Why Lead Like Jesus
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Review Sermon Theme -
Review last weeks passage - Last week I took the time to walk through Ephesians 3:20-21 and we all remembered from the text that God is able to do way beyond what anyone of us can even conceive of in our thinking. The most exciting part about that passage is that God wants to accomplish these amazing things through us, His people! Awesome! God wants to accomplish great things through you.
I also talked to you about the vision for ABC in 2022. And that vision is we want to become effective leaders in all areas of life, especially within the life of the church.
So the theme/vision for 2022 is...
“Lead Like Jesus”
Today and next week we will dig into this concept.
Today I will help answer the question “Why should we lead like Jesus?”
Next Sunday, Pastor Tim will show us what it looks like when he deals with “How to lead like Jesus.”
Why in the world would we have such a focus as leadership development? I mean that sounds so corporate, so nonspiritual!
I mean, is leadership development godly? Is it the right thing for Christ followers to pursue?
I submit to you this morning that it is absolutely crucial for the Church of Jesus Christ to develop leaders so that she can perpetuate her existence and impact in the world.
After all, this is exactly what Jesus did. For three plus years, Jesus taught, lived among, coached, and equipped his twelve in particular to be the leaders in the yet-to-be-formed church. Jesus trained the twelve to be the kind of leaders that would transform the world. I’d say He was an amazing success!
Ken Blanchard, in His book called, “Lead Like Jesus” gives some insight into the why question we are asking today...
A tremendous benefit happens in the lives of people who lead like Jesus: freedom. Jesus is the only one who offers a model of leadership that’s built on freedom and complete security in Him and His power at work within us. While the world continues to throw solutions at us that are build on self-empowerment, self reliance, competition, peer pressure, and performance, leading like Jesus frees us to reach heights of influence we never would be able to reach on our own. When we are free from pride and fear, free to humble accept feedback and admit our mistakes, and strong enough to overlook offenses and forgive the errors of other, we can lead people and help them reach their full potential…Try to imagine leaders who lead like Jesus. Leaders who love those they influence so much that they help them get from where they are to where God would have them go. Leaders who hold people accountable, encourage them daily, confront challenges, and bring authenticity, character, and integrity to every interaction. Leaders who want to guild other on the same path. Imagine a world full of those leaders! (LLJ, xii)
So, my friends, it is the desire of the leadership of this church to not only be leaders that lead like Jesus, but to develop leaders who lead like Jesus as well.
This, I believe is a good goal, but why? Why should we put energy into this endeavor?
Honestly, this is the question that I am tasked with answering this week.
Main Idea - Why Should You Lead Like Jesus?
Now, before I answer this question, I want you to see a couple of sober warnings from Jesus in Matthew 20:20-27. Things that leaders and potential leader must understand well.
Take a look at the first warning...
1. Leading Like Jesus Will Cost You (vs. 20-23)
So many people want to lead and climb to the top of an organization only to realize when they finally arrive the cost is greater than they ever realized.
Jesus gives a clear warning about this to a mom and her two sons...
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
Explain - Now before you are too hard on dear old mom, remember that her two boys are her future and they have left the family business.
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
So who can blame mom for wanting some assurance that their career move will include some level of security for her and her boys!
My mom cried when she heard I was leaving a well paying job as a design engineer to become, of all things, a youth pastor! They were not tears of joy.
Unfortunately, mom or her boys fully understood what they had gotten themselves into.
They were thinking about greatness from the world’s perspective. Jesus’ perspective, on the other hand, is exactly opposite.
In fact, they must have missed what Jesus had to say about Himself just three verses earlier!
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
To be great like Jesus means suffering and death!
Jesus, in His imitable fashion, sets them (including mom) straight!
Take a look...
22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Jesus doesn’t pull any punches here. He tells them straight up that they don’t understand the implications of their request.
Their answer to His question indicates their lack of understanding to his question. Their un-bounding optimism about drinking the Lord’s “cup” is curious.
They don’t even ask what this mysterious “cup” is. Their hunger for prominence and position overshadows their perception and they answer his profound question with little thought.
I imagine with much naive exuberance they cavalierly respond, “We are able.”
What is this “cup?” It is the cup of suffering. The Lord will drink this cup as He hangs on the cross...
They too will drink this cup as their lives take a direction they don’t quite understand as of yet. However, they will in due time.
Jesus promises this reality to them. They will in fact drink this cup. What seat they end up in is the Father’s decision, but as disciples and future leaders in the Church, they will drink the cup of suffering to the very last drop.
This “cup” will cost them dearly. More than they could imagine at this point in their lives.
In fact, as historical tradition tells us about these to men in particular...
James (the elder son of Zebedee, brother of John) was beheaded at Jerusalem.
John, the beloved disciple (son of Zebedee, brother of James, both James and John we also called "Sons of Thunder" or "Boanerges"), died of extreme old age in Ephesus. Boiled in oil and exiled on the island of Patmos.
Illustrate - To be clear, the cup of suffering wasn’t solely reserved for the sons of thunder alone. The rest of the apostles died as martyrs...
Andrew (Peter's brother, also a fisherman) died on a cross at Patrae, in Achaia, a Grecian Colony.
James (one of Jesus' brothers, also called James the Less) was thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple, and then beaten to death with a club.
Judas (also called Iscariot), after betraying his Lord, hanged himself.
Thaddeus (one of Jesus' brothers, also called Jude) was shot to death with arrows.
Matthew (also called Levi, a tax collector) -- Matthew was crucified in Alexandria.
Nathanael (also called Bartholomew) was flayed alive and beheaded in Albanapolis, Armenia.
Peter (also called Simon or Cephas, also called The Zealot) was crucified, head downward, on a cross in Persia (now Iran) during the persecution of Nero.
Philip was hanged against a pillar at Heropolis (Abyssinia).
Thomas (also called Didymous and the doubter) was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel, in the east Indies.
Apply - Friends, the Apostles would realize soon enough the leadership that they were given by the Lord would cost them greatly.
Now to be clear, the cost was minimal in comparison to their reward.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Leader, you will suffer for Christ. But the rewards you will be given will more than cover whatever loss you’ve suffered!
Review - Why Should You Lead Like Jesus?
Leading Like Jesus Will Cost You
Transition - Okay, that is Jesus’ first warning. Now take a look at the second warning He gives...
2. Leading Like Jesus Will Test You (vs. 24-27)
So Jesus’ first warning is about persecution from the outside. But you know what? We have a lot of potential trouble that comes from within our own hearts.
This time Jesus warns them about the dangerous potential evil motives of their hearts.
See if you can see what I am talking about in these next verses...
24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
Explain - Do you see the evil motive of the heart that Jesus is warning against?
Superiority! They wanted to be considered significant and powerful in the kingdom. They wanted to be recognized for their individual greatness.
Christian leaders who have a “superior” mindset are a menace to the ministry. Paul in three of his letters makes the mindset of a leader clear.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
And do you notice the response of the other ten Apostles? They were ticked!
The text says they were “indignant” which means the ten were “feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.” - Google Dictionary
In other words they were angry becuase these two did what the rest wanted to do.
Angry because they beat them to the punch and asked Jesus what they were hoping to have in His Kingdom.
Angry because they had their mom talk to Jesus - really?
Angry because they had the wrong spirit and mindset as well.
Notice the leadership style of Jesus. What does He do? He calls the twelve together for a teaching huddle.
And in this teaching huddle Jesus does some comparing and contrasting.
First he reminds them about the leadership style of the leaders of the gentiles.
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Notice Jesus’ rhetorical technique to get his point across.
The Gentile rulers LORD it over them
The Gentile rulers who are great exercise AUTHORITY OVER them.
Greatness from the world’s perspective means being superior to others and work OVER them.
This is how the world tends to work...
Now notice the comparison...
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
Greatness = MUST BE servant (diakonos/deacon)
First among you = MUST BE your slave (doulos/slave or bondservant)
God’s world and our world are not the same. I submit to you that they are diametrically opposed.
This is why what we perceive as normal is not God’s normal. God’s normal in this case is not greatness by subjugation! No, it is greatness by servitude.
And the attitude we are to have as a follower of Christ is not one of superiority! No! It is to be an attitude of selflessness.
The are failing the test of character they have been given.
Do you want greatness or do you want God recognized as great?
Illustrate - Spiritual Gifts and Superiority. Paul spends three chapters in 1 Corinthians to argue for humility in gifting. Good counsel.
Apply - So, let me ask you. What kind of spirit and approach do you have when it comes to leadership? We all lead in some fashion by the way (home, family, church, job, etc).
Are you all about the power? You do what I tell you to do, no questions asked.
Are you all about the prestige? I’m finally a manager at my work. At last I’ll get the recognition I deserve.
Are you all about the position? Yep, I’m now an elder at my church!
That’s the mentality and motive of the world’s system. This is the world’s normal.
But this is not God’s normal. God’s normal is humility!
God continues to teach me over the years - the trio I was no longer a part of...
This was a test for me. A test I didn’t do so well with in my heart, but eventually God changed my heart.
That’s what He does. He changes our hearts to be more like his. And He does this through the agency of His Holy Spirit and His Holy Word.
God used this verse to help my heart change...
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
What kind of pride and superiority are you struggling with? God wants to change your heart too! Will you pass the test?
Review - Why Should You Lead Like Jesus?
Leading Like Jesus Will Cost You
Leading Like Jesus Will Test You
Transition - The beautiful thing about God’s tests is they are designed to make you more like Jesus. And so you keep getting them until you grow past them.
And what is the greatest goal for every follower of Jesus? To be like Jesus.
This is our WHY for leadership development.
3. Leading Like Jesus Will Make You Like Jesus (vs. 28)
Again, this is our “why” when it comes to leadership development. We want to develop Christ like leaders so their leadership will perpetuate Christ.
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Explain - This is our why, and it should be your why as well. This should be the motive of all believers when it comes to their Christian life and the leadership opportunities.
Jesus Christ, the “Son of Man” (which is a title given the Messiah in the book of Daniel), came for a particular reason. This Messiah/King doesn’t act like an earthly king.
It was, in fact, the purpose and drive of his life.
And we will do well as followers of Christ, through the power of Christ, to emulate Christ in this area.
What do we need to emulate?
Christ came NOT to be served...
Let’s stop here and think about this for a moment. Jesus didn’t have a butler mentality. “Get this for me.” “Do this for me.” “Serve me!”
Of anyone, he held this right.
But this was not his goal.
“he came not to be served, but to serve...”
This, from our perspective is so against our visceral nature, that we think it is insane. The KING of all that is - is a servant?
What does his service look like?
He feeds the hungry.
He heals the lame, blind, deaf, and those who cannot speak.
He heals the those with diseases.
He frees people for demonic spirits.
He raises the dead.
And impressive as all that is, He does something even better...
He gave his life as a ransom for many.
“Ransom”
The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (3083. λύτρον lútron)
Ransom or price paid for redeeming captives, loosing them from their bonds and setting them at liberty. In Matt. 20:28 and Mark 10:45, it applies spiritually to the ransom paid by Christ for the delivering of men from the bondage of sin and death.
“Many” - A great or large multitude.
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
Jesus served the Many by offering up His life for all.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This is the gospel...
He served you by giving you His life in exchange for yours so you could be part of the MANY!
Paul reiterates this truth to Timothy...
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
How did God accomplish this?
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Why did God do this?
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Please, by God’s grace, respond to His good news so you can be a part of the Many!
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
What is keeping you from being the very person God desires you to be?
For those here who are Christians, your life is not your own. You have the glorious privilege to give your life like Christ did.
Jesus’ life was not spectacular. Being a leader means you are a servant - Period.
GET OFF YOUR HORSE, CORPORAL
A rider on horseback, many years ago, came upon a squad of soldiers who were trying to move a heavy piece of timber. A corporal stood by, giving lordly orders to "heave." But the piece of timber was a trifle too heavy for the squad.
"Why don’t you help them?" asked the quiet man on the horse, addressing the important corporal. "Me? Why, I’m a corporal sir!"
Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place with the soldiers. "Now, all together boys - heave!" he said. And the big piece of timber slid into place.
The stranger mounted his horse and addressed the corporal. "The next time you have a piece of timber for your men to handle, corporal, send for the commander-in-chief." The horseman was George Washington, the first American president.
(Source: From a sermon by Tommy Burrus, "Upper Room Prayer" 7/5/2009)
Apply - George Washington is a great example. But do you know who the best example of servant leadership is?
Jesus Christ.
I challenge you to study the life of Jesus and see just what an amazing leader He was and is.
Has anyone, and I mean anyone had a bigger impact on this world than Jesus Christ?
So, not only should Christ be your savior, but he should be your example of servant leadership. Because by doing so, you will become more and more like Him - a very good reason we as a church should focus on leadership development.
Review - Why Should You Lead Like Jesus?
Leading Like Jesus Will Cost You
Leading Like Jesus Will Test You
Leading Like Jesus Will Make You Like Jesus
So, in 2022, would you prayerfully put yourself in the way of growth by learning to lead in your circle as a leader like Jesus?
If you do, don’t be surprised at the amazing opportunities God will give you as you grow in Him.
Remember what Ken Blanchard said about the “Why” of leading like Jesus?
A tremendous benefit happens in the lives of people who lead like Jesus: freedom. Jesus is the only one who offers a model of leadership that’s built on freedom and complete security in Him and His power at work within us. While the world continues to throw solutions at us that are build on self-empowerment, self reliance, competition, peer pressure, and performance, leading like Jesus frees us to reach heights of influence we never would be able to reach on our own. When we are free from pride and fear, free to humble accept feedback and admit our mistakes, and strong enough to overlook offenses and forgive the errors of other, we can lead people and help them reach their full potential…
Connection Group Reflection Questions
1. What do these verses teach me about our character?
2. What do these verses teach me about God and his character?
3. Because these words are from God, they are TRUTH! What truth is he asking me to believe?
4. What do I need to do to obey him?
5. With whom can I share these truths?