Foundations of Leadership: Practicing God's Word, Presence, and Sacrifice

Foundations of Leadership: Practicing God's Word, Presence, and Sacrifice

Good morning, church family. My name is Willie Gilliard, and along with my wife Jessica, I have the privilege of serving as campus pastors at Bayside Community Church's Fruitville campus in Sarasota. I'm grateful to our lead pastors, Pastor Randy and Pastor Amy, for entrusting me to share God's word with you today.

Leadership Is About Influence

As we continue our series on the Foundations of Leadership through the life of Moses, I want to silence a common objection right away. You might think, "This doesn't apply to me. I don't hold a leadership position or title." But here's the truth: leadership is not about a position or title—it's about influence. If you're a parent, have a friend, work a job, or simply interact in your community, you have influence. And that means leadership applies to every single one of us.

Over the last couple of weeks, we've explored the identity of a leader and the posture a leader should maintain. Today, we're continuing with Moses' journey. By this point, the Israelites have been freed from Pharaoh. They're walking in freedom. But Moses understands something critical: it's one thing for people to be free, but it's another thing for them to be formed.

From Freedom to Formation

The people are no longer enslaved to Egypt, but God says, "Now that you are free, I want you to live in a new way—according to my way." God establishes principles not because He needs them, but so that our lives can be completely transformed. These principles still apply to us today.

Culture, social media, politics, and entertainment are all trying to shape, form, and mold us. The world says, "If you feel good, do it. If you want it, go after it." But we have a new way. As believers, our citizenship is in heaven. We are called to live differently—according to God's way and His word.

Practice 1: The Word of God

The first practice a leader must embrace is practicing the word of God—the word that never changes, cannot be manipulated, and remains the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, God was declaring: "You have been shaped by Egypt's culture. You were enslaved there. But you are no longer slaves in Egypt. I have a new way for you." God gave them principles to live by—not arbitrary rules, but a framework for transformed living.

"You shall have no other gods before me... Honor your father and your mother... You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal..." (Exodus 20)

Today, we face the same challenge. If we do not know the truth, if we do not practice God's word, we will eventually believe the world's lies. We must practice the word of God because everything around us is trying to shape us.

Why We Practice God's Word

Jesus modeled this for us. When tempted in the wilderness, the enemy tried to twist Scripture, but Jesus kept responding: "It is written. The word says." When we practice God's word and know it deeply, we can do the same.

• When lies tell us we're unworthy, we can speak God's truth.
• When we feel unloved, we can declare: "I am chosen. I am adopted. I am a child of God."
• When we feel forsaken, we can say: "He will never forsake me."

We must practice the word to know the word, so we can speak the word.

"Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8)

When we are led by God's word, we can lead others the way God has called us to lead. Practicing the word means spending time reading it. Reading means we must prioritize it. When culture lies, when the enemy lies, when anything comes against us that contradicts God's word, we say: "It is written."

Practice 2: The Presence of God

Not only are we to practice God's word, but we must also practice the presence of God.

In Exodus, God commands the Israelites to build a tabernacle—a sanctuary where His presence would dwell. He gave specific instructions for its design and furnishings. The people had been freed from Egypt, but God's desire was greater: "I don't just want you to be free people. I also want to dwell among you. I want you to experience my presence."

To experience God's presence, the Israelites had to go to the Tent of Meeting or the tabernacle. But here's the extraordinary news: we don't have to do that anymore.

"The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Because of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension, the Holy Spirit now dwells among us. His presence is not confined to a building.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Where we go, His presence goes. When we show up, His presence is with us. We don't need a special place to experience Him.

How to Practice God's Presence

But here's the key: practicing His presence isn't just a Sunday morning activity. It's a daily, moment-by-moment practice.

You can practice His presence through worship—whether here, in your car, at home, or alone in your room. It may not sound polished, but He loves your voice. You can practice His presence through prayer. Some of my most powerful prayer happens on I-75, driving to work. Wherever you are, you can pray.

You can practice His presence by sitting in stillness, knowing that He is God. It might be in a rocking chair on your porch, at your kitchen table journaling, in your prayer closet, or walking through nature.

You don't drift into His presence—you prioritize it. You make time for it. And here's the truth: the most important thing you bring to any environment as a leader is the presence of God. Not resources, not strategies, not knowledge. One moment in His presence can do what thousands of years of striving could never accomplish.

Practice 3: Sacrifice

Finally, we must practice sacrifice. As leaders, we are called to live a life of sacrifice.

In Leviticus, God established the sacrificial system. The people had to bring an animal without defect and lay their hand on its head. The blood of the sacrifice made atonement for their sins, allowing broken, sinful people to experience the presence of a holy God.

"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar. It is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (Leviticus 17:11)

Living as a Living Sacrifice

Today, we don't bring animals. But the principle hasn't changed—we are still called to practice sacrifice. Our lives are to be living sacrifices.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1)

Jesus said:

"Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and daily follow me." (Luke 9:23)

Following God costs something. Moses understood this. It cost him his comfort, convenience, popularity, and personal preferences. But he did it all to answer God's call.

What Does Sacrifice Look Like?

For you, sacrifice might mean:

• Laying down your pride instead of demanding your way
• Sacrificing your comfort in a world that demands instant gratification
• Surrendering your schedule when it conflicts with God's plan
• Forgiving when you'd rather hold a grudge
• Praying when you'd rather sleep
• Serving when it's inconvenient
• Giving when it's uncomfortable
• Obeying when it costs you

I grew up planning to stay in Hardee County my whole life. But six years ago, God called us here. I had to sacrifice my plans for His plans. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our own agendas.

I recently witnessed a beautiful example of this. Nicole serves on our worship team at the Fruitville campus. She has four children. One Sunday, she arrived ready to serve—one baby strapped to her, another in her arms, two more walking with her. She set the two down, changed a diaper, came back, put in her earpiece, and led worship with one baby strapped to her and another in her arms.

Backstage, Nicole shared that she'd been wrestling with God about whether this season was right for her to serve. Four kids is a lot. It's a huge sacrifice. But God kept telling her, "Say yes. Say yes. Say yes."

Nicole realized that serving and sacrificing her life to build His kingdom was actually where she was replenished and filled up. I wonder: when your children watch your life, do they see you practice sacrifice? Or do they see you sacrifice His presence for your convenience?

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Moses understood that to be the leader God called him to be, he needed to practice God's word, His presence, and sacrifice. But Jesus is the ultimate example.

"Jesus gave it all. He was the ultimate sacrifice. He paid every bit by giving his life." (Romans 3:25-26)

If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, He is faithful to forgive you of all unrighteousness.

He's not asking for a little. He's asking for all of it. Will you lay down your life on the altar? Will you say:

"Lord, my life is yours. My talents are yours. My gifts are yours. My family is yours. My marriage is yours. My brokenness is yours. My dreams are yours. My schedule is yours. My comfort is yours. My convenience is yours. Not my will, but your will be done. Not my way, but your way. You can have it all."

An Invitation to Transformation

If you're a believer here today and the Holy Spirit is revealing that you haven't been prioritizing His word, His presence, or sacrifice, don't run in shame. Conviction leads to repentance, and repentance leads to change. You can start practicing today. This very day.

If you've never accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I want you to know: Jesus went to the cross. He gave His life. His blood was shed. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for you. His word says that if you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, He will forgive you of all unrighteousness.

Wherever you are right now—in this room, online, at another campus, in jail—if today is the day you want to stop trying to control your life and lay it down because Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for you, I'm asking you to lift your hands.

If that's you, right where you are, just say to Jesus: "I love you. Thank you for going to the cross for me. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for forgiving me. Today, I confess my sins to you and ask for your forgiveness. Today, I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God. Today, I choose to lay my life down and walk in relationship with you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for going to the cross for me. I love you, Jesus. And today, I choose you as my Lord and Savior."