Michael writes that Phil Hanlen’s Christian story started on September 11, 2001. Although he wasn’t yet a Christian, he felt compelled to volunteer to help in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack at Ground Zero. In the middle of the devastation of lower Manhattan, he felt the Spirt of the Lord move within him. Phil was broken and overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of utter destruction. In his mind’s eye, he saw the vision of a powerful courageous lion. This vision snapped him out of his moment of despair. He woke up and said, “Lord, here am I, send me. I’ll follow wherever you lead.” In retrospect over the last 20 years, Phil has come to understand that the question of the moment is, “Lord, am I where you want me to be?” God has directed Phil by confirming in Phil’s heart exactly where he is calling him to serve. How about you?
Jesus said to His disciples in John 14, “I have to leave you.” They were downcast and discouraged at these words, but then Jesus said, “This is to your benefit." Why? "Because when I leave, God will send you the Holy Spirit and he will guide you where you need to be.” Jesus explained, “Therefore walk not according tot he flesh but set your mind upon the things of the spirit of God and he will lead you to the all-truth. The Holy Spirit is the comforter who will be with you and within you. He will teach you to understand the things of the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is Christ in you the hope of Glory.
What kind of leader was Jesus? He was a servant, He was humble and lowly, He knew the Word of God, and He always prayed. Matthew 20:28 says that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus ministered to the lost sheep of the house of Israel in humility and lowliness. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When the devil tempted him in the desert Jesus responded, “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
Jesus condensed The Old Testament laws into two great commandments. According to Matthew 22:37-40: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Jesus practiced what he preached. The word of God says pray without ceasing. Jesus constantly sought his Father’s will. In prayer we understand that even though there is suffering in this world, tribulation works patience and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
Jesus said, my sheep hear my voice and they know me and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life. Where the good Shepherd leads, his sheep will follow his voice. Spiritual leadership requires Spirit-filled people. God’s spiritual leaders voluntarily surrender their lives to the Spirit of the Lord to guide them and to lift up their God-given abilities for God’s high calling and for His purpose. God expects the Spirit to lead us in every sphere of our lives: work, family, church, the market place, and community.
God has given Phil Hanlen the initiative to disciple the next generation of young people in a program that meets the third Thursday of each month. The purpose of this program is to unite seasoned, mature disciples of Jesus Christ with younger Christians to help them to understand today’s critical issues through the eyes of the spirit. What has God given you to do? God has given us many opportunities to carry out His Great Commission given to every child of God in Matthew 28:19-20: Jesus said, “Go you therefore and make disciples of all nations .... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of this earth.” This is our commission as Christians, our mission and our co-mission that we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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