Leadership on SermonAudio

Courageously Committed Deuteronomy 3:28 | Joshua 1:1–9 The strength to fulfill God's purposes comes from knowing our responsibility, recognizing our accountability, and committing ourselves to what God is already committed to accomplishing. This message explores how God prepared Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, reminding us that the Lord never calls His people to accomplish His will independently of His grace and strength. Before Joshua ever crossed the Jordan, God had been preparing him through Moses, strengthening his faith, establishing his responsibility, and reminding him of the divine authority under which he would lead. The repeated command to "Be strong and of good courage" was more than an appeal to bravery. It was a call to courageous commitment rooted in two essential truths: responsibility and accountability. Joshua needed to get a grip on what God had entrusted to him and recognize that he was ultimately accountable to the Lord. His courage would not come from personal ability, physical strength, or the approval of people, but from his confidence in the God who had commanded him and promised to go with him. The sermon emphasizes that faith is committing ourselves to what God has committed Himself to accomplish. Joshua and Caleb demonstrated this when they trusted God's promise despite the giants and fortified cities before them. Their generation's failure was not a lack of opportunity but a refusal to believe the Lord. The obstacles were real, but God's faithfulness was greater. Rahab provides another beautiful picture of courageous commitment. While Jericho feared Israel's God and prepared to resist, Rahab believed what she had heard about

This discussion explores the intersection of Christian faith and mental health, highlighting the distinct role of biblical counseling in addressing anxiety and depression. The conversation identifies contributing factors to rising mental health issues, including social isolation, digital overstimulation, and the erosion of trust in societal institutions. It emphasizes the unique pressures faced by pastors, such as loneliness and the burden of leadership, while advocating for the use of professional resources like the Granbury Counseling Centers to support both congregants and ministry leaders. The dialogue underscores the importance of recognizing behavioral changes as warning signs and encourages a culture of openness where seeking help is viewed as a step toward spiritual maturity rather than a failure. Ultimately, the message promotes a holistic approach to well-being that integrates professional care with the ongoing process of sanctification and reliance on God's purpose.

This sermon examines Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 to explore the direct correlation between the quality of a nation's rulers and its overall prosperity or decay. The text contrasts incompetent, hedonistic leadership that leads to societal collapse with wise, moderate governance that fosters stability and abundance. The preacher emphasizes that while earthly rulers are established by God and deserve respect, believers must remain active citizens who vote responsibly and pray for righteous leadership. Ultimately, the message finds its highest fulfillment in Christ, the perfect King who rules the church with grace and wisdom, ensuring that His people experience true spiritual prosperity regardless of earthly circumstances.

This sermon examines the narrative of Ahab and Jezebel in 1 Kings 21, contrasting their wicked conspiracy with the unwavering integrity of Naboth. The central message emphasizes the danger of compromising one's principles for personal gain or under pressure from authority, urging believers to stand firm on biblical convictions. The preacher highlights the theme of male leadership, arguing that men must exercise godly authority rather than yielding control to worldly influences or weak decision-making. Through the lens of Naboth's refusal to sell his inheritance, the text illustrates that maintaining moral integrity may require significant personal sacrifice, including the loss of property, relationships, or even life. The sermon concludes with a call to count the cost of discipleship, affirming that standing for Christ is ultimately worth the price, as it secures eternal reward.

This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of diligence and discernment when appointing church leaders, arguing that hasty ordination compromises the purity of the local church. The speaker distinguishes between the general call to preach and the specific office of a pastor, noting that the latter requires rigorous biblical qualifications and a proven track record of faithfulness. Drawing from 1 Timothy, the message warns against becoming a partner in another's sin by authorizing unqualified individuals, urging congregations to prioritize character and maturity over immediate need or external pressure. The tone is convicting and instructional, challenging believers to view leadership placement as a serious spiritual responsibility rather than a casual administrative task. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a culture of patience and integrity, where leaders are recognized for their consistent devotion to God's Word and their ability to shepherd souls with wisdom and love.

This sermon explores the biblical motif of shepherding, arguing that true church leadership is defined by possessing the heart of Christ rather than merely managing tasks. The speaker highlights Jeremiah 3:15 as a prophetic promise that God would provide shepherds who feed His people with knowledge and understanding, a promise fulfilled through Jesus Christ. By examining John 9 and 10, the text demonstrates how Jesus modeled shepherding by seeking out the blind man, protecting him from religious persecution, and leading him to spiritual sight. The sermon further illustrates that Jesus personally shepherded the twelve apostles through intimate care, foot washing, and prayer, preparing them to receive the commission in John 21 to tend His flock. The central message calls for a return to close-range, sacrificial pastoral care, rejecting modern trends of inaccessible or corporate-style leadership in favor of men who reflect the tender, proactive, and self-giving nature of the Good Shepherd.

This sermon examines the biblical mandate for believers to obey and submit to church leadership, emphasizing that such submission is conditional upon leaders faithfully representing Christ. Drawing from Ezekiel and the narrative of Lot, the text illustrates the responsibility of spiritual watchmen to warn the flock and the necessity for believers to separate themselves from ungodly influences when leadership fails or when the environment becomes corrupt. The discussion highlights that true leadership is characterized by humility and example rather than authoritarian control, as seen in 1 Peter 5. The sermon concludes by urging the congregation to maintain a posture of mutual submission and vigilance, ensuring that obedience to human authority never supersedes the ultimate authority of Scripture and the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Dr. Schmidt examines the October 2026 Israeli elections and the difficulty in establishing the new government leadership. In addition, he examines the growing possibility of the US attacking Iran again in the very near future and the growing concern about a potential world war, and the prophetic nexus.

In this episode of the Grace Auburn Church Podcast, Lee sits down with Elder John Wood to hear his story and learn more about his heart for serving the church. John shares how the Lord has worked through seasons of loss, spiritual growth, and community to shape his faith and his family's journey to Grace Auburn. Together, they discuss the importance of biblical leadership, the church's commitment to God's Word, and John's desire to shepherd and serve the body of Christ.