Today’s scripture, Matthew 3:13-15(NIV): Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
When I was coming up we would watch the TV show - “My Favorite Martian.” The visitors that came from out of space would always say “take me to your leader”.
In the same way God uses spiritual protocol, and the first thing He will ask is “Where is your leader”? Our Christian walk includes the assignment of a leader and the development of spiritual linage.
Following your assigned leader is especially essential when God is cultivating you to lead others. John who was the forerunner or predecessor of Christ was instructed to follow God’s protocol and baptize Jesus. It was proper to do this so that all righteousness would be fulfilled. Jesus knew that this was a fundamental step for Him to enter His ministry.
John came as a witness to testify for Jesus, so that through Him all men might believe. John himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light.
Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” He highly acknowledged John as a worthy leader, because every leader needs a leader.
The Bible says that Christians should obey them who have rule over us. We are supposed to submit ourselves because our spiritual overseers are the watchmen for our souls. When God does roll call, they must give an account for us. When we are submissive they account for us with joy. But when we do not submit or do not report for duty the account is given in grief, which is unprofitable for us.
As a pastor, even I must submit to spiritual leadership to watch over my soul. Mother Ellen Parsley who is a spiritual overseer for me will visit our church and minister to our city on Labor Day weekend. She comes to make the same leadership impartation she has made into her son Rod Parsley. She was mentored and impacted by her spiritual leader, Lester Sumrall, and he was mentored by a well-known spiritual leader, Smith Wigglesworth.
I believe that spiritual heritage is the strength behind effective spiritual leadership. It is important to be submissive and accountable to the spiritual leadership that God has placed over you. Scripture says that He gives us pastors or shepherds after His own heart. It is God who chooses your pastor. So that when He asks you to “take me to your leader” he or she can account for you with joy.
Deason is pastor of Liberty Prayer Chapel, and the director of the Liberty County Manna House.
When I was coming up we would watch the TV show - “My Favorite Martian.” The visitors that came from out of space would always say “take me to your leader”.
In the same way God uses spiritual protocol, and the first thing He will ask is “Where is your leader”? Our Christian walk includes the assignment of a leader and the development of spiritual linage.
Following your assigned leader is especially essential when God is cultivating you to lead others. John who was the forerunner or predecessor of Christ was instructed to follow God’s protocol and baptize Jesus. It was proper to do this so that all righteousness would be fulfilled. Jesus knew that this was a fundamental step for Him to enter His ministry.
John came as a witness to testify for Jesus, so that through Him all men might believe. John himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light.
Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” He highly acknowledged John as a worthy leader, because every leader needs a leader.
The Bible says that Christians should obey them who have rule over us. We are supposed to submit ourselves because our spiritual overseers are the watchmen for our souls. When God does roll call, they must give an account for us. When we are submissive they account for us with joy. But when we do not submit or do not report for duty the account is given in grief, which is unprofitable for us.
As a pastor, even I must submit to spiritual leadership to watch over my soul. Mother Ellen Parsley who is a spiritual overseer for me will visit our church and minister to our city on Labor Day weekend. She comes to make the same leadership impartation she has made into her son Rod Parsley. She was mentored and impacted by her spiritual leader, Lester Sumrall, and he was mentored by a well-known spiritual leader, Smith Wigglesworth.
I believe that spiritual heritage is the strength behind effective spiritual leadership. It is important to be submissive and accountable to the spiritual leadership that God has placed over you. Scripture says that He gives us pastors or shepherds after His own heart. It is God who chooses your pastor. So that when He asks you to “take me to your leader” he or she can account for you with joy.
Deason is pastor of Liberty Prayer Chapel, and the director of the Liberty County Manna House.