ICS Daily Devotions
Submitting to Fulfil the Vision of the Church
Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
God has laid a very clear foundation regarding how the church should be governed and led through the offices appointed by Him.
Eph 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Jesus is the head of the church and we are His body. Jesus is the chief Shepherd. He has many under shepherds that He has appointed in all the churches across the world. They are His pastors. The role of the Senior Pastor is to lead the church towards the mandate that God has given the local church. It is not always an easy job. It is not an easy job because there is a huge harvest but there are many reluctant workers. While we can encourage or motivate workers, it is a challenge to deal with rebellious co-workers.
We live in an era where people disrespect authority, don’t like to be told what to do, neither do they like uniformity and conformity. Therefore, when everyone chooses to do what they like, pull the church in different directions rather than what is right based on the teaching of the Bible then the church stagnates and suffers.
Therefore, you will realize that nothing good, pleasant and gracious is in an environment of divisiveness and chaos.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
The things that God has called the church to do are definitely bigger than ourselves. There should be nothing that’s done out of selfish ambition, pride or vain conceit.
Spiritual leadership means taking responsibility and initiative. It means inspiring and organizing others so that together, we reach a given goal.
No pastor is able to go it alone to fulfil the vision therefore he needs the backing of the entire church to work together with the spiritual gifts that God has given them.
We shouldn’t be doing our own things but rally behind the vision, and work with the strategy. There will be love, joy and peace when the church is of one heart, one mind, one Spirit, one purpose, moving in the same direction and desire nothing else except to witness the fulfillment of the mandate.
Sermon Series: CG Campaign – Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow
