Flock Builders Plant

Remember what the apostles said when they first faced a problem with the food distribution program?

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:3-4 NIV)

The first deacons were set apart to wait on tables, so the apostles could focus on their primary responsibilities: prayer and ministry of the word.  Yesterday, we talked about prayer.  Today we get to focus on ministry of the word.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23 NIV)

When God speaks, we should listen.  God’s words describe God’s desire and design for our lives.  God explains what will happen when we go against our design, provides us a way back to God when we have strayed, and empowers us to walk with God in this life while we look forward to the next.  There is no greater responsibility than to pass along God’s words from one person to another and one generation to another.  This is why we find it at the heart of leadership.

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31 NIV)

The only real tool Satan has to use against us is the power of the lie.  When we believe a lie, we live as though it is true.  Our enemy knows this.  That is why leaders need to know the truth, share the truth, and protect people with the truth.  Leadership is not about power, position, or politics.  It’s about walking with God and helping others do the same.

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NIV)

How about you?  Do you know the word of God?  Do you share the word of God?  Does your leadership include the ministry of the word of God?