The Importance of Being a Model
Leadership in Context with Keith Tucci
Episode 098
2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
In our culture and in the age of information, we place a lot of emphasis on words—talking well, singing well, etc. Both the Greek and Hebrew cultures that brought us the Scriptures were very big on the model—the demonstration of Truth, not just speaking about Truth.
We are to be an example. It is not just what we speak, but how we live.
We should never make our rights a condition for serving. Leadership demands that you are willing to shed your liberties, your rights, your privileges. Jesus is our example. Did He not surrender His privileges consistently? He surrendered His rights to live like and be treated like a king.
In verse 9, we see the goal: “So that you would follow our example.” What was the example that Paul demonstrated? They worked, didn’t eat anyone’s bread, they were entitled to an offering and to be taken care of and no one did that; yet God called them and so they did it. There will be times when you are serving God that people should respond in a certain way (honor, appreciation, compensation, etc.), but they don’t. Yet, we should do as Paul says and follow their example. They worked making tents so they could preach the gospel. They responded to the call, no matter how people responded to them.
Legalism is putting stipulations on other people. Sanctification is putting stipulations on yourself in how you are going to act. Being a model causes you to give up rights and privileges.
I have watched good people over the years fall into bad patterns and sin. I don’t believe any of those people fell into sin and took advantage of things that were of the grace of God until they systematically had a pattern of not being a model, not denying themselves, not thinking of how things might impact other people.
In this passage, Paul is pouring himself out and treating ministry like a privilege because he says it is about the model. Are we pouring ourselves out? Have we really even served until we have poured ourselves out?
If someone was following you, would they know where you are going? Are you being a good model?
Join us next week as Keith Tucci continues to put leadership truth in the context of the local church. And as always, please like, share, rate/review, and invite others to listen. See you next week!
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