Christ, the Ultimate Leader

Why Jesus is the “reason for the season”? It probably helps to understand what the season is about. The season could be summarized as a time to give gifts of appreciation, love, and devotion to others. It has been a custom for centuries for kingdoms to bring gifts to each other as an alliance with, or tribute to, another kingdom. Although the season of Christmas isn’t about building alliances with others, it is about bringing cheer and happiness to someone which helps build stronger relationships. 

God began His gift giving by creating life, then giving a promise of an even better life. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 describes our “giving gifts of love to others” as a way to honor Christ and proclaim the good news. It’s kind of an echo of His “surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 

God’s indescribable gift was found in Jesus (John 3:16), who showed us how to live (1 Peter 2:20-21; Phillipians 2:3-5), not just in His presence, but His influence. Consider how Jesus’ understanding of scripture as a tool to guide us amazed people during His ministry, Matthew 7:28-29, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (even before His ministry began, Luke 2:47). 

Jesus’ way of living and interpreting scripture leads us in a powerful way to the Promised Land that the Israelites failed to enter because of their lack of trust in Moses’ (really God’s) leadership (Hebrews 3:19). Today, we are “blessed because we follow Him even though we don’t see [Him]” (John 20:29). To follow Jesus is to trust his leadership, to trust his authority in our lives, and to trust his words (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

So, how would we “exchange gifts” with Jesus? He described the commitment to live by His ways and follow Him in Luke 9:57-62, which ultimately is about our surrendering our will to His and knowing that His will establishes an amazing foundation for a beautiful life. It pleases God to see people trust in His son and to follow His example in life. 

His leadership gives us peace and comfort. We don’t have to do this alone. Thankfully, God has consistently worked through other people to become the peace and comfort we need in our most troubling times. Therefore, giving gifts to those who have brought peace and comfort to our lives, or who have modeled wisdom and compassion, should be a natural expression of gratitude. It’s for this reason that leadership should be so highly valued within the body of Christ.

Wisdom from God

At the end of King David's life, he made preparations for one of his sons to take the throne. Solomon was the Son of Bathsheba, one of David's wives that came about at a dark time in David's life. Solomon was able to see the pressures associated with leadership, so he asked God for help. After he took the throne we read his prayer in 1 Kings 3:7, 9, "Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties… So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

God granted him wisdom to lead. We should know that all of us, especially leaders, need to remember James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Great leadership is bathed in godly wisdom. Solomon writes a series of "wise sayings" to his sons in Proverbs 1-9. He begins these 10 pieces of wisdom letting them (and us) know their purpose.

Proverbs 1:2-6, "[The proverbs are] for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise."

Ultimately wisdom is seen as well as heard. Good leadership practices what it promotes. When the world sees godly wisdom, in a way they get to see a glimpse of God.

1 Corinthians 1:20-24, "Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

"The list" found in 1 Timothy 3, or Titus 1, serves as attributes associated with godly wisdom. Just like Solomon, leaders need to be seen turning to God for guidance and seeking His wisdom to lead people closer to Christ.

Good Hearts

During the holiday season, it can be challenging to buy gifts that people really want or need. Although, most of us understand that it’s the thought that counts. In other words, a gift giver's heart is in the right place when they were choosing a gift to give.

God has given us a gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit, “the seal for the day of our redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). This beautiful gift helps us to tune into God’s heart, His will. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 2:11, “Who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” Although God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), we still have what we need.

Consider 2 Peter 1:3-8, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Lord says that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9), which means I need God’s Spirit to guide me towards making better decisions and acting in better ways. How does that guidance manifest itself? Our first response is probably “scripture.” While that’s true, it’s best when the scripture is presented by someone that cares enough about us to help us “get back on track” (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19- 20).

The Bible talks about the heart about 950 times, which means our heart must be right. It’s what God was looking for in every leader He ever chose. David prayed in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

David’s prayer was a prayer of repentance for sins he had committed as a leader of God’s people. He knew he needed God’s holy spirit to guide him as a king (leader). David had succumbed to the world’s way of leadership (corruption, selfishness, greed, etc.), which Samuel had warned the Israelites would happen (1 Samuel 8:11-18). David had been appointed as a different kind of leader, so too are the leaders in the church called to a higher standard than that of the world (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-27, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave…” It was within this same way of thinking that Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to appoint men with “good hearts.” Ultimately, he says “the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5). 

Shepherds

Leadership is developing people and helping others reach their full potential, according to one online dictionary. Sadly, it’s a beautiful concept that is often overlooked in our world today. 

Scott Mann is a retired Green Beret, who teaches leadership to organizations. During his 18 years of service in war-torn places, Scott began to realize how important building trust among the community is in order to overcome some of the biggest hurdles in organizational leadership. “Rooftop leadership is having a crystal-clear vision of a better world that doesn't yet exist, and the dynamic ability to inspire others to help you build it.” - Scott Mann 

How does that translate for a church? The truth is leadership has a powerful impact on the health and direction of a congregation. But how and who are the questions that people want to know when seeking new leadership. Thankfully, we have a lot of material to refer to in order to see what God had in mind when it comes to leadership. 

Typically, preachers and teachers focus on 1 Timothy 3 or Titus 1 as the primary source that details the qualities of good leaders. While that is very concise and helpful, the entire story of God’s redemptive plan adds even greater detail to the kinds of leaders that serve the way God wants them to. 

Throughout the Bible, especially the “history” portion of scripture, judges and kings are recognized for doing good (rarely) in the eyes of the Lord, or for doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. In fact, the phrase, “___ did evil in the eyes of the Lord” is used 40 times in the Old Testament (NIV). The fact that so many didn’t hit the mark should serve as good examples for us of what NOT to do in Godly leadership. As Paul said in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” 

As the qualities Paul highlights in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, a shepherd ought to be “well-thought of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, be attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap” (taken from the Message Bible). 

The fact that the Bible is full of detailed examples of leadership should help us to see why it is so important that qualities like these be found in those who are helping a group of believers reach their full potential in the work of the Lord. These qualities complement the mission of the church, “...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20)