Miscellaneous Leadership Principles
In the Gospel
of Matthew, there are a variety of leadership principles that we can learn,
apply and study in one teaching. One of
these principles I have already taught you is in the section referred to as Basics.
This teaching
covers completely the subject of ‘burning the chaff’ -- which means to get rid
of all the junk and unneeded materials that are hanging around your home. Jesus Christ stressed this principle to a
great degree and I have taught it to you in a teaching called The Importance of Burning the Chaff. I suggest that you study this teaching in
great detail because it will help to deliver you in many areas of your life
that could be holding you back from more effectively living and moving God's
Word. Have you ever walked into
somebody's home or yard and there is junk all over the place? You can't seem to think straight, am I
correct? That is because devil spirits
hang out where there is junk and where there is filth.
Now lets get back to Matthew and study the following leadership
principles of Jesus Christ.
Blessed
are the poor [humble] in
spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do
hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled. Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see [understand] God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the
children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you. -- Matthew 5: 3–12
There is a lot of important doctrine here that Jesus Christ went over and in a manner familiar to an Advanced Class. He covered a number of principles that we are going to go over one by one so that we can understand God's Word and Jesus Christ.
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Blessed
are the poor [humble] in
spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. --
Matthew 5: 3
Let me give you
a literal translation of the first part of this verse from the Aramaic:
The King James
Version uses the word rucha, pneuma in Greek which is the English word
‘spirit’. The word ‘poor’ is humble in
their own spirit, or in themselves, in their own minds. When people are in this state of mind, they
are meek or teachable. For those people,
the reward is the kingdom of heaven. Is
this a leadership principle? The
greatest leader is always the greatest follower.
You must
remember that the King James Version is written in a format referred to as ‘Old
English’. The word ‘humble’ here is
referring to a believer that is teachable.
If a person is full of pride, it is impossible for him or her to be
teachable because they think they know it all.
Do you know some people like that?
I can remember clearly when I was that way. You just can't seem to relax and enjoy life
because you have put yourself on a pedestal and most people do not care to be
around that type of person. It results
in a very lonely life, but yet you go on and on thinking that you know it all
and that you're smarter than everyone else.
And then you reason it even farther to the point of rationalization,
figuring that the reason you are so lonely is because you are smarter than
everyone else. It's a big lie -- it's a
lie straight from hell. That's why Jesus
Christ covered this principle first, because it is so important to be teachable
or if you want to call it - to be humble.
The Aramaic text says to be without pride.
Working the
King James Version even farther, we should know that there are nine (9)
different usages of the word ‘spirit’ used in the Bible. This is usage 4 meaning the individual
entity or self often referred to as the heart. Blessed are the humble in the innermost part
of their being – in their heart.
To conclude
this principle and section, I am going to give you George M. Lamsa’s translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta – the ancient eastern text.
Blessed
are the humble, [Aramaic,
poor in pride, unassuming] for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. – Matthew 5: 3
The Aramaic
translation shows us that the word ‘poor’ should really be ‘humble’ – poor or
absent in pride. Keep in mind that the
Gospels were originally written in ARAMAIC and then later translated
into Greek.
One verse of
Scripture and we dug deep – and found great treasures – great wisdom! The Word of God is astounding. Now let’s move to the next verse.
Blessed
are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5: 4
The word
‘mourn’ here is defined in the Lexicon as to bewail or lament. This means to be sorrowful. Many times, as a result of the pressures or
tribulations this world brings upon us, we are human and we feel sorrow and
regret. Jesus Christ promises us that
although we are under such pressure from the god of this world, we will be
comforted. Let me give you a real life
example so that this can become living and real to you.
Less than four
years ago, I lost someone extremely dear to me.
They lived a long time, but it still seemed to cut my heart. I was very sorrowful and until lately, I
mourned almost every day over this incident.
God eventually comforted my heart by having me only remember all the
great times we had together and how I made sure that my ‘good friend’ had the
best life he could possibly have. And
also, God brought to mind the third heaven and earth (paradise again on earth)
where I would see my Buddy again. We
would spend time in the mountains together and experience great adventures
........... AND for all eternity! God comforted me and I needed this to go on –
to continue teaching and believing. God
is not a man that He can lie. God will
always come through for you. Sometimes
it seems to take forever – but God’s timing is perfect. When He makes something happen, it is the
EXACT RIGHT TIME.
Going again to
our Aramaic backup translation, Matthew 5: 4 is translated almost exactly the
same. The word ‘that’ is ‘who’ and that
is the only difference.
What a great
promise from Jesus Christ who always did and spoke God’s Will. If you’re feeling down about something, just
keep standing and God will comfort you.
Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain
in the Lord. -- I Corinthians 15: 58
Let’s go to the next verse in Matthew Chapter five (5). Only a few verses, but yet with a multitude of dynamic promises. I do not see how a person cannot get excited about the Word of God. God gives us all the answers – all we have to do is apply them by our own free will and the more than abundant life is ours.
Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. — Matthew 5: 5
One of the most
interesting words in this verse is the word ‘meek’. It means to endure all things with an even
temper; to be gentle and enduring. These
are qualities necessary for a person to be teachable, similar to being humble
in pride as we went over in verse 3 of this chapter above. Many people misinterpret this word ‘meek’ and
in turn, wrongly divide the Word. The
best association you can put in your mind regarding this word ‘meek’ is
TEACHABLE which is its proper usage in the context of most Scriptures.
We are heirs of
God and joint-heirs with Christ and that is why Jesus Christ says that the meek
shall inherit the earth.
That
the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. – Ephesians 3: 6
And
if ye be Christ’s, then are ye
Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. – Galatians 3: 29
Matthew 5: 5 is
important, simple and straightforward again illustrating another promise of God
to believers. The Aramaic translation is
also the same as the King James Version.
Blessed
are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled. –
Matthew 5: 6
This verse is
simple to understand. If a person is
searching for righteousness, they are searching for the true God. And God makes a promise here that those who
are hungry and thirst after righteousness shall be
filled. Literally, if you are searching
for God, God promises that you will find Him.
Getting into
more detail and research, the word ‘filled’ is the Greek word chortazo. This
kind of filling has variations depending upon the appetite of the individual
being filled. The more of God’s Word you
seek out, the more you will be filled.
Those who dig deep and study hard and do research will find the greatest
treasures. Lamsa’s
translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta gives
you a slightly different perspective of the verse and may help to open up your
understanding.
Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be well satisfied. – Matthew 5: 6
What I like
about the Aramaic translation is the fact that we really are searching for
justice, aren’t we? We realize that the
world is never fair and that oftentimes we are cheated out of our just
reward. Also, the ending of the verse is
comforting. We “shall be well
satisfied.”
For
the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall
not be ashamed [disappointed
in his or her expectation]. – Romans 10:
11
Isn’t that just
tremendous? Jesus Christ taught us this
leadership principle and in the New Testament God reminds us of this once
again. We shall (absolutely) be filled;
we shall be well satisfied; we will realize our expectations.
Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy. – Matthew
5: 7
This actually
is a very important principle that took me years to master. What Jesus Christ is saying is that if you do
not show mercy to others, you will not be granted mercy when you need it. Mercy is to have compassion on anyone by
actually relieving him or her, even though what he or she did might be
wrong. I had this experience
recently. Someone did something
regarding my website that simply was not in alignment and harmony with God’s
Word. It violated this principle among a
few others:
Let
all things be done decently and in order. – I Corinthians 14: 40
Instead of
getting angry, I asked the person to undo what they did and spent hours explaining
why. This person agreed to do what I
asked. That was mercy – trying to help a
person who may have intentionally or unintentionally done something wrong. Try it.
It works. When you screw up and
we all do, then you will be granted mercy.
The Aramaic translation is almost exactly the same.
Ok, we have
covered 7 of 12 Scriptures in this great section loaded with promises and
principles. Let’s move on.
Blessed
are the pure in heart: for they shall see [understand]
God. – Matthew 5: 8
“Pure in heart”
intrigues me. Let’s check it out.
‘Pure’ is
defined here as pure from everything that would change or corrupt the nature of
the subject with which it is combined; free from every stain odour, colour, or any useless
thing whatever; free from every false adornment.’
Something,
isn’t it? How are we ever going to
measure up to those requirements? By
renewing our minds to God’s Word. That’s
the only way. And I do love the part
that says to be free from “every useless thing”. There’s a lot of that in the world. Only the Word of God will set a person
free. Jesus Christ said it.
And
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. – John 8: 32
‘Heart’ here is
the innermost part of a person’s being.
That’s where we are to be pure.
It’s beautiful and amazing what God Almighty can do with words. But it is also amazing what we can do when we
apply those words in our life.
Now the second
part of the verse says that if we strive to be pure in heart by studying,
working and applying God’s perfect Word, THEN we will understand God. One of the definitions of the word “see” is to
truly comprehend or know. We should
know by now that God is invisible and no one literally sees God.
There is so
much truth here in one verse. How can
one help but get excited? The Aramaic
translation is the same as the King James Version.
Blessed
are the peacemakers for they shall
be called the children of God. – Matthew 5: 9
This verse says what it means and means what is says. Those who keep God first and offer the peace of God by speaking His Word to others shall be called the children of God. I like having God as my Father, don’t you? The Aramaic translation is almost exactly the same.
Blessed
are they which are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. –
Matthew 5: 10
The only reason
you are going to be persecuted is because you are speaking God’s rightly
divided Word and some people simply refuse to believe it. That’s their problem. They will point fingers at you and also
spread malicious lies about you. They
will do whatever they can to use your words against you. What does God say about this? He says you’re blessed. You
stand in good company along with the prophets of the Old Testament, Jesus
Christ, and all of the Apostles. I
always say to myself when the thorns in my flesh (people) make their
move……………….. “What did you expect? A
welcome wagon!” Do you expect the
adversary to lay out a red carpet for you?
He’s after the only thing that defeats him and that is God’s Word. When you’re in fellowship with the true God,
the enemy can only roar, but he cannot bite.
And he can roar loudly. Do not
let him scare you.
Ye
are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world. –
I John 4: 4
You’re better
off being persecuted for righteousness’ sake because if you conform to this
present world, you are going to be persecuted anyway. And what is the reward for handling this
persecution and tribulation? Eternal
life in the kingdom of heaven and the more than abundant life while on this
present second heaven and earth. I can
live with that, how about you? The
Aramaic translation is almost exactly the same.
Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile
you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. – Matthew 5: 11
If you’re not
getting persecution from the unbelievers, you’re not doing something
right. When people persecute me for no
apparent reason, I KNOW I am getting under the adversary’s skin. I love it.
This verse is really a continuation of verse 10. Jesus Christ drove the point home. Here’s a diamond I want you to never forget.
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my
soul; let them be turned backward, and
put to confusion, that desire my hurt [mentally].
– Psalm 70: 2
I have seen people that
persecuted me unjustly almost drop dead.
Did I wish it upon those people?
Of course not. They bring it upon
themselves. No one messes with God’s
kids and don’t ever forget it. The
Aramaic translation is very similar to King James. In conclusion, let’s move on to verse 12.
Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you. --
Matthew 5: 12
Again, this
verse is a continuation of the subject matter stated in verse 11 where Jesus
Christ draws a conclusion and repeats himself in the same manner that God
Almighty repeats Himself at times. When
God says something twice, it establishes that fact and that revelation will
absolutely come to pass.
And
for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God,
and God will shortly bring it to pass. – Genesis 41: 32
Twice
establishes it. We are to rejoice and be
exceedingly glad when we are persecuted by the idiots – when they speak evil
and lies about us for no apparent reason and unjustly. It takes guts and integrity to stand for the
Word of God in this day and age. The
God-rejectors, in reality are the cowards. We are the conquerors – more than
conquerors. Glory to God.
Now
unto him [God] that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power [dunamis
- inherent power] that worketh
in us. – Ephesians 3: 20
The main
question is how much are we allowing God to work in us. We must manifest the internal potential power
that we have within before God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think. We need not only to
believe what is written, but apply it.
We act first and then we see. You
need to put time aside to study God’s Word.
Then work it on your own. Get a
good Lexicon and any other research materials such as a large Concordance. You will find these tools invaluable for
finding the treasures in the Word as you dig deeper and deeper. Giving your all for God is truly life in the
fast lane – an adventure that is full of excitement and endless rewards.
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