Sermon Text: Exodus 3:1-14
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 13:17-18 says, “17 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. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”
Introduction:
In order to be a leader you must have relationship with God.
You have to be willing to follow in order to lead.
God has called each of us to be leaders.
Leadership has 3 tiers in which to operate: God, Family, and Church.
These are the most important tiers that God has called us to lead.
Point 1: God – Center of all Leadership
If you are in leadership your first responsibility is to God.
God calls each of us to be leaders.
If your relationship with God is not good then you not called leader.
Who God calls he equips, who he equips he calls.
A. Call of Samuel
1 Samuel 3:1-17 says, “1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the LORD said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” 15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.” (NIV)
1. God calls all to be a leader
a. Church Ministries
2. What will it take for God call you to leadership?
B. Call First Disciples
Matthew 18-19 says, “18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (NIV)
1. Simon (Peter) and Andrew fisherman
2. Jesus makes them fishers of men
a. that is what we are: fishers of men
b. Are you willing to follow their example?
Point 2: Family – Called to be head of household
If you are in leadership your second responsibility is family.
As a man you are the head of the household.
It is your responsibility to maintain your family.
A. Train them to serve the Lord
Joshua 24:14-15 says, “14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (NIV)
1. If you are leading your family as a Christian they should serve God
2. That is the main job of the head of household.
3. Joshua was willing to have his household serve the Lord
B. Tell them to Be Saved
Acts 16:30-32 says, “30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.” (NIV)
1. Only God can save your family
2. You must be the example
Are each of you willing to be the example in your family?
Point 3: Church – called to lead by God
If you are in leadership your third responsibility is to the church.
In order for leaders to be successful in church the first 2 must be in line with each other. Otherwise: FAILURE
The Church is a fellowship of believers and needs strong leaders in them.
Your heart, mind, body and strength needs to be in leadership.
Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (NIV)
A. Church built for us
Matthew 16:17-19 says, “17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades w ill not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NIV)
1. Church established so we can worship
2. Leaders are called to help continue having fellowship and worship to God
What is keeping each of us from being true leaders in church?
B. Gifts from God
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 says, “27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” (NIV)
1. Must use gifts God gave us to lead
2. All of us have gifts to lead and build the church
Are you willing to use gifts to lead and build the church?
Conclusion:
Are all of us here ready to lead?
Do we have a right relationship with God?
Do we have a right relationship with our families?
Do we have a right relationship with our Church?
The 3 Tiers all go together, yet if 1 is out of place, there can be no leadership in the rest of the areas. Must have good standing relationships.
Personal Illustration:
“I can remember when I was applying for my first church position. I was coming from a different church and the Lead Pastor I interviewed with told me something very profound: If you are not in good standing with your existing church get that relationship right before leaving.”
This same thing can be said in our local church and its leaders.
This also holds true to anybody moving church membership.
Is any one you willing to step out in Faith and Lead?
Leadership is hard work and when a leader is present they need prayers.
Always be in prayer for leaders.
Be in prayer for your relationship with God, Family and the Church.
