City on a Hill - Week 4

Purpose: To build a case for servant leadership in discipleship.

Importance of serving in the life of a disciple.

How it strengthens the Body of Christ.

How it reshapes hearts and promotes living in grace.

Focus of this week: Why servant leadership is desperately needed in the world today.

Scripture references: Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:1-6 (ESV)

Theme: The Need for Serving in a Lost and Hurting World

II. The State of the World

The world is broken, polarized, angry, and at war.

People are:

Hurting

Hateful

Disengaged

Common Responses:

Lose Heart: Forget it- Isolate, separate, and feel powerless.

Lose Heart: Distrust, Become suspicious, vengeful, and vilify others.

A Third Way for Followers of Jesus: The Way of the Cross

Servant leadership as followers of Jesus.

What if the Church acted as a lighthouse instead of a naval destroyer?

IV. Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus’ Teaching:

“You are the salt of the earth”:

Salt heals, creates thirst, adds flavor, and preserves.

Salt must be applied before it’s useful.

Salt is essential for life but works in a subtle, obscure way.

“You are the light of the world”:

Light gives direction, calls attention, disinfects, and dispels darkness.

Conclusion: Salt needs sprinkling, and light needs shining.

Disciples are called to lead as a "City on a Hill" by serving in a lost and hurting world.

V. Not Losing Heart (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

Verse 1: “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”

Context: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

The Spirit brings freedom and transformation into the image of Christ.

Transformation is an ongoing process through the Holy Spirit.

Source of Serving:

Ministry by mercy: Our sufficiency comes from God, not from ourselves.

Ministers = Servants: The word for "minister" in the Greek is diakonos, meaning servant.

The Power of the Holy Spirit: Transformation and service come from the Holy Spirit, not personal effort.

VI. Living Out Salt and Light

Verse 2: Demonstrating the Gospel:

Speak plainly and live out the Gospel in ways that people can understand.

Influence over impact: Influence is like a tree leaning towards light, while impact may cause harm or recoil.

Key Verses (2 Corinthians 4:3-6):

Even if the gospel is veiled, God shines His light into our hearts.

We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, living as servants for His sake.

VII. Conclusion

Our Vision: Becoming a Force for Transformation 

Bringing Life to the Full to Rockbridge County

Servant Leaders:

Ministers through mercy

Transformed into the image of Christ

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Do not lose heart

Speak and live the Gospel in the world

May we be servant leaders who proclaim Christ, 

shining as a light in the darkness as a "City on a Hill”