meetings. John 20:24

6. A person who approves of someone who makes wrong decisions. 1 King 1:7

7. A person who poisons you about others.

8. A leader who does not stay around to mingle and interact with other church members. John 10:14

9. A leader who has a “Jezebel” for a wife. 1Kings 21:7

10. A person who constantly shifts the blame to other people. Gen. 3:12

11. A person who thinks too much money is being spent on the Head. John 12:5

12. A person who does not contribute to a joint effort which is intended to bless and appreciate their pastor.

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY LESSON 7

STAGES OF DISLOYALTY:

A person does not become disloyal overnight. Becoming disloyal is a process. There are about eight important stages that a person passes through in becoming disloyal.

STAGE ONE: THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

The person develops an independent attitude at this stage. Such a person, though still a part of the church does what he wants to do, in spite of contrary instructions. As in Joab killing Absalom, 2Sam 18:5, 2Sam 18:14

STAGE TWO: THE OFFENCE

“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” Mathew 24:10

STAGE THREE: THE PASSIVE STAGE

A person in this stage does not involve himself in much. He is indifferent and unconcerned about what is happening in the church. Jeremiah 48:10

STAGE FOUR: THE CRITICAL STAGE

The person here is always noticing and magnifying faults. Numbers 12:1

STAGE FIVE: THE POLITICAL STAGE

The person now tries to involve others in his ideas and beliefs. 2 Sam. 15:6

STAGE SIX: DECEPTION

Many rebellious people are deceived into thinking they are greater than their seniors. John 14:12

STAGE SEVEN: OPEN REBELLION

After being deceived, at this stage, the person fights openly against authority. Mathew 26:47,48

STAGE EIGHT: EXECUTION

The end of all rebels is one and the same: execution. 1Sam 15:23, Exod 22:18

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY LESSON 8

HOW TO GUIDE AGAINST DISLOYALTY:

1. Teaching against disloyalty. Constant teaching on the subjects of loyalty and disloyalty will make people develop a culture of loyalty towards the organization and leadership.

2. Working with willing people only. As leaders we should not have unwilling people around us. 2 Corinth 8:12

3. Constant Pruning is important to prevent disloyalty. We must constantly prune out disloyal elements that find their way into our midst. 1 Corinth 5:6

4. Spending quality time with God in place of prayer. Mathew 26:41

5. Constant study of the word of God. 11 Tim 2:15

6. An attitude of thanksgiving. Don’t be a complainer.

7. Know your church vision and beliefs

8. Don’t let the devil tell you the grass is greener at some other church.

9. Don’t wait to get involved. Getting involved in ministry work will help to guide against disloyalty.

10. Empowering people in the business place. It is empowered people that will show loyalty.

Dr. Udoh
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