Articles
Leading By Serving
Over the last couple of bulletins we have been examining principles contained in God’s word regarding how we are to act as leaders. One of the seemingly paradoxical principles Jesus teaches us regarding leadership is to lead by serving. Sometimes people in authority view such as an opportunity to have others serve them rather than serving others themselves.
Jesus constantly had to remind His disciples of the fact true greatness in His kingdom would consist of being humble and serving others rather than being served by others. In Matthew 18:1-5 Jesus’ disciples ask Him, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ and He responds by teaching them they must have the humility of a little child. In Matthew 20:20-28 we read, “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.’ And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’” (NKJV). As the disciples are eating with Jesus on the night when He would be betrayed, “there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest,” and Jesus once again has to teach them the importance of serving others and humility (Luke 22:24-27, NKJV). Jesus emphasized this aspect of leadership and such is something we need to learn.
Elders are leaders in a local congregation of God’s people. They do not exercise their authority, “as being lords over those entrusted to you” (1 Peter 5:3, NKJV). Elders are to be men who are, “not self-willed” (Titus 1:7, NKJV). They are to lead not from a self-seeking motive but rather from the motive of wanting to serve and help others.
Parents are leaders within a home. Parents are to use their authority not as a means to just get what they want. Parents need to use their positions of authority within the home as a means to serve their children by acting in their best interests. Paul compares his conduct among the Thessalonians to the conduct of a mother and a father toward their children (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11). In describing the way he conducted himself among the Thessalonians, he says, “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NKJV). Parents lead in part by being willing to impart their lives and make the necessary sacrifices to help their children. Parenting is not something one can be successful at and be selfish. Parenting requires one to selflessly serve others and at times to put their interests above your own (Philippians 2:3-4).
Husbands are given a position of authority within the home. Husbands should not use their authority to have others serve them. Husbands instead ought to be willing to serve their wives. 1 Peter 3:7 teaches husbands to, “dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life” (NKJV). Such sounds like a husband who uses his position of authority selflessly rather than selfishly. Husbands are to treat their wives in the same way Christ treats the church. Christ’s love for the church led Him to give Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25-27). Husband ought to love their wives in such a way they are willing to sacrifice themselves for their wives.
Jesus, as our great example, certainly demonstrated using a position of authority (Matthew 28:18) not for selfish purposes but to serve others. In face, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8, NKJV). Let’s seek to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) as we seek to be godly leaders in our relationships with others.
