WP-05 Christian Commission 2

KingdomCharacter

Leadership in Christian Service

Discovering a Life for Better

Christian Service

Text to Ponder…

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Eph. 2:10“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us.”

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Stewardship Leadership in Service

Acts 20 contains Paul’s final exhortation to the leaders at Ephesus. First Paul testified. He called them to witness how he had lived and served among them as their leader.

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As a Leader, He challenged them to remember his service from the

first day in (vv. 18-27).

1. He served the Lord with great Humility (v. 19).

2. He served the Lord with tears (vv.19,31).

3. He willingly faced danger for their sake (v.19)

4. He gladly preached anything which might help them (v.20).

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As a Leader…

5. He taught publicly and in all their homes (v. 20). 6. He proclaimed the whole will

of God (v. 27). 7. For three years he never stopped warning night and day with tears (v.31). 8. He did not covet their financial help (vv. 33-34).

KingdomCharacter

As a Leader…

9. He set an example of hard work (v.35).

10.He set an example in helping the weak and in giving (v. 35).

KingdomCharacter In the middle of this testimony

Paul urges upon them their tremendous responsibility as leaders, Not only are they to follow his example in this ten ways, but he specially urges them to;

KingdomCharacter 1. Keep watch over themselves

(v.28).2. Keep watch over the flock

(vv. 28, 30).3. Shepherd the church (v. 28).

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Paul’s Concept of Service

Paul had a different understanding of service after his conversion. His concept was based on the liberty that he received from Jesus Christ. It was a complete contrast of his former view.

Two Philosophies of ServingTwo Philosophies of Serving

The Secular ServiceThe Secular ServiceA temporal, world-oriented, fractured perspectiveA temporal, world-oriented, fractured perspective

The Christian ServiceThe Christian ServiceAn eternal, supernatural, holistic perspectiveAn eternal, supernatural, holistic perspective

1. What is yours is yours 1. What is yours is yours You do your ownYou do your own

1. What is yours is God’s 1. What is yours is God’s gift let us sharegift let us share

2. 2. What is yours is mineWhat is yours is mine I’ll take advantageI’ll take advantage

2. What is mine is yours 2. What is mine is yours as God’s gift I will as God’s gift I will share and serveshare and serve

3. What you have, I have I 3. What you have, I have I give according to what give according to what l like and what you l like and what you likelike

3. What you have, I have and 3. What you have, I have and they are God’s gifts; Thus I they are God’s gifts; Thus I am committed to give and am committed to give and share because we are both share because we are both God’sGod’s childrenchildren

Job or Christian Service?Job or Christian Service?If you do it because no one else will, it is jobIf you do it because no one else will, it is jobIf you are doing it to serve the Lord, it is If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it is Christian serviceChristian serviceIf you do it just enough to get by, it is a jobIf you do it just enough to get by, it is a jobIf you do it to the best of your ability, it is If you do it to the best of your ability, it is Christian serviceChristian serviceIf you quit because someone criticized you, it If you quit because someone criticized you, it was a jobwas a jobIf you keep serving, it is a Christian serviceIf you keep serving, it is a Christian serviceIf you quit because no one praised you, it was a If you quit because no one praised you, it was a jobjobIf you do it because you think it needs to be If you do it because you think it needs to be done, it is Christian servicedone, it is Christian service..

Job or Christian Service ?Job or Christian Service ?

If your concern is just success, it is a If your concern is just success, it is a job.job.If your concern is faithfulness to God, it If your concern is faithfulness to God, it is Christian service.is Christian service.People may say, “Well done,” when you People may say, “Well done,” when you do your job.do your job.The Lord will say, “Well done,” when The Lord will say, “Well done,” when you complete your ministry.you complete your ministry.

Contrast Between Secular and Christian ServiceContrast Between Secular and Christian Service Secular Secular ChristianChristian

Relies on human effortRelies on human effort Flows out of a relationship with GodFlows out of a relationship with God

Requires external rewardsRequires external rewards Rests content on hidden nessRests content on hidden ness

Impressed with the “big deals”Impressed with the “big deals” Makes no distinction of whom he will Makes no distinction of whom he will serveserve

Picks and chooses whom to Picks and chooses whom to serveserve

Indiscriminate in its ministryIndiscriminate in its ministry

Highly concerned with resultsHighly concerned with results Free of the need to calculate the Free of the need to calculate the effectseffects

Affected by moods and whims Affected by moods and whims and moodsand moods

Ministers on the basis of needsMinisters on the basis of needs

Service is temporaryService is temporary Service is ongoingService is ongoing

Fractures the communityFractures the community Builds the communityBuilds the community

KingdomCharacter

What is a servant worker?

“A person who responds to the call of God and was

consecrated by God for His service; and the person

chooses first to serve, then to lead others, in order to glorify

God for the benefit of the people under his care and the

institution he serves.”

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Jesus: The Model

JESUS: The Greatest Model ServantJESUS: The Greatest Model Servant

Jesus clearly envisioned the destination to which he was leading his people-the kingdom of God (Luke 9:51)

Jesus led without forcing his values on anyone or coercing anyone into following (Luke 6:12,13).

Jesus was not obsessed with gaining the psychological power of great numbers of warm bodies (Luke 9:57-62).

JESUS:The Greatest Model ServantJESUS:The Greatest Model Servant

Jesus was an unafraid as all great leaders must be. No one and nothing could detract him from accomplishing his mission (Luke 11:52-54).

Jesus never compromised his moral integrity in order to accomplish his objectives (Luke 11:52-54)

Jesus is selfless in his motives of leadership. He sought to bring believers to the depth of experience with his father (Luke 10:22)

JESUS:JESUS: TheThe Greatest Model ServantGreatest Model Servant Jesus won the hearts of his followers by leading

through friendship rather than fear (Luke 18:26-30).

Jesus did not hide himself by being inaccessible through power and subordinates but mingled with his followers (Luke 10:15-17).

Jesus was committed to die for the cause of his Father.

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How How servant servant thinks?thinks?

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How servant How servant thinks?thinks?

Text. Numbers 14:24Text. Numbers 14:24““My servant Caleb My servant Caleb

thinks differently and thinks differently and follows me completely.”follows me completely.”

Text. Philippians 2:5Text. Philippians 2:5 “ “ Think of yourselves Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus the way Christ Jesus thought of himself”thought of himself”

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Servants think of Servants think of ministry as an ministry as an

opportunity not an opportunity not an obligation.obligation.

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Servants base their Servants base their identity in Christ.identity in Christ.

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Servants think about Servants think about their work, not what their work, not what

others are doing.others are doing.

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Servants think more Servants think more about others than about others than about themselves.about themselves.

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Servants think like a Servants think like a steward, not owners.steward, not owners.

KingdomCharacter How servant How servant

Acts?Acts?

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How servant Acts?How servant Acts?

Text: Mark 10:43Text: Mark 10:43““Whoever wants Whoever wants

to be great must to be great must become servant.”become servant.”

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How servant Acts?How servant Acts?Real servants make Real servants make

themselves available themselves available to serve.to serve.

St. Francis of Assisi – St. Francis of Assisi – “I will serve “I will serve

regardless of who regardless of who they are and what they are and what

situation they are in.”situation they are in.”

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Real servants pay Real servants pay attention to needs attention to needs

of people more of people more than himselfthan himself

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Real servants do Real servants do their best with their best with

what they have.what they have.

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Real servants do Real servants do every task with every task with

equal dedicationequal dedication

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Real servants are Real servants are faithful to their faithful to their

ministryministry

Characteristics of a Committed Servant Characteristics of a Committed Servant WorkerWorker

1. Committed workers humble themselves and wait for God to exalt themselves (Luke 14:7-11)

2 Committed workers follow Jesus rather than seek a position (Mark 10:32-40).

3. Committed workers give up personal rights to find greatness in service to others (Mark 10:41-45)

4. Committed workers risk serving others because they trust God is in control of their lives (John 13:3)

Characteristics of Committed Characteristics of Committed Servant WorkerServant Worker

He is called – have a strong sense of destiny and are inspired by a sense of eternal purpose.

Unflinching obedience – a “trust-and-obey” commitment.

Assertive wholly for the cause of others – no desire to lead but is forced by the inward love to serve.

Servant leaders communicate and share their visions and others.

Characteristics of a Committed Servant Characteristics of a Committed Servant WorkerWorker

Know how to achieve vision –have foresight and ability to see the future and make timely decision to reach there.

Speak with clarity – speak with enthusiasm and compassion in the language of people to touch their spirits.

Competent and committed – demonstrate skills and constantly accomplish their goals.

Realistic individuals – show tangible ways for people to follow.

What are the What are the

characteristics of a characteristics of a servant leader?servant leader?

According to Paul (1 Thes.2:3-According to Paul (1 Thes.2:3-12)12)

WithoutWithout But withBut withDeceit (2:3)Deceit (2:3) Tenderness (2:7)Tenderness (2:7)Flattery (2:4)Flattery (2:4) Affection (2;8)Affection (2;8)Greed (2:5)Greed (2:5) Transparency Transparency

(2:9-10)(2:9-10)

Self-seeking Self-seeking (2:6)(2:6)

Faithfulness (2: Faithfulness (2: 11-12)11-12)

Characteristics of a Servant Characteristics of a Servant LeaderLeader

Listens, understands, and cares

Empathizes

Respect authority – recognize protocols and submits to authority

Accountable – acts as steward with a sense that he is accountable for his actions.

Characteristics of a Servant Characteristics of a Servant LeaderLeader

Zealous and diligent –work hard and loves his work for the sake of others.

Team spirit –love to work as part of a team

A high regard of individual – committed in developing the potential of others.

Not self-seeking – does not care for position, the position runs after him.

Principles of Servant Principles of Servant LeadershipLeadership

Know yourself and seek self-improvement

Be technically proficient

Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions

Set the example

Know people and look out for their well-being

Principles of Servant Principles of Servant LeadershipLeadership

Ensure that tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.

Train people as a team

Use the full capabilities of the organization

Keep people informed

Which are we as servant-leaderWhich are we as servant-leader An attender or an absenter?An attender or an absenter? A Pillar or a sleeper?A Pillar or a sleeper? A wing or weight?A wing or weight? A power or a problem?A power or a problem? A promoter or a provoker?A promoter or a provoker? A giver or a getter?A giver or a getter? A goer or a gadder?A goer or a gadder? A doer or a deadhead?A doer or a deadhead?

Which are we as servant-leaderWhich are we as servant-leader

A booster or a bucker?A booster or a bucker? A supporter or a sponger?A supporter or a sponger? A soldier or a slacker?A soldier or a slacker? A worker or a worrier?A worker or a worrier? A lighter or a leaner?A lighter or a leaner? A friend or a faultfinder?A friend or a faultfinder? A helper or a hinderer?A helper or a hinderer?

What kind of leaders, What kind of leaders, workers are we?workers are we?

If you and I will be judged today If you and I will be judged today to determine as to our identity to determine as to our identity as a leader, Elder, worker, can as a leader, Elder, worker, can you and I be declared guilty as you and I be declared guilty as true servant leader?true servant leader?

Prayer…Prayer…Teach us, good Lord to serve Thee Teach us, good Lord to serve Thee

as Thou serve usas Thou serve us::To give and not to count the costTo give and not to count the costTo fight and not to heed the To fight and not to heed the

woundswoundsTo toil and not to seek for restTo toil and not to seek for restTo labor and not ask for any To labor and not ask for any

rewardrewardSave that of knowing that we do Save that of knowing that we do

Thy Will.Thy Will. Ignatius LoyolaIgnatius Loyola

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WP-05 Christian Commission 2