Equipped #6: Lead With Diligence Series

Equipped to Lead

Romans 12:8 (NLT)

“...If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously…”

Introduction

Our text for the past few weeks has been Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Leadership has always been essential to God’s kingdom work. When Paul lists the “equipment” in God’s workshop, he includes leadership—with this qualifier: take it seriously. Notice how some versions translate this part of the text:

-AMPC: “with zeal and singleness of mind”

-ESV: “with zeal”

-NCV: “should try hard when he leads”

-CEB: “with passion”

-CEV: “do our best”

Leadership requires attention, action, and aspiration.

John Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Michael Fox defines leadership as “the ability to bring out the best in others in pursuit of a common goal.”

Leadership in the church takes several forms:

Elders

Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Titus 1:5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.

Deacons

1 Timothy 3:13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Ministers/Teachers

Earlier in our text is mentioned those who prophesy - express God’s truth and those who teach.

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Many also lead without titles. By helping others in Christian service, they exercise real leadership. Steckbauer said that “A leader is someone who others gather around. Someone others trust and look to for support and guidance.”

Ultimately, the greatest leader of the church is Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Leadership in the kingdom looks different than leadership in the world.

1. Contrast: Worldly vs. Christian Leadership

- Power vs. Service

World: Leadership = Leaders rise to the top to exert authority, dominate, and command others. Success is measured by how much control one has.

Jesus: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). Authority in Christ’s kingdom is exercised through service, not domination.

-Image vs. Integrity

World: Charisma, appearance, hiding weakness. Results matter more than integrity. If a leader delivers success, corners cut along the way are excused.

Bible: “We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways” (2 Cor. 4:2). Paul boasted in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9–10). God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

-Self-Advancement vs. Stewardship

World: Climb the ladder, pursue status, and protect your position. Leadership is a stepping stone to bigger things.

Jesus: Washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:14). Leaders are stewards, not owners.

-Numbers vs. Faithfulness

World: Success = growth, followers, profit. Charismatic personalities, slick communication, and charm are valued more than depth of character.

Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).

-Competition vs. Collaboration

World: Beat out rivals, win at all costs, and protect your turf.

Scripture: The church is one body (1 Cor. 12:12–27). Leadership multiplies, not competes.

John Stott: “Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.”

2. Attitudes of a Christian Leader

-Chosen to Serve

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”