Scratch Out Offence and Understand the Times: A Charge to Leaders

Sermon outline

God is moving on the church in this season, and only leaders with unflinching commitment, who are past offence, deaf to gossip and awake to God's timing, will catch what he is doing.

1. Are you prepared to die for the cause?

   Without an unflinching commitment that says everything or nothing, the church will never reach the world. Houses, cars and clothes are not wrong, but they must keep their rightful place, so that you could give them up for the gospel. If you hold anything more dearly than Christ, revisit your foundations.

   Illustration: Young men recruited online strap bombs to themselves for what they believe is God's cause. He told Pastor Wesley that day that he is able to give up anything for the Lord.

   “It is a commitment that says everything or nothing.”

   • 3 John 2

2. Leaders are past offence and discouragement

   A pastor should never have to ask a leader whether they are offended; offence, discouragement and weakness should be scratched out of a leader's vocabulary. You must contend for your faith, stay single-minded and keep going even when you are crumbling inside, trusting God and still encouraging others.

   Illustration: For a year and a half he faced a big challenge, came close to giving up the church, and still preached every Sunday and Tuesday without the church knowing.

   “A leader should not even think about offense.”

   • 1 Timothy 6:12
   • Jude 1:3
   • Ephesians 6:10

3. Leaders do not listen to gossip

   The one who states his case first seems right until the other side is heard, so leaders must examine what they hear rather than receive it as truth and shipwreck their faith. Ask who 'they' are, kill rumours by starving them of oxygen, give oxygen to testimonies, and avoid those who cause division.

   Illustration: When someone in a home cell says they heard the pastor is taking the church to Mars, ask where they heard it, and if neither the pastor nor you said it, it is hearsay.

   “That's why leaders should never, ever give themselves hearing to gossip.”

   • Proverbs 18:17
   • 1 Timothy 5:19
   • 1 Timothy 1:19
   • Romans 16:17

4. Understanding the times

   Like the sons of Issachar, leaders must understand the times, because there is a heavenly calendar with cycles in the spirit, and if you miss a visitation it may not return for ten years. He sees a great grace on the church now: home cells growing, people saved, healed, promoted and buying cars, so the church must make the most of this season.

   Illustration: A Hindu woman living near a home cell leader removed her idols on her own and gave her life to Christ at a home cell meeting; he also tells of a child healed, a contract restored, a man going from unemployment to a shareholding in a business, and 22 members buying cars since the start of the year.

   “When these cycles are operating in the church or in your life, don't miss it.”

   • 1 Chronicles 12:32

5. Your family is those who do the will of the Father

   When Jesus was told his mother and brothers were outside, he pointed to his disciples as his family, and he did not say 'father', because he knew God was his Father from the age of twelve. Believers are born from above, so brothers and sisters in Christ are more family than relatives who manipulate and control you, though he stresses you must still love and care for your own family. Not everyone in church is family; you know them by their fruit.

   Illustration: When family asks why you are always at church or so passionate about winning souls, answer as Jesus did: 'I must be about my Father's business.'

   “The children of God are more family to you than your own family.”

   • Matthew 12:46-50
   • John 1:13
   • 1 Peter 1:23
   • Luke 2:49
   • John 5:19
   • John 11:41-42
   • Matthew 12:42
   • John 8:57-58
   • John 10:30
   • Luke 9:59-60
   • Matthew 7:16

6. Study to be quiet

   When you meet someone for the first time, keep quiet and listen, because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and you will discern what spirit they carry. Don't tell people how God uses you; let them see Christ in you.

   Illustration: Over a two-hour lunch he said nothing while a visiting pastor from Mozambique talked, and sensed something was wrong; the man later asked to rent the church's old building in Avoca to start his own church.

   “Study to be quiet so you can pick up the spirit of the other man.”

   • 1 Thessalonians 4:11
   • Matthew 12:34
   • 1 Corinthians 12:3
   • 1 John 4:2-3

7. Don't build a nest and settle down

   The vision is to build people, equip them and send them, and the church has not yet shaken itself like Samson. Many who were once eager to serve have settled down while newcomers overtake them, like Israelites who refused to move when the cloud moved. Keep an open heart: your gift makes room for you, and what you sow at one level of leadership is what you will reap at the next.

   Illustration: Trevor bought half a lamb for Father's Day while the pastors were away in Swaziland and cooked it for the leaders instead; other members bring food and gifts nobody asked for, which shows an open heart.

   “Don't build a nest and settle down.”

   • Judges 16:20
   • Proverbs 18:16
   • Galatians 6:7