The Commands of Christ - Matthew 20:25-28

"But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." -Matthew 20:25-28

To whom is this command spoken?

Spoken to the twelve disciples

What does this command require?

Whoever desires to be the greatest, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.

What truths do we learn here?

The follower of Jesus must be humble. The mother of James and John asked Jesus in the previous verses to grant that her sons sit on either side of Jesus in His kingdom. They wanted the place of prominence. The other disciples didn't like this. They were 'greatly displeased.' I get the feeling that this is an understatement. They were probably upset that they didn't think of asking Jesus this question first. 

I like the imagery we have here about Jesus. It says He 'called them to Himself.' I get the picture that Jesus calms the situation down, brings them all together, and quietly explains the situation. Jesus brings peace to great arguments.

Principles of leadership in the secular world are completely opposite from the principles that Jesus lays out here for his disciples. The Gentiles lorded their authority over their subjects. But it was not to be this way with the disciples. The disciples were to be servants-leaders. They were to follow Jesus example, who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Let me ask you a question: Would you give your life in service of anyone? Most of us would answer, sure, I'd give my life for my family, or my friends. But would you give your life in service of someone that hates you? Would you make the greatest sacrifice so that another might live? I turn to Jim Elliot for advice here. He said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 

Whoever desires to be greatest among you, let him be your servant.

What are the consequences for disobedience and the blessings of obedience?

The first shall be last and the last shall be first.

Titus 1: Effective Church Leadership

     1.        Effective Church Leaders are Essential – 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 instructs Titus that he was left in Crete specifically to ‘set in order the things that are lacking.’ This included appointing elders in every city. It is interesting that Paul uses two different words for ‘elder’ in this passage. In v. 5, he uses the greek word presbuteros, and in v. 7 he uses the word episkopos. The first has to do with being older or more mature, and the second has to do with oversight, though Thayer’s Greek Definitions tells us that the words are used interchangeably in the NT. Elders are essential to the health of a church. They bring stability, vision, and necessary correction in times of error. “Elders in the NT sense are mature Christian men of sterling character who provide spiritual leadership in a local assembly.” Believers' Bible Commentary. Paul also gave detailed instruction to Timothy describing what an elder was to be like (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Peter talked about elders shepherding the flock of God (1 Peter 5:1-4). Indeed A church without elders is a church without leadership. A church without elders is a flock of sheep left in the wilderness. Christ is the head of the church, and He has given elders the task of being his ‘under-shepherds’.

     2.       Effective Church Leaders are Eligible –  1:6-9 - "if a man is..."

Not only are elders essential, they are also eligible (not in the un-married sense, of course). It is of utmost importance that a church appoints elders who are biblically qualified. Two times we are given specific instruction as to the character of an elder, and a number of times we are given the tasks that the elder is to do as an under-shepherd of the Lord. Look at the qualifications: blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word, the he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. These are qualifications that describe Christ-likeness. It is important to note that no man but Christ is perfect in these qualities. God is looking for men that display these qualities as the pattern of their life. It is also important to note that these qualities are what we should expect of all believers. It is the natural outflow of good discipleship, and a Spirit-filled Christian walk.

Where do eligible elders come from? Are they traveling around filling in gaps as needed, or are they developed through effective discipleship over time?

     3.       Effective Church Leaders are Educators – 1:10-2:1 - "rebuke them sharply...speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:"

The situation in Crete isn’t described as a very good one. The area was full of ‘insubordinate, idle-talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision’—the Jews. This isn't the sort of place that you would want to be in as a young minister. However, Titus and the elders, were to rebuke these idle talkers sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And they were to speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. Effective Church leaders must be able to educate people in sound doctrine. Let me say this—most of the learning that you do does not come from a classroom, therefore, most of the educating that a church leader does will not come from behind a pulpit. Even Peter points this out in 1 Peter 5:2-3 – “Shepherd the flock of God…by being examples to the flock.” Elders need to be examples to follow in every aspect of life, especially in sound doctrine.

Do you have any thoughts on "Effective Church Leadership?"