Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 74 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Walking in the light, 1Jo 2:3-6; Gal 6:1-5.

Title: Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 74 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Walking in the light, 1JO 2:3-6; GAL 6:1-5.

 

Announcements / opening prayer:  

 

 

We are told in the book of Acts that from the very beginning the early church had the custom of gathering on the first day of the week for the breaking of bread - the Lord’s Supper. The reason for gathering on the first day of the week was that this day was the resurrection of the Lord. Therefore, the main purpose of this service of worship was not to call the faithful to repentance, or to make them aware of the magnitude of their sins, but rather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the promises of which that resurrection was the seal. For this reason, Acts describes those gatherings as happy occasions: they ate food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.

 

ACT 2:46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

 

ACT 2:47  praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

The most remarkable characteristic of those early communion services (a term used for the entire service) was that they were celebrations. The tone was one of joy and gratitude, rather than sorrow and repentance. In the beginning, communion was part of an entire meal. Believers brought what they could, and after the common meal there were special prayers over the bread and the wine.

 

There were two main parts in a communion service. First there were readings of scripture and commentaries on them, with prayers and hymn singing. Since at that time it was almost impossible for an individual Christian to possess a copy of scripture, this first part of the service was often the only way in which believers came to know the Bible, and therefore this part of the service was rather extensive - sometimes lasting for hours. Then, after dismissing those who were not baptized with a prayer and a blessing, came the second part of the service, communion proper, which opened with a kiss of peace. After the kiss, the bread and wine were brought forth and presented to the one presiding, who then offered a prayer over the elements. In this prayer, often lengthy, the saving acts of God were usually recounted, and the power of the Holy Spirit was invoked over the bread and wine. Then the bread was then broken and shared, the communion cup passed, and the meeting ended with a benediction. This service was also the occasion for the sharing with those in need, for whom an offering was collected.

 

GAL 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught [has detected] in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.

 

GAL 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

 

GAL 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

 

GAL 6:4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting [rejoicing] in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

 

GAL 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.

 

Although the Greek word for "burden" in verse 2 and "load" in this verse are different, they are synonyms and no real distinction can be drawn between them. God is simply revealing here that although we bear the burden of another in our help towards recovery this does not mean that we don't have to bear our own burdens when it comes to failure. When we fail we can't just run to someone else and demand that they bear it. No one can fully bear the load of another. We can assist and help when it comes to recovery or repentance, but ultimately, no matter what we may do or say in legitimate help, the one who fails must make the decision to recover by himself.

 

Each of us have a susceptibility to certain sins and we have the responsibility to choose God's power to say no to temptation and to recover in grace if we fail. A believer who refuses to take this responsibility on himself and who is constantly turning to others for assistance, counsel, and encouragement will never find victory in those areas. We each must fight the good fight of faith.

 

HEB 12:1

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

 

1JO 1:7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 

A local church filled with such people is the greatest hindrance to Satan and the KOD and at the same time is the greatest asset to the client nation.

 

The knowledge of the light through our fellowship with Christ matures the love of God in us so that it is manifested.

 

1JO 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

 

1JO 2:4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

 

1JO 2:5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:

 

1JO 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

 

God gives heavenly standards because He is addressing born-again heavenly people. The teachings of grace anticipate a manner and quality of life that is superhuman. These standards are none other than the life that is Christ.

 

The Spirit-filled Christians are the only persons in the world who know the blessings of true liberty.

 

Liberty certainly contains within it the freedom to fail, to sin, to do evil. Yet the restraint on godless ways is not accomplished by removing the freedom. The restraint is the Holy Spirit and the word and therefore God’s love; love being the sum total of all virtues.