Servant Leadership

The call to servanthood

Luke 22:24 NIV

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

Luke 22:26 NIV

26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Luke 22:24–27 NIV

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Jesus taught us an important lesson. “those who serve, lead, and those who lead, serve.

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“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”. It’s vital in life and leadership to maintain perspective. The main thing as a Christian is a person and your relationship with Him.

Who or what is your main thing? What’s the foundation of your life?

The relationship you hav

It’s important to recognize this because out of this main thing flows everything else in your life - including leadership.

Holy Spirit

The essential element of leadership that is attained through a relationship with Christ is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus was training His disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, he said

John 14:26 NIV

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Your purpose - to become Christ-like.

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans

And Paul follows up with that purpose immediately

Romans 8:29 NIV

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

God knew us before we were born; he has predertmined a purpose for us....that purpose is to be Christ-like. To be conformed to who Jesus is, and to take on His character and attitudes

2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthaisn 5:20

We are ambassadors. An ambassador is not only a representative, but almost a duplicate of someone else. If you were to be my ambassador to a metting I couldn’t attend, you would first spend time iwht me, find out what I wanted done at that meeting, how I would act at that meeting, and then take my place there. As an ambassador, you would represent me to the degree that it would be as if I were there. An ambassador doesn’t speak on his own authority nor does he act on his own. He acts and thinks as the one who sent him would.

Success as a servant leader is Christ-likeness, and Christ-likeness is success.

Make a list of the people and things that are most important to you. Why?

Are you looking for nourishment in areas other than Christ Himself?

Is Christ the center of everything you do? Why or why not?

Who do you want to be like?

What character qualities would you like to develop in your own life?

What

What are some things that need to be strengthened in order to be more Christ-like?

What are some things you need to change to build a solid foundation?

Let’s talk about leadership. What is leadership?

Oswald Sanders “influence, the ability of one person to influence others”

Army pamphlet “the process of influencing the actions of individuals and organizations in order to obtain desired results.”

Who are some of the greatest leaders of all time?

(George Washington, David, Moses, MLK, Winston Churchill, Paul…Hitler?)

Can Moses and Hitler both be great leaders?

What’s important? The decision to influence for good or for evil.

Consider the influence others have on you. Do you act differently depnding on who you’re around?

Leadership is influence; influence is power.

Lead, don’t push. The world pushes, but a servant leads. Booker T Washington said it best “there are two ways of exerting one’s strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up?

John 13:14–17 NIV

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Mark 10:42–43 NIV

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

We all have a sphere of influence

Parents

Teachers

Youth Group

Organizations

Environment

Circumstances

Classmates

Co-workers

Siblings

Employers

As leaders, we must be discerning in filtering those influences and exerting our own influence. What influences will you allow to affect you, and what will be the influences you intend?

Let’s talk about Jesus’ sphere of influence.

Disciples

Occasional followers and listeners

Pharisees

Jesus was tempted often by His sphere to compromise His mission; especially by the Pharisees. So even the pharisees recognized how Jesus conducted himself as a leader who was not influenced by the wrong elements in His sphere.

Matthew 22:16 NIV

16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.

Thermostat vs thermomoter

The servant leader influences his sphere as a thermostat affects the environment of a building. The thermostat in a building sets the temperature and monitors its changes.

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Unfortunately, we are often more like a thermometer. We fluctuate according to our surroundings, environment, and circumstances.

Is it difficult for you to see yourself as a leader? Why or why not?

While we have incredible potential to influence others, we are also affected by the influence of those around us. How easily are you influenced?

How has that influence affected you?

How do you think you influence others?

Do you think that others respect you? Why or why not?

Make a list of positive and negative influences in your life. What are some things you can change about this?

Do you know people who need someone to stand up for them. Are you strengthening them, or are you allowing them to be weakened? Who needs you encouragement and influence today?

Name 3 people that you believe you can influence. How can you have a positive effect on their lives?