Podcast Summary
Godly Leadership: Godly leaders are chosen and qualified by the Holy Spirit, essential for the benefit and good of God's people, and possess real virtues and godly characteristics.
Godly leadership is a precious gift from God to His people. According to the Bible, leaders, such as elders in a local church, are not merely appointed by humans but are chosen and qualified by the Holy Spirit. These leaders are essential for the benefit and good of God's people, and their roles are not just for the functioning of the church but are a blessing from heaven. The Bible commands us to expect and wish for good and godly leaders, and these leaders possess real virtues and godly characteristics. The presence of godly leaders is a reminder of God's care and provision for His people, and it allows us to do the work that God has called us to do to His glory. God's leadership gifts, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are essential for the growth and health of the church.
Godly leaders in a congregation: Godly leaders in a congregation help us discover and utilize our unique talents and abilities for the work of ministry, ultimately bringing glory to God.
Having godly leaders in a congregation is a blessing from God. They help us fully enjoy the gifts we have received by unwrapping them properly, preparing us for service, and pushing us towards spiritual maturity. Paul in Ephesians 4:11-12 emphasizes the importance of these leaders in equipping the saints for the work of ministry. They don't do the work for us, but rather set us in the right direction and help us discover our unique talents and abilities to serve in the local church. Through their guidance and encouragement, we can fulfill our God-given purpose and ultimately bring glory to God. So, instead of feeling frustrated or resentful towards our leaders, we should esteem them highly and be grateful for their role in our spiritual growth.
Spiritual maturity and godly leaders: Godly leaders play a crucial role in pushing believers towards spiritual maturity by teaching, serving, and protecting us from spiritual pitfalls, ensuring we make it to the other side of our spiritual journey with joy in seeing us walk in truth.
Spiritual maturity is a key goal in the New Testament Church, and godly leaders play a crucial role in pushing believers towards it. Paul and other biblical authors often rebuked congregations for not reaching this maturity, and encouraged them to teach, serve, and get involved in various activities to grow spiritually. Spiritual maturity involves both knowing the truth (the unity of the faith) and putting it into practice. Godly leaders protect us from spiritual pitfalls and help us uphold New Testament truth, ensuring we make it to the other side of our spiritual journey. As John puts it, there is great joy in seeing children (believers) walking in the truth. Like mountain men with their possibles bags, we need godly leaders to guide us and provide for our spiritual needs as we journey towards maturity in Christ.
Godly following: God calls us to be godly followers by walking behind and doing as our godly leaders do, as they follow Christ, and promises eternal life to those who serve Him.
God not only blesses us with godly leaders, but also calls us to be godly followers. God provides guidelines in the Bible, such as Ephesians 4, for recognizing godly leaders. However, it's essential not to blindly follow anyone, but to understand that God has a plan for both leaders and followers. The word "follow" in the Bible means to walk behind someone and do as they do. As godly leaders follow Christ, we are led to do the same. The Greeks in John 12, who were coming to worship at a Jewish feast and wanted to see Jesus, serve as an example of converts seeking discipleship. They revered the Old Testament scripture and were looking for the Messiah. Jesus saw this as an opportunity to transform their desire to see Him into an opportunity for discipleship. The hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified, and those who loved their lives would lose them, but those who served Him would find eternal life. Jesus invited them to follow Him and promised that where He was, His servant would be also.
Following Godly leaders: Imitating the faith of Godly leaders and following their examples leads to spiritual growth, unity, productivity, and eternal life in heaven.
Following Godly leaders, as outlined in the Bible, is not only important for pleasing God and positively impacting others, but it also brings blessings to our own lives. By listening to and acting on the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, we can bear fruit, grow spiritually, and receive eternal life. The Bible encourages us to imitate the faith of our leaders and follow their examples, knowing that they are leading us towards a reward in heaven. Additionally, being an active follower and participating in the work of the church leads to unity, productivity, and personal growth. Ultimately, the goal is to walk behind our leaders as they lead us to Christ, with the ultimate reward being eternal life in heaven.
Following and supporting leaders in faith: Being a good follower through discipline, selflessness, courage, honesty, and sincerity supports personal growth, aligns us with God, and honors church elders.
Being a good follower is essential for both personal growth and supporting those who lead us in our faith. Jesus emphasized the importance of following him and serving him, and in doing so, we align ourselves with him and can receive honor from God. The elders in the church need our support, both through encouragement and acts of service. By following their leadership and recognizing the burden of responsibility they carry, we can also grow in our own faith and become better servants to God. As Robert Kelly noted, good followers are disciplined, selfless, courageous, honest, and sincere. By embodying these qualities, we can make a positive impact on those around us and ultimately bring glory to God.
Following Godly leaders: Working together as Godly followers under Godly leaders, ultimately Jesus, is essential for growth and success in all areas of life, including our congregation's transition to Cumberland Trace.
Following good leaders and being a good follower is an essential aspect of our growth and success, as discussed by Robert Kelly in Harvard Business Review. This concept is not limited to religious contexts, but applicable in all areas of life. As we navigate the future of our congregation and its transition to Cumberland Trace, it's crucial for us to work together as Godly followers following Godly leaders. The ultimate leader to follow is Jesus, who sets the perfect example through his death, burial, and resurrection. We can reenact this by obeying the gospel and making necessary changes in our lives. Let us come together and sing, encouraging each other in our journey of following Jesus.