February 2026

Good morning,

Greatness is a relative concept.

Presumably, Alexander's parents didn't put "Great" on his birth certificate. However, as the young king of ancient Greece steadily gained fame, Great became his moniker. Alexander the Great is one of history's most successful leaders, having expanded his small kingdom into one of the largest empires in history — stretching over 3,000 miles.

Besides being a brilliant military tactician, strategic visionary, innovative team builder, charismatic and fearless leader, he was also, most of the time, a master communicator.

But communication can hit unexpected potholes at the crossroads of selfish ambition.

In 326 BC, while leading his exhausted troops into India, Alexander was fixated on conquering to the Eastern Sea — known then as The End of the World. However, his battle fatigued commanders, aware that a massive army with thousands of war elephants stood in their way, took a straw vote and said "No thanks!"

Alexander was stunned!

In an emotional speech designed to change their minds, he called them soft and disloyal. He reminded them that they were destitute vagabonds before he found them, that he gave them a purpose and shared riches, and turned their worthless past into a respectable present. "Because of me, you've become great! You owe this to me!"

Spoiler alert! The speech bombed.

When Alexander finished his tirade, the troops were dead silent. Instead of the usual battle cry and cheers, there was … nothing … just crickets. Finally, one war-weary senior officer stood and shouted, "We just want to go home."

Alexander stormed back to his tent where he sulked for three days hoping his men would reconsider. But they didn't.

The great Alexander, who had never lost a battle, lost his own army because he allowed personal ambition to overshadow the welfare of his people.

I couldn't help but contrast Alexander's failed speech with Paul's address to the Ephesian church leaders in Acts 20. Paul established that church, pastored them for several years, and loved them dearly.

And, on this occasion, because "they would see his face no more" (v 38), he gave leadership guidelines that would long outlive him — guidelines that still apply to today's church.

1.       Don't shrink. (vs 19-20)

Paul was a lightning rod for every opponent of the gospel. He "served the Lord with all humility, tears and trials," and "did not shrink." He "fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith." (2Tim 4.7)

Throughout the past two millennia, the church has never known a time of ease. And that ease won't come until Jesus does. So, expect opposition.

2.       Make the Main Thing the main thing. (v 24)

Paul never doubted his mission: "That I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God."

Every pastor is to echo that same gospel. Everything else is just filler-material.

3.       It begins with you and Him. (v 28)

Our first priority is our relationship with God, so "Be on guard for yourselves." True ministry is an outflow of a deep oneness with Christ and a commitment to the truth.

No one is ready to handle the demands and responsibilities of ministry, let alone serve as an example to our people. We need help … His help.

4.       Trust your Bible. (v 32)

The Word is what "builds [Christians] up." That's why, from the earliest days of the church, the elders said, "We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6.4).

Those two functions still define a pastor's most critical job description.

5.       Integrity counts. (vs 33-36)

By quoting Jesus — "It is more blessed to give than receive" — Paul was saying he wasn't a financial drain on the church; he paid his own way.

A true God-honoring ministry focuses on giving, not on material gain.

If we really want our churches to be great, this is the formula.

Blessings,