Kingdom Leadership Part 1- Josiah Nicotra

Kingdom Leadership & Godly Authority
(Russ Doty’s notes on Kingdom Leadership is adapted within this sermon notes, these notes will be likely for a 2-part sermon with the amount of content to teach through)
13.07.2025

Often, the understanding of ‘Church Leadership’ is associated with platform, hierarchies and achievements oppose to what is biblical. Church Leadership and Godly Authority isn’t a concept created but it is learnt through scriptures. 

Unfortunately, due to the advancement of corporate businesses and the excelling of those companies. Churches have chosen to adapt their structures to what the world is presenting and not what the bible is saying. Churches have created hierarchies and the associated culture of climbing those ladders rather than choosing lowliness. I’m not here to tell you not to be a leader within church, but I am here to tell you that it isn’t what is to be aspired to, nor is it within Eden culture to build toward. 

Leaders and Leadership is something not all of us may be overly interested in, but it’s incredibly important that we have an understanding on Biblical Leadership so to discern what is of God and isn’t of God. In fact, the scriptures say:

Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
Leadership is weighty. It holds heavy accountability, not by man, but by a greater judge—God.

1 Timothy 1:6-7
“For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.”
Leadership requires wisdom, understanding and intimacy with God.

2 Peter 2:1-3
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Leadership requires humility and alignment with God and His word.

Matthew 23:8-12 (Jesus’ words, part of His critique of religious leaders)
“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Leadership recognises that God is the only authority. 

James 3:1 NASB1995
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”
Leaders must fear God, for they know they will be held by God to a higher standard. 

I’d like to invite you on this journey of understanding Biblical Kingdom Leadership and Godly Authority. To understand this well helps us to know God and His ways better, it helps us to lead our own lives and families well, to submit well, and to really just lead well. All aren’t called to lead within church, but all are called to lead in our own right, within our own place, I’d like to encourage you to lean in …


1. What Is the Kingdom?
The Kingdom is the central message of Jesus. It is not just about heaven or some time in the future—it is about God's rule and reign breaking in right now through His people.

Scripture Foundation:
Matthew 6:10 – "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Matthew 4:17 – "Repent,