Leadership

  
All I Have Commanded, Chapter 7
by Dan Bentley and E. Jay O'Keefe
 

INTRODUCTION
We’re going to depart from our usual chapter format for this chapter, and begin with some notes and commentary. Then we will follow with the “one-liners,” except they will be divided into three sections, 1) commands to leaders, 2) commands to followers, and 3) commands to both. We hope this arrangement will enhance your study of this category of commandments. It did for us.

As we embarked on the study of the commandments relating to leadership, we were surprised to find that we had categorized only two commands from the mouth of Jesus, Matthew 7:15-23 and Matthew 20:26-28. Why only two? Most likely because the church had not yet come into existence. It would be the apostles who would lay down the principles for operating and governing the church, including the qualifications and responsibilities of the leaders. But all their principles and instructions would rest on the foundation of these two commandments from Jesus. Let’s think a little about each as we enter this study.

“Watch out for false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (MT 7:15) Why did Jesus give this commandment? I think the context of this command gives the answer. “You will know them by their fruits.” (v16). That is, you will know them by their actions, their deeds, how they live their lives, more than by their words. Do they obey Jesus’ commands? (vss 21, 24-27). Their words, even their doctrine will often sound genuine (they will “come in sheep’s clothing.”), but their actions will betray them. Jesus is giving a warning to those who will soon be establishing the new church, saying, “Examine their fruits, their actions. Do they obey my commands?” This will be a surer test of whether they are false prophets than even their doctrine, though, of course, their doctrine is important. The warning is still needed today.

You will note that the apostles picked up on this warning and expanded it in their instructions to both leaders and followers. The tone is set in Acts 20:28-31, which says in part, “Be on guard for and on the alert for false teachers. Protect the flock which the Holy Spirit has given you to shepherd.” Here Paul is instructing the Ephesian elders. (Dan)

The other command in this category from the mouth of Jesus is found in Matthew 20:28, “….Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” It seems to me that other than obedience to the commandments of Jesus, the second most important qualification for a leader is that he be a servant of those he leads. Jesus taught this on more than one occasion. “Whoever wants to be first must be last, the servant of all.” “Come to Me and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart……I am among you as one that serves.” “If I, your teacher, have washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet.”

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have the right and responsibility to choose those within the body of Christ with whom to assemble for the purpose of fellowship, worship, prayer, ministry, etc. With the exercise of your choice you will be choosing leaders to whom you will submit. No one can force leadership upon you, but having made your choice, you are then commanded to obey them. “Obey your leaders, and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17). Paul’s command in 1 Corinthians 16:16-18 is a great commentary and application of this. In v15 he cited the household of Stephanas as an illustration of believers who had “devoted themselves to the service of the saints.” Then in v16 he instructs the Corinthians to submit themselves to that kind of leaders. In v15, the King James translates (describing the household of Stephanas), “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” That’s the kind of leader I want to place myself under. (Jay)

LEADERSHIP COMMANDMENTS

Important Note: The “one-liners for each command are provided in order to get a quick grasp of the entire category of commands. They can be read at a single sitting, which we recommend doing. But they are not a substitute for the full text, which we suggest you read from the Scriptures in its context.

FROM JESUS TO BOTH LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS

MATTHEW
7:15-23 Watch out for false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
20:26-28 Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.


FROM THE APOSTLES TO BOTH LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS

ACTS

6:1-4 Select deacons for personal ministries, so we leaders may give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.

1 CORINTHIANS
4:1-2 Regard your leaders as stewards of Christ. It is required that stewards be found trustworthy.
5:1-13 Judge actions (not motives) of fellow believers and exercise church discipline when needed.
5:1-13 Do not associate with immoral people, and remove the unrepentant wayward brother from your fellowship.
6:1-8 Do not initiate lawsuits against fellow believers. Use fellow believers to arbitrate disputes.
14:34-35 Let the women keep silent in the churches.

EPHESIANS
4:11-16 Don’t be as children tossed about by every wind of doctrine and deceit of men, rather speak the truth in love.

PHILIPPIANS
3:2-3 Beware of evil workers and false teachers.
3:17 Follow Paul’s example and observe those who walk according to his pattern.

COLOSSIANS 
2:8-10 Don’t let anyone deceive you according to the world’s philosophy and traditions, rather than according to Christ.
2:16-17 Let no one judge your food or drink or holy days, things which are merely shadows, but the substance is Christ.
2:18-19 Let no one defraud you through self-abasement or worship of angels. Hold fast to Christ as head of the church.
2:20-22 Having died with Christ to the principles of the world, don’t submit to decrees such as don’t touch, taste, etc.

2 THESSALONIANS
2:1-3 Let no one deceive you. The Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes and the lawless one is revealed.
2:13-15 Stand firm and hold to the traditions you have been taught, by word of mouth, or by letter from the apostles.
3:6-7 Keep aloof from every unruly brother who doesn’t live according to the apostles’ teaching.
3:10-12 If anyone will not work, neither let him eat. Some are undisciplined, not working, but acting like busybodies.
3:14-15 Note anyone who violates these instructions and disassociate from him.
3:14-15 Do not regard the unruly brother as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 TIMOTHY 
1:3-4 Ignore myths and endless genealogies, which foster speculation rather than build the kingdom, which is by faith.
2:11-15 Women are to quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
2:11-15 Women are not allowed to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
6:1-2 Let employees respect their employers so that our doctrine may not be spoken against.
6:1-2 Let those with believing employers not disrespect them because they are brethren. Teach and preach this.
6:3-5 Beware of anyone teaching doctrine different from the words of Jesus, or doctrine not conforming to godliness.
6:20-21 Guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid worldly arguments, falsely called knowledge, which lead astray.

2 TIMOTHY
2:15 Present yourself a workman approved by God, who needs not be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2:16-18 Avoid worldly and empty chatter, which will lead to ungodliness and spread like gangrene.
2:23 Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
3:1-5 Realize difficult times will come in the last days, as men commit every form of sin rooted in pride. Avoid them.

JAMES
3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.
5:10-11 Consider the prophets of the Lord as an example of suffering and patience. Count those blessed who endured.
5:14-18 Let he who is sick call for the elders to pray for him. The prayer offered in faith will restore him.
5:14-18 Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another. The prayer of the righteous can accomplish much.
5:19-20 Understand that turning a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover many sins.

I PETER
4:11 Whoever speaks, speak God’s truth. Whoever serves, serve in God’s strength, that in all, God will be glorified.

1 JOHN
4:1-3 Test the spirits whether they are from God.. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus is come in the flesh is from God.
5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life.
5:16-17 I do not say he should make a request for a sin leading to death.

2 JOHN
1:10-11 Do not receive into fellowship those who don’t bring this teaching. To do so participates in their evil deeds.

JUDE
1:3-4 Contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, for some ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed.
1:3-4 Those ungodly persons have turned God’s grace into licentiousness, denying Jesus. They are condemned.
1:17-21 Remember the apostles’ words, “Mockers will come in the last times, following their lusts and causing divisions.”

REVELATION
22:18-19 Don’t add or take away from the words of this book, or God will take your part from the tree of life and holy city.




























FROM THE APOSTLES TO FOLLOWERS
ACTS
2:42 Devote yourselves to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
6:1-4 Select deacons for personal ministries, so we leaders may give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.

ROMANS
16:17-19 Watch those who cause dissentions contrary to what you’ve been taught, and turn away from them.

1 CORINTHIANS
4:1-2 Regard your leaders as stewards of Christ and God’s mysteries. It is required that stewards be found trustworthy.
9:1-14 Contribute to the financial support of those who minister the word to you.
16:16 Submit to your leaders in the Lord’s work.

2 CORINTHIANS
6:6 Share all good things with him who teaches you the word.

EPHESIANS
5:6-8, 11 Let no one deceive you with words which bring the wrath of God on the disobedient. Don’t partake with them.

PHILIPPIANS
2:16-18, 3:1 Hold fast the word of life, that in the day of Christ, those who taught and served you may have cause to glory.

1 THESSALONIANS 
2:11-12 As exhorted by the apostles and your teachers, walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom.
5:12-13 Appreciate your leaders in the Lord who instruct you. Esteem them highly because of their work.

1 TIMOTHY
5:17-18 Compensate generously the elders who rule well, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

2 TIMOTHY
1:13-14 Retain the standard of sound words of your teachers, and guard them as a treasure entrusted to you. 

HEBREWS
13:7 Remember those who led you and spoke God’s word to you. Consider their conduct. Imitate their faith.
13:9 Don’t be carried away by varied and strange teachings. Be strengthened by grace, not foods which do not benefit.
13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give account.
13:17 Let your leaders do this with joy, not grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

1 PETER
5:5 Younger men, be subject to your elders.



FROM THE APOSTLES TO LEADERS

ACTS
20:28-31 Be on your guard for false teachers. Protect the flock the Holy Spirit has given you to shepherd.

1 THESSALONIANS
5:14 Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.

1 TIMOTHY
1:5-7 Make the goal of your instruction love from a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.
1:5-7 Pay no attention to those who turn aside to fruitless discussions about things they don’t understand.
3:2-7 To qualify as an overseer, a man must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, able to teach, etc.
3:2-7 An overseer must manage well his own family, keeping control over his children.
3:2-7 An overseer must not be a new convert, and must have a good reputation with those outside the church.
3:8-10 Deacons must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not fond of sordid gain.
3:8-10 Deacons must hold the faith with a clear conscience. Let them first be tested, then serve if beyond reproach.
3:12-13 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and households.
4:7-11 Avoid worldly fables. Discipline yourself in godliness, which is profitable now and in eternity. Teach this truth.
4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness. Show yourself an example in speech, conduct, love and faith.
4:13-16 Teachers, give attention to public reading of Scripture, exhortation, teaching. Take pains with these things.
4:13-16 Teachers, watch yourself and your teaching. Perseverance will insure salvation for you and those you teach.
5:1-2 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father.
5:1-2 Appeal to the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
5:3-7 Honor widows, but if she has children or grandchildren, let them first care for her.
5:8 Whoever fails to provide for his own family has denied the faith.
5:11-15 Do not provide for the younger widows, who should marry, rather than be idle.
5:16 If a believing woman has dependent widows, let her assist them.
5:19-21 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
5:19-21 Those elders who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, that the others may be fearful of sinning.
5:22 Don’t commission a leader too hastily leading to responsibility for the sins of others. Keep free of sin.
6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich not to fix their hope on riches, but on God who gives all things to enjoy.
6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.

2 TIMOTHY
2:1-2 Entrust the things your leaders have taught you to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2:14 Charge those you teach not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
2:24-26 Don’t be quarrelsome, but kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, correcting with gentleness.
4:1-5 Preach the word, when convenient and when not. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.
4:1-5 Be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

TITUS
2:1 Speak the things that are fitting for sound doctrine.
3:9 Shun foolish controversies, genealogies, strife and disputes about the law. They are unprofitable and worthless.
3:10-11 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing such a man is sinning and self-condemning.