"BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP CLASS 4"
Biblical Leadership • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
WHERE WE ARE GOING -
WHERE WE ARE GOING -
UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Leadership
DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE FOR BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Bible Survey: Job – Song of Solomon
Systematic Theology: Pneumatology
CULTIVATING CHARACTER FOR BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Spiritual Maturity:
He Manages His Household Well; Having Children Who Believe
Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer
LEADERSHIP 101 -
LEADERSHIP 101 -
To be a biblical church leader, one must have a proper understanding of the church. Of equal importance is a right understanding of leadership.
What do you think of when they think of a leader?
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP -
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP -
Often, leadership is equated with a position -
The president of the company or the country is a leader.
The coach or principal at a school is a leader.
The CEO or manager of a company is a leader. While it is true that leadership is often recognized with a formal role or title, such a designation is not leadership.
Leadership is not a position; it is having influence.
Jerry Wragg - Leadership…is the God-given ability to influence others through the power of a godly life and the wisdom gained in the practice of truth. Jerry Wragg, Exemplary Spiritual Leadership (UK: Day One, 2010), 144.
John MacArthur - To put it simply, leadership is influence. The ideal leader is someone whose life and character motivate people to follow. The best kind of leadership derives its authority first from the force of a righteous example, and not merely from the power of prestige, personality, or position. By contrast, much of the world’s “leadership” is nothing but manipulation of people by threats and rewards. That is not true leadership; it’s exploitation. Real leadership seeks to motivate people from the inside, by an appeal to the heart, not by external pressure and coercion. MacArthur, Called to Lead, vi.
Who are some of the people who have had the most significant influence in your life?
Why did they have such a powerful influence?
Worldly leaders exert influence in a variety of ways. It may be based on personality, charisma, or appearance, or on financial acumen or family name. It may come through manipulation, marketing, or motivation through promised threats or rewards. Biblical leadership has an entirely different foundation. What makes a biblical leader? How does a godly, faithful church leader influence others?
THE CHARACTER OF A BIBLICAL LEADER -
THE CHARACTER OF A BIBLICAL LEADER -
When God gives the qualifications for elders in the church (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1), the vast majority focus on character. When Paul writes to Timothy and Titus regarding appointing elders, he does not instruct them to appoint the most successful or the oldest or the most well-liked. He calls them to appoint men who are “above reproach.”
Character is always God’s primary concern when choosing leaders. When the apostles were choosing men to lead in the serving of widows, they instructed the congregation to choose “men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3).
Character is essential for biblical leaders because a primary factor in a leader’s influence is their example. When Paul wrote to Timothy, urging him to “continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of,” one of the compelling reasons to do so was “knowing from whom you have learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14). Instruction from God’s word is vital for biblical influence (2 Timothy 3:15–17), but it was the example of Paul, Lois, Eunice, and others that reinforced the truth they had taught Timothy.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
C.H. Spurgeon - A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching.
The character of a leader is not simply to be external. It is not to be a public persona. It is to be the reality that flows from the heart. Consider God’s selection of David.
14 “But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
On what basis did God reject Saul and choose David?
What does it mean to be a man after God’s own heart?
David, while far from perfect, manifested key character qualities that are essential for biblical leaders. God summarizes David’s leadership in Psalm 78.
71 From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.
David’s character was demonstrated prior to his formal leadership appointment. He had already been displaying faithfulness and responsibility in the care of ewes and suckling lambs before the Lord gave him responsibility to shepherd His people. Biblical leaders, like David, are faithful and responsible, even in small tasks that go unnoticed by most.
How can you grow to be more faithful in little things?
As king, David shepherded God’s people. He did not lord it over them. He did not domineer them. Rather he cared for them. Biblical leaders, like David, are selfless, putting the needs of those they lead over their own.
Why is it so important for biblical leaders to use their influence for the good of others rather than their own gain?
David shepherded the people according to the integrity of his heart. David was a man after God’s own heart. His love for God was demonstrated in his love for God’s word and his zeal to keep God’s word and to be a man of his word. Biblical leaders, like David, are trustworthy, living with integrity in both their words and conduct.
How should integrity and trustworthiness be demonstrated in the life of a leader?
THE CAPABILITY OF A BIBLICAL LEADER -
THE CAPABILITY OF A BIBLICAL LEADER -
David, and every other biblical leader, will first and foremost have genuine, godly character that flows from the heart. But character, while essential for influence, is not all that makes a biblical leader, for David also “guided them with his skillful hands.” Leaders influence others by their character, but they are also to guide others with skill and wisdom. The men chosen to lead in the serving of widows in Acts 6 were not simply men of character, they were also men “of wisdom.” This is not the wisdom of the world. It is not skill in marketing or oratory. Rather it is biblical wisdom. It is the ability to apply biblical truth to the various aspects of life including relationships with others.
While all leaders should be continually growing in their wisdom, biblical wisdom and leadership skill should be demonstrated before an individual is placed into formal church leadership. This is one reason why elders are to be those who already “manage their household well” (1 Timothy 3:4).
What “leadership skills” are typically praised in secular circles?
How will these look similar or different in one who possesses biblical wisdom?
THE COURAGE OF A BIBLICAL LEADER -
THE COURAGE OF A BIBLICAL LEADER -
The fact that leaders lead means that they risk being alone if no one follows. Leaders can be tempted to lead based on what others will follow rather than based on what is right. While biblical leaders should be patient to bring along those under their influence, they must have courage to turn the tide or stand alone. When God gave Joshua his leadership orientation prior to leading the people into the promised land, He emphasized this need for courage.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Such courage comes from knowing, believing, and obeying what the word of God says.
7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
How was Joshua’s courage connected to His commitment to God’s word?
Biblical leaders display courage that comes from biblical convictions.
Albert Mohler - When a leader walks into the room, a passion for truth had better enter with him. Authentic leadership does not emerge out of a vacuum. The leadership that matters most is convictional—deeply convictional. This quality of leadership springs from those foundational beliefs that shape who we are and establish our beliefs about everything else. Convictions are not merely beliefs we hold; they are those beliefs that hold us in their grip. We would not know who we are but for these bedrock beliefs, and without them we would not know how to lead. Albert Mohler, The Conviction to Lead, (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2012), 21.
DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE FOR BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP -
DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE FOR BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP -
Becoming a biblical church leader involves more than head knowledge, but not less. A faithful, godly leader in the local church must have a deep knowledge of the Bible and of key doctrines to help others grow and to defend the truth.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
BIBLE SURVEY - JOB -
[The book of Job] tells the story of a man who loses everything – his wealth, his family, his health – and wrestles with the question, Why? The book begins with a heavenly debate between God and Satan, moves through three cycles of earthly debates between Job and his friends, and concludes with a dramatic “divine diagnosis” of Job’s problem. In the end, Job acknowledges the sovereignty of God in his life and receives back more than he had before his trials. Wilkinson and Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, 144.
THEME: Suffering and Sovereignty
OUTLINE:
I. The Disasters of Job (1–2)
II. The Dialogues of Job (3–37)
III. The Deliverance of Job (38–42)
KEY CHAPTERS:
1–2 - Satan’s accusation and Job’s affliction
38–41 - God’s speech and Job’s silence
42 - Job’s repentance and restoration
Why is “suffering and sovereignty” an appropriate theme for the book of Job?
BIBLE SURVEY - PSALMS -
This collection of ancient hymns represents a wide spectrum of life experiences.…Wherever an individual finds himself on the journey of faith, the Psalms provide a place of rest and a time of repose and reflection, as well as a stimulus to send him on his way. C. Hassell Bullock, An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1988), 111.
The Book of Psalms (from a Greek word meaning “a song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument”) was written and compiled over a period of perhaps a thousand years: from the time of Moses (Ps. 90) to the time of the return from exile (Ps. 126). The book was used as the temple hymnbook of the Kingdom Period, and stands as the longest, most oft-quoted, most diverse book of the Old Testament. Wilkinson, B., & Boa, K. (1983). Talk thru the Bible (p. 151). T. Nelson.
THEME: Pattern of Personal Worship
OUTLINE:
BOOK PSALMS AUTHORS
Book 1 - 1–41 David
Book 2 - 42–72 David & Sons of Korah
Book 3 73–89 Mainly Asaph
Book 4 - 90–106 Mainly Anonymous
Book 5 - 107–150 David & Anonymous
KEY CHAPTERS:
2 - Messiah’s reign
19 - The works and word of God
22 - Messiah’s sufferings
23 - The Great Shepherd
32 - Blessing of forgiveness
51 - Confession of sin
73 - Apparent prosperity of the wicked
90 - Man’s transitoriness
119 - God’s word exalted
139 - God and Holy Spirit are omniscient and omnipresent
Why is “pattern of personal worship” an appropriate theme for the book of Psalms?
BIBLE SURVEY - PROVERBS -
Proverbs is perhaps the most practical book in the Old Testament because it teaches wisdom (lit., “skillful living”) in the multiple aspects of everyday life. In short pithy statements, maxims, and stories, Solomon and other contributors set forth about nine hundred proverbs—inspired precepts dealing with wisdom and folly, pride and humility, justice and vengeance, laziness and work, poverty and wealth, friends and neighbors, love and lust, anger and strife, masters and servants, life and death. These maxims are not theoretical but practical; they are easily memorized, timeless truths that touch on every facet of human relationships. Wilkinson and Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, 161.
THEME: Wisdom for the Details of Life
OUTLINE:
I. Proverbs of Solomon (1–29)
II. Proverbs of Agur (30)
II. Proverbs of Lemuel (31)
KEY CHAPTERS:
3 - The pursuit and precepts of wisdom
31 - The godly woman
Why is “wisdom for the details of life” an appropriate theme for the book of Proverbs?
BIBLE SURVEY - ECCLESIASTES -
Ecclesiastes is a profound book recording an intense search by the Preacher (traditionally understood to be Solomon) for meaning and satisfaction in life – in spite of the inequities, inconsistencies, and seeming absurdities of life on earth. The key word in Ecclesiastes is vanity, the futile emptiness of trying to make sense out of life apart from God. Looked at ‘under the sun’ (8:17), life’s pursuits lead only to frustration. Power, prestige, pleasure – nothing can fill the God-shaped void in man’s life – except God Himself. Wilkinson and Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, 168.
THEME: Vanity of Life in a Fallen World
OUTLINE:
I. The Problem that “All is Vanity” (1:1–11)
II. The Proof that “All is Vanity” (1:12–6)
III. The Prescription for Living with Vanity (7–12)
Why is “vanity of life in a fallen world” an appropriate theme for the book of Ecclesiastes?
BIBLE SURVEY - SONG OF SOLOMON -
In contrast to the two distorted extremes of ascetic abstinence and lustful perversion outside of marriage, Solomon’s ancient love song exalts the purity of marital affection and romance. It parallels and enhances other portions of Scripture which portray God’s plan for marriage, including the beauty and sanctity of sexual intimacy between husband and wife. John MacArthur, Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed., (Nashville, TN: Word, 1997), 940–41.
Song of Solomon is a love song written by Solomon (1:1) and abounding in metaphors and oriental imagery. Historically, it depicts the wooing and wedding of a shepherdess by King Solomon, and the joys and heartaches of wedded love.
Allegorically, it pictures Israel as God’s espoused bride (see Hosea 2:19–20), and the church as the bride of Christ. As human life finds its highest fulfillment in the love of man and woman, so spiritual life finds its highest fulfillment in the love of God for His people and Christ for His church.
The book is arranged like scenes in a drama with three main speakers: the bride (Shulamite), the king (Solomon), and a chorus (daughters of Jerusalem). Wilkinson, B., & Boa, K. (1983). Talk thru the Bible (p. 176). T. Nelson.
THEME: The Joy of Married Love
OUTLINE:
I. Courtship (1–3)
II. Consummation (4–5)
III. Celebration (5–8)
Why is “the joy of married love” an appropriate theme for the book of Song of Solomon?
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY - PNEUMATOLOGY -
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY - PNEUMATOLOGY -
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
What is pneumatology?
Pneumatology is the study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
Some key issues and themes addressed in pneumatology include:
• The Person of the Holy Spirit
• The Deity of the Holy Spirit
• The Work/Ministry of the Holy Spirit
• In the Old Testament
• In the New Testament
• During the Life of Christ
The divine work of the Spirit -
Creation -
2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
Generating Christ -
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Inspiration of Scripture -
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Regeneration -
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Intercession -
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Sanctification -
13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
Helping Saints -
16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
Why do these truths matter?
What are the consequences of misunderstanding or neglecting these truths?
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY -
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY -
HOW WOULD YOU DEFEND THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Key passages to consider:
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Louis Berkhof in Systematic Theology - The deity of the Holy Spirit may be established from Scripture by a line of proof quite similar to that employed in connection with the Son:
(1) Divine names are given to Him, Ex. 17:7 (comp. Heb. 3:7–9); Acts 5:3, 4; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:16 (comp. 2Pet. 1:21).
(2) Divine perfections are ascribed to Him, such as omnipresence, Ps. 139:7–10, omniscience, Isa. 40:13, 14 (comp. Rom. 11:34); 1 Cor. 2:10, 11, omnipotence, 1 Cor. 12:11; Rom. 15:19, and eternity, Heb. 9:14 (?).
(3) Divine works are performed by Him, such as creation, Gen. 1:2; Job. 26:13; 33:4, providential renovation, Ps. 104:30, regeneration, John 3:5, 6; Tit. 3:5, and the resurrection of the dead, Rom. 8:11.
(4) Divine honour is also paid to Him, Matt. 28:19; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 13:14. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 97–98.
How would you defend the deity of the Holy Spirit?
How would you define the inerrancy of Scripture?
How would you define the Trinity?
How would you defend the deity of Christ?
CULTIVATING CHARACTER FOR BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP -
CULTIVATING CHARACTER FOR BIBLICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP -
The Scriptures clearly define character qualifications for those who serve in church leadership, as they are to be an example to others (1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 3:10–11). While not perfect, leaders in the church are to be spiritually mature such that others can imitate them in every aspect of life. All believers are to strive to see these characteristics of Christlike spiritual maturity demonstrated consistently in their lives. Such maturity does not come by accident, but through a faithful, disciplined life.
John MacArthur - To successfully learn spiritual convictions from others and to hold them as your own, it is necessary not only to hear them clearly taught but to see them consistently lived. John MacArthur, 2 Timothy (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995), 135.
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Consider the following biblical qualifications of an elder, recognizing they are not only required for elders but are to be the goal for every believer as they grow toward spiritual maturity. He manages his household well; having children who believe
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)… Titus 1:6 …Namely, if any man is…having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
How would you explain this qualification in your own words?
Why is this quality necessary for leadership?
6 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
What does God demand of every Christian parent?
Describe how you seek to manage your household well.
Can Christian parents guarantee the salvation of their children by their faithfulness?
How should parents balance resting in God’s sovereignty and embracing their responsibility?
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES -PRAYER -
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES -PRAYER -
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
Martin Luther - To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.
What does your prayer life look like?
Why is prayer an important aspect of the life of every believer?
SO WHAT??
1 Peter 3:13–20 (NASB95)
13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.