Life Walk Lesson 72: Leadership and Administration in God’s Kingdom
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Version
Summary: Within this Bible Lesson, I give Scripture passages applicable to the seven (7) leadership abilities: the administrative functions within the Kingdom of God, gifted to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit, for: order, worship, organization, structure, peace, unity, and equipping in the Kingdom.
King
Priest, in the Order of Melchizedek
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Pastor
Teacher
The Apostle Paul declares that the Church is founded on the Apostles and Prophets. Jesus, in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus, declares that some are pillars, and King Solomon, in his Song of Solomon, describes some as walls, or towers, as it relates to the structure of what God is building — the Bride, the Body of Christ, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, in which is His Temple.
The Apostle Peter calls us all living stones built into a spiritual house. [Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 3:12; Song of Solomon 4:4; Revelation 21; 1 Peter 2:5]
The Good News
Christ, in Whom we live and have our being, when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, and live for Him, lives in us by His indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Father and Son come and make Their home with us, Jesus declares, by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are, then, the Temple of His Holy Spirit, His Wisdom, Who knows God’s way of doing things, and guides our steps as we walk with Him. We are set apart to serve Him only, the One True and Triune God, now having been made one with God through water baptism, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, into His name.
Jesus made the way for this to be possible by laying down His life for us, His friends, so that by His blood people’s sins would be atoned for, their sickness healed, and access granted for all believers to — once again, since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden — be allowed to come boldly before the Throne of God, for themselves, and in intercession on behalf of others.
By the Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, shed on our behalf on the Cross, we are set free from the kingdom of darkness (of sin), and brought into His Kingdom of Light, (of Righteousness) when we repent and believe this Gospel (this Good News), as was preached by John the Baptist, by Jesus, Who is the Christ, Savior and Messiah, and all who follow Jesus, who are preaching the Kingdom of God, and walking as Jesus walked.
Our Commission to Go into all the World
Jesus declares, Go into all the world and preach the gospel. As a Body of Believers, we have a common Commission to carry out, which requires Submission to the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ, and results in Church Growth and Prosperity, in all areas of the Kingdom, until it covers the earth with the Glory and Presence of God Almighty.
Introduction — It’s all a Gift
Romans 11:28-32 [AMP]
28 "From the standpoint of the gospel, the Jews [at present] are enemies [of God] for your sake [which is for your benefit], but from the standpoint of God’s choice [of the Jews as His people], they are still loved by Him for the sake of the fathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].
30 Just as you once were disobedient and failed to listen to God, but have now obtained mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient so that they too may one day receive mercy because of the mercy shown to you.
32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all [Jew and Gentile alike]."
Romans 12:6-8 [AMP]
6 "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness."
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [AMP]
7 "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.
8 To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; 9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.
11 All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses."
1Corinthians 12:27-28a [AMP]
27 "Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].
28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]."
1 Corinthians 1:4-9, specifically, verse 7 [AMP]
4 "I thank my God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 so that in everything you were [exceedingly] enriched in Him, in all speech [empowered by the spiritual gifts] and in all knowledge [with insight into the faith].
6 In this way our testimony about Christ was confirmed and established in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift [which comes from the Holy Spirit], as you eagerly wait [with confident trust] for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ [when He returns].
8 And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Peter 4:10-11 [AMP]
10 "Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
11 Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 Corinthians 14 [AMP]
2 Peter 1:3 [AMP]
3 "For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."
