1. Leadership

Intro

What would you say makes someone a leader?

Cambridge Dictionary: “a person in control of a group, country, or situation.”

American Dictionary: “a person who manages or controls other people, esp. because of his or her ability or position”

- Prime minister

- CEO

- Pastor

Our minds immediately turn to control when we think of leadership. That’s the world’s mentality of leadership, the world looks to the kind of people who have power, who have authority and say those are the true leaders.

Why do you think we pair leadership with control? (Because you can make people do what you want.)

Who’s the focus in this type of leadership? (Myself, it’s a totally selfish way of living)

Kyle from my friend group...

A. The Pitfalls of Leadership

God has called us men to be leaders, right? God chose to put the brunt of responsibility for leadership on our shoulders. Your responsibilities may look different than mine, but whatever God has given you, He’s expecting that you would be leading in that area. Your “domain” of leadership may be school, it may be work, your friend group, church, or somehting else. Whatever it is, as a young man, God has called you to be a leader.

But we’ve got a problem, is it our natural tendency to grab the torch and lead? (No, our natural tendency is to avoid Biblical leadership at all costs because our flesh)

Two pitfalls of leadership on the spectrum...

Ruler mentality: Someone who dominates others in order to get his way.

Lead with an iron fist...

- Threats to force obedience, “If you don’t do what I say, I’m going to ____”

- High expectations, little grace

Passive metality (The other side of the spectrum): Failure to take on the responsibility God calls us to.

Crush from finding nemo...

“Whoa dude!”

- Ride along life’s current, live the easy way.

We’re all one of these two, where do you think you land on the spectrum? (Ask each one)

Let’s take a quick look at these pitfalls a bit deeper...

Ruler Mentality - Mark 10:35-42

Turn to Mark 10:35-42 (Read it)

James & John approach Jesus with their request...

Mark 10:37 NKJV

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

What’s their request in vs. 37? (Sit at Jesus’ right hand in glory)

What would sitting at Jesus’ side imply? (Authority, power)

In the throne room of heaven, where is Jesus’ seat compared to everyone else? (High above everyone else)

“in Your glory.” = Position held by someone very important

So, what are they looking for? (Greatness, the VIP spot in heaven)

Jesus answers them saying that they have no idea what they’re asking for. In order to be exalted, to get a high position, they need to suffer first (be baptized with Jesus’ baptism).

Jesus says they’ll endure what He was to endure...

What was the disciples reaction in vs. 41? (Greatly displeased, they think this is totally unjust of Jesus)

Mark 10:41 NKJV

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.

“That’s not fair!!!”

Their anger exposes the pride that’s in their hearts. But Jesus has got something to say about that in vs. 42

Mark 10:42 NKJV

42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

“rulers over them”, “lord it over them”, “exercise authority over them.”

What kind of leadership does this sound like? (Rulership, use your power to bend others into doing your will)

Can you think of anyone who ruled this way? (Hitler, Pharaoh, Caesar, Nero)

We’ll get back to the end of this passage in just a bit, but now that we’ve talked about the iron fist type of “leadership”, let’s talk about the other side of the spectrum; passivity.

Passivity

Again, passivity is when we take our hands off the steering wheel, and we fail to step up to do what God calls us to do.

Story od Barak and Deborah

- Barak: “I’ll only go into battle if you go with me!”

Failure to be the leader God was calling him to be.

Why is it that we are passive? Why do we say no to leadership?

Fear - Matthew 25:25

Parable of the servants and the talents

Servant with 5 talents and 2 talents doubled their money

Servant with 1 talent...

Matthew 25:25 NKJV

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

Laziness - Proverbs 12:27

Proverbs 12:27 NKJV

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.

B. Godly Leadership

Serve - Mark 10:43-45

Biblical definition of leadership: Influencing people toward a closer walk with Christ.

How do we influence someone? Push them? Make TikToks? (We lead them by our example)

Mark 10:43 NKJV

43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

What’s Jesus’ “recipe for success” in this verse? (Be great? Serve.)

World’s view of greatness = Master above the slave; greater commands the lesser

God’s view of greatness = Slave above the master; lesser obeys and serves the master

Then Jesus says, Mark 10:44

Mark 10:44 NKJV

44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

If you’re selfish, what do you get? Last place!

Here’s the key verse,

Mark 10:45 NKJV

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Is a leader selfish? (No, he came to serve, not to be served)

What’s a leader looking out for? (Ways to serve others, even if that means its going to hurt me!)

(Someone read this)

Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Jesus laid down His life in serving us! Do you think He was thinking about Himself at this time? Everything but Himself! And that’s a mark of a leader, someone who isn’t worried about what I want, but what others need.

So, Paul says in vs. 5, “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.”

No grasp for his reputation

No desire to meet his own needs

He was humble!

Wash others Feet - John 13:1-17

Last example of leadership I want to look at with you guys tonight is in John 13

What was about to happen to Jesus in vs. 1? (Death on the cross)

What would your mind be fixed on in a time like this?

But what is Jesus thinking of (end of vs. 1)? (Loved Hius own to the very end)

What did Jesus do in vs. 4-5?

John 13:4–5 NKJV

4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Job for the lowest of servants, yet Jesus, the greatest of them was the One to willingly serve the others.

(read vs. 13-15)

John 13:13–15 NKJV

13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

If Jesus served others, we ought to follow that example and serve

No task is below our paygrade, get off your high horse and serve

The guys’ gifts and abilities...

Leaders will set the example, and people will follow

Rope illustration