2017.10.29　礼拝

2017.10.29　礼拝

2017.10.29 Philippians 2:1-5”Acquiring the Right Leadership”
【In order to exercise good leadership】
Qualification of a leader ・・・having good influence (Matthew 21 “salt of the earth” “light of the world”)
Role of a leader・・・takes care of herd of sheep (John 21 “take of my sheep”)
・Gathers the sheep around Jesus, the great herdsman
・Teach them to follow Jesus
・Teach to observe the word of Jesus
⇩
Growth of a herd loving one another in Jesus
leading to “Unity in the Lord”
Take note that there are a lot of textbooks for “Discipleship,” “Bible Study” with more attention on “growth of an individual” rather than “growth and unity as a herd of Christ.
The pastoral perspective can be applied to build good relations within a family – “husband and wife,” “parents and child” – as well as at school or work for good “human relations” or “team work.”

➀ Seeking “Unity” instead of “Uniformity.”
Philippian 2:2 Make my joy complete by [2] being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
The same mind, the same love, on one purpose ⇒ Not intellectual, but emotional unity. But work together for Christ Jesus.

➁ Getting rid of a fantasy of “Complete Unity”.
Philippians 2:2 Make my joy complete by [2] being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Typical temptations a leader could face:
・Wish to have 100% agreement. ・Wish to have 100% compliance. – If these are realized, the person is no longer a mere “leader” but becomes a “dictator.” Since there would be no unity in this group, feeling of anxiety, irritation and fury are developed.
The problem with this kind of leader:
As far as the leader displays dominant leadership of a “dictator,” unity cannot be felt unless every member in the group has the same idea and feeling as the leader himself/herself. Therefore, the target of “perfect unity” results in “eternal disunity.”

➂ Being humble and patient in Christ.
Philippians 2:3-4 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.
Ephesians 4:2-3 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the nod of peace.
Philippians 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.