Tag: Jesus

Leading by Example

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new. Nestled in this principle is an understanding of influence. We influence people everyday. Some we influence for what is right and some for wrong. The difference is based in our example.

Setting an example is connected to consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying we must become the change we want to see.

Setting an example is also associated with servanthood. The only time Jesus gave an example He said to follow was related to being a servant.

To be the leaders God needs today, we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.

Knowledge, Understanding, Experience

Knowledge often highlights knowing facts or information.

Understanding includes factual information, but it carries meaning and application.

Experience takes on sharing in the same events or activities in order to gain full comprehension.

Paul wanted to know more than facts about Jesus. He wanted more than an understanding of what those facts meant and how they applied. He wanted to know Christ on the basis of experience.

The privilege of going through what Jesus experienced, “the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” meant more than book knowledge.

Imagine a leadership based on this knowledge, understanding, and experience.

Knowing God

God’s people rejected a knowledge of God, His law, statutes, and commandments. Every time this occurred they were punished.

Jesus claimed that eternal life was based on knowing God and knowing the One sent by Him, Jn. 17:3. Peter reminds us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ,” 2 Pet. 3:18. One of the most significant references about knowing God was written by Paul to the church at Philippi, Phil. 3:7-11.

Spiritual leadership is built on the foundation of knowing God. While I cannot fully address every area related to the subject, this lifelong journey challenges us to focus on that goal.

Lead Like Jesus

Often, the way we dress, where we live, the car we drive, the way we walk and talk is based on imitating someone else.

Leaders are not followed because they are like someone else, but because they know how to find their own voice. They are unique, a pioneer in their own rights.

Isn’t this what we seek from our leadership?

From a biblical perspective, we are to imitate Jesus. His leadership style set a precedent that revolutionized His era.

It is not popular in the world, but when leaders practice this same leadership style, a revolution will also occur today.

What Do We See?

How many opportunities were missed because we could not see the possibilities? Do we fail to see the possibilities because we are wearing spiritual blinders?

God told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look in every direction.

Jesus told the apostles to lift up their eyes and look on the fields.

What do we see when we look at our family, friends, coworkers, people in our community, or brothers and sisters next to us in worship?

It is time for us to lift up our eyes and look. The door is open. What will we see when we look through it? What will we do?

The Actions of a Leader

Words can be twisted to mean something different than were originally intended. They can be taken out of context and used against us. The same was true of Jesus, as religious leaders tried to trap Him in His words.

However, their greatest struggle was determining what to do with the fact His actions were amazing, miraculous. Peter reminds us that He went about doing good.

Nicholas Sparks said, ““You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions, not words, that matter.”

A great lesson for leaders.

Fear and the Leader

Fear of the unknown can be challenging.

The task for spiritual leaders is to remove the unknowns for others. When considering death, there is a fear related to the
process of dying and what happens at death, the unknown.

Scripture teaches us the body will return to the dust, but the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the fear of death has been removed. The unknown has now been made known.

We can provide no greater confidence to others than sharing this hope. Because He lives, all fear is gone.

A Leader’s Response

How will leaders in our world respond to the tragedy in Ukraine?

How will leaders in the Lord’s church respond? Tragedy tends to bring opportunity, opportunity most often met with physical provisions. Will we be satisfied to send money, food, water, and clothing?

These are needed, but this tragedy should remind us of the opportunity to help people prepare for something the future holds.

Many lives have been lost and more injured.

Spiritually, the opportunity is ours. Jesus warned us of a great day coming. All will stand before Him. Are we prepared? Are we preparing others?

Knowing The Way

Several years back, I was introduced to the weather rock. It worked quite simply.

If the rock is wet, it is raining.
If the rock is white, it is snowing.
If the rock casts a shadow, it is sunny.
You get the point.

It could not forecast the future, but was great for the obvious.

Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees they were able to state the obvious regarding the signs of the weather, but were blind to the signs from heaven.

Leaders need an eye for the obvious, but they also need a vision for the future. They must know the way and point people to it!

Sacrificial Leadership

To lead is to sacrifice. Sacrifice is found at every level of leadership. How great of sacrifice is required? Are we willing to make the sacrifice?

The apostle Paul was one who made great sacrifices in serving the Lord and His church.

First, Paul claimed nothing held more value than knowing Christ Jesus.
Second, Paul’s suffering was not just past tense. It was future tense also.

If we go below the surface and examine Paul’s leadership, we find a leader of great sacrifice. His level of sacrifice is exemplified throughout his writings (2 Cor. 11:23-29).

Let us arise to the same example.