THE NEED FOR VISION

All leadership, if it is to be effective, must begin with VISION. Vision is the ability to see something accomplished well in advance of the reality. Leaders who are bound to the reality principle are not truly leaders, but managers of someone else’s vision. True vision always originates from God in the Christian church.

But Nanus asserts in his book, Visionary Leadership, that being a visionary is the one essential component of great leaders.[1] His focus is on business, but the concept certainly applies to the Church. This would fit closely with Peter’s and Waterman’s concept of visionary and entrepeneurialship traits in successful leaders. One must know where they are going, if they are going to get anywhere, and for leaders in the Church, this begins with God.[2]

THE PROCESS OF VISION 

As stated before, vision comes from God. It must be supernaturally discerned by revelation (uncovering of a mystery) in the spirit of man. In God’s Word, vision is best taught in Habukkuk 2:1-3, NASB:

“I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what he will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the Lord answered me and said, ‘Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time. It hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.’”

In this most important passage of Scripture we can observe several aspects of vision. It would be too lengthy to attempt a complete exegesis of the passage, but some cogent commentary is provided.

A FRESH VISION IS NEEDED

First, in proper context, the prophet had been miserably complaining to God about the spiritual condition of the people of God about the spiritual condition of the people of God. He is questioning God’s strategy for his nation in light of their impoverished spiritual condition. Yet, the prophet is acutely aware of his own lack of knowledge and wisdom for the situation. He is crying out to God seeking a “word” from the Lord. He knows instinctively that he is unable to see things clearly as God does; thus a fresh vision is needed.

[1] Nanus, Burt, Visionary Leadership, 1990

[2] Covey, S.R., 1990

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THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP

In a conversation with my dear friend and spiritual leader, Ken Chant, he expressed some sentiments on the needs of America. In brief, he stated “With the incredible social, economic, political and spiritual problems in America, the only hope (for her) is a good dictatorship!” Well, perhaps some would see this as an oversimplification, or genuinely appalling, but there is some truth in Dr Chant’s words.

Every four years in the United States, a new President is elected who promises “change.” It seems our country embraces the reality of our problems, and many believe that a charismatic leader of our representative democracy could make the changes sought. Though I pray for and hope that our President makes positive changes, the truth remains that the problems in our society (or any for that matter) are too great for one man, even if he/she was a benevolent dictator. Our country, as with most nations, is desperate for leaders who can make a difference in industry, business, government, and in the Church. The key to success, in any culture, is to rest on the shoulder of its leaders. More than ever, we need Godly leaders to take serious their call and make an impactful difference.

There are two places or positions where leaders are desperately needed. You may be surprised by my perspective. I list them in priority:

The Family – recent studies indicate that 70% of marriage partners come from broken homes. Single parent family systems (usually the mother) is becoming the norm. The effects of the absent father, whether due to divorce, death or social withdrawal, is being felt now more than ever. The breakdown of moral values and biblical absolutes leave mother and child without the safety of a healthy boundary. The need for leadership, in proper biblical order (Ephesians 5:1 and 1 Peter 3) is needed, and must become a priority of the Church and nation, if the child is to thrive, and not merely survive.

The Church – Gilbert Cann, in his book Liberating Leadership states, “I learned that God places in the hearts, minds, and wills of young believers a strong desire for direction, counsel, help, discernment, support and encouragement of older Christians.”[1]

 This is especially seen in the inner city. With the absence of leadership in the home, children look to other places for role identification and self-image establishment. How tragic for so many that the models available are seen on T.V. or the silver screen, or worse yet, in the drug pusher, prostitute, or young leader on the block. The church, which should be a haven of rest, a hospital for the hurting, a home for the wayward, is perceived as a cold, heartless institution more interested in one’s dress, clichés and offerings than the condition of the soul. This perception is profound and is perpetuated by the media and the Church itself.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Titus (Titus 2) to encourage the older men and older women in the faith to care for the younger. The call of every ministry leader is to “Lead and Feed” the sheep (see John 21). When the church remembers its central focus of establishing the Kingdom of God as expressed in righteousness (right moral relations with God, self and/or another) peace (tranquillity and rest in God) and joy (happiness and contentment with purpose) through its leaders, and the transformation of society will begin.

Certainly, we need leadership in other areas. We need educators, business executives, politicians, etc. to fulfill Godly expectations for the administration of justice, mercy and humility. If the home and church are functioning as God intended, the leaders, so desperately needed in other fields, would emerge.

It is my belief that leaders are developed in the crucible of relationships; as is biblical character formed in faithful men and women. The character of man is much more important than the charisma and when both are found in proper measure, sprinkled with a large measure of knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and the Spirit of God, dynamic leaders are produced.

Leadership ultimately begins with God and will end with God, and is in His hands at all points in between. God has chosen to work with men (Emmanuel, God with us) to fulfill this glorious purpose. He chooses leaders, and intends success for each one. In any case, He begins in the counsel of his own will, and with a vision.

[1] Cann, G., Liberating Leadership, p 39, 1989

Context, Context, Context

Paul’s teaching on the greater glory in Christ is the context, and the problematic but powerful church in Corinth was his audience. Through Christ and by Holy Spirit, Paul presents the potent benefits of life in the Spirit (Pneuma, breath, presence) which includes;

• Life Without Barriers. This does not mean I can do my own thing, living only for the moment; but it does mean a life that is open and without guilt, and especially without shame.

For in fact, as we look into the face of Christ, which we do through the disciplines of the study of the word, worship, service and prayer, our face is lifted.  It is a true face-lift, not the Hollywood version.  It not only provides an outward freedom, but also is also a true lifting of our perspective from self and the world, to Christ and his divine purposes. As we look unto Jesus, who is the author and the completer of our faith, the one who for our own benefit transforms us from the inside out, we are truly changed.  (Heb. 12:1, 2)  Further…

• His freedom allows us to be filled with all the fullness of God. This includes his life, light, love, and our praise or our Doxa, for his honor or glory.

In light of this, we can and should expect that as we live in relationship with the Lord, we will see complete liberation from the past, our sin, sickness, fear, etc., as this is the plan of God for us, as described in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted, He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, (and in Isaiah the day of vengeance, but this is left out of Jesus reading as recorded in Luke 4).

This liberty or freedom refers to the great Jubilee God provided for the children of Israel although they rarely if ever practiced it.  It included the cancelling of all debts, allowing families to start over once again. What a joy this would be, a divinely planned bankruptcy and an opportunity to start over!  In practical terms, this was good news indeed! The law of Jubilee is found in Leviticus 25:10…

“You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. I shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property and each of you will return to his family.”

The Jubilee discussed in the Old Testament, with all of its glory, was just a foreshadowing of the glory God has provided for us in Christ, under the New Covenant. God’s plan was activated in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ.  He did this for his children, so they may live in true freedom.  The purpose is to transform us into the very image of Christ, so that we can be and do all for God, our families, and for our society; as God ordained us to be and do from the beginning (see Gen. 1:26). The question is this, what is freedom?  How can we experience the abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10:10? That is the subject of this booklet.

“Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders,

or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God.

Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost;

but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved.

Now choose what you want.”

 Martin Luther

In the year 2011, it was my privilege to present a series of messages to a dynamic church in Fontana California; Fontana Christian Fellowship International, pastored by Gary and Gina Holly. This year’s sermon series was titled Freedom in Christ: Living the Abundant Life. Living a Christian life is not always easy. In fact, some say it’s impossible for us to live the Christian life. All we can do is allow the life of Christ, which is essentially Jesus himself, to become fully expressed through us. In many ways, that is the theme of this booklet.

Finding true freedom in Christ does not come by our self-effort or by great striving.  It does not come by our first class prayer or by our intense study in the word of God, although all of these things are good. In fact, we live the life of Christ by allowing Christ to live his life through us, where he fully expresses the heart of a loving Father to the world. Thus, it is my hope that as God gives grace, this small book will be a blessing to many in the body of Christ who struggle with the concept of freedom.

What is freedom and how do we fully gain the inheritance of the abundant life Christ has obtained for us, by his death, burial, resurrection and ascension?  We know that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory, and that we are seated with him in the spirit.  We are far above principalities and powers, living in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…now.

It is inherent for every believer to find their role in the life of the church, and to find out what the word of God says about this important concept.  It is fully discussed by Paul in Second Corinthians 3:17-18.

“For the Lord is the spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as from the Lord; the Spirit”

In the context of Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians, he teaches specifically on the greater glory found in Christ, rather than the glory found in Moses and the Ten Commandments. He provides a contrast to the glory of the Old Covenant depicted here as seen in the face of Moses.  Moses covered his face when coming down the mountain from his encounter with God.  It was not because God’s glory was too magnificent, but rather because the glory  (that is the light reflected from the face of Moses) had faded after he left the Lord’s presence. There was glory in the Old Covenant, but not the same level of glory we find in the New Covenant in Christ through the shedding of his blood.

You could say what is contrasted here is the difference between the outer presence of God; or his glory, goodness and grace with the inner presence of God.  (This is a concept that will be defined more clearly later in this text.)   It is the awareness and the reality that by the Holy Spirit, Christ lives in us.   He is expressing who he is through us, both as individuals and within the body of Christ.

To be continued soon.

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