Building A New Covenant Church: 5.Seeing New Covenant Leadership - Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker discusses the nature of the New Covenant Church, emphasizing that it is a body, not a collection of temporary experiences. He stresses that true understanding of God's truth, including forgiveness and the nature of the church, requires humility and the revelation of the Holy Spirit, rather than just intellectual study. Ultimately, building the church requires devoted unity and commitment, as it is the only thing that will endure.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The nature of the church and spiritual blindnessJesus introduced the church as a new testament family, not a restaurant for consumers, but many remain blind to this truth because they lack humility.
What is true New Covenant leadership?Unlike old covenant figures who only pointed to the word, New Covenant leaders can say like Paul, 'follow me as I follow Christ,' opening every area of their lives to examination.
The desperate need for Godly shepherdsThe greatest need today is not more Bible schools or programs, but God-fearing leaders whom God has prepared through testing and breaking in their youth.
Observing those who walk according to the patternPaul urged believers to follow his example and carefully observe the few co-workers who genuinely seek the things of Christ rather than their own interests.Philippians 3:17
Obeying and submitting to leadersScripture commands believers to submit to their leaders who watch over their souls, and rejecting earthly leadership makes it impossible to build the church as a body.Hebrews 13:17
Jesus' training through subjection in NazarethEven Jesus, though He knew the scriptures deeply at age 12, spent 18 silent years in subjection to imperfect parents to undergo the breaking necessary for leadership.
The danger of criticizing God's anointedBelievers who spend their lives criticizing elders and men of God show a lack of brokenness that disqualifies them from being used by God.
The greatest must become like a servantAt the Last Supper, while the disciples argued over greatness, Jesus taught them that true spiritual leaders must be servants just as He was among them.
God lacks servants, not moneyGod is not looking for financial capital, but for men and women who will yield their bodies, eyes, and tongues completely to be temples of the Holy Spirit.
Practicing servant leadership at homeA Christian leader must first practice being a servant-leader at home with their wife and children before God ever leads them into a larger ministry.
