Sermon Tone Analysis

! Introduction:

 

! I.              Leadership Training Seminar.

*Introduction:* Before we start, I want to take a moment and give some definitions of Leadership:  

!!! 1.            Definitions of leadership.

!!!! a)            *lead•er•ship* \ˈlē-dər-ˌship\ noun

*1*:* *the office or position of a leader

*2*:* *capacity to lead

*3*:* *the act or an instance of leading

*4*:* *leaders

 

!!!! b)            Spiritual leadership.

Spiritual leadership is the development of relationships with the people of a Christian institution or body in such a way that individuals and the group are enabled to formulate and achieve biblically compatible goals that meet real needs.

By their ethical influence, spiritual leaders serve to motivate and enable others to achieve what otherwise would never be achieved.

!!!! c)            Leadership is indispensable.

*If the church is to have direction and purpose Leadership is indispensable.*

The ultimate leader—normally the pastor—leads others to the accomplishment of a common goal.

The Bible contains numerous examples of how God has been pleased to use leaders to accomplish His purposes.

The Christian leader must be careful to observe biblical guidelines in leading the church, principally in assuming the role of a servant-leader.

* *

!!! 2.            Five traits of a good leader.

!!!! a)            A good leader manages himself.

!!!!! (1)           Self-mastery is what every aspiring leader needs to achieve.

The Lord Jesus required it of all His disciples; they could not help others until they had conquered issues in their own lives.

He also accused the Jewish leaders of being unfit for leadership, calling them “blind guides” (Matt.

15:14; 23:16, 24).

!!!!! (2)           If a person sets about to do what he must do in life and disciplines himself so as to accomplish those goals and desires, he will soon see that he has outdistanced the pack and even has a following trying to get what he has obtained.

A writer puts it this way: /“No leader sets out to be a leader.

People set out to live their lives, expressing themselves fully.

When that expression is of value, they become leaders/.”

This is obviously an expression of self-management and discipline in pursuing the priorities of life.

Consider these lines:

*If you want to manage somebody, manage yourself.

Do that well and you’ll be ready to stop managing.

And start leading.*

!!!!! (3)           A leader, then, must be one who has his life under control, which includes his personal habits and activities.

A leader is self-managed; he is his own boss.

He is one who knows how to manage his time, his money, his energies, and even his desires.

!!!! b)            A good leader knows how to make good decisions.

!!!!! (1)           “Leaders are decision makers.”

The buck stops with him, meaning that he is usually the one who needs to make the decision that affects the outcome of the organization.

!!!!! (2)           The ability to make quick and knowledgeable decisions separates the leaders from the followers.

“When all the facts are in, swift and clear decision is the mark of a true leader.”

A leader spends most of his time in dealing with or solving problems.

Therefore, all leaders have one thing in common: “They are continually required to make decisions affecting others as well as themselves.”

!!!! c)            A good leader communicates effectively.

!!!!! (1)           Skill in communicating ideas, concepts, and directives to the people you are leading is essential for leadership.

The Lord Jesus demonstrated His ability to communicate by the literature He inspired, the church He created, and by the death He suffered.

His enemies also understood well the message of His Lordship.

!!!!! (2)           If we cannot communicate, we cannot lead.

Even evil men have risen to lead great movements because of their superb abilities to articulate their beliefs and communicate them passionately to their followers—Hitler is a prime examples.

!!!!! (3)           An effective pastor is more than a theologian.

He must also be an effective preacher, a communicator of the divine message.

There is never a leader with a sizable following who does not communicate effectively.

Each one of the megachurches today has a great communicator as its leader.

In fact, in our age of communication, articulation and communication are necessary for survival in any organization.

!!!!! (4)           Just the fact that one speaks or writes does not mean he communicates.

Communication is “the process we go through to convey understanding from one person or group to another.”

The key to being a good communicator is, first of all, to understand people.

Next one needs to know his subject thoroughly.

Then he must perceive or create the right climate, and finally, he must listen for feedback to see if he is getting through.

!!!! d)            A good leader gets along with people.

!!!!! (1)           Someone has said “The ministry would be a wonderful occupation if it weren’t for people.”

That puts the finger on the problem with some want-to-be-leaders: They cannot get along with people.

!!!!! (2)           Effective leaders have learned the fine art of getting along with the people they lead and expect to lead.

People are led, not driven.

If a leader cannot win them over to himself, they simply walk away.

Scripture states that “a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city” (Prov.18:19).

!!!!! (3)           A man may be a scholar and an expert in the Scriptures.

He may be articulate in his delivery and knowledgeable in the basic skills of management, yet if he does not truly love people and cannot be at peace with them, he can never lead them.

He may have a title, but that title is as far as he will go.

!!!!! (4)           We need to take to heart Paul’s advice, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom.

12:17–18).

!!!! e)            A good leader is one who is willing to pay a high price.

!!!!! (1)           Leaders pay a hefty price to be in leadership.

Spiritual leadership entails discipline, self-sacrifice, great patience, and a host of hardships.

!!!!! (2)           Leadership is a lonely place and calls for critical and difficult decisions, which runs the danger of alienating even one’s closest friends.

“A cross stands in the way of spiritual leadership,” confesses Dr. Sanders, “a cross upon which the leader must consent to be impaled.”

No one can enjoy the fruit of leadership without paying the price.

!!!!! (3)           Being a leader is not an easy task; it is not for the fainthearted, for the weak, for those who want to avoid hardship.

It is an extremely “hot kitchen,” and if you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Criticism, low or no pay, loneliness, frustration, long hours, rejection, and even burnout are all the hazards of ministry.

As in war, there will be casualties.

But as in war, the battle must be won, and the troops will be led by leaders who understand the risks and are willing to pay the price.

!!!!! (4)           Developing these traits of effective leadership takes time and experience, along with some serious personal study and research.

Spiritual leadership evolves out of the daily ministry and struggles of God’s people.

Difficult times call for good leadership that sometimes is nowhere to be found, but we must remember the best of leaders always arise in times of great distress.

We are a-waiting the new generation of leaders that God will raise up from this intense spiritual struggle the church is enduring.

!! B.           What To Expect In the Ministry.

!!! 1.            Expect the Lord to Bless you.

*Jesus said* "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”" (Luke 11:13, NKJV)

*He also said* "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30, NKJV)

*Paul writing the church in Ephesus says* "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ," (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV)

 

!!! 2.            Expect Warfare.

!!!! a)            Upon entering into the ministry, Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matt.4:1).

!!!!! (1)           Before being in the wilderness, He was anointed by God (Matt.3:16)

!!!!! (2)           The first temptation was not the last (Luke 4:13).

!!!!! (3)           Where the Lord blesses the enemy attacks!

 

!!! 3.            Expect the Unexpected.

!!!! a)            May own examples.

!!!!! (1)           Man coming into office complaining about his leader.

I should have directed him back to his leader.

!!! 4.            Expect to be tired (John 4:1-6).