Sermon: How to not abuse the power of leadership? Matthew 4:1-11

This sermon was rewritten on 27th February 2011. Much appropriate for sharing in leadership circles.

temptation in leadership

Image by: Ezyan Y.

Introduction

With great power comes great responsibility (Spider Man – Year 2002)

Leadership is not dictating or controlling. But every leader inherits certain powers and privileges as God equips every man and woman whom He calls to take the responsibility of leading His church.

As messiah Jesus was anointed with the power of the Holy Ghost by God Himself. Jesus needed this power to complete his earthly ministry before dying in the cross.

When Satan tempted Jesus, the main scope of the temptation was to make Jesus abuse these powers and privileges for personal gain. There are many other servants of God in the Bible who abused their powers and privileges (Ex: David, Samson, Saul and Solomon…) Unlike them Jesus used his powers with a great sense of responsibility and overcame the tempter also.

Today we are challenged with the same temptation. God’s leaders are giving into the temptation of abusing ministerial privileges and powers.

Today’s sermon is about recognizing the culprits that make leaders to abuse the powers of leadership and how to overcome them.

Related Bible verses: Matthew 4:1-11

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Yohan Perera 4 September 2008 Sermon notes leadership, temptation No Comments

Sermon notes: What does the Bible say about envy – How do I overcome it?

This sermon was re-written on 23rd February 2011

what does the Bible say about envy

Image by: trefethenstudios

Introduction

Most committed Christians unconsciously harbor envy in their hearts. It’s very common, seldom confessed, yet heavy enough to condemn our souls.

Socrates said, “Envy is the daughter of pride, the author of murder and revenge, the begetter of secret sedition, the perpetual tormenter of virtue. Envy is the filthy slime of the soul; a venom, a poison, a quicksilver, which consumeth the flesh and drieth up the bones.”

Click here to read the rest of, Sermon notes: What does the Bible say about envy – How do I overcome it?

Yohan Perera 19 June 2008 Sermon notes Envy, overcome 1 Comment

Sermon: Why God wants to prune us? John 15:1-8; 16

Image by: marianne perdomo

Text: John 15:1-8; 16

Introduction

He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.

The Greek word for prune is kathairo. The English word "catharsis" means to prune or clean. Jesus is talking about cutting back of the branches for future growth. This is a common practice among vine growers (and Tea planters in Sri Lanka).

Four types of "Branches" (believers)

No fruit (Vs. 2)
Fruit (vs. 2)
More fruit (Vs. 2)
Much fruit (Vs. 5)

Click here to read the rest of, Sermon: Why God wants to prune us? John 15:1-8; 16

Yohan Perera 12 June 2008 Sermon notes John 15, Sermon 3 Comments

A more creative sermon on the Lord’s prayer Luke 11:1-4

A more creative sermon on the Lords prayer

Image by: babasteve

Introduction

In the early days Jesus' disciples didn't view their master's sudden disappearance as a big problem . But by the time went on they were very bothered, and began to be inquisitive of what's happening? May be they secretly followed Jesus Christ to the garden of Gethsemane, to find out what is He doing? They saw Jesus gone down in knees and having a quiet conversation with His heavenly father. This caught their interest so much they wanted to do the same. Then they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

The pattern for prayer Jesus gave them here has six principals. It occurred to me that one way to remember them is to think of the six letters in the name of the author of prayer, C-H-R-I-S-T. This is my sermon for you today. Click here to read the rest of, A more creative sermon on the Lord’s prayer Luke 11:1-4

Yohan Perera 5 June 2008 Sermon notes Sermon, the Lord's prayer No Comments

Sermon notes: Joseph – preparing for leadership

Revised on 19th November 2011

Reference: Genesis chapters 37-41

Introduction

“Hero from Zero.” That is how the media might have introduced Joseph, had he lived in Europe in the twenty first century A.D. rather than in Egypt in the seventieth century B.C. Joseph’s journey into the second top leadership position in then Egypt sounds like a leap he made with hardly any intermediate steps, almost overnight. The Bible says it wasn’t so. The author of Genesis tells us Joseph instead walked through a divine yet painful process of preparation for leadership. In my sermon today we will take a detailed look at this process and learn three important phases every potential leader must pass through when preparing for leadership.

Click here to read the rest of, Sermon notes: Joseph – preparing for leadership

Yohan Perera 29 May 2008 Sermon notes Joseph, leadership 5 Comments