If you use any or all of this message--would you be willing to fire off a quick email to:pastorjerryvargo@juno.com? I would like to have an idea of how often my sermons are actually being preached to strengthen the Body of Christ. Thanks!
Follow, Lead, AND Get Out of the Way!
Calvary Christian Chapel
Pastor Jerry C. Vargo
I. Introduction.
A. Last week I preached a message entitled, “Blessed to be a blessing.” When I think of all my blessings…I am reminded of the words of Jesus Christ…
“…everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”
- Luke 12:48
“…we have this treasure (JESUS) in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
B. We are blessed to be a blessing. And knowing this principle…we must be committed leaders and disciples!
C. My goal this morning is to relate to you some of my understanding of leadership and discipleship.
D. I believe we need strong leadership in the church AND I believe that without discipleship we will not grow as God has purposed.
E. By the end of this message, my hope is that you will feel my passion for these subjects…and understand your responsibility as part of a covenant community.
Turn in the Book of God to: Matthew 16:24-26
Prayer
II. Body.
A. Lead, follow, or get out of the way (The way of the World)!
B. Leadership and discipleship is just a bit different (All 3 are involved).
C. Three principles from this text that I want you to see…
1. We must be followers (“follow Me”)
2. We must be leaders (“take up your cross”)
3. We must get out of the way (“deny himself”)
1. We must be followers!
A. How many of you know that in order to be a good leader or disciple…you MUST know how to follow?
B. Jesus always called his disciples to “FOLLOW”
C. This is done in at least three ways:
1. Be a Learner (Origin of the word “Disciple”) – Matthew 11:28-29
a. This is true in our individual lives!
- The Word
- Prayer
b. It is also true in our corporate lives!
- Fellowship (I learn about Christ as I observe Him in you)
- Teaching & Preaching
2. Be Patient
a. Don’t try to move ahead of God.
- Abraham did with Ishmael
- Peter did when he cut off an ear
3. Be open to correction (and criticism)
“I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing.” – Jeremiah 10:23-24
“Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” - Proverbs 27:5-6
- Often, we are too proud to accept correction
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” - 2 Tim 3:16-17
2. We all must be leaders!
A. Every Christian is called to some level of leadership capacity.
B. And what is a Christian leader anyway? A Christian leader in my opinion is someone who leads others into a closer walk with Jesus.
C. We are all “ministers.” We are all called to minister as leaders.
D. Disciples always lead by example (“take up your cross)
Four ways…
1. In their personal lives
- We teach what we know; we reproduce what we are! - Robert
Schmidgall
- A child is not likely to find a father in God unless he finds something of
God in his father.
- Paul, in speaking to the Corinthian Church said this…
“For although you may have ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, remember that you have only me as your father. For I was the one who brought you to Christ when I preached the Gospel to you. So I beg you to follow my example and do as I do.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:15-16
- We must become spiritual fathers and spiritual mothers to those we lead.
2. In their public lives
- This is not to say that we put on a show.
- We must set the example in public.
3. In their passion for Jesus
a. Christianity without passion is worthless.
b. How can we lead if we have no passion?
Quote
By blood and origin, I am all-Albanian. My citizenship is Indian. I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the whole world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to Jesus -- Mother Teresa
c. I have never understood a passionless Christian…
Illustration
My story of baptism
4. In their lives of sacrifice
In his book “Written in Blood,” Robert Coleman tells the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. The doctor had explained that she had the same disease the boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked.
Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, for my sister."
Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room--Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny’s smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube.
With the ordeal almost over, his voice slightly shaky, broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?" Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he’d agreed to donate his blood. He’d thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. In that brief moment, he’d made his great decision.
3. We must get out of the way!
A. Every good disciple (always) gets out of the way (denies himself)!
How to do it…
1. Realize you are not God as you disciple others.
- Our words don’t always line up with God’s words.
2. Realize others might have greater callings.
- My job as pastor is to push others to the front.
3. Turn them over to God’s care.
- Release them to work out their walk with God.
III. Conclusion - (Musicians)
1. Disciples and Leaders are shaped and formed over time!
2. Disciples and Leaders are committed!
3. Disciples and Leaders understand that “to whom much is given…much is required.”
Disciples commit themselves to…
1. FOLLOW
2. LEAD
3. GET OUT OF THE WAY
God is calling committed leaders and disciples!
