Leading with Humility: Aligning with God's Original Plan

Devotional

Day 1: Humility as the Foundation of Leadership

In the journey of leadership within the church, humility is not just a virtue but a necessity. True leadership requires a constant dependence on God, recognizing that all achievements are by His grace. Pride can easily become a trap, even in spiritual accomplishments, leading to a fall from grace. The early church leaders, like Paul, exemplified humility by prioritizing God's truth over personal gain or recognition. They understood that their role was to serve, not to be served, and to lead by example in humility and devotion. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this humility, acknowledging that our strength and wisdom come from God alone. [24:02]

1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where pride may have influenced your actions or decisions. How can you approach similar situations with humility and dependence on God in the future?

Day 2: Rediscovering God's Original Plan

To align with God's will, it is essential to return to the beginning and understand His original plan. The early church serves as a model, emphasizing the importance of grounding our practices and beliefs in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus' words in Matthew 19:8 remind us that from the beginning, things were not as they are now, urging us to seek God's original intentions. By studying the early church, we can ensure that our faith and actions are rooted in God's truth, allowing us to live in alignment with His will. [04:48]

Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’"

Reflection: Consider an area of your life or ministry where you may have strayed from God's original intentions. What steps can you take to realign with His plan today?

Day 3: Upholding Purity and Truth

Maintaining the purity of the church is paramount, even when it requires making difficult decisions. The early apostles, like Paul, were committed to God's truth, often facing criticism or going against popular opinion to uphold it. This dedication to purity and truth is essential for us today, as we navigate a world that often values compromise over conviction. As leaders and followers of Christ, we must be willing to stand firm in our beliefs, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect God's truth and purity. [09:03]

Titus 1:9 (ESV): "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced criticism for standing up for God's truth. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to strengthen your resolve in the future?

Day 4: Discernment in Shepherding

Effective shepherding requires discernment to distinguish between those who have strayed unintentionally and those who have rebelled. As leaders, it is crucial to respond appropriately, showing compassion to the lost sheep and firmness to the rebellious. This discernment allows us to guide others back to the path of righteousness, ensuring that our leadership reflects God's love and justice. By seeking God's wisdom and guidance, we can navigate the complexities of shepherding, providing support and correction where needed. [17:21]

Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV): "I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has strayed from their faith. How can you approach them with compassion and discernment to help guide them back to God?

Day 5: Finding Rest in God's Presence

Entering into God's rest is vital for effective ministry. This rest is not about ceasing work but about working from a place of peace and reliance on God. Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, learning from Him and finding rest for our souls. By doing so, we are empowered to serve without the burden of anxiety or self-reliance, allowing God's glory to shine through our lives and ministries. This rest is a gift, enabling us to work with joy and purpose, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [53:09]

Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel burdened or anxious. How can you invite God's rest into this area, trusting Him to guide and sustain you?

Sermon Summary

In our journey as leaders and followers of Christ, it's crucial to remember that Jesus is the head of the church. We must remain humble and devoted, constantly seeking His guidance and correction. The early church serves as a model for us, emphasizing the importance of returning to the beginning to understand God's original plan. Jesus' words in Matthew 19:8 remind us that from the beginning, things were not as they are now. This principle applies to many areas of our lives and ministries, urging us to align with God's original intentions.

The early apostles, like Paul, exemplified a commitment to God's truth over pleasing men. They were strict in maintaining the purity of the church, even when it meant making difficult decisions. This dedication to truth and purity is essential for us today. We must be willing to stand firm, even if it means going against popular opinion or facing criticism.

Leadership in the church requires constant vigilance, much like a captain steering a ship. We must be alert to any drift from our course and make necessary corrections to ensure we remain aligned with God's direction. This involves discerning between those who have strayed unintentionally and those who have rebelled, treating each with the appropriate response.

Humility is a cornerstone of our faith, as demonstrated by Jesus. God values humility and opposes pride, which was the downfall of the first anointed cherub. We must guard against pride, even in our spiritual achievements, and remain grounded in humility.

Finally, entering into God's rest is vital for effective ministry. This rest is not about ceasing work but about working from a place of peace and reliance on God. Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, learning from Him and finding rest for our souls. This rest empowers us to serve without the burden of anxiety or self-reliance, allowing God's glory to shine through our lives and ministries.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility and Dependence on God: True leadership in the church requires humility and a constant dependence on God. We must avoid the trap of pride, even in our spiritual accomplishments, and remain grounded in humility, recognizing that all we do is by God's grace. [24:02]
2. Returning to the Beginning: To align with God's will, we must return to the beginning and understand His original plan. This involves studying the early church and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, ensuring that our practices and beliefs are rooted in God's truth. [04:48]
3. Purity and Truth in Leadership: Maintaining the purity of the church is paramount. Like the early apostles, we must be willing to make difficult decisions to uphold God's truth, even if it means facing criticism or going against popular opinion. [09:03]
4. Discernment in Shepherding: Effective shepherding requires discernment to distinguish between those who have strayed unintentionally and those who have rebelled. We must respond appropriately, showing compassion to the lost sheep and firmness to the rebellious. [17:21]
5. Entering God's Rest: True rest in God empowers us to serve without anxiety or self-reliance. By taking Jesus' yoke upon us and learning from Him, we find rest for our souls, allowing us to work from a place of peace and reliance on God. [53:09]
** [53:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Opening Prayer
[02:47] - Introduction and Scripture Reference
[04:48] - From the Beginning: God's Original Plan
[06:26] - Paul's Principles for Church Building
[09:03] - Purity and Truth in the Early Church
[12:10] - Course Correction in Leadership
[15:12] - Discernment in Shepherding
[19:09] - Humility and God's Ways
[24:02] - The Danger of Pride
[28:30] - Behold My Servant: Jesus as Our Model
[33:22] - Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
[39:17] - Overwhelmed by God's Presence
[47:12] - Speaking as God's Mouthpiece
[53:09] - Entering God's Rest
[59:23] - The Yoke of Christ
[68:23] - Living in the Sabbath Rest
[79:09] - Finishing the Work God Gave Us

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 19:8 - "Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.'"
Galatians 1:10 - "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says, "from the beginning it was not this way" in Matthew 19:8? How does this relate to the original plan of God for the church? [04:48]
How did Paul exemplify the principle of not seeking to please men in his ministry, according to Galatians 1:10? [06:49]
What is the significance of Jesus inviting us to take His yoke upon us in Matthew 11:28-30? How does this relate to finding rest in God? [53:09]
How does the sermon describe the role of humility in leadership within the church? [24:02]

Interpretation Questions

How does returning to the beginning help us align with God's original intentions for the church and our lives? What might this look like in practice? [04:48]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that humility and dependence on God are crucial for church leadership? How can leaders guard against pride? [24:02]
How does the concept of entering God's rest, as described in Matthew 11:28-30, empower us to serve without anxiety or self-reliance? [53:09]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of discernment in shepherding, and how can this be applied in distinguishing between those who have strayed unintentionally and those who have rebelled? [17:21]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced criticism for standing firm in your beliefs. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future to maintain purity and truth in leadership? [09:03]
Consider your current leadership or service roles. How can you ensure that you are leading with humility and dependence on God rather than relying on your own strength or wisdom? [24:02]
Identify an area in your life where you feel burdened or anxious. How can you apply Jesus' invitation to take His yoke upon you and find rest for your soul in this situation? [53:09]
Think of someone in your life who may have strayed unintentionally from their faith. How can you show compassion and help guide them back, as described in the sermon? [17:21]
Reflect on your spiritual journey. Are there areas where you have allowed pride to creep in? What steps can you take to remain grounded in humility and avoid the trap of pride? [24:02]
How can you incorporate the practice of returning to the beginning in your daily life to better align with God's original plan for you? [04:48]
What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate a deeper sense of rest and reliance on God in your ministry or personal life? [53:09]

Sermon Clips

In our journey as leaders and followers of Christ, it's crucial to remember that Jesus is the head of the church. We must remain humble and devoted, constantly seeking His guidance and correction. The early church serves as a model for us, emphasizing the importance of returning to the beginning to understand God's original plan. [00:00:24]

If you want to know the truth, go back to the beginning. How is it in God's original plan? So the phrase I have in mind is in the last part of verse 8: from the beginning, it has not been this way. Please keep that in mind. From the beginning, it was not like this. [00:04:48]

He had this principle: if I seek to please men, I cannot be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10. That's how it was in the beginning. Every true servant of God had that spirit that Paul had: if I seek to please men, I cannot be the servant of Christ. [00:06:46]

It requires a real freedom from the opinions of men to take a stand in things like this, where the purity of the church means everything. I was going to say a million times more than what people think of us, and I say not a million times more but everything. [00:09:46]

Effective shepherding requires discernment to distinguish between those who have strayed unintentionally and those who have rebelled. We must respond appropriately, showing compassion to the lost sheep and firmness to the rebellious. [00:17:21]

God values humility because that is the characteristic of His Son, the primary characteristic of His Son, which He said to others: learn from me, for I am humble of heart. God values that so highly that He gives grace to everyone who humbles himself. [00:23:12]

Humility is in our relationship with God, and gentleness is in our relationship with others. Learn from me humility and gentleness. Now don't try to get the dictionary meaning of either word. The dictionary word of humility meaning of humility is not what Jesus is talking about. [01:08:23]

Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. I'll bring you into the sabbath rest, which God wanted Adam to have. That verse is quoted so much to unbelievers, but Jesus spoke this to His disciples. [00:53:09]

There remains a sabbath rest for the people of God. Have you entered into it? There remains a sabbath rest. Go back to the beginning, what Adam experienced before he served the Lord, the sabbath rest in which Jesus spoke about in Matthew 11:28 to 30. [01:14:39]

The one who has entered this rest has ceased from his own works. He doesn't have any bright ideas that he can glory in. He rests from his works just like God did from His in the seventh day. Therefore, let us all be diligent to enter into that rest. [01:15:36]

If you find the yoke is heavy, it is not the yoke of Jesus. You know, taken some other yoke upon you, dear brothers, let me speak plainly. From the beginning, how was it with Adam? How was it with the apostles from the day of Pentecost? [01:19:09]

I pray that your love will abound more and more in discernment. Love without discernment is not very profitable. It can hinder the work of God. Many people think love is the great thing. Yeah, your gas tank must be full of love, but wisdom discernment must be in the driver's seat. [01:28:04]

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Leading with Humility: Aligning with God's Original Plan

Devotional

Day 1: Humility as the Foundation of Leadership

Day 2: Rediscovering God's Original Plan

Day 3: Upholding Purity and Truth

Day 4: Discernment in Shepherding

Day 5: Finding Rest in God's Presence

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Leading with Humility: Aligning with God's Original Plan

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