How not to lead

"They crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to help ease the burden. Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear extra long tassels on their robes. And how they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the most prominent seats in the synagogue! They enjoy the attention they get on the streets, and they enjoy being called 'Rabbi.' Don't ever let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters. And don't address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. And don't let anyone callyou `Master,' for there is only one master, the Messiah." -- Matthew 23:4-10 (NLT)

"How terrible!" statements. In these, he denounces the religious leaders of his day for their selfish, misguided, abusive, arrogant,contemptible, and condescending leadership.Unfortunately, many of the abuses by religious leaders that Jesus denounces in this chapter are actively and widely practiced today by some religious. Anyone longing to be a spiritual leader of any kind must routinely revisit this chapter to be warned about the dangers of distorted leadership. Jesus takes very seriously the way his followers will lead in his Kingdom. Of course, when the hero of a movement is willing to die a sacrificial death for his followers, it tends to stand leadership styles upside down. Maybe that's what Jesus had in mind when he said that in his Kingdom, "The first will be last and the last would be first!" Bottom line for today's verses: Leaders must be helpful to those they lead, not so they will be seen and honored, but so that those they serve will be blessed and God himself will be pleased!

This is an awesome message I have read and pondered on a lot. Jesus tells us by using the religious leaders of the day for an example, how not to lead. But as we look around at the many different churches, why it is so hard to find one that follows the teachings of the bible? People don't understand the Old testament and New Testament are one in the same. Jesus fulfilled the law so we do not have to be burdened by it, but He didn't put them away.

We celebrate pagan festivals in the name of Christ, but are told not to do it. God gave us feast and celebrations to honor Him and several are still to be observed. Passover is one of them. If you ever want to know Christ and see a perfect plan come to be, study the Feast of Passover.

Enough, I will never change the minds of men. But I will say that I will never understand how when Christ Himself says to never address anyone here on earth as Father, the largest Christian denomination in the world does it..

O God, forgive me when I grand stand my Christian service. Please open my heart so that I will serve you more genuinely and honestly whether anyone notices or not. Give me eyes to see those who have burdens that need to be lifted and give me willing hands to serve them as Jesus did. In my Savior's precious name I pray. Amen.

God bless

Shalom,

dns