The vertical dimensions of spiritual leadership:
When Jesus started the Christian movement, He didn’t do much training about what to do. He focused on who to become. He focused on being not doing.
Jesus imprinted His disciples of the DNA of His Kingdom.
- They became different people.
- They became disciples.
- They became disciplers.
Then, why are we so busy doing stuff at church?
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with sure-fire, easy-going formulas for successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God – is vigorous and requires total attention” (The Message).
Being: “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practical sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples will be chopped down and burned” (Matthew 7:15-20 The Message).
Doing: “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
This is Jesus’ conclusion: “These words I speak…are foundational words, words to build a life on” (Matthew 7:24-25).
The bottom line: Character beats busy. That is spiritual influence. Why do Christians do so much?
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