* It is No Longer Our Will, but God's Will

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God;  But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. 

Philippians 2:5-7

Successful leadership in the world is often measured by power, money, education, and abilities. There are many styles of leadership in the world. By "style" we mean the way in which a person leads. For example, there are dictators who control people. There are also democratic leaders who are controlled by the vote of the people.

When Jesus came into the world, He reversed the world's ideology of successful leadership when He became a servant. Jesus shows us a wholly different way through the the New Testament principle of leading as a servant.

Jesus contrasted spiritual leadership with worldly leadership. He said:  

. . . Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  Mark 10:42-44

Leading like a servant is what sets Christian leadership apart from worldly leadership. It is the one leadership style that is uniquely Christian.

The greatest example of leading like a servant was the Lord, Jesus Christ. A servant is one who serves others in humbleness, dedication, and love. Jesus both taught and modeled servant-hood. Jesus rejected all the ideas of power held in the world and modeled something entirely new. "Servant" is a strange word for a leader, but Jesus made it clear He had come to serve:

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  Luke 22:26

Mark relates that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve:  

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.   Mark 10:45

Apostle Paul said of Jesus: 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  Philippians 2:7

The leaders in the early Church followed the pattern set by Jesus. They called themselves servants:              

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ...                                              (Romans 1:1)

            James, a servant of God and...Christ.                                     (James 1:1)

            Peter, a servant...of Jesus Christ.                                             (2 Peter 1:1)

            Jude, a servant of...Jesus Christ.                                              (Jude 1:1)

           

Grant to thy servants to speak thy Word with all boldness.   Acts 4:29

We are to continue in this pattern. We are to be servants of those whom we lead; be it inside the church or as an influence to the world.

You may ask, "How can I be a leader if I am a servant to the people I am leading? Why all this emphasis on serving?" The answer to these questions is that  

in servant-hood there is power

Leading like a servant does not mean being a weak leader. It is not to say that leadership should not be energetic, aggressive, and strong against spiritual enemies.

The power of servant-hood is that it humbles a person to the point that he can be used by God. This is illustrated in the life of Jesus Christ.  

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11 

These verses explain how through humbling Himself as a servant and dying on the cross (verses 5-8), Jesus was exalted in great power (verses 9-11). The cross was the last place on earth anyone would look for a leader, but it became the "power of God unto salvation"

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  1 Corinthians 1:18

In God's Kingdom, the order of many things is reversed. We are strong when we are weak, receive when we give, and live by dying. As a leader, you become powerful through serving.

Matthew 20:25-28 and Mark 10:42-44 show four qualities of worldly leaders that contrast the characteristics of Christian leaders:

Ø       Secular leaders have dominion over their followers: 

"Dominion" in this text means "oppressive, controlling force". 

Servant leaders do not oppress or control their followers.

Ø       Secular leaders exercise authority over followers: 

The word "authority" in this text means "superiority". Worldly leaders consider 

themselves superior to their followers.  

Christian leaders are called to service, not superiority.

Ø       Secular leaders are chiefs over their followers: 

The word "chief" in this text means to be in first place. 

In God's Kingdom, the first (leaders) are last.

Ø       Secular leaders are lords over those they lead: 

The word "lord" in this text means one to whom service is due. 

The Christian leader serves his followers.

As servant leaders, we serve the Body of Christ. Apostle Paul told the Corinthians:  

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.   2 Corinthians 4:5

We also serve lost and dying humanity. Read the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.  Servanthood takes on dignity and power because when we serve others, we are really serving the Lord:  

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  Matthew 25:40

Read the parable of the servants in Matthew 25:14-30. Because we are serving the Lord, we are responsible to Him:  

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than His lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  John 13:16

Apostle Paul explains in Philippians 2:5-8 how to become a servant leader by following the example of Christ. Leading like a servant means we must:

Ø       Develop the proper attitude:  

Leading like a servant begins with our attitude. We must develop the attitude of Jesus:  

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God . . . and took upon Him the form of a servant. Philippians 2:5-7

God uses men and women whose heart attitude is right. David was anointed as king because the Lord looked at his heart.  

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.   1 Samuel 16:7 

Motives are determined in the heart. Our natural motives are selfish. If we are to be a servant leader, our attitudes and motives must change.

Ø       Humble yourself:  

But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant. . . Philippians 2:7

Do not be concerned about your ambitions, plans, position, or reputation. Yield all of these things to God and humble yourself. Humbling yourself is something you do, not something God does.

Ø       Identify with mankind:  

Jesus was able to serve because he identified Himself with mankind. He identified and met their needs:  

. . .and was made in the likeness of men . . .and being found in fashion as a man. . . Philippians 2:7-8

Jesus was tempted like man, suffered like man, and had a body subject to the weaknesses and needs of mortal man. If we are to serve those we lead, we must identify our self with them in their weaknesses, sufferings, and needs.

Ø       Be obedient:  In order to serve, Jesus became obedient: 

. . .He . . .became obedient. . .  Philippians 2:8

Everyone who is in authority as a leader is also under the authority of a leader. As a Christian leader, we are under the authority of God. You may also be under a leader of a denomination or Church fellowship. To properly serve as a leader, we must be obedient to our own leaders.

Ø       Die to sin and self:  

Jesus was obedient event to the point of death:   

. . . and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)

Apostle Paul said:  

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  (1 Corinthians 15:31). 

The dying of which he spoke was a continuous dying to sin and self. This is what is required of those who would lead by serving. We must crucify sin and self in our life. The cross will be a painful experience, but as Jesus, we will learn the principles of servant leadership through the suffering.

Ø       Serve in love:  

Because of His great love, Jesus humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, identified with man and became obedient unto death:  

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  1 John 4:10-11

Love is central to servant leadership. Love begins as an emotion in the heart, but it is shown in practical, observable ways. When you truly love someone, you are willing to serve them.

A servant leader builds up those he serves. He never uses people but works with and through them in a way that helps them grow spiritually. He gives instead of takes. Destruction is fast and easy but building takes time and is more difficult.

In 1 Corinthians 13  every place it says "charity",  substitute the words "the servant leader". (Example: "the servant leader suffereth long".) This will help you grasp the meaning of the love that is to be shown by servant leaders.

When Jesus came to earth as a servant, He gave up His right to "be in charge" of His own life. He said, 

"Not my will, but thine be done".  Luke 22:42

When we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge. We are no longer building our own kingdom. We are building God's Kingdom. We no longer communicate our ideas or beliefs. We communicate the message of our God.

It is no longer our will, but God's will. 

Jesus came to serve by choice. This is true, however, at any point, Jesus could have decided not to fulfill the will of God.  Now the choice is yours. . .  Will you choose to serve?

Remember:  

We are only qualified to lead to the degree we are willing to serve.

(Biblical Studies)

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