BUILD - #3 THE UNDENIABLE INFLUENCE OF GODLY LEADERSHIP

• Three elements in every build that God commanded or sanctioned:

1. The build would honor God.

2. The build would require sacrifice.

3. The build would bless people.

• A 4th element: The build would require godly leadership.

  • God knows that leaders can influence to do evil.

Jeroboam’s son… Nadab ruled Israel for two years. He committed evil in the eyes of the Eternal One, walking the wicked path of his father and causing the Israelites to live sinful lives.

1 Kings 15:25b-26 (VOICE)

• God knows that leaders can influence to do good.

Israel served the LORD as long as Joshua lived. They also served him as long as the elders lived. Those were the elders who lived longer than Joshua did…

Joshua 24:31a (NIrV)

• Godly leadership isn’t about a person’s position, godly leadership is about a person’s example.

Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ERV)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example… if you do, you will save yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:12a, 16 (NIV)

Israel's leaders took charge, and the people gladly followed. Praise the LORD!

Judges 5:2 (NLT)

I SHOULD GLADLY FOLLOW A LEADER OR LEADERS WHO…

1. MAINTAIN GLORIFYING GOD AS THEIR PRIMARY PURPOSE.

Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, "Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Chest of God sits in a plain tent." Nathan told the king, "Whatever is on your heart, go and do it. GOD is with you.

2 Samuel 7:2 (MP)

"My father David had it in his heart to build a Temple honoring the Name of GOD, the God of Israel.”

1 Kings 8:17 (MP)

But that same night the LORD spoke his word to Nathan: “Say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one who will build me a house to live in?

2 Samuel 7:3 (GW)

But GOD told him 'It was good that you wanted to build a Temple in my honor--most commendable! But you are not the one to do it--your son will build it to honor my Name.'

1 Kings 8:18-19 (MP)

And David the king said to all the assembly, "Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God.

1 Chronicles 29:1 (ESV)

David blessed GOD in full view of the entire congregation: Blessed are you, GOD of Israel, our father from of old and forever. To you, O GOD, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth; the kingdom all yours! You've raised yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from you, you're ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (MP)

2. SET THE PACE IN PERSONAL SACRIFICE.

I have tried to help him as much as I can by providing gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stones in abundance to use in my God’s temple. Furthermore I will give my own gold and silver treasures (in addition to the materials I have provided for the construction) to the temple because of my delight in the house of my God. These gifts include 110 tons of the finest gold, 260 tons of refined silver, 5 more gold and more silver as needed.

1 Chronicles 29:2-5 (VOICE)

So, it’s “like priest, like people”: a low standard for living.

Hosea 4:7,9 (VOICE)

When you shepherd (lead) the flock God has given you… Don’t lead them as if you were a dictator, but lead…by example.

1 Peter 5:2a, 3 (VOICE)

3. ARE MOTIVATED BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers… Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. "O LORD our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor Your holy name comes from You! It all belongs to You! I know, my God, that You examine our hearts and rejoice when You find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched Your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.

1 Chronicles 29:14-17 (NLT)

He chose David to be his servant, took him from the sheep pens. He brought him from tending the sheep so he could lead the flock.

Psalm 78:70-71 (EXB)

I am who I am because of God’s grace, and the grace He offered me has not been wasted. I have worked harder than all the rest; but I realize it is not me—it is God’s grace with me that has made the difference.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (VOICE)