Lessons for Christian Leadership

INTRO: Do you have a recent memory of being around a leader who is full of himself, a friend who frequently turns the conversation to exaggerated versions of his exploits, been embarrassed yourself after realizing that you just came across a bit arrogant?

According to God’s word, especially in the teaching and example of Jesus...

Humility = Greatness

This truth should become increasingly evident as we go along, because in our text for today...

Jesus teaches his disciples that they must fight against their natural fleshly inclinations in order to become future leaders who will carry on his mission his way.

This section in context:

1. The disciples’ repeated failures (after Peter’s confession and Jesus explanation of both his mission and what following him really means)

2. Transition from Galilean ministry to the “Jerusalem journey” (9:51)

3. From the verses immediately preceding: “Jesus’ coming sacrifice (9:43b-45) stands in contrast to the disciples’ quest to be seen as the greatest (9:46-48).” (Bock, 891)

Based on Jesus’ teaching and example, is the Christian leader’s goal to be a step ahead and cut above, or to be the servant of all? (Mk 9:35)

Application for you today ought to be prolific. Selfishness and pride, jealousy and vengefulness, are things we all continue to battle because they are sneaky and subtle, never dead, always lurking. Even so we as Jesus’s followers seek fervently to live according to the transformation he has wrought in us by grace through faith in Him.

(first of all)

Christlike leadership seeks to serve, not promote oneself.

How are we to define Christian greatness in a “mega” world? … where ***

Christian leadership, Christlike service, is not proud, it does not angle for position, does not seek personal status and recognition.

“Status is not a virtue.” (Bock, 891, quoting Schweizer)

… functional hierarchy for the purpose of order… NOT… *** - We don’t come out and say that we are greater and wiser, and so on, but our behavior betrays our self-importance.

How is “receiving a child” the opposite of status-seeking, the opposite of self-promotion? - The child in their culture held no status whatsoever. If a child with absolutely no status comes to you in the name of Jesus, meaning as his representative, he needs no status of his own, only that of the one who sent Him. (So too like Christ with the Father… Jesus doesn’t have to claim status for himself. He has been sent from the Father.)

Also, association with the “lowly” instead of with the “important.” ***

Humble Christlike service is not proud but seeks to serve; it does not promote oneself. Instead, we view ourselves as least (having no status), humbly accepting God’s determination of how we will serve him.

“Jesus not only changes the way the disciples see themselves, but he changes the way they see others.” (Bock, 899)

Humble Christlike service does not angle for preferred position (personal status and recognition). We also now see, in the two remaining brief sections, that humble Christlike service is not jealous when others succeed or vindictive toward opponents.

Christlike leadership is cooperative, not competitive (toward teammates).

What happens here? (text)

It sure smacks of jealousy.

New Testament 9:43b–50—Qualifying Misconceptions of Glory

If this exorcist is genuinely effective (contrast Acts 19:15–16), he is probably on their side.

“Ministry is not limited to small circle.” (Bock, 891)

Rivalry hinders ministry.

Comparison is the enemy of teamwork. (relates to previous section as well)

This of course could be grossly misrepresented… ***

But we ought to extend grace to fellow Christians...

We ought to be grateful and glad for the success of others. (the ministry fruitfulness of others) —> Elevate Christ, advance the Gospel

***

Christlike leadership is patient, not vindictive (toward opposition).

V. 51 is a key transitional verse, a turning point in Luke’s narrative: “Like modern writers, skilled ancient writers gave signals of plot movement.” -Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 9:51.

To understand what Luke is doing, we mustn’t think that he’s only referring to a just single journey from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, although that seems to be implied as an initial impetus here. “Jesus made several trips to Jerusalem, but Luke telescoped them to make his point that Jesus had to get to Jerusalem to present Himself as the Messiah and then depart.” [His departure being his death, resurrection, and ascension—“taken up” also corresponding to this last part] -John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 232.

In Luke, the period of Jesus’ Galilean ministry had served as “authentication” of Jesus as the true Messiah, so now the next major section deals with the issue of “acceptance.” Evidence will bear out that “Jesus was not accepted by most of the nation.” -Martin, Ibid.

Even as he travels through Samaria, then, sending messengers on ahead to make preparations (secure lodging, etc.), but the people would not receive him. There is likely a connection to the fact that he is on his way to Jerusalem for worship, which the Samaritans rejected. The Samaritans instead had their own center of worship on Mount Gerizim.

In response to this rejection, James and John (the sons of thunder), wanted to call down fire from heaven like in the days of Elijah, when God burned up his enemies. (2 Kings 1) ***

They demonstrate an impatience (which undoubtedly betrays prior prejudice: “Dadgum Samaritans”) and seek revenge for the slight.

Jesus rebukes them because they are responding improperly to rejection in this age, wanting to judge immediately. - “The point is simple: though the Samaritan decision is a crucial one, the current period is not one of instant judgment. God gives time for people to respond to the kingdom, and he continues to pursue the mission of taking the gospel to all people (2 Pet. 3:9).” (Bock, 966)

The time for judgment isn’t yet, but the decision we make now will bear out in the judgment.

How ought we be responding (to rejection) in the meantime?

1. Not wasting words with those who won’t listen, but moving on to others.

2. We entrust ourselves to God and let him deal with those who oppose Him.

3. Be we are to patiently show love toward those who are as we once were—dead in our trespasses, loving darkness rather than light.

Humility = Greatness

The goal for any Christian is to be like Christ.

Jesus modeled humble service.

Jesus taught them unselfish cooperation.

Jesus modeled love for enemies, entrusting judgment to God.

What is humility? How can we grow in it? - Elevate Christ

Humility confidently lowers oneself in service to others, based on an exalted view of Christ, following his example.

Humility takes God’s view of ourselves and others.

Humility grows when the goal is God’s glory and the mission to advance of Christ’s kingdom.

May it be said of us: “An agreement arose among them that each one of them should consider themselves least.” They agreed that whatever functional hierarchy was necessary, such was not even close to a reflection of inherent value to God or even necessarily greater Christlikeness. ***

May we follow Jesus example, to humble ourselves for the good of others to the glory of God.