Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Spiritual Leadership

Encouragement

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2-3

Do you know what our society needs today? We need more Christian leaders. We need men and women alike that have a heart like Jesus to step up and lead in a spiritual capacity. Our world is in desperate need of leaders that will care for the spiritual and physical needs of others. 

Peter knew the importance of being an example for Christ. Jesus told Peter to feed and tend to His sheep. Most importantly, Peter was to have a heart like Jesus, a willingness to give up his own life for the sake of others and to care and nurture to the needs of others. That is the characteristic of a spiritual leader.

Peter seemed to remember what Jesus told him to do in John 21:15-17. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. And each time Peter responded yes. Jesus was giving him an opportunity to recover from denying Him. But also Jesus was teaching an important lesson that people need to be led spiritually and it takes a living heart to do it.

Peter says in our Scripture verses for today, “Be examples”. Be an example to your friends, coworkers, family members, or to your church. Good leaders lead out of example. How good of an example are you setting for others today? Be an example of Christ and for Christ.

Pray

Lord, give me a heart like Yours. Help me to see and hear people like You see and hear them. Help me to live holy and righteous so that I can set an example to others.

You Are The Church

Encouragement

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:31‬

Churches today don’t need new programs or events to lure people in. They need the power of God intervening through the work of the Holy Spirit. We need to get back to the basics of what the Scriptures set forth as an example of how a church can prosper. 

We have insight through Scripture of what the early church experienced as they spiritually grew and prospered. Many times we try to create ways for our churches to prosper but the model for ministry is laid forth through the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts. 

Acts 9:31 gives us 4 specific ingredients that are proven to make the power of God come alive. First, we notice that the church experienced peace. We should promote peace with one another in fellowship. People gravitate to places where there is peace.

Second, we see that the early church was edified. The word means to build up. Specifically the church was a place of encouragement. People were encouraged when they met together. They were full of joy and peace and it caused them to be encouraging to one another.

Thirdly, we read that the church was walking in fear of the Lord. The new Christians reverenced God and were convicted of their sins. God can only bless what is right. If His people are not confessing sin and striving for holiness and righteousness we are hindered from growing and prospering. 

Last, we see the church was comforted by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus to come as our Comforter. The Holy Spirit guides and directs us to the things of God so we can be purposeful. We all have a purpose and God calls us to do His will. 

These 4 ingredients stand as a model for what it takes for us to grow and prosper as a church and individuals. We all play an important part in the work of God. 

Have you discovered what your purpose is as a follower of Christ? Are you part of a church that is purposely growing and building the kingdom of Heaven?

Pray

Lord, give us peace and let us be built upon the foundation of Jesus. We serve and honor you as our Lord. Let Your Spirit strengthen us to do a work that is greater than us. 

Sanctified

Encouragement

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:17

Keeping today’s verse in context, Jesus was praying the most profound prayer known to man. With suffering and death on His mind, He prayed to the Father for His disciples who He loved so dearly. He prayed that they would be sanctified in the truth, set apart and made holy unto Him.

Sanctification is a specific act of the Holy Spirit. Once a sinner is saved by grace, the ongoing process of becoming holy takes place in the heart of the believer. It’s an ongoing process that won’t be completed until we are in the presence of God in Heaven. Until then we are increasingly conformed in the likeness of Jesus Christ. It’s a life long process.

Everyone who trusts in the Lord for salvation is sanctified the moment they receive the Holy Spirit into their heart. But every believer must go through the process of maturing in their faith. Day by day we progress into the image of Jesus Christ Himself.

We are enriched with truth through the power of the Word of God. The truth of God sanctifies us and separates us from evil. As we meditate and on the Word of God and study its powerful promises, the truth is planted in our hearts. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we trust our heavenly Father to complete a good work that He started in us on the day of salvation. 

Have you allowed the Word of God to work in you? The work we do for Jesus is because of our faith in Him. We steadily and boldly work towards being the person God has called us to be. It’s not an easy to be a Christian but it is rewarding. Set yourself apart from the world today and proclaim the goodness of our Lord in your words and actions. 

Pray

Lord, thank You for choosing me. You loved me before I loved You. You have set me apart for Your good work and I am up for the challenge.