Leading Like Jesus Part One Series

Leading like Jesus Part 1

Selected Passages

October 28, 2007

Evening Message

This message was birthed out of several sources

The Top Ten Leadership Principles of Jesus by John Maxwell

The Management Methods of Jesus by Bob Briner

The Leadership Secrets of Jesus by Mike Murdock

Jesus CEO by Laurie Beth Jones

When you hear the word leader, who comes to mind? For many of us, we might think of politicians like Abraham Lincoln or George W Bush. We might think of church leaders like Martin Luther or John Wesley. We might think of military commanders like George Washington or General Patton. We might think of industrial or technological innovators like Bill Gates.

What positions in the church would you consider leadership positions?

Board Member Ministry Director

Sunday School Teacher Praise Team Member

Volunteers for Outreach Give to support various ministries

The Bible is filled with men and women who were great leaders. Here are just a few who came to mind:

Noah Abraham Moses Joshua

Gideon David Nehemiah Isaiah

John the Baptist Peter John Paul

Before we can really think about people being leaders, we have to first define leadership.

Definitions of Leadership

Leadership is influence. John Maxwell

Leadership is the art to of influencing and directing people in such a way that will win their obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in achieving common objectives. U. S. Air Force

The ultimate test of practical leadership is the realization of intended, real change that meets people’s enduring needs. James MacGregor Burns

"Leadership appears to be the art of getting others to want to

do something you are convinced should be done." — Vance Packard

Leadership is the ability to influence others to achieve positive results

Why do we need to discuss leadership within the church? Jesus Christ was the most powerful leader in history. If we are going to make an impact on those around us, we need to influence them for Christ. Every person is a leader in some way, we all have influence with others in some manner.

Leadership matters in the life of the church and if it matter to the church we need to lead like Jesus led.

Leadership begins with Service

The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11

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

There is no way to lead like Jesus without the willingness to serve. This does not mean that you let others control what you do, but rather that your actions are controlled by the desire to serve God and others.

Before you can be a servant, you have to first be secure with who you are.

Security is nothing more than freedom from fear or anxiety. Many Christians are incredibly anxious about serving in ministry or taking a leadership position.

Jesus had a divine position but He never used His authority against people. Jesus had a divine mission and He never stepped away from it. Jesus had a divine plan and He never forgot to submit to it.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus understood who he was, what he came to do and why He came to do it. When you understand who you are in Christ, what Christ wants to do through you and why you are here, you will find amazing security.

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5

Insecure people will destroy ministry in a church. They are focused on things of little importance. They are focused on what they get to do or what they get recognized for. People who are insecure search for something, anything they can secure in life. Insecure people look for what they can control.

Secure Insecure

Towels (service) Titles

People Positions

Add Value Receive value

Prioritize your life around your purpose

Once you understand and define your purpose in life, it allows you to get the right priorities in place.

Basic Definition of Leadership terminology

Vision – Where you want to go in life

Mission – What you want to do in life or how you will accomplish your vision