J. Oswald Sanders Quotes & Sayings

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. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

If you would rather pick a fight than solve a problem, do not consider leading the church — J. Oswald Sanders

Despite his success as a missionary and leader, Paul was never without a wholesome, watchful fear that he himself might be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27). To him this prospect was an ever-present warning against smugness and complacency. So should it be to all who are entrusted with spiritual responsibility. The — J. Oswald Sanders

With respect to relationships within the church, the leader is to be above reproach. Detractors should not have a rung to stand on. If a charge is preferred against him, it fails because his life affords no grounds for reproach or indictment of wrongdoing. His adversary finds no opening for a smear campaign, rumor mongering, or gossip. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

God wants to show such people how strong He really is (2 Chronicles 16:9). But not all who aspire to leadership are willing to pay such a high personal price. — J. Oswald Sanders

Spiritual leadership is the power to change the atmosphere by one's presence, the unconscious influence that makes Christ and spiritual things real to others. — J. Oswald Sanders

People of vision gauge decisions on the future; the story of the past cannot be rewritten. — J. Oswald Sanders

Leadership is the ability to recognize the special abilities and limitations of others, combined with the capacity to fit each one into the job where he will do his best. — J. Oswald Sanders

The young man of leadership caliber will work while others waste time, study while others snooze, pray while others daydream. Slothful habits are overcome, whether in thought, deed, or dress. The emerging leader eats right, stands tall, and prepares himself to wage spiritual warfare. He will without reluctance undertake the unpleasant task that others avoid or the hidden duty that others evade because it wins no public applause. As the Spirit fills his life, he learns not to shrink from difficult situations or retreat from hard-edged people. He will kindly and courageously administer rebuke when that is called for, or he will exercise the necessary discipline when the interests of the Lord's work demand it. He will not procrastinate, but will prefer to dispatch with the hardest tasks first. — J. Oswald Sanders

Vision involves optimism and hope. The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. — J. Oswald Sanders

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

True greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one's service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them. — J. Oswald Sanders

The man of leadership caliber will work while others waste time, study while others sleep, pray while others play. There will be no place for loose or lazy habits in word or thought, deed or dress. He will observe a soldierly discipline, diet and deportment, so that he may wage a good warfare. — J. Oswald Sanders

Our problem is not too little time, but making better use of the time we have. Each of us has as much time as anyone else. — J. Oswald Sanders

The person who sees the difficulties so clearly that he does not discern the possibilities cannot inspire a vision in others. — J. Oswald Sanders

Some sacrificial souls delight in sacrificing themselves, but refuse reciprocal gestures. They do not want to feel obligated to those they are serving. But real leadership recognizes the value of the gestures of others. To neglect receiving kindness and help is to isolate oneself, to rob others of opportunity, and to deprive oneself of sustenance. — J. Oswald Sanders

This book proves that a godly attitude lies at the heart of Christian leadership. It does not borrow principles of leadership from the world and apply them to the church, but rather derives principles of leadership directly from the Scriptures. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

Our sense of humor is a gift from God which should be controlled as well as cultivated. — J. Oswald Sanders

Will the leader reflect the ugliness of egotism or the transfigured glory of Christ the Lord? — J. Oswald Sanders

Disciples [deep people] are not manufactured wholesale. They are produced one by one, because someone has taken the pains to discipline, to instruct and enlighten, to nurture and train one that is younger. — J. Oswald Sanders

Many people regard leaders as natually gifted with intellect, personal forcefulness, and enthusiasm. Such qualities certainly enhance leadership potential, but they do not define the spiritual leader. True leaders must be willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or churchly assemblies. God alone makes them. — J. Oswald Sanders

True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. — J. Oswald Sanders

Each of us is as full of the Spirit as we really want to be. — J. Oswald Sanders

The spiritual leader should outpace the rest of the church, above all, in prayer. — J. Oswald Sanders

Fatigue is the price of leadership. Mediocrity is the price of never getting tired. — J. Oswald Sanders

Eyes that look are common; eyes that see are rare. — J. Oswald Sanders

Courageous leaders face unpleasant and even devastating situations with equanimity, then act firmly to bring good from trouble, even if their action is unpopular. Leadership always faces natural human inertia and opposition. But courage follows through with a task until it is done. — J. Oswald Sanders

Successful leaders have learned that no failure is final, whether his own failure or someone else's. No one is perfect, and we cannot be right all the time. Failures and even feelings of inadequacy can provoke humility and serve to remind a leader who is really in charge. — J. Oswald Sanders

If deacons are required to be full of the Spirit, should those who preach and teach the Word of God be any less? Spiritual goals can be achieved only by spiritual people who use spiritual methods. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

We are not responsible for our endowments or natural abilities, but we are responsible for the strategic use of time. — J. Oswald Sanders

David made no attempt to clothe his prayer (Psalm 51) with flowing rhetoric, for it is simply a series of brokenhearted sobs. He pleaded no extenuating circumstances and attempted no self-vindication. The magnitude of his sin is not toned down, but is freely acknowledged. Hear the broken sobs, expressed in vivid verbs: Have mercy! Cleanse! Blot out! Wash! Purge! Hide Your face from my sins! Create! Do not cast! Renew! Restore! Save! Open my lips!
Here is true confession, free from all sham and insincerity. Examine it in detail. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

Prayer is indeed the Christian's vital breath and native air. — J. Oswald Sanders

The person who is impatient with weakness will be ineffective in his leadership. The evidence of our strength lies not in the distance that separates us from other runners but in our closure with them, our slower pace for their sakes, our helping them pick it up and cross the line. — J. Oswald Sanders

I have seen the face of Jesus, Tell me not of aught beside, I have heard the voice of Jesus, All my soul is satisfied. All around is earthly splendour Earthly scenes lie fair and bright. But mine eyes no longer see them, For the glory of that light. Light that knows no cloud, no waning, Light wherein I see His face, All His love's uncounted treasures, All the riches of His grace. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

The secular mind and heart, however gifted and personally charming, has no place in the leadership of the church. — J. Oswald Sanders

Leaders must draw the best out of people, and friendship does that far better than prolonged argument or mere logic. — J. Oswald Sanders

The Christian leader who seeks an example to follow does well to turn to the life of Jesus Himself. — J. Oswald Sanders

When I go to prayer," confessed an eminent Christian, "I find my heart so loath to go to God, and when it is with Him, so loath to stay." Then he pointed to the need for self-discipline. "When you feel most indisposed to pray, yield not to it," he counseled, "but strive and endeavor to pray, even when you think you cannot. — J. Oswald Sanders

We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be. True, there are times when we would like to know a deeper intimacy, but when it comes to the point, we are not prepared to pay the price involved. — J. Oswald Sanders

Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation. — J. Oswald Sanders

It is obvious that Paul did not regard prayer as supplemental, but as fundamental-not something to be added to his work but the very matrix out of which his work was born. He was a man of action because he was a man of prayer. It was probably his prayer even more than his preaching that produced the kind of leaders we meet in his letters. — J. Oswald Sanders

A leader must be able to see the end results of the policies and methods he or she advocates. Responsible leadership always looks ahead to see how policies will affect future generations. — J. Oswald Sanders

Leaders need to be able to reconcile opposing viewpoints without giving offense or compromising principle. A leader should be able to project into the life and heart and mind of another, then setting aside personal preferences, deal with the other in a fashion that fits the other best. These skills can be learned and developed.
A leader needs the ability to negotiate differences in a way that recognizes mutual rights and intelligence and yet leads to a harmonious solution. Funadmental to this skill is understanding how people feel, how people react. — J. Oswald Sanders

When all the facts are in, swift and clear decision is another mark of a true leader. A visionary may see, but a leader must decide. An impulsive person may be quick to declare a preference; but a leader must weigh evidence and make his decision on sound premises. — J. Oswald Sanders

[The Apostle] Paul's prayer for the Christians at Colosse should always be on our lips: That "God fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9). — J. Oswald Sanders

No leader lives a day without criticism, and humility will never be more on trial than when criticism comes. — J. Oswald Sanders

The historian James Anthony Froude wrote: "The worth of a man must be measured by his life, not by his failure under a singular and peculiar trial. Peter the apostle, though forewarned, three times denied his Master on the first alarm of danger; yet that Master, who knew his nature in its strength and in its weakness, chose him. — J. Oswald Sanders

A visionary may see, but a leader must decide. — J. Oswald Sanders

If done as God wants.' then leadership will surely include intercessory prayer. The saintly Bishop Azariah of India once remarked to Bishop Stephen Neill that he found time to pray daily, by name, for every leader in his extensive diocese. Little wonder that during his thirty years of eldering there, the diocese tripled its membership and greatly increase in spiritual effectiveness — J. Oswald Sanders

Not everyone is courageous by nature. But whether we are bold or reticent, God calls leaders to be of good courage and not to capitulate to fear. Such a call to courage would be rather pointless if nobody feared anything. Because fear is a real part of life, God gives us the Holy Spirit, who fills us with power. But we must let the power do its work, and not fear. — 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. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

Jesus knew that the idea of leader as "loving servant of all" would not appeal to most people. Securing our own creature comforts is a much more common mission. But "servant" is His requirement for those who want to lead in His kingdom. — J. Oswald Sanders

Once the joy of intimacy with God has been experienced, life becomes unbearable without it. — J. Oswald Sanders

To be a leader in the Church has always required strength and faith beyond the merely human. — J. Oswald Sanders

The real spiritual leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life than we take out. — J. Oswald Sanders

Before we can conquer the world, we must first conquer the self. — J. Oswald Sanders

An exhausted man easily falls prey to the adversary. — J. Oswald Sanders

The spiritual leader will not procrastinate when faced with a decision, nor vacillate after making it. A sincere but faulty decision is better than weak-willed "trial balloons" or indecisive overtures. To postpone decision is really to decide for the status quo. In most decisions the key element is not so much knowing what to do but in living with the results. — J. Oswald Sanders

All Christians are called to develop God-given talents, to make the most of their lives, and to develop to the fullest their God-given gifts and capabilities. But Jesus taught that ambition that centers on the self is wrong. — J. Oswald Sanders

Blunders are the inevitable price of training leaders. At — J. Oswald Sanders

the best use of one's life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. Life's value is not its duration but its donation - not how long we live but how fully and how well.1 — J. Oswald Sanders

Those who have most powerfully and permanently influenced their generation have been "seers"
people who have seen more and farther than others
persons of faith, for faith is vision. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

James and John wanted the glory, but not the cup of shame; the crown, but not the cross; the role of master, but not servant. — J. Oswald Sanders

Effective spiritual leadership does not come as a result of theological training or seminary degree, as important as education is. Jesus told His disciples, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you" (John 15:16). The sovereign selection of God gives great confidence to Christian workers. We can truly say, "I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group but by the almighty appointment of God. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

These two qualities of leadership [Integrity and Sincerity] were part of God's law's for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 18:13). God wants His people to show a transparent character, open and innocent of guile.
A prominent businessman once replied to a question: "If I had to name the one most important quality of a top manager, I would say personal integrity." Surely the spiritual leader must be sincere in promise, faithful in discharge of duty, upright in finances, loyal in service, and honest in speech. — J. Oswald Sanders

...the leader must 1) avoid getting swamped in detail; 2) not be petty; 3) not be pompous; 4) know how to select people to fit the task; 5) trust others to do a job without the leader's meddling; 6) be capable of clear decisions; 7) inspire confidence. — J. Oswald Sanders

Sacrifice is the ecstasy of giving the best we have to the One we love most. — J. Oswald Sanders

Serving and suffering are paired in the teaching and life of our Lord. One does not come without the other. And what servant is greater than The Lord? — J. Oswald Sanders

When God lays a burden on our hearts and thus keeps us praying, He obviously intends to grant the answer. — J. Oswald Sanders

True leaders must be willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. — J. Oswald Sanders

The kings of terrors, the last enemy, will never be able to breach the pearly gates and disturb the bliss of heaven! No more deathbed vigils or funerals. The hearse will have made its last journey. — J. Oswald Sanders

It is to be kept in mind that the generations of men do not wait for the convenience of the church in respect to their evangelization. Men are born and die whether or not Christians are ready to give them the Gospel. And hence, if the church of any generation does not evangelize the heathen of that generation, those heathen will never be evangelized at all. It is always true in the work of evangelization that the present can never anticipate the future, and that the future can never replace the past. What is to be done in soul saving must be done by that generation. — J. Oswald Sanders

Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen. — J. Oswald Sanders

(Exodus 4:14). Let us not pass the buck of leadership because we think ourselves incapable. — 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. — J. Oswald Sanders

If a Christian is not willing to rise early and work late, to expend greater effort in diligent study and faithful work, that person will not change a generation. Fatigue is the price of leadership. Mediocrity is the result of never getting tired. — J. Oswald Sanders

It is impossible for a believer, no matter what his experience, to keep right with God if he will not take the trouble to spend time with God. Spend plenty of time with him; let other things go, but don't neglect Him. — 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

Christ taught that the kingdom of God was a community where each member served the others. He defined His ultimate purpose using that term. But in most churches, a few people carry the load. — J. Oswald Sanders

Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity. — J. Oswald Sanders

Are you responsibly optimistic? Pessimism and leadership do not mix. Leaders are positively visionary. — J. Oswald Sanders

God has His own training methods, and it is usually true that His way up first leads down, for the mountain is only as high as the valley is deep. — J. Oswald Sanders

The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution. — J. Oswald Sanders

There is no conceivable situation in which it is not safe to trust God. — J. Oswald Sanders

If a man is known by the company he keeps, so also his character is reflected in the books he reads. — J. Oswald Sanders

As to behavior, the leader must be respectable. A well-ordered life is the fruit of a well-ordered mind. The life of the leader should reflect the beauty and orderliness of God. — J. Oswald Sanders

Jesus drank a cup of wrath without mercy, that we might drink a cup of mercy without wrath. — J. Oswald Sanders

It is conceivable that God might have ordained to preach the Gospel directly to man through dreams, visions and revelations. But as a matter of fact, He has not done this; but rather has committed the preaching to man, telling them to go and disciple all nations. The responsibility lies squarely on our shoulders. — 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

Often the crowd does not recognize a leader until he has gone, and then they build a monument for him with the stones they threw at him in life. — J. Oswald Sanders

Often truly authoritative leadership falls on someone who years earlier dedicated themselves to practice the discipline of seeking first the kingdom of God. Then, as that person matures, God confers a leadership role, and the Spirit of God goes to work throuh him. — J. Oswald Sanders