Do Not Lord Over Them

Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

In reading Matthew 20, after Jesus explains how the last will be first and the first last (in comparison to servanthood), the mother of Zebedee’s children comes to Him and asks a question. She asks for her sons to be given the right to sit on the left and right of Jesus in His kingdom. He tells her that those places will be given to those whom the Father has already prepared. (This is a paraphrase.) Now, based upon Jesus’ response to James’ and John’s mother (Mark 1:19), her reasoning for placing them to the right and left of Him was for them to be in positions of authority over people in His kingdom. Jesus then brought His disciples together and told them that they were not to exercise dominion over people. He gave the example of the princes of the Gentiles and those over them (the great)…and how they exercise authority over the people and one another. The disciples were not to live over people in such a manner. The great and chief among the people must be a minister and servant among them.

Sadly, we find many people in churches similar to the princes of the Gentiles than the example of a minister and servant. We find that those that would be considered chief and great among us (in church) are the least to serve. The church has taken on the business model of organization by creating hierarchies that provide greater perks the higher (in position) you are rather than the example of service and ministry by the Lord’s design.

Because of this model within the church, it has caused many to seek after positions (and titles) of authority to rule over others. They seek after the status, ‘respect,’ honor, and even material benefits associated with these positions. In instructing Timothy on appointing Bishops (elders, overseers), Paul warned him not to appoint novices:

1 Timothy 3:6 (KJV) – Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Many people are placed in positions of authority because of their talents and gifts rather than their maturity in the Lord (see 1 Timothy 3:1-6). They are given positions to exercise rule over others before they have humbled themselves before God to allow Him to have dominion over them. These circumstances brood pride…and with it condemnation.

Pride is based upon selfishness, whereas ministry is based upon selfLESSness…serving others (Philippians 2:4). When pride comes into a ministry leader or church, the greatest needs are not to fulfill those of the people – only themselves. Sure, they will seem to care about the peoples’ needs, but if you check the fruit of all they are producing, they will give their true purpose away (Matthew 7:15-20). Remember: to deceive people, they must look, act, and talk like you, but they will give themselves away sooner or later (and the Lord will expose them).

Ministries led by selfishness will not stand in the freedom, power, or anointing of the Lord. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). If you are in fellowship with such leaders, your own (eternal) life in God may be in jeopardy, as you may assume their teachings, deceptive (evil) spirit, and behaviors. You will begin to look more like the world, rather than the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:29).

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Love not the world. Love the Lord and obey His commandments. Do not exercise authority over people, but serve and minister them with love. Be the least among the people.

Think about that for a moment: be the least among the people. What are considered the most lowliest positions within your ministry? Start there. Never be too ‘big’ that you cannot cook, clean toilets, or change lightbulbs. You do not ‘arrive’ to a place where you are ever above that. Be the first to grab cleaning sprays, a plunger…be the first to visit others, cook, give, and love from your heart. Do not control people, but allow them to be free in the Lord. Guide them toward Christ with a hand of love, not leading them away from Him with in chains.

Jesus came to minister. Let us follow His example.

Galatians 5:26 (KJV) – Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

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