Sermon Tone Analysis

*Leadership*

God’s Instructions to Church Leaders

2nd John

FUBC 11~/16~/2008

 

One great author noted, “The church rises and falls based upon the quality of its leadership”.

There is no way around it!

+       ANOINTED CHURCHES HAVE ANOINTED LEADERS

+       COMPLACENT CHURCHES HAVE COMPLACENT LEADERS

+       UNEDUCATED CHURCHES HAVE UNEDUCATED LEADERS

+       TITHING CHURCHES HAVE TITHING LEADERS

+       SPIRITUAL CHURCHES HAVE SPIRITUAL LEADERS

+       CARING CHURCHES HAVE CARING LEADERS

 

THESIS:  This sermon is tailored to teach us the qualities, and qualifications of a church leaders even (THE ELDER).

*And thought I better tell somebody:   *

You don’t have to be called a MISSIONARY in order to help somebody you don’t know.

You don’t have to be called a TRUSTEE to take care of this facility.

You don’t have to be called a CHOIR MEMBER to sing a new song.

You don’t have to be called a PREACHER to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

You don’t have to be called an USHER to welcome somebody.

You don’t have to be IN CHARGE in order to TAKE CHARGE --

Are you a church leader?

SCRIPTURAL OBSERVATIONS

1.   What does the term elder mean?

In the Greek – it means /“presbuteros”/:

-         Someone who has received delegated authority to carry out an assigned responsibility

-         someone who heads up or cares for families

-         someone who leads the attack

-         someone who has been appointed to share the burdens of Pastor Moses (while he leads)

 

Look at where the word ELDER is located in the text.

It is located in the *Greeting*, which implies to us that leaders ought to be *approachable and hospitable (not nasty or hard to get along with)*.

It implies that people ought to be able to come to YOU and the perceiving of the receiving by you ought to be “approachable and hospitable”*!!!** ** *

One of the things that I love about the Word of God is that it not only shows you WHO YOU ARE but WHERE YOU ARE – In a real sense, some of us think we have what it takes it to lead educationally but we don’t have what it takes to be a leader biblically.

Church, what I love about the epistle of Second John is that it is really a POST CARD OF PROMISE.

Oh yes, if Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First and Second Corinthians, Timothy, and Titus are called letters to the church.

*This epistle (Second John) got to be a post card.*

One thing I like about post cards – they are short and to the point!

One thing about post cards is that – you cannot write a whole lot but it can still say a whole lot!

In a real sense, the writer of this epistle shares with us a postcard – God’s Note to Church Leaders.

Are you all going to help me preach this?

PASSAGE POINTERS:  *(verse 4)*

*1.

COMMENDATION OF THE LEADERS (walking in truth)*

*Walking* denotes steady progress, moving forward, and advancing.

Can you be described as a person who is *steadily progressing* (not stagnant in your spirituality), *moving forward* (not frustrated in your faith journey), *advancing in life* (not declining in your devotions to Deity).

Are you steadily progressing in your spiritual walk?

In your personal ministry are you moving forward and not frustrated in your faith journey?

Are you advancing even though you have your own agonies, adversities, and agitations?

The word implies that the leader not only walks- but walks in truth!

a)   Truth is personal

b)   Truth is internal

c)   Truth is eternal

 

Let me show you (2nd John 1) – *TRUTH IS PERSONAL* – Notice John uses the phrases “in truth” and “the truth” IN TRUTH *is not* a definite article but THE TRUTH *is* a definite article.

(/Any member of a small class of words, that are linked to nouns and that typically have a grammatical function of  identifying the noun as a noun rather than describing it/).

John is saying if you are going to be IN TRUTH you have know THE TRUTH

For those of us who read the bible, didn’t Jesus say – (St.

John 14:6) I am THE WAY, *THE TRUTH*, *THE LIFE**.*

What is John saying here?

– He is letting us know that if leaders are going to carry out their responsibilities (IN TRUTH) – you must have a relationship with Jesus Christ (THE TRUTH)

Not only is TRUTH PERSONAL – *TRUTH IS INTERNAL*.

Look at your Bible – (2nd John 2) John writes “…the truth which abides IN us (THAT’S INTERNAL)-The truth becomes real in us when Jesus gets in us!

I get nervous when I am around – CHURCH LEADER’S, or Christians in general – who seem to be *un-moved, un-grateful, un-happy, un-changed *and* un-affected* when they hear the name of Jesus.

Let me put 25 cents in the parking meter and preach right here!

--- Church, when I hear the name of Jesus – I get  an *un-derstanding* that things going on in my life are still *un-der* His control and some kind of way He keeps blessing me with *un-heard* of blessings!

That’s why I don’t mind giving Him an *un-dignified* praise!

TRUTH IS INTERNAL – *(What’**s in you ought to come out of you!!!)*

That’s a good pause for a Pentecostal praise break!

The commendation is that God really does have church leaders who are walking in truth!

(Everybody in the church is not corrupt, dishonest, shady, or fraudulent).

WALK IN TRUTH !

-- A truth that is:

PERSONAL *<I got Jesus>*

INTERNAL *<I got Jesus in me>* (and)

ETERNAL *<I am going with Jesus all the way!>*

 

*2.

ABBREVIATION OF LEADERS** “verse 4”** (some of your children)*

Abbreviation is a reduction in length, shortening of service.

The Word declares that there will be those in the church and in leadership who:

Have ABBREVIATED ALLEGIANCE

Will Render A CONDENSED COMMITMENT

Will Only Give God A TRUNCATED TIME OF SERVICE

* *

*Vance Havner – noted theologian – says, A FAITH THAT FIZZLES BEFORE THE FINISH WAS FAULTY AT THE FIRST.*

Don’t get weary in well doing – you shall reap if you faint not!

In Luke 9:62 Jesus says that a man who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God!

Therefore seeing that we have this ministry, we faint not!

Vance Havner – is right- A FAITH THAT FIZZLES BEFORE THE FINISH WAS FAULTY AT THE FIRST.

I can sum this point up real quick: */“As a leader -- Actions Speak Louder Than Words”/*

•   “Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

(First Corinthians 11:1)

•   “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern…” (Philippians 3:17)

What is that old, worn poem?

“What kind of church would my church be, if everyone was just like me?”

*WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR FAITH WITH?*

Illustration:  Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over deserts.

All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for.

The hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals.

Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants.

*Vultures live on what was*.

*Hummingbirds live on what is.*

Here is the key: Each bird finds what it is looking for.

We all do.

*3.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LEADER *(leaders apply the Word)

*(…received the commandment from the Father…)*