Introduction
Good morning Church!
Turn to the person next to you and say, “I’m glad you’re here.”
Find a Bible and open to Luke 22.
Today’s lesson is going to build upon the lesson given by Austin two weeks ago on God’s definition of who is the greatest. As you recall the scene, Jesus and his apostles are in the upper room celebrating the Passover. Sometime, while they were up in the room, from John’s account, Jesus washes their feet. When do you think they would wash feet? Before or after the meal? I agree, I believe that Jesus washed their feet shortly after they arrived in the upper room. Just a guess, but I believe the argument happened after Jesus took up the basin and the towel. Then, during the meal an argument arose among those who were there discussing which one of them was the greatest!
Luke 22:24-27 (NASB) says:
24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26 But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
Isn’t it amazing that in virtually every instance, we in our own wisdom does the exact opposite of what is best for our lives? Take for an example the mindset we have about the structure of business, government and other organizations. Our minds naturally go to this pattern: (show the pyramid model with CEO on top then down to the workers on the bottom of the pyramid.)
What do you think of when you see this organizational pyramid? Who is this at the top of the pyramid? That’s right the CEO the top dog. The decision maker. Who are those on the bottom layer? Yes, the ones who support the top dog. We get all sorts of sayings from this model. Things like:
Climbing the corporate ladder.
When I say jump, you say…How high.
I don’t pay you to think, I pay you to…do.
And the derogatory saying dung goes downhill so you better get your waders on and start scooping.
This model has been the model even in Jesus’s day and is still the model today. But did you know that this model is an unsustainable model. A business that actually follows this model will sooner or later fail. Now many businesses have this model shown on their organizational charts but if it is actually followed in practice, the company will fall into disarray and will not be competitive in the global markets.
The reason it fails is in the fact that people are there only to serve the one. They are not paid to think, or be creative. They are there to do what the top dog wants. There is no loyalty. No desire for excellence. If you want to aspire for the top position yourself, you will do whatever it takes to climb over others, stab them in the back etc. to achieve the goal of sitting in the position of power and influence.
Ken Blanchard wrote in his book “Leading at a Higher Level” “When it becomes obvious that profit, which is a legitimate goal, is the driving reason for being in business, everyone-stockholders, top managers, employees, customers, suppliers, and the community-quickly becomes self-serving. They focus on their own agenda and personal enrichment. Employee loyalty and passion often go out the window as the point of work becomes simply to get as much as you can for as little effort as possible.”
I’ve been reading a lot of leadership and management books lately and I am amazed, and not to amazed, that so many of the books that have stood the test of time are based upon a Biblical foundation. It is amazing in the fact that it seems people and businesses don’t follow what is written in these books and not amazing because the Bible certainly gives us all the tools to know how to treat each other and be a powerful influence within our societies and the world.
Ken Blanchard wrote this in the same book “Leading at a Higher Level” this amazing observation: “My travels over the years through organizations of all shapes and sizes have convinced me of two things: Effective leadership starts on the inside, and the right kind of leadership is servant leadership. This is a leadership not based on false pride or fear, but one that’s grounded in humility and focused on the greater good. With the right kind of leadership, leading at a higher level can become a reality.”
So let’s think about this for a minute. If society almost always goes in the opposite direction of what is best for our lives. The opposite direction of what is written in this book, then what would happen if we took the organizational triangle and rotated it 180 degrees? (Show a slide with an upside down organizational pyramid.)
Now, what do you see that is different about this scenario? Where is the CEO? Right at the bottom. What does the CEO do at the bottom? Correct instead of everyone serving him, he is now supporting and serving his organization. What about the mid-level managers, what are they doing? Correct serving and helping those above them to be successful. What about the multitude on the top? That is right, they are serving their customers, and they are empowered to make decisions to better serve others. They have the support from everyone below them to help them be successful!
Another quote from Ken Blanchard’s book “Leading at a Higher Level” “In high performing organizations, the role of formal leadership is radically different from traditional organizations. High performing organizations rely not on cultivating a great, charismatic leader, but on building a visionary organization that endures beyond the leader. The role of leadership shifts from privileged status and power for its own sake toward a more complex, participative, long-term process…once leaders establish the vision, they assume the attitude and behavior of a servant leader.”
Isn’t this amazing! When we turn things around and look at them from 180 degrees from what society has ingrained in us over all of these years, we start to see something radically different and as we will see through the rest of today’s lesson, we will start to see God’s design not only for our lives, but also for this church.
Looking at an upside-down church
Now let’s look at this triangle (show picture of upside down triangle) from the viewpoint of the organization of the church. Who is at the bottom? That is right Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. Then who is next? That is right, the elders or bishops, or shepherds. Then who is at the top? That is right the entire body. So let’s take a look at these three and see what roles each plays in the organization established by God that is called the Church.
Jesus Christ
First let us look at Jesus Christ. Matthew 20:25-28 (NASB) says,
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
This is so amazing! Jesus acknowledges that society has a top down structure. Rulers exercise authority over them. The top down scenario. But Jesus turns things upside down.
A servant was a hired worker who maintained the master’s household, and a slave was a person that was forced into service. Both of these positions were the lowest of the low positions in Jewish society. But here Jesus reverses the positions and says that these seemingly lowly positions are actually indicate positions of prominence and greatness.
So here we have God, the creator of everything. All powerful. He could snuff us out of existence with just a passing thought. The Almighty, everlasting, eternal God walking upon the face of the earth. We would expect him to come in flowing robes and a large crown, taking charge and sending his servants here and there to do his will. But that is not what He did! He did not come to be served but to serve. He took up the basin and towel (show a picture of a basin and towel) and washed his self-centered apostles feet who were arguing about who was the greatest. He came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.
The head of the Church demonstrates his leadership ability by serving and tells us to do the same!
Elders
So what do we see when we look at elders? There actually is not a lot written about what elders are to do, but with that said, we can by looking at several scriptures piece together a picture of the roles of elders. Let’s first look at 1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB).
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Here we see two roles of an elder. The first, preaching, comes from the Greek word logos which is embodies speaking a word or we would say public speaking. In this case publicly speaking the concepts of God. We could say it is a form of teaching to a large group, like what we are doing right now.
The second item is teaching. It is a different Greek word didaskalia. This word is for teaching or instructing someone. Teaching precepts or doctrine to others. It does not necessarily involve public speaking or even speaking at all.
So when we look at this one of the roles of an elder is to teach, speak and train those that are in their care so they will have the skills necessary to grow in their walk with God and do the work that God wants each of us to do. Hmm…Sounds an awful like Servant Leadership, doesn’t it?
In Titus 1:7-11 we read:
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. 10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
In this passage I see two additional duties of an elder. The first is to exhort in sound doctrine. Exhorting is similar to teaching, but also has the aspect to console, to encourage and to strengthen a person. Exhort also has the aspect of entreating a person to see things from God’s perspective. So if the elder sees someone going off track a little the elder comes alongside and consoles them and guides them back onto the path.
The second item in this list is to refute those who contradict. To refute comes from a Greek word which means to reprehend severely and to call to account by showing one his fault. Within the word there is the meaning of discipline and punishment of a person who is misleading others. This punishment and correction is seen in verses 10 and 11.
So from this passage we again see Servant leadership. The elder guides his flock, exhorts them to do great things through Christ. He does not do this in a bullish way, but encourages his flock, strengthening them to push beyond themselves to do great acts of service for Jesus Christ.
In Acts 20:35 Paul is talking to the elders before he heads off to Jerusalem and Paul encourages them with these words:
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
An elder is to work hard, not exalting themselves, but rather giving of themselves just as Christ Jesus came to serve rather than be served. The mission of an elder is to teach, preach and train the flock so they can be strong in their faith and to impact the world around them for Jesus Christ. The elder is to challenge us to grow and to remove any stumbling blocks that arise that are preventing us from growing in our walk with Jesus Christ. It is not about exalting themselves, but rather exalting you. Upside down leadership! Leadership of service!
The Flock
Let us now turn our attention to the flock.
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
The writer of Hebrews is telling his audience how it is. The body of Christ is to grow so they can train themselves to be able to discern good and evil. This allows them the ability to go out and teach others about Christ. To engage their communities, their neighborhoods and their homes with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Chances are, when you were little your parents had a special place on a doorframe or somewhere else where they measured your height every three to four months. Do you remember that?
Remember how excited you were every time you saw that you had grown? Remember how great it was when you passed your mom’s height? (If you did.) And your dad’s height? (If you did that.)
Something in us just wants to grow. And we get excited when we see and feel it happening! So the Hebrew writer tells it like it is and tells them what is happening. Where is your excitement about growing? You have become dull, I’ve placed you on that door frame and you are still the same height. No growth at all!
Growth is such a part of who we are as humans. It is also such a part of who we are as Christians. Did you know that the Bible even measures our spiritual height? Turn to 1 John 2:12.
By the time John wrote this letter, he was in his sixties or seventies, which was old back then. So he writes this as a grandfatherly figure writing to younger folks.
He says: [read 1 John 2:12–14].
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
By John’s definition, spiritual children are those who sins have been forgiven. They’ve had their sins forgiven by receiving the free gift that God has given to us through Jesus Christ.
Spiritual young men are strong because they are regularly reading God’s word, and they are involved in the cause of Christ, advancing his kingdom and thereby “overcome the evil one.”
Spiritual fathers are those who have a relationship with the Lord deep enough to know God’s character personally—his eternal character.
That’s how God measures spiritual growth. From just coming to Christ to growing and serving to knowing God like you know a great friend.
Life is about growth. And spiritual life is about spiritual growth. As the body of Christ we are to grow. Deeping our relationship with Him, so we can teach others and show them this incredible gift that Jesus Christ has given to each of us.
Philippians 2:1-13
2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Yes, the body is to grow. They are to grow so that they will not be selfish, only concerned about their interests, but also have a genuine interest in others.
In fact we are to grow so that we have the attitude, of Jesus Christ. This Jesus who emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant. We need to understand this word for bondservant.
The Greek word for bondservant here is Doulos, which means a slave. This is a person who gives himself up to another’s will. A doulos is a person who is devoted to another to the disregard of their own interests.
Closing
Brother’s and sister’s in Christ. Do you want to be great? Do you want to be great in the eyes of man or of God? That is good to hear. Now do you want to be a great Church?
To do this we need to be an upside down church. Our model is an upside down pyramid. But, you may say, there is no solid foundation, only a single point on the ground, won’t it be easy to topple over? I say that is worldly thinking. Who is that point on the ground? That is right Jesus Christ the corner stone. Our upside down church has a foundation upon the eternal rock and nothing will ever move her from such a solid foundation.
Our job is to encourage and use our talents and skills to serve, to be a doulos. To be a voluntary slave serving each other and the community around us by spreading the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ.
I’m often struck about how we cling so much to the worldly idea of a top down organizational structure within the church. We are hesitant to do good because we do not have permission from the elders. Do you see anywhere in scripture where you need to get permission to do good? For an example, let’s say you are good at skateboarding and you want to do a skateboarding ministry, to teach other people who skateboard about Jesus. You don’t need to wait until you have permission. Go and spread the Good News. We are called to be servants and have the attitude of Christ. If you don’t feel that you have the skills to do it, then seek help, find a person to help train you. We are to grow. A tree continues to grow until the day it dies, and that is the same with us.
My challenge to each of you this week, is to look and reflect upon your life and your skills that God has blessed you with and see how you can use those talents to help this Church and yourself to become great. I’ll look forward to hearing about your ideas next Sunday.
To close Mark 9:33-35 comes to mind:
Mark 9:33:35
33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Servant Leadership. Let us pick up the basin and the towel. Come if you have any needs while we stand and sing the invitation song.
