Servant Leadership

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Try today to forget what you’ve been taught before by your pastor, your leaders, your parents, your culture, and your church. We are going to examine the scriptures together. I’ll have as many questions for you as you have for me, so hopefully our presentation and question time are combined. What I hope we accomplish is that all of us walking away understanding the mind of Jesus Christ better. But more than that, that we become more like Him in His way of thinking, and His attitude. Pastor Patrick did such a great job Wednesday night helping us understand transformational leadership, and how Jesus was the most transformational leader of all time. We will build on his teaching tonight.

Start with a true scenario.

A young man I know is very gifted. He is wise, intelligent, insightful, able to teach, and leads worship music with a depth of feeling that is rare. His green card has not yet come, and he is currently unemployed, and he wants to use his time to serve the Lord. This week he offered his services to me in my ministry in the church. Now, there are two things I need this week. I would like to start a prayer time that begins with a worship song that sets the tone for our prayer. I also need help taking a poor person in our church to the doctor. Which do you think this young man is likely to choose? Ask yourself, which would I choose, and why would I choose that?

As a pastor, which of the following activities is a better use of my time? Preparing a sermon to preach to 100 people, or cleaning the apartment of one sick church member?

Mark 10:14-15 “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.””

Then the rich, young ruler comes to ask Jesus for wisdom.

Mark 10:23-25 “And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.””

Let’s get one thing clear. In the grand scheme of things, if you think about the fact that we are eternal beings, your life here, even if it’s 100 years, is a tiny dot. Even the oldest and wisest of us. Even the smartest and most gifted of us. We’re all just children. And it is those who recognize this that are able to enter the kingdom of God. In fact, the standards the world uses to measure success and status are actually going to keep you from experiencing the life of God.

What are some ways the world around us measures the success of someone’s life?

obviously wealth, what are some others? popularity and fame, status, position, skill, intelligence, outward appearances.

Jesus goes on to add to these: house, family, property. These things you think you need could actually keep you from following Jesus. But following Jesus gives you eternal life. No one would naturally choose persecution. It goes against our nature. But if following Jesus comes with persecution, Jesus says that’s where His disciples will be found.

Jesus takes all the things that come naturally to us as humans, and He turns them upside down. The way to glory is the way of the cross. In Mark 10:31-34, Jesus says that even He, the Son of Man, the Messiah will be persecuted and killed. And that’s the pathway to resurrection. That’s the context for our passage.

Mark 10:35-45. The disciples clearly do not understand the upside down nature of God’s kingdom. They do not understand who Jesus is. Do you and I?

Who are the leaders in the church?

What makes them leaders?

What is the standard by which Jesus measures serving, in Mark 10:45?

Matthew 23 - the Pharisees like to be seen by others, so they dressed in attractive and powerful clothing and take the place of honor at gatherings. And they loved being called rabbi (teacher). Titles and position are very important to them.

Jesus goes on to say, Matthew 23:8-12 “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant (deacon). Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Titles can help us identify people’s gifts, and their function in the body. But don’t get caught up in titles. Your head, leader, teacher, and the source of your spiritual life are God the Father and God the Son, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Do you see how Jesus keeps refocusing attention on God? When a church leader is focused on God, he or she will direct attention to God for everyone. God is worshipped, believers grow, and unbelievers are saved. When a church leader is focused on themselves, their title, their outward appearance, the number of followers, and financial reward, Jesus warns that person that they will be humbled, brought low, and is in danger of condemnation.

If a better, more gifted teacher or leader came into your church, would you be willing to give away your position and take on a new role in your church?

(Matthew 23) What are temptations church leaders face today to focus more on external success than on Jesus?

Philippians 2:1-11 - definitions:

selfish ambition = attracting people to yourself rather than some other leader

conceit = using external traits to gain a following

What are some ways selfish ambition or conceit show up in church leadership?

What is the cure Paul reveals?

It comes in 2:3b-5, have the humble, loving, servant mind of Christ Jesus.

Jesus wasn’t distracted by position and title. He didn’t use human means to influence people. In other words, He did not leverage His intelligence or use His power to gain a following. He served people, He embraced humiliation, He obeyed the Father even unto death on a cross.

What is our general attitude toward humiliation? What keeps us from embracing it?

What does it look like for a pastor or teacher to take the position of servant in the church?

What does it look like for the body of Christ to serve the community around it?