Empowering Leadership Through Prayer and Submission
Summary
In today's sermon, I emphasized the importance of submission to God's order and the authority He has established within the church. I shared that when individuals like Miss Kim or Gary step up to deliver a message, I submit to the authority God has given them so that I can receive the Word of God. This is not about elevating one person over another, but about recognizing God's voice through His appointed servants.
I provided a list of ways to pray for our church leaders, including praying for God's love, their prayer life, honor, encouragement, family support, protection, and blessings over their lives. I encouraged the congregation to choose a leader and commit to praying for them daily, using specific scriptures as a guide.
I also spoke about the challenges pastors face, such as isolation, lack of support, and discouragement, which can lead to pastors leaving the ministry. I shared my own experiences and expressed gratitude for the support I receive from church members and leaders. I challenged the congregation to engage with their church leaders by encouraging and supporting them, and by ministering to them through prayer and fellowship.
I discussed the concept of accountability in friendships and how true friendships involve the willingness to both give and receive accountability. I used the example of Moses, Aaron, and Hur from Exodus 17 to illustrate the power of support and submission to God's authority. When Moses's hands were lifted, Israel prevailed, symbolizing the victory that comes from standing on the firm foundation of Christ.
I urged the congregation to consider how they can serve their pastors and leaders, as these individuals are also shepherds who need support. By submitting to the authority God has placed in our lives, we can grow and help others do the same.
Finally, I called on the church to commit to praying for their leaders, to develop relationships with them, and to understand their needs. This commitment to prayer and support is essential for the health and unity of the church.
Key Takeaways:
- Submission to God's order is not about hierarchy but about recognizing and receiving God's voice through His appointed servants. When we submit to the authority of those who bring the Word, we open ourselves to divine wisdom and guidance. [01:15:41]
- Pastors and church leaders face many challenges that can lead to discouragement and isolation. As a church, we must commit to praying for our leaders, offering them support, and ensuring they are spiritually and emotionally healthy to lead effectively. [47:23]
- True friendship involves accountability. By allowing friends to speak truth into our lives and by doing the same for them, we create relationships that reflect Christ's love and protection. This mutual submission fosters deep and authentic connections. [49:49]
- The story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur demonstrates the importance of support and unity in achieving victory. When we lift each other up, standing on the foundation of Christ, we can overcome challenges and advance God's kingdom. [44:42]
- Praying for our church leaders is a transformative practice that not only benefits them but also deepens our own spiritual walk. By committing to this discipline, we become partners in their ministry and contribute to the overall health of the church. [01:07:17]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 17:11-12 (NIV)
> "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset."
2. Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)
> "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."
3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)
> "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
#### Observation Questions
1. What happened when Moses' hands were held up during the battle against the Amalekites? ([44:04])
2. According to Hebrews 13:17, why should we submit to our church leaders?
3. What are some of the challenges pastors face that were mentioned in the sermon? ([47:23])
4. How does 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 emphasize the importance of love in our actions and prayers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the act of holding up Moses' hands was crucial for Israel's victory? How does this relate to supporting our church leaders? ([44:42])
2. How can submitting to church leaders, as described in Hebrews 13:17, benefit both the leaders and the congregation?
3. In what ways can the lack of support and encouragement lead to pastors feeling isolated and discouraged? ([47:56])
4. How does the concept of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 apply to the way we pray for and support our church leaders?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt supported by someone in your life. How did that support impact you? How can you offer similar support to your church leaders? ([44:42])
2. What specific steps can you take this week to pray for and encourage a church leader? Consider using the list of prayer points mentioned in the sermon. ([01:16:15])
3. How can you develop a relationship with a church leader to better understand their needs and challenges? ([01:06:02])
4. Think about a friend or family member who holds you accountable. How has this accountability strengthened your relationship? How can you apply this principle to your friendships within the church? ([49:49])
5. Identify one church leader you will commit to praying for daily over the next year. What specific scriptures will you use to guide your prayers? ([01:07:17])
6. How can you create opportunities for fellowship and support within your small group to ensure everyone feels encouraged and valued? ([01:08:25])
7. Reflect on the story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur. How can you be an "Aaron" or "Hur" to someone in your church community this week? ([44:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Order Through Submission
Submission to God's order is an act of faith and recognition of His sovereignty. It is not about creating a hierarchy but about acknowledging that God speaks and imparts wisdom through those He has appointed. When individuals within the church are called to deliver a message, it is essential to submit to the authority God has given them, as this opens the heart to receive divine guidance. This submission is a reflection of trust in God's plan and an understanding that every person, regardless of their role, is a vessel for His purpose.
"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." - Hebrews 13:17
Reflection: How can you practice submission to God's authority in your church community this week, and what might be the first step in doing so? [07:40]
Day 2: Upholding Our Leaders in Prayer
Leaders within the church carry the weight of many responsibilities and face challenges that can lead to discouragement and isolation. It is the duty of the congregation to uphold these leaders in prayer, asking for God's love, wisdom, and protection over their lives. Praying for leaders is not merely a gesture of support but a powerful act that can strengthen their ministry and the church as a whole. By committing to this practice, the congregation becomes an integral part of the leadership's spiritual journey, contributing to their emotional and spiritual well-being.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflection: Which church leader will you commit to pray for this week, and what specific scriptures will you use as a guide for your prayers? [47:23]
Day 3: Cultivating Accountable Friendships
True friendship is rooted in accountability and the mutual exchange of truth and support. In a community of faith, friendships are not just social connections but spiritual bonds that reflect Christ's love and protection. These relationships require a willingness to both offer and accept accountability, which leads to growth and a deeper understanding of God's grace. By engaging in authentic friendships, individuals can experience the fullness of being part of the body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role in the spiritual well-being of the other.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
Reflection: Consider a friendship where you could either offer or seek greater accountability. What is one step you can take today to strengthen that relationship? [49:49]
Day 4: Supporting Leaders as Aaron and Hur Supported Moses
The story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur is a powerful example of how support and unity are crucial for overcoming challenges. When Moses's hands were lifted, Israel prevailed, symbolizing the victory that comes from standing together on the firm foundation of Christ. In the same way, church leaders need the support of their congregation to fulfill their calling. By lifting up and supporting leaders, the church can achieve greater things for God's kingdom, demonstrating the power of unity and collective faith.
"Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." - Exodus 17:11-12
Reflection: How can you serve and support your church leaders in a practical way this week? [44:42]
Day 5: Transformative Prayer for Church Leadership
Praying for church leaders is not just a duty but a transformative practice that benefits both the leaders and those who pray. This discipline deepens the spiritual walk of the congregation and fosters a partnership in ministry. By understanding the needs of leaders and committing to pray for them, the church can ensure its health and unity, creating a strong foundation for growth and outreach.
"And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:15-16
Reflection: What specific needs of your church leaders can you include in your prayers today, and how will you remember to pray for them daily? [01:07:17]
Quotes
1) "if you want to have relationship while you have with your spouse with other friends you have to give them permission to give you accountability... when you establish deep, authentic friendships like that, you will find value you have never experienced before in your life... when we do it with submitting to them as our friend... you will find Unity comes when submission is given." [54:39]
2) "the world tells you... you lift up someone's hand and the thought that comes to your head shouldn't they be lifting up my hand... but what this teaches you when you submit... you'll grow and you'll transform and it won't be about you anymore." [01:13:35]
3) "to motivate, promote, and develop individuals like Aaron and her who will commit to hold the hands of their pastors up in order to secure spiritual victory... He came to serve and that's what we should be doing is serving one another as we submit to one another into the authorities in our life." [01:14:17]
4) "you will never have a true friendship without somebody that you've allowed to give you accountability in your life... friendship includes accountability... and we don't easily give away accountability, church, we just don't." [49:49]
5) "I'm telling you right now she's back there preaching the gospel to all those kids... let's commit to that, let's pray over one of these people all year long and see what happens... you're going to grow so significantly just because you committed to spend that time with the Lord." [01:20:25]
6) "find out, invite them over, have some fellowship, break some bread, spend some time with people, learn what to pray for and see what God does... you pray over someone for an entire year... God is going to show you how to lift up their arms." [01:10:11]
7) "how many of you know if your pastor is healthy or not... shouldn't that be a priority?... do you cover your pastor in prayer?... if, 1500 pastors are leaving the church every month, shouldn't we be praying over the pastor over the Shepherd that we believe that God has put in our life?" [57:14]
8) "when you have a firm foundation you will have Victory... when they set him on the Firm Foundation of The Rock and then raised his hands they had victory until the end... when you lift each other up, standing on the foundation of Christ, we can overcome challenges and advance God's kingdom." [44:42]
9) "you cannot be a Moses until you've been an Aaron or a her first... you have to be willing to serve... you got to understand who your Authority is and recognize that that Authority is not to tell you what to do but it's a conduit to the Lord and that's the way he designed it." [01:03:24]
10) "ask this question about your pastor or your elder... how best can I serve my pastor if I'm expecting him to serve me and my family?... when you give authority to the people that God has put in your life they'll be successful... that's powerful." [58:29]
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