This study was previously uploaded in the following 5 parts.

1. Availability
2. Our work in the Kingdom of God, Gifts and Fruit
3. Where is my house?
4. Zion
5. The Assignment

I felt it important to give an option to watch this study as a whole.

Continuation of the Bible Study in Ooty on April 8, 2011

The illustration which follows establishes in allegorical form the relationship between the Chief Shepherd and the sheep. The Lord Jesus is the Chief Shepherd and the sheep. The Lord Jesus is the Chief Shepherd and we are His sheep. (Remember, we are to avoid those who claim the sheep as their own.).

1. The Flock Must Be Gathered Together

In Genesis we read the story of Jacob and his first meeting with Rachel, Laban’s daughter.

Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked them where they lived. ‘At Haran,’ they said. ‘Do you know a fellow there named Laban, the son of Nahor?’ ‘We sure do.’ ‘How is he? ‘He’s well and prosperous. Look there comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.’

“Why don’t you water the flocks so they can get back to grazing?’ Jacob asked. ‘They’ll be hungry, if you stop so early in the day!’ ‘We don’t roll away the stone [covering the well] and begin the watering until all the flocks and shepherds are gathered here,’ they replied. As this conversation was going on, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess’” (Gen 29:4-9 tlb).

This is the story of Jacob’s first journey when he encounters the shepherds and daughters of Laban who were tending the sheep which belonged to their father, Jacob then offered to help with the watering. They said that the flocks first had to be gathered together before they could be watered.

Do you know what is keeping God’s sheep from being watered? the under-shepherds are not bringing the flocks together. They are claiming the sheep for themselves. To follow the allegory, they are not recognizing Laban’s (the father’s ) claim to the sheep.

Rachel kept her father’s sheep. Even though she was a shepherdess, she recognized that the sheep belonged to her father. Leaders would do well to do the same.

Until all the flocks are gathered together in one place, you will find God’s blessing upon them. When you go to meetings where the people come together from many church groups, that are beng conducted under the guidance of good leadership, you will find the presence and favour of God.

When God began a fresh outpouring of His spirit in 1966-67, it was characterized by Protestant and Catholic people coming together. In those gatherings the people met in neutral locations, and God poured out His spirit in showers of blessings.

Of late, that is not happening so much. the walls of separation are being raised again, and alienation of believers is taking place because leaders are afraid to have their people ministered to outside the denomination.

Unless we reject this trend and repent of this denominationalizing of the revival movement, we will see God lift His blessings completely from the churches. God will by-pass us and start over again unless we repent of our carnality, immaturity and divisive tendencies (making idols of our denominations). God will raise up another people if we do not come together in unity and love. God wants to bring all the sheep together so He can roll away the stone and give them water.

Recognize God’s claim on the sheep. Recognize that His banner over us is love. Recognize that when we come together under His leadership, He will cause spiritual and numerical growth to take place by the abundance of His blessings.

When Jacob was dying, he gave this prophecy: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh [another name for Jesus] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be”(Gen 49:10). When we gather to Him, the stone is rolled away and waters are made available, and the sheep’s thirst is quenched.

Perhaps Gideon of old said it best: “The men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son and thy son’s son also; for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian; And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: THE LORD SHALL RULE OVER YOU” (Judg 8:22,23).

Gideon’s attitude is the one every leader should emulate. That’s the right attitude. Let’s follow that kind of leadership. We are God’s sheep – bought with a price; we are not our own, or anyone else’s – but God’s.

A look at 5 tests mentioned in the Bible.

1. Praise
2. Obedience
3. Character
4. Commitment
5. Faith

4. Do They Recognize God’s Claim On The Sheep?

A good leader recognizes God’s claim to the sheep.

A bad leader claims the sheep for himself.

a. Wicked Leaders Claim The Sheep For Themselves. The true shepherd recognizes God’s claim to the sheep – the false shepherd makes his own claim on the sheep. He claims the sheep are his and issues a warning that they are his private property.

There is absolutely no scripture to support this claim of false shepherds. Instead the Bible states clearly that the sheep belong solely to God, and not to any under-shepherd.

b. Godly Leaders Know The Sheep Belong To God. The Bible states, “….we are HIS people, and the sheep of HIS pasture” (Ps 100:3). Again, “The Lord is MY pasture, are men, and I ham your God, saith the Lord God…” (Eze 34:23,30,31).

God claims the sheep. They are His alone and He wants us to know that. They do not belong to the church leader or his denomination. They belong to God.

Paul reminds us, “Fr ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6:20).The principle is simple. Jesus bought us and we are not our own – we belong to Him; therefore we are to glorify God in our bodies and our spirits which now belong to Him.

He has put His claim upon us and marked us with His brand. No one has the authority to put his brand on a sheep who is already branded.

Paul writes, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Gal 6:17). Paul was glad that he didn’t have anyone else’s brand on him except the marks of the Lord Jesus. He wanted to be free from all, that he might be the servant of all (1 Cor 9:19), That’s the way God wants His people.

True shepherds are those who recognize God’s claim. Those who wish to claim the sheep for their own possession are claiming property that belongs to God . That is lawlessness.

c. God Appoints Under-Shepherds. Make no mistake about this: it is certainly within the design of God that we have a church home with a good church leader.

Further, we should faithfully attend the services and pray, work and give to advance the goals and objectives of that fellowship.

God appoints under-shepherds (leaders) but we don’t belong to them – we belong to the Chief Shepherd. Peter writes, “And when the CHIEF SHEPHERD [Jesus] shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away” (1 Pet 5:4).

d. Sheep Must Follow Their Chief Shepherd. As previously pointed out, the problem isn’t just with the shepherds; it is also a problem with the sheep. The sheep frequently seek glory for themselves by identification with some prominent ministry. This prideful attitude breeds sectarianism and division .

Paul rebuked the believers in Corinth for this carnal-minded propensity to want a prideful identity with some prominent leader. ‘…there are contentions among you… every one of you saith, I am of Paul,… I of Apollos, I of Cephas [Peter]…Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Cor 11-13).

Paul forcibly reminds the Corinthians that they belong to the One Who paid the price for them.”… was Paul crucified for you? ” The answer is obvious. No! Paul didn’t die for them, Christ did. Hence, they belong to Him and should follow only Him.

It is a sad commentary on the spiritual immaturity of anyone who would leave Christ to follow under-shepherds.

Paul says to this church in Corinth, “…I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men”? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of apollos; are ye not carnal?

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? so the, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1Cor 3:2-5,7).

Paul rebukes this propensity in men which seeks a prideful identity with leaders. He calls it carnality and immaturity.

3. Do They Gather Or Scatter The Flock?

Follow leaders who gather the flock.

Avoid leaders who scatter the flock.

a. Godly Leaders Gather The Flock.

“Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand… He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall GATHER the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall GENTLY LEAD those that are with young” (Isa 40:10,11).

That’s the picture of the true shepherd – one who will gather the lambs, God wants us to follow those leaders who are devoted to gathering the flock. Take notice: The main attitude of those who gather is gentleness. God’s true leaders are gentle people.

David, the great shepherd of Israel, said, “Thy gentleness hath made me great” (Ps 18:35. Gentleness and meekness are not weakness.

Gentleness is the capacity to identify and empathize with those who are weak and needy in order to encourage and lift them up and help them become strong.

It was said of our Lord Jesus Jesus, “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench..” (Isa 42:3). Why?

He was a gentle shepherd. If He saw some one who was bruised. He would heal him, not break him. If He saw one who was struggling to get a ministry going, He would come along and fan the smoking flax (which typifies sincere effort) until it began to burn brightly and clearly in truth and purity.

Jesus works with our feeble efforts in ministry to bring them into full maturity.

There are many sincere people who are struggling to express their gifts. They are like smoking flax. Leadership should not quench them, Leaders should fan the smoking flax. This will turn it into a burning flame. That’s what is meant by gentle leadership. That’s the kind of shepherd who will gather the flock.

b. Wicked Leaders Scatter The Flock. Now, on the other hand, there are bad leaders who scatter the flock. this is what the Lord says of them, “Woe be unto the shepherds [pastors] that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture… therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds [pastors] that feed my people;

“Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord” (Jer 23:1,2).

Every true shepherd gathers – the false shepherd scatters, creates confusion, division and reaction. This kind of leader we must avoid.

2. Do They Feed Or Fleece The Flock?

A good leader is concerned about FEEDING the flock.

A bad leader is concerned about “FLEECING” the flock.

a. Godly Leaders Feed The Flock.

Jeremiah was a prophet to church leaders.

Jeremiah knew that God had promised, “.. I will give you shepherds according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer 3:15). If you are truly a church leader after God’s heart, you will be concerned first of all with feeding the flock.

God continues His promise, “And I will gather the remant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord” (Jer 23:3,4).

Those leaders who feed their flocks are the ones we want to follow.

b. Wicked Leaders Fleece The Flock . Jeremiah saw that problems arose as a result of errant leadership. He rebuked bad leaders. We are instructed to avoid those church leaders who mistreat the flock.

“And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

“Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

“Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth that they may not be food for them” (Eze 34:1-10).

A few years ago,I listened to a message from a well-known religious leader who was teaching the “proper” relationship between pastor and people.

He believed that the people existed to serve the leadership. I remember his exact words, “When I need my house painted, I just call some of my flock in and they paint the house. When I need my fields harvested, I just call some of my flock and they harvest my rice.”

I found it difficult to believe that one who had known God’s ways and walked in His paths could now say that the flock existed to serve him, rather than be existing to serve the flock.

God says loud and clear, “AVOID THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP… those that fleece the flock, those that use the sheep to serve their own ends and needs.”

The prophet Micah shows how both the spiritual and the political leadership corrupt themselves. “They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof divine for money (Mic 3:10,11).

The leadership of Micah’s day was serving for one thing – money. Watch out when money becomes the motivation and the preoccupation of leadership. The love of money is clearly the root of all evil and whenever that becomes the motive for wanting a leadership role, destruction will follow.

The prophet further pointed out, “..yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say. Is not the Lord among us? No evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps…” (vss 11,12).

God tells us if we allow false leadership to remain in power, both leaders and people will be cast down into destruction God sends judgment on whole nations for leadership errors.

We are to refuse to follow leaders who fleece the sheep. “Beloved, follow not that which is evil…” (3 Jn 11).

c. Jesus Established Qualifications. Jesus established the qualifications for church leadership when He said, “But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd , whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep (John 10:12,13).

What does the hireling care for? The hire (the money)! That’s his only motivation, just what he can get out of it. He doesn’t care for the sheep. As far as he is concerned, they are just “dumb sheep” to be taken advantage of. That’s the attitude of the hireling.

The true shepherd cares for the sheep, is willing to lay his life down for their protection and go hungry, if necessary, to see that the sheep are fed. He never makes a decision on the basis of how much is in it for him, how much the salary is or how big the title may be.

This doesn’t mean that the true and faithful shepherd has no right to receive financial support. The Scripture uses an allegory to teach us our responsibility to give financial support to true shepherds.

“Do not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.” As oxen work at the tread mill, the Bible gives them the right to eat some of the corn they are treading out.

By this, God teaches us that church leaders must be cared for financially. However, if an ox is eating everything he treads out, muzzling him or getting another ox might be the farmer’s only alternative. The ox must tread out more than he consumes or the corn grower will go out of business.

d. Satan Tempts Leaders. These things are difficult to say. But, we would be remiss if we did not point out that Satan tempts leadership with four things:

1. Lust for money (covetousness),
2. Lust for position,
3. Lust for power (pride), and
4. Lust for women (adultery).

It is only the grace of God that keeps leaders from falling prey to one or more of these sins.

A leader should regularly, carefully and prayerfully examine his motives. Then he should allow the Holy Spirit to shed light on areas that need repentance. Victory over these temptations will be the result.

Satan will come in through the open door of false or impure motives and take a leader captive. This fact underscores the need to cover the leadership with much prayer and intercession.

We’re instructed to pray for ALL in authority. This includes spiritual as well as secular leaders. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions… be made for… all that are in authority…” (1 Tim 2:1,2).

1. Do They Reach For Responsibility Or Authority?

A godly leader is one who seeks responsibility. A wicked leader is one who seeks authority.

Leaders who reach for responsibility may be followed, while those who reach for authority are to be avoided.

a. Godly Leaders Seek Responsibility The Apostle Paul writes, “But I hope to send Timothy shortly to you, so that I can be comforted by knowing that all is well with you. I have no other leader who has your welfare uppermost in his mind.

“For most put their own personal interests ahead of Jesus Christ’s. But you know that Timothy, as a son with the father, has served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him to you as soon as I can” (Phil 2:19-23 pph).

Timothy had a sense of responsibility and cared for the people. He was not seeking his own interests, but those of the people of God. He was not seeking pompous titles and prestige, but an opportunity to be of service and take responsibility for God’s work and His people.

Some of the saddest words in the Bible are these of Paul, “I have no other leader who has your welfare uppermost in his mind. For most put their own personal interests ahead of Jesus Christ’s.” How sad! Paul only had one church leader he could trust to put the welfare of the people ahead of his own personal interest.

b. Wicked Leaders Seek Authority. The Apostle Peter admonishes leadership who might be tempted to reach for authority. “Don’t think you are a lord over God’s heritage, but be examples to the flock” (1 Pet 5:2,3 pph).

Peter’s message is clear. Leadership is not lordship. Spiritual leaders are to willingly take responsibility for the flock of God as a shepherd would for the sheep. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the responsibility thereof; don’t do this because you are forced to, do it willingly, not for the money you receive but because you want to ” (1 Pet 5:2,3) pph).

Church leaders are not appointed by God to exercise autocratic powers over the Church.

c. Two Examples:

1) Diotrephes – Bad Leader. The Apostle John said, “I wrote unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence, won’t receive us.” Here was a leader who was reaching for authority because of the prestige that went with it. So John warns, “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, speaking against us with malicious words: and not being content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbids them that would..”(3 Jn 9,10).

Have you ever been forbidden to have fellowship with some of God’s people in another church and were told that you would be disloyal if you did?

Remember, our first loyalty belongs to God and His Word (the Bible). After that, we owe loyalty to all born-again believers, whether they be found in Catholic, Protestant or Pentecostal churches. We also owe loyalty to our church leaders. If they are not asking us to disobey God, or His Word, or to lessen our commitment to support the whole Body of Christ, we can follow them.

If a leader tells you that you cannot have fellowship with anyone outside your church, you have encountered the “Diotrephes spirit,” This is the spirit that won’t receive other brethren. If you violate their restrictions on who you can have fellowship with, this kind of leader will try to excommunicate you from the church.

What does John tell the Christians to do about this? “BELOVED, FOLLOW NOT THAT WHICH IS EVIL, but that which is good…”

You are under no obligation to follow an evil leader. When a leader starts grasping for authority, quit following and he will lose his leadership. Ask God to deal with him and bring him to repentance.

One of the ways God disciplines an erring leader is when the people stop following. “FOLLOW THAT WHICH IS GOOD…He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil has not seen God” (3 Jn 11).

2) Demetrius – Good Leader. God always provides us with a choice of leadership in the Body of Christ. John commends Demetrius as a leader worthy of following.

“Demetrius hath good report of all men and of the truth itself…” (3 Jn12).

We have an option to follow good leadership and to reject evil leaders. Don’t follow the leadership that is reaching for authority, seeking to dominate those around them.

Introduction

A nation (or church) will invariably end up with the kind of leadership it deserves. The Old Testament bears this out. The people who did not accept and follow the God-ordained leadership ended up with profligate and foolish leaders.

Isaiah said, “And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest…” (Isa 24:2).

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by doing what they prophesy, and my people love to have it so” (Jer 5:31 pph).

Notice that the problem is two-fold. It is a problem of LEADERSHIP (prophet and priest) and the PEOPLE. God doesn’t hold just the leadership responsible; He also holds those “who love to have it so” responsible. God disciplines His people for following false leaders.

God not only condemns those who sell in the Temple, but also those who buy. If I accept some church leader’s offer to pray for me provided I give him an offering of money, I am as responsible as he for thinking I can purchase God’s gifts for money (Acts 8:18-23).

A. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DISCERN PROPER LEADERSHIP

Since God holds all of us accountable, we need to be aware of our obligation to discern proper leadership that is worthy of our following.

1. A Church Or Nation Rises Of Falls By Leaders

The prophet Jeremiah pointed out, “Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

“They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man lays it to heart” (Jer 12:10,11).

God was speaking through the prophet about the religious leadership of the nation of Israel. They had mistreated the people and brought destruction on the land.

The leadership you follow is going to govern what you are and who you are. You will rise or fall depending on the leadership you follow.

2. Spiritual Growth Limited By Leadership

Church leader! Most people will not develop beyond the level of your spiritual maturity. The leadership role is given you by God to set the example for the people to follow.

In discussing leadership responsibilities with Timothy, Paul wrote, “The farmer must be the first to eat the fruit he raises” (2 Tim 2:6 pph).

This means that, before church leaders call the people to pray, they must be intercessors themselves. If they want the people to be dedicated, they must be dedicated. They must first eat the fruit of which they want the people to partake.

a. Israel Condemned To Wandering.

Do you remember Israel in the wilderness? It was the leaders that kept the people out of the Promised Land.

When God called them out of Egypt. He intended for them to enter Canaan forty days later. A fast-walking person could easily travel from Egypt to the Promised Land in a week – but it took them forty years. Why? Because of the leadership.

A leader was chosen from each of the twelve tribes to go in to spy out the promised land and bring back a report (Num 13:2-17).

Of the twelve leaders, only Joshua and Caleb came back with a good report. The other ten refused to believe that God would do what He had promised. Because the giants in the land appeared to be over whelming, ten leaders gave an evil report – a report that canceled out God’s promise.

What result did their denial have upon their 2,500,000 followers?

‘The Bible tells us, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put me to the test now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice:

“Surely they shall not see the land which I swore unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it” (Num 14:22,23).

The leaders sealed the destiny of two and a half million people. They were condemned to wilderness wandering for forty years. God’s plan to take His people onward into new and greater blessings was destroyed.

Do you see how important leadership is? Do you now realize how essential it is to know the signs and attributes of a leader worthy of following?

Problem 3: Elevating Custom And Tradition Above The Authority Of the Bible.

It is a serious error to practice religious customs or traditions which are contrary to God’s Word.

In the gospel of Matthew, we read, “..why do you also transgress the commandments of God by your tradition? (Matt 15:3).

Jesus pointed out to the religious leadership of His day that they had taken their traditions and elevated them to a level higher than the Scriptures. As a result, Jesus condemned them as hypocrites.

Mark’s Gospel records Jesus’ words as follows: “Howbeit … they …teach for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…

“…Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour [give financial support to] thy father and thy mother… But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatever you might be supported by me; he shall be free. And you allow him no more to do what he should for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition..” (Mark 7:7,8,9,12,13).

The Scriptures commanded, “..Honor [financially support] your father and mother…” (Exo 20:12). The Jews’ Oral Law [Tradition] said, “If you give the money that belongs to your parents to the temple, you’re excused from the commandment of Scripture concerning parental care.”

By their traditions, they were cheating their parents out of their retirement income. They were dedicating the money belonging to the parents to the temple.

“…But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments [customs/traditions] of men” (Matt 15:1-9).

We still do that today when we elevate our church practices and traditions above God’s Word. It is easy to forget that custom and tradition have value only if they do not contradict the Scriptures. Customs and traditions (no matter how many centuries old) – if unbiblical, if contrary to the Scriptures – must be stopped.

a. Nothing Should Be Added To Christ’s Work On The Cross. I filmed Good Friday Easter celebrations in a country some years ago.

“Christian” flagellants cut their backs with sharp glass until the blood came. They mounted crowns of thorns on their heads and marched for miles through the hot tropical sun, flailing themselves with whips.

The ceremonies concluded in a large open field where several, with nails driven through the palms of their hands, were lifted on crosses.

One of them appeared to go into a demonic type seizure or fit when brought down and carried to a near by house. (It may have been extreme shock – I couldn’t tell) He was screaming and flailing about uncontrollably.

This was all being done with the blessings of the leadership of their church -in clear violation of the Scriptures.

To those in the New Testament who trusted in cutting themselves, Paul wrote this warning:

“If ye be circumcised [cut your flesh] Christ shall profit you nothing. Christ is become of no effect unto you… ye are fallen from grace” (Gal 5:2-4).

We fall from grace by trying to obtain merit or blessings through our own works of righteousness. To this implies that the work of Christ on the cross was not sufficient and we have to add our good works to His work to be saved or blessed. This does not honor the cross. It dishonors it.

While these things have outward religious (and even spiritual) appearances, they clearly interfere with the work of the Holy Spirit in perfecting us.

I don’t doubt the sincerity of those who keep relics, burn candles, pray to saints and carry on many other traditions for which there is no biblical blessing or authority. They are very sincere, just as those who flail themselves in Easter celebrations.

But to such, the Apostle Paul issues this serious warning:

“I only wish these teachers who want you to cut yourselves… would cut themselves off from you and leave you alone” (Gal 5:12 tlb).

Paul was very disturbed because the traditions of the Jews were being imposed on the Gentile believers in Galatia. His Epistle to the Galatian believers should be memorized by every sincere servant of God and its solemn warnings heeded.

I appeal to men and women of God everywhere to renounce practices that are unbiblical.

Submit to the authority of God and His word (the Bible). Do not let religious or other authority keep you bound in unbiblical traditions and practices.

The Holy Spirit has dealt with some of you and you took your stand for the Lord. But now, under pressure from religious leaders, you are turning your backs on what the Holy Spirit told you. Don’t do that! Hold true to God and His Word and you will be blessed and approved by God.

“I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things…” (Gal 5:16 tlb).

Where do problems begin? In the world in which we live, even in the church and the home, we have problems with authority. What happens to cause the chaotic conditions?

Why do we often have only an uneasy truce between family members instead of a lasting peace in some homes and churches? It may be a failure to understand authority and its role.

Problem 1: Men Exercising Authority Belonging to God Alone

Problems are sure to follow if we take delegated, stipulative, custom or functional authority and lift it to the level of sovereign or veracious authority, or the authority of the conscience.

If men elevate their limited authority to the level of total unquestioned authority, thus making themselves equal to or greater than God and His word, trouble is sure to follow.

It is so easy for church leaders to “play God” by doing only that which appears right in their own eyes and claiming the authority to do so. This attitude is dangerous at any time, but doubly so when it infects God’s people and church leadership.

It is clear from Scripture that God will not allow His sovereign authority to be usurped.

Jesus said, “… if we continue in my word, then are ye my disciples..” (John 8:31). We are to subject ourselves to God and His word. We are never to take a religious, political or military leader and ascribe to him sovereign or veracious authority.

Jesus clearly states that we are His disciples (only) if we continue in His Word. the Bible is the ultimate authority of faith and practice. Jesus made this fact clear when He said, “… the scripture cannot be broken [disobeyed]” (John 10:35).

Problem 2: Religious authority And Scripture Come Into Conflict

This point is dramatically illustrated in the confrontation between Ananias the high priest and Paul the apostle. Here’s the story: Paul is defending himself in Jerusalem against accusations of certain Jewish religious leaders. “…Paul earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

“And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

‘Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite you, you white washed tomb: for you sit to judge me after the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law” (Acts 23:1-3).

-Point One-

Paul appealed to the authority of the Scripture in this situation by letting Ananias know that the Scripture had more authority than he had as a judge.

“And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? then Paul [apologized and] said, I knew not, brethren, that he was the high priest, for it is written Thou shall not speak evil of the ruler of the people” (Acts 23:4,5).

-Point Two-

By his apology to the high priest (based on the scriptural admonition), Paul made it abundantly clear that he also (as an apostle) was subject to the Scripture.

Let’s carefully examine this event. Paul was testifying. The high priest Ananias became incensed and ordered Paul to be hit in the mouth – a gesture of censorship.

Paul, not knowing Ananias was a high priest, reacted by calling him a “white-washed tomb” and appealed to the Scriptures for redress. Paul’s smiting was contrary to what the Bible said concerning the conduct of judges. In this Paul was right, for the Scriptures have more authority than any religious, political or military official.

However, when Paul was told that he was speaking to the high priest, he immediately apologized.

Why? Because the Scripture told him not to “.. speak evil of the ruler of the people…” The apostle was subject to the Scripture.

Even though the high priest was on a high level of authority in the courtroom, neither the apostle’s nor the high priest’s authority was equal to the authority of the Word of God.

By his actions in this story, Paul clearly illustrates that the authority of the Scripture was higher authority than that of high priest or apostle.

God does not give any man authority greater than the Scripture or equal to Himself. Nor does God give anyone the right to abridge another man’s conscience or to ask of anyone unquestioned obedience.

Any and all authority must be examined in the light of God’s principles as outlined in His Word.

Where there is an established practice which is accepted in a culture or ethic group, there develops the authority of custom and tradition. Good tradition is accepted by everyone because it has proven itself over the years to be for the common good.

In the New Testament Paul appeals to the authority of custom when he writes, “If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other custom..” (1 Cor 11:16 pph).

An interesting conflict between stipulative authority and the authority of custom occurs in the relationship between Jacob and his uncle, Laban (Gen 29:9-30).

An agreement was made between them. the contract specified that if Jacob worked seven years, Rachel, Laban’s youngest daughter, would become Jacob’s wife.

However, when it came time to settle the contract, Laban placed the authority of their custom ahead of his agreement with Jacob. He gave Jacob his first-born daughter, Leah, not his second-born, Rachel.

When Jacob awoke from his wedding night to find Leah at his side, we can well imagine his anger as he demanded to know why Laban had deceived him and broken the contract.

Laban replied, “The custom of marrying the oldest daughter before the younger cannot be violated.” If Jacob still wanted Rachel, he would have to work an additional seven years. Reluctantly, Jacob yielded to the authority of custom and tradition which, in this instance, superseded the “stipulative authority” of their original agreement.

4. Functional Authority

a. Arises From Ability. By functional authority, we mean the authority that arises out of one’s ability or capability. All of us have ability as a result of:

1) Birth: Natural ability;

2) Training: That which we developed through our education;

3) Grace: That which comes by God’s divine enablement; and

4) Experience: That which comes from what is known as the “school of hard knocks.”

How does functional authority operate? Let us assume you have come upon an accident scene. a man is lying mortally wounded by his wrecked bicycle, having been struck by a truck. At the scene are a doctor, a policeman and a mechanic.

Who has the authority to dictate what treatment is given the dying man? Naturally, you reply, the doctor! By his training and skill he has the ability and consequently, the authority to know what is best in that situation.

The mechanic with his tools would be no help, nor would the policeman with his badge.

When the traffic was to be diverted around the accident, who would have the authority? The policeman! Why? He’s trained and commissioned to do that.

However, when it came time to repair the bicycle, whom would we summon? the mechanic. Why? Because of his ability, his functional authority.

Their respective abilities qualify them to have authority in performing functions for which they have been trained.

In most nations of the world, the policeman would be reprimanded for wrongful use of authority if he tried to control the doctor and dictate the treatment for the dying man. His badge of authority given him only limited authority.

b. Recognized In Scripture. Jesus recognized functional authority when He said, “…they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matt 9:12).

In the home, Paul tells us that husbands and wives are to submit themselves one to the other in the fear of God (Eph 5:21). In the area of their mutual abilities and training, the wife submits to the husband, and the husband submits to the wife. Both recognize each other’s functional authority.

Submission based on love brings a mutual respect for the ability that each spouse can bring to the marriage and home.

These seven levels of authority, properly administered in biblical bounds, are all part of the “… increase of his government and peace…”

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of HIS GOVERNMENT and PEACE there shall be no end…” (Isa 9:6,7).

Approximately 2,800 years ago Isaiah prophesied of a coming ruler who would be called the “Prince of Peace.” The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus.

Commenting on His Kingly dominion, the apostle Paul assured us that Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit would mark those who accepted His government over their lives (Rom 14:17).

What describes Christ’s government? what kind of governance is it?

It most certainly is not humanistic government in which every man is free to do “what feels good or right,” regardless of its impact on others. This is what the decadent male, hedonistic philosopher advocates.

It is not freedom to live in sinful, unnatural homosexual or lesbian relationships as advocated by some members of the Western “women’s liberation” movement. Neither is it ecclesiastical license which, in the name of the Church and God, imposes autocratic unquestioned authority on mankind.

The government of our Lord Jesus Christ is a government of love, a government that blesses, that joins together and motivates men to a closer walk with God and one another.

It is the purpose of this study to familiarize us with this government of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy spirit which our Lord desires to place over us in His Church.

A. FOUR LEVELS OF AUTHORITY GIVEN TO MANKIND

The four levels of authority reserved for mankind are described in what follows. When properly used, these will bring forth righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are:

1. Delegated Authority

The Apostle Paul gives us this instruction regarding our submission to the five ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher (Eph 4:11). “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls…” (Heb 13:17).

The word “rule” does not mean spiritual leaders are to reign as ruthless dictators; that is, forcing their will on others. Rather, it means to give “shepherd-like leadership” to others.

In the biblical sense, a shepherd is one who lays down his life for the sheep, one who is totally dedicated to serving, protecting and feeding. A shepherd is not one who “rules” but, rather, one who “protects, cares for, loves and feeds.” “…the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

Hebrews 13:17 should be translated, then, “Follow them that exercise shepherd-like leadership, and submit to their care, feeding and loving reproof; for they must give account for your souls to the Chief Shepherd – Jesus!”

a. Limits Of Delegated Authority.

The key to understanding the limits of delegated authority is this:

1) Delegated authority never extends beyond one’s responsibility; and

2) Delegated authority never proceeds out of anything other than responsibility.

For example, because you have responsibility for your wife and children, you have authority in your home.

Why don’t you have authority in the home of the family next door? Because you don’t have responsibility for that wife and her children. Authority never extends beyond responsibility – it goes as far as responsibility and no farther.

b. Church Leaders Have Delegated Responsibility. One of the reasons God has established local church congregations is this: It provides a context for the development of working, practical, everyday relationships where people can become responsible for each others’ needs.

When a shepherd takes responsibility for the flock, he is given the authority to feed, visit, defend, protect, care for and lovingly discipline God’s sheep.

Spiritual leadership functions as God’s representatives. As “…ambassadors for Christ… we beseech you.. on behalf of Christ…” (2 Cor 5:20). “Instead of Christ being here,” says Paul, “I’m here representing Him, I’m His agent.”

Church leaders only act in delegated responsibility in a given situation, the same way Christ would, were He physically present. They are agents representing Christ’s concern for His Church and Its spiritual and moral development.

Perhaps this can be best explained by an example of “agency law,”

Some years ago, a church leader was involved ina serious traffic accident in which several people were critically injured. he was the driver of the vehicle. Not only was the church leader sued, but also the denomination to which he belonged.

The Court ruled that the denomination had to pay because, in the view of the Court, the church leader was acting as an “agent” of that organization. Not only was he liable, but the organizations well.

God operates in this way: He appoints church leaders to work in His place, as His agents in shepherd-like authority which arises out of the responsibility assumed. This is called delegated authority – the authority to represent another and do as he would do if present. This authority goes only as far as responsibility – no further.

2. Stipulative Authority

This is the authority of contracts or legal agreements. Contracts are drawn up wherein two parties (or groups) agree to carry out specific actions based on mutual benefits if fulfilled and penalties if violated. We’ll enlarge more on this later.

No matter how much we wish for it to be, there is simply no father without the son. No one can claim a relationship with our heavenly Father without abiding in Jesus Christ the word of God.

Being under authority is the norm in the body of Christ, this is the same for men and women. There can be no ministry unless  we are first discipled in a church and then sent.

The gifts may work, so will the devil against us, because we stand alone.

This question of accountability and submission is so vital that I tell people that when they meet a minister for the first time, the first question  they should ask is “Who sent you?” or “Who do you submit to?” If the minister or pastor says “God” then, I warn that they should run from these quakes as fast as they can!

You see, if such women/men of God are sent, there is submission, obedience and accountability, If not they simply don’t want to submit to anyone else or have someone over them telling them what to do!

The Lord Jesus set an example by constantly referring to the fact that He was “sent” or “given” things to Him by His Father to do the work He gave Him to do. This shows He never called Himself to minister; Jesus needed to be sent or given ministry by someone higher than Himself for His ministry to be legitimate, even though He is God the Son (John 17:2-4, 6-9, 11-12, 18, 21, 23-25).

The early church also functioned with this concept of sending. For example, even though Saul and Barnabas had already felt called by God into ministry they didn’t dare send themselves until the leaders of the church in Antioch also received a confirming word from the Lord to send them. (Read Acts 13:1-2, in which the tense of the original Greek wording shows that God had already called Saul into the ministry before the leaders of the church received the confirming word.)

Even Paul the apostle submitted the gospel of grace he was preaching (to the Gentiles) to the leading apostles of the Jerusalem Church (Peter and John) for fear his work was in vain (Galatians 2:2, 9).

• Galatians 2:2 2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.
• Galatians 2:9 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

The bible specifies that while it is the God who calls, it is the church that sents.

Jesus said in Mathew 9:37 that the harvest is ready, but the workers are few. This shows that it is not just a matter of calling. In Matthew 22:1-14 we understand that many are called but a few are chosen. Even among those called, there was one present without the wedding garment who resolved to yield no homage, but to assert his independent self-sovereignty. What that symbolizes about that man is that

• He came into the banquet when he was told to, but he came only in appearance, he came not in heart.
• The banquet was intended for the honour of the son, this man was willing to eat the good things, but he intended no respect to the prince.
• He said, “I will come, but it shall be in such a way that the royal purpose shall not be served, but rather my purposes and needs be met.
• I shall be present myself as an onlooker, but take no share in the ceremony
• I will, on the contrary, show that I have no care for the business in hand, except so far as it serves my turn.
• The man came in full exercise of self-will and self-love.

The Lord calls every one to his kingdom regardless of sex.  The wedding garment highlights in a special way that he also expects all of us to abide by his expectations. Those who do not will be cast into the exterior darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. These are called but not chosen.  ( cf Mt 22:14).  THEY CAN NOT BE COUNTED AS WORKERS OR LABORERS FOR THE HARVEST.

Jesus stated his expectations for preparations of the laborers in Matt 28: 18-20

i)        ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said,

(1)    “All authority in

(a)    heaven and

(b)   on earth has been given to me.

ii)       ¹⁹Therefore

(1)    Go (Remember, they are already his disciples, not untrained strangers)

(2)     and make disciples of all nations,

(3)    baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

iii)     ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

iv)     And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul tells Timothy “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (NIV). How will they be qualified? By being entrusted with the things Timothy has heard, they will be qualified. They are reliable, they can be relied upon to walk the talk, to obey and to do, to submit to their calling.

Jesus discipled the 12 and sent them. Jesus expects them to make disciples of all nations. Discipleship requires submission to authority. It is those proven disciples in the church who are marked by the Holy Spirit to be sent by the elders.

This is the way it is according to the Bible. The choice is ours to abide or not.

A sister in the church has this line at the bottom of all her emails “A man cannot touch his neighbor’s heart with anything less than his own.” The fact is that we do touch others with the contents of our heart, and if our heart is set on rebellion, it will affect others in the church. This is the principle behind 1 Cor 5:9-11,  2 Timothy 3: 1-5, and Eph 5:11; where the bible tells us to have nothing to do with them, talking about those who call themselves Christians: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

There is simply no Father without the Son. No one can claim a relationship with our heavenly Father without abiding in Jesus Christ the word of God.

Those who claim to do so are under deception. Have nothing to do with them.

2) God’s Pattern For Your Life.

Our theology (a preconception about God) often comes into conflict with the Spirit’s guidance in our life – and when it does, we face the grave danger of missing the will of God.

When God began to impress me to become an itinerant preacher I resisted with adamant protest. For eleven years I had been starting new churches and pastoring them. Now God was telling me to do something that would mean giving up pastoring local churches.

I argued, “Lord, it isn’t scriptural. Everything You do, or will ever do, You must do through a local church.” That was my theology at the time. I protested to God, “This idea of itinerant preaching isn’t according to the pattern of the Book of Acts. I’m supposed to do all things according to the pattern!” (Hebrews 8:5 was a favorite text of mine).

One Sunday morning as I was walking to a meeting to preach, the Lord spoke tome:

“Why don’t you read the rest of the verse?” I knew what the Lord meant. Read the rest of Hebrews 8:5.

“Lord, why should I read the rest of the verse?” I have read it hundreds of times. I have preached from it scores of times, Lord, I know that verse backwards and forwards. Why should I read the rest of the verse?”

The insistent voice of the Lord inside kept pressing, “Read the rest of the verse,” I opened my Bible and read, “See saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount” (Heb 8:5b). Three words struck me like dynamite: “Showed to thee”.

“Do ALL things according to the pattern showed to thee.”

My theology was based on a pattern showed to Moses, to David, to the early Church – but God was saying:

“You’ve got to do it the way I show you. Noah built the ark because that was My pattern for Noah. Moses built a tabernacle because that was My pattern for Moses. solomon built a temple because I told him to. Peter, Paul, James and John all did what I told them. That was the pattern for their lives.

“You must do what I tell you to do, in the way I tell you to do it. That will be My pattern for your life.”

Finally I understood. I had to hear and obey God’s voice. I couldn’t do things just because “it has always been done this way.” I had to obey God.

And, my friend, that is still the issue, isn’t it? God has a plan for each of us. The ministry He gave Billy Graham is like that of John the Baptist of whom the Scripture testifies: “John didn’t do miracles” (John 10:41). Kenneth Hagin and Oral Roberts are more like Stephen, who

“…..did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).

All three of these great evangelists are doing what God told them to do – yet each is very different from the other. Each of us must hear and obey God’s voice. That is what will distinguish you from the thousands who will not. Most will not hear and obey God’s voice. You must!

Do not let your traditions keep you from doing what God says. Hear and obey the voice of God. Some will despise, oppose and criticize you. Others will doubt and assail you. Your pride will suffer. But whatever! Do the will of God!

3) Experience On Corn Island.

In 1962 I was part of a two-man effort to evangelize a little island off the east coast of Nicaragua. A convert from meetings I conducted three years previously had preceded us to this island and started a church.

In the traditional way of evangelists, I had preached fervently for several nights – without seeing one person converted to Christ. My co-evangelist and I were so frustrated and desperate, we announced a prayer meeting for four o’clock each morning. In this way, we could pray with the members before they went out on the early morning fishing and fruit gathering expeditions.

We expected ten or twelve church members to come. To our amazement, the little church building was packed with about 100 people (as many as we had seen in any of the evening meetings).

Now everyone knows you do not have evangelistic crusades at 4 a.m. – but this is what the meeting turned into. God was going to shatter my preconceptions about the way He worked and teach me a lesson about hearing and obeying His voice.

We started the prayer time with a little chorus:

Sweep over my soul, sweep over my soul.

Sweet Spirit, sweep over my soul.

My rest is complete, as I sit at His feet.

Sweet Spirit, sweep over my soul.

After struggling through the chorus a time or two, one of the ladies began to prophesy. Her speech was halting. She stammered as if having great difficulty in getting out the words. It was making me nervous but I thought, “Let the poor soul try – it will do no harm.”

Three times she repeated these words, “Take off the shoes from off thy feet, for the ground whereon thou standest is holy ground.” All I heard was a woman for whom I felt sorry, stammering out words that seemed totally inappropriate for this moment of low inspiration.

My partner, dear Brother Heeley, heard something quite different. He heard the voice of the Holy Spirit calling sinners to repentance. (I’m glad he had better spiritual hearing than myself.)

He arose and began to speak quietly. “Now folks, I believe the Lord has just spoken to us and we need to respond. I do not know for sure whether the Lord means for us to literally take off our shoes or not. But just in case – it will do no harm for us to do so.”

Feeling a little foolish, we dutifully began removing our shoes. Brother Heeley continued, “What the Lord probably means is this. We are to put off the old shoes of a sinful life and step out into a pathway of righteous living. We are to abandon the old life of bondage and rebellion and step into a new life of liberty and obedience to Jesus.

“If you want to do that right now – just leave your shoes there behind, step out and come down to the front of the building so we can pray together.”

To my amazement, what all my “super-charged evangelistic sermons” did not produce – Brother Heeley’s sensitive spiritual hearing and response to God’s voice did. People began coming from all over the little building. Then one of the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed took place.

As they came, it seemed there was an invisible line drawn right in the front. When those who were coming to receive Christ passed that line, they fell flat on their faces as if struck by an invisible angel. These very stoic farmers and fishermen were scattered all over the floor, weeping and sobbing tears of sorrow and repentance for their sins as if their hearts were breaking.

I though when the first half-dozen had fallen, it would frighten everyone else and they would turn and run out of the service.

But they didn’t. They just kept right on coming until almost every sinner in the service had received the gift of repentance and salvation (over fifty came to Christ).

WOW! Who ever heard of winning souls that way? Who ever heard of this “method” of evangelism? But you see, the secret was in “having an ear to hear what the Spirit was saying.”

I shamefully admit I did not hear the Spirit in what was taking place in the service. But – thank God – my partner did! He obeyed the Lord, and a great revival broke out that shook the island from one end to the other.

Oh Lord! Deliver me from my disobedience, preconceptions, traditions and hardness of heart which prevent me from hearing and obeying Your voice. AMEN!

4. Disobedience Stops God’s Voice

Brother Judson Cornwall said he was fervently praying, asking the Lord to speak to him. The Lord finally said, “Judson, why should I speak to you again, when you haven’t obeyed what I told you the last time I spoke to you?” Brother Cornwall got right up and did what the Lord had previously told him to. Then he started hearing the Lord’s voice again.

“So then faith comes by hearing the word of God” (Rom 10:17).

Faith can be defined as “Obedient action to what God says.” to hear God’s voice doesn’t mean just to hear with your ears. It means to respond obediently to what He said.

When my son was about nine years old I spoke to him and said, “Son, take this sack of garbage to the waste bin.” He said, “OK, Dad!” Thirty minutes later I cam back and the garbage was still there. Did he hear me? Not in the biblical sense. Until he obeyed me, he had not heard me.

I called my son back in and showed him the “board of education” which I was getting ready to apply to his “seat of learning.” Then he heard me, and took out the garbage.

Faith comes by hearing .. the word of God – that is, hearing and obediently responding to what god has said.

a. Pride Prevents Obedience.

A great hindrance to our obedient response is PRIDE. I heard Oral Roberts say, “Every time I’ve prepared to pray for the sick, I’ve had to hang my pride on the cross again – because I know that only a few of those I pray for will be healed.”

Despite doubters, scoffers and critical newspaper reporters, Oral Roberts persevered through humiliation to do what he heard God telling him to do. Because of his faithfulness to an unpopular calling, thousands have been healed and the ministry of healing is practiced more widely all the time.

Many of us have been held back from doing what God is saying to us because we fear what others will think of us if we obey the Lord. ‘The fear of man bringeth a snare” (Prov 29:25). the “fear of man” is just another expression of pride. Basically, we don’t do what we know God wants us to do because of PRIDE.

Our carnal mind thinks, “If we try what God is saying and fail, what will the people think? My minister friends won’t understand me. My denomination will not agree with what God is telling me to do.”

All these thoughts have their root in the fear of man – PRIDE! Many who desire to do the will of God are held back by fear of man.

I am often asked, “Brother Ralph, how can you be sure God is speaking to you?”

I reply,  “I can’t always be sure. Often I am not sure. I test it out. I try it. I check out the facts with others it might involve.

“The Bible says ‘prove all things’ (1 Ths 5:21). The only way you can prove something is to try it. I often fail in the trying – but one of the elements of faith is risk. You have to take the risk of becoming a fool for Christ’s sake.”

Don’t let pride paralyze you. Try to do what you feel God wants you to do. Though you may have some failures – there will be some successes too. Take the risk. Step out on faith and attempt great things for God.

b. Preconceptions Hinder Obedience.

One of the most interesting stories in the Bible is in 2 Kings Chapter 5. It vividly illustrates how our preconceptions prevent us from hearing and obeying God’s voice.

1)Naaman almost Misses A Blessing

Naaman was a Syrian general whose Israeli housemaid was a captive from war. Naaman had the incurable disease of Leprosy. His maid told him about a prophet in Israel named Elisha who had power from God to heal people.

Through diplomatic channels, Naaman contacted the king of Israel and made arrangements to visit Elisha. When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s modest home, the prophet sent out his servant to gell General Naamanwhat God said he must do. “Go wash in the JordanRiver seven times, and you will be healed of every trace of your leprosy” (vs 10).

Naaman was angry and stalked away. “Look!” he said, “I thought the prophet would have the common courtesy to come out and see me. I thought he would call on the Name of the Lord his God, and wave his mantle over the leprosy and I would be healed.” (Note his preconception of how he would be healed.).

“If it’s rivers I need – I’ll go back to Syria to wash in the crystal waters of Abana River or Pharpar River – not down in the muddy Jordan River.” With that he left in a rage.

One of his servants pled with him. “Sir! If the prophet had asked you to do some great or difficult thing you would have. So why don’t you obey (key word) when he has asked you to just go wash and be cured?”

Finally persuaded, Naaman went down to the Jordan river and dipped seven times as the prophet had told him. When he obeyed, his flesh became as healthy as a little child’s. Naaman was completely healed.

Naaman almost missed receiving the blessing he sought. Why? Because of a preconceived idea of how God would heal him. His preconception and pride prevented his obedience.

You see, a preconception is rooted in pride. It is in effect a statement that “I know everything. I can conceive things before they happen – as they will happen” (a deific quality).

When things do not happen as we preconceive they will – it undermines our deific (pride-filled) image of ourselves, and we, like Naaman, stalk away angry and resentful because God didn’t conform to our preconception of how He would do it.

3. An Unregenerate Condition

I have traveled in more than fifty nations preaching the gospel. One of the big problems I encounter as I travel is unregenerate church leaders, clergymen who have never been born again of the Spirit of God. Is it any wonder they do not hear God’s voice?

Over 200 years ago, John Wesley, the founder of one of the greatest revival movements in the world, was sailing back to England from missionary service in the Georgia colony. He had been there trying to relieve some of the inhumane treatment of prisoners.

On the sailing ship, Moravian missionaries from Bavaria engaged John Wesley in conversation. “John Wesley, are you born again?.

“I am an ordained Anglican clergy-man,” he responded.

“That is not what we asked you, John. Are you born again of the Spirit of God?”

John replied, ” I’ve been working with prisoners, helping the poor and doing all kinds of good deeds since I graduated from seminary.” (John was trying to avoid this ” Heaven or Hell” issue.)

The Moravians kept pressing him. “John Wesley! Jesus said, ‘ye must be born again.”‘

Confronted over and over on this question, John Wesley spent a great deal of the remainder of the voyage re-reading his New Testament. He encountered verses like “The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Rom 8:16).

He pondered, “What is Paul taking about? ‘The spirit bears witness with our spirit…’ What does that mean?”

He read 1 John 5:10, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.”

He mused, “I haven’t experienced any witness in my heart like John talks about. Am I born again?”

The more he talked to the Moravians and read his New Testament, the more he became convinced that he did not have “saving faith”.

a. Saving Faith Or Intellectual Agreement.

One day he read James 2:19, “The demons also believe and tremble.” John Wesley began to see there was a difference between “saving faith” and intellectual agreement with the historical facts recorded in the Bible about Jesus. The demons believe the facts but do not have saving faith.

Convinced that his church, his seminary professors and his missionary board had let him down by not making certain he had been born again of the Spirit of God – John began his search for spiritual reality.

A short time after landing back in England, John went into a little nondescript London mission one night to hear the preacher. Sitting there listening to the gospel presented with clarity and simplicity Wesley later testified, “My heart was strangely warmed.” He left the mission that night with a peace that passes understanding – joy unspeakable and full of glory!

Finally he knew the joy of being born again of the Spirit. He now knew what Paul, John and James were talking about. He finally knew the difference between spiritual reality and intellectual agreement with the gospel. He spent the remaining years of his ministry showing people and priests how essential it is to know you are born again.

b. You Can Know You Are Saved.

What about you? Do you know you’ve been born again? You can know! why don’t you ask the Lord Jesus to come into your heart?

Pray this simple prayer: Lord Jesus! I confess You are my Lord. I believe You bore my sins to Calvary’s cross to save me from sin. I believe You rose from the dead and are enthroned at the Father’s right hand in Heaven.

I trust You and Your blood alone to be the full payment for my sins. I renounce and turn from my sins. I receive your Holy Spirit to bear witness with my spirit that I am a child of God. All this I ask in the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN!

If you prayed that prayer sincerely, Jesus has come into your heart. Now go and tell someone immediately – “I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I know, I know, I know I am saved and on my way to Heaven.”

The Bible says, “For if you tell others with your mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. for it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith confirming his salvation” (Rom 10:9,10 tlb).

Now that you are born again – and you know that you are – you are a candidate for the Lord to start speaking to you. You can hear His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me” (John 10:27).

When Jesus comes into your heart He cleanses it and sweeps it free from sin and darkness, and takes away the hard heart and gives you a soft and tender heart of flesh so you can hear His voice.

“Your filthiness will be washed away… And I will give you a new heart - I will give you new and right desires – and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love. And I will put my Spirit within you so that you obey my laws and do whatever I command” (Eze 36:25-27 tlb).

1. Hearts Not Perfect Before God

“For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them” (2 Chr 16:9 tlb).

The people in Bible times understood the heart to be the sea of:

1. the emotions or affections,
2. the motives, and
3. the intentions of the person. God is vitally concerned with these things.

a. Worldly Affections.

If our affections are set on things on the earth rather than things in Heaven, this offends God (1 Jn 2:15). The Bible tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt 22:37).

b. Impure Motives.

If our motives (or motivations) are impure like the prophet Baalam (Numbers 23) then God will severely jude us. Baalam bartered God given miraculous gifts for money, fame and prestige.

c. Wrong Intentions.

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) were pretending to give all their money to the work of the Lord, but were really keeping back much of it for themselves. Because their intent was wrong, God killed them.

Oh! how we need to guard our affections, motives and intentions to make sure they are pure. God knows our heart, doesn’t He?

“For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). We can’t hide these things from the Lord. And if we do not keep our hearts right in His sight, we will not hear God’s voice.

2. Hardness Of Heart

“Today, if you want to hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Heb 4:7).

When I and my team go somewhere to preach the gospel, we often fast and pray for God to empower us so we will be able to heal and bless the people. We often set aside a day for fasting and prayer during these times.

It is our custom to select three mature Christian couples (husbands and wives) nd form them into a prayer team. We may have five or six prayer teams ministering to the people during the day of fasting and prayer.

The prayer team place their chairs in a circle. Those coming to be prayed for sit in the middle of this circle.

We encourage these teams to pray in the Spirit (in other tongues – 1 Cor 14:13,14) and expect the Holy Spirit to give them supernatural help for the people who are coming for prayer.

a. Unforgiveness Stops God’s Voice

A lady came to the prayer circle my wife and I were part of. She had severe arthritis which was causing her a lot of pain in her back and hands. Her fingers were so curled over with arthritis, she couldn’t straighten them out.

She said the Lod had stopped talking to her. She had not heard the voice of the Lord in over eight months.

As the team began praying in the Spirit, a picture started forming in my mind of a corn filed from which the harvest had been taken. The ground was hard and dry and the corn stalks withered. As I pondered whether this picture had meaning to the sister’s need, I felt the Holy Spirit began to say to me, “This is th picture of this sister’s heart. It is hard and dry.”

I prayed, “Why Lord?” The Spirit responded, “Her husband has been mistreating her and she hasn’t forgiven him. Her failure to forgive has caused this hardness of heart. And because she has not forgiven him, she has not been forgiven. All this hs combined to cause tremendous frustration in her heart. This is causing the arthritis which afflicts her.”

I am not always sure that I am hearing the voice of the Lord when something like this happens. So, to test out whether it was the Holy Spirit or my own imagination, I told the sister about the picture in my head (vision), I related to her what I thought the Lord had said to me about her situation. Then I asked her, “Is any of this true?” She broke down in tears and reply,” Yes, Brother Ralph, it is all true.”

b. Forgiveness Brings A Return Of God’s Voice.

The compassion of the Lord filled my heart for this dear sister. With tears streaming down my face I said, “Sister, Jesus loves you very much and wants to hear you and wants to speak to you. Verbalize your forgiveness. Just speak out and say, ‘I forgive my husband all the evil things he has done to hurt me.’ When you do that the Lord will heal you, and your heart will be softened. When you have a tender heart (instead of  hard heart) the Lord will speak to you again.”

She did as I suggested and within three minutes all the arthritis was gone. The stiffness and pain in her back was healed. Her finger joints came free and she could bend her fingers like any normal person.

Several days later she told me through  tears of joy, “Brother Ralph, the Lord has been talking to me again. He is so good!” I found out later, she was a church leader of a fine church.

This story illustrates how important it is to have our heart right with God. A hard heart, a calloused heart, an unbelieving heart, and scores of other “heart conditions” can prevent us from hearing God’s voice.

Is God still speaking today? Is it possible to hear the voice of God? Christian leaders are confused about this issue.

Some believe that God can guide us and give direction when we need it. Others say God only speaks to us by what we read in the Bible. I believe that God still speaks to us today by His Holy Spirit just as He did in Bible times. What do you believe?

The Pseudepigrapha tells about a sect of the Pharisees that came into existence 800 years (or more) before Christ. This sect taught that all God would ever say was already said through the writings of Moses. Any subsequent prophetic voice or writing was invalid. They accepted only the first books of the Bible. Nothing more!

It seems many church leaders believe the same doctrine today (with some modification). For example, modern-day “theological Pharisees” teach that God only speaks to us now by what is written in the Bible. Beyond that, God is not speaking anymore.

While the Bible is a finished book, and no one should dare add anything to the Canon of Scripture, the idea that we now serve a DUMB GOD (one who cannot speak) is a great theological travesty.

Many will die to defend what God said (past centuries) but “… refuse him that speaketh [presently in our day and time] from heaven” (Heb 12:25).

Seven times we are admonished, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith [present tense] unto the churches” (Rev 2:7; 3:22).

A. THE NEED TO HEAR

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).This word “proceedeth” speaks of a present-continuing function. That means something that happened in the past, is happening in the present, and will happen in the future.

This verse could be translated, “Man…lives… by every word that has been spoken and continues to be spoken by the mouth of God. ” God, Who spoke in ages past, is speaking in the future. GOD IS NOT A DUMB GOD!

This is not to say the Bible is still being written and we need to add to it. I do NOT believe that. The Bible does teach us however, that God wants a people to “dwell in, and walk in” (2 Cor 6:16). “living epistles, known and read by mankind” (2 Cor 3:2,3).

Oh, how we need to hear His voice! We can only live (have the life and blessing of the Lord in our churches today) by hearing every word that continues to proceed from God’s mouth to our hearts.

1. To Know God’s Will

Every church leader faces this question: What does God expect me to do, and what am I to leave up to God to do? Where does my responsibility end and God’s begin?

On the one hand, the Scripture says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by me Spirit, says the Lord” (Zech 4:6).

Some have suggested this teaches God will do it all by His Spirit and we need do nothing.

On the other hand, Jesus said, “That servant who knew his Lord’s will, …neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:47). This clearly teaches that God holds His servants responsible to know His will and to take action to implement (do) the will of God.

How do we reconcile this tension between God’s sovereignty and the church leader’s responsibility to implement the will of God?

We can easily, resolve this dilemma by examining Jesus’ words again. “That servant who knew his Lord’s will… neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes…” (Luke 12:47). Jesus contrasts this with the servant that knew not his Lord’s will. That servant ” shall be beaten with few stripes” (vs 48). Both ways you get a beating. If you know – and don’t do, and if you don’t know – and don’t do.

God wants church leaders who know and do their Lord’s will. The will of God establishes the limits of our responsibility. If we don’t know His will, we will be judged less harshly, though we will still be judged. To do the will of God we must know His will. To know His will – we must hear His voice. It’s that simple!

a. A Personal Testimony.

When I was being trained as an evangelist, I used to preach to nearly everyone I met, hoping to find someone who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. I had read in one of my books and it taught me to use the following outline. By giving the sinner these four points, I might lead someone to Christ.

• You are a sinner (Rom 3:23).
• The penalty of sin is eternal hell (Rom 6:23).
• Jesus bore your penalty for sin on the cross (1 Pet 2:24).
• Receive Jesus and you will be saved *John 1:12).

Let me assure you, all the above is true. This is all people need to know to be saved. If they believe this with all their heart, they are born from above by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.

But not one person I talked to was born again during that whole summer. Not one wanted to receive Jesus. What was I doing wrong?

I was relying on a formula, a method, instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit. I was not hearing the Lord’s voice of direction and my efforts were fruitless.

Some years later, observing Brother Heeley lead scores of souls to Christ, I found out how wrong I had been in my approach to soul-winning. Everywhere Brother Heeley went to lead people in Christ.

When Brother Heeley needed a haircut he would pray. “Lord, lead me to a barber that needs You and is ready to receive You.” He would get in his car and drive by several barber shops. When he sensed that inward feeling from the Spirit that he had found the right one, he would go into that shop, fully expecting to lead the barber to Christ. he seldom failed.

When Brother Heeley would put air in his bicycle tire, or go to the market for his wife. it was always the same. He would pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit – and then listen for God’s voice of gentle direction. He would always find sinners who were ready to receive a Savior as he followed the Spirit’s leading.

I asked him one day, “What method do you use when you talk to people, Brother Heeley?: I don’t have one,” he replied. “I listen for the voice of the Spirit to direct me in what to say to people. I never say the same thing twice. The Lord helps me to discover their need and talk to them about it in a loving, concerned way that let them know I care and God cares.”

Brother Heeley was born and raised in Canada but never heard the  gospel until he was past 40 years of age. He was led to Christ by an itinerant soul-winner who demonstrated a loving concern for him. Brother Heeley does what the man who let him to Christ did. He itinerates all over Canada, showing loving concern for people and leading them to Christ. His secret? He hears and obeys God’s voice.

I’ve tried to emulate Brother Heeley since I met him. I have found God will lead you if you desire He do so. Listen for God’s voice and He will gently lead you to people who need salvation and are ready to receive a Savior.

Not only in soul-winning, but in every area of our ministry, we need to hear God’s voice. What then hinders us?

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me… the elders of Israel…..that they may stand…with thee. And… they shall bear the burden of the people with thee…” (Num 11:16,17).

If you see a man reaching for responsibility, promote him! That man will be a blessing to the Lord’s work. If you see a man reaching for authority, be on guard! That man will damage the work of the Lord.

a. Leadership Is Not Lordship.

“Feed the flock of God… Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet 5:3).

God made mankind to exercise dominion (see Genesis 1:26). For this reason, in the heart of most men there is the desire to rule.

Ruling according to the biblical model is quite different from the way most leaders in the world exercise their authority. Hence we need to understand the Bible model for leadership.

Using dominion as Jesus did was legitimate. “..I do always those things that please the Father” (John 8:29). He used His leadership position to teach, bless, heal, break bondage’s, cast out demons, forgive sins and heal the broken-hearted (see Luke 4:18). All this pleased His heavenly Father.

“For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus did not exercise dominion as a self-serving dictator. Jesus saw His role as a servant-ruler.

His disciples did not understand this. They thought leadership would mean a high position in which they would receive praise and honor.

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a special request of him.

“And he said unto her, What do you want? She said unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.

“Jesus replied… Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant;

“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your slave: Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:20-28).

The Lord did not want His apostles ruling OVER. Rather He wanted them serving UNDER the people, bent low, washing their feet – like a lowly slave. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet – like a lowly slave.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14).

The Apostle Paul affirmed this in his writings. “But now in Christ Jesus ye… are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph 2:13,20).

This teaches us the leadership (apostles and prophets) are foundational ministries in the church. The foundation of a building is under it, in a supportive role – not over it, dominating and holding it under dominion.

The ‘chief cornerstone’ was the top-stone (or head-stone) in the pyramid. This place is reserved for Jesus alone. He alone has any right to rule in the church as the ‘chief cornerstone.’

Any church leader who tries to take the place of Jesus is in danger of operating as an ‘anti-christ.’ In the New Testament, the Greek word for ‘anti-christ’ not only means ‘against Christ’ but in some passages ‘in the place of Christ.’ Those trained for leadership must understand this important principle.

Centuries before Christ, the Israelites tried to make their deliverer, Gideon, a king. He wisely responded, “…I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you” (Judg 8:23).

1) The Parable of Jotham.

I recommend you read the parable of Jotham (a relative of Gideon) in Judges 9:7-21.

In his parable, none of the ‘fruit-bearing trees’ or vines would accept the summons to rule over the people. Only the thorny, fruitless ‘bramble bush’ responded to the call to be a ruler. Note how the ‘fruitful vine’ responded in Jotham’s parable: “Then said the trees unto the ‘vine’, Come thou, and reign over us.

“And the ‘vine’ said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? (Judg 9:12,13). The ‘vine’ refused to rule over others.

Jesus had the same attitude. He was the true ‘vine’, and He too refused to be made a king (see John 15:1). “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king he departed again into a mountain himself alone” (John 6:15).

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “..Let this mind be in you, which was also in christ Jesus:

“Who being in the form of God, thought it no something to be grasped after to be equal with God:

“But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a slave, and was made in the likeness of men:

“And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Therefore, “Let nothing be done through strife or conceit; but in humility of mind let each think of others as better than themselves” (Phil 2:3-8).

2) Paul – An Example.

Being an apostle of Jesus brought no honor or praise. Paul described his leadership role in these words. “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place.

“And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

“Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day.

” I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you” (1 Cor 4:11:14).

The Corinthian church and their leaders had a wrong understanding of their role in this present world. They thought they were to be like gentile rulers (see 1 Corinthians 4:8). Paul used stinging words of sarcasm to correct their wrong ideas.

b. The church Leader – a Burden-Bearer.

The Scripture uses the oxen (water buffalo) as the symbol of the church leader. “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?.

“Or does he say this referring to we who are leaders in the church?  For our sakes, no doubt this is written…” (1 Cor 9:8.10).

The oxen was chosen as the representation of the church leader because of its patient endurance in the labors of harvest. The steady, enduring strength and selflessness of the oxen has made it the most loved and revered of all animals used in agriculture.

As such, the oxen illustrates the biblical role of the church leader – a burden-bearer, one who joyfully takes the responsibility to see that others are fed and cared for.

It is obvious from Scripture that those who faithfully fulfill their leadership role bear many burdens like the oxen. Paul described his ministry in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 in these graphic words:

“….. in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

“Of the Jews five times received  I forty stripes save one.

“Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

“In journeying’s often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own country men, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.

“In weariness and painfulness, in watching’s often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting’s often, in cold and nakedness.

“Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” None but the sincere church leaders want these kind of burdens and responsibilities. such are God’s oxen.

Seek out these kind of men and train them for leadership. Observe these biblical principles for training leaders:

“… for then thou shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success” (Josh 1:8).

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel… and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

“And… and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone” (Num 11:16,17)

a. The Anointing Is Essential

This is probably the most important (but most neglected) principle in leadership development.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit (the anointing) coming upon the leader, he has no chance of succeeding. Jesus never sent anyone to represent Him that He did not first empower.

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1).

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also… And he said unto them. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:1,18,19).

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promises of the Father, which saith he ye have heard of me.

“For John truly baptized in water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence” (Acts 1:4,5).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus did not begin His ministry until the Spirit of the Lord descended upon Him at His Baptism in water by John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 1:32).

Jesus began His ministry by saying: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the  captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach a year of liberation [or Jubilee]” (Luke 4:18,19 – cf. Leviticus 25:1-54).

The anointing was essential for Jesus to fulfill His ministry (as outlined in the preceding verses). It likewise is essential for you.

Jesus commanded His disciples that they should “be baptized in the Holy spirit” (Act 1:5). Paul commanded “.. be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).

See the section of the Leaders Training Guide that deals with “The Baptism In The Holy Spirit” for more teaching on this vital subject.

b. Anointed Leaders Should Train Others

Let us not miss the vital principle involved in the above scriptures. the key leader was anointed and passed his anointing on to those he trained.

In contrast to this, the author has noted that often the training Seminaries are staffed by those who failed in the ministry. Those who went out to pastor a church or to evangelize and failed in the process, are often brought to the Seminary to train those who leadership potential. Such an approach is doomed to produce other who fail.

The law of Harvest found in the Bible is clear. “And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind..

“And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind...” (Gen 1:12, 21).

We reproduce what we are. If failed leaders train, their students will be failures. successful leaders, who carry a strong anointing of the Holy Spirit on their lives, should be involved in the training of leadership. They will reproduce others who will carry a strong anointing and be successful.

This was true of those Moses trained, God said, “And… I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them…” (Num 11:17).

This was true of Elijah and Elisha, “Elijah said unto Elisha. Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you. And Elisha said,  I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.

“And he said, You have asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so unto you…

“And it came to pass… there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

“He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan… and smote the waters, and said. Where is the LORD God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted.. and Elisha went over.

“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him they said, The Spirit [anointing] of Elijah doth rest on Elisha” (2 Ki 2:9-15).

This was true of Jesus and His disciples. “The Comforter… is the Holy Spirit…” (John 14:26).

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father…” (John 15:26).

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart; I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).

c. Anointing Is Shared.

The anointing transferred from Moses to the leaders who were to share in his ministry. The anointing transferred from Elijah to Elisha who was to share his ministry. The anointing transferred from Jesus to His disciples who were to share in His ministry.

The same principle still holds. The trainee shares in the anointing of the trainer. Hence, those who do the training should be those who carry the strong power of God upon their lives. The laws of Harvest will work. They will bring forth after their kind.

I knew an evangelist who had a dynamic miracle-healing ministry for the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America. I noticed that in almost every nation in which he ministered, the one who served as his interpreter would have the same anointing (ministry) as this evangelist. Two weeks of working with the evangelist caused the anointing to transfer. After the evangelist left, the interpreter would carry on in the spirit and power of the evangelist.

d. Who Transfers The Anointing?

God said, “And… I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them…” (Num 11:17).

It is under the guidance and sovereignty of God that this takes place. God is the One who chooses the recipients and directs the key leadership in this blessed transfer. “And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Heb 5:4). It is by divine appointment.

It seems in the early Church, they spent times of fasting, prayer and ministry to the Lord so a proper atmosphere was created in which God could speak (Acts 1:14; 13:1-3). Out of such times, the Holy spirit came. The anointing came. The workers went out empowered by the Spirit and successfully fulfilled their ministries.

May we clear those steps to the Upper Room once again and pray and press into God’s presence until the power of the Spirit comes. Then we will be ready to go forth proclaiming and proving the resurrection of Jesus.

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33).

Next Week

Transfer the Burden

“…and show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do” (Exo 18:20). The Apostle Luke began the Book of Acts with these words: ‘The former treatise have I made… of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1).

a. Get Them Involved.

It is not enough to teach the trainee. The trainer must immediately involve the student in DOING the TEACHING!

If you teach the student “soul-winning” – then immediately send them out to win souls. If you teach them how to heal the sick and cast out devils, immediately send them out to do this. This what Jesus did.

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power  against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying… And as ye go, preach saying:

“The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received freely give” (Matt 10:1-8).

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. and he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1, 2, 6).

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, wither he himself would come.

“Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

“And into whatsoever city ye enter….heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them. the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father, for so it seemed good in the sight ” (excerpts from Luke 10″1-2).

b. Short-Term Training Is Best.

None that the training was short-term with both the twelve apostles and the seventy disciples that Jesus commissioned. He demonstrated what they should do, and then sent them out to do the same things He did. “Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).

The longer the training program, the less effective the graduates. Training should be kept to six months maximum – then the trainees should be sent out full time to do the work. If necessary, they can be brought back for further training a year or two later.

c. Keep It Practical.

The short term training should be 50 percent TEACHING and 50 percent DOING. What is  taught should be immediately put into practice  (doing). Don’t train the head, train the hands. Keep the emphasis on Practices (practical training).

The author has spent much of the last thirty years traveling in over one hundred nations of the world. He has observed the training programs that produce good results and those training programs that produce no (or negative) results.

The Church in three nations is getting outstanding results. These are Korea, Brazil and Chile. In these nations, the above principles are being utilized. the churches are exploding in growth and the leaders are very successful in winning thousands of people to Christ.

The training is Bible-centered, short-term and practical. Academic are not emphasized. Dedication and commitment to Christ, purity of character and an emphasis on practical training (immediately doing what is taught) – these are the commonalities of the training programs in these  three countries.

It is biblically based – and yields biblical results.

Next Week

Transfer The Anointing

What training should we give church leaders? “And teach the people God’s ordinances and laws…” (Exo 18:20).

Those familiar with Church Seminaries and Bible Schools are acutely aware that most teach every subject but the Bible. The Theological Seminaries too frequently become “Cemeteries” – where hundreds of potential church leaders’ spiritual life is buried.

A basic choice was presented Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden:

“….the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge….” (Gen 2:9). Eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge would produce sin and death. Despite this biblical warning, the Church returns continually to this tree for the training programs.

What is the result? the Apostle Paul put it simply: “Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth” (1 Cor 8:1).

Training programs that do not use THE BIBLE as the primary reference work produce arrogant, spiritually dead, impotent leaders whose only achievement after graduation is to pastor a church that gets smaller every year.

That which has no life cannot and will not grow. the tree of knowledge only produces death.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye are in error, because you do not know the scriptures…” (Matt 22:29). the Scriptures keep us from error and produce life.

“… the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

It is the words of God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) recorded in the Bible that bring life to us.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life…” (Rev 22:14).

a. Academic Achievement Is Not The Goal.

Training programs based in intellectual achievement with emphasis on academic degrees will not produce the leadership needed to win lost souls to Christ or build growing churches. the greater emphasis on academics, the less capable the leadership. Teach the Bible. Train church leaders in the Bible. Let the Bible be the center of your training curriculum.

The question was asked about Jesus. “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” (John 7:15).

The Jews marveled at Jesus’ knowledge of the Scripture because they knew Jesus had no academic credential to commend Him to the religious or secular world.

We should learn from this example. Academic achievement is now the goal. Knowledge of the Scriptures and the power of God is what the church leader needs (Matt 22:29).

b. Look for “Leader-Laborers”

The early apostles were not known for their academic achievement. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Not one of Jesus’ apostles graduated from the Theological Seminary of the Pharisees or Sadducees. His standard for church leaders was this: ‘The harvest truly is great but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). The effective church leader is one who has proven he knows how to work hard. He has callouses on his hands. He has learned the discipline of strenuous productive labor.

By contrast, the Seminary graduate is often arrogant, too proud to work, lazy and unproductive. Such are not fit to represent Him who washed His disciples’ feet. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet”  (John 13:14). Find a “leader-laborer” and you will usually have a productive church leader.

That is why Jesus chose fishermen like Peter and John, professional people like Matthew the publican and Luke the physician. They had practical skills and knew how to work hard. Such can be taught the Bible and be fruitful leaders.

Next Week

Show them the work to do

2,500,000 Israelites followed Moses out of Egypt into the wilderness.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

“And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did…. , he said, What is this … Why do you sit judging the people without others to help…?

“And Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I teach them the statutes of God, and his laws.

“And Moses’ father-in-law said unto him. The thing that you do is not good. You will surely wear away, both you, and this people… for this thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself alone.

“Do what I say, I will give you counsel, and God shall be with you: bring the causes [needs] of the people unto God.

“And teach the people God’s ordinances and laws, and show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

“In addition, choose out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

“And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every difficult matter they shall bring unto you, but every simple matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for you, and they shall bear the burden with you” (Exo 18:13-22).

Clericalism is trying to do the work God has called you to accomplish, by yourself, without the counsel or help of others. It is placing yourself OVER others instead of seeing yourself as the servant of others. “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt 20:27; 23:11). Those who stay in the trap of Clericalism will fail to fulfill the true purpose of a church leader.

Clericalism can only be solved by using the principles of multiplying ministry utilized by Jesus and the Apostle Paul in the New Testament.

The solution to clericalism is to build a team. Invest your time and resources in the team. Let the team help you with the work God has called you to do.

You will succeed in team-building if you follow the principles given to Moses by God and his father-in-law, Jethro. Without these, Moses would have failed. without them you will fail as a church leader.

If you follow the biblical alternative to “Clericalism,” you will be effective in helping Jesus build His Church. We will examine the five principles given to Moses. In these, we will find our solution to the problem of Clericalism.

A. FIVE PRINCIPLES GIVEN TO MOSES

1. Train Others To Help

“I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee….” (Num 11:14,15).

Moses was asking God to kill him because of the problems resulting from clericalism. Clericalism was killing Moses.

It will kill you!

To help him with this problem, god was talking to Moses (Numbers 11). In Exodus 18, Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law) was also talking to Moses and saying the same thing.

When Moses listened to God and Jethro, here is what he found out.

The solution to his problem began with training others.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men… whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them…” (Num11:16).

“In addition, choose out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: with you….” (Exo 18:21,22).

The scripture verses which follow teach us that the leadership gifts were given to the Church to train the members to do the work of the ministry.

This was the purpose of Moses’ ministry. He just didn’t know it.

The leader’s job is to train and equip the members of the church who have leadership potential.

these members would then do the work of the ministry.

“When Jesus ascended up to heaven. He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For training and equipping the saints, so that members of the church would do the work of the ministry, and thus build up the body of Christ spiritually and  numerically…” (Eph 4:10-12 pph).

a. Each One – Teach One.

Paul teaches in the above verses that the primary purpose of a church leader is to train others.

Paul explained this to young Timothy. His job as a church leader was to train others. He was to take the training he received from Paul and pass it on to other faithful men. these in turn were also to teach still other faithful men.

“And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).

Following Paul’s principles of training others would set off a chain reaction of multiplication that would cause the gospel to be spread quickly over the whole world.

The following chart shows what would happen if you would take ONE year training him.

The second year, you and the one you trained would each train one other. If you kept this process up for thirty-three years, look what would happen.

This illustrates the Bible principle of “EACH ONE-TEACH ONE”

EACH ONE – TEACH ONE

At End Of              No Of Persons Trained

Year 1                                              2
Year 2                                             4
Year 3                                             8
Year 4                                            16
Year 5                                            32
Year 6                                            64
Year 7                                          128
Year 8                                          256
Year 9                                          512
Year 10                                     1,024
Year 11                                     2,048
Year 12                                     4,096
Year 13                                     8,192
Year 11                                   16,384
Year 15                                   32,768
Year 16                                   65,536
Year 17                                 131,082
Year 18                                 262,144
Year 19                                 524,288
Year 20                              1,048,576
Year 21                              2,097.152
Year 22                              4,194,304
Year 23                              8,388,608
Year 24                            16,777,216
Year 25                            33,554,432
Year 26                            67,108,864
Year 27                          134,217,728
Year 28                          268,435,456
Year 29                          536,870,912
Year 30                       1,073,741,824
Year 31                       2,147,483,648
Year 32                       4,294,967,296
Year 33                       8,589,934,592

If each one would teach one, at the end of 33 years, more people would be trained than the population of the world. If we would do things the Bible way, we would experience biblical results.

“And there went great multitudes with him… And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (Luke 14:25, Acts 5:14). This is God’s desire, for multitudes to follow Jesus.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes…” (Rev 7:9). Yes! The Lord wants multitudes saved. “The Lord…is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). He has given us principles to insure this result.

b. Fruit That Remains.

In 1959 the author was ministering in the country of Nicaragua, Central America. the question was asked an elderly and wise church leader: “How were you able to plant five hundred churches in Central America in thirty years?” In response he told the following story.

“I went to Guatemala in 1929 as a missionary. Immediately I set out to visit villages where no born-again believers could be found. I preached and healed the sick for six nights. Every night I invited the sinners to come and receive forgiveness from Jesus for their sins. Many came every night.

“I would baptize the new believers in water and go on to the next village, to repeat the process. I thought I was winning about one hundred souls to Christ every week. That is the number I was baptizing.

“I would write to my home church who supported me and tell the story of all my success. it was unbelievable! I was winning over five-thousand souls each year to Christ.

“After two years and one hundred village crusades, I decided to go back and visit all these villages a second time.

“I went to the first village and to my amazement, all my converts had become ‘reverts’ – they had all reverted back to their pagan practices and were not living their lives by the Bible. There were no church meetings and no one leading or teaching the new believers. Those I had left in charge had no continued to follow Christ.

” I went to the second and third, the fourth and fifth village. It was the same in every one. My heart was broken. What I thought had been two years of successful ministry had produced no remaining fruit.

“The words of Jesus were ringing in my ears:

“‘You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”‘ (John 15:16).

” I had no remaining fruit. What must I do? I set my heart to seek the Lord with a time of fasting and prayer. During that time the Lord spoke clearly to me. He said, ‘I have not sent you to evangelize Central America by yourself. I sent you to train others.’

” The Lord showed me two important principles. First: Train others to take leadership responsibility! Second: Work where God is working!

” I immediately set about organizing a Bible School training course of six months’ duration. about fifty students came and completed the first course.

” Shortly after that, I heard reports from the jungle areas of miracles of healing taking place. People were having visions of Jesus and as a result of the healing miracles, were being converted by the scores.

” Then I remembered. ‘Work where God is working.’ Immediately we took the trained workers to that area. A great harvest of souls resulted. The trained workers started churches in each of the villages and cared for and taught the new believers. This produced ‘remaining fruit’.

” I have followed those two principles since 1931: (1) Train others and (2) work where God is working!

” Today we have five Short-term Bible Training Institutes in which over a thousand workers have been trained. The five hundred churches are the remaining  fruit of those Central American young people we trained. they went out to the places where we heard God was working. We worked with God and great  fruitfulness resulted.”

By 1989 (30 years after I first met that dear missionary) that Central American church movement had grown to several   thousand churches.

c. Find The Leaders.

And the LORD  said unto Moses, “Gather unto me seventy men … whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them ….” (Num 11:16).

A lot of time and effort is wasted training those with no leadership gift. The Lord’s instruction was clear, “Gather seventy men… whom thou knowest to be elders [leaders]…”

How can you recognize a leader? Observe how many followers there are. If no one is following, you do not have a leader.

When you go out to the field to bring in a herd of fifty dairy cows to be milked – you only have to find the “lead cow.” If you start her toward the milking-barn, the rest will follow. so it is with leaders of people. You must find men and women others will follow, and train them.

This is what Jesus did. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

“And when it was day, he called unto his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named Apostles. And he came down with them…” (Luke 6:12, 13,17).

Jesus spent most of His time preparing the twelve apostles to carry on His ministry. He followed this principle of training others – who would teach others also. That is the ministry of leaders – finding more leaders and training them.

Next Week

Teach the Bible