How would you describe a leader?
What attributes does a good leader have?Who are leaders?
Paul was clearly a leader in the 1st Century
Jesus-following movement. Towards the end of his life, he was keen to see other
leaders step up. Reading this text from 2nd Timothy, we are being
invited into this call to leadership. And, especially in verses 2 and 5, we
read descriptions of what leaders need to engage with. I will contend here that
we are all called to be spiritual leaders within the community in which we
live.
Introduction
We began this month … considering the idea … that the love we have
received creates a debt of love to others. Because God has imparted so much
love in our direction, typified in what Jesus did for us – then our only
response could be a love for neighbour … that factors in all their needs,
especially their spiritual need. Then John talked about difficult truths
concerning eternal destiny that should motivate us further concerning the
spiritual needs of others. Rhett talked about the priority we should give to
'spiritual fitness', not only for our own benefit, but also, and most
importantly, for the well-being of all those we encounter (and thus have the
opportunity of sharing life and faith with). Last week Sylvia Fraser spoke
about the hope that is so missing from so many people's lives – yet this is the
very hope we have, the blessed hope of Jesus – that we should be
able to share. Sylvia challenged us … that we will never really be able to
share hope, until we rid ourselves of 'worldly passions' and become more pure
channels.
We have been reminded of what it takes to make a difference in the
world with the gospel of Jesus. It takes a full appreciation and sincere
gratitude for the love of God available to all people. It takes an appreciation
that the decisions made in this world have eternal consequences. It takes a
commitment to prepare ourselves as best as possible, to truly become growing
disciples of Jesus. It takes a whole lot of repentance from all those things of
heart, mind and action, that are contrary to God’s ways. It takes a love of
neighbour that looks beyond all sorts of offences, to the spiritual need that
lies deep within everyone. It takes surety, courage and boldness; but also a
confidence that God’s Holy Spirit is preparing the way. It takes the sort of
humility and gentleness that allows us to connect genuinely with other people.
Can we engage with our neighbourhoods and community with bold
leadership ... such that people around us will know that Jesus is alive and
seeking them out? Can they see our hope and our peace?? Have you considered
yourself to be a 'spiritual leader' in your street? What would it take to see
yourself as this?? Our community, and society in general, needs spiritual
leadership! We shouldn’t look to others, we certainly can’t look to politicians
or any secular leader – it’s not their responsibility; we should look in the mirror.
We worship and follow the greatest leader of all – Jesus – who in turn calls us
to serve and to lead in human community today!
The great apostle Paul was keen that there would be other leaders (after he departed) who would follow in the way of sharing Jesus with integrity and effectiveness. A young man named Timothy was of particular interest to Paul. Timothy would have to be bold if he was to make a difference in the difficult circumstances the early church was in. So Paul put up the challenge to Timothy – “Timothy is to carry on Paul’s ministry in a world in which there is no promise of eager response” (Gordon Fee). And as this is the living word of God, the challenge is also there for us today. This passage serves to motivate us (concerning our impact), in whatever circumstances we encounter, and in whatever places we find ourselves.
The great apostle Paul was keen that there would be other leaders (after he departed) who would follow in the way of sharing Jesus with integrity and effectiveness. A young man named Timothy was of particular interest to Paul. Timothy would have to be bold if he was to make a difference in the difficult circumstances the early church was in. So Paul put up the challenge to Timothy – “Timothy is to carry on Paul’s ministry in a world in which there is no promise of eager response” (Gordon Fee). And as this is the living word of God, the challenge is also there for us today. This passage serves to motivate us (concerning our impact), in whatever circumstances we encounter, and in whatever places we find ourselves.
Leadership
There is something here for everyone, as we all have a leadership
role … whenever we are in any form of social interaction – family, work,
school, community, church, etc. This is because we follow a man (called Jesus)
who had impact wherever he went and whoever he spoke with or spent time with.
This is a spiritual leadership enabled by the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, generosity [goodness], faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control); and empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit shared amongst us.
As we are called to be witnesses to Jesus, we are necessarily spiritual leaders
wherever we go.
This does NOT mean we are in charge. This does NOT mean we inflict
our agenda on the unwilling. This does NOT mean we apply pressure. This IS
a serving leadership, where our focus comes off ourselves, and goes firmly onto
the well-being of others, and the well-being of a community as a whole. This is
the sort of leadership where people recognise Jesus through true concern and
compassion. This is the leadership where any words we might subsequently say,
make sense on the basis of the life people have seen presented before them.
This is the leadership where the results are actually the responsibility of the
Holy Spirit – which removes the possibility of both pride and anxiety.
Yet, this is still the leadership that is prepared to move beyond comfort …
into places of need, come what may. Where lives are dying, time is short.
Text – verses 1 to 4
In his time and context, how did Paul describe the nature of this
spiritual leadership? As we live in the sight of God, and also minister in the
company of Jesus (who is the ultimate judge of every one of us), in the
knowledge of both his current and future kingdoms, this is what we should do:
persistently proclaim the good news, in both good and bad seasons, always be on
duty – being ‘on hand’ standing by, always being ready whether it suits us or
not, whether it works to our advantage or not – and often it will not be to our personal advantage. The “patient teaching”,
“encouraging” and “convincing” doesn’t sound too bad, and can be addressed in a
gentle life-style evangelism type way. We are simply people who know the truth
and live the truth, and progressively the truth becomes convincing. However,
Paul includes another word, which is not so comfortable – do you see it
there in verse 2 – “rebuke”.
In its mildest form, “rebuke” means to ‘correct’, or ‘set
straight’. This effect can naturally come as part of the teaching and
encouraging, but sometimes there are more specific behaviours that have to be
addressed: where someone is going down a particularly destructive path, or
having a bad affect or influence on someone else, spreading negativity, being
violent or generally hurting others. So within the word “rebuke” is also the notion
of ‘admonishing’ or ‘intervening’. Parents know all about this. This is
speaking with great seriousness into tense situations. This is stating that
certain attitudes or behaviour is wrong, and in some cases intervening to stop
such behaviour. To “rebuke” is to ‘warn’ … in order to prevent an action or
bring one to an end.
Yet even here, we need a serving mentality! To just say something
is wrong, where there is no moral or ethical groundwork to consider it so, is
likely to be unhelpful. ‘That’s just plain wrong’ … I’ve said it myself often;
but that is because I have already formed (largely from the Gospel) the sort of
moral and ethical code which determines something as being wrong. Other people,
maybe increasingly, in this individualistic culture, are not there yet –
like those referred to in verses 3-4, who have basically decided to just live
for themselves.
The leadership skill here, is to provide “rebuke” in such a way
that it connects with the hurt that is being caused to themselves and others,
rather than the abstract offence it may be causing us (as if we were a
Pharisee). This then can be seen as a positive input into their lives (and
those being affected around them), rather than a bland negative criticism. This
“rebuke” would also separate the behaviour from the person themselves. So, a
proper “rebuke” would be, for instance … ‘do you see how you are hurting that
other person’, rather than simply ‘you are a bad man’.
All “rebuke” should be aimed toward positive change, and
ultimately to the open receipt of the gospel. What might it have been like …
wearing another person’s shoes as they grew up?! This is a way of keeping open
to God’s ‘unconditional’ love to all, especially when we feel uninclined
towards certain individuals. This is how we stay open to the possibility of
radical repentance.
All “rebuke”, if it is to be regarded as spiritual leadership,
must be aimed at reconciliation between estranged parties, including between
lost souls and their Creator God and Loving Father. As Kent Hodge (no relation)
puts it, “There are always errors to correct in all of our lives, but these
errors are to be corrected with and through a reconciling spirit”. Or as the
prophet Isaiah put it, “You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the
restorer of streets to live in” (58:12b).
Offering “rebuke” can be very difficult and challenging. This is
why we need to be careful listeners to God’s small voice. Offering “rebuke” is
NOT likely to win many friends. We all like to be popular, but sometimes there
are higher priorities to consider for the sake of others. Friendships can be
strained when the high priority of spiritual growth (or community justice)
necessarily needs to be addressed. But this remains the call of the Gospel.
Text – verses 5-8
Rhett reminded us, two weeks ago, that we should make sure we are
prepared in advance for any situation or opportunity to help someone out ...
this is our ‘spiritual fitness’ campaign. Philip H Towner writes: "It is 'available'
Christians who will be able to seize the moment and win people for Christ or
come to the aid of struggling brothers and sisters in the church". Being
‘available’ is likely more important than being ‘able’! This sort of ‘availability is
described in verse 5.
(a) Our
constant availability (in season and out) wherever we are and whoever we are
with, is assisted through being “sober” – meaning a whole lot of things
... being able to 'keep your head' (in all situations); being ‘cool’ under
pressure (without acting rashly); being watchful, alert and discerning; having
a 'presence of mind'; being well-balanced – using careful judgment and wisdom;
being self-controlled (or better God-controlled) – spiritually attuned. This is
being able to see in behind events … to where God has been active.
(b) We also
need to be settled in any personal suffering – exhibiting peace and hope
despite difficult circumstances. In this we can be a great witness, and offer
good leadership to the struggling. We should expect some degree of suffering,
and be prepared to creatively deal with it – being positively expectant of
God's provision.
(c) Doing the
“work of an evangelist” is broader than being an evangelist (which is
more a specific gifting). This is being a witness, a follower of Jesus, and a
spiritual leader, with a definite view toward people coming to know Jesus (as
their Saviour and Lord). It is so easy to just hope for the best concerning
others, but it is much more intentional to imagine … what a blessing it would
be … if they came to know and follow Jesus. We can each ‘work like an
evangelist’ according to our own personality and gifting – all with a team
approach.
(d) The last
phrase is the one that most captured my attention – “carry out your ministry
fully”. What does this mean?? Not leaving anything to chance, giving full
attention to our calling; being wary of distractions (that unnecessarily bring
dry spots or periods of unfruitfulness), creatively dealing with
disappointments so they don’t lead to discouragement.
This is in a time and culture,
where, generally speaking, there is a preference for what suits me - this being
where the quest for the common good has been lost. This was already a perceived
reality in the first century (v.3-4). Where the boundaries have been blurred,
it's easy to drift. It's also easy to defer to what is right before your eyes,
rather than looking beyond to the things of the Spirit, to the things that we
don't easily see yet remain the most important. The highly visible clamours for
our attention, while the less visible is missed. An alternative mindset is, “It’s not worth a
thing, if it’s not for the King”.
Paul, nearing the end of his
time, provides himself as an example of “fully carrying out a ministry”
(v.6-7). A "libation" refers to pouring out wine or other liquid on
an altar as a sacrificial offering, meaning that Paul had poured out his
life … he has given everything to his ministry, right to the end, and
ultimately at considerable cost. Paul has remained true both in the soundness
(truth and quality) of his ministry as well as the length of his ministry;
right to the end - he kept on serving through all the circumstances that befell
him. Paul had completed ALL that he was given to do.
Paul didn't say this in pride,
but to inspire Timothy with what is required. And not just Timothy … “but also
to all who have longed for his [Christ's] appearing” (v.8). Paul hoped that bold
leadership would inspire bold leadership. The "crown of righteousness"
here refers to an endorsement that righteousness has been sought, developed and
practiced in the life of Paul (refer TNTC p.188) – not a reward, but an
endorsement of a reality already brought about through the grace of God. Paul
had been loyal to a trust placed in him. Paul had also remained true to the
Gospel.
We are to live as if we know that
the things of this world are temporary, all its pleasures are passing, and it
is the eternal things that count for the most. Paul says his commitment was thoroughly
worth it! The "crown" is for those who have longed for Christ's
"appearing", such that they have been available for spiritual
leadership. This doesn't mean they wanted to escape, but rather that they lived
an inspired life in anticipation of Jesus' return (NTCS p.208).
Conclusion
The reason for the seriousness of
all this is given in verse 1. God and Jesus are present with us. We can't live
in a careless way, because the way we use our lives is being observed by the
highest court. Embracing the Kingdom of God and making disciples until Jesus
returns … is our most pressing job description. Bold spiritual leadership
understands that we can be highly effective instruments of God's redeeming
power.
People around us are always
seeking. Our prayer and our desire is that they will seek in the right places. There
are many other places people can go, and other alignments people can make –
those temporary feel good activities. Our calling to spiritual leadership is to
make Jesus the first and most significant port of call. Bold leadership doesn’t
blame people for making the wrong choices, but rather becomes available to
realign and reconcile people toward God’s invitation to a relationship with the
Divine.
There are questions that beg to be answered. There are dilemmas to
be overcome. There are gaps to be filled, and the challenge is for you to fill
them. That is the essence of the high call of spiritual leadership.
There is a purpose for your being here. You are meant to answer something,
solve something, provide something, lead something, discover something, compose
something, write something, say something, translate something, interpret
something, sing something, create something, teach something, preach something,
bear something, overcome something, and in doing so, you improve the lives of
others under the power of God, for the glory of God. (From:
Claude Alexander, Bishop of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina USA.)
This is something for us to consider every day – it’s Jesus that
we live for every day. We follow Jesus by emulating his love for neighbour.
