Chapter 3

T he Word of God is delivered to the apostle. He, or she, in turn dispenses that Word to the church. However, in its attempt to form Christ, in the people of God, the Word will have to destroy mindsets, fleshy oppositions and demonic suggestions. The ultimate goal of a leader is to produce true sons of God. These sons are to mature into ministers of the gospel in some way or another. Regardless of the area or type of ministry one is called to, there will be some things that will remain constant. There will be people in their territorial spheres of influence. If not, there is no need for any type of ministry. For example, a nurse will care for patients, a CEO will oversee a staff, while a pastor will nurture a congregation. The common ground here is they are all responsible for revealing Christ to all they encounter. Nevertheless, each of these people will have been raised and developed into diverse mindsets. In addition, they all will have existed in past and current environments which continue to influence their spirituality. Each of them will be involved in situations, circumstances and relationships, that require spiritual responses. Therefore, the leader in these cases must be spiritually equipped to instruct, train, or guide these individuals to the mind of Christ.

There will always be demonic opposition to the righteousness of God as the Sons endeavor to render the mind of Christ to those in their sphere of influence. Therefore, there is a need for ephesians 1:7 - in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; the path of the word

continuous spiritual edification and refreshing.

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The Word of God sets the believer on a path of righteousness that leads back to the Father. The path, however, always travels in an upward motion. This upward motion is referencing a babe moving into maturity. It is the responsibility of a leader to observe, monitor and respond to the spiritual development of the saints. This is just as true for auxiliary leaders, counsellors or committee chairmen, as it is for pastors and preachers. A leader must endeavor to know the spiritual awareness and ability of all those he or she serves.

Let us look at how the leader is to gain this crucial knowledge.

• CONSISTENCY IN MINISTRY

First of all, it is important for the apostle to minister the Word in an environment where it can flow consistently. Pastors, teachers, evangelists and others must avail themselves to continuously hear that which God ministers through the apostle. It is error to think we have or will ever receive in this world all there is to know of God or the Kingdom of heaven.

• CONTINUAL GROWTH

It is important for leaders to attend ministerial conferences, discipleship sessions, workshops, and all gatherings of the Sons, where truth is being revealed. To assume this is not necessary is to deny yourself of continual spiritual development.

• OPERATION OF THE WORD OF GOD

When a leader remains on the path of the Word, he is allowed to see the Operation of the Word of God as it attempts to develop Christ in those who receive it. The Word will follow individuals into situations, circumstances and relationships that are sure to reveal their mindsets and true spiritual dispositions. Inside of every revelation, the son of God will have to make a choice to obey the Word, or to reject what it demands. A leader must discern and acknowledge his responses to this operation in his own life as well as the responses of those he leads.

• SPIRITUAL OBSERVATION

Through spiritual observation of the people of God, a leader learns not only the operation of the Word, but is also able to see the growth path the Word creates for those who hear it. He or she is also able to see the resistance to the Word; and the method by which the Word deals with that resistance; (which is another operation of the word). He notes the submission and the results it yields. This knowledge deepens his own understanding of the Word as well as builds his confidence in its power. Remember, he is observing from the perspective that when the Word is dispensed, it will either approve, convict or judge one’s spiritual disposition.

• WATCH FOR THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD. o The proud shall be abased. o The humble shall be exalted. o Haughtiness precedes a fall. o The joy of the Lord is my strength. o I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. o My grace is sufficient.

There are many more principles sprinkled throughout the covenant. I am sure you can think of many more. But my point here is that you, through observation, pinpoint the location of your own spiritual location. Then you will be able to identify the location of those whom you influence. Determine which of the principles of God you are living in right now.

Be truthful. Never lie to yourself.

For example: If you are proud or arrogant, then say so. But don’t neglect to proceed to the end of the matter. If such is the case, then you can truly anticipate God’s response; for the proud shall be abased. This is true in your life; and it is also true in the lives of those you lead. The principles of God are universal.

• GIVE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS

In the example above, a leader would be able to prophesy according to the knowledge of God. This knowledge is absolute; as the principles of God never change, they are a respecter of persons, nor are they subject to the will of men.

Every situation or spiritual disposition must be judged by the Word of God. You must not be afraid to render God’s judgment in a matter. If adverse situations bring out the humility in an individual, then it is safe to say, ‘that individual will be exalted by God.’ This is a righteous judgment; because it simply echoes the spoken word of God.

• DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHERE THEY TRULY ARE, INSTEAD

OF WHERE YOU WANT OR THINK THEY SHOULD BE.

This was the hardest lesson for me to learn in my tenure as a leader. My compassion and optimism would always cause me to deal with people outside of their spiritual location. Please don’t misunderstand me here. I am not suggesting that we abandon these virtues; but I am certainly implying that we must not raise our expectations beyond someone’s spiritualty. In doing so, you will expect a person to do things that they are either not spiritually equipped, or unwilling to do. This will lead to many frustrations on your part.

Example: In counselling a married couple, you may know some things about the wife the husband has not found out as yet. He is a man with an explosive temper, and a potential for violence. It would not be wisdom to inform him of those things, due to his spiritual location. Example: You might be counselling a wife as to how to deal with the infidelity of her husband. Because she loves him and elects to stay in the marriage, you proceed to teach her the virtue of forgiveness and agape love. But instead of following your counsel, she does the very opposite of everything you tell her to do. The same is through over and over again. The truth is your counsel is null and void, due to the fact that she is not saved. Oops! You are trying to get an unsaved woman to do that which only a saved woman can.

Example: You may place someone in position which calls for firmness and fervency. You know this person has a history of over-authoritativeness, and insensitivity to the feelings of others. But you want to believe this person has moved spiritually and has changed that behavior. However, once in the position, one of the other administrators says to you, “Pastor, when Brother John Doe first started, I was glad we finally had someone who would follow through on things pertaining to other workers in the ministry. But there is another spirit that seems to come forth in his discussion regarding those who are non-productive. He seems to not only become frustrated with them, but also very angry. This anger is not good for the morale of the group, nor is it good for Brother Doe. He seems to be regressing back to where God delivered him from.” Now you must go into a spiritual observation mode, to discern whether this person is indeed regressing spiritually or whether this is simply an overreaction. The point is, don’t lie to yourself, or deal with the situation out of your emotions. Watch with the eyes of the Spirit and listen to His leading. Then act according to the true spiritual location of the individual.

To follow the path of the Word in your life, and in the lives of others, is the only way you personally will be able move; or build spiritual giants to work in the Kingdom of God.

QUESTIONS THE PATH OF THE WORD

The following questions are all based on the lesson. Answer according to the instructions provided.

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Circle the letter with the correct answer.

1. Who is the Word of God delivered to first? a. Prophets b. Congregation c. Apostles
2. There will be people in your territorial sphere of influence from all walks of life, what is the common ground we all share as sons of God? a. We all have sinned. b. We are responsible for revealing Christ to all we encounter. c. We will never be perfect.
3. A path of righteousness is always travelled in an upward motion. What is this in reference to? a. A babe moving into maturity. b. A counseling session. c. Identifying your spiritual location.
4. What is the responsibility of a true leader? a. To observe, monitor and respond to the spiritual development of the saints. b. To kill, steal and destroy. c. To point the saints to themselves.
5. One responsibility of an Apostle is to: a. Confirm the word given to the Prophet. b. Dispense the Word to the Church. c. Deliver food to the poor.

TRUE OR FALSE. Place a check next to the right answer, whether it be True or False.

1. It is not error to think we have received all there is to know of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.

____ True ____ False

2. To assume that it is not necessary to attend all gatherings of the sons is to deny yourself of continual spiritual development.

____ True ____ False

3. The Word may sometimes follow you into situations, circumstances and relationships. ____ True

____ False

4. When the Word is dispensed, it will either approve, convict or judge one’s spiritual location. ____ True

____ False

5. The Word of God is absolute.

____ True ____ False

6. The principles of God are universal.

____ True ____ False

7. Every spiritual disposition must be judged by our peers. ____ True

____ False

8. The Word of God sets the believer on a path of righteousness that leads back to the world. ____ True

____ False

9. The proud shall be exalted and the humble abased are principles of God all saints should follow.

____ True ____ False

10. Leaders must be spiritually equipped to instruct, train and guide others into the mind of Christ.

____ True ____ False

How has this lesson impacted you?

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