One of the program elements at the Younger Leaders Gathering were morning sessions centered around scripture. Gifted men and women shared what God had laid on their hearts for us to learn from these passages, and then we were able to dig deeper in our small groups. Here are some highlights from the first 3 sessions:
The Garden - Cultivating God's Word
Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
The Beginning helps us understand purpose.
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God... - God is behind every experience.
God made everything out of nothing by His Word. This shows the power of God's Word, His effortless, unbound sovereignty - when God speaks, things happen.
"It was good" - according to God's purposes, not necessarily ours. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they defied what God determined to be good. God's best may differ from what we think is best.
Creation was ordered:
God created the context
(Day 1:light Day 2:sky and water Day 3:land)
before He filled it
(Day 4:sun, moon & stars Day 5: birds and fishes Day 6:land animals & plants)
Mankind was created in God's image:
1. Appointed to rule the world under God's loving rule - creation care. Creation belongs to God, but we care for it.
2. Appointed to rule as male and female. God created marriage for His glory.
3. Made distinct from animals and angels. Humans are the climax of God's creation.
God gifts us to perform our responsibility. Our greatness comes from God's appointments, not our abilities. The world tempts us to find our identity in what we do.
After the 7th day, there was no "evening and morning" indicating that God is still at work in us because of our sin. He is recreating us to His image.
The Tower - Turning from idolatry
Genesis 10:32 - 11:9
The descendants of Noah acted immaturely when they did the opposite of what God told them to do; instead of spreading out to replenish the earth, they stayed in one place and mulitiplied there.
Before building the tower of Babel, they were known as the people of the ark - those whom God had saved from the flood. But they were not satisfied with this name - they wanted to make a name for themselves (pride), instead of accepting the name God had given them.
The gift of unity which was given for their salvation became what eventually led them astray.
God was not opposed to the progress and ambition of the people. It was their motive that was sinful. Their desire to stay together was in direct violation of God's command to fill the earth. God scattered them to protect them from the evil that would result from their rebellion and pride.
Our greatest human efforts are nothing compared to the power of God, who had to come down from heaven to see the tower they were building, which was supposed to reach to heaven.
Humanity today is trying to build a world without God. God is calling us out of our cities of false security, rebellion and pride.
Abraham was a descendant of the people of Babel, and God called him to be the father of the nation of Israel. God never gives up on humanity. He never stops pursuing us.
The people of ISIS tried to make a name for themselves when they videotaped the beheading of 20 Christians who refused to deny their faith in Christ. Contrary to their intention, when this video was broadcast worldwide, it drove persons towards Christianity, rather than away from it. When pepole realised that Jesus was worth dying for, they figured that He must be worth living for.
Unless we are prepared to die for our faith, our faith will die.
The Mountain - Responding to redemption
Matthew 17:1-13
Moses had died before he entered the Promised Land, and now he was in the Promised Land with Jesus.
Jesus was the source of glory, whereas Moses and the prophets merely reflected that glory.
John the Baptist represented Elijah to this generation. Matthew 11:11 declared that there was no one greater than John the Baptist. His greatness came from the clarity of his witness to Jesus. God the Father, not just the prophets, pointed to Jesus as the Son of God.
Sincerity and passion do not always result in actions which are correct. Peter was sincere in his desire to build tents, but it was wrong of him to equate Jesus with Elijah and Moses. The Father shows Jesus' superiority to the prophets by giving Him the title "Son of God".
Psalms 2:7 - Who is better positioned to be the Son of God, than God the Son?
Isaiah 42: 1 - 4 - Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would bring justice through His suffering, but Peter could not understand this.
If you want to see the love of God, look at the cross.
Wednesday 28 September 2016
Tuesday 13 September 2016
Lessons from our leaders
One aspect of the YLG program that had a huge impact and generated much food for thought were the leadership panel discussions, where young and mature leaders shared openly about their experiences - both the positive and negative. The lessons shared were invaluable:
Lessons learnt in leadership:
Understand that your identity in Christ is key.
You can't sustain what you don't have.
Lead from your testimony, not by your title.
Prayer saves time. The way you get things done is to pray.
You are working for God, but are you working with God?
Jesus made time to rest and connect with the Father.
You are strengthened as we consume God's Word - Jeremiah 15:16
Be responsible for how you live your life before others.
Surround yourself with supportive people.
Have accountability partners.
Even though you may think, "Lord I'm not good enough", God just requires simple steps of obedience.
God has anointed us - we are not alone. He is there, even in the darkest of places.
It's OK to admit that you don't know what to do.
Know who are the important people in your life.
Abide in Jesus (John 15) - this is the only way you will be able to bear fruit.
Maintain mentoring relationships - someone who will challenge you like Paul, someone who will encourage you like Barnabas, someone you can mentor like Timothy - they will keep you relevant and remind you that your leadership will not last forever so it must be passed on.
There is a need for balance, a rhythm of work and rest, labour and renewal.
Be careful that you don't fall - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1. Remember you are dust. Burnout is a real danger - you are not invincible. Every day, take time to relax and enjoy life. Proverbs 4:13 - your heart is the control center of your life. Weakness does not disqualify us from ministry; many times, God works through our weakness.
2. Keep Jesus central. Don't be so busy that you forget who you are doing it for. We need discipline to keep daily devoted to Christ.
3. Be ruthless with sin. Deal with it when it is a seed, before it grows into a tree. Leaders are in danger of abusing power. We sin because we want to, when an idol captures our heart and we think it will bring us satisfaction and happiness.
4. Maintain close relationships. Leadership is isolating: people put you on a pedestal. Take steps to deepen your friendships. Friends who know our passions, our failures, our struggles.
As a leader, your life should include the following:
1. Confession: be honest about your shortcomings and the negative effects that your decisions may be having on others.
2. Repentance: be willing to change wrong behaviour
3. Forgiveness: Ask forgiveness from God and others. This sets you free to be renewed and restored.
4. Embrace: Embrace life with its associated conflicts. Open up to others, listen and share your experiences.
5. Worship: Demonstrate a lifestyle of spirituality - Bible Study, prayer etc.
In facilitating reconciliation:
Recognise that transformation happens in community, as believers demonstrate how to live in love.
Allow young people to take the lead in rebuilding the nation
See reconciliation as a lifestyle, not just a project. You must be able to experience the pain of others.
Aim to shift persons from a posture of victims to one of servanthood - love your enemies.
Don't be overwhelmed by the big picture, which can be complex, but take the next step of obedience.
Sincere passion and consistent obedience is what God requires.
I thank God for the willingness of these leaders to share their lives with us, so we can be encouraged by their successes, and learn from their failures.
Understand that your identity in Christ is key.
You can't sustain what you don't have.
Lead from your testimony, not by your title.
Prayer saves time. The way you get things done is to pray.
You are working for God, but are you working with God?
Jesus made time to rest and connect with the Father.
You are strengthened as we consume God's Word - Jeremiah 15:16
Be responsible for how you live your life before others.
Surround yourself with supportive people.
Have accountability partners.
God has anointed us - we are not alone. He is there, even in the darkest of places.
It's OK to admit that you don't know what to do.
Know who are the important people in your life.
Abide in Jesus (John 15) - this is the only way you will be able to bear fruit.
Maintain mentoring relationships - someone who will challenge you like Paul, someone who will encourage you like Barnabas, someone you can mentor like Timothy - they will keep you relevant and remind you that your leadership will not last forever so it must be passed on.
There is a need for balance, a rhythm of work and rest, labour and renewal.
1. Remember you are dust. Burnout is a real danger - you are not invincible. Every day, take time to relax and enjoy life. Proverbs 4:13 - your heart is the control center of your life. Weakness does not disqualify us from ministry; many times, God works through our weakness.
2. Keep Jesus central. Don't be so busy that you forget who you are doing it for. We need discipline to keep daily devoted to Christ.
3. Be ruthless with sin. Deal with it when it is a seed, before it grows into a tree. Leaders are in danger of abusing power. We sin because we want to, when an idol captures our heart and we think it will bring us satisfaction and happiness.
4. Maintain close relationships. Leadership is isolating: people put you on a pedestal. Take steps to deepen your friendships. Friends who know our passions, our failures, our struggles.
1. Confession: be honest about your shortcomings and the negative effects that your decisions may be having on others.
2. Repentance: be willing to change wrong behaviour
3. Forgiveness: Ask forgiveness from God and others. This sets you free to be renewed and restored.
4. Embrace: Embrace life with its associated conflicts. Open up to others, listen and share your experiences.
5. Worship: Demonstrate a lifestyle of spirituality - Bible Study, prayer etc.
Recognise that transformation happens in community, as believers demonstrate how to live in love.
Allow young people to take the lead in rebuilding the nation
See reconciliation as a lifestyle, not just a project. You must be able to experience the pain of others.
Aim to shift persons from a posture of victims to one of servanthood - love your enemies.
Don't be overwhelmed by the big picture, which can be complex, but take the next step of obedience.
Sincere passion and consistent obedience is what God requires.
I thank God for the willingness of these leaders to share their lives with us, so we can be encouraged by their successes, and learn from their failures.
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