Lead Like Jesus: Principal 3. Lead Through Service
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Jesus Teaching
Lead through service. This statement sounds like an oxymoron or a contradiction to most people. But the Hope of Glory who is Jesus Christ expressed that this was the only way to lead if you want to be great in the Kingdom of God. He had every right to make commands and He did, but He backed them up by example and by serving others. Though He was a rabbi, priest, king, and God; Jesus gives us the ultimate example of leadership by showing the way. He served His disciples and followers. Take a few moments and imagine that. What a thought that is.
Remember, a title doesn’t make you a leader, knowledge doesn’t make you a leader, and being an entrepreneur doesn’t make you a leader.
“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” —John C. Maxwell
Great leaders don’t set out to be great…they set out to make a difference.
Mark 10:42-45 NKJV 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.-Douglas Adams
Toward the end of my time in China, I began to develop depression. It may have been rooted in self-pity but I couldn’t help but wonder if our time had been wasted. I gave my thirties to missions and ministry. I didn’t preach at a massive crusade. I didn’t start a school or hospital. I began to think “What did we accomplish? Did we make a difference?” I began to regret leaving home and investing six years in Beijing.
The night before we left China. Our church threw us a going away party. Many of our members and friends were there. We had a great time sharing Korean BBQ with friends. As a pastor, I had hoped that my sermons and messages would have inspired and changed someone’s life. As the night came to a close many people said a few words about our time in Beijing. One unifying theme lifted my spirits at that last supper. People may or may not remember any of my sermons but they remember that my wife and I were there for them. During the three long years of COVID-19, the lockdowns, and the isolation, we were there for them. We routinely checked in on people and invited them to our home or out to lunch or coffee. We walked with them around the block when there was nowhere else to go and their families were far far away. We encouraged them, prayed for them, and befriended them.
. How do you make a difference? Volumes of books have been written about great men and women who led, invented, and displayed bravery and they deserve their honors. But one must ask:
What of the praying grandmas who intercede for their grandchildren?
What of the teachers and coaches who took extra attention and time for the troubled teen?
What of the nurse who took the time to explain medical situations to the difficult patient?
What of the policeman who went beyond the call of duty?
It’s the extra mile that will make a difference in your leadership. The extra mile will set you apart. The extra mile will define your legacy.
You may not be remembered for being a great speaker but a great speaker can be remembered for their service, their care, and going the extra mile. Jesus said the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven will be the servant of all. That sentence is proven day after day to be true. Will it be true for you? Will you take the time to care, to go the extra mile, to be a servant? If so you may just discover that you will be the leader of all.
“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”