THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LIVE! NEW COVENANT LEADERSHIP Hebrews 13:7,17

Leadership is really important!!!

Genuine new covenant leadership is the need of the hour… Hebrews 13:7, 17  “Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith… Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Genuine new covenant leadership is the need of the hour… Assumptions:  Christian life is to be fleshed out in the context of close community with other followers of Christ  Intentional leadership was/is a key ingredient of new covenant community  For further study: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus July 15, 2007 teaching on Ephesians 4:1-16 Nehemiah teaching series Elders and Leaders by Gene Getz

What is leadership like under the New Covenant? 1. New covenant leaders should be chosen wisely  “carefully observe the outcome of their lives”  Matthew 7:15-20  “15 "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You'll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you'll recognize them by their fruit.”

What is leadership like under the New Covenant? What kind of fruit are we looking for? (Heb. 13:1-6)  Expressed love for other believers (a good history of leading others spiritually)  Hospitable lives (open hearts & open possessions)  Willing to suffer for the Gospel  Sexual & relational purity  Generous, content lives free from the love of money  Pattern of trusting in the goodness of God  Simply put  People who are increasingly orienting their lives around the Gospel (the New Covenant)!

What is leadership like under the New Covenant? 2. New covenant leaders operate within a team “Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith…” Ephesians 4:11-12  “And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ…” Plurality & Variety Common Purpose Accountability to other leaders

What is leadership like under the New Covenant? 3. New covenant leaders are to be imitated “imitate their faith” Philippians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 11:1  Consider intentionally becoming an apprentice Mark 3:14  “He appointed 12, whom He also named apostles, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” 1 Thessalonians 2:8  “We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”

What is leadership like under the New Covenant? 4. New covenant leaders are to be followed Hebrews 13:17  “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” NOT: “Unless you can prove to me beyond reasonable doubt that your leadership decisions are correct, I reserve the right to rebel, sabotage, etc.” BUT: “Unless I can demonstrate from scripture that you are wrong, I will defer my own preference and help you to succeed.” -Gary DeLashmutt

NEW SERIES STARTS NEXT WEEK… TRUE REST: TAKING ON THE YOKE OF CHRIST AN EASY YOKE? Matthew 11:28-30