"bad leadership" Tagged Sermons

When the Respected Fall

This message explores the failure of David and Bathsheba, evaluating what happens and what could have gone differently. This will explore the nature of sin and temptation but also grapple with the apparent failures of those we might respect. This message is paired with the following week. (2 Samuel 11) Sermon Outline “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the…

Rebuking

There are not many who receive harsh words from Jesus in direct interaction, but those who universally receive such harsh words are the religious leaders. In this week we will explore the rationale for Jesus’ harsh words in Luke 11 and 12. SERMON OUTLINE Luke 11:37-54 Jesus’ testing of the leaders / ceremony and tradition -vs- the Word of God The leaders’ hypocrisy / we all have a realm of influence—what example are we living before others Luke 12:1-12 Warnings…

Messy Ends

The book of Judges ends (Judges 17-21) with an odd assortment of stories that take a different direction than the previous stories, leaving us with the sad state of affairs of a group of people with no leader where “everyone did as they saw fit” (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). SERMON OUTLINE “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25) Five Things We Can Accomplish without a Leader’s Help (Judges 17-18; 19-21) Mixed-up Worship…

The Bramble King: Abimelek

Abimelek (Judges 9:1-57) follows the way in which his father, Gideon, lived the latter part of his life, setting himself up as king by murdering his brothers and oppressing the people. Abimelek’s story is in one sense the conclusion of Gideon’s story, but it also shows us what happens when a ruler walks away from God. SERMON OUTLINE “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’” (Judges 9:14 ESV) The Beginnings of the Bramble…