Click to download the audio version of “Dynamic Spirituality: Part 5”
Dear Friends,
Welcome to another Holistic Leadership training focused on centering our vision and minds on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. In centering on Jesus, He becomes the perfecter of our work in ILF, God’s ministry. We miss you! I would encourage you, brothers and sisters, to re-listen to last week’s message when brother Cyrus focused our attention God’s promise, “I am with you!” I know God spoke to my heart through that message during a time of uncertainty.
If you have your Holistic Training Manual with you, we will be looking today at the second page under Dynamic Spirituality, the 5th point listed, which states: “holistic Leadership….serves one another in tangible and purposeful ways with Christ as the ultimate example.
We have seen so many examples within ILF staff, among all of you, of servant hearts, of going above and beyond to serve one another well outside of your job descriptions. But truly our ultimate example is Jesus himself.
In the book of Philippines, Paul says in 1:27, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and stand firm.” How do we do this? In one spirit, like-minded, united, serving one another. In this book, Jesus is given as the perfect example of a servant and Jesus’ example should encourage us to have servants’ hearts. Not just to serve one another, but the focus should be serving Jesus through serving one another. This is stated clearly in 2 Corinthians 4:5.
“For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
He is our perfect example because He illustrates in Himself characteristics of a true servant.
Here are a few examples:
1. Jesus thought of others before Himself
This is an incredible thought: Although God, Jesus emptied Himself, or made Himself nothing. He poured Himself out and gave Himself away. Having the attitude of Jesus begins with a choice. He purposefully laid aside all the glories of heaven to come to earth as a human baby. Still God, He chose to grow and live as a man who would suffer a cruel death for us.
Jesus demonstrates that servant leaders do not get caught up in a sense of entitlement but rather give of themselves sacrificially for other
2. Jesus served
Philippians 2:7 describes Jesus as a servant, or more specifically, a bondservant—someone in bondage or servitude to someone else. Jesus did not pretend to be a servant. He was not an actor playing a role. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him willingly serving others in practical ways. He spent time with people which other leaders would not, he got his hands dirty in the mud to give sight to a blind man, he helped this poor, sick, diseased. Is this not the vision we have for ILF? That we would serve our communities in practical ways?
And remember, Jesus serves you still! He is our high Priest interceding for us in prayer.
3. Jesus Sacrificed
Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice. He did that for us, with the joy of our redemption in mind. Having the attitude of Jesus might lead us to doing things we don’t want to do for the sake of others. Jesus prayed “not my will but Thy will be done” as He faced the cross.
Servants are not self-serving but rather submissive to God’s will for the sake of the big picture, God’s glory.
4. Jesus served with joy
Hebrews 12:2 tells us that with the joy of our redemption set before Him, He endured the cross. He tells us in Joh 15:11 “these things I have spoken to you that my joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full.” The joy we have in loving one another is the joy of Jesus!
Romans 12:1 tells us to take our everyday, ordinary lives, from sleeping, eating, to our roles within ILF, and place it before God as an offering. This is our spiritual act of worship. In fact, serving one another in love, as Jesus did, is as important an act of worship as singing him songs at church!
So, my friends, as we look to Jesus as our role model, may we serve one another, those God has placed in our paths, sacrificially, putting others before our comfort, and with Joy in our hearts.
Would you respond with whatever God places on your heart after hearing/reading this?
