Leadership or Lordship Part 1

The Servant Leader

Jesus is our first model of servant leadership Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

The Lord also said: Luke 22:25–27 “And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

Apostle Paul usually is our second model of servant leadership.

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 1 Cor 3:5

But there is another in the Old testament that is rarely mentioned and gives us a deeper look into servant leadership and that is Joshua Moses assistant.

What was said about Joshua, and why was he an effective leader

He stood in Gods presence Exodus 33:11 “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.”

He was Moses assistant Exodus 24:13 “So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.”

Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom Deuteronomy 34:9 “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.”

Joshua was usually prepared when Moses called upon him for specific task Numbers 13:16 “These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.”

Another example why Joshua was usually prepared when Moses called upon him was because he knew those around him well enough that he chose the fighting men to fight against the enemies of Isreal

Exodus 17:8–10 “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.”

Joshua was a generational leader

He circumcised his generation Joshua 5:2–3 “At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.” So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.”

Circumcision: The spiritual meaning of circumcision was the cutting away of sin & the total dedication to God.

As a leader are you teaching and preaching the full counsel of God to this generation?

Are you leading by example as you live a life of circumcision in The Spirit

Joshua used a flint knife a sharp rock with an edge, sometimes we have to say difficult things to people, that they usually will not like us for.

But as ministers we are instruments of healing Joshua 5:7–8“Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed.”

Your call as a Leader

Joshua was called directly by God Joshua 1:5–6 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

Joshua was commanded to meditate on Gods Law which was Gods Word night & day

He had a task of dividing up the land for the tribes (Helping those around him fulfill their God given destiny & come into their inheritance)

Joshua inspired the people to move to trust in God and move forward.

Joshua took the initiative to go with Moses to the mountain of God ( A deeper consecration)

Joshua himself being a leader observed another leader with much more responsibility

Joshua understood the blessing of sitting in God’s presence even as he watched Moses go back into the camp.

Joshua waited until God Himself revealed to Moses that Joshua would replace Him.

Joshua had the next generation in mind.

Joshua focused on Gods power not himself

Joshua had His encounter with The Lord just as Moses his predecessor did.

Joshua was trusted in warfare(intercession)

After Joshua won a victory with Moses as his leader, he waited until Moses received a direct command from God for him.

Joshua as a young leader stood in faith when everyone was doubting God