Leadership Series

Leadership

Jeffery Anselmi / General

Core 52 / Christian Leadership / Mark 10:41–45

Jesus offers us a better way to lead.

INTRODUCTION

- The topic at hand today is one that I love to discuss: the subject of leadership.

- When the disciples were with Jesus, they thought Jesus would be a worldly leader who would deliver Israel from Roman rule.

- They anticipated Jesus sitting on the throne in Jerusalem, ruling the world, and they all wanted to be a part of that action.

- Let's look at Mark 10:35-41 for some context.

- This conversation takes place after Jesus predicts His death for the third time.

Mark 10:35–41 (NET 2nd ed.)

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

37 They said to him, “Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?”

39 They said to him, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience,

40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

41 Now when the other ten heard this, they became angry with James and John.

- For informational purposes, In Matthew's Gospel, in Matthew 20:20, Matthew says that the mother of James and John, Salome, was the one who brought her boys to Jesus.

- Mark says the boys made the request, while Matthew tells us it was their mother.

- The boys made the request through the medium of their mother; they requested her to ask it for them.

- Did the boys want to lead, or did they seek power?

- When people run for office or seek a promotion to be bosses at work, what is their motivation for wanting the position?

- Are they seeking to lead, or are they seeking power?

- Jesus knows the hearts of his disciples, so he uses this opportunity to teach them the difference between the leadership the world has modeled for them and the type of leader Jesus expects them to be.

- Let’s read Mark 10:41-42.

Mark 10:41–42 (NET 2nd ed.)

41 Now when the other ten heard this, they became angry with James and John.

42 Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them.

SERMON

I. The principle of worldly leadership.

- I love the scene where James and John got Mommy to ask Jesus if they can sit at the right and left hand of Jesus once Jesus takes over.

- Verse 41 says that when the others heard this, they became angry at James and John.

- Why were the other disciples angry?

- Most likely, they wanted the same thing, but James and John beat them to the punch!

- Jesus knows the hearts of these men, so He calls them together so He can use this event as a teaching moment.

- Why do people want to lead?

- There are a couple of options.

- One, they want to make things better, they want to help others reach their potential, which, in turn will be a win for everyone.

- The other reason for someone to desire to lead is POWER!

- Jesus points out this type of leader in verse 42.

- The worldly model for leadership involves the desire to have and use power.

- The person who seeks power is a slave to that power; they will say anything and do anything to keep their power.

- The worldly leader has no convictions and will say whatever they have to say to keep power, even if what they now say contradicts what they have said in the recent past.

- Jesus senses His disciples are seeking greatness through power.

Mark 10:42 (NET 2nd ed.)

42 Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them.

- Jesus tells His disciples that the recognized leaders of the Gentiles when they are given the privilege of leading, use their power to oppress people.

- The power-hungry person will do whatever they need to do to keep hold of their power.