Scripture clearly depicts the death and resurrection as the deliberate, eternal plan and purpose of God (Acts 2:23; Eph. 3:9-11; 1 Pet. 1:18-21). As we will note, the Gospel is also an organized eternal plan from which leaders can learn lessons.
Lessons Learned from the Organized Eternal Plan of God, the Gospel
1) Coordination of Events: God strategically planned the exact timing that Jesus would come to earth, what would be “his appointed season” (Titus 1:3). — “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” (Gal. 4:4-5) — That took coordination of many events over the course of time. He patiently waited for everything to fall into place so it was the best time in history for Jesus to come, the “fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4, NASB). God didn’t rush into this plan of salvation as a last ditch effort. It was an eternal plan, organized to happen at just the right time.
- Lesson for Leaders: Take the necessary time to arrive at God’s best. Don’t let impatience guide you but rather the plans and purposes of God. Look at the big picture, not just the immediate need.
2) Line of Authority: Though equal with God (Phil. 2:6), Jesus would take on the role of a servant as the Son, with God the Father. He would humble “himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:7-8)
- Lesson for Leaders: Line of authority doesn’t mean inequality but rather a way to eliminate confusion and chaos that would come from everybody doing their own thing. Since God is a God of order (1 Cor. 14:33), we should work toward a coordinated, orderly system of doing things.
3) Division of Work: God the Father sent the Son and ultimately raised Him from the dead. Jesus came to earth and died as the all-sufficient sacrificial Lamb for our sin. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to convict and convince us of our need of the Savior. We, and His disciples through the ages, would be His hands and feet in the world. — “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:17-21) — God doesn’t have to use us finite beings in His eternal plan but chooses us to be co-workers (1 Cor. 3:9). He thoroughly equips us through His Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and empowers us by His Spirit (Acts 1:8).
- Lesson for Leaders: Let’s not be so proud as to think we must do it all. No one person stands alone in God’s eternal plan regardless of how great and adept that person might be. We need each other to function as the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). That may mean the extra steps of training and providing needed resources to do the work, but in God’s design, everybody has a part (Eph. 4:16).
Go To: More Resources about the Gospel
All Posts about Organization:
- Organization Following God’s Purposes?
- The Cause and Effect Factor of Organization
- The Need for Fluidity in Organization
- Living Organism Needs Organization
- Organizational Structures Help or Hinder?
- Organization Because of Freedom in Christ?
- Organization Enhancing Ministry Not Entangling It?
- Organizational Skills of Jesus
- Why Organizational Skills When We Have God?
- Spiritually Gifted to Organize
- Praying About How to Organize to Best Accomplish Goals
- Rely on the Spirit, Not Organizational Efforts
- The Gospel, the Organized Eternal Plan of God
- Organizational Efforts with a Life-Giving Effect
- The Effects of Life-Giving Organizational Efforts
- The Right Reason for Organization
- Aligning Organizational Efforts with Scripture
- Organization Reliant on the Name of the Lord
- Grace Helps Keep Organization in Check
- Leader’s Role as a Guide in Organizational Efforts
- Perspective and Power Needed for Organization