The Leadership Model

.... In our previous posting we established that all authority has been given to Jesus Himself, both in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). This especially means that Jesus is "head over all things to the church", which is the body of all believers, and that "the head of every man is Christ" (Ephesians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 11:3).

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.... Based on each of these quotations, we will notice that Jesus Himself is directly over every man without anyone else being in between us. In other words there are no mediators in the arrangement, not even Christian leaders. For no one can exercise authority over another Christian but Jesus Himself:

.... "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you . . ."

(Matthew 20:25-26)

.... Jesus made this statement to the apostles themselves, for even they would have no authority at all over other Christians (1 Peter 5:1-4). If this is so, then how does authority in church leadership work? Let’s take our cue from the Holy Spirit in His own, perfect ministry:

.... "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

(John 16:13-14)

.... The Holy Spirit is called the ‘helper’ (Gr: parakletos), which literally means ‘one who is called along side’ (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). For even the Holy Spirit will not attempt to come between ourselves and Jesus, as if the Lord's authority was delegated to Him or He had an authority of His own over us; but rather, He will always come along side of us to point us to Jesus, who alone has authority over our lives. Furthermore, He will only minister to us of the things that belong to Christ, who alone is our source (John 16:14).

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.... This offers a perfect model for Christian leaders, too. They must recognize that the Lord has given them no dominion over another man’s faith, for each of us must stand before God personally to give an account for their lives (2 Corinthians 1:24).

.... "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand."

(Romans 14:4)

.... And like the Holy Spirit again, the true Christian minister will come along side of other Christians, without trying to insert himself in between them and God, to point them to God directly. When this is done, these ministers present the Lord’s authority to us, but it was never delegated to them at any point along the way. We will continue this discussion in the following lessons.

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Daily Bible Reading: Colossians 2