THE PORTRAIT OF A GODLY LEADER - PART 1
READ 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
The church has always had the responsibility to identify and appoint biblically qualified men who lead and, at the same time, are capable of selecting and training the next generation of spiritual leaders.
Effective spiritual leadership is a combination of character and activity.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 presents Paul's character, as well as the character of Silas and Timothy.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 shows the outward activity of spiritual leadership.
In doing so, Paul provides two vivid metaphors that provide for us a portrait of a godly leader.
“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
GODLY LEADERS POSSESS SELFLESS LOVE AND DEVOTION
So, what does Paul use as an example of the church and spiritual leadership within the context of the Body of Christ?
He uses the family. And the first metaphor that he uses is that of a ''mother.''
Think about it, ''a mother's love.'' There would be no famous presidents without a mother's love. There would be no successful businessmen without a mother's devotion.
There would be no famous athletes without ''Hi mom!''
Paul uses the selfless and sacrificial love of a mother to describe the type of leadership required in the church.
Paul had patience with the new Christians.
I can promise you that one of the things of which I have great need and often short supply is patience. And no doubt, my parents had to exercise a good bit of patience raising me and my six siblings.
Paul's love for these believers was ''patient...and kind...'' Just like he instructs followers of Christ in 1 Corinthians 13.
1. Godly Leaders Possess Sacrificial love: vs. 7
As an apostle, Paul was a man of authority; but he always used his authority in love.
The babes in Christ sensed his tender loving care as he nurtured them.
He was indeed like a loving mother who cared for her children. It takes time and energy to care for children.
Paul did not turn his converts over to baby-sitters; he made sacrifices and cared for them himself. Paul says, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children.”
This is an interesting analogy. A nursing mother imparts her own life to the child. The nursing mother eats the food and transforms it into milk for the baby. But it's not easy being a ''nursing mother.''
There are many sleepless nights and babies don't like to take a break from feeding. They don't want to miss that nourishment. It takes devotion, commitment, and sacrificial love.
2. Godly Leader Possess Selfless labor: vs. 8
Paul says, “we were willing to have imparted unto you…the gospel of God…”
Now, ''the gospel'' is indeed a beautiful and profound gift. But Paul went beyond that. He wasn't just sharing sermons with them; he was sharing himself. This wasn't just preaching, it was personal. He says that he shared his own life with them.
Literally, they gave up their souls-their real inner beings-for the sake of the Thessalonians. There was nothing superficial or partial about their sacrificial service.
A woman who fulfills the biblical role for motherhood does the same thing when she, at great cost to herself, unselfishly and generously sets aside her life for the benefit of her beloved children.
In a letter from October of 1991, Chuck Swindoll wrote this: “It's those stately geese I find especially impressive.
Winging their way to a warmer climate, they often cover thousands of miles before reaching their destination. Have you ever studied why they fly as they do?
It is fascinating to read what has been discovered about their flight pattern as well as their in-flight habits. Four come to mind.
Those in front rotate their leadership. When one lead goose gets tired, it changes places with one in the wing of the V-formation and another flies point.
By flying as they do, the members of the flock create an upward air current for one another. Each flap of the wings literally creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. One author wrote that by flying in a V-formation, the whole flock gets 71% greater flying range than if each goose flew on its own.
When one goose gets sick or wounded, two fall out of formation with it and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the struggler until it's able to fly again.
The geese in the rear of the formation are the ones who do the honking. I suppose it's their way of announcing that they're following and that all is well. For sure, the repeated honks encourage those in front to stay at it.
As I think about all this, one lesson stands out above all others: it is the natural instinct of geese to work together. Whether it's rotating, flapping, helping, or simply honking, the flock is in it together...which enables them to accomplish what they set out to do.”
Spiritual leadership is first and foremost about love. If you don’t love people, you can’t lead people.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Why do you believe Paul connected love with Motherhood?
2. Name some ways that your mother showed unconditional love to you.
3. What are some things your mother sacrificed in order to raise you.
4. How can you be more like a nursing mom in taking care of other believers?