1 Corinthians 4:1-2
King James Version
4 Let a man so account of us,
as of the ministers of Christ,
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards,
that a man be found faithful.
What would ideal leadership be like?
Do we have ideal leaders?
Have we had one?
Yes, we've had.
If you're born again, a believer in JESUS, you know He's the One.
The ONLY leader we can truly follow.
Scripture describes His leadership:
Philippians 2:5-6
King James Version
5 Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Philippians 2:7
King James Version
7 But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:8
King James Version
8 And being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
In SUMMARY, this is the LORD's form of leadership:
JESUS, being equal to God, nevertheless, took on the form of a servant
He was made in the likeness of man
He humbled Himself
He was obedient
even to the point of dying on the cross
JESUS taught us the BEST way to lead:
Mark 9:35
King James Version
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve,
and saith unto them,
If any man desire to be first,
the same shall be last of all,
and servant of all.
Mark 10:40
King James Version
40 But to sit on my right hand
and on my left hand
is not mine to give;
but it shall be given to them
for whom it is prepared.
Mark 10:41-45
King James Version
41 And when the ten heard it,
they began to be much displeased with James and John.
42 But Jesus called them to him,
and saith unto them,
Ye know that they which are accounted
to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;
and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you:
but whosoever will be great among you,
shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest,
shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto,
but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 12:25
King James Version
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it;
and he that hateth his life in this world
shall keep it unto life eternal.
John 13:3-5
King James Version
3 Jesus knowing that the Father
had given all things into his hands,
and that he was come from God,
and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper,
and laid aside his garments;
and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason,
and began to wash the disciples' feet,
and to wipe them with the towel
wherewith he was girded.
John 13:6-9
King James Version
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter:
and Peter saith unto him,
Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him,
What I do thou knowest not now;
but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him,
Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Jesus answered him,
If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him,
Lord, not my feet only,
but also my hands and my head.
In the process:
Philippians 2:9-11
King James Version
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
of things in heaven,
and things in earth,
and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
JESUS, being the Son of God, taught us to be servants to each other.
He served us by dying on the cross, that we may be saved.
What better, than to offer one's life for another?
Again, JESUS taught us that.
John 15:13
King James Version
13 Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
He also taught us to serve Him.
The Servant was to be served.
John 12:26
King James Version
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me;
and where I am, there shall also my servant be:
if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
That's the PARADOX of leadership.
We are all servants to each other.
There is no lordship over another.
Something the world fails to recognize.
All GLORY belongs to GOD alone.
Servant leadership is the PERFECT form of leadership.
For JESUS showed us by example.
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