Leadership Is Important to an Effective Church

Introduction

1. Let’s turn to Judges 2:1.

2. Leadership is something that is extremely important in the affairs of nations and peoples.

a. We know of great leaders from our history such as Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, MacArthur, Kennedy, etc.

b. The Church has had its share of good leaders such as Peter, John, Paul, Irenaeus, Luther, Wesley, Moody, Billy Graham, Chuck Smith, etc.

c. The current situation with Ted Haggard and New Life Fellowship are indicative of the fact that we desperately need leadership.

·        Of course this is not the only instance of a lack of leadership in the church.

·        Issues with immorality abound throughout Church history such as the recent scandal in the Catholic Church, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert, etc.

·        The Church was woefully silent during the age of slavery.

·        I’m convinced that we need a new level of leadership in our families, church, community, and nation.

3. The Church of Christ desperately needs leadership to fulfill her mission.

4. We are continuing in our study of Judges.

a. It’s been about 6 weeks since we last looked at Judges.

b. Can anyone remember the thematic verse for the book?

·        In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25)

c. Judges actually refers to the men and women that God raised up to lead the people before the monarchy which extended from Othniel to Samuel.

d. Remember the last time we studied Judges we talked about the cycle of sin.

·        Serving the Lord.

·        Succumbing to sin.

·        En-Slaved to sin.

·        Sorry and Sad about their situation.

·        Saved by the Lord and the people Serve the Lord.

5. Tonight, I want us to see the pivotal role that leadership plays in God’s program.

I. Israel falls into sin because they lack godly leadership.

A. Joshua’s leadership comes to an end.

1. The children of Israel weep as they fail in obedience at Bokim (weeping) (2:1-6).

2. The Children of Israel are obedient as long as Joshua or the elders are alive (2:7-10).

a. Joshua dies and is buried in Timnath-serah.

b. Following Joshua’s death, another generation arose that did not know the Lord or his works.

B. The Children of Israel fall into sin as they forsake the Lord.

1. The Children of Israel commit evil in the sight of the Lord through idolatry.

a. Idolatry is specifically forbidden in the 10 commandments.

·        I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 20:2).

·        You shall have no other gods besides me (Exodus 20:3)

·        You shall not make for yourself any graven image (Exodus 20:4).

2. Without proper leadership, the Children of Israel begin to serve Baal and Ashtoreths.

a. Baal was

b. Ashtoreth was

3. The sin of Israel leads to God’s judgment through the nations bringing distress (2:14-15).

C. God is his mercy gives Judges who will bring deliverance and restoration (2:16-19).

D. God was angry with Israel because they transgressed the covenant

II. The Church of Christ desperately needs leadership to fulfill her mission.

A. Just what is leadership?

1. What is a definition?

a. According to John Maxwell, Leadership is influence.

b. According to Leith Anderson, Leadership is figuring out what needs to be done (perception) and doing it (production).

c. We define leadership this way; Leadership is the God giving ability to influence God’s people to fulfill His will and purpose in their lives and in the church in association with the elders of Calvary Chapel.

2. Leadership is one of the gifts of the Spirit.

a. Paul stated that God gave to the Church apostles, prophets, etc (Ephesians 4:11).

b. He told the church in Rome that those who lead with diligence (Romans 12:8).

3. Leadership is a gift; but we can all influence those around to follow Christ.

B. Where can I lead others in my life?

1. Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted individual will influence over 10,000 people in their lifetime.

2. We can start by looking at leadership in the community.

3. Then, we can look at leadership in the family.

a. The Bible commands husbands to lead their families.

·        Husbands love your wives (Ephesians 5:

·        The man is the head of the wife (1 Corinthians 11:3).

·        Fathers do not provoke your children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4).

b. The Bible commands women to love their husbands and lead their children.

·        Love their husbands and children (Titus 2:4).

c. The Bible exhorts mature women to guide the younger women.

·        Train the older women to train the younger (Titus 2:4).

d. Master’s are to lead

4. We can even look at leadership within vocation areas.

a. Paul commanded masters to their servants (supervisors-workers) (Ephesians 6:9).

b. Paul commanded the believers to yield to the political leaders of the day (Romans 13:1-5).

C. What about the Church?

1. I believe that we need strong leaders in the Church to keep us on the path of Christ.

a. We need strong leaders in the universal church and we see them.

·        Chuck Smith, Chuck Swindol, John MacArthur, Ravi Zacharias, etc.

b. We need strong leaders in the local church; will you pray for us?

·        I am blessed with what God has done in the leadership of our church; serving with Pastor Geoffrey is a blessing.

·        But God is going to do more; we are going to need more men who are willing to lead and more women who are willing to lead.

2. What are the requirements? (Moral, social, educational, personal)

a. 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 contain all the moral requirements.

·        We need men and women committed to the gospel who will live so that the name of Christ is not blasphemed.

b. Jesus gave us a key requirement in Matthew 20:24-28.

Conclusion

1. Israel falls into sin because they lack godly leadership.

2. God has given leaders to the Church and he will continue to bless us with good leadership.