58. Spiritual Leadership VIII
B. SERVANTHOOD
The position of leadership we have as ministers, is one of servanthood. Leaders are called by God to be servants. MATT 20:20‑28, LUKE 22:24‑27
When we serve, it does not mean that we allow others to use or abuse us. This is just as wrong as dominating those whom we lead. When we dominate, we deny their integrity, and when we are used, we deny our own integrity.
Jesus washed the disciples feet and cooked breakfast for them, yet He remained their teacher and Lord. We serve people because we serve God, and not because we are their slaves.
SERVANTHOOD IS A CHOICE
God wants us to choose to use the talents, intelligence and power He has entrusted us with, to bless and serve others. God will never force us to serve others, it is a choice we make in obedience to His commands, and in response to the example Jesus set while on earth. The entire Christian message is one of a "GIVING" attitude. Jesus, willingly, gave His life for us, and so we must, willingly, give of ourselves for others.
THE DUTY OF SERVANTHOOD
LUKE 17:7-10
v10 “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
NEEDS AND WANTS
When we minister we need to keep focusing on the question, "WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED ?" This must always be distinguished from, "WHAT DO PEOPLE WANT ?" People do not always need what they want. Therefore, if we accommodate them, then we do them a great disservice. We as leaders, then need to be very discerning in serving others, so that we have their best needs at heart. We do this through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we cannot help others, no matter how much they may be hurting or in need. We as ministers are limited in our ability to relate to everyone. But we always steer those we minister to, in the direction of Him who is limitless in all resources, the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, because of our natural limitations, we cannot meet every need we see, even if there is an open door. We are surrounded by human need and suffering, but every need cannot become our personal assignment. That would lead to exhaustion and breakdown.
SERVING BY OPENING DOORS FOR THOSE WE LEAD
JOHN 10:4 “he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
ACTS 13:36. We need to serve, “THE PURPOSES OF GOD” in our generation. We serve on behalf of and because of Jesus. To minister in Jesus' name is to acknowledge that apart from Him I have nothing to give. Therefore, we assign all the glory and credit to Him, not even attempting to sound humble or spiritual, but because He deserves it.
JOHN 10:7-10 “I am a gate for the sheep” As leaders, we open gates or doors of opportunity for our people. These doors could be for good or for evil. Therefore we need to serve God’s purposes in the lives of those we lead. Not personal ambition or the selfish bleating of the sheep.
EPH 4:11-13 “to prepare people for works of service”
C. JOY IN SERVING
There is joy in serving Jesus, but there is a certain joy in serving, that Jesus disallows.
LUKE 10:17‑20. The seventy‑two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (N.I.V.)
The disciples' were really excited about what they were able to do. We are not to rejoice in the power we see displayed, but in the grace that has been received. Our joy in seeing someone set free from satan's hold, can be a selfish joy that feeds on our perceived significance in being used for such a miracle, instead of rejoicing in God’s salvation.
When we minister in Jesus' name, we are to be far more impressed with Jesus, than we are with ourselves. For He is the author of life. Unless we have a sober, "servant‑like", opinion of ourselves, God has His little ways of humbling us from time to time.
WARNING: Don’t always look for praise and acceptance. IE. Don’t be concerned about your reputation. That is God’s concern. (The same people that cried out “Hosannah!”, cried out “Crucify him!”).
There is no greater joy than to see someone being transformed by the power of God, and the credit always goes to Jesus. Eg:-
LUKE 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
(see also LUKE 15:10,32).
Joy in seeing the fruit of our ministry - SOULS SAVED.
PHIL 2:2 “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
Joy in seeing the fruit of Christian character formed.
HEB 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Joy even in the face of suffering!
These moments of joy can only come through serving Jesus