Servant Leadership Week 2

INTRODUCTION: 

We are in the second week of a 4-week study of Servant Leadership. Last week we discussed that one of the most obvious distinctions of true spiritual leadership is a servant’s spirit. 

Willingness to be a servant to others may be the greatest test of spiritual maturity. 

Clearly, developing a servant’s spirit is not only unnatural to our human nature, but impossible apart from God’s grace and power in each of our lives. Nevertheless, one of the most encouraging, exciting, and rewarding privileges of being a child of God is the fact that He has given us the ability through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us to develop the same spirit of serving that Christ Himself modeled. 

This week, we want to look objectively into our own lives through the lens of Scripture, which portrays a servant’s spirit, and recognize opportunities to cultivate and demonstrate a servant’s spirit in our present sphere of influence. 

Additionally, we want to focus on the source of our ability to serve and let the example of Christ as a Servant permeate our hearts and transform us into His image.

Let's start with…

Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

First, we see some benefits of being in Christ as Paul asks the Philippians to reflect IF they have received any of the following:

• Comfort from His love

• Fellowship or participation with the Holy Spirit

• Affection or tenderness 

• Mercy or sympathy 

Then he turns the conversation and says “If” they have experienced any of these benefits, “Then” he pleads for them to make his joy complete by implementing the following qualities in their lives:

These qualities reflect those of Jesus which is our example of Servant Leadership:

• Like minded, brotherly love towards one another and, being of one accord or in unity in mind and spirit

• Selfless and sacrificial and puts others first

• Humble and not conceited or vain

• Honoring and counts others as more significant than themselves

The passage wraps up with an example, right?  

The example of Jesus and who He is as a servant leader

• He emptied himself - we are called to deny ourselves, we are called a new creation

• He walked away from all the glory, splendor and “the literal status” he had in heaven to take the human form and become a servant: 

• The least we can do is be willing to put aside our own selfish ambitions to help and serve others.  

• He became obedient - even to the point of death.  

• Everything he did was for the glory of the Father

Last week we looked at Luke 6:27-38, let ‘s look specifically at vs 37 

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.

The word forgive is directly mentioned here and it is implied in our Philippians 2 passage.

So why is forgiveness so crucial to servant leadership?

• Well, unforgiveness affects your fellowship with God. It hinders your growth, prayers, blessings, witness, credibility and attitude.

• Forgiveness protects us from plotting vengeance, even in our thoughts towards others.

• Forgiveness is an act of faith that God is a better determiner of justice than we are. 

• Forgiveness is letting go of ourselves, and our own perceived “rights”.  What we are going to be called to forgive during our lives here on earth cannot compare to the forgiveness we have received. Forgiveness acknowledges our understanding of this truth.

• Forgiveness is the crux of our faith. Without us believing and receiving Jesus’ sacrifice and offer of forgiveness of our sins, our faith is meaningless.

True forgiveness requires emptying ourselves as we are called to do.  It is having the mind of Christ, it is for the sake of unity, being of one accord and the same mind.  We cannot serve wholeheartedly, if our hearts are holding onto things we need to surrender to God. The ultimate act of servanthood is to show forgiveness to others.

So how can we practically cultivate forgiveness in our lives to lead with a servant heart or spirit? Here are a few applications:

• Acknowledge the problem. 

  • Pray and ask God to help you with it. 

  • Let go of the problem by not giving any attention to it.

  • Let go of the resentment by making peace with it.

  • Move on by taking any steps God leads you to take 

• Identify where unforgiveness lies in my heart towards someone else.  That's easy right?

  • Consider observing reactions to conversations or situations. 

  • If there is anything critical or negative that enters the mind or comes out of the mouth, identify the source of the offense and choose to forgive.

• Release judgment from my life.  It is too much of a burden to carry anyway. 

  • Remember, Forgiveness, like love, is a choice, not a feeling.  

It starts with a choice to forgive, that is the obedience portion.  

Then it is a process to heal if there are wounds and continue moving closer to the point where we pray for blessings over those who have offended us and can do good to/for them.  

This can only be done with the work of the Spirit in us.  No way, no how this can be accomplished in our human nature.

CONCLUSION:

Servant Leadership and Forgiveness go hand in hand….Forgiveness is an act of servitude.  

It is giving a gift that is undeserved.

Let me read this passage from last week to you.  

Luke 6:27-31

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

This list from Luke 6:27-31 is really a description of the heart of a servant that Jesus himself showed us through his life here on earth.  Love, do good, bless, pray for, forgive, consider others as more significant… Just as Paul wrote to the Philippians and we read today.

As we grow in His grace, intent on the purpose for which He has called us, and focused on an eternal perspective, we will discover a unique joy in serving our Heavenly Father and His people. 

Today’s Scriptures:

• Philippians 2:1-11

• Luke 6:27-38

Thoughts/Questions To Consider:

• What qualities of a servant leader are most challenging to you and why?

• What ways have you seen forgiveness extended in your life or the lives of those around you?  What was the impact?