It’s hard to put others ahead of yourself.
Jesus taught that true leaders always promote others before themselves.
Mar 10:42-45, Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43“But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Paul taught us the same thinking should be applied to all our relationships.
Php 2:3-8, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
In this season of nonstop news about self-promoting leaders, we need to keep in mind what a true Christian leader looks and sounds like.
I spent this week with a group of youth and adults that model what true Christian leadership looks like. At our KIDS CAMP I watched people being their best, doing what matters most in serving others for the gospel.
The world is changed one soul at a time.
People are loved one soul at a time.
People get saved one soul at a time.
I am praying you will come Sunday and hear how that was done and how you can become a true Christian leader.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
- What does selfishness say?
Php 2:3, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
- What is empty conceit?
- Why is looking out for your own interest important?
- How can neglecting your own interest keep you from helping others.
Php 2:4, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
- Why is just taking care of yourself not enough for a follower of Jesus?
Php 2:4-8, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
- Share how someone’s unselfishness changed your life?
- Why must all true service start with humility
“ALL TRUE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP GOES FROM THE GREATER TO THE LESSOR.”