Follow Me as I Follow Christ
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”
2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.”
You have probably heard the saying, “To be a good leader, you must be a good follower,” and that is true! You can learn from anyone, but the greatest leaders you will know will be genuine followers of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. While some will be in the ministry, others will be “lay people” or solid brothers & sisters that have lived a life of following and loving Jesus. Paul boldly said to follow him… AS he follows Christ. There is one direction to maturity and that is through following the precepts of the Word of God. Thankfully, in most instances, God gives his people examples to follow - by sending seasoned men and women that have paid the price for the gospel. When there aren’t godly examples to follow, God will raise up “somebodies from nobodies” to provide leaders for his people!
Think of some teachers, mentors and/or leaders you have had in your life (those in ministry and/or not in ministry. How has their walk with Christ impacted you? Consider sending them a thank you text, or blessing them for the example they’ve been to you! Do you believe you can be that example to someone else? In Christ, you can! As freely as you have received, freely give! Be willing to pay the price to follow Christ - not just for yourself - but for those that will follow you because of it.
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
2 Peter 1:10-11 “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
1 Timothy 3:1-7 “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [a]bishop, he desires a good work.A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not [b]given to wine, not violent, [c]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [d]covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
1 Timothy 4:12-16 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
As we grow in our understanding of our identity in Christ, God reveals the plans He’s prepared for us, and the standards for walking in leadership. We’ve all been given the ministry of reconciliation (sharing the gospel of Christ) and, we have all been given unique gifting and callings. It’s our responsibility to find out, and to live out what He has given us to do, with integrity of heart and action. Some don’t fulfill everything God has called them to, for various reasons - lack of understanding, fear, little to no relationship with God, lack of priorities, ect.. Others can begin to carry out God’s calling for their lives, but lose sight of purpose in the process, producing complacency and lack of endurance.
Leaders are those who make their calling and election sure. Then they endure. They continue to Abide in the Vine, and they keep the main thing the main thing. Guard the gifting and callings God has given you! Keep the fire burning and stay passionate EVERY DAY! Even while on the job, in the home and living day to day life, you can stir up the gift of God and operate in your great destiny of Godly leadership.
A Lifestyle of Godly Leadership - Shining Brightly in this World
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
The Lord empowers us to live with utmost integrity in all we do and say. Some people will persecute you for living uprightly, while others will be drawn into relationship with God through it. They will be drawn to follow you as you follow Christ.
A great gauge of godly leadership is found within one’s home. Does your spouse see you authentically following Jesus? What about your children? Paul instructed the church to not have a person in ministry who wasn’t able to lead his home well. This can be challenging, but this is an integral part of Christianity. One of the best ways to lead by example is to repent when we are wrong, and for our family to see us make it right. Can you think of more ways to lead your family by example?
From there, our call to leading by example flows into our community, our church, our workplace, our friends, and other places we go. Wherever He has called you, He has placed His mantle within and upon you, to shine brightly in this world. SEE yourself as the light and the leader God has called you to be!
Leading in Hardships and Uncertain Times
Genesis 50:19-21 “Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair: persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
James 1:2-8 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
During uncertain times, people look to their leaders. There is a responsibility on leaders to know how to handle hardships, and tough times. And, if he/she does not immediately know what to do, there is trust that he/she will go to prayer and hear directly from God on the matter.
This requires deep rooted faith and maturity. Paul warned of not putting a novice into ministry. The tests of life, if handled properly, produce strong leaders that will endure in the face of the storm.
Those who lead by example will also lay their lives down, in the good times, and in peril. The cause of Christ has overtaken them, and they are fully sold out to the gospel. Even if it costs them their life!
As we just read, both Joseph and Paul endured terrible things for the saving of others lives. Would you be willing/prepared to endure suffering for the cause of Christ and souls? Do you count it all joy when you experience various trials? Are you willing to stay with Christ for the long haul, and to grow to maturity in the faith?
Rise up to the high call of God in Christ Jesus! You are able to do this by faith in Him!
We call forth the mighty leader in you. We call forth strength, fortitude, commitment, honor and integrity. We call forth richness in your personal time with the Lord, producing peace and wisdom in every decision you make. You were born for this!