When we turn on the news, we are overrun by illustrations of leadership-both good and bad. We hear terms like “leading from behind” to “True leadership is this or that”. The problem is that when we get ten people in a room, we get ten different definitions for what leadership is. Today, I am going clear up the mystery around what true leadership is. I am going cut through all the worldly noise and clarify what true leadership is according to God, through His Word. Why God? Because God is the only supernatural, perfect, all good, and unmovable being. In other words, God doesn’t change as the Ultimate Standard for all things. And today we will look at what true leadership really is.

At one time or another all of us have experienced having a good boss and a bad one. One major reason for this lack of good leadership can be attributed to our culture becoming, generally speaking, void of biblical conviction, literacy, and orthodox Christian values. This has led a deficit of good leadership; a generation with very little if any idea as to what true ethical, biblical servant leadership is or supposed to be.

The begs the question as to what God’s Word tells us about leadership. In an effort to answer that question, let’s look at the Book of Matthew, chapter 5:25-28. The general setting is as follows:

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem with his twelve disciples and explained to them that that “the Son of Man” (speaking of Himself, Jesus) would be condemned to death and delivered to the Gentiles, mocked and flogged and then crucified and will be raised on the third day. 

For starters, the disciples did not fully comprehend what Jesus was saying at the time. As a result, the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, “kneeling before him she asked him a favor…”. What did she ask of Jesus? She asked Him to promising that her two sons “…sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom” (vs.21). 

Jesus kindly but firmly explained to her that she does not know what she is asking for, and that the Father makes that decision. Jesus goes on to explain to her that those who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first in the kingdom of God. Jesus points out in verses 25-28, that the measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige but one of SERVICE or “SERVANT LEADERSHIP”. When you connect the dots of what Jesus is saying, it becomes clear that leadership are called to “servant leadership” and servant leadership is what defines or makes a great leader.

A true leader has a number of components, and I want to share with you four essential principles or components that define a true leadership. When these four principles are followed by those in authority, true success more often than not follows, and those people being led by the servant leader tend to rise to their fullest potential. So WHAT does define a true leadership? I have four bullet points to describe true servant leadership according to God through Matthew:

1) FIRST: A TRUE LEADER does NOT lord their authority over others. Jesus makes clear that the Gentiles lord and often abuse their power with those below their authority. This is wrong for the Gentiles to do so and absolutely unacceptable for the Jewish people to do this is the point Jesus is making. We the reader should take note of this.

2) SECOND: A TRUE LEADER is a “servant-leader” and as such is responsible for others. A true leader sees their self and their role as one committed to the organizational success and development of those they serve (those who report to that person). The greatest of leaders understands that “GREATNESS” is not ruling over others, but serving those they are responsible for.

3) THIRD: A TRUE LEADER is smart in that they put the needs of others, meaning those under them before himself or herself; understanding that in the end, to be first on earth is to be last in eternity. A true, authentic leader understands the true nature of leadership as servanthood. The true leaders sees the big picture as opposed the immediate gratification of the present moment.

4) FOURTH: LASTLY, A TRUE LEADER  who happens to be a person of faith in Jesus Christ is different than a leader of no faith, or one who has faith in any other religion or god(s) out side of the Christian faith. While it’s possible for a non-Christian to become a great leader, their success is predicated on whether they follow the biblical model for servant leadership or not. In the end it all boils down to the WHY one leads as a true servant leader that sets that leader apart. Matthew 20:28 shows us the Ultimate Standard for great/servant leadership in Matthew 20:28. This verse also tells us the “WHY”:

“…the Son of Man (Jesus) came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). In other words Jesus came as the Ultimate Servant Leader and paid the ultimate price-His bodily life.

ZOOMING OUT

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) says this:“25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

SO WHY WOULD GOD COME AS A SERVANT LEADER WHEN HE DOESN’T”T HAVE TO? WHAY ANSWER: HE CAME AS A “RANSOM FOR MANY”?

>>> Jesus as God himself did not see himself as some kind of a “boss” but rather as the Ultimate Servant Leader of the universe. The word “FOR” used in verse 28 is undebatable in that it means “IN THE PLACE OF”. Christ here clearly interprets the meaning of His sacrifice as a servant to or “IN PLACE OF” our having to face eternal damnation. Jesus came as the Ultimate Servant Leader as a substitution (payment for sin) for you, me and for people who will accept that as a free gift through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

IN CONCLUSION

From a Birds Eye view, verses 20-23 function as a a bridge connecting 20:1-18 with 20:29-34. Through this bridge it is made clear that God gives rewards on the basis of His grace (verses. 1-16) through the death of His son (vs. 17-19). We all, from time to time tend to jockey for rewards and status in life. If not careful, when void of true accountability, we can end up self-serving as opposed to living out our mission through true servant leadership as defined byJesus. 

Think about it. Jesus had already promised that the disciples would reign in the kingdom with Him (19:28). But James and John wanted a GUARANTEE that they would be the first among equals. Don’t we do the same type of thing from time to time? Before we get angry with James and John, let’s admit (if honest with ourselves) that in our carnal, sinful state, most of us would want the same in light of wanting a high seat in the kingdom of God. But Jesus says in verse 27 that the greatest among you, “SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT” or “HELPER” (v26). 

By authentically seeing yourself and living out your life as a SERVANT LEADER, you will begin to better develop as a godly leader. This does NOT mean that you or I will develop as a perfect person or perfect leader. It simply means that through “sanctification”, God’s grace and a teachable heart, that we will become better servant leaders, authentically lead by biblical principles and the power of the Holy Spirit. We will struggle in a good way with our own sin but that means that we are developing in Christ. When we get to heaven, we will have finally arrived in God’s glorification. For now, we struggle, develop, and strive to become better servant leaders.

FINALLY

It is true that a leader serves his organization by exercising authority and influence. But the TRUE SERVANT leader-one who satisfied Jesus’ job description, occasionally gets his hands dirty in the process of helping those who cannot reciprocate. Let’s remember that Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve us. 

If we are listening, watching and operating with a teachable heart, than this will provide us the supreme example of servant leadership. And this is God’s blueprint for TRUE SERVANT LEADERSHIP.

I was reading in Matthew 23 this morning, and issue and importance of “Faithfulness” came up. Let’s read:

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!" (Matthew 23:23-24)

It’s easy to read through or over the fact that God lists three things that over-religious people tend to skip over or ignore: JUSTICE, MERCY and “FAITHFULNESS”. Why do I make such a big deal about faithfulness? Because it’s becoming more and more rare that people, even within the church to be faithful people because they lack faithfulness. 

WHAT IS FAITHFULNESS? Merriam Webster Dictionary defines faithfulness as “Steadfast in affection or allegiance” LOYAL, a friend, Firm in adherence to PROMISES”.

The last one is the key. We make covenants which are promises. We give our word that we will do something, be there, or carry through with something…and then we don’t. 

My old boss made me promise twice that I would attend the funeral of his wife who was dying of MS. As a matter of facet, he called me back into his office to make me promise twice. I made the promise. She died a number of years later but I had already moved to Charlotte, NC. I flew back to Maryland and was the only person at the grave site that was not family. They were shocked and a bit uncomfortable. I told my past boss that I had given my word, made a promise, and I have to be faithful to fulfill that promise. I spent all of 6 hours there before going back to the airport, getting on an airplane and flying home.

He later told me, “You didn’t have to be there”. I told him, “Yes I did”. It’s OK to release someone of their promise, but if not released, a person must carry through with their promise.

And this is what it means to be FAITHFUL. I don't always get things right as an imperfect sinner, but keeping a promise is something I take very serious. Faithfully keeping up with friends of old is important as a “faithful” friend. Too many of of us today fail to appreciate friends of old and promises made to others. But, many of us do keep our word, keep our promises and appreciate friends of old. What matters most outside of God and others? As a result of being "faithful", we become better friends, more faithful people and to others. Most importantly, we are faithful to God who gave us this the command to be faithful in the first place. When we are faithful to God first we tend to naturally become faithful to others more naturally. Lastly, people will be drawn to your faith in Christ as the greatest witness. And this is what it means to be faithful.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? You tell me.-Steven

A HEART FOR THE LOST
Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV)

We live in a broken world filled with broken people. In truth, all sinners are broken in one way or another-some more and some less. The truth and good news is that God can only use a broken person because they have “been there” and have “empathy” for the lost and broken world. In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us a blueprint for what and how to live as Christian in a broken world. Let’s get started.

THIS IS WHAT JESUS SAID:

Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV)
“12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my[a] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

JESUS’ BLUEPRINT
Let’s now break down the words of Jesus to better understand His blueprint for our being used by God to reach a lost and broken world.

1) (Verse 12) Jesus opens with saying, 
“What do you think?” 

Why would Jesus open with a question? The answer is to get our attention and to get up to put on our “thinking caps”. Jesus wants us to stop and pay attention. 

2) (Verse 12 goes on to say) “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray,…” 

Here, Jesus is grabbing our (the reader’s) attention and refocuses our attention on a story. Notice that Jesus uses “story” to teach us. In this story or scenario, Jesus gives the hypothetical regarding a man who has 100 sheep, and one and ONLY one of them goes astray and get’s lost. Jesus has our attention and we are thinking about what a shepherd who has 100 sheep is to do when just one of them get’s lost. Does he rest on a good track record of still retaining 99? Does he call his family or friends to help him? What does he do?

3) (Continuing on Verse 12) Jesus gives a second hypothetical or scenario as to what the shepard may do. This seems to indicate what the shepherd SHOULD do: 

“Does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” 

5) (Before Jesus gives the answer, in verse 13 He gives us but a another hypothetical, stating):

“And IF he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.” 

In other words, “IF” he finds the lost sheep, then this is what will happen. This is the centerpiece and the hinge of the entire parable. Everyone who reads this parable is relieved, excited and is very happy that the shephard found the one in a hundred lost sheep! But we are not sheep, so what exactly is Jesus telling us? In verse 14, Jesus goes not to connect the dots and tell us the meaning of the parable and the point of His message.

7) (Verse 14) gives us the answer and central point of Jesus’ lesson, saying:

“So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

SO WHAT?
First, we are all shepherds (small “s”) and God is the Ultimate Shepherd (capital “S”). Second, we are all called to not stay in the church pew with the 99 after church. Instead, we are to go out into all the and make disciples in our lost world (Matthew 28). 

We are all called to share our faith with those in our lost and broken world. And we are all called to do this with an attitude that we want what God wants…that none should parish. And this is God’s blueprint provide to us by Jesus Himself a blueprint for what and how to live as Christians in our broken world. So, what are we waiting for. Let’s get started.