Inspirational Quotes by 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 ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“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 ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“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.”
topics: confession-of-sin
“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.”
“A natural leader by any measure, Paul became a great spiritual leader when his heart and mind were captured by Jesus Christ.”
― J. Oswald Sanders ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“No leader lives a day without criticism, and humility will never be more on trial than when criticism comes.”
“[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 ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“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 ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“Jesus was “the meeting place of eternity and time, the blending of deity and humanity, the junction of heaven and earth.” His”
“ One day upon Golgotha Three men died A thief—the Christ—a thief Were crucified. A cross of hope for one, Hope not too late His fellow died upon A cross of hate. Between these two—all space Were not more wide— Between them—and for both Christ Jesus died DOROTHY B. THOMPSON ”
“Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men: Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much, Wisdom is humble, that he knows no more.”
“True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve”
“(Exodus 4:14). Let us not pass the buck of leadership because we think ourselves incapable.”
“tact is the ability to deal with people sensitively, to avoid giving offense, to have a “feel” for the proper words or responses to a delicate situation.”
“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.”
“True leaders know that time spent listening is well invested.”
“Holy anger has its roots in genuine love. Both are part of the nature of God. Jesus' love for the man with the withered hand aroused His anger against those who would deny him healing. Jesus' love for God's house made Him angry at the sellers and buyers who had turned the temple into a "den of robbers" (Matthew 21:13). Yet in both these cases and others, it was ultimately Jesus' love for those doing wrong that caused Him to be angry with them. His anger got their attention! Great leaders -- people who turn the tide and change the direction of events -- have been angry at injustice and abuse that dishonors God and enslaves the weak. William Wilberforce moved heaven and earth to emancipate slaves in England and eliminate the slave trade -- and he was angry!”
― J. Oswald Sanders ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“Paul embodied principles of leadership that he also described in his letters. He certainly thought the life of individual believers and churches ought to resemble a solid foundation on Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:9-17). Looking at Paul's life, we can see leadership all the more clearly.”
― J. Oswald Sanders ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“Surely Paul's moral and spiritual greatness is all the more evident the more he is studied and analyzed. It is sheer irony and miracle that God would select one of the most aggressive opponents of the early Christian movement and make him into its most outstanding leader.”
― J. Oswald Sanders ,
from Spiritual Leadership
“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 ,
from Spiritual Leadership
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J. Oswald Sanders (1902 - 1992)
Was a general director of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (then known as China Inland Mission) in the 1950s and 1960s. He authored more than forty books on the Christian life. He became an elder statesman and worldwide conference speaker from his retirement until his death. Sanders was born in Invercargill, New Zealand and gained a law degree in 1922. He attended the Bible Training Institute in Auckland and joined its staff in 1926. In 1931, he married Edith Mary Dobson.Sanders left a promising law practice in his native New Zealand to serve as an instructor and administrator at the Bible College of New Zealand. In 1954 he became general director of the China Inland Mission and led the reorganization of the CIM into the Overseas Missionary Fellowship. He was instrumental in beginning many new missions projects throughout East Asia. Upon his retirement in 1969, he continued to teach worldwide and to write prolifically, with many of his books being translated into German, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and other languages.
Dr. John Oswald Sanders was a general director of Overseas Missionary Fellowship in the 50's and 60's while it was still China Inland Mission and authored more than forty books on the Christian life. He became an elder statesman and worldwide conference speaker from his retirement at 65 until his death at 90.
Sanders left a promising law practice in his native New Zealand to serve as an instructor and administrator at the Bible College of New Zealand.
He later became general director of the China Inland Mission (now the Overseas Missionary Fellowship), and was instrumental in beginning many new missions projects throughout East Asia.