8. Desiring a “Legacy”

8. Testing the hidden motives of leadership – Desiring a “Legacy”

Mike Bickle taught and encouraged leaders to seek “Their Legacy.”  When he did this, it was ALWAYS about, “What will people say about you, when you are gone.” The emphasis was about what men would think and not about what God would think.

This seeking personal credit for what you have accomplished in or with your life is a distortion of correct doctrine. JESUS IS THE ONLY PERSON - WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING A LEGACY.

Sadly, Mike’s legacy will be bad and Mike’s actions will be viewed as opposite of what God tells us Christians to seek as a TESTIMONY of our lives. The Bible teaches us to only focus on what God’s view of our lives is and not any other group’s opinion - church or the world.

We should not be seeking, and we should not get any credit for our “good works.” We don’t need a legacy. As one of my spiritual fathers used to say, “Let me be a Zero, with the rim rubbed out.”

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your     good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

The only judgement of our lives – that counts - should be God’s judgment. To be judged by the world, the church or historians is really of no concern to those who are walking righteously.

I Corinthians 4:2-4 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

When we understand the Holy Spirit’s role in the TESTIMONY of our lives, we have one testimony. Apart from God we can do NOTHING.

John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

True humility is accomplished through our NOT looking to what others say about us, but what God says about us.  Paul’s sarcasm in I Corinthians 9 reveals how those who are used mightily by God are viewed by the church and by the world. 

I Corinthians 4:9-10 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men             condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

We should not have the desire to be “GREAT”. Those who are “great” in the kingdom do not draw attention to themselves or expect anything from those they serve.

Mark 9: 33:35 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

In cult-like groups there are few Servant Leaders. Mike taught it was OK to WANT to be great (A human tendency that you are encouraged to die to – Galatians 5:24)

Servant Leadership should be modeled as the proper relationship between those in authority and those NOT in authority. The Elders / Overseers should serve not “Lord it Over.” Since there were few designated leaders except for Corporation Titled Leaders, this was seldom viewed in a practical sense.

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