The Gifts: Governments

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

March 1, 2000

Introduction

A gift of the Holy Spirit is a special ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit.

It is not a natural born talent, like music is for some people. A person may indeed be "gifted" in music, but it is not part of our list of gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit.

It is not some kind of earned "merit badge" for good Christians. It is a form of "grace". One of the Greek word for "gifts" is charismata, or, "workings of grace".

The purpose of the gifts in the church is to build up the church.

Governments

(1 Cor 12:28 KJV) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

governments – kubernesis – a governing, government; from kubernao (of Latin origin gubernare, from which we get our word "govern"), "to steer", "guiding the helm" of a ship, being the "pilot" of a ship.

I think a major aspect of this gift is the ability to "see" what’s up ahead. It involves the ability to anticipate what the needs are and to steer a group in the proper direction.

I believe this is the same gift that is mentioned in:

(Rom 12:8 KJV) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

ruleth – proistemi – to set or place before; to set over; to be over, to superintend, preside over

1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

diligence – spoude – haste, with haste; earnestness, diligence; earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything.

I think this involves the characteristic of faithfulness. It does the church no good to have a leader that quits on them. A leader ought to be a person who can be depended upon, one who doesn’t give up.

Definition:

Those who lead within the church.

I see this as those individuals within the church that have the ability to lead and organize. We often have a great need for this gift in our church. Sometimes we have lots of ideas of what to do, but a person with "leadership" knows how to envision a project and see it through to completion.

The need for "governing"

Moses had just steered the nation of Israel out of Egypt, they had crossed the Red Sea, and they were now starting to catch their breath as they faced life in the wilderness. Moses finds his father-in-law and told him all about what God had done.

(Exo 18:13-23 KJV) And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. {14} And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? {15} And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: {16} When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. {17} And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. {18} Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

You can function without a healthy structure in place. Things can get done. Moses was counseling a lot of people. But everyone was getting worn out in the process.

Jethro comes along and sees the nature of the situation and is able to give Moses a plan that helps the nation become functional again.

{19} Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: {20} And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. {21} Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: {22} And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. {23} If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

Jethro’s plan was the correct one. God speaks later to make sure that Moses had gotten the picture. They started with a system of "elders" and as you progress through Exodus and Numbers, all sorts of elements of the nation’s worship system become organized.

Lesson

Listen to advice.

Jethro is the one with the insight, but Moses is the one in charge. Moses is smart enough to realize that he doesn’t see the whole picture.

Don’t get sensitive about the advice people give you. More often than not you will find that it is intended to be helpful and given with the right intentions. You don’t have to immediately adopt everyone’s suggestions, but you need to learn to listen to wise counsel.

Lesson

Learn to delegate.

A person with "governments" will delegate. But those of us who struggle to get by also need to learn to delegate. If you don’t, you will wear yourself out and those around you as well.

Directions to leaders.

(1 Pet 5:1-4 KJV) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: {2} Feed the flock of God which is among you

A godly leader has a concern for others. A godly leader is concerned not about which of his own needs are being met or not met, but whether the flock is being fed.

taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

A godly leader has the proper motives. His arm doesn’t have to be twisted to help out. He’s not in it for the money or the glory.

{3} Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

A godly leader doesn’t lead by beating the sheep or ordering them around. He leads by setting the example and letting the sheep follow.

Pastor Chuck: "In many churches the men on the board are not the most spiritual men in the church. When they strive for power, two things happen to them: They seek to perpetuate themselves in power. They seek to extend their power."

It’s not about power, it’s about being a leader. The true test of leadership is to find out if anyone is following you.

{4} And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

A godly leader realizes that he’s ultimately not in charge. The flock belongs to the Chief Shepherd, not you.

(Mark 9:33-37 KJV) And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? {34} But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. {35} And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. {36} And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, {37} Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

The dangers of power and authority

Having authority or power over another person can be intoxicating. There are people who live to be able to tell others what to do. We DON’T need people like this in charge at church!

If you can’t function as a servant, you shouldn’t be a leader.

I do not want to exalt someone in the church who does not display sincere humility. I think Pastor Chuck does it properly. When someone comes to him and asks to be in the ministry, he tells them to go teach a Sunday School class.

It’s a test of humility and faithfulness.

Qualities for leadership

God isn’t looking for people who just want to be in control or rule over others. He is looking for specific inner qualities in people.

Though these are technically the qualifications for a person being an "elder", I think this is what leadership is all about –

(1 Tim 3:1-7 NLT) It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. {2} For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. {3} He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money. {4} He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. {5} For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? {6} An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall. {7} Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil's trap and be disgraced.