Sermon Central
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Traits To Look For In A Leader
Contributed by Gene Gregory on Dec 6, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Response to a letter sent to me before the 2008 election, warning of what I can and cannot preach. This is a topical, not a textual message. Suitable for election time and/or revival.
TRAITS TO LOOK FOR IN A LEADER
I. INTRODUCTION
This week I received a letter in the mail from the Reverend Barry W. Lynn, the executive director of the organization “Americans United for Separation of Church and State”.
Concerning the Name
1. There would no America if there was no Church
This country was discovered, founded and populated by Christians. It was not merely religious folks. They were not Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, or anything else that founded this nation. It was God-fearing, Bible-believing, Christ-loving, Church-attending, Jesus-serving, Christians that founded, designed, and built this nation.
2. There is no separation of church and state
Second, I want you to understand that there can be no such thing. People may believe they are operating independently of God, and believe that their country is independent of God, but I want you to know that it is God Who build nations.
> Daniel 4:17 This word is by decree of the observers; the matter is a command from the holy ones. This is so the living will know that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men. He gives it to anyone He wants and sets over it the lowliest of men.
Not only does God build nations, and not only did He invent government, but government is His tool.
> Romans 13:4 For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
There can be no separation of God and state.
3. We’re in trouble if we want to be separated
Third, I want you to understand that our nation is in serious trouble if we even want to be separated from God.
> Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.
If God is not building our nation, if He is not protecting this nation, then we are in serious trouble. Heaven help us, if God ever turns His back on America. We saw, I believe, what can happen on September 11th, when God for just a moment, removed his hand. …
4. We’re stupid if we want to be separated
> Psalm 33:12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord— the people He has chosen to be His own possession!
Could this possibly explain why there is so much uncertainty, unhappiness, and discouragement in our nation today? …
Concerning the Writer
1. We’re heading for dangerous days
I want you to understand that we are in dangerous days, when a leader, a preacher, a pastor, a reverend, like the one who sent me that stupid letter, can say that he wants our government to be separated from God.
I am reminded of God’s warning to the Israelites through Jeremiah, when the priests became defective.
Concerning His Warning
In the letter, this sell-out, this ambassador of the enemy, this messenger of darkness, warned me about what I was and was not allowed to say from this pulpit and told of other churches whose pastors had chosen to take a stand and what happened to them.
In response I would like to say:
1. I have an obligation
> Romans 10:14 But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?
> 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
I have a message to share, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have the Truth on my side. Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by Me.” I have a foundation to stand on. “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” I have a message burning in my bones. The Word of God. I can preach no other.
If you are concerned about political correctness, this is not the church for you. If you are worried about what people will think, this is not the church for you. If you are worried about hurting people’s feelings, this is not the church for you.
Listen, Right is right. Wrong is wrong. Hell is hot. Heaven is sweet. Jesus is love, and He’s coming again. I have an obligation to tell you.
2. I Report to a higher authority
> Ezekiel 3:18 If I say to the wicked person: You will surely die, but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.
