“A real portrait of godliness occurs when our Christian behavior is in alignment with our Christian beliefs.” This is a quote from today’s message by Jeremy Morton of First Baptist Church Woodstock (Ga).
As part of a sermon series from the book of Philippians, Jeremy (pictured on the left) preached from the first eight verses of chapter four. He was using the text to illustrate to the congregation what a portrait of a godly Christian looks like. As I heard him speak, the applications to leaders was obvious. So much so, I want to share those thoughts with you.
The following is The Portrait Of A Christian Leader I captured from today’s message. All comments are from Jeremy:
Introductory Comment
- “Sometimes following Christ is painful. Sometimes following Christ is a privilege. Following Christ is always worth it.”
A Christian Leader Focuses On Unity
- “You are in a spiritual family.” – “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” – v. 1
- “Who cares if we write books, have great buildings, and a cool website if we are not walking in the truth of God’s Word.”
- “Why are we so focused on this world when God said it is not even part of His kingdom?”
- “Stand firm and seek unity and agreement in the Lord.”
“Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
- Ask for unity – “I ask you”
- Call for unity – “help these women”
- Remind of their past collaborative efforts – “who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel”
- “Every moment I’m mad at you and you at me are times we are not praying and witnessing to someone who doesn’t know Him.”
- “I believe in unity but I also believe in hanging around someone I can be unified with.”
A Christian Leader Chooses Joy – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” v. 4
- “Pain from your past is real but so is deliverance and joy.”
- “Maybe God wants us to go back to finding joy in Jesus.”
- “The people who know Him the most have the most joy.”
- If you’re a Christian who says you have joy, tell your face, attitude, and social media accounts.”
- “Joy is not rooted in your circumstances. Joy is rooted in the joy of Jesus and the promise He loves me.”
A Christian Leader Is Gracious – “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.” – v. 5
- “It’s a testimony to Jesus Christ when you treat people better than they deserve.”
A Christian Leader Is Not Anxious – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” v. 6
- “Relax. Stop worrying. Put everything before God with a grateful, trusting spirit.”
- “We worry a lot and pray little. God wants us to pray a lot and worry about nothing.”
A Christian Leader Fixes His/Her Mind On Holy, Righteous, Positive Things – “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” – v. 8
- “The best version of you is with Jesus at the center of your life.”
- “What matters in eternity is what we should focus on today.”
- “I have never met a messed up, stressed out, tore up prayer warrior.”
Summary Statements
- “These virtues are only possible in the Lord.”
- “Preach the Word. Love the people. Be yourself.” – advice he got as a young pastor
- “God’s never going to call you to anything that makes you less of a husband and father.”
- “With Jesus and one another, you can do anything God’s calling you to do.” – advice from an older mentor couple to Jeremy and his wife.
Unity. Joy. Gracious. Not Anxious. Fixed Mind. Do these five things describe you as a leader? If so, you may be a portrait of a Christian leader. If not, repent and ask God to help grow you in the areas you are lacking.
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