Discerning Leadership
The church needs Spirit-baptized and articulate orthodoxy to lead it back to true Bible Christianity.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the urgent need for discerning leadership within the church, warning against the rise of false teachings and worldly influences that threaten true Bible Christianity. He highlights the lack of opposition to these trends and calls for Spirit-filled individuals to step up and lead with discernment. Tozer encourages believers to seek the Holy Spirit's illumination to distinguish truth from falsehood, urging them to be proactive in their faith and leadership. He concludes with a prayer for personal illumination and usefulness for God's glory.
Text
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. --Acts 20:29-30
Within the circles of evangelical Christianity itself there has arisen in the last few years dangerous and dismaying trends away from true Bible Christianity. A spirit has been introduced which is surely not the Spirit of Christ, methods employed which are wholly carnal, objectives adopted which have not one line of Scripture to support them, a level of conduct accepted which is practically identical with that of the world--and yet scarcely one voice has been raised in opposition. And this in spite of the fact that the Bible- honoring followers of Christ lament among themselves the dangerous, wobbly course things are taking....
The times call for a Spirit-baptized and articulate orthodoxy. They whose souls have been illuminated by the Holy Ghost must arise and under God assume leadership. There are those among us whose hearts can discern between the true and the false, whose spiritual sense of smell enables them to detect the spurious afar off, who have the blessed gift of knowing. Let such as these arise and be heard. Who knows but the Lord may yet return and leave a blessing behind Him? The Price of Neglect, 6-7.
"Lord, may I be one of those 'whose souls have been illuminated by the Holy Ghost.' Grant to me 'the blessed gift of knowing.' And then be pleased to use me for Your glory today. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of False Leadership
- The introduction of a false spirit
- The employment of carnal methods
- The adoption of unscriptural objectives
Key Quotes
“The times call for a Spirit-baptized and articulate orthodoxy.” — A.W. Tozer
“Let such as these arise and be heard.” — A.W. Tozer
“Lord, may I be one of those 'whose souls have been illuminated by the Holy Ghost.'” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in our leadership and decision-making.
- We must be willing to speak out against false leadership and unscriptural practices.
- We must cultivate a spiritual sense of smell that enables us to detect the spurious afar off.