Leading with Courage: Building God's Kingdom Together

 

Summary

In our journey as leaders, we are called to build not our own kingdoms, but the Kingdom of God. This requires us to examine the state of our souls and recognize that what we steward is not ours, but His. Embracing uncertainty as a gift, we are called to lead with courageous authenticity, following the perfect example of Jesus. Jesus, in His humanity, offers a staggering model of leadership that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. His impact is unparalleled, and His teachings continue to shape the world in profound ways. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to make Him the leader of our lives, allowing Him to teach, coach, and mentor us in leadership.

The Gospel of Jesus is not merely about meeting the minimal requirements for entry into heaven. Instead, it is about living in God's presence, power, guidance, and love here and now. This understanding of the Gospel challenges us to move beyond a static view of salvation and embrace a dynamic relationship with God that transforms our lives and leadership. Jesus calls us to be followers, not just leaders, and to deconstruct our understanding of leadership and followership in light of His life and teachings.

A vision of God and His goodness is foundational to thriving in ministry. This vision inspires us to live extraordinary lives, rooted in the confidence of God's project rather than our own. As leaders, we must guard against allowing our mission to replace our vision of God. When our focus shifts from God's vision to our mission, we risk losing our identity and significance in Him. Instead, we are called to write a vision statement of who we will be in God's Kingdom, allowing it to guide and inspire us.

Joy and sorrow coexist in the life of a leader. Jesus, a man of sorrows, also spoke of His joy being complete in us. Authentic joy is compatible with deep sorrow, and as leaders, we are called to bear both the grief of a broken world and the joy of the Lord. This joy is our strength, not the success of our mission or our accomplishments. We are reminded to realign our hearts to the vision we have with God and find our worth in Him.

In our leadership journey, we are encouraged to do the next right thing, trusting that Jesus will guide us. Whether it's speaking the truth, preparing for a meeting, or taking a moment to rest, we are called to seek God's guidance in every moment. By focusing on the next right step, we align ourselves with God's will and allow His love and power to lead us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Building God's Kingdom: As leaders, our focus should be on building God's Kingdom, not our own. This requires us to examine the state of our souls and recognize that what we steward is not ours, but His. Embracing uncertainty as a gift, we are called to lead with courageous authenticity, following the perfect example of Jesus. [00:27]

2. The Gospel of Jesus: The Gospel of Jesus is about living in God's presence, power, guidance, and love here and now. It challenges us to move beyond a static view of salvation and embrace a dynamic relationship with God that transforms our lives and leadership. Jesus calls us to be followers, not just leaders, and to deconstruct our understanding of leadership and followership in light of His life and teachings. [06:14]

3. Vision of God: A vision of God and His goodness is foundational to thriving in ministry. This vision inspires us to live extraordinary lives, rooted in the confidence of God's project rather than our own. As leaders, we must guard against allowing our mission to replace our vision of God. [12:51]

4. Joy and Sorrow: Joy and sorrow coexist in the life of a leader. Authentic joy is compatible with deep sorrow, and as leaders, we are called to bear both the grief of a broken world and the joy of the Lord. This joy is our strength, not the success of our mission or our accomplishments. [21:16]

5. Doing the Next Right Thing: In our leadership journey, we are encouraged to do the next right thing, trusting that Jesus will guide us. By focusing on the next right step, we align ourselves with God's will and allow His love and power to lead us. [26:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - Building God's Kingdom
- [00:58] - Jesus as the Perfect Leader
- [02:22] - The Impact of Jesus
- [03:46] - The Great Commission
- [04:59] - Understanding the Gospel
- [06:14] - Living in God's Presence
- [07:36] - The Kingdom of God on Earth
- [09:19] - The Challenge of Discipleship
- [10:42] - Vision and Mission
- [12:51] - Vision of God
- [14:46] - Writing a Vision Statement
- [16:06] - The Role of Joy in Leadership
- [21:16] - Joy and Sorrow Coexist
- [26:14] - Doing the Next Right Thing
- [28:25] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
2. Mark 1:14-15 (The Gospel of Jesus)
3. Nehemiah 8:10 (The Joy of the Lord)

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between building God's Kingdom and examining the state of our souls? [00:27]

2. How does the sermon describe the Gospel of Jesus, and how does it differ from a static view of salvation? [06:14]

3. According to the sermon, what role does a vision of God play in thriving in ministry? [12:51]

4. How does the sermon explain the coexistence of joy and sorrow in the life of a leader? [21:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the concept of "courageous authenticity" in leadership challenge traditional views of leadership within the church? [00:42]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God should influence our understanding of leadership and followership? [10:42]

3. How can leaders ensure that their mission does not replace their vision of God, according to the sermon? [11:01]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of doing the "next right thing" in our leadership journey? [26:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current leadership roles. How can you shift your focus from building your own kingdom to building God's Kingdom? What practical steps can you take this week? [00:27]

2. The sermon challenges us to embrace a dynamic relationship with God. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to live more fully in God's presence, power, guidance, and love? [06:14]

3. Consider writing a personal vision statement as suggested in the sermon. What would your vision statement look like, and how can it guide your actions and decisions in the coming months? [15:03]

4. How do you currently handle the coexistence of joy and sorrow in your life? What practices can you adopt to ensure that the joy of the Lord remains your strength, even in difficult times? [21:16]

5. Identify a situation in your life where you need to do the "next right thing." What is that step, and how can you seek God's guidance in taking it? [26:14]

6. Reflect on a recent decision or action. How did it align with God's will, and what did you learn from the experience about trusting Jesus to guide you? [26:31]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to focus on God's vision rather than their own mission? What role can you play in fostering this mindset? [17:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Building God's Kingdom with Authenticity
In our journey as leaders, we are called to build not our own kingdoms, but the Kingdom of God. This requires us to examine the state of our souls and recognize that what we steward is not ours, but His. Embracing uncertainty as a gift, we are called to lead with courageous authenticity, following the perfect example of Jesus. Jesus, in His humanity, offers a staggering model of leadership that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. His impact is unparalleled, and His teachings continue to shape the world in profound ways. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to make Him the leader of our lives, allowing Him to teach, coach, and mentor us in leadership. [00:27]

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your leadership where you can practice more authenticity and reliance on God's guidance today?


Day 2: Embracing the Gospel's Transformative Power
The Gospel of Jesus is about living in God's presence, power, guidance, and love here and now. It challenges us to move beyond a static view of salvation and embrace a dynamic relationship with God that transforms our lives and leadership. Jesus calls us to be followers, not just leaders, and to deconstruct our understanding of leadership and followership in light of His life and teachings. This understanding of the Gospel challenges us to move beyond a static view of salvation and embrace a dynamic relationship with God that transforms our lives and leadership. [06:14]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek to experience God's presence and power in your daily routine today?


Day 3: Vision of God as Our Foundation
A vision of God and His goodness is foundational to thriving in ministry. This vision inspires us to live extraordinary lives, rooted in the confidence of God's project rather than our own. As leaders, we must guard against allowing our mission to replace our vision of God. When our focus shifts from God's vision to our mission, we risk losing our identity and significance in Him. Instead, we are called to write a vision statement of who we will be in God's Kingdom, allowing it to guide and inspire us. [12:51]

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can refocus your vision on God's goodness and His plans for you today?


Day 4: Joy and Sorrow in Leadership
Joy and sorrow coexist in the life of a leader. Jesus, a man of sorrows, also spoke of His joy being complete in us. Authentic joy is compatible with deep sorrow, and as leaders, we are called to bear both the grief of a broken world and the joy of the Lord. This joy is our strength, not the success of our mission or our accomplishments. We are reminded to realign our hearts to the vision we have with God and find our worth in Him. [21:16]

"Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad." (Ecclesiastes 7:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace both joy and sorrow in your leadership today, allowing them to coexist and strengthen you?


Day 5: Doing the Next Right Thing
In our leadership journey, we are encouraged to do the next right thing, trusting that Jesus will guide us. Whether it's speaking the truth, preparing for a meeting, or taking a moment to rest, we are called to seek God's guidance in every moment. By focusing on the next right step, we align ourselves with God's will and allow His love and power to lead us. [26:14]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to align your actions with God's will, trusting Him to guide you?

Quotes


In our journey as leaders, our focus is not building our kingdom but building his kingdom and in that context, we have to ask the question how's my soul doing realizing that what we've been given to Stuart is not ours but it's his and uncertainty is a gift and we're good we're called to lead with courageous authenticity. [00:29:46]

Jesus, in His humanity, offers a staggering model of leadership that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. His impact is unparalleled, and His teachings continue to shape the world in profound ways. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to make Him the leader of our lives, allowing Him to teach, coach, and mentor us in leadership. [01:27:56]

The Gospel of Jesus is not merely about meeting the minimal requirements for entry into heaven. Instead, it is about living in God's presence, power, guidance, and love here and now. This understanding of the Gospel challenges us to move beyond a static view of salvation and embrace a dynamic relationship with God that transforms our lives and leadership. [06:20:54]

A vision of God and His goodness is foundational to thriving in ministry. This vision inspires us to live extraordinary lives, rooted in the confidence of God's project rather than our own. As leaders, we must guard against allowing our mission to replace our vision of God. [12:57:79]

Joy and sorrow coexist in the life of a leader. Jesus, a man of sorrows, also spoke of His joy being complete in us. Authentic joy is compatible with deep sorrow, and as leaders, we are called to bear both the grief of a broken world and the joy of the Lord. This joy is our strength, not the success of our mission or our accomplishments. [21:20:72]

In our leadership journey, we are encouraged to do the next right thing, trusting that Jesus will guide us. Whether it's speaking the truth, preparing for a meeting, or taking a moment to rest, we are called to seek God's guidance in every moment. By focusing on the next right step, we align ourselves with God's will and allow His love and power to lead us. [26:19:14]

The Gospel that Jesus gave has enormous implications to shape leadership and to engage leadership and we often miss that because we don't accurately understand his real gospel. I grew up in a church I'm very grateful for but I often thought of Jesus's gospel as uh or or the gospel the Christian Gospel as here's the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven when you die. [04:55:90]

The kingdom of God has come near repent and believe the good news the gospel so his gospel is that now through him, through his life and his teachings and then eventually his death and his resurrection it is possible to live in God's presence and God's power with God's guidance and God's love it's given to us as a free gift we can't earn it. [06:04:69]

The Gospel of Jesus is that now through him uh the range of God's effective will the way that God wants things to be has come to Earth, so instead of the message being God get me out of this mess so I can go up there, it was no make up there come down here your kingdom come your will be done. [07:43:56]

A vision of God and who God is, and how good God is never think anything bad about God, and how great God is there is no limit to his confidence, his ability to carry out things and his the goodness of his heart, and then and then there's a vision of everything that we see the universe as God's project he's doing this. [13:04:81]

Joy and sorrow are not Alternatives they are companions, and that one of the tests of authentic Joy is it's compatible with deep sorrow, and I have both deep sorrow and sadness in life over Brokenness and great gratitude and joy at being alive and being with people being here with you right now and both of them go on. [21:20:39]

Jesus said do the will of my father, and if you want to know how to do that don't make it real complicated it doesn't start with how did my devotional life go today or it's just from any moment one what's the right thing to do in this moment do the next right thing you know to do and Jesus will use that. [27:18:86]

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Transcript
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