Lesson 7 May 6–12
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Servant Leadership
Commentary in Navy Inspiration in Maroon
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Pet. 5:1–10, Acts 6:1–6, Jer. 10:21, Matt. 20:24–28, Prov. 3:34, Rev. 12:7–9.
Memory Text: “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Studies of growing churches almost always highlight the importance of effective leadership. This leadership takes its vision from God and His Word and provides opportunity for everybody in the congregation to exercise his or her own spiritual gifts in pursuit of the gospel commission.
But church leadership is highly challenging. Volunteers, who often give of their time even though they already are busy, largely run churches. Members can “vote with their feet” by ceasing to attend if something happens that they cannot support. Furthermore, an effective Christian leader also must be deeply spiritual. And we shouldn’t forget that Peter is writing to churches that are experiencing persecution. The church leader is particularly vulnerable at such times. Who, then, is equipped for this task?
In 1 Peter 5:1–10, Peter addresses the matter of Christian leadership on the local church level.
5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
5:3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
In these verses, he writes about some of the crucial characteristics needed, not just in the local leaders but in members, as well. His words are as relevant for us today as they were then.
The question was asked "Who, then, is equipped for this task" of leadership? Let's begin with who is not. The first qualification of leadership is conversion, true conversion. If one is not filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, then how can he be an example to the church, or be in unity with those who are born again of the Spirit? It would be like asking those in rebellion to be in unity with those who are converted. It is not going to happen. There must first be unity of Spirit before there can be unity of doctrine.
The Bible tells us to "Lay hands suddenly on no man." 1 Timothy 5:22. A leader must be very patient and have experience that enables him to be an example of correct doing and able to teach "milk" and "meat". How can one teach others what he has not learned himself? He cannot.
Today, we have many perplexities in the church because we have selected many unconsecrated elders. "The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ. Vol 6, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary; pg 1075. The same condition exists in the church today, and as we read, it is not restricted to church leadership. Unconsecrated elders have baptized many who did not die to self.
We also see an example of what not to do in the attitude of the apostles towards Judas and the leaders in Israel. "The disciples had been much disappointed that Jesus had not tried to secure the co-operation of the leaders in Israel. They felt that it was a mistake not to strengthen His cause by securing the support of these influential men. If He had repulsed Judas, they would, in their own minds, have questioned the wisdom of their Master. The after history of Judas would show them the danger of allowing any worldly consideration to have weight in deciding the fitness of men for the work of God. The co-operation of such men as the disciples were anxious to secure would have betrayed the work into the hands of its worst enemies. Desire of Ages, pg 294.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 13.