Blog In Audio:
Greetings,
As leaders we must know the reason for which we lead. Do we lead for Christian works? Do we lead for Christian ministry? I believe that we must lead for love. This is not just humanistic love, but the love of God made known in our hearts and through the works of our lives. That love is manifested as being members of the family of God. We lead in the family so that every member of the family can be inspired and empowered to love someone else, but it is for love that we lead. The family of God is a place of knowing the love of our heavenly Father in all things. His love is manifested both naturally and supernaturally. But even when it is in practical and natural things, it is in a supernatural way that God’s love is revealed. Do we love to minister to others, or do we minister to others because we love them? The testimony of true family is a testimony of love. It is not a testimony of works of ministry. The apostle Paul commended those who led with love as the motivation of their hearts.
1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— 16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.
The household of Stephanas had committed their lives to loving the believers in Achaia. Paul commended the church of Corinth to submit to those like those who were part of the house of Stephanas. It was not for the love of ministry that they served. It was for the love of others that they ministered. This is the testimony of true leadership. Submission to such as these, inspires and empowers us to love as well. When we love people, we are willing to minister to them in whatever is necessary and in whatever way serves best to show our love.
The woman Phoebe was such a woman in the church of Cenchrea. Paul charged the church to receive her and to help her in whatever business she had need of them. Her business was helping many, including Paul. No doubt, it was because of love that she served. This was her qualification as a leader in the church of Cenchrea. Her serving was not the qualifier of her life. It was her love that empowered her to serve. She was no doubt willing to serve in whatever was necessary. Her business seemed to have many aspects to it, and she needed help of other believers to fulfill the service of what was in her heart.
Romans 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
Leaders like the patroness Phoebe were people of love. Pricilla and Aquila were a well-known couple to Paul in the early church. They traveled with him on occasions in ministering to churches in Paul’s charge. Their motivation was no doubt love. They even risked their own lives for the sake of loving Paul and the early church.
Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
The qualification of being a minister in the early church was not merely because of gifting and anointing. It was not based upon gender, whether someone was a man or a woman. It was based upon being a part of the family of God with an ability to love others and to inspire love in them to be the family of God. That love was the fruit of an internal intimate relationship with God in Christ. The anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives as believers helps us demonstrate the love of Christ to others and to one another in a supernatural way. It is for love that leaders lead!
Paul’s commendations of those who served in ministry was a testimony of love, not one of mere supernatural gifting. They were loved by him, and they loved him. They demonstrated that love in their service and sacrifice for others. That same spirit was in the very fabric of who they were as those who served the will of the Father and the glory of Jesus name.
Romans 16:6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
The testimony of these leaders and their work in ministry was one of love. The testimony of the early church was one of covenant and love. It was a testimony of being the family of God. Paul’s commendation of each of them carried a tone of affection and gratefulness for who they were as members of the family of God. Their service was a service of love. Those who lived for mere agendas of ministry had a different spirit than what Paul considered a qualification for ministry.
Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Those who lead for the love of ministry live for their own desires and the appetites of their own flesh. They do not produce the fruit of family love. They may use words that sound like love, but they fail to lay their lives down for the sake of being the family of God.
Food For Thought,
Ted J. Hanson
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