The Lives of Effective Christian Leaders

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Good morning! My name is David Sorn and I’m the Lead Pastor of Renovation Church.

Well, on this October 4th, I’d love to wish a Happy Birthday to Renovation Church.

(Show Launch Team Photos)

17 years ago today, on October 4th, 2009…Renovation Church was born with our Grand Opening just down the road at Northpoint Elementary School.

And in light of our birthday today, I want to say a huge thank you to Zach Foty, who was just up on stage here leading worship.

If you don’t know who Zach is…he’ll be the one singing the song after the message today.

Zach was my very first hire at Renovation Church in that summer of 2009 before we even officially opened.

Some of you know, but this was so long ago now, that when I reached out to Zach to ask if he would be interested in being a worship leader for a brand-new church, I sent him a message on MySpace.

He said yes, and he’s continued to lead us in worship, week after week, ever since.

That’s pretty amazing! Let’s hear it for Zach!

FROM CITY TO CITY

All right, go ahead and a grab a Bible, we are going to rejoin our 1 Thessalonians series today

1 Thessalonians 2:1-4

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…1 Thessalonians was written by one of the early church leaders, the Apostle Paul.

Paul spent 3 weeks in Thessalonica (a city in modern day Greece), leading a sizable group of people to Christ, but then had to flee when a literal riot broke out in opposition to his message.

Then, one year after that, Paul hears from his mentee, Timothy, how things are going at the Thessalonian Church, and Paul writes them this letter.

And because the Thessalonians have had to endure a lot persecution and opposition, they’ve also had to hear a lot of slander about the Apostle Paul

Because Paul was only there for 3 weeks before he had to flee for his life, people had been saying all sorts of bad things about him.

So, much of this chapter is Paul defending himself and his way of life.

Let’s take a look

(1 Thessalonians 2:1) – NIV

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.

A lot of people came to Christ there in just 3 weeks before Paul was forced to leave.

Look at verse 2 now:

(1 Thessalonians 2:2) – NIV

2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

You can read about this incident in Philippi in Acts 16.

Paul and Silas were preaching the Gospel in Phillipi, they were arrested for it, and then stripped, beaten with rods, severely flogged, and thrown in prison.

Now, let’s be real.

Most of us: If that were our experience when we shared the gospel, we’d quit and go home. Right?

“I don’t want to do this anymore. This isn’t safe. God would want me to be happy and safe, and we’d go home”

But Paul gets out of prison (by God’s miraculous intervention), goes and encourages the local believers in Philippi, and leaves town to go where?

Not home, but on to the next city: Which was…Thessalonica…to spread the gospel there…where he only makes it 3 weeks before they riot, and he then goes on to another city, and another city after that.

Why?

This is verses 3 & 4.

(1 Thessalonians 2:3-4) – NIV

3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Paul is saying, “We’re not going from city to city to city because of some false doctrine…or because some impure motive to take advantage of you.”

“If that were true, we would’ve quit years ago…and certainly the riots, beatings, and prison time would’ve made us quit.

“No, we’re not in this for ourselves, or even ultimately for you, but our most core motivation is to please God.”

And that is the heartbeat of our church.

That as the Lord allows us to keep making disciples who make disciples who makes disciples…

…we’re going to work hard to keep bringing that transformational, powerful gospel to city after city after city.

…despite any obstacles or opposition

And as we have started to go from city to city, most of you know that we launched our 2nd location, in Shoreview back in March, and our 3rd location (in East Bethel) will have its Grand Opening this upcoming March.

In fact, we’re going to be forming our launch team for that East Bethel location next month already!

And because we want everyone to be well informed about what’s coming along after that when they make that decision of if they are going to East Bethel or not…

…have another crazy announcement for you this morning.

Are you sitting down? 😊

I’m happy to announce that we will be launching a FOURTH location…most likely in the Fall of 2027!

We’ve already hired a location pastor for it, and we’re excited to introduce you to him right after we form the launch team for East Bethel.

Where is this 4th location going to be?

I can’t tell you exactly yet as negotiations, contracts, and all of that are still being finalized, but I can give you a direction.

We’ve gone South to Shoreview, and North to East Bethel.

And so next we are going to be going: WEST.

And the reason I wanted to bring this to your attention already because some of you are excited to go start one of these locations…

…and some of you have been praying about going to help start our East Bethel location, but some of you are actually going to be closer to this 4th location to the West than you are to East Bethel.

And while I can’t tell you exactly where this new 4th location may be, I will give you a map that can help you decide.

If you live West of 65, but South of Andover Blvd, wait for the 4th location.

…because you will be closer to that 4th location.

If you don’t know where Andover Blvd is, that’s fine, then this probably isn’t for you.

But if you do, that will be helpful info.

And listen, we’re going to keep doing this…of course each subsequent location will get farther & farther away from Blaine and probably impact us here at this particular location less and less…but we’re going to keep going.

“Not because we just want a big church.

If we did, I’d have us go build a massive structure somewhere…but we’re not doing that.

We’re doing this because God has brought a movement of His spirit to this church…where hundreds & hundreds a year are receiving Christ…

….and we want to steward that (not stop that), steward that as best as we can.

And we’re doing this because the vast majority of people in the North Metro are lost…and don’t know Christ…and they’re facing an eternity apart from Him.

So we’re going to keep going from city to city…because our aim, is not to please man (or somebody’s preferences), but to please God.

And that was Paul’s aim…and why he kept going from city to city.

And he wants to prove his motives & character to the Thessalonians, so he’s going to quickly list the ways that he (and the other leaders around him acted)

And this is a good (not exhaustive) but good list of how effective Christian leaders act.

And this isn’t just a list for pastors.

Because the reality is we all lead someone.

A TON of you are leaders here at Renovation Church.

You lead a volunteer team, a House Church, a small group, teach a kids class, work with our youth, a ton of you disciple our new believers 1-on-1, you’re going to go on a launch team to start a new renovation church location…

And even beyond that, if you’re a parent, you have a little flock at home you minister to.

Some of you have friends you’re trying to influence for Christ.

Even if you’re 13/14, you may have a younger sibling that looks up to you (whether you know it or not)

So let’s start going through these 6 (not just two or three today, but SIX! 😊) ways effective Christian leaders act

THEY DON’T SHARE THE GOSPEL FOR PERSONAL GAIN

1 Thessalonians 2:5-12

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We’re going to go through these verses 1 or 2 at a time, so keep your Bibles open.

(1 Thessalonians 2:5) – NIV

5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

Jump down to verse 9 quick, because these two verses fit together.

(1 Thessalonians 2:9)

9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

This is the first point:

SIX WAYS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACT

#1: They don’t share the gospel for personal gain

We know from elsewhere in the New Testament that Paul was a tentmaker by trade.

And so often when he would come to these new cities, he would work as a tentmaker during the day and preach the gospel by night.

That way, he wouldn’t have to make any of these non-believers he was preaching to feel uncomfortable by asking them for money.

Now as time goes on in the NT, Paul actually gets financially supported by many of his previous churches, and he says in several places that Christians should financially support their pastors & missionaries

But this example in Thessalonica is more like if we sent out a missionary to an unreached people group today.

We would never expect that person to get their financial support from the people they’re trying to tell about Jesus for the first time.

And Paul doesn’t want to do that either.

Christians aren’t meant to share the gospel for the purpose of financial gain.

THEY DON’T LIVE FOR THE PRAISE OF PEOPLE

Let’s look at verse 6 now

(1 Thessalonians 2:6a) – NIV

6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else,

This is the second way effective Christian leaders act

SIX WAYS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACT

#1: They don’t share the gospel for personal gain

#2: They don’t live for the praise of people, but for the praise of God

So when you walk into that Renovation Kids classroom later this morning to teach, or to serve at Renovation Youth on Wednesday night to lead a small group

Don’t walk in thinking about the “thanks you’re going get,” or the praise you may or may not get.

Because if you’re doing this for other people…especially in ministry…the praise my never come.

You’ll probably get some criticism though.

See if you’re serving every Sunday here or leading at House Church …but ultimately you’re doing it to feel good…or just to help out or check a box…

…you won’t last more than a year or two…maybe three.

You’ll quit as soon as it gets hard, or you get critiqued, or it just gets inconvenient with your schedule (“travel sports is nuts right now, we just can’t serve God”)

But longevity…like Paul had…the type that can weather any storm (not just a hard schedule, but the type that can weather a flogging, …comes from a heart that is in it (not to please people), but to please God.

THEY HAVE THE HUMILITY OF CHILDREN & THE CARE OF MOTHERS

Okay, let’s read the 2nd half of verse 6 now and verse 7

(1 Thessalonians 2:6b-8a) – NIV

even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you.

This is kind of a fascinating verse if you know Paul.

Lots of times, in his letters, and in the Book of Acts, Paul comes off as a courageous, bold, fiery guy.

And yet, look at this 3rd thing we can add to our list:

SIX WAYS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACT

#1: They don’t share the gospel for personal gain

#2: They don’t live for the praise of people, but for the praise of God

#3: They have the humility of children and the care of mothers

You’ll see in a bit too, that he’ll add fathers as well to round this out.

But notice he says that he could have asserted his authority.

Paul could have walked into any room and said, “FOOLS, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?”

“Jesus Christ appeared to me personally on the road to Damascus! I am apostle! You will listen to what I say!”

Now, there were times when Paul invoked authority, but not very often.

Many times, he comes in great humility…like taking the position of a child.

And he served them in great care and tenderness, like a mother.

And this is very important if you’re going to lead as a Christian...not like the latest YouTube Influencer or latest author on corporate leadership…but lead like Christ.

The temptation will always be to take more power. And use more authority.

Jesus warns against this several times in the gospels.

(Matthew 20:25-28) – NIV

25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This principle must come out in how we lead in the home as well.

For those of you that are parents…and many of you will be future parents someday…

As you lead and disciple your children, you must lead in humility.

Admitting when you’re wrong.

Admitting when you don’t know something.

Admitting your own shortcomings.

Yes, you have authority, but it should be something you use only when necessary, not every day

If you have to say every day, “Because I’m your father and I said so,” it won’t work over time.

(Ephesians 6:4) – NIV

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

And so a good Christian leader (in the home, in discipleship, in a small group) leads in humility and gentleness (like Christ).

THEY SHARE THEIR LIVES

Okay, back to verse 8

(1 Thessalonians 2:8) – NIV

so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

This is the fourth principle

SIX WAYS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACT

#1: They don’t share the gospel for personal gain

#2: They don’t live for the praise of people, but for the praise of God

#3: They have the humility of children and the care of mothers

#4: They share their lives

Paul didn’t just come to Thessalonica, stand on the corner with a sign & a megaphone, and say, “Let me tell you about Jesus,” and then disappear.

He served and got to know, and shared his life w/ the Thessalonians.

Christianity is lived out, yes in rows like this, but also in circles.

Now, I can’t personally mentor and disciple thousands of you.

But that’s why we now have Location Pastors to do this in smaller settings in different cities

It’s why, each location is then broken down even further into House Churches then led by elders

And even within an individual House Church, we break it down into small groups of 4-7 people led by a small group leader.

And so if you’re one of those leaders: An elder, small group leader, or a small group leader for middle schoolers…

I urge you to share more of your life and your time with your flock…like Paul did.

Real Christian leadership is done face to face…life to life.

It’s not impersonal.

That’s why online church isn’t really church. We need more people to say that out loud in this country

You can learn…sure, someone can podcast a church during the week and grow.

But we must be led, personally, by real leaders in our lives.

People who know us, and can sit with us through the good times & bad.

That’s church.

That’s real, effective leadership.

THEY LIVE WITH INTEGRITY

We’ll jump over verse 9 because we read it already with verse 5.

Verse 10 now:

(1 Thessalonians 2:10) – NIV

10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

SIX WAYS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACT

#1: They don’t share the gospel for personal gain

#2: They don’t live for the praise of people, but for the praise of God

#3: They have the humility of children and the care of mothers

#4: They share their lives

#5: They live with integrity

To be a person of integrity is to do the right thing even when no one is looking

It’s to stick to the right thing even when no one else is

It’s where your outward actions match what you say…because your true life is flowing out of God.

And Paul does an interesting thing here.

He talks in a way that we actually don’t talk anymore as modern, American Christians

He says, “Look at us: we lived good lives. We weren’t corrupt like people are saying. Remember how we lived among you. Look at us”

Today, we say, “Don’t look at me! Look at Jesus!”

And while that’s true…and Jesus would be a much better example to look at…

…that can also be a cop out…where we don’t have to be all that good because Jesus is the good one.

Paul takes his moral life so seriously that (even though he wasn’t perfect), he still feels comfortable saying, “Look at my life.”

Several times in his letters, he even says, “Imitate me”

This is what we want from our leaders…people who take their walks with God seriously…because they know that people are watching, and they want to reflect Christ.

THEY LIVE LIKE A FATHER

Okay, last two verses

(1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) – NIV

11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

So now we get the rest of the family.

We are supposed to be like children, mothers, and now fathers.

SIX WAYS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACT

#1: They don’t share the gospel for personal gain

#2: They don’t live for the praise of people, but for the praise of God

#3: They have the humility of children and the care of mothers

#4: They share their lives

#5: They live with integrity

#6: They, like fathers, encouragingly urge you to live lives worthy of God

I love Paul’s word choices here.

Yes, fathers encourage and comfort.

But they also urge.

There is some strength in how they lead.

And Christian leaders…whether you’re leading 10th grade girls at Youth Group, discipling a new believer, or leading preschoolers at home….

Christian leaders urge other Christians to “live lives worthy of God”

One of the reasons Christianity is largely declining in this country is because we have too many leaders with no backbones.

We don’t urge anyone to anything anymore.

And so people see the Christian faith as pointless.

But Paul says, we need to URGE our children, or the people under us, to “live lives worthy of God”

Why???

Because He’s calling us into His Kingdom and His glory!!

If Christianity is just nice club where all we do is hang out…then there’s no point in me urging you to do anything.

If Christianity is just some entertainment factory where you hear great music and inspiring tips for you life…then I have no authority to urge you to do anything.

BUT…BUT…if the Christian faith is what Paul said it was in verse 12…

If God is calling us into His Kingdom…

…where He is King, and we are to walk under the direction of the King of Universe…

If God is calling us into Glory!

Where one day because of our faith in Him, where we walk in the new heaven and the new earth, on streets of gold, with the Savior Himself.

Then, we want to urge each other with all passion and all vigor to live lives worthy of our great Savior.

But we do so…

While living in integrity.

Sharing our lives,

Walking in humility

And not living for the money or praise of others

But ultimately for the praise and glory of Him.

Let me pray.

Amen.