Honoring Church Leadership: Unity, Service, and Stewardship
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the profound respect and honor that is due to those who have been called to lead the church. We explored the scriptural mandates that instruct us on how to regard our pastors and church leaders, emphasizing the importance of recognizing them as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
We began by addressing the issue of congregants who selectively attend services based on who is preaching. This behavior not only undermines the unity of the church but also places a stumbling block in one's spiritual journey. God can use anyone to deliver His message, and by limiting ourselves to a single vessel, we risk missing out on the divine word that God has prepared for us.
Furthermore, we discussed the dangers of church splits and the temptation for individuals to prematurely assume leadership roles without proper spiritual maturity or calling. It is crucial to understand that leadership within the church is about servanthood and stewardship, not about personal ambition or recognition. As leaders, we must maintain order and respect the structure that God has established within the church.
We also touched on the responsibility of the congregation to support their leaders through prayer, ensuring that they can minister with a clear conscience and honesty. This mutual support is vital for the health of the church body.
The sermon highlighted the importance of faithfulness in stewardship. Being a pastor or church leader is not a role to be taken lightly; it requires a proven track record of trustworthiness and a heart that is fully committed to serving God and His people. We must be faithful in the little things before we can be entrusted with greater responsibilities.
Lastly, we were reminded that as leaders, we are not immune to making mistakes. However, our intention is never to harm but to help develop and grow the spiritual lives of those we lead. It is through this process that we all, as a church family, mature in our faith and walk with Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- God has established a divine order within the church, and it is our duty to honor and respect the leadership He has placed over us. We must recognize that our pastors and leaders are servants of Christ, entrusted with the sacred responsibility of stewarding the mysteries of God. Their role is not to be idolized but to be supported through prayer and obedience. [37:27]
- The church is a body of believers serving one another under the headship of Christ. As members of this body, we must avoid the pitfalls of division and the elevation of one leader over another. Unity and order are essential for the church to function effectively and for the spiritual growth of its members. [42:39]
- Faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities in the Kingdom of God. Before one can be trusted with the role of a pastor or leader, they must demonstrate faithfulness in their personal walk with God and in the tasks they have been previously given. This is a principle that applies to all aspects of Christian service. [52:32]
- Church leadership is not a platform for personal gain or recognition but a call to humble service. Leaders must remain grounded in their identity as children of God first and foremost, ensuring that their actions reflect His love and grace to all they encounter. [46:09]
- The health of the church depends on the proper functioning of all its members, including deacons and other support roles. Each person has a specific part to play, and when everyone operates within their God-given role, the church thrives and grows in its mission to spread the Gospel. [45:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 13:17 - "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
2. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 - "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
3. 1 Timothy 5:17 - "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 13:17, what is the role of church leaders, and how should congregants respond to them? [35:24]
2. In 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, how does Paul describe the way congregants should view their pastors and leaders? [38:24]
3. What does 1 Timothy 5:17 say about the honor due to church elders who lead well and labor in teaching? [54:46]
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of attending church services regardless of who is preaching? [35:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for congregants to obey and submit to their church leaders according to Hebrews 13:17? How does this impact the church's unity and spiritual health? [35:24]
2. What does it mean to be a "steward of the mysteries of God" as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2? How does this concept apply to both leaders and congregants? [38:24]
3. How does the sermon explain the dangers of church splits and premature leadership? What are the consequences of such actions for the church community? [42:39]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that congregants can support their leaders to ensure they minister with a clear conscience and honesty? [37:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own attendance at church services. Have you ever chosen to skip a service based on who was preaching? How can you change this behavior to ensure you are open to receiving God's message through any vessel? [35:24]
2. How can you actively support your church leaders through prayer and encouragement? Think of specific ways you can pray for their well-being and effectiveness in ministry. [37:27]
3. Consider the concept of being a steward of the mysteries of God. How can you demonstrate faithfulness in the small tasks God has given you in your personal walk and service within the church? [38:24]
4. Have you ever witnessed or been part of a church split or division? What steps can you take to promote unity and avoid contributing to such divisions in the future? [42:39]
5. How do you view your church leaders? Do you see them as servants of Christ or do you sometimes place them on a pedestal? How can you adjust your perspective to align with the biblical view of leadership? [38:24]
6. Think about a time when you felt hurt by a church leader. How did you handle it? How can you approach such situations in the future with a mindset of grace and understanding, recognizing that leaders are also human and make mistakes? [52:04]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to show honor and respect to your church leaders, as instructed in 1 Timothy 5:17? Consider writing a note of appreciation or offering to help with a ministry task. [54:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Honoring Divine Church Order
Respect for church leadership is rooted in the understanding that God has established a divine order within the church. Believers are called to honor and support those whom God has placed in positions of authority over them. This is not about idolizing leaders but about recognizing their role as servants of Christ, who have been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of stewarding the mysteries of God. The congregation's role includes prayer and obedience, which are essential for the leaders to minister effectively and for the church to maintain unity and spiritual health. [37:27]
Bible passage: "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 actively support and pray for your church leaders this week?
Day 2: Unity in the Body of Christ
The church is a collective body of believers, each serving under the headship of Christ. It is vital to avoid divisions and the tendency to elevate one leader above another. Unity and order are not only essential for the church's effective functioning but also for the spiritual growth of its members. When believers work together in harmony, respecting the roles and contributions of each individual, the church can thrive and fulfill its mission. [42:39]
Bible passage: "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." - 1 Corinthians 1:10
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the unity of your church community today?
Day 3: Faithfulness Leads to Responsibility
The principle of being faithful in small things before being entrusted with greater responsibilities is a cornerstone of Christian service. This applies to all, including those aspiring to leadership roles within the church. Demonstrating faithfulness in one's personal walk with God and in previously given tasks is a prerequisite for taking on the mantle of a pastor or leader. This ensures that leaders are prepared to handle the weight of their duties with integrity and devotion. [52:32]
Bible passage: "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." - Luke 16:10
Reflection: What 'little things' can you be more faithful in as a step towards greater spiritual responsibilities?
Day 4: Servant Leadership in the Church
Church leadership is a call to humble service, not a platform for personal gain or recognition. Leaders must remain grounded in their identity as children of God, ensuring that their actions reflect His love and grace. This perspective keeps leaders focused on their true purpose: to serve and to foster spiritual growth within the church community. When leaders embrace this call to servanthood, they become effective shepherds of their flock. [46:09]
Bible passage: "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all." - Mark 10:43-44
Reflection: How can you embody servant leadership in your own sphere of influence today?
Day 5: Every Member's Role in Church Health
The health and growth of the church depend on each member functioning properly within their God-given role. From deacons to support staff, every role is significant and contributes to the church's mission to spread the Gospel. When each person operates within their calling, the church can effectively minister to both its members and the wider community, demonstrating the love of Christ in action. [45:11]
Bible passage: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10
Reflection: What specific role or gift can you offer to strengthen your church community?
Quotes
1) "The purpose of a pastor is not to have a church packed full of people; his purpose is to make sure your soul is getting fat." [36:28] (Download | )
2) "Be careful when you try to throw your authority around as though you somebody... Are you a child of God first? Because if you're a child of God, you wouldn't treat me the way you treat me." [47:15] (Download | )
3) "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful... You should not be a pastor by accident; you should have been trusted with something in the past to get you where you are." [50:37] (Download | )
4) "Many people just want to jump up and be a pastor and ain't entrusted with nothing... We can't even trust you with a bubble gum without you eating it." [51:02] (Download | )
5) "The greatest hurt you're always going to have in any church, anything you have in life, the greatest pain you're always going to have has to be church hurt because the people in the church you..." [52:04] (Download | )
6) "Pray for us, for we trust we have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly... Your job for the leader is to make sure you pray for the spiritual leaders that we have a good conscience when we minister to you." [37:27] (Download | )
7) "We are servants of Christ... We are servants just like you unto the same God, so quit making your god bigger than my god. We're on the same playing field." [40:40] (Download | )
8) "Some of us are being stewards when you're only fit for being a servant. You should be a steward over your own life and quit trying to be a steward of somebody else's life when God didn't call you to be that." [41:41] (Download | )
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