Church Requel
How many followers do you have? How many people do you follow? These two questions are the new status symbols of our social media age. Today we consider 2,000 year old advice from Jesus about who we should follow. Do you follow godly leaders? Do you set a godly example for the people who follow you? Who knew that Luke 20:45-47 was destined for our Internet age!?
Luke 20:45-47 NIV
Follow Up - Luke 20:45-47 NIV
Sermon in a sentence:
I ______________ like the people I _______________
so I should ________________ .
Be careful about who you follow. The people you include in your life, online or personally, have an influence on you. Is it a good influence? What about your friends? Your boss? You special person / partner in life. Do they have the ability to draw you to become more like Christ?
“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 NLT
Jesus: “While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Beware of the teachers of the law.’” Luke 20:45-46a NIV
Notice the 4 groups of persons or people: (1) all people listening; (2) Jesus; (3) disciples; (4) teachers of the law. Jesus addresses the disciples. Talking about the teachers. Makes sure all the people listening!
Be wary of ____________________ . Don’t just hear what they say (or write.) Watch their behavior. Why is this so important today? Because we have the tendency to follow from afar. Easy to put on a pedestal and “follow” but not have any idea how the teacher really behaves. This is why following a local pastor, involved in day-to-day living, is so important.
Be wary of ___________________ . Understand the tendency we have to become like the people we follow. Also need to be aware that we set an example for others to follow, even when we don’t intend to.
What we want to follow in godly leaders:
#1 - _________________ .
“They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in marketplaces.” Luke 20:46b NIV
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look our best or to be respected. But there is something wrong with wanting to bring attention to ourselves. To be conceited. To think we’re better than someone else. Jesus says to beware of others who do it (and beware of ourselves!) What’s the cure for arrogance? Humility. Not a putting ourselves down, but valuing others too. Having a realistic view of how we fit in to God’s plans / universe:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
#2 - ____________________ .
“[They like to] have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.” Luke 20:46c NIV
If your focus is always on how you might be served rather than on how you might serve others, you will always struggle with humility. If you struggle with interruptions, then this advice from Jesus is for you…
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and
whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44 NIV
Slave of all! What does that mean? It means your time is not your own. It means you put aside your plans to help out someone else. It means taking that call, taking the time to pray with someone, being patient with the one who takes advantage of their relationship with you. That’s how to be great. That’s how to be first. This is totally otherworldly. Won’t read this in success books written today. This is success God’s way!
#3 - _________________ .
“They devour widows’ houses.” Luke 20:47a NIV
What were they doing? As scribes (lawyers) charging fees and setting up estates so that most of widows’ money went to them.
“For since a church leader is in charge of God’s work, he should be without fault. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or a drunkard or violent or greedy for money. He must be hospitable and love what is good. He must be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” Titus 1:7-8 GNT
Notice how many of these “without fault” qualities are ones when no one is around to watch. Or when a person is under pressure. How you act when no one is watching, or how you re-act when things don’t go your way is a big clue to your (or someone else’s) trustworthy-ness. For those seeking a good mate, read that last line again. This is what you’re looking for: self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
#4 - _________________ .
Does the person you want to follow know they are setting an example? Do they use their influence to teach others? To model behavior. To show / teach how it’s done. Or do they put on show?
“For a show [they] make lengthy prayers.” Luke 20:47b NIV
To put on a show means that I can do this, but you can’t. I am special. You are not. I’m up front. You’re in the back. I’m on stage. You’re in the crowd. No, example setters are all about how others can do it too…
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV
How we speak. how we act, how we love, how we demonstrate faith in difficulties, and how we are the real deal (purity.) You may think that you don’t want to be an example. You may say that you never asked to be an example. You may even say, “Don’t follow me.” The problem is that we are all an example to someone about something! Paul realizes this.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1 NIV
Who are you following? Who is following you? None of us are perfect. That’s why the example of following Christ is the best example there could possibly be. Christ makes up for our deficiencies. Christ give us grace when we need mercy the most.