WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.980 George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry leader in the American Civil Wars and the Indian Wars. 00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:15.140 Today he is most remembered for his disastrous military campaign at the Little Bighorn, 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:23.300 known as the Battle of Little Bighorn, the 25th of June 1876, where he died with 260 other soldiers. 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:31.080 He had humble origins, both in life and in fact in his military career. 00:00:32.179 --> 00:00:42.320 But during the American Civil War, he was regarded among soldiers as a great leader, always willing to do the toughest of jobs. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:43.780 And his reputation spread. 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:52.000 And at the age of 23, he became the youngest major general in American military history. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:01:06.299 And it was during this rise to fame, because of his leadership skills, that he fell in love with publicity, and especially publicity about himself. 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:09.740 He in fact started to believe his own fame. 00:01:09.739 --> 00:01:22.759 And for those who knew him and served under him and with him in the latter years, he became known for his vanity and his desire for personal glory. 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:39.640 In fact, some historians go as far as to say that it was because of his pride and his vanity and his desire for personal glory that 261 people died at the Little Bighorn in that June in 1876. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:55.299 Custer's leadership, the character behind Custer's leadership is pretty much the exact opposite of the sort of leadership that's described here in St. Paul's in our core value of servant leadership. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:02:04.739 The right leadership amongst God's people is essential for God's people to thrive and grow. 00:02:04.939 --> 00:02:13.159 In an age of individualism, which we exist in now, we often don't often think about leadership and the crucial nature of a leadership. 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:21.500 But as far as the Bible is concerned, God's people either thrive or not, depending on the kind of leadership. 00:02:21.500 --> 00:02:51.479 Leadership is essential. 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:51.900 Difficulty. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:56.500 You see, for 70 years, God's people have been exiled in Babylon for repeated disobedience. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:01.199 And now they are under a new empire with a new king named King Cyrus. 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:06.500 And just a remnant of God's people had returned back into Israel. 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:16.259 And they discovered that while they'd been in Babylon for 70 years, some of the neighbors that came in and sort of moved in house like squatters, they kind of taken over their home. 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:18.879 And so circumstances were really hard. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:20.460 They were under the rule of Persia. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:22.479 Numbers of them were pretty small. 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:24.079 Resources were pretty limited. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:26.180 People had moved into their land. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:29.259 And all their neighbors viewed them with a whole heap of suspicion. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:42.039 Now, granted, things were not as bad as they used to be back in Babylon, but they were nowhere near of what they expected God to give them when they came back. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.239 What their future, their expectation, what their future would be. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:50.920 And this community lived in the tension, if you like, between the now, but the not yet. 00:03:51.100 --> 00:03:59.680 It's the tension between the beginnings of what God had promised them and the waiting for the complete fulfillment of what God had promised them. 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:12.620 The situation here in Isaiah 56 and 57 is very similar to the situations that Christians face between the first coming of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus, where we have the promises of God. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:17.879 And yet we wait for the complete fulfillment of those promises when Jesus comes back again. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:24.879 Now, waiting in the between time, it tests our patience and our faith. 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:30.959 And for some people, that tension is just too much and they just fall away. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:32.819 They just give up on trusting in Jesus. 00:04:33.540 --> 00:04:39.819 Those who do remain faithful, unsure what it is to wait for the purposes of God to be fulfilled. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:53.339 And what is absolutely crucial for the community of believers, for the people of God, in living within that tension, is the quality of its leadership. 00:04:53.860 --> 00:05:03.019 I want to suggest to you that an awful lot of our faithfulness as the people of God depend upon the quality of leadership. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:09.699 In chapter 56, Isaiah describes the corruption of Israel. 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:16.060 In particular, what he does here is he slams the leadership for utterly failing the people. 00:05:16.219 --> 00:05:21.079 For example, in verse 11, Isaiah 56, they are dogs with mighty appetites. 00:05:21.659 --> 00:05:23.180 They never have enough. 00:05:23.299 --> 00:05:25.219 They are shepherds who lack understanding. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:27.819 They all turn to their own way. 00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:31.479 Each seeks his own gain. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:40.580 And so the leaders of God's people here are described as those who pursue their own gain. 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:44.040 And that's the issue here in a nutshell. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:48.140 They're leading out of self-interest. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:52.640 And so leadership for them is more about being served. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:58.540 People propping them up and congratulating them and getting their drinks for them and whatever it is. 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:00.640 Rather than them serving. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:04.399 They fed on the people of God. 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:07.620 They prayed on the people of Israel. 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:14.139 And they are described here in verse 10 as blind watchmen and mute dogs. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:19.240 You see, one of their key jobs was as watchmen was to stand on the city wall. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:20.039 That's what a watchman did. 00:06:20.099 --> 00:06:23.300 They stood on the city wall and they kept an eye out for any danger. 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:26.979 Any danger comes and they basically bark like a dog. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:29.220 You know, when you're intruding into their backyard. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:32.100 They let you know that there's a problem there. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:36.240 And here they are described as blind. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:38.439 They can't see the danger. 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:44.980 And even if they could sense some danger, they are mute dogs who can't warn anyone. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:47.759 What good is a dog that can't bark? 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:53.579 And so it says they would rather daydream. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:55.959 They would rather sleep. 00:06:56.839 --> 00:07:01.659 Verse 12 says they'd rather drink wine and beer in comfort that we're going to do it all again tomorrow. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:07.819 In other words, leadership for them is all about comfort and people serving them. 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:12.479 And everyone else doing the work and then just telling people what to do. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:21.120 They're meant to be watchmen, alert to the dangers that threaten from outside and shepherds, nurturing and strengthening the inner life of the community. 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:22.220 Instead, they are lazy. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:28.280 They are self-indulgent and they fail to exercise their duty of oversight of the people. 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:29.879 They fail as leaders. 00:07:30.460 --> 00:07:39.100 And then what you see in chapter 57, verses 1 onwards, is describes what becomes of the people when the leaders fail. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:45.400 Verses 1 and 2, the righteous perish and no one comes to their defense. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:51.100 Verses 3 and 4, adultery and sorcery and cruelty abound. 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:54.040 Superstition and false religions flourish. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:56.939 It becomes the cover for all kinds of wickedness. 00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:02.480 The first half of verse 5 says you burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:11.500 That's referring to sexual fertility rites that Israel had sort of grabbed hold of from the Canaanite religions, their neighbors. 00:08:12.780 --> 00:08:20.759 In the second half of verse 5, we see child sacrifices practiced as well as practicing sorcery and divination and consulting medium and spiritualists. 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:31.100 Verses 6 to 13 consists a long description of idolatry as the people of God turn away from God and worship other things. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:35.800 Verse 6, the idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion. 00:08:35.920 --> 00:08:39.000 Verse 7, you have made your bed on a high and lofty hill. 00:08:39.420 --> 00:08:41.759 There you went up to offer your sacrifices. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:46.360 Verse 8, behind your doors and your doorposts, you have put in pagan symbols. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.779 Verse 9, you went to Moloch with olive oil. 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:53.320 Verse 11 says the fear of the Lord is lost. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.960 And other unhealthy fears have taken over. 00:08:57.960 --> 00:09:03.420 It's a consistent theme right throughout the prophets in the Old Testament. 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:11.740 The failure of leadership results in the people turning their backs on God. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:20.820 The second half of chapter 57 reveals what God is looking for in both his leaders and his people. 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:25.440 And he says this in verse 15, for this is what the high and lofty one says. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:28.440 He who lives forever, whose name is holy. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:38.520 I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit. 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:46.880 That is, God gets on with those whose hearts are humble. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:56.200 You see, what gets God's attention, as it says in chapter 66 of Isaiah, and as I said last week, is humility. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:02.860 God's attention is not drawn to strength and self-confidence. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:11.980 And so at the heart of our core value of servant leadership is humble authenticity. 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:22.340 Humble authenticity is what underlies, undergirds, is the foundation of servant leadership. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:31.320 Mind you, this issue of self-indulgence, self-glorifying, self-centered leadership was not just an issue for Israel's leadership. 00:10:31.800 --> 00:10:35.920 In Isaiah's time, ultimately, it's an issue for all of God's people in all the time. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:40.680 And the first disciples were not immune from proud hearts either and self-glory. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:45.399 Their pursuit of personal greatness and recognition wasn't subtle in any sense. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:51.459 For example, Jesus' interaction with them in Mark chapter 9, it's a little bit before it was read out to us. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:56.399 It says this, they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house, he asked them, 00:10:56.819 --> 00:11:00.059 what were you arguing about on the road? 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:05.360 They're walking along with Jesus, they're having this discussion, arguing about something. 00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:06.679 He says, what are you arguing about? 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:10.000 And they all went, oh, I forgot. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:20.059 They kept quiet because on the way, they had argued about who was the greatest. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.580 What a discussion. 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:32.580 It's like they're wandering along with Jesus, the greatest, the ultimate example of humility, 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:38.299 and they're having a full-scale dispute on who is the greatest. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:44.000 It should have been pretty obvious. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:45.940 Jesus is. 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:51.659 And in Mark 10, just read out to us, verse 35, 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:57.679 the dispute seems to have been settled in the minds of James and John. 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:03.320 That is, they've finally worked out who's the greatest. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.659 And they approached Jesus with a special question. 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:13.860 Let one of us sit at your right hand and the other one sit at your left hand in your glory. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:16.360 Now, let's be frank here. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.759 Their hearts are on full display. 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:24.279 And there's nothing subtle, nothing nice, nothing acceptable about it. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.959 They want to be famous. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:35.580 James and John have, if you like, seen Jesus' greatness and power and influence and position, 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:38.080 and they want to be right there at the center of it. 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:41.000 They want the respect, the acclaim, the importance. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.220 Of course, they recognize Jesus' glory. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:45.740 They recognize that Jesus is the greatest. 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:47.100 It is his glory. 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:48.200 They acknowledge that. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:51.440 But they want to be right there in the spotlight with him. 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:55.920 It's sort of like there's a famous person being interviewed on TV and you sort of photobomb them, 00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:59.100 you know, sort of hoping that you get your sort of couple of minutes of fame there, 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:00.100 you know, in the back of the... 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.200 It's sort of like that. 00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:06.040 We know it's Jesus' glory, but we want to be there and get a bit of it. 00:13:08.540 --> 00:13:13.300 I've got to tell you, that speaks to my heart. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:24.559 It is so much easier to take up your cross and follow Jesus when other people are seeing it 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:29.039 and recognizing it and even applauding it. 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:33.120 Does it resonate with your heart? 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:47.840 How often do we serve and we just want to let people know that we've served? 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:52.600 How often do we go just a little bit beyond 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:58.580 and just make sure people know that I've gone just a little bit beyond? 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:10.639 Yesterday afternoon, grabbed a hammer drill, put the bollards in at the end of this driveway. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:13.899 It's not in my job description to do DIY stuff. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.019 Stuck the bollards in in the driveway. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:21.279 I spoke to one of the staff members yesterday afternoon about some building stuff 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:24.519 and it would have been twice in that conversation, 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:28.100 which went for about 10 minutes, that I mentioned that I put the bollards in. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.560 Didn't even think about it. 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:31.259 It just sort of happened. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.960 It just sort of happened. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:39.460 My friends, if we define greatness as this world does, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:43.700 then we end up with individuals motivated by self-interest, 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:47.639 self-indulgence and a false sense of self-sufficiency, 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:52.039 pursuing self-ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:57.320 That is, to summarize all of that, it's all about me. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:04.040 Thankfully, Jesus is merciful and gentle with our pride-driven hearts. 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:09.860 Jesus calls in the disciples and what he does is he turns their values on their head in Mark 10. 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:19.279 You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.399 Not so with you. 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:30.199 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:37.240 And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:48.000 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:16:05.679 Those words are the reversal of all human ideas of rank and greatness. 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:21.419 It is the profound reversal that must occur in each of our lives if we have any possibility whatsoever of being great in God's eyes. 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:30.599 But to learn true humility and servant-heartedness, we need much more than just a redefinition of greatness. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:38.000 And frankly, we even need more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:44.720 To learn true humility, what we need is Jesus' death. 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.800 Hear again his words. 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:57.440 For even the Son of Man didn't come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:09.220 And so right there is the difference between the example of the disciples and Jesus' example. 00:17:09.820 --> 00:17:15.140 True greatness is not possible without his unique sacrifice. 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:21.299 Jesus is the only one who gives his life as a ransom for the sins of many. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:29.720 And this is what separates him from every other form of sacrificial service. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:44.500 Jesus' sacrifice alone makes it possible for us to achieve and experience true greatness in God's eyes. 00:17:44.500 --> 00:18:01.259 And to bring clarity to that, what that means is no sacrificial service that I render in and of itself without the death of Jesus will ever make me truly great in God's eyes. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:15.319 At the source of all Christian service in the world is the crucified and risen Lord who died to liberate us into such service. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:19.000 He's liberated us into service. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:30.200 Ultimately, our Christian service exists to draw attention to its source, the Lord Jesus. 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:44.680 And when I, in the name of serving Jesus, draw the attention to myself, I rob God of something that should be his alone. 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:48.240 And I think the Bible calls that idolatry. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:19:06.440 As you encounter those who humbly serve, know that they're truly great in God's eyes, but more importantly, understand the source of their serving. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:25.480 Their humble service, whoever it is, should remind us of Jesus' death, of Jesus' ransom, the price Jesus paid to liberate that person into a life of service. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:35.960 So in a nutshell, all Christian service is meant to put Jesus on display, not the person serving. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:47.080 A little later in the New Testament, the Apostle Peter helps us understand what humble servant leadership looks like. 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:49.200 1 Peter 5 verses 1 to 4 says this, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:20:19.200 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:33.080 Now I'm mindful that those verses were written especially to elders and overseas in the local church, people like myself. 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:38.180 But the principles of Christian leadership apply across the board. 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:45.960 Peter gives three charges to these elders, and each of the charges is given as both a negative and a positive. 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:49.259 Firstly, second half of verse 2, he says, 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:55.279 Serve as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:21:05.360 Now there's a threat here in these verses that these elders would rather be doing something else with their time. 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:07.879 It's very simple. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:18.659 Leaders have less desire for leadership if it's really hard and it's really difficult, and particularly if it's dangerous. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:24.079 It's dangerous to be a leader when the church is under persecution. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:33.759 And chapter 4 of 1 Peter tells us that this church is going through a fiery ordeal. 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:39.759 And so it's understandable that the leaders of these churches that Peter is writing to are kind of wanting to think, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:42.119 Is there anyone else who wants to be a leader? 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:50.079 And the leaders are also vulnerable to God's judgment in a peculiar kind of way. 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:57.179 Chapter 4 of 1 Peter, verse 17 says that God's judgment had begun with the house of God. 00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:03.959 And there is a really scary reference here to Ezekiel chapter 9 for the elders. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:13.799 Ezekiel 9 verses 4 to 6 is a description of the way God has brought judgment upon his people, 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:17.279 beginning with the leadership. 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:27.539 And so the fiery ordeal that chapter 4 verse 12 refers to is a refining fire of God's discipline. 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:37.879 The trials are designed by God to purge us of all sinful self-reliance. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:41.019 That's what the fiery ordeal does. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:50.619 And so the role of leadership in 1 Peter 5 is to lead God's people into the furnace. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.539 That's the role of leadership. 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:08.159 They walk into the furnace of God's purifying trials and they call the disciples of the Lord Jesus 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:11.899 to follow them as they follow Christ. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:15.200 They call the flock to join them and assist them. 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:21.159 Not only do they call the flock to join them, but they actually, not only are they going through the refining fires, 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:35.100 but they assist the flock to endure the refining fires by teaching them and modelling patient endurance in the refining fires. 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:48.460 They call the flock to endure it, to rejoice in it, and in fact even to seek it from the hand of a gracious, merciful and sovereign God. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:52.279 That is a pretty tough gig. 00:23:55.600 --> 00:24:02.440 My friends, as I've said several times a day already, you do not want weak leadership. 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:09.240 You don't want leadership that goes, oh my goodness, hard times over there, too much risk. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.299 Let's try this one instead. 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.400 It'd be the easier option. 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:27.440 You, as the people of God, need leadership with a backbone of steel and a deep, deep confidence in God who is sovereign and who is gracious and merciful. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:35.779 So Peter warns that there are also a couple of strong motives for being a leader. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:39.700 Even if your heart's not in it, there's a couple of reasons why you might want to do it. 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:42.039 And the first is verse 2. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:44.799 Not greedy for money, but eager to serve. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:50.640 That is, greedy for money means making ministry a means to getting rich. 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:52.580 And this is particularly for people like myself. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:25:01.340 It means making, constantly thinking about things like vacations and days off and retirement benefits. 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:10.720 And instead of thinking about the value of the human soul and the preciousness of truth and radical generosity and the power of the Holy Spirit and the coming glory of the chief shepherd. 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:12.819 And then there's verse 3. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:19.500 Peter warns against the other worldly motive for exercising leadership where he says, 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:23.740 Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:30.880 Lording it over here implies that there might be a leader who is driven by a love of power. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:33.460 They just love telling people what to do. 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:35.779 Just like Isaiah 56. 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:43.299 The picture there of the leaders telling everyone what to do while they sit back and drink beer and wine and just relax and everyone else is doing the work. 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:50.639 This kind of leader gets an ego high from flaunting their authority and their prestige and their dominance and their titles. 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.180 They need to be up front. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.039 They need to be addressed with titles. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.879 They crave the praise of people. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:58.740 They crave the dependence of people on them. 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:05.980 And what Peter says here is far from being a lord and master, the leader is an example. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:11.200 Far from being someone who says, Oi, you go and do that job. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:15.720 They are, come follow me as I follow Christ. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:26.599 They are to lead others in humble obedience to God by themselves being humbly obedient to God as they put into practice the word of God in their lives. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:32.879 And Peter, I think, says that the test of such leadership is their whole life. 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:36.159 It's not just because they've got a certain skill set. 00:26:37.959 --> 00:26:39.240 Are they examples? 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:43.579 Do people want to follow them as they follow Christ? 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:50.759 Is their public oversight a show or is there a whole of life to prove that they are authentic disciples of Jesus? 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:55.460 Is their public leader and a different private disciple? 00:26:55.960 --> 00:27:04.599 What about their family and their finances and their hospitality and their discernment and their reputation with those in the church and those beyond the church? 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:09.740 My friends, the scripture set a very high standard for leaders. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.680 Very high standards. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:18.840 They pour out their life for God's people in service of and for the glory of God. 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:36.200 Let me just add that the high calling of the vocation of Christian service makes leaders vulnerable to the judgment and assessment of those they lead. 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:53.220 There are few things, I believe, that will reveal to you the full range of your weakness, your sinfulness, your immaturity, your ineptitude, your failure like Christian leadership. 00:27:55.500 --> 00:28:03.220 There are few endeavors that will put you under more public expectancy and scrutiny than Christian leadership. 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:08.779 There are few things as personally humbling as Christian leadership. 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:19.400 There are few endeavors that have such power to produce deep feelings of inadequacy as Christian leadership. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:26.539 There is no such thing as a perfect performance. 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:37.079 And after 20 years of ministry, I've discovered that there are plenty of people who are prepared to remind you of that. 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:48.720 Let me tell you, on a personal note, it's not hard to second guess yourself in Christian leadership. 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.839 It's not hard to do that. 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:59.679 What's particularly hard is when people join you in second guessing yourself in Christian leadership. 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:07.039 And that is when discouragement can be a killer for leadership. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:34.339 And in that vulnerability and possible discouragement, it is comforting to know that the Peter who calls the elders here to be flocks and set such a high standard for leadership is the same Peter who denied Jesus three times and himself ended up having an unforgettable breakfast with Jesus on the shores of Lake Galilee. 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:40.099 The risen Lord Jesus restored the failed Peter to his apostolic office. 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:46.459 And he himself charges Peter to be a shepherd of Christ's people. 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:58.779 And when calling the elders here in 1 Peter to shepherd the flock, Peter is fully aware of his own failings, of his own shortcomings. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:06.139 And the Lord Jesus has promised to raise up faithful leaders amongst his people. 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:15.339 Faithful leaders who can stand and lead because the Lord Jesus is their love. 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.980 He is their hope. 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:19.319 He is their forgiveness. 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.839 He is their enabling. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.240 He is their comfort. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.359 He is their comfort. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:27.980 Even when they don't feel worthy. 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:37.539 Even when all of their weaknesses and vulnerability is staring them in the face. 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:41.819 Even when they dismally fail. 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:50.279 In the end, faithful leaders don't look to the affirmation of others. 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:55.039 Faithful leaders look to the good shepherd. 00:30:55.500 --> 00:31:02.000 The Lord Jesus Christ himself for their affirmation and for their rebuke. 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:11.899 So what then can sustain the sort of shepherding expressed in these sorts of words? 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:18.500 Where you might want to do it even in great danger and personal cost to do it willingly and do it eager to serve others. 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:23.859 That is, what motivates you to want to lead God's people? 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:27.940 In fact, even to love to lead God's people and sacrifice for them. 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.799 To delight to do it. 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:32.480 Even when you feel weak and vulnerable and inadequate. 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.140 Verse 4. 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:41.800 And when the chief shepherd appears, you'll receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:51.060 You see, what keeps true leaders going is that when the chief shepherd comes, with him comes his everlasting reward. 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:54.320 The unfading crown of glory. 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:57.920 And that in itself is enough. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:00.120 That's the goal. 00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:07.019 So my friends, Christian leadership is a high calling. 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:16.680 And the quality that we must look for in our leaders more than anything else is humble authenticity. 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:20.860 Humble authenticity. 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:24.920 Which is not the opposite of having a backbone of steel. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:31.860 Our leadership must lead us. 00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:32.920 And not just me. 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:33.940 Not just parish council. 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.620 I'm talking about everyone. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:36.720 Children's ministry, youth ministry, the whole lot. 00:32:38.100 --> 00:32:43.259 They must lead us in Christ-centered Bible saturation, devotion to prayer and humble authenticity. 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:45.359 In fact, I want to be frank here. 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:55.519 I make no apology whatsoever for saying that our leadership must be clearly pursuing core membership at St. Paul's. 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:58.400 Make no apology for that whatsoever. 00:32:58.900 --> 00:33:04.619 Core membership is a practical outworking of our heart. 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:09.559 Core membership is a practical outworking of our core values. 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:12.740 Core membership is a practical outworking of our core values. 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:20.700 And as we've seen earlier, the people of God go the way the leaders go, positively or negatively. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:30.419 And so it is essential for us to have leaders who are practically living out our heart and leading us in that direction. 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:36.799 Leadership doesn't come about because of skill. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:39.659 Leadership doesn't come about because of popularity. 00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:42.480 Doesn't come about because of longevity. 00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:44.139 You've been here longer than anyone else. 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:47.139 It doesn't come about because you're the last one standing. 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:56.599 One of my main responsibilities here at St. Paul's 00:33:56.599 --> 00:34:02.359 is to appoint leadership who comply to biblical standards. 00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:07.399 I've got a letter from the Archbishop with that mandate. 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:17.659 And leaders who will lead our church in our corporate mission to know, treasure, 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:22.139 to represent the Lord Jesus for God's glory and the joy of all people. 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:26.299 And it's a responsibility that I take seriously. 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:36.819 Christian leadership is ironically a high calling to be a servant of others in service of Christ. 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.779 Can I encourage you? 00:34:39.859 --> 00:34:42.019 I want to encourage you to do two things tonight. 00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:44.379 First of all, pray for your leadership right now. 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:56.340 I believe we're in one of those refining fire times where you look around and frankly, everything seems hard. 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:59.820 There's so many good things happening and I'm rejoicing in that. 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:03.800 And yet, everything seems hard. 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:09.559 Parish councils meeting tomorrow night and they've got some really hard stuff to work through. 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:12.860 I believe in spiritual warfare. 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:20.400 I believe that whenever the church is healthy, Satan hates it and he throws whatever he can at you. 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:28.639 And as I said, you need, not just me, you need leaders, parish council with backbones of steel 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:34.699 who are prepared to keep walking, trusting in Christ through that refining fire. 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:38.900 It is for our health and for our good. 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:48.579 And secondly, I would call upon you to pursue leadership in this church by pursuing core membership in this church. 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:52.380 By living out what we say we value. 00:35:53.960 --> 00:36:02.940 Prove yourself worthy of leadership rather than demanding your spot or expecting your turn. 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:09.259 As Jesus said, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:14.139 And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:22.679 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:23.679 Amen. 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:23.759 Amen.