Jesus is Lord

Thoughts on how we should relate to Jesus and his church. 

by Brookes H. Baker

Author's Preface
These words are put in print with the hope that some who know Jesus will come to better understand the forces at work in their lives, and thus more effectively serve him.

I have trusted Jesus, and to the best of my ability I have written what has been given to me. May it be a useful instrument in the kingdom.

Brookes H. Baker 
Fort Worth, Texas 
December, 1990


THIS IS JESUS' WORLD

Who is Jesus? Jesus is God.

Jesus has absolute authority over all of creation because he is the creator. The way he chooses to use his authority to run this world is something we need to understand. To do this we need a starting place, which is the Bible, the written word of God.

Now, back to the first question, "Who is Jesus?" In the first chapter of John's gospel Jesus is identified, but we have to play some word games to track it down:

"The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (verse 14)

It looks like "The word" is the son of God, and he is a man because he is "made flesh", but what is his name?

"--grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (verse 17)

Here is a clue. Verse 14 says the Word is full of grace and truth, then Verse 17 says that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Maybe Jesus is the Word.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, 'Behold the lamb of God.'" (verse 27)

Well, that does not exactly say "the son of God", but it is close. If we continue reading we discover that John the Baptist keeps on talking about Jesus after Verse 27, and eventually says:

"--this is the son of God." (verse 34)this is the son of God." (verse 34)this is the son of God." (verse 34)this is the son of God." (verse 34)

It took a while, but we finally got it. Jesus is all of the following:

The Word 
The son of God 
The source of grace and truth 
The lamb of God

The one identification we really need to carry forward the thought of his being the creator is "the Word". Now we go back to the beginning of the chapter.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (Verse 1)

This takes care of identifying Jesus as God. He is the Word, the Word is God, so Jesus is God. What about his being the creator?

"All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made."(Verse 3) 

If Jesus made everything, then he is the creator, right?

It is easy for some to believe that the creator has authority over his creation, but it may not be so obvious to others. To be certain on this fundamental matter, we ask the question, "What did Jesus do to show that he has authority over his creation?" Here are a few of the answers:

Mark 4:37 through 41 tells of his calming a storm when his disciples were afraid the boat they were in was about to sink. He chastised the disciples for their little faith. Maybe they should have calmed the storm in his name, or at least not have been so worried. Anyway, he stopped the storm as soon as he woke up. 

In Matthew 14:22 through 33, Jesus walked to the disciples' boat across the rough water. Peter asked if he could walk on the water too. Jesus invited him out, and he was able to do it until he took his thoughts off Jesus and began thinking about the wind and waves. Jesus was definitely in charge there.

In John 11:41 through 44, Jesus commanded his friend, Lazarus, to come forth from the tomb, and he did. He had been dead several days. Just before Jesus did this, he mentioned in a prayer that he was raising Lazarus so those standing by would know that his Father has sent him. Nobody ever had that kind of authority before.

In Matthew 8:5 through 13, a Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. When Jesus started to go to his house, the man said, "No need!" He recognized Jesus' authority because he was a man familiar with authority. Jesus called it faith. The servant was healed long-distance. We can say with confidence that Jesus has demonstrated that he has authority over his creation.


JESUS HAS A PROGRAM

How does Jesus manage this world of his, and how do we fit in? He has priorities for us. First things first. When it was time for him to return to heaven, he gave his disciples their marching orders, which apply to us as well.

"All authority is given to me in heaven and in earth. You go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things which I have commanded you; and understand this: I am with you always, even to the end of the earth." (Matthew 28:18b - 20)

He said he had the authority, he commanded them to get the job done, and he said he would be with them. This "I am with you" means that he will personally be there to use his authority as needed to help them get the job done. HE DID NOT DELEGATE HIS AUTHORITY TO ANYONE. It is obvious that the "you" here is not just this group of men, but all believers down through the ages. He is still with us.

This is the program: redeeming the lost. Jesus loves the people he has created. He died for them, and he is doing what it takes, through his disciples, to get the word out so the rest can be saved.

It is not quite that simple, however. Not all the world is eager to receive this message. Satan is around to oppose Jesus' program. There is a cosmic struggle going on for the lives of men, women, boys and girls.

There are some things we need to understand about how Jesus is handling this situation, which can get pretty complex. Jesus has his redemptive program going in conflict with Satan, and at the same time he is maintaining authority over the whole universe as creator. It is important for us to understand how Jesus handles all of this because:

1. We live in this world and must relate to it. 
2. Jesus' handling of the world's more general functions must be distinguished from his dealings with his special people.
3. Each of us who are Christians are expected to perform specific roles in the plan of redemption. In some way, each of us is sent to the lost.
4. Each of us can function in Jesus' power because he himself is with us with all authority.


JESUS HAS A WORLD PLAN

The overall situation includes Jesus' management of all of his creation, including this world where Satan is working. From our perspective this may seem impossible, but we should not worry - any more than the disciples should have worried about their storm. Jesus has the authority; he has a strategy; he has it under control.

The strategy is this: Jesus has chosen three major authority structures, or sets of relationships, for the organization of all human affairs. These structures are able to exist and function because he has chosen to delegate authority to the people who make them work. The structures are government, home and master-servant relationships. He allows those persons given such authority to take initiative in carrying out their responsibilities. Those who use these opportunities Jesus' way have the most success. Those who abuse their authority are less successful and are held accountable to Jesus.

Contributing to the effectiveness of these structures is a fundamental characteristic of human life: diversity. Jesus, the creator, has not chosen to make us alike. Some of us are stronger, smarter, more skilled and more gifted than most. Similarly, some are less. Some are young; some are old. Some are male; some are female. Diversity is there not only in human life, but in all of nature and all forms of life. The mix is always changing. It boggles the mind, and has escaped the full understanding of the best thinkers for many centuries. Jesus may have chosen this strategy because he knew he would have no real competition from Satan or man when it comes to managing things this complex. Only Jesus can handle it. Besides, there are probably other good reasons known only to Jesus for making things as complex as they are.

Masters – Servants
Because of diversity among us, some people become masters of others. This is expressed most commonly in modern society in the employer-employee relationship. It was expressed in former times in the owner-slave relationship. Jesus, as creator and ruler, expects us to accept the necessity of this authority structure, though not all the abuses to which evil men may put it. An employee (or slave) may rightly rebel against the abuses of a particular master or even against a particular system which is being systematically abused. He might do this without rejecting the principle that some persons should submit to the authority of others within the economic and social system.

Government
Also because of diversity, some individuals, groups and coalitions rise to power in society and exercise the authority of government. For the great majority of the history of organized society, the strong have simply ruled the weak. In some cases, the more shrewd have ruled both the strong and the weak. In relatively modern times, beginning perhaps with Athens, ideas have become a more significant component in government. Now we have democracies, socialism and communism mixed with the despots and priests inherited from former eras. We as mortals will probably never be given insight into why Jesus allows governmental authorities to conduct themselves the way they do. We can have confidence, however, that they are held responsible.

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:48b)

Jesus expects us to accept the necessity of governmental authority. This does not imply that all government actions are good, or even that the philosophies upon which they are founded are right. All it means is that the governed as well as those who govern should recognize that Jesus has installed government as part of his plan. Each of us who know Jesus should do our best with government as we find it. This may include changing it, should that happen to be one's calling. 

Home
The last of the authority structures Jesus has installed to serve both the good and the evil is the home. Here Jesus deals with the diversities of gender and age. In the home the father and mother have authority over the children. The husband also has authority over the wife. People try all possible variations from this theme, but nothing else works as well. It is difficult enough for people to live together in harmony with all the wisdom they can get from God, much less without respecting his principles in the home.

It is almost impossible to prepare even a little comment on these three authority structures without facing the obvious fact that they are a mixed bag. Even as their origin in the authority of Jesus is mentioned, it is necessary to point out that in each case they do not necessarily work the way they ought. This is because they are used by all of mankind, not just those who do as they ought under God. Nevertheless, within these three authority structures human life has survived better than it would without them. Human society must continue this way, at least partially bearing the burden of the cosmic conflict for the souls of men, and subject to the authority of Jesus as creator.

It should hastily be added that these authority structures, though they may appear to be thoroughly flawed, are appropriate for their intended purpose. They are to provide a framework within which Jesus can redeem his lost sheep. They are general enough for Satan to use too for his destructive purposes. We are fortunate indeed that these three structures are not all our creator has given us in this world.

 In the New Testament, there are several passages to which reference can be made for support of the idea that Jesus has established these three human institutions, and that his people are to live within their constraints. Some are as follows: 

Ephesians 5:22 - 6:9      1 Peter 2:11 - 3:7 
Colossians 3:18 – 22     Mark 12:17 
Matthew 19:4 – 6           Philemon 6 


JESUS HAS A SPECIAL PEOPLE

Jesus is in the process of redeeming as many of his precious creatures as will come to him. The whole history of mankind from Adam to Jesus until the end of time is the story of God's redeeming love. Part of his redemptive plan is to work through the testimony of his people, who are collectively called the church. Church means "the called out ones". Christians are called to join with God in the redemptive process.

The church and its members are only one group in a crowded field. Jesus, his Spirit and his legions of angels support the Christians. Satan and his hordes of demons are also on the field of battle. Another group, whose effectiveness is often overlooked, is that large number of people who are committed servants of Satan.

The people of Jesus are undoubtedly the most unique grouping on the face of the earth. The single factor which binds the church together is the common relationship of its members with Jesus. He is the head and his people are each individually members of his body. This relationship transcends all the diverse factors in creation to bring us together in unity. Differences of age, gender, intelligence, race and skill are all bonded together by the lordship of Jesus.

The constraints of economic servitude (masters-servants), nationality (governments) and family are spiritually superseded in Jesus, though they are usually carefully respected in the church. When Jesus returns, the order of this world will be overthrown. Until then, it is to be maintained.

This grouping called the church, less than two millennia old, is a relatively new thing on the earth. It is unlike business, government or family because it is a different kind of gathering for a different purpose. It respects those other authority structures because they are part of Jesus' program, but the church is different.

"You are a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired unto himself that you might celebrate the manifestation of his divine power as he has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)unto himself that you might celebrate the manifestation of his divine power as he has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

We should not be surprised to discover that the authority structure of the church is not like all the others. Jesus has created the church for a different purpose, so he has made it differently. In the cases of masters, governments and the home, the character of the person in authority is not categorically determined. It may be a good or an evil person, or one torn between the two powers. Satan is allowed to work in the world.

In contrast to the authorities on the world, the only position of authority in the church is held by Jesus. Satan, his demons and his people have no place, so the organizational plan is simpler.on the world, the only position of authority in the church is held by Jesus. Satan, his demons and his people have no place, so the organizational plan is simpler.

We will discuss how Jesus reveals his will to his "chosen family" shortly. Right now let’s think about delegation of authority in general for a moment.

Suppose you are a building manager in a cold northern city. On arrival at your building one winter morning, you discover that the heater is not on. You meet the maintenance man emerging from the heater room with a worried look. He tells you the blower motor is burned out. "Come with me and we will have a new one down here in ten minutes", you say. He did not make the decision about getting the new motor because you were there. If you had been out of town, it may have been appropriate for him to buy a new motor, but not with you there. You knew there was a spare in a crate upstairs.

If Jesus is within each of us, and if he is present in our meetings, there is no need for guessing what the boss wants done. Remember, he said:in our meetings, there is no need for guessing what the boss wants done. Remember, he said:

"I am with you, even to the end of the ages." (Matt. 28:20)


JESUS IS HEAD OF HIS CHURCH

Jesus has chosen to be the head of his church himself. He has delegated his authority to no one. Every member must know Jesus personally to become part of his body, and every member takes orders directly from him.

Christians often use the term "lord" with little understanding. It means master, owner and sovereign. It does not leave room for another to command. Jesus clearly claimed this kind of lordship in the lives of his people when he said:

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)Lord and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)

This shows us how Jesus expects to relate to his people. He speaks to each of us personally, and he expects each of us to obey.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

Fortunately there is a bit more detail given in the New Testament about what it means for Jesus to be head of the church. There are twelve passages in the New Testament which identify Jesus as the head. Five are quotations from Psalm 118:22, which says that the stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11 and I Peter 2:7) These refer to Jesus' fulfilling the prophecies concerning the messiah. The remaining seven uses are by Paul, and four apply directly to the church. In each of the four, Paul refers to Jesus as head of the church, and in two he explicitly describes how Jesus functions as the head. These two passages are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. 

Ephesians 4:15 and 16: "--but speaking the truth in love, we should grow unto him who is everything, who is the head, Christ, from whom all the body being assembled and connected together, he being the connection between every joint according to the working of each member by means of the measure of each part separately, constructing the growth of the body itself into a temple of love."

These two verses seem to say five things about what it means for Jesus to be head of the body: 

1. He assembles us together. That is, he chooses which part goes in a particular place in relation to other parts.
2. He connects the parts together, he himself being the connecting material. He does this connecting of members uniquely in each case based on the specific functions or gifts of the members involved.
3. He gives the gifts for functioning to each member.to each member.
4. He builds these members together into a temple - a beautiful whole structure properly constructed according to his master plan. 
5. It is all done in love - his love for us the members, our love for one another, our love for him and our common love for the lost of the world he would bring into the completed temple. 

Colossians 2:19: "-- and not holding fast the head from whom all the body by means of the ligaments and the bonding provided, and being connected together, the growth of God increases."head from whom all the body by means of the ligaments and the bonding provided, and being connected together, the growth of God increases."

The grammar may be rough for us in English, but nevertheless this verse seems to say three things about what it means for Jesus to be head of the body:

1. He connects members together by means of ligaments, or connecting tissue. 
2. He provides the bonding or binding. This may be construed as the function of an adhesive or as a wrapping or binding. The idea of adhesive seems to fit better here. 
3. The result of this connection is the growth of the body.

These two passages each have two points which are similar, namely that Jesus provides the connection between members, and that he is therefore responsible for the growth of the body. The Colossians verse adds one item not found in Ephesians, that Jesus provides the bond. This word, "sundesmon" in Greek, is used elsewhere to refer to the bond of love (Ephesians 4:3) and the bond of perfect unity in the church (Colossians 3:4).

Together these two passages give us some idea of what it means for Jesus to be head of the church. It is a picture of his intimate, personal involvement in every functional detail of interrelationships, as well as in the functioning of every member. Jesus has the master plan of the operation too. Thanks to his personal involvement, the body grows to completion in love. What a picture of first-class leadership!

No other planner, organizer or director is needed, because Jesus is in the midst of his people doing what needs to be done. What his people need is to learn to walk with him, listen to his voice, and be led by his Spirit. Failure to develop a personal walk with him cannot be glossed over by participating in religion.

Get a vision of the church of Jesus from his written word. It is HIS church! He is in it. He is in his people who are there. His power and authority are there. His vision of reaching a lost and dying world is there. His love is there. Jesus works in his church, and Satan cannot stop him.

"And Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go you therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And look, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.'" (Matthew 28:18-20)

Put this vision into practice through the struggles in your own heart and life. Then you will see the church with our own eyes. You will be a part of it. The kingdom of heaven starts with Jesus in control of your heart and mine. Then, when we gather at the direct personal command of our lord, we are the church. 

On the other hand, Satan is adept at counterfeiting the church. He has been quite successful.


NOT AS THE WORLD

It would seem reasonable to expect the church with Jesus at the head to be different from the rest of the world. Really different. The Old Testament prophets were different from false prophets because they were always right. False prophets were sometimes right, but sometimes wrong. God's men never missed. Should the church have that kind of presence of God that keeps it on track? Common sense says yes, if Jesus is at the head.

The history of the church since Jesus came in the flesh is a confusing story, and Satan is the author of confusion. On one hand there are records of the miraculous working of the power of God to redeem the lost. There are the great Wesleyan revivals, the modern breakthrough of the Gospel in Korea, the reformation of the sixteenth century, and many more.

On the other hand, there are blights on the history of the church. The slaughters of the crusades and the inquisition. One has but to read Fox's Book of Martyrs to realize that the atrocities committed in the name of Jesus are awesome. Then there is the matter of the proliferation of denominations, sects and cults. Christians and so-called Christians are so divided they have become a joke to the world and a reproach to Jesus' name.

Even those cults which deny the lordship of Jesus are free to take his name with some success because the public conception of "Christian" is so clouded. Examples: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Christian Science.

Somehow, Christians have laid hold of some fundamental truths as individuals, but have also missed others which should characterize their lives as a community. This is not because God has hidden his truth from us. It is because we have not preferred to listen to our Lord Jesus and obey him.

The problem is that the Christian community has been sold a false concept. We have been told by Satan's disciples that Jesus delegates his authority in the church. Then they insert themselves to corrupt it. The church has been infiltrated by the enemy. This lie is answered by the word of Jesus himself.

Consider Mark 10:42 through 45 for instruction from Jesus. (Parallel passages are Matthew 20:25-28 and Luke 22:24-30.) The brothers James and John followed the normal human tendency to desire prestige, honor and power for themselves. They wanted to gain positions of delegated authority under Jesus, just as they saw people around them in religion with high levels of delegated authority, as in government. They were willing to pay the price, they said, to take advantage of what they obviously saw as a remarkable opportunity. Jesus told them that such positions were not his to give.

When the remaining ten disciples heard of this exchange, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers. Why were they angry? Because they did not want anyone to get ahead of them! All the disciples acted in ways to show their expectation of transferring the delegated authority concept from the world's institutions to the community of Jesus. They also acted vainly and created factions in accordance with Satan's strategy. Fortunately, Jesus was there to stop the movement in its tracks for the moment.

"You know that those who are recognized to rule the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever wishes to become great among you, he shall be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first, he shall be bond-servant of all. For also the son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45)

Stepping through this passage carefully, several points can be found:

1. Positional authority is commonly exercised by people who hold power in government. 
2. This kind of positional authority is not to exist among Jesus' followers. 
3. Among Jesus' followers, the great shall serve, and the greatest shall be the lowest servants.the great shall serve, and the greatest shall be the lowest servants.
4. For example, Jesus the master came to serve.

Here we have a turning point. Jesus says "No" to one way and "Yes" to another for his community. The new way he points to is certainly different, and not as comfortable as the old. We, like the disciples, may not immediately understand how it works, but what choice do we have but to try? Jesus has firmly cut off the idea of running the church like a business.

To some, this may seem to be a dilemma with no good resolution. It is not a dilemma. There is a good resolution, it is just not familiar. The real issue is not the validity of Jesus' teaching; the issue is whether or not we will be obedient to Jesus and learn from him.

Unfortunately, too many, even the great majority of Christians have taught, been taught, or have quietly acquiesced to the lie that somebody besides Jesus must run the church. The "great ones" among Christians are often called pastors, deacons, bishops, elders and presbyters - all hiding behind New Testament names. The names are there in the New Testament, it is true. But the job of running the church belongs to Jesus, and he explicitly has not given it to anyone. Those names properly describe the roles of servants, not masters.

There are few Christian leaders who are true to their Lord and refuse to accept the role of positional authority in their churches. These few usually do not last long.

Congregations expect their leaders to take the responsibility for finding out what God wants done, then assume the authority to get it done. Unfortunately, competent people can frequently put on a pretty good show. The dynamics of success modeled by larger congregations usually lead even small congregations to miss the key idea of Jesus' lordship that opens to them the real power of God.

Take courage now, brothers and sisters in Jesus. Jesus would not ask us to do something without giving us the tools to do it. With his help, we can understand what he wants done, and we can do it. 

Let us look at this new way. Jesus said to look to him as the example.to him as the example.


HOW DID JESUS SERVE?

Why did people so readily follow Jesus? Why did they try so hard to get him to be their king? Look at some of the obvious reasons:

1. He healed people. 
2. He fed people.
3. He answered questions with wisdom.
4. He was their champion to denounce the deadly religion of the day. 
5. He had a bearing of authority. 
6. Everything he did or said was good. 
7. He loved people and they knew it.

In summary, he was by far the best man around. They were right about that. Later on he even died for them, though they would not understand that for a while yet.

Check over this list, and maybe add a few points of your own. Now go back over it and see what Jesus did that can be called "service". At least the first three or four qualify, and we really ought to add his death on the cross for us. Jesus knew something most of the rest of us have missed, though it was never really hidden. He became great by serving.

"If there be therefore any consolation is Christ, if any comfort in love, if any fellowship in the Spirit, if any tender mercies or compassions, make full my joy that you be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind, doing nothing through faction or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting the other better than himself, not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you to the things of others.

"Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus who existing in the form of God counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yes, the death of the cross. Wherefore God highly exalted him, giving him a name above every name, --" (Philippians 2:1-9)

The key words here are "emptied" and "exalted". Emptied is "kenosis" in Greek, and means "poured out." Exalted is "plerosis" in Greek, and means "filled up." Our brother Paul exhorts us here to let this mind be in us which was in Jesus. He calls on us to empty ourselves, that is, to give ourselves for others as Jesus did.

Jesus' father saw what he did and counted him worthy to be filled above everyone else. Jesus brings us to this same Father, and has shown us how to please him. We can be confident that this way will work if we will commit ourselves to it in obedience and faith.


HOW SHALL WE SERVE?

There are two kinds of authority. The kind we are accustomed to seeing in masters, governments and homes may be called "positional", for want of a better term. Those who hold this authority may be either good or bad, because the human institutions to which Jesus has delegated the authority serve all of mankind. The authority flows from the position.

There is another kind of authority. It flows from a person's ability to serve. Consider this hypothetical situation. My neighbor grows tulips in flower beds around his house. Unknown to me, he has studied tulips all his adult life, and has written books on tulips. These books have been translated into many languages. He is recognized around the world as an authority on tulips. One day while we happen to be casually visiting, I mention how beautiful his tulips are, and I ask if he would tell me how it is done. He obligingly tells me how to prepare the soil, which bulbs to get, etc. I do what he says, and soon my yard is graced with the beauty of tulips.

Now look at what happened. I sensed his ability and voluntarily chose to receive him as my authority. I obeyed him. Simultaneously, he responded to my need with his wealth of ability, and he served me. He was both servant and authority at the same time. Call this "functional" authority. It flows from a person's ability and willingness to serve. It is put into effect by being voluntarily received by another.

With these definitions in mind, we may relieve some of the confusion as to how leaders may serve in the Christian community. Those New Testament terms, elder, presbyter, bishop, rule and office are there, and they do mean something. What they mean is that some people yield themselves effectively to Jesus. They empty themselves and let him be their master. Jesus then begins to fill them: he gives them gifts. First and foremost he fills them with his Holy Spirit. Then he gives gifts which enable them to serve others, such as preaching, teaching, healing, evangelism, administrations, helps and prophecy. Now these people have something really worthwhile to give, so Jesus opens the way for them to serve their brothers and sisters, and to proclaim Jesus to the lost.

In addition to the special gifts, Jesus guides his people into maturity, deeper faith and fuller love. Those who use their gifts and mature into useful servants come to be relied upon by others for the service they so willingly give. They become functional leaders. Christians need to see that there is no hint of positional authority in this kind of service.

Every Christian brother or sister who finds himself or herself to be gifted from God should be most careful to avoid the temptation of misusing the gift as an excuse to claim a position of authority. Every gathering of the body of Christ should instantly reject any conduct of its leadership which hints toward a claim of positional authority. The Christian community should be carefully instructed from God's Word that Jesus is lord - that he alone is head of the church.


THE STORY OF PETER

The disciple of Jesus called Peter is a most interesting brother. He was an outspoken, strong-willed man. He was an impetuous and lovable person. Jesus chose him and loved him as a special friend. Simon, called Peter, is a major character in the New Testament. Because he was so outspoken and so much is written about him, we can find in the record concerning him a developing understanding of Jesus' new way of managing authority in the church.

In the sixteenth chapter of Matthew there are two remarkable conversations between Jesus and Simon. In verses 13 through 20, Simon confesses Jesus to be the Christ, and Jesus gives him the name "Petros", or rock. Jesus then says that on this "petra", massive rock, he will build his church. Simon, here renamed Peter, obviously had done something right. The view of many is that he rightly identified Jesus as the messiah, and that such a confession of the messiah would be the rock upon which the church would be built. In the following verses Jesus also says something about the keys of the kingdom, and about binding and loosing. There is to be some authority given to Peter, though the details are not developed here.

The next passage, verses 21 through 23, tell of Peter's audacity in rebuking Jesus for foretelling his death and resurrection. Jesus responded by saying to Peter, 

"Get you behind me, Satan - you are an offense to me --" (Verse 23)

Here it is just as obvious that Peter had done something wrong. At this point in his life, he did not have everything figured out just right. He had not yet been given the keys mentioned earlier, and he was not binding anything with the authority of God.

In John 13, verses 1 through 17, Jesus brings Peter and the other disciples a step closer to the maturity he had for them. He washed their feet, and in doing so dramatically demonstrated to them the same fundamental lesson taught in Mark 10:42-45 previously discussed, that they are to be servants.

People typically wore open sandals in those days, and they usually walked wherever they went. The weather was hot and dry as it is now in that region. Feet got hot and dirty. Upon entering a home, a person usually left his sandals at the door, and frequently washed his feet to keep from tracking dirt into the house and for personal comfort. Sometimes a host or his slave would wash a guest's feet.

It has been said that only a slave could be commanded to wash feet. It has also been said that the disciple of a teacher such as Jesus could be commanded to do any service for his teacher except wash feet. Foot washing, therefore, had become something of a symbol of servitude.

When Jesus approached Peter to wash his feet, Peter said, "You shall never wash my feet!" What do you suppose was bothering Peter? Perhaps he felt that it was improper for the person in the position of lord to take such a role of servitude.

Jesus responded with, "If I wash you not, you have no part with me." Considering the consequences, this was a very important washing! Peter got the message. He also had learned not to argue with Jesus. He said, "Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head." Peter may not have understood why his lord chose to serve him, but he accepted it.his lord chose to serve him, but he accepted it.

Finally, Jesus explained what he had done and why.

"Know you what I have done to you? You call me master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then your Lord and master have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." (John 13:12b-17)

The key points of Jesus' teaching here are as follows:

1. He is truly Lord and master. He claims the position of highest authority among them. 
2. He has given the example of how they are to serve one another. 
3. To refuse to thus humble themselves to one another is to improperly exalt themselves above their Lord. 
4. To learn and do as instructed is a blessing.

It is probable that this event opened the minds of Peter and the others to understand their roles as servants. Certainly they could never again aspire to have any position of authority in the kingdom of Jesus. From this day on, the basin and towel probably came to be the most used equipment around their homes and meeting places. Jesus had effectively confronted their involvement with vanity and pride. He had given them a vehicle for expressing the loving spirit which came to characterize their community.

Lest anyone think that this teaching was only symbolic, and was not actually practiced among Christians, please refer to 1 Timothy 5:10. A widow was not to be enrolled for support by the church unless, among other things, she had washed the saints’ feet.

Did impetuous, bold Peter, the natural leader of men, rise to a position of authority in the church? No, he did not, because he had learned not to allow such a thing to happen. He did, however, find opportunity to be of great service to his brothers and sisters. He exercised functional authority because of his service, and was recognized as an elder of the church. He taught that other leaders in the body of Christ should also be servants.

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight not by constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:1-3)

Note that Peter carefully uses the word "among" twice. The elders are among the others, not over them. The flock of God is among the elders, not under them. The elders are not lords. Jesus is Lord.

Peter got the idea. Jesus is Lord functionally in the church. We are all his servants, and servants of one another. There is no place in the body of Christ for one who presumes to usurp the lordship of Jesus.


THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

Jesus said to Peter,

"I will give you the keys of the heavenly kingdom, ---"(Matt. 16:19a)

Now we are working on the subject of authority here, and these words do bear on the subject somewhat. They deal more directly, however, with a special moment between Jesus and Peter. Peter had just confessed openly that Jesus was the Christ. Jesus responded by telling him that he was blessed in two ways. First, the insight behind his statement had been given to him directly by the Father.

Second, when Jesus says the words quoted above he appears to be continuing the line of thought with a statement of how he intends to use Peter as the first public proclaimer that Jesus is the Christ. This Peter did when he led over 2,000 to trust in Jesus at Pentecost, and then 5,000 when he preached at the temple a little later as recorded in the second and third chapters of Acts. We might say that Peter opened the gates of heaven to the assembly of believers which we now call the church.

There was some functional authority and privilege associated with this special, one-time event, but it was very specifically limited as shown in the words of Jesus which immediately follow:

"and if you forbid something on earth it will be what is already forbidden in heaven, and if you permit something on earth it will be what is already permitted in heaven." (Matt. 16:19b)

You will probably note that the wording here is not exactly as found in most translations, and there is a reason. The Greek participle near the end of each of these two parallel clauses is in the perfect tense. English has no perfect tense, so it takes several words to clarify the meaning (shown bold above). The perfect tense signifies completed action with a continuing result, the emphasis being on the result. The result in this case is that the servant gets in line with the master's will.

A little later in Matthew 18:18, Jesus said the same thing to the other disciples, using the same parallel clauses with perfect participles. In Acts 8 and 9, Philip and Paul began to proclaim Jesus publicly in accordance with these instructions.

Jesus was not giving Peter or anyone else a position of authority with these words. Exactly the opposite! He is putting Peter and the disciples under his authority. He is telling them that they will have the opportunity of service on earth, but they will do it under his authority as sovereign in heaven. When we serve Jesus, we too are under his sovereignty in like manner.

To receive Jesus as lord means we trust his death on the cross to pay for our sins, and we love him for what he has done. It means something more also. It means we are expected to obey him every day in every way. What we do on earth WILL be what is permitted by the king in heaven.

Praise, love and worship are one side of the "Lord Jesus" coin. The other side is obedience. Jesus expects obedience.

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46)

Most of us have a deep distrust of the situation when someone expects us to do what he says. It is a threat to our personal freedom, and frequently a sign of bondage. So we need to look carefully at this. Jesus said it; he is someone special. Many of us believe that he can be trusted to love us. Furthermore, he did not tell us to obey someone else, just him.

Here is the bondage Jesus would lay on us:bondage Jesus would lay on us:

"Come to me all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Many of us who have experienced the pain and sorrows of life have gladly traded them for the role of a servant of Jesus.

Peter had the one-time privilege of opening the gates of the kingdom to all those who would believe, but he had to become a servant to do it. If we would be useful in the kingdom, we too must be personal servants of Jesus. The assembly of believers is built on the servant kind of faith that Peter had.


ARE WE ABANDONED?

Several years ago I suggested to a successful pastor friend that his style of planning and implementing programs was too much his own initiative, and should rely more on the personal direction of Jesus in the hearts of the people in the assembly. He told me in no uncertain terms that if he did not direct his church, nothing would get done. Furthermore, he would appreciate my not raising this kind of issue, since it was important to maintain unity within the body. He went on to become an outstanding denominational leader.

Has Jesus really abandoned us to this extent? Is he helpless to get anything done in our lives and our communities unless people with leadership ability initiate programs for him? Certainly not! He does not use men as his agents to manage his communities. He does it himself by means of his spirit within us.

"I will ask my Father and he will give another comforter - the Spirit of truth. He will be with you forever. --- he is in you. I will not abandon you as orphans. I will come to you." John 14:16, 17b-18

This "another comforter" is another of the same kind, that is, the same kind as Jesus. "Comforter" is paraclete, or advocate, one who stands beside you to help you or plead your cause. He stands in for Jesus in a very personal sense, as the final sentence of the above quotation indicates. Furthermore, he has all the authority and resources of Jesus.

"I have much more to tell you, but you are not able to bear it just now. When the time comes, the Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth. He will not speak of himself, but what he hears he will speak, and what things he receives he will deliver to you. That will honor me, his taking from me and delivering to you. Everything my Father has is mine, so the source I speak of is sufficient for the Spirit to take from me and deliver to you." John 16:12-15

So, we are not abandoned! Jesus has made full provision for each of us to have all the personal help we need as well as all his resources. When we gather as his assembly, we really have no need for a human pastor to give us the direction of the Kingdom. We need only to pay attention to the direction we already have from the Spirit of truth who is already is us.

My friend may have been correct, that nothing would get done in that particular situation unless he did it. But he was an expert at doing it wrong. He went on to lead a whole state convention of churches in doing it wrong because he did it wrong so well.

If he had really been a servant of God, he would have led those people individually and as a group to follow the Son of God instead of his own man-made programs. Perhaps nothing could get done without that man's leadership, not because Jesus had abandoned his people, but because his people had been led to abandon Jesus and follow someone else.

Now this brings up a disturbing question. Why are people so easily led astray? Apparently, being a Christian has somehow become such a superficial thing that it doesn't even involve knowing Jesus well enough to notice when he is not the leader.

Individual Christians and whole assemblies need to take the initiative in coming to know Jesus. This is where truly spirit-led servants ought to take their initiative - in pointing people to Jesus.

Here are a few things Jesus said which make it clear that he expects to be in personal contact with us:

"I am the good shepherd, and I know my own and my own know me." John 10:14

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

"And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20b

It may take some time and effort on the part of each of us to find an effective way of making this relationship work. It may take more initiative than we want to put into it. Nevertheless, we should not fool ourselves or let Satan trick us into thinking that we are doing what is right when we take the initiative from our lord and do our own thing.

Neither should we be deceived into thinking that just because someone who calls himself God's man says something, it really comes from God. We should check that out with Jesus too. Following the wrong leader is a total cop-out for a Christian. It is just a way of avoiding the effort and personal responsibility involved in really coming to Jesus. It may even be a way of avoiding ever facing the need of being saved in the first place.

There is a joy in being in the presence of Jesus! Those who have ever been there know it. Occasionally, when we get away from him for a little while, we only want to come back. With Jesus is the only really good place to be. If you don't know Jesus on a functional basis, don't fake it. Get to know him.


DYNAMICS OF THE FELLOWSHIP

Jesus says he is going to lead each one of us as we just noted in John 10. How he does it for you will certainly be different in some ways from how he does it for me. He moves in each of our hearts, and we are different people.

So, what happens when we need to agree on his leading? Not just two of us, but dozens or hundreds of us. How can we agree on what our leader wants in a particular situation when he is not physically here? We have no physical evidence of his leading, such as a telephone call or an e-mail.

We can discount those who conjure up visions and signs at every turn, because, as Jesus said; 

"God is spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24 

This calls for faith. Jesus has made provision for this need. If we will pay attention to him and receive instruction from him, he will take care of us. When he said, "My sheep hear my voice", sheep is plural. 

So how does he do it? He speaks through people, as we would expect. But he has his own way of choosing his spokesmen. He looks on their hearts.on their hearts.

These people are called prophets. Prophets speak for God, not just concerning the future, but also concerning the past and present. Jesus gives this gift by means of his Spirit, the same way he gives other gifts.

In any particular situation, Jesus chooses the most appropriate person. The group involved needs to discern who is speaking for Jesus. Some with the gift of prophecy come to be known among the body of believers as they continue to serve the group for a time. Then the gift may fade away in those who are better known, and be given anew to some other brothers or sisters. At any given time, it would be impossible to predict exactly whom Jesus might choose to speak his will to the body. He holds the choice every moment of time, without exception.

In every gathering of believers, there are people of differing spiritual condition. Some are close to Jesus, walking in the fullness of his spirit. Some know him well, but are not walking close to him at that particular hour. Third, there are those who have fallen away from him to the extent that they are not responsive to the leading of his spirit. If Satan has his way, some of his followers will be there too as the fourth category.

The dynamics of the situation require the identification of Jesus' spokesman from among this diverse collection. To do this, each of the God's people needs to be aware of his role in the process, and to prepare himself to participate as follows:

1. Discern one's own condition as one of the above categories, as best one can. Pray about it. 
2. Yield one's self to the Holy Spirit to be used as he chooses, for prophecy or discernment. 
3. Expect the prophet to speak, and pray for him or her to be strengthened. 
4. Prepare to resist Satan.

No one, other than Jesus, is in a position to control such a meeting. Whomever he chooses should be free to speak. Prophets and discerners should be led by the Spirit, and Satan's spokesmen should be confronted or ignored, depending on their strength. Jesus will provide someone to perform each of these functions according to the power of his Spirit living in the hearts of his people. From this kind of meeting, the revealed word of the lord will emerge. We can depend on him.

Those of us who have experienced this kind of meeting can bear witness that the Holy Spirit moves among his people to reveal the Father's will. Suppose, for example, that thirty or so Christians are discussing the question of how to provide for the poor among themselves. After prayer for direction, several alternative plans are discussed, each having certain aspects which are needed. Then someone proposes another alternative which seems to fit the situation. There is a pause, as everyone realizes that this is best, and that the Spirit has spoken through the sister who suggested it. The meeting continues in a spirit of peace and love.

Due to the variable nature of human kind, and the fact that each of us is sometimes weak, no one person can always be the prophet or discerner. Jesus, however, can always choose perfectly the roles of each participant. He may even choose to speak through the little child, right there before your eyes, as he said; human kind, and the fact that each of us is sometimes weak, no one person can always be the prophet or discerner. Jesus, however, can always choose perfectly the roles of each participant. He may even choose to speak through the little child, right there before your eyes, as he said;

"--- and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6b


WHO WERE THE NICOLAITANS?

Jesus spoke to the church at Ephesus:

"I know your work and your toil and patience, and that you cannot bear evil men, and did try them that call themselves apostles and are not, and did find them false."

"And this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Revelation 2:2 & 6 

The church at Pergamos also had a problem with Nicolaitans.

"--- so have you some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. Repent therefore, or else I come to you quickly, and I will make war with them with the sword of my mouth." Revelation 2:15-16

The Ephesian Christians were commended for rejecting those who falsely claimed to be apostles. These impostors were probably the Nicolaitans, whose works Jesus hates. The people at Pergamos had not dealt with them so effectively, so Jesus threatened to personally intervene. Those Nicolaitans were dangerous, evil people. This was war!

History tells us little about them. All we have is contained in these two passages from The Apocalypse. What did they teach or practice that was so terrible? We can only follow the clues given here: their name and the associated text.

The name consists of the combination of two Greek words plus a suffix: niko-lait-ans. The first part is a derivative from the verb "nikao" which means to conquer, overcome or vanquish. The second part is a derivative from the noun "laos", which means people, a crowd or the population. "Nicolaitans" therefore probably means something like "those who make subjects of the Nicolaitans" therefore probably means something like "those who make subjects of the people".

A word familiar to us in English which comes from the same root is laity, which came into usage shortly after New Testament times to distinguish "common people" from the "clergy". Laity and clergy are not used in the New Testament at all.

Nicolaitans were new on the scene at the very end of the New Testament era. The Apocalypse of John was given and recorded approximately during the years of 90 to 95 AD. It is the last writing to find its way into the Bible.

Apparently, some servants of Satan had developed a new strategy for becoming leaders in the churches. It failed at Ephesus, but they were trying it again at Pergamos. They seem to have audaciously claimed authority over those churches as apostles of Jesus. Satan's purpose in them was to destroy the true body of Christ and replace it with a counterfeit. He was bold!

We do not know all that happened in those early Christian churches, but we know a little. The Ephesians recognized the counterfeits and rejected them. At Pergamos, they were not discerned as false (nor were the teachers of the doctrine of Balaam). The Pergamos Christians really needed discernment. Jesus said he would make war against those misled church members at Pergamos unless they repented. The sword of Jesus' mouth is his word.

Lest the significance of this be lost, we must be very specific. For about two thousand years these false "church leaders" have been claiming that God works only through them. For example, in about 110 to 117 AD, Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, wrote the following in letters to churches in other cities in an attempt to consolidate the power of the bishop:following in letters to churches in other cities in an attempt to consolidate the power of the bishop:

"---it is fitting that you agree with the will of the bishop, ---" it is fitting that you agree with the will of the bishop, ---" 

Ignatius to the Ephesians 4:1

"---do nothing apart from the bishop ---" Ignatius to the Magnesians 7:1do nothing apart from the bishop ---" Ignatius to the Magnesians 7:1

"Let no one do any of the things decreed for the church without the bishop." Ignatius to the Smyrneans 8:1

We are talking here about a strategy of Satan that has been entrenched in institutional religion since the very beginning of the Christian era. It is a concept and practice which continues to be used for profit, power and security by those who are seduced to become Satan's servants. It will probably die only when Satan is finally defeated.

Satan has had two thousand years to improve his methods. Have we Christians learned to be sharper in stopping him, or have we become more gullible to his deception?


TODAY'S NICOLAITANS

Christian congregations today are typically controlled by the authority of leaders who claim to be in positions delegated to them by Jesus. The New Testament does not support such claims.

Please be patient now while we reiterate a point. This is an important point! Those who claim that Jesus has delegated them some position of authority turn to various passages in the New Testament for support, such as Jesus' words to Peter in Matthew 16, which we have discussed. There are numerous other passages which use titles such as "overseer", or mention "---those in authority over you---". All of these may be misinterpreted to imply delegation of positional authority. None state it clearly.

Jesus' statement in Mark 10 which we have also considered is clear. He does not delegate positional authority within his community.

It is mandatory upon us, if we are to interpret the New Testament or any literature properly, that we interpret the vague in terms of the clear.

Correct interpretation therefore leaves us with only one alternative for interpreting any implication of authority among the community of believers other than the authority of Jesus. It must be functional authority, or none at all.

Can one find a "church" today where the pastor, bishop, priest, elders, deacons or presbyters do not claim positions of authority? Do they not claim those positions as ones sent from God - "apostles" (as though that meant something mysterious other than "missionary"). Most of today's so-called “churches” really are not the body of Christ, but religious, man-made institutions flawed by this systemic error. Satan began selling this idea in the first century, and many "churches" have wallowed in it ever since. Jesus has been at war with those “churches” down through the ages.

Perhaps this view of things will shed some light on why the power of our Lord Jesus is so seldom found in "churches". When his position of authority is taken by others, even well-meaning people find themselves thoroughly deceived and working against the Holy Spirit. They are counterfeits.

Some true Christians who are cast into these positions by the demands of institutional religion become uncomfortable with their false and powerless positions, and they quit. Others hang on to the income, power, or security. They have been seduced and have become servants of Satan. Still others may try to work within the system because they believe that God can bring good out of it anyway, and there is no other viable alternative way to serve God. These may be sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.

A discerning disciple of Jesus might now begin to understand why even spirit-filled churches quickly and systematically become cold as the true servants of God are replaced by Nicolaitans. The horrors of history which have consequently been carried out by "churches" and "Christians" in the name of Jesus should be no great surprise.

"--- yes, the hour comes that whoever kills you shall think that he offers service to God." John 16:2b

It has certainly been true that throughout Christian history, churches have been among the worst tormentors of Jesus' people. If you doubt this, perhaps you should read Fox's Book of Martyrs. Something has obviously been off-base for a long time. This "Nicolaitan" idea may finally get to the heart of it.

Most people are startled by the boldness of these ideas: that most present day "churches" fit the pattern of false religious institutions run by the modern Nicolaitans. These ideas are no more bold than the false apostle's claims to delegated positions of authority.

You may say, "It does not appear that way to me!" You may be perfectly correct, because you may be in one of those unusual gatherings where Jesus is really in control. On the other hand, you may be blind to what is really going on. Why not check out your church, just to be sure?


TAKE THE TEST

Obviously, Jesus has not gone away because the enemy has found some success. Jesus' strategy is to keep on working in the hearts of his own. It seems clear, however, that our Lord Jesus would have our eyes opened to this deception, and it seems likely that he would have many of us join him in the war against it. Certainly no honest believer should knowingly accept the false authority structure in the "synagogue of Satan" (Rev. 2:9, 3:9)

Each Christian should test his or her own involvements against the sword that comes from the mouth of Jesus - the New Testament. Every honest church leader should most carefully examine his or her own relationship to Jesus and role in the church. A serious Christian would do well to meditate on the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of John, Chapter 15 through Chapter 16, verse 4, the context from which the selection in the previous section was taken.

Look, for example, at John 15:4-10. Jesus discusses:

Abiding in him and his love 
The consequences of not abiding in him 
The benefits of abiding in him 
His own abiding in his father's love. 

To summarize these verses, he calls us to himself. Then he says:

"These things have I spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full." John 15:11 you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full." John 15:11 

Today's Christians and churches should be eager to be measured by passages such as this. Do I abide in Jesus, or am I faking it? Does my church lead people into this kind of abiding with Jesus, or are we all faking it? Is joy in Jesus made full in our fellowship and our personal lives? Are lost sheep being brought into the fold?

If these things are happening, Hallelujah! If not, what is going on? Have the Nicolai-tans taken over? Am I one of them?Have the Nicolai-tans taken over? Am I one of them?Have the Nicolai-tans taken over? Am I one of them?Have the Nicolai-tans taken over? Am I one of them??Have the Nicolai-tans taken over? Am I one of them?Have the Nicolai-tans taken over? Am I one of them?


WHAT THEN SHALL I DO?

Every Christian should accept personal responsibility for abiding in Jesus. That is the one thing that enables Jesus to deal effectively with whatever comes along in our lives. It opens the door to his power. 

Concerning the specific matter of the lordship of Jesus in our gatherings, here are a few summary suggestions: 

1. Be informed of how Jesus expects his body to function. Study his Word.
2. Commit yourself to be a servant for Jesus, even a bond-servant. So relate to the brethren.
3. Carefully consider boldly opposing the efforts of Satan to gain or keep control of any Christian assembly in which you have an involvement. No matter how sweetly they talk, give none lordship but Jesus. Use the Word.
4. Should you find yourself outside the mainstream of popular religion, trust Jesus to lead you to the fellowship he has for you. Ask Jesus; he will show you his people.
5. Praise God in everything.


AND IF I AM A LEADER? 

If you are a leader in the Christian community, perhaps the Holy Spirit has brought you to ask where you fit into God's plan. I truly hope this is so for you. Obviously, only God can answer that question for you in any specific way.

There are various guidelines in the New Testament which continue to be valid for leaders, but in the context of our being one another's servants, not masters. From a practical perspective, here are some suggestions which may be useful to consider:

1. Verify your spiritual gifts as being from God, and as being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Only do things because He leads you, not because you can or because it is expected of you or because it is profitable to you or because it enhances your security or because some other spirit instructs you.
2. Do not confuse spiritual gifts and their related functional authority with positional authority. Jesus has not delegated positional authority to anyone in his body.
3. Absolutely refuse to allow yourself to be used as a priest by any person or group in the fellowship. If someone else needs to know God's will, lead them to Jesus, then back off. If that is not enough, then help them to learn to walk with Jesus - if you know how. Face this - you may know very little about walking with Jesus yourself, but even if you do, you can never do more than point the way for someone else.
4. Avoid any potential for conflict of interest in financial matters. Greed among the "Professional Ministry" has been perceived by the general public to be rampant throughout western culture for several centuries. To counteract this, I suggest that you never ask for financial support, and refuse to accept any salary or personal security in any guise. George Mueller's way worked. Check him out.
5. Teach those whom you lead to require these characteristics of all those who would lead them. Thus false leaders will be avoided, Jesus will be allowed to function as Lord and you will be a faithful servant.
6. Trust Jesus. He is able to handle the situation.