Redeemed People and Leadership

2007-03-02

This is a study of the nature of redeemed people and leadership. An outline with Scriptural guidelines is first, followed by a brief fifty-word description summing up each.

I. The Essential Nature of Redeemed People

• Ephesians 1:13-14: They trust in Him, sealed with the promise of the Spirit, guaranteed inheritance.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16: They are the Temple of God, Spirit dwells in them.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-12, 18, 21: The Spirit manifests Himself in different members with the diversity of Spiritual gifts that are interdependent.
• 1 Peter 2:5-9: A holy priesthood, chosen and precious to God. Chosen generation, His own special people. Called into His light.
• Romans 14:4, 7-8: Cannot be judged by others except their own master, and their master will get them to stand, and not fall. Whether alive or dead, we are the Lord’s.

Summation: Redeemed people can be defined simply as instruments of the Holy Spirit. They belong to no one other than God; He dwells within them and among them, and they are to be used by Him for His purposes. They are interdependent, dependent on God, and together they reflect His character.

II. Definition of Leadership

Origin or Source of Human Leadership

• Humankind was to have dominion over God’s Creation (Genesis 1:28).
• Humankind has attempted to have dominion over God’s Creation without acting as God’s appointed (e.g. Nimrod in Genesis 10:8; Genesis 11:1ff and Herod in Acts 12) and therefore can be abused.
• People want to have government to have order (1 Samuel 8:5), but the end of all government and leadership will ultimately come from the Lord and will be given to the Lord (2 Samuel 7).

Object/Goal/Purpose of Human Leadership

• All human authority is to reflect God’s authority and keep order (Romans 13:4).
• All human authority ought to give glory to God (Daniel 4:37; Acts 12:23).

The Outlook/Attitude of Human Authority

• All human authority ought to realize that he is God’s servant (James 1:1).
• All human authority ought to be a servant to others (Matthew 23:11; John 13:4-16).

Summation: Human leadership, appointed by God, should recognize who they are before God, servants of both God and others. Jesus is the ultimate model as a servant-leader who loves all people and gave His life for them. Leadership knows what is best for people and will guide them to that end.