8/13/2019 True Fellowship will Benefit from Diligent
Leadership
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#24. True Fellowship will Benefit from Diligent Leadership
Romans 12:6 8 Since we have gifts that differ according to the
grace given to us, eachof us is to exercise them accordingly: if
prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in
his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who
exhorts, in hisexhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who
leads, with diligence; he who showsmercy, with cheerfulness.
We are finding that this verse has much to teach us about what
to expect when brothersand sisters in Christ express true
fellowship among themselves. So far, we have seen thatthere should
be service, teaching, exhortation and giving.
This time, we are looking at the gift of leadership and we want
to understand what this hasto do with fellowship. At first sight,
it may seem difficult to see any relationship but weknow that the
gifts are given by God for the good of the whole church and are
manifestprimarily in fellowship.
Have you ever witnessed an orchestra trying to play a piece with
no conductor - especiallya complex piece? Or have you seen a sports
team trying to play with no coach and with nocaptain? In each case,
while all the gifts may be present to play the piece wonderfully,
or towin the game convincingly, this is unlikely to be the result.
When the conductor is present,you see him calling on one section of
the orchestra, or even on one musician, to play louderor to be more
subdued. He keeps the whole in time and ensures that the
contribution ofeach is what it needs to be for the good of the
whole performance. The coach and thecaptain know the strengths and
weaknesses of their team and are able to encourage moreeffort from
some, or a redirection of effort from another.
This is how leadership in the body affects fellowship - those
whose gifts are not beingexpressed can be encouraged to make a
greater contribution, whereas those who are
tending to dominate things can be persuaded to tone things down
a bit. If many in thebody have (or want to express) the same gift,
the result can be lopsidedness in the body.Important gifts can get
overlooked, not because no-one has them, but because they would
rather be functioning in other ways. Bringing balance to the
expression of gifts in the bodyis a leadership role, and this will
ensure that the fellowship of the body is also balanced
andfruitful. See Paul doing this very thing for the Corinthians in
1 Corinthians 12 and also herein Romans 12.
Note, though, how Paul says this gift is to be exercise in the
church - diligently. The wordimplies intense effort, and is also
used to speak of earnestness. This is no small orunimportant task,
then. Nor is it to be done for the self-aggrandizement of the one
gifted tolead but, as in all these matters, the gift is given for
the proper functioning of the wholebody.
If you have ever been part of a well-led team of some sort, you
will know the very specialfeeling you get when you are part of a
well balanced group in which each part is working inharmony with
the others. There is progress, unity, and a subconscious
understanding thatyou couldn't do without a single member of the
team. It is the same in the church, blessedby God's Spirit and
diligently led in this way - and to be present to contribute your
gift tothe overall activity and to sense that progress, unity and
togetherness is a tremendousblessing, and a huge incentive for us
to enjoy fellowship as a church!
http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%2012.6%E2%80%938http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%2012.6%E2%80%938http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%2012.6%E2%80%938http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%2012.6%E2%80%938http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%2012.6%E2%80%938
