ted4leaders

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

God has called His people to be light and salt in this world. Members of the body of Christ are members of the community of Christ. The testimony of the community of God is to be an influence of life to the communities of the world. Paul’s instructions to Titus as a leader in the church were instructions to lead the community of God in the midst of the communities of the world. His instructions were not meant to be instructions of law to leaders, but ones of wisdom for leading God’s people in the testimony of life. A policeman has the authority of a policeman, an employer has the authority of the business for which one is employed, a president has the responsibility of executing the responsibilities of implementing the decisions of the governing body of a nation. Authority only exists within the boundaries of given and received responsibilities for the sake of some form of life to others. The family of God should live under authority and demonstrate what true life-giving authority looks like. It is not merely a matter of obedience to authority, but a witness of grace empowered people in an everyday world.

Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Leaders remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities and to obey them with demonstrations of good works. This is not blind obedience to things that are beyond an authority’s measure of rule, but obedience to the God-appointed responsibility given to men and women in life. Our testimony among the kingdoms of the world must come from the internal kingdom of Christ within our hearts. We cannot judge the world for acting like the world, we must simply demonstrate to the world what those embracing the internal kingdom of God look like.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

It is not our role to judge people in the world for being foolish. True wisdom comes from the Spirit of God in our hearts. We were once foolish, but Christ in us is granting us the grace of wisdom from God that empowers us to do works of faith towards God. We cannot judge the people of the world for being disobedient. True obedience is obedience to God and the things of God by the grace of the Spirit of Counsel in our hearts. We cannot expect those in the world to understand counsel that leads to life. Only Christ in them can empower them for true obedience unto life. We cannot judge the people in the world for being deceived. We were deceived, but the Spirit of the Lord made us alive toward God in Christ. We cannot expect people with hearts that are dead to God to not fall for deceptive things in life. People in the world serve their own desires and wants in life. We were this before Christ put His desires in our hearts. We cannot judge those in the world for acting selfishly, we must simply inspire them to think differently by the attitudes and actions of our own lives.

Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Leaders are to remind those they lead, to not speak evil of anyone, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men. They must remember that true change and empowerment to live godly lives is by the mercy of God and by the power of His grace. Leaders remind the people that they are new creations being renewed by the Holy Spirit. In this, we do good works that bring life to our world. Leaders present an example of good woks and lead all to maintain good works in their lives.

Leaders teach and lead others to avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law – it is unprofitable and useless. They teach those in their care to reject any who are divisive. They do this in a spirit of love, not one of division. They simply don’t give room for any word of division to come to the family of God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will be with the leader’s spirit in these things.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Paul’s instructions to Titus included exhortation concerning the character of the family of God.  These are not things we put upon those who live in the world, but they are attributes of those who are children of God. These instructions were not given to condemn those in the world who do not embrace them, but to encourage those in the church to be a community of Christ as a light to the communities of the world. People with the kingdom of God in their hearts are internally empowered to look different to those in the world. Not to condemn them, but to show them how practical and real a relationship with God is in life.

Titus 2:9-10 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

These things were true in Paul’s day, and they are true in every season of men. Leaders must encourage and lead those in their care to be testimonies of Christ in an everyday world. Employees are to serve their employers and employers are to treat their employees righteously. Teaching people to have good work ethics, good attitudes, good morals, and overall godly lifestyles is part of the responsibility of God-sent and God-appointed leaders. Every member of the community of Christ should set an example in these things that others can follow. The Holy Spirit’s demonstration of grace in the lives of those who believe is very real and very practical. Christ in us causes people to become godly in their character not religious in their activities.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Leaders are to speak things that teach and inspire living godly lives. They must speak them, exhort those they lead to embrace them, and even rebuke those who oppose them with the authority given to them by God to lead. This is not an authority of control but an authority of love knowing that embracing godly living produces a blessed life.

Titus was to not let anyone despise him in his role as a leader among and before those God had given him responsibility to lead. Rebuking those who oppose instruction for godly living should be far outweighed by the momentum of those who embrace them. Leading people to become an expression of Christ in everyday life should be a thing that is willingly embraced by all. It should not be the exception, but rather the expected desire for members of any community of Christ. 

Titus 2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

For a leader to challenge those they lead to walk in the character of Christ is not a thing of control. It is an aspect of being a responsible leader. A leader must know that outward actions are not the goal, but an embracing of the inward change that is only found in Christ. Christ in the heart of each man and each woman is the key to living with godly character in the everyday realities of life. This is more important than the activities of religious life. Christ-like character is more important than good songs, good programs, or good Christian activities.

Blessings,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of: www.ted4leaders.com www.ted4you.com or www.houseofbreadministry.org. Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to: House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225 To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year. Our Ministry Information Is: House of Bread Ministry 3210 Meridian St. Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings;

Leaders lead the community of Christ in practical realities in the growing process of maturity as a community of Christ. The family members of Christ are to be sober in the purposes of God, reverent to the presence of God, and temperate with personal opinions, exhibiting a willing and teachable spirit in all things. Those in the community of Christ are growing in maturity in being sound in faith to the internal voice of God, sound to a testimony of Christ with the obvious love of God, and sound to the patience of God in the process of Christ in all. Those who lead must seek these things and lesser things must not distract them. They must teach those they lead to do the same through their personal examples and through a clear presentation of the principles, patterns, and values found within the heart of God the Father of His family in the earth.

Titus 2:1-5 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Older men were to be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, sound in love, and sound in patience. Paul’s words to Titus are as true today as they were in his instruction to Titus. These are not instructions for religious living. They are common sense instructions for good character. God’s children should be sober in the purposes of God and not distracted by selfish ventures for personal opinions or personal gain. They should be reverent to the presence of God. They should seek God’s presence in all things and be aware of Him in all situations. A child of God should be temperate with personal opinions, exhibiting a willing and teachable spirit in all things. These are all marks of maturity in Christ. Christ-like character and faith are testimonies of members of the community of Christ and older men are to set an example that maturing members can follow. Paul’s instructions were not given to control what a person can do or cannot do. They were instructions for good character. Leaders are called to exhort, encourage, and challenge older men in the community of God to walk in this character in the community of Christ and in the world as a member of God’s family.

This is also true for women. They too were, and are, to live their lives with a testimony of good character. Their lifestyles were, and are, to be godly and honorable. Their behavior is not to be religious but practically real in demonstrating the character of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit should be a manifest attribute of the character of a woman of God. The character of the flesh is to be self-gratifying in behavior and to seek to take advantage of others through false accusations. This is not fitting for the community of God.

Desires of the world are not the focus or the motivation of the heart of a daughter or a son of God. Even as Paul instructed Titus, leaders must help men and women live for God and for the life of others. This is the testimony of the family of God. Leaders teach those they lead to live life in a godly and honorable way. Even the practical everyday things of life are spiritual. The love of a wife for her husband and a mother’s love for her children are a spiritual reality of life. No one is to live self-seeking lives or exhibit self-seeking behavior. These things are not meant to be a law of order, but the testimony of life-giving actions and attitudes that make for healthy family relationships in the body of Christ. These things reveal a good witness of Christ to the world in which we live.

Leaders don’t just lead Christian activities or services of ministry. They lead people in becoming a testimony of a godly lifestyle in Christ in the midst of an everyday world. Teaching people and families to be real to the character and nature of Christ is real church stuff! This includes the young. They were to have integrity in their way of life.

Titus 2:6-8 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

A culture of honor is indicative of a community of Christ. Honesty and integrity are normal expectations for members of the family of God. The expressions of our words must be life giving and honorable to God and one another. These are the real issues emulated and led by leaders in the body of Christ. It is part of the everyday environment of the community of God that causes children to grow in the knowledge of God.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of: www.ted4leaders.com www.ted4you.com or www.houseofbreadministry.org. Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to: House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225 To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year. Our Ministry Information Is: House of Bread Ministry 3210 Meridian St. Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Paul knew that being a leader means standing fast to lead. A leader leads others into the grace of all that God is doing in His community, but they must also be able to receive God’s anointing to deal with any opposing situations in the community of Christ. A leader has to withstand those who oppose God’s will in the community of God. Paul knew that there would be some who would seek to subvert the households of faith through illegitimate teaching for their own dishonest gain. Leaders were to rebuke such individuals sharply that they may become sound in faith, or sound in their ability to hear God’s voice in their hearts. Titus was to speak the things that were proper for sound doctrine. He was to speak things that assist people to live with covenant-keeping character in life.

Titus 1:10-11 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

What does it look like when someone seeks to subvert a community for dishonest gain? I really don’t believe that there are many people who intentionally seek to subvert a church community. I have seen it happen on numerous occasions in ministry, but I don’t believe it starts out with overtly bad intentions. It happens more subtly than that. A subversive person usually thinks they are trying to do something for the community. They don’t recognize their actions as being for dishonest gain, because they believe in their hearts that their actions are somehow justified. Sometimes dishonest gain can come in a package of trying to get the finances or material resources of a ministry, but I think that most of the time it comes in the form of spiritual pride or spiritual witchcraft. The jealousy of others in ministry is often the cause. Like Cain who became jealous of the fact that Abel had the favor of God, they seek to destroy someone else in ministry thinking that the favor that is upon that person should be God’s favor upon them. These people often see others in ministry as a hindrance to who they believe they are called to be in ministry. They justify their destructive actions through the deception of jealousy. They are not being honest. They honestly delude themselves to believe they have a better gift and that if that other person was removed, they would be the one that God’s favor would be upon. They usually blame some expression of authority in the church as a means of suppressing who they really are.

Some like Balaam seek to trick some in the ministry to siding with them to advance themselves in some way in ministry. They justify their actions through the deception of valuing anointing, ministry, or some other thing above the life and purpose of a community.

Some act like the sons of Korah in that they pride themselves in hearing God, even as the leaders of the community hear God. They fail to realize that hearing is not the same as properly discerning what is being heard through the authority of leadership. There is a different grace given for those in a leadership role than for those in a membership role. When someone prides themselves in their ability to hear God too, foolish things happen. If I want my finger to point, I think the thought in my head and then communicate it through my body to my finger in order to accomplish the task. There are probably thousands of connections that take place between my brain and my finger in order for that simple task to be accomplished. I think now, even as I type these words, that there are thousands of connections in my body in order to type these words. In reality the sense of hearing passes through many members in my body in the task of pointing or in the task of typing. What if my elbow decided to accomplish the task, after all the word being transmitted is to point or to type? If my elbow should decide to point or make a useless attempt to type, it would cause the signal to stop short of the finger and the action would be one that is in a totally different way and direction than was intended. This sends a wrong signal to the body and causes the testimony to be something different than was intended. I believe that subversive people in the church are sometimes like that.

Actions of individuals sometimes oppose the life of God in the community because of insecure and subversive attitudes. Paul was not afraid to confront those who opposed the life of God in the community of God. He stood as a spiritual father to protect the environment of the community. He instructed Titus to do the same. He gave him instructions to not be afraid to deal with those who oppose the life of God in the community of Christ. We must follow this same example in our roles of responsibility to the community of God.

Titus 1:12-14 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

Even though we live in a new covenant reality there are times when a leader must rebuke and even sharply rebuke those who oppose the life of Christ in the community. Foolish traditions and divisive teachings have no place in the community of life. A leader must protect the life of the community when necessary. This is an act of love to maintain an environment of faith. That is an environment where the voice of the Holy Spirit is heard within each heart for the individual testimony of each believer and for his or her part in any corporate purpose of the spiritual letter being written by the Spirit. A leader cannot allow the abominable, disobedient, or disqualified to have a voice in the community.

Titus 1:15-16 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

A leader leads others to believe God by standing fast in believing God in all things. The focus of a leader is upon all that God is doing. Their main objective is not to fight the enemy, but to promote God in all things. They remain pure in their thoughts and in the intentions of their hearts. 

Food For Thought

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Like the books of first and second Timothy, the letter of Titus is also a word from the apostle Paul to a pastor, pastor Titus. It reveals instruction concerning the responsibility of leaders in their role with the church.

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Paul’s words to Titus are true for us as leaders today. God has entrusted His word to us for the sake of the body of Christ. In our role of leaders we need God’s grace, mercy, and peace so we can lead others into the same.

Leaders are not to stand alone. They are to raise up other leaders for the sake of the body of Christ. Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in in the cities of Crete in order to put order to the things that were lacking there. Those elders were to be the testimony of God’s authority that would help propagate the life of Christ there. They were not to be hierarchal leaders that would control the religious order of those cities. They were to be people who would activate, facilitate, and release the growing life of Christ in the life of believers in Christ. They would be community minded individuals that would serve God in bringing about the expressions of God’s community in the earth.

Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—…

Paul was writing to his spiritual son Titus. His words were words based upon relationship with God and relationship with a son of God within Paul’s God-given responsibility in life. In his instructions we can find clear principals for leadership material. Paul didn’t tell Titus whom to select. God is the One who makes the selection of people. Paul simply told Titus what kind of people God would select. The fruit of community leadership would be in their lives before they were selected to serve in the community of God for such a cause. Paul presented the qualifications of a leader to Titus and these qualifications are still true today. He was letting Titus know that he was to look for people who manage their own lives – these are the kind of people that are the potential material for God’s appointment in serving as apt to teach leaders in a community of Christ.

Titus 1:6-9 …if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick- tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober- minded, just, holy, self- controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

I don’t believe that Paul intended his presented criteria to be used as a legalistic form for the selection of leaders in the church. He was presenting the basic character of a leader who could set direction in the church. The word bishop is the Greek word episkopos (SG1985), meaning, a superintendent, i. e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively). This is not some high and lofty hierarchal controller in the church. It is a proven Christ-character individual appointed by God for parental responsibilities in the church. Those appointed to this role of responsibility in the church would have to correct, direct, and even stand against people who would be insubordinate, idle talkers, or deceivers of others. These leaders would have to be able stand to stop the mouths of those who would oppose God’s direction from being heard in their God-given areas of responsibility. Simply stated, the kind of leaders that Titus was to look for were leaders of covenant character. These would be the types of people God would select. Their selection would be by the Holy Spirit’s guidance in any decision Titus would make in their appointment, but Titus needed to be looking at the correct field of selection in order to hear God’s voice clearly. Paul was presenting that character of leadership was more important than gift of ministry. I believe this is important to understand in the selection of leaders in the church. The church is the expression of the community of God. It is a corporate expression of God’s family among the communities of the earth. It is not about works of ministry, gifting of ministry, or some form of Christian service or ceremony. The church is the testimony of God’s family; thus leaders must be family-minded people with covenant keeping qualities in their character. They must guide, lead, nurture, protect, and grow to maturity family members in the family of God. Love is the essential attribute of an overseeing leader in the church. The kind of love needed to be a leader is the love of a covenant partner to their spouse or a parent to their children. Leadership is not merely a matter of equipping people for some religious tasks; it is one of loving them in their growth to maturity.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Being as a leader includes the experiences of challenges and heartbreaks as a leader. Paul’s second letter to Timothy reveals some of the personal struggles of leadership. Paul had been rejected, abandoned, and left alone. A leader must be willing to be rejected, abandoned, and even left alone at times for the sake of leading others into the path of life in Christ.

2 Timothy 4:9-16 Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica — Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.  And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come — and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

Demas had forsaken Paul because he loved the things of the present world. Others with Paul had been sent to other places. Paul was alone with Luke.  He recognized his need of partnership with Timothy, Mark, and Tychicus. Alexander the coppersmith did much harm to Paul and others had been caught up in the plots and harmful strategies of Alexander. Paul requested that the Lord repay Alexander according to his works and that Timothy should be aware of Alexander also. He had greatly resisted their words. At the charges by Alexander to Paul, no one came to Paul’s defense. Paul asked that this would not be charged to them. A leader must not be afraid to set boundaries for the protection and safety of those they lead. They must also understand the difference between those who are lawless and those who are simply caught in deception. A leader will be opposed by some, abandoned by others, and even required to send some for the destiny of their own journey. These are painful breaches in soul relationships. Though there is pain in losing friendships and suffering for being rejected by those you pour your life out for, a leader must still be eager to invite others to come along side of them in their responsibilities as a leader. This is the life a leader as they lead for the sake of life in the community of Christ.

A leader must know that it is God who stands with them. Though they feel alone at times, they must always know they are never alone. They are an expression of the authority of God and not merely ministers to the needs of people. Authority is not some form of hierarchical control. Authority is a testimony of life and proper authority is a testimony that comes from intimacy with God in who each one is in life. Authority is a measure given by God for the sake of others. It is a substance of life given in order to empower us to give life to others. Even as it was in the life of Paul, there will be times when people will abandon a leader. This will even include other leaders at times. Paul exhorted Timothy with his testimony of the faithfulness of God in his life. The Lord stood with Paul and the message was preached that those who did not know God could hear it.

2 Timothy 4:17-18 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

A leader must know that God will support them in their commission of ministry. This even includes a confidence of God’s protection and deliverance. A leader should know that God is with them, and He will do whatever is necessary on behalf of them as a leader. God delivered Paul from the mouth of the lion. A Leader can expect to need the supernatural intervention of God at times. A leader leads in knowing the loving protection of God in their lives. Paul knew that Lord would deliver him from every evil work and would preserve Him. This is the confidence of a leader who knows the love of God. The glory in all things belongs to God.

Paul set an example of a true apostolic leader. He was more concerned with people than he was with numbers. He knew those within his sphere of influence by name. When writing to Timothy he named those in the church that were significant in the church. This was the case in every place that Paul was sent as an apostle. A leader must know that relationships are the foundation of ministry. Even Paul’s appeal for Timothy to come to him was one of relationship, not mere duty of ministry.

2 Timothy 4:19-21 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Paul commended several who were also doing the work of God and being true to the faith. He knew them by name. Paul encouraged Timothy that the Lord Jesus Christ was with his spirit. Grace would be given to him. Grace is the divine empowerment of God’s Spirit at work in our lives. A leader knows the power of God’s Spirit and the working of His grace in their lives.

2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

 

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Timothy was to preach the word! He was to be ready in season and out of season. A leader must be full of the word and ready at any time to share its principles, patterns, and values with those they lead. Preaching the word and leading others within their sphere of influence to value God’s word is not a convenience, it is a mandate. This includes leading people where they don’t naturally want to go.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

This is more about family character then it is about works of ministry. In regard to the testimony of a Christ life community, a leader must be able, ready, and willing to convince, rebuke, and exhort those they lead when it is necessary. This is a process that requires longsuffering on behalf of every leader. Their objective is to teach those they lead to embrace the instructions of God in their lives. Paul was aware that there would be those who would not desire to continue in the way of God and that Timothy would have to stand strong to lead as many as he could into the path of life. This is true for us as leaders today.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

As it was in Paul’s day, there are times when people don’t seek to endure in sound doctrine but seek their own desires. Many people seek to hear what they want to hear and choose the teachers they want rather than receiving the ones that God has sent to them. They choose not to listen to the truth that has been sent to them, and they end up turning to fables. Leaders must be strong in the word to set an example that can be followed, and they must labor in helping others to be strong in their hunger for God’s truth in their lives that gives them a way of life that can be emulated by others.

Leaders are to be watchful for the sake of all that has been entrusted to them. When Paul wrote to Timothy, he instructed him to be watchful in all things. To be watchful is to be awake and alert to the things of God. It is more about being awake to the things of God then it is about being aware of the things of the enemy. If a leader is awake to what God is doing, they will quickly notice the things that God is not doing.  When others turn from their faith, leaders must be an example of those who are awake to God in all things.

2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Like Paul and Timothy, leaders must endure afflictions for the sake of the measure of grace given to them for those they lead. Leadership is about leading. It is leading people to where they have not gone before. It is leading people to embrace the changes that God is bringing into their lives. The work of bringing many to Christ in a revelation of reconciliation to God in Christ has been given to them. All believes must be life to others, but leaders must lead in this reality. A leader cannot expect an easy life, but they can expect a great life. I believe a great life is a noble one. It is a life that is given for the sake of others. Paul gave his life as a drink offering, he had fought the good fight, finished his race, and kept the faith. He expected that same quality of character to be inherited by his spiritual children and their children. Leaders must endure for the sake of others.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

A true leader knows that their leadership is really about giving their lives as an offering of life to those they lead. They understand that Jesus said those who drink of Him would have rivers flowing from within them. Those rivers are the diverse expressions of Christ’s life for the sake of others. This requires passion, endurance, and intimacy with God in all things.

We cannot fight a good fight without a revelation of why we fight. Our fight must be one that is motivated by a love for God and a love for others. There is no stronger power than love. Our endurance in the race must be for the sake of seeing others come to know that same love. Our faith is motivated by the voice of the One who loves us. We live to see the love of our Father known in our lives in the lives of all those we lead. God is a righteous Judge, but He does not judge with a gavel that pronounces the guilt of our sins. He judges righteously. He judges to make things right, to clear the things that have held us in shame. A leader doesn’t lead to see the judgment of God pronounce the guilty to condemnation. A leader leads to see those bound to shame made free unto life.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

A leader must know the purpose of Scripture and teach those they lead its purpose as well. Our teacher is the Holy Spirit, but Scripture is a witness to the character nature, way, power, and authority of God. The Scripture is not our teacher, but it is a solid witness to assure us in our hearing of the voice of God. Leaders must know the purpose of Scripture and they must value it in their lives. It must be a value they also endeavor to pass on to those they lead. Paul told Timothy to value the Scriptures even as his mother and grandmother had done in their lives.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Scripture is profitable for our doctrine. Doctrine is not just teaching but the testimony of our way of life. Scripture should be a witness to our lifestyles. This should be true in the testimony of every leader. When our lifestyle is not reflected in the words of Scripture, we are in error somewhere in our life.

All Scripture is also profitable for reproof. We must understand this through a paradigm of New Covenant and not one of Old Covenant law. The proof of life is within those who believe. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). I believe that true reproof is to activate the testimony of Christ within us. This is well said using a good American or English idiom; the ‘proof is in the pudding’ and all things expressed by God are meant to manifest Christ’s life and character within us. Leaders set an example for those they lead in transparency and vulnerability by embracing the reproof of God hidden in His word and activated by His Holy Spirit within our hearts.

All Scripture is profitable for correction. Correction is a means of staying in the path of life. It is not about being right verses being wrong. It is a matter of staying in the path of life and not taking a path that will cause harm. If there is a high mountain road with a sharp curve in the road and people are crashing over the mountainside, it would be foolish to park an ambulance or a funeral hearse at the bottom of the mountain. The road needs some measure of correction to keep the cars in the path of life. Putting up a guardrail could be a measure of correction. The guardrail doesn’t mean that the drivers of the cars are bad; it simply means there is a needed correction in the road to assure that cars remain in the path of life. A greater measure of correction would be to drill a tunnel through the mountain so that cars can drive through the mountain in safety and avoid the dangerous curve at the top of the mountain all together. The tunnel is not an indication that people are bad or that the cars are bad. It is a means of correction that keeps everyone in the path of life. Just as Scripture is meant to aid in bringing God’s correction to our lives, any direction of God will bring correction to our lives. His guidance will keep us in the path of life. A leader must set an example in embracing the correction of God’s word in their lives.

All Scripture is profitable for righteousness. Righteousness is not merely acts of being right. It is a testimony of being dependent upon God in all things. It is a testimony of a right relationship with God in all things. God’s guidance keeps us rightly joined to Him in everything. It is our connection to Him that empowers us to do what is right. Leaders must excel in their dependency upon God and lead others to also be dependent upon God in their lives.

All of these things serve to help us grow and to become complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work in life. God’s guidance in our lives is the same. God wants us to be complete and ready for everything we face in life. All of these attributes of guidance are good instruction, and they produce good testimonies in our lives, but to receive the testimony that these things bring in lives means we must want them. We must willingly embrace God’s direction to our way of life, His admonitions to bring Christ out of us, His correction to keep us in the path of life, and His influence that causes us to depend upon Him in all things. If we are self-seeking we will refuse these things. If we want to receive His guidance, we must be willing to obey what He says. A willingness to obey is a primary condition for God’s guidance. Leaders must set an example in this and also walk those they lead through the process of discovering, embracing, and walking in the purpose of Scripture in their lives.

Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Being a believer is not a matter of ministry. It is a matter of being the family of God that ministers life to others. This requires us to embrace the character of sons and daughters of God and not just the gifting. Paul instructed Timothy in regard to the character of the family of God.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Paul instructed Timothy that leaders were to turn away from people who were self-seeking in their motives, agendas, and ways. Our responsibility is not just to lead people into the works of God; it is even more to lead them into the character of God. Leadership is about accepting responsibility in the family of God to lead members of the family into the inheritance of the character, nature, way, power, and authority of the family of God. The body of Christ is to be the body of Christ, not pretenders or those who mascaraed in the name of Christ to receive the benefits of being inheritors of Christ. Leaders must recognize who is in their sphere of influence and make it their objective to focus on Christ in all things. Leaders must teach those they lead to do the same. The self-seeking rebels of Timothy’s day were like the self-seeking rebels in every generation. They are those who seek to deceive gullible and vulnerable people for their own personal gain.

2 Timothy 3:6-9 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jane’s and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Paul likened the rebellious of heart to that of Janes and Jambres. There is no record in the Bible of who Janes and Jambres were, but Hebrew tradition speculates that these were two magicians that resisted Moses by counterfeiting the works of Moses in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt in the time of the plagues in Egypt and the deliverance of Israel. If this is the case, these rebellious individuals in the church were being compared to soothsaying magicians in the kingdom of darkness. Self-seeking ways and self-seeking agendas have no place in the hearts of believers. Leaders must accept the responsibly of dealing with such. Leaders do not seek to control the rebellious, they simply give no room for their rebellious voice in the community of life.

Timothy had carefully observed Paul’s doctrine and manner of life. He had embraced and carried on with Paul’s example of purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, and afflictions. These were examples to Timothy of what one might expect to have to endure when endeavoring to live godly in Christ Jesus. These are things expected of all believers, but especially of leaders.

2 Timothy 3:10-12 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Leaders must know and teach others to desire to live godly in Christ Jesus even in the face of resistance. When we seek to live godly in Christ we will suffer persecutions of various kinds. Some will not endure. As there was in Paul’s day, there will be evil men and imposters who seek to deceive the untaught and unstable in every generation.

2 Timothy 3:13-15 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Leaders must set an example of endurance and continuing in what God has given in in the midst of persecution. Pressure doesn’t define a leader; it simply reveals that they are a leader. Pressure doesn’t define a believer in Christ, it simply reveals who a true believer is. Leaders set an example for the church community to follow. In order to do so, they must model a clear understanding of the purpose of Scripture so those they lead can do the same. Leaders must know the purpose of Scripture, embrace that purpose, and present it to those they lead. Knowing Scripture is essential. It is a witness to the inner voice of God within our hearts. Hearing God will change our way of life and Scripture is profitable for our doctrine – our way of life. Scripture is profitable for reproof, for bringing Christ out of our hearts. Scripture is profitable for correction, keeping us in the path of life. Scripture is profitable for righteousness, keeping us dependent upon God in all things. Leaders must live in this process and lead those they are responsible for into the same process of transformation and testimony.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728