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.”
-Uses God’s Gifts
Romans 12:6-8 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. … If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
-Knows What Is Expected — willing to sacrifice time, energy, effort.
-Equips Others for Ministry
Ephesians 4:11-12 "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
-Grows to Be Like Jesus — servant leadership reflects His spirit and attitude.
Ephesians 4:13 "This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
The servant leader wants to do everything the way that Jesus would do it.
-Keeps Dreaming — great movements start with vision. Even when Satan attacks and opposition rises, godly leaders press on. The servant leader wants every member involved and using their gifts to implement the dream.
Matthew 28:18-20 " Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
*Reach the lost.
*Make disciples.
*Train for service.
*Multiply the mission.
3. How Can I Grow In Christian Leadership?
- Encourage Young People to make it their goal to serve and lead God’s Church.
- Take advantage of learning opportunities.
- Try serving in all areas open to you.
- Don’t give up after the first few tries. Only with time and many efforts can we know what might be the area we serve in best.
Conclusion
Some lead formally (elders, deacons, ministers). Others lead informally by influence. All leadership matters.
Hebrews 13:17 reminds us to follow leaders with joy and cooperation, as they watch over our souls. “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.”
-This is not submission without conscious thought - it requires viewing all of our work together as a church
through the eyes of Scripture.
-But it does encourage cooperation, prayer, and the blessing of having godly leaders to oversee the work of the church.
Christian leadership rejects the world’s models and follows Jesus, the greatest leader of all.
Mark 10:42–45 — “Among you it will be different… whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all.”
The real question is not, Am I a leader?—because we all influence someone. The question is, Am I leading like Jesus?
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Discussion Questions: Equipped to Lead
1. Romans 12:8 says leaders should “take the responsibility seriously.” What does that look like in the life of a church leader?
2. Who have been some of the most impactful leaders in your spiritual journey? What made their leadership effective?
3. Worldly vs. Christian Leadership. Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). Why is servant leadership so hard to practice in today’s world?
4. In your experience, what are some dangers of valuing charisma over character in leaders?
5. The world often measures success by numbers, profit, and popularity. How does Scripture measure success in leadership?
6. John Stott said, “Power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.” How can we recognize humility in leadership?
7. Attitudes of a Christian Leader. Matthew 20:25–28 describes leadership as service. What are some practical ways leaders in the church can live this out?
8. Ephesians 4:11–12 says leaders are to equip others for ministry. Why is equipping more effective than trying to do everything yourself?
9. Christian leaders “keep dreaming.” What role does vision play in keeping a church alive and growing?
10. Jesus gave His church a global vision in Matthew 28:18–20. How can your congregation stay focused on the Great Commission instead of just inward concerns?
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Resources for this Series
Barclay, William B. Daily Study Bible Series: Romans. Westminster Press, Revised Edition, 1977.
Damiani, Pat. Using My Spiritual Gifts.
https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/using-my-spiritual-gifts-pat-damiani-sermon-on-spiritual-gifts-262766
Deffenbaugh, Bob. Thinking Straight about Spiritual Gifts
https://bible.org/seriespage/30-thinking-straight-about-spiritual-gifts-romans-123-8
Fox, Michael. Complete in Christ. Xulon Press, 2007.
Fullenwider, Ray. The Servant Driven Church: Releasing Every Member for Ministry. College Press, 1997.
Osborne, Grant R. IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Romans. InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Reaves, Bradford. Living Sacrifices: Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives. https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/living-sacrifices-transforming-minds-transforming-lives-dr-bradford-reaves-sermon-on-transformation-286029
Steckbauer, Justin. Seven Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ. https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/seven-spiritual-gifts-in-the-body-of-christ-justin-steckbauer-sermon-on-spiritual-gifts-280845
Stedman, Ray. Who Am I, Lord? https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/romans/who-am-i-lord
Wright, N. T. Paul for Everyone, Romans Part Two: Chapters 6-16, Kindle Edition
Yarbrough, Robert W. ESV Commentary Series: Romans - Galatians. Crossway, 2020.
