Worthy to Lead
True leadership in the church comes from a sense of divine call and living a holy life, exemplary in faithfulness.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true leadership in the church is rooted in spiritual authority rather than mere election or popularity. He points out that while conformity to God's Word is essential, obedience to leaders should only be given if those leaders demonstrate their worthiness through spiritual integrity. Tozer highlights the apostle Paul's example, who claimed his authority not through human appointment but through divine calling. The sermon calls for leaders to live exemplary lives of holiness and faithfulness, ensuring they are worthy to lead the church effectively.
Text
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).... --Galatians 1:1
Conformity to the Word of God is always right, but obedience to religious leaders is good only if those leaders prove themselves worthy to lead. Leadership in the church of Christ is a spiritual thing and should be so understood by everyone. It takes more than a ballot to make a leader....
If the church is to prosper spiritually she must have spiritual leadership, not leadership by majority vote. It is highly significant that when the apostle Paul found it necessary to ask for obedience among the young churches he never appealed to them on the grounds that he had been duly elected to office. He asserted his authority as an apostle appointed by the Head of the church. He held his position by right of sheer spiritual ascendancy, the only earthly right that should be honored among the children of the new creation. The Warfare of the Spirit, 162-164.
"Renew within me, even today, a sense of my divine call. Then help me to live a holy life, exemplary in faithfulness, so that I might indeed be a leader worthy to lead. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- Leadership in the Church
- Spiritual Leadership
- Authority in the Church
- Paul's authority came from the Head of the church
- Sheer spiritual ascendancy is the only earthly right to be honored
Key Quotes
“Conformity to the Word of God is always right, but obedience to religious leaders is good only if those leaders prove themselves worthy to lead.” — A.W. Tozer
“It takes more than a ballot to make a leader.” — A.W. Tozer
“Sheer spiritual ascendancy is the only earthly right to be honored among the children of the new creation.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- A leader must have a sense of their divine call to be effective.
- Living a holy life, exemplary in faithfulness, is essential for leadership in the church.
- True authority in the church comes from the Head of the church, through sheer spiritual ascendancy.