Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

R. Josiah Magnuson

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6)

Have you ever wondered why there are four Gospels in the New Testament?  They're not just different random viewpoints.  They actually each were written to express a specific element of Christ's perfect leadership.

Jesus Christ truly came to Earth to atone for our sins with His blood.  No one else could provide a perfect sacrifice.  But Christ also came to Earth to be our example.  He came so that we could know what a perfect life was to look like.  In every area, Christ was confronted with the same challenges that we are confronted with.  He was tempted in every way we are tempted.  Yet, He did not sin.  The life of Christ thus provides a standard by which to measure our own lives.  

Scripture is clear that we are to follow Christ in all things.  For example, Luke 6:39-40 tells us, “Can the blind lead the blind?  Shall they not both fall into the ditch?  The disciple is not above his master: but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master.”   We are not to look to fallible humans for our ultimate leadership, but to God.  This was the reason for the incarnation: to bring God to man.

Looking at the manner the Bible presents Christ, we can observe His perfect personality is composed of four areas.  The prime example of this truth is indeed seen in the four Gospels.

Matthew: Legislative - Matthew presents Jesus as the King who came to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).  It shows Him to be the “Wonderful Counselor” who gives the Law of His Father.  Here, Christ exemplifies the character and power of the Lion.  Volition – the power of decision – is shown to be something Jesus Christ perfectly manifests, and something He perfectly cultivates in His followers.  Christ the King commands situations where it is necessary, yet allows others the freedom to question, to express themselves, and to make choices.  He is the Messiah who was authoritatively prophesied, and He gives us the commission to go into all nations and authoritatively teach the truth.  Matthew demonstrates that Christ is our example in the area of decisions - the legislative.

Mark: Executive – Mark presents Jesus as the mighty Servant who takes action for God (Mark 1:7-8 ).  Christ works with “immediately” obvious results.  Mark shows Christ to be the “Mighty God” who exemplifies the character and strength of the Ox.  In this book, Christ is also seen to be a person of emotion, who cultivates perfect emotion in His followers.  The emotion is one of awe and astonishment at His miracles!  Mark demonstrates that Christ cares about His people enough to serve them with strength possible only through God’s omnipotence.  Christ is our example in the area of action – the executive.

Luke: Judicial – Luke presents Jesus as a man of certainty (Luke 1:4). It shows Him to be a thoughtful, philosophical Person; yet, not one who is constantly striving for answers, but One who has them. Christ is the “Everlasting Father” who is our trustworthy leader. He has the “Face of a Man” to relate to all our needs. In this book, Christ demonstrates His mastery of every situation. He can sympathize with us no matter what we are going through, because He has been there before! (Heb. 4:15) Even better, He has a solution for each problem! (Heb. 2:17-17) Jesus Christ is our example in the area of reason – the judicial.

John: Spiritual – John presents Jesus as the Son of God who came to Earth out of love for humanity. (John 1:1-5, 17-18 )  Here, Jesus Christ is the divine Creator, the Source of life and light. He is thus a Person of mysterious paradoxes, bringing infinite knowledge to finite men. His power is seen in nine “sign miracles” which sample each quality of His divine nature. Rather than being an earthbound creature as in the first three Gospels (as Lion, Ox, and Face of a Man), Christ is presented as the Eagle coming down from the heavens. He is the “Prince of Peace” between God and man, as well as between man and man. He is a leader with a vision: He came to “dwell” with us (John 1:14) so we can “dwell” with Him forever! (John 14-15) Christ is not only perfect in regards to earthly leadership, but He is perfect in regards to leadership from the Other World to which He calls us – the spiritual.

The four perspectives in the Gospels are the Biblical elements of Christ’s example. Christ is a leader of decision, action, reason, and vision. We are to follow Him in each of these areas. We must make decisions based on His Law. We must act with compassion and mercy. We must think and respond to each situation in meekness yet with resolve. And, we must live in Christ’s light, trusting His purpose and showing love to others.

Christ’s leadership is the best.  By following Him, we can lead others in a way that is both godly and effective.  More importantly, we will point those we lead towards salvation in Christ and eternal life through faith in Him.

David Killinger

I run across some interesting people in my job. One day in September of 2010 I was called to pick up a drunkard. We found the guy in a trailer park and he climbed into our ambulance. As part of my assessment, I asked if he was having any trouble breathing. He said, "I breathe when God gives me air." That gave me pause.

Taking a breath - filling your lungs with oxygen that you need to survive - is something that an adult human does automatically between twelve and twenty times per minute. Your body continues to breathe when you're not thinking about it. But how often do you think about something simple, like air? We take breathing for granted until we have trouble with it. You only breathe when God gives you air.

Many of us remember a time in our own lives when God pulled us miraculously through some sticky situation or other. These are easy to remember, especially if you are only alive today because of it. Though easy to forget, breath is a silent miracle. Sometimes I have to remind myself of the truth: I am not alive just because God lets me live. I am not alive just because my time has not yet come. I am alive today because my God cares enough, is merciful enough, and loves me enough to actively give me life through breath (e.g. Acts 17:24-25). I am thankful for that!

In sustaining us, God has a specific purpose. His continuing mercy demonstrates to us that He is a God of both consistency and love. Sometimes God shows mercy in ways we would not expect – even in humbling ways (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). But each of these gifts, including each breath of air, show us that we need the Lord, His Word, and His power in our lives.

The next time you are wondering where miracles are in everyday life, remember this: you experience a little miracle between twelve and twenty times per minute.

By David Killinger

We should all agree that selfishness in a romantic relationship just doesn’t work. Unfortunately, while most people (Christians or otherwise) agree with this statement, many hold on to selfish attitudes - often not even realizing it. These attitudes have become so ingrained in our culture that they are an automatic response, and are considered normal.

At some point in our lives, most of us have asked ourselves,"Is this person the one for me?" However, isn't that a selfish question? It places the basis of your decisions in a relationship on how you feel, what the other person does for your life, and whether or not they "complete" you. That's putting yourself first.

These kinds of thoughts have no place in true love. Love is putting someone else above yourself, and sacrificing for them. A selfless attitude would be, "What can I do for this person? How can I serve them and meet their needs?" This is the picture painted when you love someone selflessly.

But even selflessness is not enough. Does God enter into your equation? I've talked to many people who are under the impression that God will be happy with their relationships if they just abstain from physical intimacy before marriage. However, the Bible states, in Mark 12:30: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…” God wants your complete service, not just compliance with a few laws. It has been said that love is not gazing into another's eyes, but rather gazing in the same direction with them. The Bible says, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) In order to achieve unity in a relationship, both partners must walk together in the service of the Lord.

Our society generally does things backwards. We tend to look for someone that we can fall in love with, then once we're in love we look fo character qualities that we could live with. If the romance works out, we tryto do things in a God pleasing manner. How's that working in our culture? Let's see...there's a divorce rate of over 50%. This is like looking for food that tastes good and being surprised when it turns out not to have any nutritional value!

The right strategy is to run, run, run to Jesus! Now look around. Who's running with you? Each of us must first find someone who is running with us in the service of God. Second, we must look for character qualities that fit the Biblical guidelines of what a man or woman should be, including a desire to fulfill God’s roles for a husband or wife. Last - only after the other two steps – we can look for romance.

If you would like more advice on avoiding selfishness in a relationship, talk to a few senior citizens who have had long-term and God-glorifying marriages. They know what works! This author also recommendsr eading articles from the encouraging website, www.Boundless.org, on a regular basis.

In conclusion, selflessness involves more than just wondering what someone else wants. It means giving yourself to God alone, and then sacrificing for others’ benefit. True love is shown by devotion to God and by asking what you can do to serve others and build character, not whether someone fits you.

The Bible gives ample information and examples of God's greatness and power to sustain us. We are told not to worry. His provision in the past gives us a reason to trust Him in the present.

It doesn't mean that we lean back and let God do all the work. Instead we are to live for God, and do our part. God will take care of the things that are out of our control. Many examples of His love and provision are evident in the stories throughout the Bible. Such as His care for the Israelites and King David. In Psalms 3:5, "I laid me down and slept; I awakened; for the Lord sustained me."

Sometimes, God’s provision is not always noticed. Many people go through a trial and will ask God why. Why didn’t He provide for them? Truth is, God has provided for them. They just don’t know yet. One prime example is this: Jesus’ death on the cross. He had to endure the torture and pain, but He died to become our Savior. God had a plan for Him and has a plan for us.

Here are some good verses in Matthew:

6:25-34 “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.)  For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Dear friends,

July 2010 marks the third year that our YCLA group has existed as such. We praise God for the great impact we have been able to have so far, and pray that it will continue to grow in the future. Our vision for the next few months includes audio-video productions, increased church events, expanding Operation Pi (Prayer Initiative) for the coming school year, and re-creating the YoungChristianLeaders.org website as a leadership resource location.

Please join in prayer with us that God will give us opportunities to serve Him, and that others will catch the vision of young people mobilized for Christ!  You can now download one or more of our newest brochures. Then, print them out and give them to three of your friends!  There is one advertising the BEAMS system, one on the YCLA itself, and one presenting Christ as the Creator and Savior.  If you would like more information on how to support us, please email us at yclalliance@gmail.com.

Thanks so much!  We can't do it without you.  Keep leading for Christ as you follow Him.

For His Service,

The YCLA

Many young people settle for being Young "Christian-ish" Followers.
Only a few give the extra effort to be Young Christian Leaders.
A Young Christian Leader is really just a normal young person who decides to be a servant in everyday life.  

He does not work to stand out or be popular, but if he should attain the attention of others, 

he strives to use it as a resource for better service and influence. 
He defends the Truth with everything he has.
 

-R. Josiah Magnuson