Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. (Num. 27:16-20)
As Israel approaches the Promised Land and the next generation is poised to go in and possess that which God has given them, the leadership too had to change. Moses implored God to choose whom He wished to succeed him in civil and military command of the people. Understanding the requirements of the position, Moses asked of God a mature, spiritual, leader of men and God chose Joshua who Moses had mentored and who had shown his qualifications many times as he worked with Moses, as one of the faithful spies, as second to Moses, and as a man of God. God had Moses and the high priest present Joshua to the people and charge Joshua with all that he was to do as he and the people followed God in the conquest of the land.
The leaders of our congregations are to be godly men, following God, filled with the Spirit, seeking His glory and not their own, and leading the people as God directs them. The passing of leadership is not done lightly or rashly, but prayerfully seeking men after God’s own heart who will feed the flock, equip the congregation, and enable Christians that they might engage people to enjoy Jesus Christ. Once chosen and ordained Godly leaders are to lead the people as evangelists, pastors and teachers, preachers, and ministers until all who are lost should repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation. Just as Joshua assumed command from Moses and led the people in battle, so must leaders today lead the people of God in the spiritual battle that is before us. Godly leaders are to be examples before and among the people of God, not separate or above the people, for we are all to be about our Father’s business, as we work together in the work of the Kingdom and accomplish all that He has for us to do.
Led by the leadership God has installed in His Church, God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet