Having a "king" was never God's way. NEVER. The Israelites wanted a king after Samuel, and they got what they wanted.... but it was NOT God's design.
Jesus Christ came to us in an example of the greatest way that mankind needs to be ruled. Jesus came as a servant.
He came born in a manger, not in a palace.
He rode a donkey, not a Lexus.
He had no place to lay his head, instead of the best home in the church.
He came as a servant in every way possible, and died the worst possible death to die. He set the perfect example for us all, yet .... no one really wants to live or die the way Jesus did.
If anyone aspiring to the ministry would truly look at and consider the life of Christ, perhaps we wouldn't have the problems with the ministry that we see today, not just in Pentecost, but in every denomination.
The ministry are not to live like kings, act like kings or look like kings. They are to be SERVANTS. That is the example Jesus set up for us to see.
Don't believe me?
Read the gospels again and look at the life of Christ, and see how he lived. Show me the fine cars, fancy homes, exotic vacations, expensive apparel and fine food he dined on. Show me that he took up offerings every time he preached...
Show me! Because I can't find it anywhere....
Instead the picture of Christ is one of servanthood. What did Christ do the last night of his life? He served all of his brethren, washed their feet, and broke bread with them as a servant. What a picture he left for us to follow!
If those in ministry would stop, and take a closer look at the man Jesus Christ, who was our perfect example (and stop trying to compare our ministry to kings like David and Saul - imperfect fallen men)... and look instead at what Jesus expected of those who were to follow him...
I truly believe the servant hearts coming forth out of the design Christ gave us, would not be the production of adulterous, fornicating, materialistic minded, power hungry, crowd manipulating people in ministry in most organizations today.
Instead, we would see more Mother Theresa's, and Corie Ten Booms, and Peter Marshall's, and men and women more concerned about showing love one to another instead of building their own kingdom.
It would turn our world upside down, if more people truly chose to follow Christ's example, instead of King David's....
Luke 14:8-11
7And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
8When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
If anyone tries to build a kingdom here on this earth, even trying to justify it... saying it is "God's kingdom" .... it will not last. But if you lay up your treasure in heaven, that is building up the kingdom of heaven, which will last forever.
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased (maybe here on earth or maybe not) and he that humbleth himself SHALL be exalted.
If you truly want to be exalted, and excel in the kingdom of heaven... here's what you have to do.
Luke 12:28-34
29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
If this message would be the one that young men aspiring to enter the ministry would hear first.... perhaps there would be more careful consideration given in their hearts to what serving Jesus really means. It means that being a servant has the highest reward, in God's eyes.
Not being served, but serving.
It is something every single believer must do in order to be part of the kingdom of Christ, and of the kingdom of heaven. We must have a servant's heart and by our love one for another will all men know we are Christ's disciples.
John 13:35
Let us all search our hearts, and see if we measure up to the servant example that Jesus set before us....
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