The Example of ‘Elders’
In 1522 Martin Luther gave a brief, simple, but expressive eulogy about a pastor named Nicholas Haussmann. "What we preach, he lived," said the great reformer.
Paul recognised that just teaching Biblical doctrines was not enough. People need to be able to see Christ in other people. Others must be able to see that we really are ‘sold out’ to the cause of Christ. This is a repeated theme in his letters:
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” 1 Corinthians 9:19
Such humility! His goal leads him to being a servant of others.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1
Paul’s longing was to win people for Christ and he knew that how he lived would influence how effective he was. He then asks all Christians to follow his example both in his ambition and in how he hoped to achieve this. All church leaders need to emulate this. People meeting them and visiting their homes should know that they are in the presence of Christ’s representative.
Some may argue, ‘That was Paul, he was exceptional!’ Paul would not agree. He says to all Christians:
“Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:16-17
Paul’s way of life was as important as his teaching and now Timothy has to embody both. It is a constant teaching in the New Testament that we must embody Christ. No-one should be appointed as an elder just because of their standing in society, their intellect or gifting – what is needed is leaders who are passionate to further the cause of the Lord Jesus.
Paul was excited about the way the young church in Thessalonica was behaving. He probably wrote his first letter to them in 51AD, just a year after the church had started yet he could say:
“You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8
How we need church leaders who are so passionate about the cause of Christ that they change the thinking and actions of others in their churches. It is not just doctrines that matter, it is the change in ambitions and lifestyle that christ wants to see in us all.
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8
Such hard-working commitment to the cause of Jesus needs to be modelled with the expectancy that all Christians will start to live in this way.
During the Nazi occupation of his country in WWII, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused.
"Then a soldier will go and take it down." said the king.
"He will be shot," threatened the commandant.
"I think not," replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier."
Within minutes the flag was taken down.
When Paul wrote to the Philippian church he reminded them that worldly thinking, even in church leaders is wrong, ‘their glory is their shame’:
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:17-20
Christians should follow those leaders whose lives have the same priorities as Jesus and his apostles. Paul goes on to say,
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 3:9
Christlikeness needs to be taught and caught by example. When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians:
“I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you.” Galatians 4:11-12
Many years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor's saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Saviour. Whether we realize it or not, our example leaves an impression on others. Such are the sort of elders our churches need.
BVP
