Francis Chan: Taking Back What The Enemy Stole From Us — Church of God Convention 2015

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of humility, trust, and faith in leadership. It highlights the need for older leaders to pass on authority and responsibility to younger generations, allowing them to grow and take risks. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about his own experiences with mentorship and passing on authority, illustrating the transformative power of trusting God's plan for His church.

Key Scripture References

• Psalm 24:7-10 - This passage emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership, highlighting that only those who are humble and have clean hands will be able to enter God's presence. The speaker applies this principle to the church, encouraging leaders to recognize their own limitations and trust in God's plan.
• 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - This passage reminds us that we are not just individual builders, but part of a larger team working together with God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among different generations and leaders within the church.
• Matthew 28:18-20 - Jesus' commission to His disciples serves as a reminder that our role is not just to lead, but also to equip and empower others for ministry. The speaker encourages leaders to focus on developing and releasing younger leaders, rather than holding onto power and control.
• Ephesians 4:11-16 - This passage highlights the importance of spiritual gifts and the role of leaders in equipping and empowering others. The speaker emphasizes that our goal should be to build up and edify one another, rather than seeking personal glory or recognition.
• Romans 12:3-8 - This passage reminds us that we are all part of a larger body, with different gifts and roles to play. The speaker encourages leaders to recognize their own limitations and trust in God's plan for His church, rather than trying to do everything themselves.

Main Message Continued

The speaker shares several personal anecdotes about his experiences with mentorship and passing on authority. He highlights the importance of having mentors who believe in us and see the Spirit of God at work in our lives. The speaker emphasizes that this type of support and encouragement is essential for younger leaders to grow and take risks.

Key Takeaways

• Humility is essential in leadership, recognizing one's own limitations and trusting in God's plan.
• The church should be a place where different generations and leaders work together in unity and cooperation.
• Leaders should focus on developing and releasing younger leaders, rather than holding onto power and control.
• We should trust in the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us for ministry, rather than relying solely on our own abilities.

Conclusion

This message emphasizes the importance of humility, trust, and faith in leadership. The speaker encourages leaders to recognize their own limitations and trust in God's plan for His church, allowing younger leaders to grow and take risks. By passing on authority and responsibility, we can build up and edify one another, rather than seeking personal glory or recognition.