Simon Says Follow The Leader: Why Is This So Hard

Follow the lead of every human authority. Do this for the Lord’s sake. 1 Peter 2:13a (NIRV)

In the same way, I’m speaking to you who are younger. Follow the lead of those who are older… 1 Peter 5:5a (NIRV)

God Has Always _____________ Imperfect ___________ For His People.

__________ was called to lead creation & his family. (Genesis 1:28–30)

__________ was raised to lead Israel out of slavery. (Exodus 3:10–12)

_____________ were sent to call people to change. (Jeremiah 7:25–26)
__________ were anointed to shepherd God’s people. (1 Samuel 13:14)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11–13 (NIV)

God’s People Have Always _____________ To ________ Their Leaders.

Since the day your ancestors left Egypt, I have sent my servants, the prophets, again and again to you. ²⁶ But your ancestors did not listen or pay attention to me. Jeremiah 7:25–26a (NCV)

But they made fun of God’s messengers, ignoring his words and laughing at his prophets, until at last the Lord’s anger against his people was so great that there was no escape. 2 Chronicles 36:16 (GNT)

Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him… Acts 7:52 (NIV)

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. ³⁴ When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. ³⁵ “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ³⁶ Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. ³⁷ Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. ³⁸ “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ ³⁹ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. ⁴⁰ “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” ⁴¹ “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” Matthew 21:33-41 (NIV)

4 LESSONS FROM JESUS ON FOLLOWING MY LEADERS:

1. God Has A Leadership _______ & _______________ For His Church.

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. Matthew 21:33 (NIV)

You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. John 15:16 (NCV)

2. God Uses __________ Leaders To ________ Me _________________.

When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
Matthew 21:34 (NIV)

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)

3. Rejecting God’s ______________ Is A Rejection Of God’s ________.

“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ³⁶ Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. ³⁷ Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. ³⁸ “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ ³⁹ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Matthew 21:35-37 (NIV)

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16 (NIV)

4. We Reject God’s Leaders _________________________________.

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.   Matthew 21:40-41, 43 (NIV)

I CAN BECOME A FRUITFUL FOLLOWER WHEN I…

1. Receive God’s Chosen Leaders With ___________ & ______________.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

In the same way, I’m speaking to you who are younger. Follow the lead of those who are older. All of you, put on a spirit free of pride toward one another. Put it on as if it were your clothes. Do this because…“God opposes those who are proud. But he gives grace to those who are humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NIRV)

2. Work Alongside Godly Leaders To ____________ Kingdom ________.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it. But God is the One who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NCV)

3. I Will ______________ & __________ God’s Servant Leaders.

Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: “The king should not sin against his servant David. He hasn’t sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great advantage to you.1 Samuel 19:4 (HCSB)

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. ¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NLT)