'Puppets in Our Pulpits'
The church is plagued by 'puppets in the pulpit' who prioritize self-promotion over true spiritual leadership, resulting in a lack of spiritual growth and a failure to reach the lost.
This sermon addresses the issue of spiritual leadership and the impact it has on the congregation. It highlights the importance of genuine, Christ-centered leadership in churches and the need for leaders to reflect the character and teachings of Jesus. The sermon challenges leaders to examine their motives, actions, and teachings in light of Jesus' standards.
Full Transcript
Do you know why we have so many pygmies in our pews? Because we have so many puppets in our pulpits. If Jesus came back he wouldn't cleanse the temple, he'd cleanse the pulpit.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Puppets in the Pulpit
- The Consequences of Puppets in the Pulpit
- The Solution to Puppets in the Pulpit
- A Return to Authentic Christianity
- A Call to True Spiritual Leadership
Key Quotes
“Do you know why we have so many pygmies in our pews? Because we have so many puppets in our pulpits.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“If Jesus came back he wouldn't cleanse the temple, he'd cleanse the pulpit.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- We must hold church leaders accountable to a high standard of spiritual integrity.
- We must seek out leaders who are truly called by God and who prioritize true spiritual leadership over self-promotion.
- We must return to authentic Christianity and prioritize true spiritual growth over superficial religiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by 'puppets in the pulpit'?
By 'puppets in the pulpit', I mean church leaders who are more concerned with their own image and power than with truly serving God and His people.
How can we identify 'puppets in the pulpit'?
We can identify 'puppets in the pulpit' by their lack of true spiritual leadership, their focus on self-promotion, and their failure to speak truth to power.
What is the impact of 'puppets in the pulpit' on the church?
The impact of 'puppets in the pulpit' is a lack of true spiritual growth and a failure to reach the lost with the Gospel.
How can we prevent 'puppets in the pulpit'?
We can prevent 'puppets in the pulpit' by holding church leaders accountable to a high standard of spiritual integrity and by seeking out leaders who are truly called by God.