Leadership Principles of Jesus #1

                                                    “Leadership Principles of Jesus” #1
I.  Leadership is servanthood
Jesus said, “ It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”
Max Dupree has said “Above all leadership is servanthood.”  “A servant leader serves the mission and leads by serving those on mission with him” Gene Wilkes
There is a paradox in servant leadership. A leader must lead and that sometimes includes correction and rebuke. Yet, he must also serve those working with him-helping them do their best job. Jesu is our example of the servant leader. How did Jesus serve?
       1. Jesus walked in humility
Philippians 2:5-8 says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”
We need to others first
      2. Jesus respected authority
Mark 12:17 “Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.
     3. Jesus never ask others to do what He was unwilling to do Himself
     4. Jesus did what He was uniquely called to do- A leader needs to be willing to do all things, but major on his calling.
     5. Jesus delegated to others- He spent the majority of his time with those who would make the biggest impact on His ministry. He trained them for the ministry and then sent them out to do that ministry.
     6. Jesus always told the truth.
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
     7. Jesus never sought revenge. - Jesus forgave those who crucified Him.
Matthew 18:21,22 “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
     8. Jesus prayed for His team and followers.
John 17:20,21 ““I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
     9. Jesus followed His Fathers will whatever the outcome.
    10. Jesus always demonstrated love for people.
There is a paradox to servant leadership, but if we follow Jesus’ example, we will be able to navigate the task.