Embracing Biblical Leadership in a Skeptical Culture

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the profound and often challenging topic of leadership within the church, particularly in a culture increasingly resistant to authority. We began by acknowledging the biblical mandate for leadership, as seen in the New Testament, where elders are appointed to guide and shepherd the church. This is not merely a suggestion but a strong directive that underscores the importance of spiritual leadership. The analogy of a shepherd and flock illustrates the necessity of having clear leaders who guide and care for the community.

We delved into the tension between the world's view of authority as negative and the biblical perspective that sees it as a gift from Christ to His church. This gift is meant to equip the saints and build up the body of Christ. As believers, we are called to embrace God's leadership and commands, which are life-giving and transformative. This is countercultural, as the world often views leadership and authority with skepticism.

For leaders, the challenge is to walk in biblical authority without falling into the extremes of passivity or control. The key is to lead by example, ensuring that one's life is worthy of imitation. This involves a deep self-examination to ensure that one's life and doctrine align with the teachings of Christ. Leaders must ask themselves if they are living a life that others would want to follow.

We also addressed the issue of failure in leadership, which is increasingly visible in today's church culture. Leaders must set up guardrails in their lives to prevent moral failure and maintain a vibrant love relationship with Christ. This involves both discipline and a deep, personal connection with Jesus, which fuels genuine leadership.

Finally, we discussed the importance of community and the necessity of being part of the body of Christ. Despite the failures and hurts that may occur within the church, believers are called to remain connected, as this is where we experience the fullness of God's love and the work of the Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

1. Biblical Leadership is Essential: Leadership in the church is not optional but a biblical mandate. Elders are appointed to guide and shepherd the community, reflecting the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual leadership. This leadership is a gift from Christ, meant to equip and build up the body of believers. [04:16]

2. Authority as a Gift: While the world often views authority negatively, the Bible presents it as a life-giving gift. God's commands and leadership are meant to bring life and transformation. As believers, we are called to embrace this leadership, which is countercultural and challenges the world's skepticism. [09:07]

3. Leading by Example: For leaders, the challenge is to walk in biblical authority without falling into extremes. This requires leading by example and ensuring one's life is worthy of imitation. Leaders must engage in deep self-examination to align their lives with Christ's teachings. [12:09]

4. Guardrails and Love Relationship: To prevent moral failure, leaders must establish guardrails in their lives and maintain a vibrant love relationship with Christ. This involves both discipline and a deep, personal connection with Jesus, which fuels genuine leadership. [26:14]

5. The Importance of Community: Despite failures and hurts within the church, believers are called to remain connected to the body of Christ. This is where we experience the fullness of God's love and the work of the Spirit. Community is essential for spiritual growth and understanding the love of Christ. [35:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Embracing God's Leadership
- [00:26] - Introduction to Leadership Challenges
- [00:55] - Meet Sean Breakey
- [01:30] - Church Intensive Overview
- [02:18] - Rethinking Church Leadership
- [03:11] - Biblical Mandate for Elders
- [04:16] - Authority in the Church
- [05:25] - The Role of Shepherds
- [06:19] - Authority in Scripture
- [07:31] - Gifts to the Church
- [09:07] - Loving God's Commands
- [10:39] - Walking in Spiritual Authority
- [12:09] - Leading by Example
- [26:14] - Guardrails and Love Relationship
- [35:14] - The Importance of Community

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 13:7 - "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."
2. Ephesians 4:11-12 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
3. Titus 2:15 - "Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the biblical mandate for leadership within the church, and how is it illustrated through the analogy of a shepherd and flock? [05:25]

2. How does the sermon describe the world's view of authority compared to the biblical perspective? [09:24]

3. What are some of the guardrails mentioned in the sermon that leaders can set up to prevent moral failure? [26:14]

4. How does the sermon emphasize the importance of community despite failures and hurts within the church? [35:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that biblical leadership is a gift from Christ to the church, and how does this challenge the world's skepticism of authority? [07:31]

2. How does the sermon propose leaders should balance walking in biblical authority without falling into extremes of passivity or control? [10:39]

3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between a leader's personal life and their ability to lead effectively? [12:09]

4. How does the sermon interpret the role of community in experiencing the fullness of God's love and the work of the Spirit? [35:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own view of authority. How does it align or differ from the biblical perspective shared in the sermon? What steps can you take to embrace God's leadership more fully in your life? [09:24]

2. Consider the leaders in your church or community. How can you support them in their role, and what qualities do you see in them that are worthy of imitation? [04:16]

3. What guardrails can you establish in your own life to maintain a vibrant relationship with Christ and prevent moral failure? [26:14]

4. Think about a time when you were hurt by someone in the church. How did you respond, and what can you do to remain connected to the body of Christ despite such experiences? [35:14]

5. How can you contribute to building a culture of biblical leadership and community within your church or small group? What specific actions can you take this week? [19:24]

6. Identify one area in your life where you can lead by example. What changes do you need to make to ensure your life aligns with the teachings of Christ? [12:09]

7. How can you foster a deeper love relationship with Christ in your daily life, and how might this impact your leadership or influence within your community? [26:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Leadership as a Divine Mandate
Leadership within the church is not a mere suggestion but a divine mandate, as seen in the New Testament. Elders are appointed to guide and shepherd the community, reflecting the importance of spiritual leadership. This leadership is a gift from Christ, meant to equip and build up the body of believers. In a world that often resists authority, the church is called to embrace this biblical model of leadership, recognizing it as essential for spiritual growth and community health. The analogy of a shepherd and flock illustrates the necessity of having clear leaders who guide and care for the community. [04:16]

1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

Reflection: Consider the leaders in your church community. How can you support and pray for them as they fulfill their God-given roles?


Day 2: Authority as a Life-Giving Gift
While the world often views authority negatively, the Bible presents it as a life-giving gift. God's commands and leadership are meant to bring life and transformation. As believers, we are called to embrace this leadership, which is countercultural and challenges the world's skepticism. Authority in the church is not about control but about equipping the saints and building up the body of Christ. This perspective invites believers to see authority as a means of spiritual growth and transformation. [09:07]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: Reflect on your own view of authority. How can you begin to see it as a gift that brings life and transformation?


Day 3: Leading by Example
For leaders, the challenge is to walk in biblical authority without falling into extremes of passivity or control. This requires leading by example and ensuring one's life is worthy of imitation. Leaders must engage in deep self-examination to align their lives with Christ's teachings. This involves asking oneself if they are living a life that others would want to follow. By leading through example, leaders can inspire others to pursue a life of faithfulness and integrity. [12:09]

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection: In what ways can you lead by example in your own life, whether in your family, workplace, or community?


Day 4: Guardrails and a Love Relationship with Christ
To prevent moral failure, leaders must establish guardrails in their lives and maintain a vibrant love relationship with Christ. This involves both discipline and a deep, personal connection with Jesus, which fuels genuine leadership. By setting up these guardrails, leaders can protect themselves from moral pitfalls and ensure their leadership remains authentic and Christ-centered. A strong relationship with Christ is the foundation for effective and transformative leadership. [26:14]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: What guardrails can you establish in your life to protect your relationship with Christ and maintain integrity in your leadership?


Day 5: The Importance of Community
Despite failures and hurts within the church, believers are called to remain connected to the body of Christ. This is where we experience the fullness of God's love and the work of the Spirit. Community is essential for spiritual growth and understanding the love of Christ. By staying connected, believers can support one another, grow together, and experience the transformative power of God's love. The church community is a vital part of the Christian journey, providing encouragement and accountability. [35:14]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community and help others experience the fullness of God's love?

Quotes



"we should be different from the rest of the world we're going God I actually want your leadership in my life I want your your commands in my life I want to be a part of your kingdom I want a king it's not like uh you know when in the period of the judges where everyone just want to do what was right in their own heart we're going no we want leadership Lord we love your leadership we love your commands that's weird to the world" [00:00:00]

"my best understanding of scripture is the church is not just hey everyone we we are all absolutely 100 equal male female slave free whatever in the sight of God as far as positionally before him but uh there is clear evidence in the New Testament that there ought to be spiritual leadership in the church and so I know a lot of the smaller Church movements uh tend to be about hey there's no leader amongst us we're all just buddies hanging out we don't feel like we need a leader" [00:04:29]

"scripture seems to suggest or even even command very strong suggestion um that there's a role for the Shepherds for the leaders and uh and they're there to take care of the flock well I mean even just that analogy of a Shepherd to A Flock um I mean it's not like all the Sheep are just hanging out it's like who wants to lead today you know it's there's there's a clear leader amongst them and I see that in scripture" [00:05:11]

"my first thought is when people hear Authority it's like a bad word it's negative and I my mind goes to Ephesians 4 where it's talking about uh Christ and it says when he ascended on high he led a hope host of captives and he gave gifts to men and saying yes send and what does it mean but that he also descended into little regions the Earth he who descended as the one who ascended far above all the heavens that he might fill all things and he gave the apostles their prophets their evangelists the Shepherds and teachers to equip the Saints for the work of Ministry for building up the body of Christ" [00:07:20]

"we as Believers we we should be different from the rest of the world we're going God I actually want your leadership in my life I want your your commands in my life I want to be a part of your kingdom I want a king it's not like uh you know when in the to the judges where everyone just wanted to do what was right in their own heart we're going no we want leadership Lord we love your leadership we love your commands that's weird to the world and now we're supposed to take it a step further where we go God you say you've given us this gift of leaders in the church where are they you know I I want to come under them and I want to find these these Godly leaders who will help me in the ways of God that's the way it ought to look" [00:08:59]

"you know like Paul tells Timmy watch your life and your Doctrine closely and there's something about your life and your doctrine that will ensure the salvation of your hearers and so you first have to look at your own life as a leader and go why would people want to follow me and that's that's a it's tough to get to the root of that and to be honest with that and take time and to try to look at yourself as an outsider and go wow if I saw Francis Chan in his life would I follow him when I respect him what I want to say hey teach me because I want to I want to become like you I want to imitate you like the like Hebrews 13 says imitate their faith" [00:11:28]

"you know when leaders start saying follow me um almost in a fair sake away you know like Jesus says Hey listen to what they have to say but don't do what they do um that's very hard to do and I think that's that's that's why a lot of Believers parishioners find themselves in this place where if they're really honest they're gonna I don't I don't respect him and uh which at that point you go well then I don't know if you should really be in that church" [00:14:36]

"some of you that are listening right now are in major sin that you don't want anyone to know about and what I will say about this is gosh I've heard people say oh you know I just I know I've committed adultery a hundred times I mean this is not I heard this recently you know but I'm going to keep leading worship um even though I've done this uh a hundred times in the last few months um because I'm anointed and it's for the sake of the church okay look you are first you're a hypocrite secondly you're not helping the church um it's it's like Aiken's sin in the Old Testament you can hide it but then all of Israel gets punished and they're wondering why" [00:27:53]

"there's a blessing upon the church when we're walking together in unity and Purity um and so God blesses that and so we we've got to understand that the best thing you can do for your church is to step down um to be honest and don't they want to protect the church by hiding my sin no that's gonna kill us you know it's almost like Jonah being on that ship and it's like what these storms are gonna die just toss Jonah overboard some of you guys need to do the Jonah thing you know you know what it's me I'm I'm gonna go for a swim you know and I know that's that's a tough thing to hear" [00:29:00]

"the church just doesn't look real attractive to the world this is all they're seeing and they're not seeing enough of the other side of what Christ offers and that real life and peace and joy and holiness gift to us is the ability to put to death the Deeds of the flesh because we're in such a great love relationship yeah and as you're sharing too is so good like I think about so on the other side of the spectrum picturing the people who maybe were in a church where they experience some unhealthy things from leadership or maybe even to the point where like hey extreme hypocrisy you know something comes out and it's devastating for them" [00:31:59]

"we're commanded you know I'm in Hebrews 10 you know not to neglect this this Gathering of the Saints so I don't really have that choice from a follower of God I can't neglect these things and then you also look at the the gifts in the in the mention of First Corinthians 12 through 14 and how the I can't say to the hand I don't need you it's you're a part of the body and you're supposed to be you're like you're one finger you know and you're you're uh you're trying to go off by yourself like that's not um there's a way in which we're supposed to work together" [00:33:31]

"there's something about gathering for communion you know First Corinthians 10 there's something about not being divided and you come together and there's this Koinonia that you have with the body and blood of Christ as you have it with the rest of the body and once you separate from that he says that is not even the Lord's Supper anymore once there's these divisions so I I would say I get it there's some people that have hurt you pretty badly and and I'm not excusing that or belittling that I'm just saying don't make things worse on yourself by separating from the very Church from which Christ says this is where you're going to learn love this is where you're going to be completed this is where the spirit Works through you for the greater body" [00:35:37]

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Transcript
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