Called To Compete part 3

John 13:1–20 NLT

1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. 18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah. 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”

Tom Brady cleaning Toilets?

imagine Tom Brady, the superbowl winning quarterback fro the New ENgland Patriots…in the end of the post Superbowl Parade stepping away from the motorcade to get into an uber and heads into the slums of Boston. to the projects that have been overridden with poverty, drg use and violence, imagine Brady gets out of the uber…without any cameras or Patriot fanfare, just him, a bucket and some cleaning supplies, and he walks himself into the public bathrooms and begins washing the floors, the toilets, the sinks and all the nasty things that find their way into a public restroom that hasn’t been clean in years.

Imagine then that the people in the community who use the bathroom come in and begin berating him and telling him to get out and go back to the parade but he just keeps on cleaning.

This is the type of leadership Jesus displays.

Its the type of leadership it takes for someone who has been called to compete at the highest levels.

Respect is earned by way of service to others. Especially when they don’t deserve it and its not fair for you to give it.

I heard a preacher once say that “fairness went out the window at the cross”

This Biblical principle has been tested and found to be true even in our current sports world. Successful coaches and athletes will declare it with conviction.

“My job as a leader is to do everything I possibly can to help each player reach her full potential and whatever it takes for our team to reach its potential.  As someone who cares about people I want to be able to help each player contribute her best to the team.” - JENNY BOUCEK Former WBB Coach Seattle Storm

Professional athletes are some of the best examples of servant leadership. Servant leadership at its core is about the leader feeling a desire to serve others, to put others well-being before theirs (Northouse, 2016). Servant leadership emphasizes the growth, maturation, and health of those being served (Northouse, 2016). Servant leadership focuses on developing followers based on the leaders’ altruistic and ethical ideals while focusing the follower’s needs. Once the follower’s needs are addressed they can grow (Eva, Robin, Sendjava, van Dierendonck, & Liden, 2018).

For the sake of this post the focus will remain on Lebron James. Lebron James grew up in Akron, Ohio which itself is an underserved struggling city. Lebron has went on record stating that “as a fourth grader [he] missed 83 days of school” while he and his mother moved from couch to couch trying to find a place to stay (Zahn, 2018). The school that Lebron just opened is a public school in collaboration with Akron public school system that offers classes for elementary schoolers and GED courses and job placement for parents (Zahn, 2018). The school also provides free breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks as well as, a free bicycle for every student (Zahn, 2018). Brandi Davis, the school principal told USA today that “it is about true wrap-around support, true family integration and true compassion.” To add to it if the students that attend the Lebron Promise School go on to graduate high school Lebron James will cover their full tuition to the University of Akron, the local public college. Lebron James told ESPN that “we as a foundation don’t have a ceiling on how much we can improve our community.” The I Promise School isn’t the only cause that Lebron James champions. Lebron James has donated to After-School All-Stars, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Children’s Defense Fund, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, ONEXONE, and others. Lebron has also announced a partnership with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children beginning in 2021. Lebron has hosted a bike-a-thon every year since 2005 to raise money for various causes. The list of Lebron’s charitable and philanthropic contributions is endless.

10 Practical ways to learn servant leadership.

10 Practical ways to learn servant leadership.

Practical ways to learn servant leadership.

1 - Put the group first. True leaders know that the team is a priority.

2 - Have confidence. Know that you will make the right choices for your group and yourself.

3 - Set a good example. Lead by doing.

4 - Communicate. Include everyone in your group.

5 - Be a friend. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.

6 - Show respect. Servants must respect leaders and leaders must respect servants.

7 - Find a need and fill it. Have courage to make positive changes.

8 - Make a commitment. Plan for the future.

9 - Think of your family. Avoid anything that would embarrass your loved ones.

10 - Develop a sense of community. Work to connect the people in your group.

What is the difference between gospel shaped servanthood and all this philanthropy?

simply put, I believe the difference is found in the “why and the how”. The gospel of Jesus shows us that the God of the universe emptied himself out for others for their rescue. Gospel shaped servant leadership comes from a place of deep gratitude and love for others because it understands the value God has placed on every human being.

nothing can change it, not wins or losses, not which jersey you wear or don’t wear, not the start of the game clock or the end of it.

Gospel shaped Servant leadership is a way of life for those who are learning to follow Jesus.

be mindful of the whole message though. the gospel states that we are all sinful and fall short right....that we have this sin sickness in our hearts that causes us to want our own way and rebel against Gods way. The beauty of the Gospel is that Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of servant leadership from a place of unfairness. it wasn’t fair for him to die on the cross for us.

Write conclusion below: