What You Hear First Determines What You Speak Next

Sermon outline

An uncommon leader prays, keeps godly order, speaks with sweetness and respect, and hears God's voice first every morning, because his job is not to plan his own life but to discover God's plan for it.

1. A leader who is not praying is destined to fail

   He came early to see who attends the prayer meeting and expects leaders to be there at seven o'clock, watches synchronised. A leader who does not pray will be tripped up, taken advantage of and deceived by the devil, because the only thing that keeps a Christian balanced is a praying life.

   “A leader that is not a praying leader is destined to fail.”

2. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets

   Being full of the Holy Ghost is no excuse for operating anyhow or saying 'I couldn't help it'. Scripture gives biblical order: if someone stands up to prophesy while the pastor is preaching, the Holy Spirit would be interrupting Himself. Send a message that you have a word, and if you are released to share it, the church gives it undivided attention. Rejoice and dance when everyone is rejoicing, and sit quietly when everyone is quiet.

   Illustration: Saying 'the Holy Ghost came on me and I couldn't control myself' is as absurd as committing a bank robbery and blaming the Holy Ghost.

   “The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. That means you can take control.”

   • 1 Corinthians 14:32

3. The less is blessed of the better

   In private prayer, pray for your pastor and his family, the church, the president, the mayor, the army, navy, air force and police, and all who are in authority to protect us. But God's order is that the greater blesses the lesser, so leaders should not publicly lay hands on their pastor or announce that they will pray for him in the service.

   “Always the more will bless the lesser. That's God's order.”

   • Hebrews 7:7
   • Romans 13:1

4. The sweetness of the lips increases learning

   Often what matters is not whether what we say is right, but how we say it: what is rightly said but wrongly put is not received. Use the Word to dominate the devil and circumstances, never people. Respect people, especially older men and women, even when they are wrong; share Scripture and wait if they cannot receive it. Love people who do not yet know Christ with the gospel instead of bullying them, because faith works by love and without love we are a clanging cymbal.

   Illustration: Another translation reads 'a wise man is known by his common sense, and a pleasant teacher is the best'. When you first came to Christ, He had every right to sort you out, but He forgave you and overlooked your faults.

   “What is rightly said but wrongly put is not received.”

   • Proverbs 16:20-24
   • 1 Timothy 5:1-2
   • 1 Corinthians 13:1
   • Galatians 5:6
   • Colossians 3:13

5. Make sure God's voice is the first voice you hear every morning

   Everyone influences someone, so speak to God before you speak to people: you cannot strengthen others until you have been strengthened. 'Early will I seek you', and what you hear first determines what you speak next. Fight for your prayer time and get up earlier if you must. When God has spoken first, bad news, a doctor's report, criticism or flattery cannot shake you, you will not need people's praise, because God says 'with you I am well pleased', and you face the future without anger, torment or fear.

   Illustration: God tells you in prayer, 'You're going to have a beautiful day'; at eight o'clock the bad news comes, and while others run for coffee and cigarettes to calm their nerves, you are already calm. Keep teaching tapes and CDs in your car, by your bed and in your office.

   “What you hear first determines what you speak next.”

   • Psalm 63:1-2
   • Isaiah 26:3
   • Mark 1:35
   • Ephesians 6:10
   • Matthew 3:17

6. Ten reasons to hear His voice first (1 to 5)

   1. Before you return calls to people in trouble, because they need fresh manna and an anointing of wisdom. 2. Before you answer letters, or you will make commitments you cannot keep and respond to people's needs instead of God's commands. 3. Before you listen to others, because their problems drive them, but God's plan drives you. 4. Before you hear complaints, because you are not responsible for other people's happiness; that is the Spirit's work. 5. Before you embrace other people's ideas, because the ideas of men are not the commands of God, and their doubts and fears cling like barnacles on a ship.

   Illustration: You are responsible for your own face: he dressed, washed and chose to smile this morning, and in the same way you are responsible for your own happiness. A leader is only a signboard pointing the way.

   “You are not responsible for the happiness of others.”

7. Ten reasons to hear His voice first (6 to 9)

   6. Before responding to requests for help, because good seed deserves good soil: qualify the soil before you sow your money or your time. 7. Before revealing your dreams and plans, because some people should not hear them. 8. Before pursuing the approval of others, because praise feeds pride, and flattery is satanic and is used to manipulate leaders into unwise decisions, so prove a person's character before you take them home. 9. Before absorbing disturbing news reports, because great peace belongs to those who love God's law.

   Illustration: Joseph shared his dream too early with his brothers, and they threw him into a pit.

   “Good seed deserves good soil.”

   • Genesis 37:5-24
   • Proverbs 6:16-19
   • Psalm 119:162
   • Psalm 119:165
   • Isaiah 26:3

8. 10. You were never given the responsibility to plan your life

   Hear His voice before any significant change in your life or ministry. Nobody was born by mistake: God planned your life and gave you a blueprint, and your responsibility is to discover it, not to run another man's race. With every blueprint comes grace, favour and provision for the vision, and when you find it there is peace, passion and joy in doing it.

   Illustration: A man sees a brother driving a Mercedes-Benz from a frozen chicken business and decides to go into chickens: if God did not call you to the chicken business, stay out of it. A mechanic called by God is happiest with a spanner in his hand and grease on his nose.

   “Your responsibility is not to plan your life but to find out God's pre-arranged plan for you.”