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LEADER.L06
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1992-10-28
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TO THE GLORY OF GOD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Study No 6
DISQUALIFIED FROM LEADERSHIP
We are a Kingdom of Priests unto God (1 Peter 2:5) and those with
a Ministry Gift have a greater degree of responsibility as a priest.
Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and
Pharisees, Matthew 5:20. On this basis it is clear that the standard
required for New Testaments priests must be higher than for Old
Testament priests.
The pattern of priorities in ministry is established by the
procedure of the Old Testament priests. They ministered first to the
Lord, then to the House of God (fellow priests), then to the world
(congregation).
Leviticus 21:16-24 establishes twelve disqualifications for Old
Testament priests. Each of these characteristics has a spiritual
significance which applies to all New Testament priests in general and
to the Ascension Gift Ministries in particular. Any blemish
whatsoever eliminated him from effective ministry.
1. BLINDNESS
This refers to a minister who has no VISION. He cannot see
afar off, 2 Peter 1:9. The blind minister lives for today only.
He is constantly reacting to or being manipulated by situations
instead of being in control. He has lost his way and groping in
the dark for direction. Proverbs 29:18 declares, "where there is
no progressive vision, the people run amuck". Vision is the
prime criteria for an effective and God-blessed ministry. It is
understanding God's ways, Exodus 33:13.
The classic Bible case of this blemish is Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-
2). He was physically blind, but also spiritually dull. He
misinterpreted Hannah's intercession, his own sons ran amuck,
was by-passed by God for the child Samuel, and presided over
Israel's Ichabod period - "the glory is departed".
2. LAMENESS
a) This blemish prevents the minister from making progress. He can't
walk in the purposes of God. Victory over the land of Canaan was
promised to Joshua only as the sole of his feet stood upon each
place (Joshua 1:3). The Word urges to "go on to perfection" (Heb.
6:1); to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).
The lame minister is not moving on. He has parked when he is
comfortable. He makes no progress in his own spiritual life and
cannot lead his church to be effective or grow.
b) This can also refer to the minister being unbalanced. His
lameness will cause him to put all his weight on one leg instead
of it being evenly distributed. The end result of an unbalanced
ministry is to go round in circles
3. FLAT NOSE
This is not a deformity and has nothing to do with the shape
of the nose. It means that he has no olfactory sense. He can't
smell. The minister with this blemish has no sense of perception,
and as a result he is prone to DECEPTION. He cannot smell the
difference between what is wholesome and what is corrupt. He
will not be able to determine what is acceptable to God (Phil.
4:18), nor will he be aware of uncleanness in the Church. 1
Corinthians 5:2. The Corinthian Church had no perception of the
falseness that was among them.
4. ANYTHING SUPERFLUOUS
The priest with this problem may have had six toes or
fingers, or some other congenital deformity. It refers to an
excess of flesh. Any minister that lives out of fleshly
motivations is headed for trouble in his ministry. An
uncrucified life will demand satisfaction for itself and
disqualify from ministry.
a. Isaac was beguiled into depriving Esau of his rightful blessing by
his flesh trouble. His passionate love of venison (flesh) was his
undoing. Genesis 27. (He was also blind).
b. Uzziah attempted to take another man's ministry and the hidden
flesh trouble (pride) manifested in the form of leprosy. 2
Chronicles 26:14-21.
c. Samson forfeited his ministry and call to be the deliverer of
God's people by:
i) Being the friend of the world - the enemies of God's people.
James 4:4.
ii) He squandered his anointing and God-given gifts through
sexual immorality - the most damaging of all sins of the
flesh. The minister who does not keep himself sexually pure
in his relationships with the people destroys his credibility
with the people and generally will never rise to the full
expression of his potential again.
d. Esau sold his birthright for one morsel of meat (flesh) and could
not regain that blessing again though he sought it carefully with
tears. Heb. 12:16.
e. Paul said that he beat his body (flesh) and subdued it lest when
he preach to others he might be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:27.
5. BROKEN FEET
a. This man is unable to take a stand. He is afflicted with the
dread disease of compromise. He is blown about be every wind of
doctrine. Ephesians 4:14. He is influenced by people's attitudes
and expectations and does not stand for God and truth.
The Bible says that God will make our feet like hind's feet. 2
Samuel 22:34. In other words we are enabled to stand safely in
the most precarious places in our ministry without falling. We
must be surefooted.
The Word declares that we must have the devil under our feet. We
have to stand in the veil day and having done all, to stand. Eph.
6:12-18, Rom. 16:20. This is not possible with broken feet.
b. Some can't stand the pressure of life. The cares of this life and
the deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:19) are too much for the
broken-footed minister.
c. Indecisiveness or Division will destroy our ability to take a
stand - Matthew 12:25. Note also 1 Cor. 16:13, Gal. 5:1, Phil.
1:27, 4:1, 1 Thess. 3:8, 2 Thess. 2:15.
d. Our standing must be rooted in total dependency on God and not in
self-confidence. 1 Cor. 10:12.
6. BROKEN HANDS
a. This is the problem of the priest who is unable to get a grip on
things. He is afflicted with NEGLECT. The Bible declares that we
must "hold fast the things we have learned" - Titus 1:9, Heb. 2:1.
We must also hold fast sound words (2 Timothy 1:13), our
confidence and rejoicing (Heb. 3:6), the confession of our faith
(Heb. 10:23), that which is proved and good (1 Thess. 5:21), and
that we already have (Rev. 3:11), and neglect not the Gift of God
in us (1 Timothy 4:14).
b. He also lets opportunity slip through his fingers. He cannot
capitalize on God's blessings to him and is always waiting for
someone to do it for him, or for a miracle to descend from heaven
with no involvement by himself.
7. CROOKBACKED
a. The priest with this blemish was either weak in his back, or had a
hump back. In either case he could not carry a load. The New
Testament Priest is not only required to bear his own burden, but
to hear those of others as well (Gal. 6:5,2, Romans 15:1).
In addition to this, the true ministry is required to take up the
cross daily - Matthew 16:24, and Luke 14:27.
b. He will be able to bear temptation - 1 Cor. 10:13. eg. Joseph
c. He can also bear persecution - Gal. 6:17, 2 Cor. 11:24-28.
d. One of the common problems of today in ministry is men who cannot
cope with life. The man of God had dealt with all areas of
weakness and is not emotionally, psychologically, temperamentally
or spiritually unable to cope with the challenges of the work of
God. He has disciplined himself to develop strength in all these
areas. Jesus said "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." The
minister who is having trouble with his back should cast all his
cares on Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7.
Psalm 55:22 says "cast your burden on the Lord and He shall
sustain thee". The marginal reference for "burden" is "gift". If
the gift we have received of the Lord or our calling becomes
onerous, draw only on his strength and you will find His burden is
light.
8. DWARF
a. This priest is underdeveloped or immature. He hasn't grown up or
his development has been stunted by some interference with the
growth process. To be effective in ministry we must be constantly
growing in the Lord, 2 Peter 3:18. We must stop growing until we
reach full stature - Eph. 4:13.
b. Paul said he couldn't write to the Corinthians as mature people,
but as to babies - 1 Cor. 3:1-3. Their immaturity was caused by
carnality.
c. Paul also says that when he became a man, he put away childish
things, 1 Cor. 13:11, and likens understanding to maturity. 1
Cor. 14:20. The deficiency of wisdom knowledge and understanding
will stunt the growth of the priest of God. Seek wisdom. It is
the principle thing. Prov. 4:7.
d. Immaturity is overcome by giving out to others what we have been
taught. In other words it is the discipling process. We cannot
be effectively discipled without discipling someone else. Heb.
5:12-13.
e. Full maturity also means that the minister, by reason of use (or
experience) is able to discern what is good and evil. Heb. 5:14.
9. BLEMISH IN THE EYE
This man is colour blind. He is confused. He finds it
difficult to get guidance because all things look the same to
him. He may be in this condition because he needs to remove a
beam from his eye (Matt. 7:1-5). His problem of confusion, ie.
not seeing clearly (v.5) is probably related to hypocrisy - a
double standard.
10. SCURVY
This condition is caused by a deficiency of diet - actually a lack
of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is common among those who get
no fresh food. This minister lives on a diet of cut and dried
spiritual food. His diet is preserved stuff from a previous
generation. He has no fresh revelation. He does not comprehend
"present truth" - 2 Peter 1:12. Like the Laodiceans, he feels he
has "arrived". There is nothing more to be gained from God. Rev.
3:17.
11. SCABBED
This minister is one who has been hurt and is imperfectly healed.
He still has a sensitive spot. He can be immobilized by having
it hurt again. He is constantly needing to protect himself and
cannot be open with people or take any risks lest his sore spot
be touched. This will most often be in the emotional area. He
needs to lay hold of the ministry of Jesus who "came to heal the
brokenhearted" - those bruised through the calamities of life.
Luke 4:18.
12. EUNUCH
The priest who is sterile and cannot reproduce himself is
disqualified from ministry. This work of God is not to be led by
professional theorists, but by those who can practice what they
preach and impart it to others also. Matt. 23:2-3. 2 Timothy
2:2. The minister must be challenging and inspiring. His life
must be an example for others to follow. He must cause an impact
on the life of those that hear him.
This priest who was disqualified to minister for God could
receive, but he could not give out, Leviticus 21:22-23.
Unlike the Old Testament priest who was unable to change his
condition, the New Testament priest can find a solution to his
disqualification. He can be healed or restored. However, he
must make restoration the top priority of his if he expects to be
effective for God.
END of STUDY SIX