Who’s the King or Who’s the Leader?
In the Men’s Bible Class I teach, we are starting a study on 1 and 2 Samuel. The study is on David, but I’ve been reading the first part of 1 Samuel as a backdrop of the events leading to David being chosen King and why. In the early chapters of 1 Samuel where Saul was chosen to rule over Israel, Saul hesitated when first approached by Samuel feeling not worthy of the office. He wasn’t confident in his own ability. In fact when it came time to crown him king, Saul was hiding (1 Samuel 10:22). Saul had the ability to be king only after God’s spirit came on him to enable him to be king.
Years later, Saul was so full of himself that he chose do what he thought was right and wise and disobeyed God’s command of killing everything (people and animals) in a campaign against an enemy. Because of that disobedience, God chose David to rule over His people. Saul started out so strong with him knowing that he needed God’s help to rule Israel. As God blessed Saul with victory after victory, Saul forgot that it was God who was giving the victory and not Saul winning the day.
As leaders in the church, we must never forget that God is the true King (King of Kings and Lord of Lords) who rules the church. He is the true leader of the body of Christ. We as leaders (Pastors, Elders, Teachers, etc) are stewards of the abilities, gifts, and experiences God has given us to lead His people. The church is His people and not ours. Jesus shed His blood and we didn’t. We must remember the error of Saul in thinking that his way was better than God’s way. Saul thought that his wisdom would work just as well as God’s wisdom. Everything we have and are has been given to us by our Creator and King. We march to His plans and not to ours. Remember what Samuel told Saul after Saul tried to point the blame on to his army (I Samuel 15: 22 – 23):
“Samuel said,
‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He has also rejected you from being king.’”
As leaders of Christ’s body, we follow what Christ has commanded us. He is the true King. He is the true Leader of the church. He has given us His trust to lead His people. Let’s remember who the King is and who is the Leader of the church and do what He wants us to do and not reply on our own wisdom.
Thank you for reading and until next time grows where God has placed you.
Years later, Saul was so full of himself that he chose do what he thought was right and wise and disobeyed God’s command of killing everything (people and animals) in a campaign against an enemy. Because of that disobedience, God chose David to rule over His people. Saul started out so strong with him knowing that he needed God’s help to rule Israel. As God blessed Saul with victory after victory, Saul forgot that it was God who was giving the victory and not Saul winning the day.
As leaders in the church, we must never forget that God is the true King (King of Kings and Lord of Lords) who rules the church. He is the true leader of the body of Christ. We as leaders (Pastors, Elders, Teachers, etc) are stewards of the abilities, gifts, and experiences God has given us to lead His people. The church is His people and not ours. Jesus shed His blood and we didn’t. We must remember the error of Saul in thinking that his way was better than God’s way. Saul thought that his wisdom would work just as well as God’s wisdom. Everything we have and are has been given to us by our Creator and King. We march to His plans and not to ours. Remember what Samuel told Saul after Saul tried to point the blame on to his army (I Samuel 15: 22 – 23):
“Samuel said,
‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He has also rejected you from being king.’”
As leaders of Christ’s body, we follow what Christ has commanded us. He is the true King. He is the true Leader of the church. He has given us His trust to lead His people. Let’s remember who the King is and who is the Leader of the church and do what He wants us to do and not reply on our own wisdom.
Thank you for reading and until next time grows where God has placed you.
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