Sermon Tone Analysis

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.