Finding the Strength to Lead

Sermon Thrust: Leading people in the gospel requires strength and commitment to the mission of God.

Introduction: Defining the Pain

We defined leadership last week as influence. There is an expectation that good leadership moves people into a better position than they were previously. We call this value. As a leader and a person of value, my job is to add value to your lives through the power of the gospel. You are to take that value then and enrich the lives of those looking to you for leadership.

Leading your family, or business, or church takes a lot of strength and resolve. If you don't consider yourself a person of value, how can you ever add value to those following you?

Do you consider yourself to be a person of value? Do you have something to offer those following you?

My grandfather owned a welding company in Oklahoma City. I would visit for the summer and spent many hours playing in the office of the shop. A framed picture on the wall read, "I know I'm somebody 'cause God don't make no junk."

To lead, you must understand your worth, which requires a change of mind about who you are and how God sees you.

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

The strength to lead comes from the grace of the Lord. Knowing the way God values you as his child will give you the power to teach others.

Scripture: Defining the Passage

To add value to others through the gospel there are three things that we must do:

Entrust

Enlist

Endure

Entrust

Guard the truth that was entrusted to you.

2 Timothy 1:13–14 ESV

13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Find people that are willing to add value to your life. Truth only adds value when you put it to practice.

Entrust truth and grace to faithful men and women that will teach others.

2 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Strengthen others so they will be devoted to adding value to others.

The process of making disciples is not passing on information, but the transformation of the mind to understand their importance to God.

Enlist

Get in the fight for the souls of men and women.

2 Timothy 2:3 ESV

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Stay focused on the gospel mission.

2 Timothy 2:4 ESV

4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Civil pursuits are essential but can produce false hope.

If everyone has a good home life but never receive Christ, we failed the mission.

If everyone in our community has a good-paying job and self-sustaining but never receives Jesus, we failed the mission.

If all the children have food, clothing, and school supplies but never meet the Lord, we have failed the mission.

Play by the rules of Righteousness

2 Timothy 2:5 ESV

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Seek the reward of your efforts

2 Timothy 2:6–7 ESV

It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Saved people are the reward of a good soldier for the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 ESV

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Our success brings honor and glory to our Lord.

Endure

2 Timothy 2:8–10 ESV

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

We suffer because the gospel is the truth.

We endure all things because of the power of the gospel.

Next Steps: Defining the Process

Be intentional about adding value to your life.

Find a mentor you can follow.

Find a book you can read.

Be a mentor for someone else.

Investing in others always grows you as a person.

Leading others adds healthy accountability to your life.