REFLECTION QUOTES

“Spiritual leaders are not made by election or appointment…. Simply holding a position does not make one a leader, nor do taking courses in leadership or resolving to become a leader…. Spiritual leadership is a thing of the Spirit and is conferred by God alone.”

~J. Oswald Sanders (1902-1992), in his book Spiritual Leadership

“The tempter will make his first and sharpest attack on you…. He has long practiced fighting, neither against great nor small, comparatively, but against the shepherds, that he might scatter the flock…. Take heed then, for the enemy has a special eye on you. You are sure to have his most subtle insinuations, incessant solicitations and violent assaults.”

~Richard Baxter (1615-1691), English church leader to other church leaders

“True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.”

~Martin Luther (1483-1546), German reformer

“The most dangerous person of all is the one who does not emphasize the right things.”

~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), Welsh-born London minister

“Skillful shepherds will lead the sheep. They will not be content for the flock to remain as they are, nor even to manage them more efficiently. They will seek the growth of the flock numerically. They will also seek their progress, individually and corporately, towards maturity. They will not be managers, for managers deal in seen realities, but leaders, for leaders deal in unseen potentials.”

~Derek Tidball, British theologian and sociologist in his book Skillful Shepherds

“You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.”

~Cornell West, academic and social activist

SERMON PASSAGE

1 Peter 4:17-5:7 (ESV)

Chapter 4

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Chapter 5

1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.