Every Christian Is A Leader

Matthew 5:13-16

The Christian is called to Leadership.

“Salt of the Earth”

Gives flavor, and separates from corruption.

If I “lose my flavor”, I am useless.

“Light of the World”

City set on a Hill

Hard to move a city once it’s built!

This is where YOU have chosen to be, Christian!

A Lampstand

Put where ALL can see

Gives light to ALL who are in the house

THIS is how you shine your light!

The world needs to see Christians who are dedicated, focused leaders.

If you are not that, then something needs to change.

We do not get to “check out” from our duties of leadership.

Leaders are needed.

God wants Leaders, not A leader. 1 Samuel 8:18-20; Proverbs 11:14

On a congregational basis, God never wants us to leave everything up to one man.

1 Samuel 8:18 "And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day."

We may feel inclined to go too far in another direction, where there is NO leadership. There is a great danger in this.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Leadership is needed because many are weak. 1 Cor. 11:29-30; 1 Thess. 5:14

1 Corinthians 11:29-30 NKJV - For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Leadership is needed for our great work in the Kingdom. 2 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 6:10-12

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Leadership can always be abused.

A lack of true leadership breeds sin. 1 Sam. 8:5, 19-20

The book of Judges proves this.

In a way, the people in 1 Samuel 8 had a point!

1 Samuel 8:5 NKJV - and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

In their minds, leadership was needed - the problem was that they were not content to be led by God.

1 Samuel 8:19-20 NKJV - Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, "that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."

The key to Godly leadership: Which way are you leading? Gal. 4:17; 3 John 9-12

Problems occur when leadership is not used to guide people to Christ.

Galatians 4:17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

3 John 1:9-12 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

God warns Christians to honor their shepherds. Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5

Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

God warns against shepherds who do not shepherd. Is. 56:8-12; Jer. 23:1-4; Jn. 21:15-17

Isaiah 56:8-12 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him." All you beasts of the field, come to devour, All you beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory. "Come," one says, "I will bring wine, And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant."

Jeremiah 23:1–6 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord. “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

Leadership demands a full focus on Jesus.

By Being WILLING to lead. Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 4:15-16

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Romans 12:10 ESV - ...Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Corinthians 4:15-16 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

The reason we lack leadership is because of a simple refusal to lead. We will stand in condemnation at judgment if we choose not to be a leader.

By leading with RESTRAINT. 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Pet. 3:1; 5:2-4; Eph. 5:22,24,25,28; Col. 3:19; 1 Tim. 4:12

The Apostles led with restraint.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Elders are to lead with restraint.

1 Peter 5:2-4 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Husbands are to lead with restraint.

Ephesians 5:25, 28 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ... So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

Wives are to lead with restraint.

Ephesians 5:22, 24 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ... Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

Young People are to lead with restraint.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

NOTE: In seeking to be a leader, we are NOT commanding the authority of an elder, but being an example to others.

By seeking the WISDOM of God. 1 Kings 3:9-12; 4:29-34; James 1:5-7

1 Kings 3:9-12 “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, "behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

1 Kings 4:29-34 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men--than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

James 1:5-7 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

By remembering the true Head! Isaiah 33:14-17, 21; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 18-19

Isaiah 33:14-17, 21 - Jesus was the answer for sinful Israel. He is the answer for every weakness today.

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Colossians 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2:18-19 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.