209 What is servant leadership | nazareneisrael2house

What is servant leadership?

What went wrong in South Africa after the previous government elected by about 2 million voters of a nation of 4 million white people, ruled a nation of almost 40 million people of which the majority had no vote, were forced by the other nations of the world to allow for one man one vote in 1994? This was when the so-called new nation was formed by a very forgiving man with noble visions of what an ideal nation should be. Nelson Mandela was indeed a leader who cared more for his people and was not so-much interested in self-enrichment, as those who came after him. Nelson Mandela was a qualified lawyer with enough experience in South African law to establish a government that could inforce equality for all the citizens of the country and because he had the full cooperation of most of the leaders in the previous government with its strong sense of law enforcement that allowed for the newly established government to remain successful under his rule.

However, after Nelson Mandela became too old to continue as the President of South Africa, he handed rulership of the country to the next in line of his party, as is expected of any good leader. This left the country with a leadership vacuum, in that not one of his followers had any leadership experience or suitable qualifications for such a demanding task. Whereas Nelson Mandela had firm views of leading the nation into a non-racial society, political leaders of today reverted back to playing the blame game for their failures. South Africa’s previous state President admitted to having an affair with an HIV positive woman out of polygamous wedlock (he had numerous wives with many children), whilst functioning as the country’s head of Moral Regeneration. During his tenure his greed resulted in the state of South Africa been captured by wealthy businessmen from India, who sold government positions to people with no experience for a bigger stake in the South African mining industry, resulting in major failures of government departments and state owned companies. In addition he had umpteen corruption charges against him, which will waste millions of dollars trying to disprove his guilt for the next few years. Even though it initially appeared that President Zuma’s successor will bring back financial stability to the country, he continued using the blame game, where he blamed everything that went wrong in a by now failing democracy on the white minority, getting his followers to believe that the whites illegally obtained everything they ever had from the indigenous people of the country, without acknowledging that they took over a fully functioning country in which the whites established Eskom a power utility that provided electricity for the people of South Africa non-stop until after it started failing because of maladministration and corruption, in the same way most of the state owned companies like the South African railways, airways, steel manufacturing corporation (Iscor), Arms manufacturer (Denel), fuel from coal (Sasol) companies failed in recent years, because of affirmative action policies that ensured that only blacks could manage these state owned companies. Things have deteriorated so much that the government is busy changing the property laws of the country, so that they may take any white property for redistribution to black citizens without compensating the owners for it. As a result of the greed awakened by these changes and other public statements by black leaders, thousands of white farmers have been murdered since 1994. In addition the legal, education and law enforcing agencies is also failing because of mismanagement and corruption and there is almost no way to ensure that it will ever come right again, unless Messiah will truly take over rulership when He returns to rule the world from Jerusalem, to establish Elohim’s kingdom on earth as it is now in heaven.

The problem with today’s world is that people put themselves forward as leaders and actively canvass for support and votes, not because of their inherent beliefs and qualities, but as leaders of the movements they represent. The fact is that leadership is a value all of its own and there is nothing more dangerous than a leader who wants to be a leader. The last thing you want is someone who wants the power and the limelight, but incapable of administrating the country. Democracy means rulership of the people by the people and even though it is better than most of its alternatives, it often fails because leaders do not always hold to the ideals they presented in their election manifesto for very long after being elected into power. Another truism is that YHVH gives a nation the leadership they deserve and has been punishing the Israelite nations of the world because they have totally forgotten where their blessings came from. A Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman quotes from the Gemara that predicts the type of leadership we will have in the end of days before Messiah comes to rule the world from Jerusalem. It says that that generation will have the face of a dog. A dog runs ahead but always looks backward to see where its master is going. As a result the leadership of the Israelite nations has been deteriorating commensurate with the way in which its people live. We read about the condition most of the Israelite nations are like at this time from Hosea 4: 1 - 6, as follows: ‘Listen to the word of YHVH, O sons of Israel, for YHVH has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of Elohim in the land. (2) There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. (3) Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky; and also the fish of the sea disappear. (4) Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend (or argue) with the priest. (5) So you will stumble by day, and the prophet also will stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother (the reason for mentioning the Israelite mothers here is because mothers are supposed to teach their children Torah, but the mothers of the lost ten tribes have even forgotten what Torah is). (6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your Elohim, I also will forget your children.’

Yahshua taught His disciples the principle of servant leadership throughout His ministry and especially in John 13, when He washed His disciples’ feet before His last Passover. We read in John 13: 12 – 16, ‘And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? (13) You call Me Teacher and Master (MarYah in Aramaic meaning YHVH); and you are right, for so I am. (14) If I then, the Master and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (15) For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (16) Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.’ The point is that we are to follow Yahshua’s example in what He did and said whilst He was on earth. We need to study Yahshua’s life and ways in the Scriptures so that we may get to know Him and do what He taught. We read accordingly the parable that He taught His disciples in Luke 6: 39 – 49, as follows: ‘And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? (40) A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. (41) And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (42) Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. (43) For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit; nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. (44) For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. (45) The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. (Essentially meaning that we have to judge people by what they do and teach others to do.)” (46) “And why do you call Me, ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say? (Those who teach us should do and teach what Yahshua taught His disciples, whilst He was on earth) (47) Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: (48) he is like a man building a house, who dug deep (searched the Scriptures) and laid a foundation upon the rock (Messiah himself, not Peter, Paul or any other apostle); and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. (If our doctrine is based on the word of YHVH, or the teachings of Yahshua, we will withstand any storm). (49) But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” Ask yourself, who or what is the foundation of the group that you follow? Is it the rock of our Salvation Yahshua, or is it a group or leader, who teaches that they have been given the Oracles of Elohim, because the Jews were unfaithful? Do you follow the commandments of YHVH or the traditions of men?

Just as much as knowledge about the Scriptures are attained by learning from those who came before us, so do we have to learn from leaders who serve others rather that to lord it over those they lead, as Yahshua warned His disciples when there arose a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest in Luke 22: 25 & 26, saying: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ (26) But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” We need to understand that leadership for the work of Elohim is a calling. When we are humble and become teachable, then YHVH will reveal His ways and purpose to us. His purpose is to bring many sons to glory, so that Elohim and all humanity will be of the same family, as witnessed in Hebrews 2: 10 & 11 as follows: “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through suffering. (11) For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Even if this sounds unbelievable, you and I were created to be changed into spirit beings as the immortal children of YHVH our Elohim. We read this from one of the most inspiring passages that Rav Shaul wrote, in Romans 8: 16 and 17, saying: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of Elohim and fellow heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified (exalted) with Him.” We read the parable of the minas from Luke 19: 16 about the slave who used the mina that his Master gave him to make ten minas more. In verse 17 we see his reward for being industrious, as follows: “And he (his master) said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities.’” We understand that this parable is talking about Yahshua’s ascension to heaven, from where He will return to rule the world from Jerusalem, shortly. Those of us who have been called to be first fruits and who have used our minas (or talents) to increase the investment that YHVH made in us, will at Yahshua’s return be given authority to rule over cities under Him during His millennium rule. If we believe that we are going to rule over cities in the world to come, we need to start preparing ourselves for the Kingdom of Elohim. Yahshua will soon return as conquering King of the Kingdom of Elohim, as witnessed about His return in Revelation 19: 11 - 16, in this way: ‘And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (12) And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. (13) And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of Elohim. (14) And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. (15) And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and he treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of Elohim, the Almighty. (16) And on his robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND MASTER OF MASTERS.” Yahshua’s first coming fulfilled a vital role of the Gospel - His sacrifice to make possible the forgiveness and justification of a remnant of the lost ten tribes to return to the covenant they made with Elohim, together with the house of Judah at Mount Sinai, to finally enter His Kingdom and also to re-marry His bride the commonwealth of Israel. His Second Coming will be to establish that incredible Kingdom.

Those of us, who qualify to be in the first resurrection at Messiah’s return, will rule under Him as Kings and Priests for a thousand years as we read from Rev. 5: 10, “And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our Elohim; and they will reign upon the earth” and Rev. 20: 6 “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of Elohim and of Yahshua and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” However, we need to prepare ourselves to rule cities in the coming Kingdom of Elohim. The question is: How do we prepare for such a job function? The same laws and rules used to rule at the time of Moses will again be used in the Kingdom of Elohim. We will therefore rule according to the same “rules” set up by Elohim in Torah. It is accordingly important that we repent and return to Torah, so that we will be able to rule under Yahshua during His millennial Kingdom. When Yahshua the Messiah returns, He is going to change the attitudes of people. All the evil that Satan caused will be stopped. Crime will be eradicated by divine force and people will be re-educated to know and keep the Laws of Elohim for their own good. As priests under Yahshua we will assist Him in the re-education of people. We need to not only study Torah; we need to meditate on it day and night and ultimately develop the power of the sub-conscience mind. Much like a good golfer, we need to practice our shots – even think it through (meditate on hitting a perfect shot). Meditation feeds on the sub-conscience mind. The power of positive thinking is very important. We read in Joshua 1: 8 as follows: “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” We need to be mindful (think) that YHVH is with us, wherever we go. In Psalm 19: 14 we read: ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O YHVH, my rock and my Redeemer.’ We are what we believe and think. We read about this in Proverbs 23: 7 as follows: ‘For as he thinks within himself, so he is.’

Reliability is a key characteristic required in any group, club or association. There are people in our movement that we know we can count on whilst there are others who are inconsistent. A steadfast, faithful type of reliability is not easily to be found in society today. Look at the pattern that you have established in your own life. Do you recognize a model of reliability? What happens when things go wrong in your life? How will those who know you, like your spouse, your children and your friends, rate your reliability? Reliability is something that we learn by practicing it in all the areas of our lives, such as at work, in marriage, the way we teach our children and at Sabbath services. We have all seen a person/leader that is according to James 1: 8, ‘Being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.’ Such leaders and people cause more damage to our community than what they will ever understand. They hurt many people in a wake of disappointment, because they teach doctrines based on traditions of men. The pattern that they leave in the wake of false teachings and actions are evidenced by broken relationships. In addition they cause people to dishonor the Name of YHVH. Leadership is the ability to lead oneself on the right path and achieve mastery over one’s own desires. Those who are teaching us should be faithful no matter what happens. Faithfulness is a vital part of a believers walk with Elohim. It takes a very good follower to become a great leader. We read in 1 John 2: 3 - 6 talking about Yahshua, saying: ‘And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. (4) The one who says. “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (5) but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of Elohim has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him; (6) the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.’ David knew that it takes a good follower to become a great leader. He followed king Saul, even when king Saul wanted to kill him. This means that whilst you are following, you put aside your needs and wants, in order that through the present leader the plan of YHVH can be fulfilled. Whilst some are prepared to do this, others will shy away from it. There is a great deal to learn from following and supporting a good leader. Because of the inability of many to follow, there is a great deal of division in the Nazarene Israelite community at this time.

People will easily accuse or point out the imperfections of an earthly leader, even though perfection is not a prerequisite for leadership. Followers as well as their leaders need a great deal of the fruits of the Spirit to effectively follow and lead. This world is after all our training ground for leadership in the kingdom of Elohim. When Yahshua was on earth He was and still is our leader. However, He was also a follower, in that He said that He does or say nothing which His Father did not want Him to say and do. Yes, in Him the fullness of Elohim (Deity) dwells in bodily form (as per Colossians 2: 9), but we should also put on the mind of Messiah, so that we are controlled by Him, in what we do and say. Yahshua is our leader but as a follower of His Father YHVH, He was full of long-suffering and humility, as we read in Philippians 2: 8, as follows: ‘And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.’ YHVH is presently calling the Israelites whom He has dispersed amongst the nations of the world, to come out of bondage, like He did the ancient Israelites out of Egypt. At that time the Israelites moved forward as one, after YHVH displayed His power to deliver them from slavery in Egypt through a series of plagues. Today, people are coming out of the religions and education systems of the world in record numbers in search for a better way. But this time the process is slower and the journey is not very orderly. The reason for this is that people do not trust those in leadership any longer. In fact some do not even trust their parents and grandparents in respect of religious matters any longer and rightly so. We read fittingly in Jeremiah 16: 19, “O YHVH, my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress, to Thee the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited nothing but falsehood, futility and things of no profit.” There are many steps towards the restoration process and not all people are at the same level at the same time. Some started coming out many years ago, whilst others are only being called out at this time. It is for this reason that those that are coming out need people to guide them onto the right path.

Our Father YHVH is not an Elohim of confusion, as we read in 1 Corinthians 14: 33, ‘for Elohim is not an Elohim of confusion but of peace, as in all the congregations of the saints (believers).’ We should not be yoked together with unbelievers as we are told in 2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 18, ‘Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (15) Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (16) Or what agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim; just as Elohim said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR ELOHIM, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. (17) Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says YHVH. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; and I will welcome you. (18) And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says YHVH Almighty.’ We also read in Amos 3: 3, ‘Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment.’ As explained before, the word appointment comes from the Hebrew word transliterated as ‘mo’ed’, meaning Feast Day of Elohim. This verse is essentially saying that two cannot walk together, unless they agree on the timing of the Feast Days of Elohim. There is a great need for order in our community at this time. We need to start marching to Zion in an orderly fashion. Imagine the chaos if the Israelites did not have a leader. How long would they have lasted on their own? Ask yourself: How long will you and I last on our own? There was a time during which the nation of Israel were leaderless and they depended on their own independent accepted wisdom. We read about it in Judges 2: 19 & 20, as follows: ‘But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways. (20) So the anger of YHVH burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to My voice.’ Is that truly the legacy that we want to leave our children? We the Israel of Elohim are to become a nation that He wants to use as an example to the rest of the world: A light shining in the darkness. It was like that when Israel first left Egypt and it will be like that when Messiah returns. We should get to a point in our walk with YHVH our Elohim, where we are willing to lay aside personal preferences and agendas for the greater purpose of restoring the kingdom of Elohim. We should be people of whom YHVH will say, they are a people after My own heart, as He said of king David.

Spiritual authority is spoken about throughout the Scriptures. YHVH has always risen up those that he wanted to lead His people. In most of those times, the individuals that He chose did not seek such an office. Both Moses and Rav Shaul did not want to be leaders, but they were chosen and eventually fulfilled their calling. When looking at those that YHVH has chosen to lead His people at this time, we need to ask: Did they seek the office on their own, or did they consider their calling an obligation to serve YHVH our Elohim? Have they proven their faithfulness and reliability over a period of years, or are they new converts? A good example of how to identify a true leader is the instruction that Rav Shaul gave in 1 Timothy 3: 2 – 7, as follows: ‘An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (3) not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, un-contentious, free from love of money. (4) He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (5) (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the congregation of Elohim?); (6) and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil. (7) And he must have a good reputation with those outside the congregation, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.’ In addition we should consider whether the Spiritual leader who we are following, is busy building his own kingdom, or proclaiming the Kingdom of Elohim? There are many leaders today who are trying to build a kingdom of their own design. Their despotic approach is usually masked by accusations against those who question them, along with claims that ‘YHVH told me so, or the Spirit laid it upon my heart’. Leaders must in the most be about our Father’s business, and not be busy doing their own commercial business. When we want to understand whose kingdom a leader is busy building, we need to ask the following pertinent questions:

a. Is the leader promoting Torah, otherwise known as the instruction manual of YHVH? The foundation or cornerstone of the Kingdom of Elohim is Yahshua the rock of our Salvation, also known as the Word of YHVH or embodiment of Torah. It is impossible for anyone to build the kingdom of Elohim, without being grounded in Torah. In addition those who deny the Oneness of Elohim are denying or contradicting YHVH and His Word.

b. Does the leader question the writings of Rav Shaul? It is usually after denying the writings of Rav Shaul, that such people start making up their own doctrines, which remain the function of Judah until Messiah comes to rule the kingdom of Elohim.

c. Does the leader hold onto Yahshua, whilst rejecting parts of Torah? We need to remember Yahshua’s own words in this respect in Matthew 5: 18 & 19, as follows: “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. (19) Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” So the question to answer: Is the earth still here? If so, then YHVH our Elohim’s Torah is still in force today.

d. In the same way those leaders in the house of Israel who hold to Torah, whilst denying the authority of Yahshua might miss their eternal reward. We read in Jeremiah 8: 9, “The wise men are put to shame, they are dismayed and caught; behold, they have rejected the word of YHVH, and what kind of wisdom do they have?”

e. There are those in the Nazarene Israelite faith, who go to people who do not believe in Yahshua, but contradict what He said in the Renewed Covenant, regarding the Pharisees.

f. Does the leader have the fruits of the Spirit in his life; does he love the brethren enough to teach them freely to serve and obey YHVH only. Is he a servant leader or does he lord it over the people that he teach. However, do not forget that we as Nazarene Israelites are watchmen over the people of Israel, and according to Isaiah 58: 1, should: “Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, and declare to My people their transgressions, and to the house of Jacob their sins.” Leaders should generally live by and have higher standards than those who follow them. They should have evidence of the fruits of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5: 22 & 23 in their lives. The example that a leader sets is very important in today’s world. We read in James 3: 1, ‘Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.’ We need to ensure that the leader we follow is a true servant-leader, fully aware of this section of the Scriptures in James 3.

g. There are many in our Nazarene Israelite community who get the jitters when someone mentions authority. The abuses of our past lives are automatically transferred to expect future abuses. However YHVH said in Jeremiah 23: 4, ‘“I shall also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares YHVH.’ Lazy spiritual habits have led to people blindly accepting doctrines of men, instead of verifying the things they are taught, by self-study and checking if things are indeed so. Because people have in the past accepted false teachings, there are thousands of denominations and different groups today. We should not be a people who take the easy way out. Let us check each new teaching that we receive, by checking the Scriptures to see if things are as the teaching states it.

Let’s learn from our past mistakes, but not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Each member of the body of Messiah is required for the body to function properly. When anyone fails to walk in his calling, the entire body is affected negatively. Let us come to order and plan to stop the bickering, strife and jealousy, which leads to unnecessary division. We should pray for those sending us Torah based teachings. We should pray for proper guidance and Spirit filled teachings from those who are followers of Yahshua. Let us ask YHVH through Yahshua to send us good leaders, but also to become good followers. After all, we have been saved from more than the state capture of the South African government by influential citizens from another nation; we have been saved from the capture of the entire house of Israel by Esau under the guise of the Roman Catholic Church and are privileged to be about our Father’s business once again. Let’s therefore determine to do things Elohim’s way and leave our children a legacy of orderly believers which are prepared to usher in the kingdom of Elohim. Let’s also pray earnestly for Elohim’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, as the only solution to the vacuum in leadership that the world is experiencing during these end times. Think about it!