Memorise; Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1st Corinthians 11:1
Read: Philippians 3:17-21, 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who
shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his
glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to
subdue all things unto himself.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 6:24-8:24, Proverbs 21:30-22:12
MESSAGE
A
brief look at many contemporary Christian leadership books seem to be
confusing the followers of Jesus with a perceived strategy to shape
future leaders of the church, as though Church leaders are in a special
category. It should be noted that all followers of Jesus are called to a
life of discipleship.
It is not exactly correct to interpret the relationship of Jesus with
His disciples as an effort to develop a leadership training school for
the future movement. The Bible is very clear on the fact that the focus
of Jesus was first of all, the renewal of Israel, the establishment of
the kingdom of God, and the transformation of lives through healing,
deliverance, miracles, signs, and wonders, witnessed by the people. It
is obvious that the function of the disciples within the Gospel
narratives is not their exemplary leadership, but their role as models
who braved the struggles that all followers of Jesus are destined to
face. The disciples humanity, world view, character, and lifestyle, were
openly displayed as an example for future disciples to follow. Jesus in
Mark 8:34-35 says:
“And
when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said
unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall
lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s,
the same shall save it.”
In
one of Jesus’ popular sayings, he said to His disciples, “the Son of
Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom
for many” (Matthew 20:28). This verse address issues of power,
authority, and human dignity. Though all these are central to any
discussion of leadership but the power of the text is in how it
undermines notions of greatness and how a leader must use power on
behalf of all members of the community. The modern teachings on
Christian leadership have been redefined to mean that the servant and
followers (present day Christians) have become greater than their
masters and leaders (Jesus Christ). In response to this, Matthew 10:24
says:
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
All
Christians must realize that a disciple cannot be above his master as a
servant cannot be above his Lord. To be a Christian is to imbibe the
discipline and humility of a servant. In addition to this important
prerequisite for discipleship we might add the attributes of humility,
gentleness, justice, and love. These were the contents for the
discipleship training that Jesus gave to His disciples. Subsequently,
deacons, elders, overseer/bishops, and believers are all expected to
live out in very tangible ways, the lifestyle that honours God and is
exemplary for the people of God. Followers of Jesus are to adopt this
attitude toward life in general. The lifestyle of a Christian should be
clearly different and morally superior to that of the world. The concept
of Jesus on Christian leadership is firmly built on follower-ship,
service, humility, obedience, and loyalty. If you want to follow Jesus
acceptably, you must align your views on leadership to incorporate the
ideals of Jesus Christ.
Prayer Point
Father, please help me to pay the price of leadership. Help me to imbibe the ideals of Master Jesus.
