Sermon Notes from Morning Worship
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Series: “Authentic Leadership”
Today: “Authentic Leaders Are Flawed”
Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Intro: The issue we are dealing with today is the fact that all leaders are flawed .
I. BE QUICK TO ADMIT YOUR FLAWS.
A. The apostle wrote: “Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect…”
B. When you blow it, show it , don’t hide it.
* It is not hypocritical to know more than you live. Rather, it is hypocritical to pretend you are living more than you do!
II. LEARN THE THEOLOGY OF PERFECTION .
A. The Bible teaches a theology of perfection:
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Hebrews 10:14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Hebrews 11:40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
2 Corinthians 13:9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.
B. Perfection comes in two forms:
1. Behavior (performance) perfection – not possible until we get to heaven.
2. Intention (motivation) perfection – made perfect by Christ in us.
1 Peter 1:15-16 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 
III. NEGLECT YOUR FAILURES .
A. Look at the Greek word for forgetting – epilanthanomai.
B. Authentic leaders learn from their failures and then no longer care about them!
Conclusion: How would you honestly characterize your journey with God:
1. A casual walk .
2. A light jog .
3. A flat out run .