The New Testament is full of examples of strong, powerful women who were leaders in their communities. In this blog, we’ll see woman evangelist in the bible.
Mary Magdalene: Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection. She was also a leader in her community, and she helped to spread the word about Jesus’ life and teachings.
Mary of Bethany: Mary of Bethany was a woman who supported Jesus financially and spiritually throughout his ministry. She also had her own ministry as a prophetess and healer among her people.
Mary, mother of James: Mary, mother of James was one of Jesus’ closest friends throughout his life. She followed him everywhere he went and sought advice from him on many occasions.
Phebe: Phebe was an important leader within the church at Rome during Paul’s time there—she helped lead worship services while Paul was away preaching elsewhere in Europe (Romans 16:1-2). We’ll also discuss leadership roles in the bible.
Examples Of Female Leaders In The New Testament
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was a well-known follower of Jesus. She was present at the crucifixion, and she was the first person to see Jesus after he had risen from the dead. She became a witness to his resurrection, and this led her to preach the gospel message to others.
This is an example of how women influenced Christianity in very influential ways during its early years!
Women who were friends with Jesus, including Martha and Mary
As the Bible moves forward, Jesus’ ministry becomes more public. He begins to attract more followers, and he is often surrounded by people seeking healing or advice from him. Two women who were close friends of Jesus are Mary and Martha (John 11:1-46). Jesus was a guest in their house in Bethany, a village on the Mount of Olives. We know that they also had a brother named Lazarus who died (John 11:1-44).
After Lazarus died, his sisters sent word asking if Jesus would come help them because they knew that he could heal people (John 11:3-6). In response, Jesus told them not to worry but instead wait for him so that he could raise their brother back to life (John 11:17-19). When Jesus arrived at Bethany four days after Lazarus’ burial, he found his two sisters weeping outside his tomb crying out “Lord—if you had been here our brother would not have died!” (vss 22-23 RSV)
Priscilla Teaches Apollos About the Way
In Acts 18:26-27, it is said that Priscilla taught Apollos more accurately about the way of God. Apollos was a learned man and a brilliant preacher. However, he was missing some key points that Priscilla and Aquila were able to explain to him. We can learn from this example that God has given different people different gifts in order to teach us more accurately about the way of God.
Junia, a female apostle. Paul calls her “outstanding”
Paul was a man who recognized talent when he saw it, and Junia was an example of that. He called her “outstanding” and said she was “well known to the apostles”. In Romans 16:7, Paul says that Junia “was outstanding among the apostles”, which implies that she wasn’t just a minor figure in the early church. In 1 Corinthians 11:5, he also calls her “outstanding among you” and says that he owes his life to Christ because of her (which may mean they were friends).
But this isn’t all! It turns out Junia is mentioned in two other books as well—Galatians 4:4-10 mentions her by name as being part of Paul’s missionary team (though nowhere does it refer to her as an apostle). And Acts 18:2 tells us about Priscilla and Aquila who worked with Paul during his ministry; later on we learn from 1 Timothy 3:11-13 that these two people were married—and guess what? Aquila is clearly identified as “Priscilla’s husband.”
Priscilla, Known as a Deacon and Evangelist in the Church
Priscilla, an apostle and evangelist in the early church, was also known as a deaconess. She worked alongside her husband Aquila and helped him with his ministry.
In Acts 18:26-27, Paul met Priscilla and Aquila while he was in Corinth. They took him into their home and explained to him the mystery of Jesus Christ (Acts 18:27). They put up a tent for Paul when he traveled from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18).
In Romans 16:3-4, Paul said that Priscilla helped Apollos with some teachings about Jesus Christ. In Acts 18:26-27, he says that she has been “a helper of many” (KJV). This phrase is translated “assistant” or “colleague” in other translations like NIV or NASB.
Woman Evangelist In The Bible
It is not as common knowledge as it should be that the Bible has a lot to say about women in leadership roles, and with the exception of one small paragraph in 1 Timothy, the biblical narrative of women leaders is overwhelmingly favorable. We’ll examine ten instances of this:
First, they were “the greatest of the apostles” (Romans 16:7)
The following women are rarely recognized for their leadership roles in the Bible. The four daughters of Philip also prophesied, joining Anna the prophet (Luke 2:36). (Acts 21:9). A biblical prophet is a truth-teller who proclaims God’s word to humanity through preaching. To be more precise, a powerful preacher. The Bible also mentions Phoebe, a deacon (Romans 16:1), and Junia, an apostle who stands out among female peers (Romans 16:7).
Paul refers to Priscilla and Aquila as “co-workers in Christ,” and in Acts 18 we see that Priscilla is the one who instructs Apollos, a “educated man, with a deep grasp of scripture.” Priscilla is able to convey “the way of God more fully” to him, despite his extensive knowledge, and he is not shocked by the fact that she is a woman. Notably, in a culture that often put husbands’ names first, Priscilla’s name is recorded before Aquila’s in several of the chapters where she is referenced, suggesting Priscilla, rather than Aquila, was the leader of this specific pair. I’m just getting started, but the biblical women are already winning the argument against the “complementarian” position.
- “They disclosed all the information” (Luke 24:9)
I bet you didn’t know that the first Christian preachers were all ladies. When Christ comes to women after his resurrection, they are the first to receive the news and spread it to the rest of the world in all four gospels. Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9–10; John 20:17–18) or Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:8–10) or Mary, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and others (Luke 24:1–8) are the first to declare Jesus’ resurrection in the various canonical gospels (Luke 24:9-10). A woman makes the initial proclamation of the Resurrection tale. If women had “kept mute in the church,” there would be no church.
Third, “since the woman testified” (John 4:39)
While most people refer to her as “Woman at the Well,” I choose to call her “Woman Who Abandoned Her Water Jar” since John 4:28 says she left her jar behind to go tell the people about Jesus, the Living Water. Because she had more pressing matters to attend to, she abandoned her original reason for visiting the well. A number of Samaritans apparently put their faith in Christ as a result of her witness shortly thereafter (4:39), proving she was an accomplished missionary. John 4 records Jesus’ longest documented talk with anyone, with Mary. If Jesus didn’t want the lady to inform anybody about his theological discussions with her, why would he spend so much time doing so? She forgets her jar, which he calls her “women’s labor,” but he doesn’t scold her. Instead, he supports her in her spiritual quests and is open to the questions she brings to him.
Until I, Deborah, got up, #4. Judgment (v. 7)
To this point, I’ve only talked about women from the New Testament, but the Hebrew Bible is full of accomplished female characters as well. In the Hebrew Bible, for instance, the prophetess and judge Deborah is mentioned. The people follow her as she imparts divine wisdom; no one appears to care that she is a woman. After guiding the people to victory in battle (Judges 5), Deborah leads them in singing. They waited till a mother in Israel rose up like Deborah, she sang (Judges 5:7). She is the driving force behind the people’s willingness to fight for themselves.
Deborah, “wife of Lappidoth” in our English translations, could equally be rendered “woman of Lappidoth,” emphasizing her origin rather than her marital status. If “woman of Lappidoth” signifies that Deborah is a fiery woman, then the name makes sense. Lappidoth means torch.
- “Seek the Lord about me,” Bible verses that can be found in 2 Kings 22:11-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:14-33
Huldah (2 Kings 22:11-20; 2 Chronicles 34:14-33) is never mentioned by the males who claim that women cannot teach, despite the fact that she was certainly not unnoticed in her own day. According to legend, when purging the temple, King Josiah’s troops came across a parchment containing Moses’ Ten Commandments. Josiah dispatched a group of officials, including the high priest, to consult the Lord regarding the meaning of the scroll. With whom did the great men of history consult when they needed divine guidance?
Huldah. An adult female.
It’s important to note that Huldah was married, but the men in question went straight to her (which, for the record, made perfect sense, seeing as how she was the prophet and he was the keeper of the royal wardrobe). It is also significant that Huldah lived during the same time as male prophets such as Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Nahum. Huldah was the best of many excellent possibilities available to the king’s warriors. It’s not just that she teaches males; males actively seek out her guidance. Why should we be hesitant to listen to a woman if even Judah’s king was willing to do so?
- “With timbrels and dancing, all the women followed her” (Exodus 15:20)
The Hebrew Bible makes its first prophetic designation to Miriam (Exodus 15:20). That she was the first female prophet is not what I mean. The first prophetess was she. Period.
In addition, Moses’s sister Miriam, who watched over his basket in the river, is largely responsible for him growing up to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. If not for his mom, he might have been lost. Unless Shiprah and Puah, two Hebrew midwives, were there. If not for the daughter of the pharaoh. His life was saved twice by his wife Zipporah (Exodus 4:24-26). The deliverer of the Hebrew people wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the ladies who repeatedly gave birth to him.
7 And please, don’t hurt my people (Esther 7:3)
Esther once averted the destruction of the entire Jewish people. King Xerxes had passed an edict authorizing the killing of the Jewish people after being easily influenced by the petty and vindictive wishes of one of his valued nobles named Haman. Without Queen Esther’s courageous action, a lot of people would have died for no good reason.
Whoever says women are “too emotional” to lead should read the book of Esther and compare the two most powerful characters, Haman and the King, to the two most influential characters, Queen Esther and Queen Vashti, and then tell me which gender is more prone to acting on impulse and emotion than the other. (Prior to this point in the narrative, King Xerxes gets extremely inebriated and demands that Queen Vashti come parade herself in front of the inebriated men for their viewing pleasure; Queen Vashti rather soberly denies his request.) Which gender exhibits self-control and which is irrational? Which gender acts with integrity and/or the welfare of her people as a priority, and which is driven primarily by self-interest? (Spoiler alert: There is no contest. There is no denying that the women in this case steal the show.
I wish all of the Lord’s people were prophets, number eight. (Numbers 11.29)
Despite the fact that Chapter Eleven of Numbers is focused on two male characters, I feel compelled to include it here because of its timely relevance. Having received the Holy Spirit, the seventy elders begin prophesying inside the Tent of Meeting. To the contrary, Eldad and Medad? They go outside the established norms and begin prophesying in the camp. Joshua, Moses’s helper, gets upset by this unapproved preaching and goes in search of Moses. Lord, please intervene, he cries out. In contrast, Moses argues, “Would that all the Lord’s people be prophets and God bestow his Spirit on all of them!” Wow, that’s a great sentence, and I take it that Moses means both men and women when he wishes for the world to have prophets, given that Moses’ own sister Miriam was the first prophet of God. The world would be a better place if all of God’s people were prophets like Eldad, Medad, and Miriam.
Do you recall the man I told you about who left the service after I had finished speaking? My sermon focused on Eldad and Medad. Aw, the irony.
- “The Holy Spirit fell upon them all.” (Acts 2:4)
On Pentecost Sunday, God’s Spirit is released into the world. “In the final days, God declares, I will pour out my Spirit on all people,” Peter quotes Joel as saying on the Day of Pentecost. It is said that your children will prophesy, your young men will have visions, and your elderly will dream. In those days, God promises, “I will pour out my Spirit on everyone, both man and woman, and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18).
They were all together in one place” (again, emphasis mine) and “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and started to talk in various languages” (emphasis mine) in Acts 2 doesn’t mean that women weren’t there; Acts 1:14 makes it obvious that the “they” who assembled included women.
My inner being praises God (Luke 1:46)
And while I’m sure I could keep on, I’m going to end my argument by praising the Blessed Virgin Mary. In all of Scripture, I cannot think of a stronger case for women in ministry than Mary, who gave birth to the Word made flesh. If that’s not a representation of preaching, I don’t know what is. She carried God around in her pregnancy and then worked to get the Good News out of her womb and into the world. She allowed herself to be nourished and enlarged by Love from the inside out. She gave birth to Love, nursed Love, raised Love, released Love into the world, mourned Love’s passing, paid respects at Love’s grave, and proclaimed Love’s victorious return from the grave. She did not just sing the now-famous Magnificat, but also predicted in Luke 1 about how the Good News would be spread.
Leadership Roles In The Bible
- The leaders of churches should lead in a way that is consistent with their faith.
This may seem like a tautology, yet it must be stated. In the eyes of God, there are no “clergy” or “laity” in the New Testament, because every believer has equal access to the throne of grace (1 Pet. 2:9). However, it does highlight the difference between church leaders and members. Many distinct names and titles are used for the leaders of the churches throughout the New Testament. The term “elders” is used to describe them because of their level of spiritual development (Acts 20:17). Their role as church leaders is reflected in another title, “overseers,” found in 1 Timothy 3:1 and 2. Pastors, from the Greek word for “shepherd” (Eph. 4:11), are the leaders of local churches (Titus 1:5, 7; Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28). To the elders, Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:1, 2, “Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight….” He then goes on to call Jesus “the Chief Shepherd” in verse 4. (or, Pastor).
The Greek verb prohistemi, which literally means “to stand before,” is another term for church leaders (1 Thess. 5:12). To put it another way, it describes the role of those “who rule wisely” (1 Tim. 5:17). Moreover, it implies that men are expected to “manage” their own homes (1 Tim. 3:4, 5, 12). Our text uses a different word (from which we derive the English word hegemony) that simply means “leaders” (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24). It is used of Paul to set him apart from Barnabas as “the chief speaker” (Acts 14:12) and also of Judas Barsabbas and Silas as “leading persons among the brethren” (Acts 15:22).
The key message is that leaders should take charge. Church leaders impact their congregations by their virtuous behavior and the preaching of the Word of God (Heb. 13:7). Most of the criteria for elders in the local church found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 are godly character attributes, given that leaders in the local church must lead by example. Their one and only qualification is that they be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2), or to “exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who oppose” (Titus 1:9).
To effectively lead, one must have and consistently communicate a biblical vision for the identity and mission of the local church. It also entails addressing issues that crop up inside the church. No simple problem is ever presented to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy once said (source unclear). If the answers are obvious, someone else has already found them.
Church leaders often avoid controversial issues because they want to avoid upsetting anyone. They are afraid of offending a powerful church member who is also sinning. They avoid teaching unpopular but scripturally sound concepts. Instead of challenging a bad teacher, they avoid them to avoid making things worse. They prefer to stay on the sidelines when it comes to helping members of the church or church families work through their differences. You can’t lead the church effectively if you avoid dealing with such tough issues. Leaders in the church have a responsibility to actively seek God and His truth and encourage their congregations to do the same.
- A leader in God’s church must prioritize their own spiritual growth.
Paul instructed the Ephesian elders, “Be on alert for yourselves and for all the flock,” in Acts 20:28, and he told Timothy, his younger coworker, to “pay special attention to yourself and your teaching” in 1 Timothy 4:16. Our text highlights four characteristics of the personal walk of church leaders:
A. Pastors of godly churches should watch their behavior to avoid falling out of favor with either God or their congregations (13:18).
In Acts 24:16, Paul said to Felix, “I too do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” One’s conscience is their inborn sense of what is right and evil, and God has given every person one (Rom. 2:15). It’s not perfect because it needs to be shaped by the truth found in the Bible. It’s possible to sear it or let it get hard (1 Tim. 4:2; Eph. 4:18-19). To sinfully act against one’s conscience is always wrong, even if the conscience in question is erroneous (Rom. 14:14, 23; James 4:17). According to Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:5, “The purpose of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a true faith.”
Following God’s commands on a regular basis is the best approach to avoid guilt. If you have committed a sin, you must ask God for forgiveness and then ask the person you have wronged to forgive you. Obedience to God on one’s own part is necessary for effective leadership.
B. Righteous church leaders always keep in mind that they will have to give an account to God one day (13:17).
To this end, they never lose sight of the reality that they must “render an account” to God for their own actions and the condition of the church God has entrusted to their care. No one person or group of men holds ultimate sway within the Church. Rather, we serve as undershepherds, answering to Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. Not my church, but His! Christ, who paid for the church with His blood, entrusts its management to those who serve as stewards or managers in the church. Keeping this reality in mind at all times helps to prevent the misuse of power and the exploitation of others. Every pastor needs to regularly reread Ezekiel 34, where God lays into the shepherds who have neglected His flock for their own gain. Eventually, he’ll have us answer to him.
C. Faithful men who lead churches are men of prayer who inspire others to pray (13:7, 18, 20-21).
The author urges the Hebrews, in verse 7, to reflect on the examples of their forefathers’ faith and conduct. He solicits their prayers in verse 18, and then he prays for them himself in verses 20 and 21. (For more on faith, check out Hebrews 11.)
The local church is an exception to the general rule that American business practices do not apply outside of the marketplace. The church is not meant to be managed like a corporation, where decisions are made and actions are taken based on what we think is best. Faith in the true God and reliance on Him via prayer will propel the church ahead. Our goal as church leaders is not to make decisions based on our own knowledge and experience, but to pray and seek God’s will for His church.
Personally, and I think I speak for all the elders here, I’m completely overwhelmed. I don’t feel fully equipped to serve as pastor of this congregation. I lack the expertise necessary to help others with their difficult personal issues. This is why opening elder meetings and counseling sessions with prayer is more than just a ritual. It’s your direct channel of communication with the God who actually exists. Faith and prayer should undergird all of the church’s activities.
D. If necessary, godly church leaders are willing to suffer for Christ (13:23).
Timothy, who was recently released from jail, is mentioned by the author. In 2 Timothy 2:8, Paul urged Timothy, “Therefore do not be embarrassed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but participate with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” Apparently, Timothy had heeded Paul’s advice.
There is a real possibility that our faith will put us at risk of persecution in the years ahead, and the leaders are always the primary targets of the enemy. Leaders must be prepared for criticism and personal attacks, even from within the church, even if persecution from the outside does not occur. The early critiques and slanders that were made against Charles Spurgeon, often by other pastors, are discussed in detail in a chapter of his autobiography ([Banner of Truth], 1:303-327). Later in life, he endured a barrage of unwarranted criticism for opposing the Baptist Union’s creeping liberalism.
These kinds of attacks are inevitable for leaders who stand fast for biblical truth, since no matter how delicately it is expressed, God’s word always offends someone. They can’t bring themselves to criticize God, so they go after the messenger instead. It’s never enjoyable, but it’s part of the job. To help her husband deal with the abuse, Spurgeon’s wife had Matthew 5:11-12 engraved on a plaque and gave it to him every morning to read. Have great joy and happiness, for your recompense is great in heaven; for in the same way they tormented the prophets who came before you.
Therefore, godly church leaders have a duty to lead, and they do it primarily by cultivating their own relationship with God.
- Those who head churches in the name of God have a duty to cooperate with one another.
The term “leaders” should be understood to refer to multiple individuals. The New Testament makes it abundantly plain that there should be more than one person in charge of a single church (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5). Having multiple leaders keeps power from being monopolized by anyone. Unless the church is very tiny, the work of shepherding a local congregation is also too enormous for a single man. Two conclusions can be drawn from this fact:
A. Good religious authorities must cooperate for the common good.
The author of our book collaborates closely with Timothy (13:23) and the authorities in the Hebrew Church. He instructs the congregation to greet its clergy (13:24). Those in charge (plural) are responsible for protecting the believers’ eternal spirits (13:17). Only by cooperating as a group would they have succeeded.
The only positive portrayal of an authoritative figure in the New Testament is Jesus Christ. John the apostle confronts Diotrephes, a church leader who thought it was his job to kick people out of the congregation because he didn’t like the way they voted (3 John 9-10). There are examples of spiritual leaders who were first among equals due to their personality, spiritual gifts, and spiritual maturity. Peter served as the group’s official spokesperson. In the early Jerusalem church, James was the man in charge (Acts 15:13-21; 21:18-26; Gal. 2:6, 9). Though Barnabas had been a Christian for longer than Paul, Paul was appointed the team’s leader. However, all of these men were submissive to one another in the Lord and taught that we, as believers, must do the same (Eph. 5:21).
B. Relationships with God are a top priority for godly church leaders.
Author wants Hebrews to get along well with their leaders so that those in charge might be happy and fulfilled in their roles (13:17). He promises to act in an honorable manner at all times and expresses hope that he will be reunited with them soon in his prayer for help (13:18-19). He talks about his friend Timothy and how the two of them went to see his family. He has them extend his best regards to the church’s top officials and all the saints. All these passages drip with references to interpersonal connections.
The two great commandments, “love God” and “love others,” constitute the entire whole of the Bible’s teachings on human interaction. That’s why it’s so important for godly church leaders to cultivate loving relationships with one another, and to assist their congregations do the same. Paul’s goal in penning Philippians was to ensure that the two ladies there, Euodia and Syntyche, “live in harmony in the Lord” (Phil. 4:2). Paul was worried about the Corinthian church because Chloe’s people had told him about the squabbles that had been going on there. (Imagine how you’d feel if Paul used your name in an open letter) (1 Cor. 1:11-13).
There is a high risk of unrest whenever a crowd of several hundred individuals gathers, especially if they come from different socioeconomic classes, generations, and even countries. It’s a wonder the church has lasted for centuries, given the many people within it, the variety of their interests, and the necessity to combat immorality and false doctrine. Church leaders should model healthy relationships and assist members in overcoming their own relational difficulties. That’s why it’s incumbent for godly church leaders to lead the sheep by example, both individually and collectively. Finally,
- Leaders in the church have a duty to assist members in developing their own relationship with God.
Once more, our text is not exhaustive, but it does shed light on at least four facets of this duty.
A. Pious church leaders aid their congregations by keeping vigil over their spiritual welfare (13:17).
The original Greek meaning of the phrase “to keep watch” is “to keep oneself alert,” which is why the phrase can also be translated as “to guard” or “to care for” (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Walter Bauer, William Arndt, and F. Wilbur Gingrich [University of Chicago Press], Second Edition, p. 14). Illustration based on shepherds maintaining watch over their flocks (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament) ([Harper & Brothers], 1887, p. 9). To protect their flocks, shepherds needed to be vigilant. They had to be familiar with the sheep and keep a close eye on them to detect any signs of illness or disappearance. The lost sheep needed to be found and brought back to the group. So they had to herd them to greener pastures and safer water sources (see Ezek. 34:1-16).
These responsibilities call for the wisdom to recognize when a person’s spiritual life is in jeopardy and to know where they currently stand on their spiritual journey. In order to have the guts to confront individuals who are wandering, leaders must have a deep love for God and people. It’s true that you can only lead those who want to be led, yet godly leaders must nevertheless make the effort with everyone they encounter. In modern times, when there may be dozens of churches in a given area, this work becomes far more daunting. When members of one church become offended by the efforts of its leaders to face the sins of its members, those members often find a new congregation that is more accepting of their presence. Sadly, their issues often accompany them wherever they go.
The work of “keeping watch over souls” is enormous, and it is not only the responsibility of church leaders. A mature Christian has a responsibility to aid people who have fallen into sin and to share in the sufferings of fellow Christians (Gal. 6:1-2). Get in touch with an elder if you’re concerned about a fellow church member who seems to be drifting away from the Lord but you don’t know what to do about it. Although we try to keep an eye on the flock, there are times when we have no idea if somebody needs help. We must all cooperate to look out for one other’s souls.
B. In order to aid their congregations, godly church leaders faithfully impart the truths found in God’s Word (13:7, 22).
The shepherds who taught the congregation about God are praised in verse 7. His own little “message of exhortation” is mentioned in verse 22. (the Epistle to the Hebrews). Not all elders need to “labor hard at teaching and preaching,” but those who do need financial support since they are “equipped to teach” (1 Tim. 5:17). It’s not easy, but it’s really fulfilling at the end. Paul’s parting remarks to Timothy were a powerful message (2 Tim. 4:1-5),
In the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His coming and His kingdom, I solemnly charge you to preach the word; to be ready in season and out of season; to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, in order to have their ears tickled, they will gather around them teachers who will cater to their particular whims, and so they will stop listening to the truth and start believing the myths. Sober up, do the evangelist’s work, and finish your mission.
C. When leading the church, a godly leader should seek the happiness and spiritual growth of the congregation they serve (13:17).
To put it bluntly, “Let them accomplish this with joy and not with anguish, for this would be unprofitable for you,” which evidently extends beyond the leaders’ happiness to the happiness and spiritual profit of all the members. Those who follow Christ in their daily lives will experience His delight (John 15:10-11). When they witness their followers following the truth, spiritual leaders are filled with joy (3 John 4).
D. Church members are helped when their leaders emphasize God’s grace (13:25).
The greeting “Grace be with you all” is more than just polite formality. It’s a common theme in the New Testament, a spiritual goal, and a point of attention. Jesus, “by the grace of God… might taste death for everyone,” he wrote in Hebrews (2:9). He told us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so mercy and help in time of need may be ours” (4:16). He has already admonished us not to fall short of God’s grace (10:29) and not to offend the Spirit of grace (12:15). It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, Jesus said in 13:9, therefore avoid being legalistic.
Leaders in the Christian community have a duty to foster an atmosphere of God’s grace, which is lacking in far too many churches and homes. Grace never gives us permission to disobey God, but rather it compels us “to refuse ungodliness and worldly cravings and to live rationally, righteously, and godly in this age” (Titus 2:11-12). God’s grace is a source of forgiveness and restoration when we fall short and make mistakes (which we all do). Grace from God is kind and gentle, helping the weak to become stronger in their faith.
