Author: missionspaul

Leaders often feel the pressure to be someone strong, to have everything worked out, competent, smiling all the time and 100% holy in everything they think, speak and do. Every leader knows this is not only a false image but totally unlivable.

Paul’s leadership letter to Timothy is this: You need grace as much as anyone so live like that – and in doing so you will create the space for others to find hope in their journey too.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1 v 15-16)

So what is this leadership example?

Paul had a testimony. This testimony became his most powerful leadership tool. When he speaks of God’s mercy, this is not some theology, this is a lived-out experience. Those who are able to articulate their own personal struggles and need of God’s mercy build bridges to those they lead.

Paul has needed patience. Not for others but for himself from Christ. Jesus Christ has worked with a flawed Paul and in the end produced transformation. In the same way the leader expresses patience to those who have made mistakes, recognising that character development takes time and understanding that you too haven’t arrived.

Paul leaves a legacy. Paul is cultivating future leadership by showing God can use anyone – even the worst of sinners. Instead of looking at the shortcomings, the sin and what is wrong with the person, can you see their leadership potential? The next leader could come from an unexpected place.

This is the leadership example from these 2 sentences of Paul.

Paul’s leadership letter to his son in the faith, Timothy, is life-changing or could be if leaders heard and walked it out. 

Leadership does not create a culture of suspicion, scepticism or a desire to scrutinise if it was possible to get near that leader to do so. It doesn’t manipulate, build fear and uncertainty, is not unpredictable, it does not boast, does not need titles, is not demanding of respect and if all I am mentioning equals power, then leadership, certainly godly leadership, is not power. 

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Paul uses this phrase, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance” 5 times in his letters. So it’s important!!

Leadership is not about power but it is about self-awareness.

We live in a world when leaders hide the truth of who they are. Paul didn’t. He was the worst of sinners. This was not great publicity and effective social branding. Who would want to follow this leader? 

Yet Paul shows us that true leadership strength emerges not from projecting perfection, but from understanding and acknowledging their own flaws and failures. When this happens they create space for growth—both in themselves and in those they lead.

The big question good leaders keep asking is this: how do people perceive me? And they ask trusted people for the answer instead of what they see when they glance into the mirror of their good sermons and growth of their ministry. That fruit is not the key performance indicator on how well they are doing as a leader. Self-awareness is. Power is nothing compared to this.

I am trying to view this letter through the filter of leadership because it is a private letter to Timothy, a leader and a son in the faith for Paul. There are more leaders than we realise, not only those behind pulpits, but parents, grandparents and in every sector. Even if you think you’re not a leader then these lessons are still for your Christian discipleship.

These next few verses are powerful because they reveal the foundation for good leadership from an honest appraisal of Paul’s own life. Every thought, word, response and action reveal what is underneath and what no one can see, the bedrock.

 ^“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1 v 12-14)

If this bedrock is not there then eventually the building will collapse. So what is it?

• Gratefulness.

The position of any leader and any Christian has not come about because of some mere achievement. Paul acknowledges who is his bedrock – Jesus Christ. It is a privilege and a responsibility to serve as a leader. When there is zero entitlement and simply total gratitude then it completely changes the leader’s perspective on what they have become, what they do, how they speak and respond. It is chalk and cheese. Entitlement will turn your stomach when you see it but gratitude will draw you closer to the leader. The reason being is that gratitude lays a pathway where everyone is valued not used.

• Reliance.

No one has all the answers. A leader should be able to be heard to say, ‘I don’t know’. Pride destroys many leaders and the key is to know there your reliance is. Paul says Christ Jesus has given him strength.

• Trust.

Paul says Christ Jesus considered him trustworthy. Character matters more than credentials. There is no gifting that outweighs trust. It is built through integrity, consistency and reliability. It takes a long time to build and it can come falling down in a moment of madness.

• Vulnerability.

Paul was honest about his past. He doesn’t re-write history. He doesn’t hide his mistakes. This isn’t about making yourself the centre of everyone’s titillating interest but it helps to show you are human and have failed in the past. The problem comes when a person never sees they’ve made a mistake.

• Grace and Mercy.

Paul says he was shown mercy and grace was poured out on him. He became a strong influential leader because he experienced the God of second chances. These form the bedrock of our lives. Without them we will struggle to be the leader God calls us to be.

Leaders need to believe not only in the gospel but also conviction and self-awareness.

In these next few verses Paul is speaking of the Old Testament Law. The law pointed to Christ and Christ fulfilled the law. Christians are saved because of the gospel of Jesus Christ but we still need the motivation and the heart of the law. Why?

^“ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” (1 Timothy 1 v 8-11)

• Every leader needs a mirror.

We need to know we fall short of God’s standard. We need a mirror that declares a self-awareness. We need to be able to examine our own hearts. We need conviction. The list isn’t to condemn, if it was, we need a bigger list. It is helping us to understand that we need the gospel of grace and we need constant transformation.

• Every leader needs to be able to create safe spaces.

Structures, standards, policies, ‘lists’ are not for restriction but protection of individuals within community. For people to flourish they need the safe places where there is no fear of manipulation or harm.

• Every leader needs to lead with more grace rather than rules alone.

The gospel is the transformative power that changes hearts and lives. The rules reveal the problem but it is the grace of this gospel that brings the solution. You can usually see grace and you can definitely see the effect where there are only rules. Leaders who operate without grace and only use the rules often find themselves needing grace but only being given the rules. We reap what we sow.

• Every leader has been given a sacred trust.

Paul notes that the gospel of grace was entrusted to him. We need to handle our position carefully and that means to be good stewards of the gospel not only in the pulpits but shepherding those in the pews.

• Every leader must hold to sound doctrine.

There needs to be a standard that can be measured. This means Biblical truth not cultural trends or some soap-box opinion. So we need Truth. In what is preached and what is lived.

Paul’s instruction to the leader Timothy applies today.

How can we create environments where people flourish? How can we lead when people around us make it difficult at times? Stay and stand.

In these next few verses I offer 3 leadership lessons to those who are currently appointed into a position of leadership and have to make a stand for what they have been called to.

“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” (1 Timothy 1 v 3-7)

• Protect from drift.

There are certain people, not everyone, but some, who may have a loud voice, they may be influential, so they think, who want to dilute or distract others from your core message. Whether that be the gospel or your church vision and strategy, these people want to cause a drifting away from all you have invested in. They may not know they are doing it and others may be blinded by their passion but it is endangering a derailing of all you believe. Your role is to stay and protect against this. Keep the alignment of your church and ministry intact.

• Don’t waste time.

There isn’t anything wrong with debate and theorising but strategic discussion and planning is better. There isn’t anything wrong with criticism but when it destroys it becomes the antithesis of constructive feedback. There isn’t anything wrong with confidence but it can hide incompetence. If a leader refuses to permit being challenged because they are always right, then they are definitely wrong. Your role is to stay and make sure you build a culture of life-giving authority.

• Character, character, character.

We have heard all our lives that character is more important than gifting and all of our life we see gifting being discussed, promoted and celebrated more than character. But it is character that will bring everything crashing to the floor or keep everything steady and sure. Your role is to stay and lead with a pure heart. Your motivations matter. Ask this question. Why? It is the best question to ask yourself. Stay and lead with a good conscience. This will bring the confidence and authenticity that is needed. Stay and lead with a sincere faith. Your deep conviction creates genuine leadership influence.

Sometimes the most courageous thing a leader can do is to stay and speak truth in love because what you allow to grow will either cause drift, waste your time or weaken your character instead of advancing the work God has called you to.

It is probably around AD64. The previous year Paul had been released from his first imprisonment and visited Ephesus leaving Timothy there to lead the work. This is his personal letter to his son in the faith. This is his mentoring, coaching, leadership course all bound up in this letter. It is treasure to every Christian but especially those who lead others in all capacities.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, ² To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1 v 1-2)

From these 2 verses I am thinking of leaders and those who follow leaders. I see this:-

1. Follow and lead from a divine calling and a divine purpose. Run away from self-promotion and resist the temptation to think about yourself in terms of what you think you deserve. True authentic leadership serves someone greater. It is not a desire for a bigger stage but it is to serve the One who has the biggest stage for all time. Pride destroys ministries. Don’t grab and if you see grabbing don’t copy it for it may be packaged as divine but underneath the wrapping is just pride.
2. Follow and lead from the foundation of hope. Jesus is our hope. Listen to the words. In difficulty or disappointment is the sound that of hope? Is this hope eternal and unchanging? In the uncertainty of life authentic true leadership inspire confidence and stability because they speak hope.
3. Follow and lead from the place of investment in others. My true son in the faith. Beautiful words. How many times does the leader speak of themselves? How many times do they start with ‘I’ or ‘we’? Does the leader have genuine friendships? Not Facebook friends. Not friends who are only boosting their ego. Does the leader invest in the younger generation who will continue the work after them or is it all about what they are doing now?
4. Follow and lead from Grace giving people opportunity to take risks, make and learn from mistakes and to grow without condemnation.
5. Follow and lead from Mercy that pours compassion onto the face of failure. Mercy demonstrates that the value of people is not determined by what they have done or not done but who they are in Christ.
6. Follow and lead from Peace which creates the culture for spiritually healthy churches and environments for people to have good well-being.

It is easy to be a leader. It is easy to gather a crowd. You can be a successful leader in the eyes of many. However, it isn’t so easy to be the leader Christ has called you to be. This needs work and it needs humility. This letter is going to help us walk in that humility that we may become the leader that God desires for us and for us to follow.

Here it is, the closing sentence on an emotionally charged letter. I am sure we can all say he saved the best till last. Countless believers all over the world have declared these words which have become the beautiful Trinitarian benediction for generations since Paul first penned them.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13 v 14)

Written to a Church that was questioning his authority, he has had to defend his ministry, expressing his deep love for the Corinthians, despite their divisions and has pleaded for their reconciliation. How will he end his letter? “Mark my words!” Or perhaps some other final rebuke? No. He ends with the Trinity. This is not just a blessing. This is the declaration of each divine attribute which is the blessing.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The unmerited favour that flows from His redemption. The transformational power that enables believers to live in relationship with God. Grace makes all things possible. Grace cost everything. Grace is freely given.

The Love of God
This is the love that initiated redemption, the love that sent the Son, the love that never fails or diminishes. This love isn’t earned or deserved; it’s the very nature of who God is.

The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
The Greek word “koinonia” suggests partnership, participation, and shared life. This fellowship is both vertical (our communion with God through the Spirit) and horizontal (our unity with other believers through the Spirit’s indwelling presence). The Holy Spirit is the one who applies the grace of Christ and the love of the Father to our lives. He’s the divine person who makes the Trinity’s work real and personal in our daily experience.

This verse isn’t just meant to be read or recited; it’s meant to be experienced. In our fractured world, Paul’s benediction offers hope and healing. Churches facing division can find unity in this shared blessing. Individuals struggling with doubt can find security in these unchanging realities. Believers overwhelmed by life’s challenges can find strength in this divine provision.
When we hear or speak these words in corporate worship, we’re not just reciting a formula or performing a ritual. We’re participating in a reality that has been true since before the foundation of the world and will continue throughout eternity. The grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit aren’t just pleasant concepts—they’re the very substance of our faith and the source of our hope.
May this ancient benediction be more than words to us. As Paul blessed the Corinthians, so this blessing continues to flow to all who call upon the name of the Lord.

So as we end these blogs on 2 Corinthians I declare over all who read this:-
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

I always had one. A few minutes within the Church service for people to go and greet others. I remembered often it was hard to get people to come back to the formality of the service because they were so engaged with one another. It gave others the opportunity to go to the toilets!

But it was an important part of the service.

It seems the apostle also believed in greeting one another.

“Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings.” (2 Corinthians 13 v 12-13)

So wherever you are reading this from in the world you might have a different way to greet one another.

A Tibetan? You might be sticking your tongue out!

An Indian? You might be kneeling and touching the feet of the other.

From South East Asia? You could be touching noses.

A European? Depending on the country you will be doing some air-kisses from one, two or even three times!

The Apostle has a European flavour but it has to be a holy one!

Why?

It seems Paul is wanting them to physically connect. To know the power of touch.

He wanted them to have something tangible happen in their greeting.

“Give each other a big hug” or if you’re a more conservative Christian, “Give each other a hearty hand-shake”.

A cursory look online at the traumatic sad stories of feral children raised with little or zero human contact and you realise the power of touch.

Greet one another not only with words but make sure you all know the feeling of being loved, appreciated and wanted. The power of touch heals, restores and connects us into a wholesomeness of our well-being. Perhaps Paul was on to something which we now know is vital for our lives. So go hug someone today or pucker up so long as it’s holy. If you’re nervous, sanitise your hands for a really good handshake. Bear in mind some people will struggle with any kind of cultural touch. They will much more appreciate a greeting that is sent rather than felt. The point is everyone should be included.

Throughout this letter Paul has been defending his leadership from false teachers who undermined his apostleship and at the same time has had to address serious divisions abs conduct in the Church. He now draws things to a close. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬

His final words to his loved Church are encouragements still today. They are the basis for any Christian community. 

Let there be joy.

This isn’t some superficial happiness. But it is knowing God is present in everything we face. 

Mend broken relationships.

Restoration never just happens over time. It requires effort, humility and commitment. 

Encourage everyone. 

It means to come alongside someone to comfort, exhort or strengthen them and even a community marked by division can begin to do this. 

Keep the main thing the main thing.

Having one mind means to let go of secondary issues that will divide and focus on the same fundamental perspective and purpose. 

Actively pursue harmony. 

Living in peace is not simply the absence of problems and conflict. It is to live in such a way that though we are all different we compliment one another in the sight of God. 

When those 5 commands are in the Church then there is a powerful promise: 

“And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 

In the final sentences of this amazing letter Paul once again turns worldly leadership on its head. We don’t need any more demonstrations of human strength, achievement and control. These have to go. They have to leave the Church and Christian ministries. Here’s what he says:-

“We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭

Paul rejoices in his weaknesses. We remember what he said in 2 Corinthians 12 v 9 regarding God’s power being made perfect in weakness. So his joy is because his weakness has created the space for God’s power to be manifest in the Corinthian Church. Something the proud and mighty never understand.  

Knowing this Paul also knows the impact of God’s power in their lives, restoration. It’s the heart of every Pastor to see their people not dependent on them but completely whole, mature and dependent on God. 

Being joyful in weakness, creating space for God and seeing Christians fully restored, this is the heart of Paul.

His ministry was not to be the lord and master of people, not to discard people, but to build people up. His was a ministry of construction not demolition. 

The Church today needs leaders who will:-

• Be unafraid of weakness.
• Be vulnerable. 
• Invest in building up other people not themselves.
• Serve rather than be served.

The Church needs deconstructing from every powerful castle that houses its strong power-seeking leaders. Authority climbs down and builds up rather than climbs up and pushes down. 

Leadership is not dominance. It does not throw stones. It does not condemn. It does not speak ill of other people and churches whether vocally or in written form on the many social platforms. The goal isn’t to be needed or to become more powerful. But it is to see others grow to become who God purposed them to be.