ESOCS Devotional 17 July 2022
TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” 1 Timothy 3: 1 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Paul said, “If someone aspires to the office of Bishop, he desires a good work.” The word “aspires” means “‘to reach out after,’ or ‘to stretch out oneself to grasp something.’ The term does not speak of internal motives, but only describes the external act.
Leadership is not a title. It’s an example, action and influence. Attributes freely given by people who trust you. We see a list of qualities of leadership in verses 2-10 that elaborate about a leader’s character, which comes as a result of genuinely knowing the Lord and having a relationship with Him.
For too long, leadership has been hijacked as a position people toil after for power, control and admiration. It’s been about the leader’s agenda rather than the people’s good. And Jesus noticed this in His time, as well.
The church leader is responsible for “overseeing” the church. This includes the discipleship of others, conserving the theological integrity of the church’s message, evangelizing and serving the community through church outreach initiatives, caring for the needy within the walls of the church and, of course, taking responsibility for difficult cases of church discipline. As believers, we are called to lead in a way that is contrary to the world. We are called to serve others. Leadership is about the greater good. And this is exactly what Jesus did with His very life. He served people.
If we want to lead, then we need to serve. We must have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:4–12) and humble ourselves. Cultivate a world that allows others to flourish. People want to follow someone they can trust. Someone they know will battle to make a way for them to thrive. And that usually comes at a cost to the leader. Jesus, our great King, made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the highest price when He died on the cross.
- What leadership qualities do you admire the most?
- Lord, grant me grace to lead in humility.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Numbers 9:15-23; Ezekiel 1:1–14; John 12:20–36
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ESOCS Devotional 17 July 2022
