SERIES: “Galatians: The Gospel For Everyday Life”

TEXT: Galatians 4:12-20

MESSAGE: Gospel Ministry: Signs of Healthy Leadership

“A heart that is formed by greed, pride, self-centeredness, and anger will very quickly adopt forms of living that affirm the power structures of this world, the flesh, and the devil (even within the church).” ― Jamin Goggin

Q: How is healthy ministry/leadership formed?

What are the signs of a healthy ministry/leadership from today’s text? We see Paul answer this in three ways — through Gospel: (1. Centrality 2. Humility 3. Vulnerability)

Gospel Centrality (v.12)

“Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.”

“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles…“ — Galatians 1:13-16

“(When Paul says ‘Be like me’) this is not arrogance. If Paul had only said: “Be like me” without becoming “like them”, then this would be an indicator of pride. But Paul is not urging them to be as right as he is, but as joyful as he is.” — Timothy Keller

2. Gospel Humility (v. 13-14)

“You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus…“

“…In ancient Rome, humility was a negative word associated with defeat. Humility before the gods and emperors was advised, but humility towards an equal was regarded as ill-informed. One of the prized virtues was “love of honor.” Academic research found that a humility revolution took place in the middle of the first century. Not only because of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ crucifixion changed the way people understood greatness and humility. The cross of Christ was contrary to the understanding of greatness in the ancient world.” — John Dickson

3. Gospel Vulnerability (v. 16-20)

“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” — CS Lewis

“A gospel-energized ministry does not need to have fans who are emotionally dependent on the leaders. It seeks to please God, assured of salvation through faith. These false teachers, on the other hand, are ministering not because they are sure of their salvation but in order to be sure of and win their salvation. Just as they are calling the Galatians to earn their salvation through works, so they are earning their salvation through works—it is salvation-by-ministry. This means that they need, emotionally, to have people who emotionally need them. They need their converts and their disciples to be wrapped up in their leaders, obeying and adoring them. Only this can assure them that they are good and great believers, truly blessed and favored by God.” — Timothy Keller

“…with a higher value on transparency, authenticity, and vulnerability in the church, there is a dark “flipside” that we need to be aware of, a phenomenon I call “fauxnerability ”…Fauxnerability is a twisted form of vulnerability. It has the appearance of transparency but serves only to conceal one’s deepest struggles.” — Chuck Degroat

Here are some distinctions [vulnerability v. fauxnerability] (by Chuck Degroat): 

• Constant Contradictions
• Discloses only past struggle
• Staged fauxnerability
• Victim mentality
• Lack of curiosity
• Oversharing
• Self-referencing

TAKEAWAYS: Let’s ask God to help us…

• • Reflect on what really matters
  • Wisely examine motivations
  • Learn true humility & vulnerability

“Our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished his mighty purpose by becoming weak…He does not save men today by the strength of his ministers, but by their weakness…” — Charles Spurgeon