Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
One of the great human obsessions is the want to be in complete control. Some find this in using their talents to perform. Some look for political gain in order to be in control. Most people, just want to be popular. However, Paul understood a basic principal, and that is we must provide leadership in Christ such that when we are gone, the world looks to Christ and not the teacher. Think about it this way: The Lord walked with twelve men He called Apostles. Of those twelve only Matthew, John, James (the less), Peter and Jude were allowed to write scripture. It is held in tradition that all died a martyrs death except John. The missions of the twelve were to reach others throughout the world. God’s plan was to use a sinner named Saul.
Saul was a Pharisee and very zealous for the high priest. It was his desire to put down and away all who were found in the way of Christ. We are not sure what brought him under conviction, whether it was Stephen’s death or the faith of those he persecuted, but it was the Lord who brought him to his knees when he traveled to Damascus. From the moment of Saul’s salvation he became not just a man of God, he became a missionary, writer, lover of God, instiller of the faith and more. It was the Lord’s primary design to make Saul, called Paul by the earlier church in Antioch, a vessel of honor.
Why didn’t Paul suck up all the glory for himself? Isn’t that what we see in the modern movements of so-called faith? Thousands of people flock after speakers which entice them. People are lead to believe they are hearing the truth and accept it. They never read the Bible for themselves, but read what they are told to read by these leaders and blindly follow what they hear.
What happens when these charismatic leaders die? Eventually, their followers, fall away. Consider the truth of what Paul said, “Follow me… as I follow Christ.” How will you know if I am following Christ? Read our Lord’s Word. In fact, the things inspiringly written by Paul, were not appealing to the lost. Read Romans and you will find the road map from lost sinner, to salvation, unto growth in Christ. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Read Paul admonishments to the Corinthian and Galatian Churches. Read of his joy in faithful service of others.
Some might point to the church at Jerusalem as a mega church. Hear me out, by the close of the first century that church was scattered and most churches were small. It was the small churches that did the work of the Lord. Read the book of Acts and see if what I say isn’t true.
The final test is this: Is your pastor causing you to follow Christ? Think about it.
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