5 Smooth Stones

Chapter Twenty-Six

DIOTREPHES THE SPIRIT THAT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE

S ome time ago while meeting with pastors of various congregations in our city, we were discussing the biblical viewpoint of one church, ecclesia, in a city or region. We see this throughout the New Testament where churches are addressed as “the church in Ephesus, the church in Corinth, the church in Smyrna, the churches of Galatia.” Then you also see Paul address the church in “the house of Aquilla and Priscilla, Nympha, Archippus, Stephanas” and others; you also see the church meeting from house to house and in the temple. As we were discussing these things I pointed out that we could view ourselves as one church in our city with many shepherds functioning as “under shepherds” under One Shepherd. While we were one ecclesia in the city, we met in many di ff erent locations and congregations. We could see this as the church, or, more clearly, the congregation that meets in so-and-so’s house, and we could see ourselves, in the biblical sense, as the elders of the church in our city. I made the comment that I was looking forward to the day when we could clearly see ourselves as under shepherds, serving under One Shepherd, over one church in our city. I was li tt le surprised when one of the other pastors said with sort of a snide in fl ection, “Well Lloyd, are you applying for the job?” While I was a li tt le shocked, I commented that I was speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ as The Shepherd. I had hoped that was clear, but apparently I was not clear enough, and the others got a laugh at his expense. I think this view is a problem in the church - too many leaders do not see themselves as under shepherds under The Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Of all the major faith and belief systems on the earth, only Christianity still has its founder available to lead His followers with His leadership. We ac tually have access through the Holy Spirit to the living Lord Jesus Christ who continues His earthly ministry through His ministers while seated at the right hand of God. Yet, when I begin to speak about these things, in practical non-theoretical terms, I often encounter disbelief and even unbelief amongst leaders in the church. It is not a theory that Jesus is alive and avail able to shepherd His church through His under shepherds.

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