A Leader worth Following

Introduction

A candidating sermon is a unique situation. You don’t want a press release, but you want to know something about who is speaking to you. You don’t want empty promises like you might receive from a political candidate, but you do want to know what this guy plans to do.

Most importantly, you want to know how this man handles Scripture. How does He apply the Word of God to himself, and does He make it relevant to the flock who listens?

This morning as we consider what makes a strong leader of God’s people I invite you to join me in Psalm 78.

King David, whom Jewish people consider their greatest king to this day, is an interesting contrast between his predecessor, Saul, who got drunk on power and David’s successor, Solomon, who overplayed the pleasures of the palace, especially in multiple marriages.

TRANSITION: Asaph, one of 3 men in the Bible with this name, writes this Psalm and is most likely a historian from Hezekiah’s reign about 300 years after David’s death. As he looks back (under Holy Spirit inspiration) this is what he passes on for us.

Psalm 78:69–72 ESV:2016

He [God] built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded forever. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

TRANSITION: The first thing I notice as Asaph wraps up this song is the glorious...

The Activity of God on Earth (Psalm 78:69)

God is at Work

Asaph starts by looking back as he recounts the activity God. God’s plan predated 700 BC when he was alive. God’s plan predated 1000 BC when David was alive. God’s plan predated Abraham and his sons. God’s plan predated the beginning of time [founded forever].

CBF is part of a long and wide plan. Of all the people of the earth and all the eras of history, God was intimately involved in selecting David and God has chosen the next pastor of his flock here in Winfield.

God is building a people

The people whom David is called to shepherd were identified with the patriarchal covenant. They were unique from the nations.

TRANSITION: As God has His eye on His people and identifies the leader of His choosing, we next see…

The Essential Response God seeks (Psalm 78:70-71)

David was unlikely. He wasn’t tall and good looking like the people wanted when they chose Saul. He was actually the runt of Jesse’s family.

You can ask your search committee about the various men they considered before we found each other.

Humility of Calling - from the sheepfolds He [God] chose David

Samuel kept working his way through Jesse’s sons until he found the one that God said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he” (1 Sam 16:12).

I do not come in ANY type of presumption or arrogance. God has led your search team. God has led your church board. And Ann and I are waiting for God to reveal to the membership if I am the one to be called.

Love for God’s Flock - following the nursing ewes

1. David demonstrated patience and understanding. He didn’t set a pace based upon the ability of the strongest rams, he knew the capacity of the mothers and responded according to their needs.

2. God saw the ability to David to care for sheep and transferred that to a call to care for His people.

TRANSITION: As we get to know each other, I trust you will be able to observe humility, calling, and compassion.

The Person God Uses (Psalm 78:72)

What you can expect of me:

Integrity of heart

· I am born again

Share conversion testimony

· I am resolved to Making Disciples

Commission of all believers, Calling on my life.

· I believe the Eph. 4 role of a pastor is to equip the Saints.

One of the indicators of health that I gleaned from your search committee is how ministries have continued (and even grown) during your time between pastors.

Skill of hand

Someone entrusted with shepherding God’s people must display proficiency in 3 realms.

1. Prophet – communicate God’s truth to humanity as protection from predators.

You can rely on the fact that I will contend earnestly for the truth. The pulpit of God’s house is not a place for opinions, but a sacred position to declare God’s revelation.

2. Priest – love the hearts of God’s people.

While the last picture may scare you into thinking I am a bully on the prowl for a confrontation, once you get to know me, once we’ve gone through some crises together you will find a shepherd’s heart beats in my chest and that I have the love for God’s flock that David had in Psalm 78.

3. Leader (King/President/Overseer)

When you know that I am committed to your protection and your best, I trust you will find that I, along with the other elders, am a person that you can trust to lead into cool waters and green pastures for the glory of God.

a. I will lead you to become disciple makers!

illustration of David’s sling: I don’t always use props in my sermons, but I happen to have one with me to indicate my intention of making Disciples of others. David used a sling to propel something God had created to accomplish God’s greater purpose. If I am called to be your Pastor, I commit to use the tools entrusted to me to propel you forward to accomplish God’s eternal purpose.

b. I will Develop you into being Influencers

o Ephesians 4:12 gives the reason why God gives pastor/teachers to a congregation.

Ephesians 4:12 ESV:2016

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

o One of the healthiest descriptions I have heard of CBF is the testimony of how so many different volunteers have deepened their service in the gap between Pastors, I pray that even more of us will embrace the tasks before us.

TRANSITION: whether I am your next pastor or not, I believe there is something that…

God wants to do in you

You ARE the salt of the earth. You ARE the light of the world (Mt 5:13-14).

Inform others’ heads

Our world is full of lies and misunderstanding of God’s truth. People think they know how to get to heaven. They have perceptions of what a Christian is or What God has said. Our world needs to encounter the truth. They need to see you speaking and living according to what God has spoken.

Impact others’ hearts

I have observed that truth can bring compliance or rebellion, but transformation happens when people encounter love. I like the way the NIV translates 2 Cor 5:14 – “For Christ’s love compels us”. Knowing that He loves me compels me to obedience. Knowing that He loves others motivates me to love them also.

Influence others’ hands

Within the next 2 weeks we will celebrate a holiday based upon a 3rd century priest and physician who was remembered for demonstrating kindness to others. As you think about flowers or chocolates for your partner, how about considering an act of kindness toward someone who is still far from Christ. Sometimes we need to show a little kindness to earn the right to speak truth.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV:2016

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Conclusion

This morning we have seen what made David a godly leader, you have learned what you can expect from me if I were to join the leadership team here, and we were challenged to increase your influence in Cowley County.

I am committed to the relevance of Scripture. I believe it speaks into our lives each moment of each day.

Light & Lamp Application:

Psalm 119:105 ESV:2016

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Light for my Path

The reason God has not taken us to heaven, is that there are people He desires to reach through our influence

I believe good preaching calls for a response. Here are 3 specific responses you can make today.

Lamps for my Steps

Think – Is my opinion of my role in the world shaped more by the news channel I watch or by God’s Word?

Feel – David was able to transfer his love for sheep into love for people. How could I cultivate love for someone within this church?

Do – What act of Kindness can I do in the next 14 days to open a channel of communication with a lost person in this community?