Tag: Sacrifice

Sacrifice

To lead is to sacrifice. Sacrifice is found at every level of leadership. When will the sacrifice need to be made? How large of a sacrifice will be necessary?

Perhaps above all, are we willing to make the sacrifice?

If we go below the surface and examine Paul’s leadership, we will find a leader who made great sacrifice. His level of sacrifice is exemplified throughout his writings. He speaks of sacrifices made in the past, present, and future. Whatever it took, he was willing to do.

We could spend weeks considering all the sacrifices required of leaders today. Regardless of what may come to mind, let us arise and make the sacrifices necessary to lead.

God demands it and the church depends on it.

Servant Leadership

What makes a great leader? Achievement? Financial independence? Educational degrees? Business accolades?

Consider the mindset of a servant leader. A servant leader…

…desires the benefit of others above self.
…focuses on the goal of the whole, not a select few.
…leads with passion and compassion.
…gives more than they take.
…sacrifices willingly and lovingly.
…understands the importance of a good example.
…focuses on every person they meet.
…values every second of every minute.
…follows the greatest leader who was the servant of all!

A Kind Word

In the harshness of our present world, the power behind a kind word strengths the nature of leadership.

Speaking with kindness benefits every level of a leader’s influence. When a word is spoken with kindness several results occur.

The desire to achieve kindness benefits others.
The value or worth of the individual is raised to a level of importance.
The fruit of the Spirit develops into a more Christlike quality.
The goal of unity among brethren is exemplified.
The example of Christ’s sacrifice is characterized by our sacrifice.
The outreach to a world of non-Christians is built upon a foundation of love.

Ultimately, God is glorified.

Suffering Leaders

At the hands of Rome, Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, but rather a stumbling block and foolishness. However, to those who are saved, it is the power of God.

The purpose of His suffering makes this an act of great leadership.

As leaders today, the higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make. What leaders willingly suffer becomes a mark of great leadership today also.

Suffering and Glory

We know Jesus suffered while on earth: the persecution He endured, despising the shame, and the ultimate sacrifice at the cross.

John describes the glory of Jesus in the Revelation, and of all the terms that could have been used––sovereign Lord, Prince of peace, Mighty God, Creator, or Christ––John chose “Lamb.” Why use Lamb? Because He was the sacrifice made for the world. Suffering cannot be separated from the glory.

Paul reminds us that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us, but suffering comes first.

Love

Biblically, love involves seeking the highest good for the other person. Love cannot be self-directed or direct the actions of others.

When leaders do this, it is generally because of selfish motives.

When leaders truly understand and lead out of love for souls, we find sacrifice and determination to see that others find a way to heaven. A couple of ideas about leading out of love.

Love gives without expecting to receive something in return.
Love seeks opportunity to serve in all situations.
Love desires the best for others, even at the cost of personal comfort.

Lead out of love and know the power it brings to leadership.

Success

Success relies on the help we receive from or the help we provide others.

Marianne Williamson claims that “success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.”

From a leadership perspective, we find this in biblical application. Biblical success is directly related to our passion, i.e. understanding that passion involves sacrifice, and sacrifice is affiliated with what we give up. When we sacrifice for others, our leadership influence soars.

When our talents and abilities are used to serve others, leadership is at its best. How will you rest tonight?

Suffering Leaders

Jesus suffered on numerous occasions at the hands of religious leaders who sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.

The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at their hands, even though they instigated the procedure.

Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross at the hands of Rome.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. To those who are saved, however, it is the power of God.

The higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make.

Motivation

What motivates you?

The New Testament provides several counter-cultural examples to help us learn the power of motivation.

The motive for being first or greatest in the kingdom is about being a servant of all.

The motive for receiving is based in presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord.

The motive for being blessed is about giving to others rather than receiving.

The motive for not forsaking our assembling together is through exciting others to love and good works.

Do we motivate others toward desired interests? Do we set the example based on what motivates us in the same direction?

The Passion Pyramid

Yesterday, I wrote about passionate leaders where I discussed Steve Moore’s emphasis on interest-based and issue-based passion. Steve’s book, Who is My Neighbor, digs more deeply into the idea of what he calls the passion pyramid.

He refers to four levels of passion.

The first level involves the inner desire to learn.
The second level is where we engage in activities we are passion about.
The third level is when we influence others to participate.
The fourth level requires sacrifice of time, energy, and resources.

Passion cannot be hidden. When we become passionate about Christ, we will change the world.