First, by way of criticism let me establish a comparison to the Man of God. Many churches have gone the way of the business model. Formulas for success and copying successful models seems to be the signs of the times. Business models produce a product of large churches. The success models produce the same. Although Biblical education is important, education now has replaced the sold out man of God who is filled with the Living God in his heart and soul. The man of God may be overlooked due his lack of an MA and so on. Books abound on success formulas and models. But what I’m not seeing are books and teachings of the power of service through holiness. Serving by the dedicated life and humility. The man of God serving in, by and through the awesome power of God and His blessings.
So the comparison is the business model produces mega churches via messages and programs geared to produce the product of multitudes of people. The Biblical model would be a man of God humbly but in the power and blessing of God speaking repentance to hearts resulting in thousands hearing the call of the Gospel unto salvation.
One of the interesting introductions I have encountered in the mission field is the “Man of God.” Rather than business and success models, I believe we need a more Biblical model of holy men of God in this day of evil rather than men willing to tickle ears and pursuing the appetites of their own desires and fame. “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).
The “Man of God” leader.
I know many leaders answer the call of God and are willing to drop their nets and follow Jesus Christ. Men willing to lose their lives and then find the power of God serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
An interesting study is a term the “man of God” in the Bible. It is mentioned numerous times in the old and New Testaments.
Deu_33:1 Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.
1Ti_6:11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2Ti_3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
So number one, we need men of God. Men who have given it all up and continue to give up the world (1 John 2:15ff) to serve their Savior.
Second, are men who love God with all they have and all they are, Luke 10:27. Men who love God so strongly there is room for nothing else. Men who will love His people. Men who are willing to give their all for His people. “Have this attitude in yourselves” (Philippians chapter 2).
Third, and important is men of God filled with the Spirit of God.
Act 5:32 "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
Rom_8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Rom_8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
1Co_2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually appraised.
The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit of God, is not impotent as many would want to believe. He is powerful and active in the lives of God’s men: God’s Church! He is the third person of Elohim, and He is not dead! The Holy Spirit is more than a seal. The apostles and leaders of the early church needed the power of the Holy Spirit so why would we as leaders of His Church today want to deny it. If we preach the Gospel of Jesus, we will need all of God including the power of the Holy Spirit.
Number five is we need men of God who pray. Men who understand that to accomplish the ministry given to us by God, we need to be in continuous communication with Him. Men who follow the simple instruction of our Lord’s example of prayer in Mathew 6 with praise and focusing on His will. When we move in His will, He answers our prayers in even greater ways than we can imagine. When we are in His will and ask to accomplish it, then He goes before us, because His will is providential and insured by Him. If we are in His will, we will see and experience the power of God in the task before us.
1Jn 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Act_4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
Last and most important is this is His Church, not ours. He is responsible for the success of His Church. It does not come from business or success models or education or talented people. It comes from God and Him alone. If we are accomplishing His will of sharing the Gospel unto salvation, then He adds daily. We are simply vessels for His use. If we are His vessels, then we walk confidently in His power and with His blessing. If we are His vessels, then we are His men: the man of God.
The Church comes by the power of The Confession "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Because as Jesus said “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” Matthew 16:16ff).
Therefore, we are only His servants and not His lords. He is its Savior, and we are not.
We are not the leaders of His churches, but men of God in His Church.
His Church was purchased and is guaranteed by His blood and only His.
Act 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
A good read is Acts 20:17-38.
Church leadership must be men of God: the Lord’s shepherds and leaders in His Church.
For a good comparison and enlightenment for shepherds are first read Ezekiel 34 (bad shepherds) and then John 10:11-18 (The Good Shepherd – good shepherds). (Thank you, Dr. David)
I pray we are not the hired hand, but men of God (a man of God) laying down our lives and sacrificing our lives, all for Jesus and His sheep: His Church.
Sincerely,
Steve Bragg
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