A City On a Hill = A Leader In a Pandemic
VERSE
Ephesians 4:17-19 MSG - And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
Matthew 5:14-16 MSG - Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
INTRO
Seems like everyone is trying to understand what the world is going to look like from now on. School, online. Work, online. The function and effectivity of Godly leadership, TBD.
You are not the world’s, you belong to Jesus. Last week, we spoke about his authority, this week we’ll talk about a product of his Spirit in us: self-control
What does that mean practically? Paul says it clearly, “don’t go along with the crowd.“ When the world panics, we keep our eyes on Jesus. When death is at our doorstep, we keep our eyes on Jesus.
The old ways have to go, moving forward we can’t be the same leaders, disciples or friends.
When you can’t see the road ahead, turn on your lights.
Leaders listen, your leadership doesn’t end because the news says churches aren’t open yet. This season that we’re in is a test that will either bring out the light in you or cover it.
Only God’s light and understanding can make sense of a world that’s still trying to find its identity. And Jesus tells us, “you have to be the light.“
There is no choice in this, few times does Jesus tell us we have to do something specific. This is Jesus, who tells us what God is saying through stories, parables. He makes no exception here, he tells us there is no choice, if you’re a follower of Christ.
DISCUSSION
Have you been following the crowd more than you have been following Jesus?
Is there something keeping you from being the light that God needs you to be? (This is not just for leaders, no title should keep us from serving God.)
What do you believe your role is from here until things are “back to normal?“
PRAYER
Prayer requests