The Transition Of Leadership

Acts 1:9-14

Jesus had spent forty days after his resurrection teaching and preparing the apostles to take full responsibility for continuing what he had begun, establishing the church and spreading the gospel. Coupled with the three years as his disciples, they were now prepared for the work, and it was time for them to assume the responsibility.

In teaching someone to ride a bicycle, there comes a time when the teacher must trust turn loose and allow the student to have full control. In doing so, there is the danger of them falling, but if they are not allowed to they will never develop the skill to ride alone. Refusal to allow children makes them dependent on their parents, hindering their full maturity. Bailing out a business makes it dependent on the rescuer, as demonstrated by the fact that Chrysler has now had to be bailed out three times.

The same principle applies in the church. Leaders who retain control prevent their pupils from developing fully. The reason many churches never become self supporting is that the Missionary or group that started are not willing to allow them to fail. While that is a definite risk, and some do, if the new leaders have been properly selected and trained, the risk is minimal, especially if the old leader is available for consultation. As Christian parents, and leaders, our job is to develop others who trust the Lord and don’t depend on us.

Inevitably, one day the current leader will no longer be able to lead, and if no arrangements have been made to develop the next generation, the dependent will have to learn to stand alone, collapse, or turn elsewhere for leadership. While it is ego pleasing and often financially lucrative to have people dependent on us, it is disastrous for them. It is critical that we complete the third part of the Great Commission, training them to do everything he commanded. If we don’t, we have not fulfilled the great commission, no matter how many we have had saved. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus stepped completely out and left the apostles on their own, with full authority and power to do the work.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)

I can only imagine the ascension, as I have never seen anything like it. It would have been as amazing to see Jesus ascend into heaven as it was to see him walking on the water, or vanishing or appearing. The disciples had been frightened by some of those events and amazed by all of them, so I imagine they were just standing around with their mouths hanging open at this sight. Elisha was definitely amazed when Elijah went into heaven.

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11)

Essentially, the angels reminded them that they had a job to do, and it wouldn’t be accomplished while they stood around looking up into heaven. The Lord will return at the proper time and standing around looking up to heaven may well prevent completing the task Jesus has given. Rather than an excuse for standing around looking for his return, the knowledge that he will ought to inspire us to get busy at the job which is what the disciples did.

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:12-14)

Jesus had commanded them to wait until the Holy Spirit came upon them, and that is what they did, filling the time in prayer and supplication. There was a unity of purpose in the in their prayers. Matthew 18:19-20 promises, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Such unity is critical for accomplishing God’s work. When unity is lacking, it is a clear sign of a carnal state, according to I Corinthians 3:3 “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” The focus is on human goals rather than on God’s. James 3:16 warns, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Conflict always results in sin.