Education

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Part 1

John 13:1-12

Introduction: Jesus is the most effective leader in all of history. His life presence influenced and impacted people in His day and has continued for two thousand years.

People who heard His teachings were changed more by His presence (Matt 7:29) than by the teachings.

Jesus demonstrated a servant spirit. His coming as a servant had been given prophetically by Isaiah eight hundred years before He came (Isaiah 52:13 and 53:11).

His servant life took Him eventually to the cross where He died for us.

If we are going to understand leadership we must understand it from the one who is the greatest leader of all history. We can never understand all about Him but there is much He reveals for us about Himself.

What He is revealing in John 13:1-12 is very important for us. Let's look at some of the revelation.

I. Jesus was secure in His relationship with the Father (John 13:3).

A. Jesus learned to fellowship with the Father ( Matt. 4:1f; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).

B. Jesus learned to listen to the Father (John 5:30).

C. Jesus was obedient to what He heard from the Father (1 John 5:19-20).

D. Jesus desired to please the Father (John 8:29).

E. Jesus gave words from the Father (John 17:8; 12:49). We must always keep in mind Jesus is not operating from any prior knowledge on His part (Phil. 2:5-11 ).

F. Jesus came to serve and not be served (Luke 22:26-27).

G. Jesus example of serving as illustrated in this last supper event as He rises to wash their feet on that final night before the cross speaks to us of having the same servant heart in action.

 

The key is revealed in John 5:20 and John 13:34-35. It is love. Jesus heart-treasure was set on the Father and He calls His disciples (us) to show this love to one another. His final act of love was the cross.

Conclusion: A good servant must learn to be a good listener. Jesus demonstrates this very fundamental trait in His life.

II. God wants me to learn to fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1-5).

A. The Apostle John gives us key insight into vertical and horizontal relationship-fellowship.

1. vs-3 fellowship with God results in the natural flow of fellowship between family members.

2. vs-1 they heard and we hear and they saw and we see. They touched and we touched -- the Word of Life -- Jesus. It is a very intimate relationship.

3. vs-2 they have been obedient according to His word.

4. vs-4 there is joy

5. vs-5 they have given what they have received.

What we see here with John is Body life. Life which lets life flow freely. This is what servant hood does. The natural flow of such life will be maturity, unity, and love which builds up the body (Eph.4:11-16).

We learn from Jesus to accept people right where they are and as they respond to His call then begin training, equipping, and releasing people to live life.

Jesus looks for people who will be faithful people. Those He can train, equip, and empower for the journey. Each person has a destination and the journey right now is the destination. It is a mistake to take qualified people who are not faithful and think you can make them faithful. Take the faithful and you can qualify them. They will serve because they are already committed.

III. Jesus prepares the disciples for what is coming.

The parable of the good Samaritan is a good example of being prepared.

Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

A. Jesus knew there was a difficult time ahead for Him (the cross).

B. Jesus knew there was a difficult time ahead for Peter and the disciples.

C. Christians face trials and tribulations but must keep a servant mentality. This is what Jesus is illustrating and teaching by doing.

D. Jesus does not demand servant hood but illustrates and challenges by example (John 13:8-9). You must want to want to.

E. Jesus began His ministry by sharing His calling and anointing to be a servant (Luke 4:18).

VI. Jesus accepted people where they were. Then He trained, equipped and released them and He continually raised their vision (Acts 1).

When we compare Jesus leadership style with the world's concepts of leader-ship styles we see a vast difference.

NATURAL LEADERSHIP SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

1. Self confident Confident in God

2. Knows men Knows God and men

3. Makes own decisions Listens to and follows God*s way

4. Self dependent God-dependent

Spiritual leadership deals with eternal concepts and reality while worldly leadership deals with temporary things that rust, moths destroy and thieves steal.

The call to spiritual leadership is the call to a sacrificial life of servanthood. You are called to serve and not be served.

People like to know where their leader is going. You must hear from God and follow Him. Then your people will follow you knowing that Jesus is the head of the work and not you.