Bible Study - Leadership - Pursue God's Agenda - 1 Corinthians 4, Galatians 1 and 1 Thyessalonians 2 - May 22, 2011

Bible Study – Leadership – Pursue God’s Agenda – May 22, 2011

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Taking the Lead.”
Our scriptures are 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Galatians 1:6-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12.

Leaders, in general, have huge egos and want to do things their way. Many tend to think it wimpy to consult GOD, unless they get into trouble. Leaders cannot be passive. They must be decision makers. Leaders must prepare and when they combine their knowledge, skills and abilities with GOD’S leadership and wisdom, through CHRIST, it makes for the right partnership for them to be the most effective leaders.

We studied Ezra in our last lesson and learned that his desire was to know GOD by studying HIS Word and to put what he learned into practice by obediently serving GOD. He realized that GOD had orchestrated his life, the circumstances of his life and placed him at the right place at the right time to serve HIM. As a result, he trusted the leadership of GOD as he pondered HIS Word.

Most leaders today believe that their hard work, their intelligence, good fortune, graduating from the right schools, knowing the right people and determination got them to the pinnacle of their success. This is often true in the secular world order. But many are miserable at the top of their game. Why? It is because many have left GOD out of their lives. Satan can give worldly success but only GOD, through an intimate relationship with HIM, through CHRIST, can give the success that brings lasting peace and satisfaction.

In our lesson this week, we will explore the need for Christians to pursue GOD’S agenda. Christians must keep in mind that they are GOD’S representatives and, as such, are accountable to HIM. Being GOD’S representative carries an awesome responsibility to rightly divide HIS Word, know the truth, speak the truth and live the truth. Salvation is a mystery to those who seek salvation. Christians know the truth and as GOD leads them, they are to share this truth and the light of salvation. They are to grow and mature Spiritually, so they, in turn, can help fellow Christians grow and mature Spiritually. They have tremendous influence and need to be a positive example to others.

So how do Christians follow GOD’S agenda? It is by having the right relationship with HIM, through CHRIST, as revealed through GOD’S Word. It is applying what they learn, through obedient service, as HE leads by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 4:1-5: Recognize Your Accountability to GOD.

The Faithful Manager

1 A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s • mysteries. 2 In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one be found faithful. 3 It is of little importance that I should be evaluated by you or by a human court.[1] In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord. 5 Therefore don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

Christians are accountable to GOD. Christians know the truth and GOD expects them to manage and share the Good News of salvation with others and to help those seeking truth to grow Spiritually. Christians are managers of the truth as revealed to them by GOD. Managers are entrusted to carry out the commands of the person he/she reports to. In this case, the Spiritual manager reported to GOD. GOD has placed a vast resource of Spiritual wealth within the realm of responsibility of each Christian. GOD is a Christian’s judge. HE knows the heart of every person and HE alone is qualified to judge. Christians are to share their Spiritual knowledge to the extent of their capability, as led by the HOLY SPIRIT, as GOD provides opportunity. This is being a faithful servant and manager of Spiritual truth based upon where a Christian is at that moment in his/her Spiritual journey. That is why Christians must constantly study GOD’S Word and obediently serve HIM through a loving, intimate relationship.

As Christians grow Spiritually, they know GOD through their relationship with CHRIST in an ever ascending way. They gain Spiritual wealth beyond human comprehension. Spiritual leaders – Bible study leaders, teachers, pastors, evangelist, professors, deacons, elders, etc. must be on their guard not to become Spiritually arrogant. All Christians are sinners saved by grace and will not arrive, so-to-speak, until they see CHRIST when this life in the flesh is over.

The Christians in Corinth had divided into groups and followed certain Christian leaders – Paul – Apollos. This bred disunity among the Christians. Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth and asked them to consider him and others who know and preach salvation through CHRIST as servants of CHRIST and managers of GOD’S mysteries. As mentioned earlier, GOD’S mysteries are related to salvation and Spiritual growth. There is one salvation through CHRIST, period. Salvation comes to each individual in different ways. Salvation is always about the person making a decision to receive CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR.

To some salvation is sudden and profound. To others is it like the dawn of a new day. The light of the sun, which graces each day with its light gradually rising, so-to-speak, reveals the fullness of the day. They make a decision to receive CHRIST as their SAVIOR. The work of the HOLY SPIRIT begins at that moment to work in their lives. As they study GOD’S Word, pray and fellowship with HIM, the full revelation of CHRIST comes like the dawning of the day. One day he/she realizes the fullness of CHRIST in them as confirmed by the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT. Christians are in a constant state of being saved through the process of sanctification, which will be completed when they die, see JESUS in heaven and when they receive their glorified bodies. Full redemption includes a Christian’s new glorified body.

Paul stated that managers of Spiritual truth are accountable to GOD, not man. GOD will expose darkness by HIS light and reveal the intentions of the heart.

I have to add that the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT will alert Christians to false teaching. This is why Christians must read, study and know GOD’S Word. If you feel uneasy when you hear anyone presenting a message from GOD, listen carefully to what he/she is saying and test it against what the Bible says. If the person is not speaking truth, as revealed in the Bible, then don’t sit under his/her teaching. This includes what I write in these lessons.

Truth is vital in all matters and especially Spiritual truth. As we get closer to the return of CHRIST, we will be exposed to more who distort the truth.

As we go to our next scripture, why were these Christians in Galatia lead to swap the truth for a lie?

Let’s read Galatians 1:6-10: Hold Uncompromisingly to the Gospel.
No Other Gospel
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ, [and are turning]* to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another [gospel]* , but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him![3] 9 As we have said before, I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him![4]10 For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia. The gospel of CHRIST had been preached and people became Christians, however, in a short time these Christians adopted a variation of Christianity touted by the Judaizers. The Judaizers mixed Judaism in with Christianity – they had to be circumcised and follow the law to be saved. Salvation through grace was tossed out. Paul was shocked and astonished that the Christians in Galatia turned so quickly from salvation by grace, which GOD provided through the death of CHRIST, to salvation as the result of good works by human effort. The Judaizers taught salvation by works was the true gospel. Some of the Christians living in Galatia switched. Paul could not believe it.

I come back to the question I posed, why were they led astray? This is a graphic example of how young Christians can be led astray. They are eager to know truth and false teachers can swoop in like a predator and grab them. That is why we, who know the truth, need to help new Christians to become well founded in truth before leaving them. Do those who are misled lose their salvation after being born-again? No, but they lose their faithful walk with CHRIST and lose the eternal rewards they would have received if they had sought truth through GOD’S Word and faithful teachers of truth. That is why GOD calls mentors to become involved in the lives of others.

Christians who know truth and are solid in their faith are considered the “elect.” The “elect” will not be led astray by every wind of doctrine. JESUS spoke about the “elect” in Matthew 13:22: (JESUS was speaking about the end times.)

21 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the • Messiah! Look—there!’ do not believe it! 22 For false messiahs[10]and false prophets will rise up and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance.

If salvation could be earned through good works, as postulated by the Judaizers, then CHRIST died in vain. The teaching of salvation via good works was false and left CHRIST out of the salvation process. GOD required the shedding of blood for the remission of sins. CHRIST paid the price to redeem all who believe in HIM from the consequences of sin and eternal death.

Christians must be on the alert for false teaching and false teachers today. Paul made it clear that if he, anyone else or even an angel, preached a gospel message different from what they had already presented, let him or them be cursed.

Paul raised the question, “Was he trying to be a people pleaser? No!!!” If he wanted to please people, he would not stick to the message of CHRIST, which is salvation by grace through the shed blood of CHRIST.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12: Live in Devotion to GOD by Having the Right Relationship with CHRIST in order to minister to others.

7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle[1] among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to • walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Thessalonica was located in Macedonia, the northern part of Greece. Paul visited Thessalonica on his second missionary trip. Paul was a church planter and as such planted a church in Thessalonica. Paul’s opponents forced him to leave the city. However, Paul communicated with them by letter.

Paul stated in this letter that he, Timothy and Silas could have asked the locals to pay their expenses but they chose to pay their own way. They did not want to be accused of presenting the Gospel for the sake of money. In that day, some hawkers marketed some god or religion for the sake of earning money.

Paul made it clear that they presented the Gospel out of their love of GOD and of their love for them. Sharing their lives with them was out of the love and the relationship they had built with them, which was the natural result of what CHRIST had done for them. They had a true passion that all people should be presented the truth of the gospel of CHRIST. Once people received salvation, born Spiritually into the family of GOD, their desire was to see them grow Spiritually. It was like a nursing mother cares for and nurtures her child. They had the same passion to nurture all believers through the milk and nourishment of GOD’S Word, as revealed through the Passion of CHRIST and confirmed by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.

Because of their love and passion to invest in their (Thessalonian Christians) Spiritual growth and maturity, they (Paul and his group) worked to earn their own support. Their desire was for them to see that they had no motive other than for them to know the true Gospel of CHRIST and be well founded.

They led by example with the intent that they would see the genuineness of their faith in CHRIST.

Verse 8 revealed that the Christians in Thessalonica had become “dear” to them. The word “dear” is akin to “agape love.”

In verse 10, Paul told his readers that they had witnessed their lives, saw their devotion and more importantly, so did GOD. GOD knows their hearts and the intentions of their hearts regarding what they said and how they conducted themselves. GOD was their judge.

Just like a parent desires the best for their children, Paul desired the best for those who became Christians. They encouraged, comforted and implored (insisted), as leaders and representatives of CHRIST, they walk worthy for their calling. It was GOD WHO called them, not Paul and his group.

All Christians are called to serve HIM. All Christians have an influence upon others, especially those with high visibility. But there I go ranking the order. All Christians have influence whether high or low visibility. We are accountable to GOD and we must keep that in mind. Bloom where you are planted that others may see CHRIST in you.

It is vital that Christians be consistent in their daily walk with CHRIST. This can come only by having the right relationship with HIM. This is vital as we teach and minister to others – through our daily quite lifestyle or highly visible lifestyle. Christians are to walk worthy of their calling as a mother, father, brother, sister, friend, co-worker, the boss, teacher, preacher, custodian, official and the list goes on and on. Blessings.