Leadership 101
St. John 13:4-12
An army of sheep led by a lion will always defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. No doubt the single most important ingredient missing in our society today is leadership. We are in desperate need for men and women who will lead and provide leadership. In our homes today, we continue to search for men like Joshua who will declare that, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Leaders like Moses who will challenge us and encourage us to abandon a slave labor force and enter a land flowing with milk and honey. A land filled with necessities and niceietes. A leader like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who will help to change both laws and hearts in America. Leaders like Nehemiah who motivated the people of his day to rise up, build their community walls. A leader like Queen Esther, a beautiful woman who discovered her purpose and save her people. Leaders like Nelson Mandela who did not seek to attract followers, but fought to eliminate apartheids in South Africa. Leaders like John F. Kennedy who inspired a nation to take care of those who are less fortunate, exemplified by his statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” In layman’s terminology he was saying it is our responsibility to serve others and not just ourselves. Leaders like Mother Teresa who will be moved to help those who are considered the poorest of the poor. Leaders like James Brown who could inspire millions of African Americans by saying, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud. Leaders like Jessie Jackson who helps to build self-esteem in many of us, by constantly reminding us to repeat these words, “I am somebody, I am somebody, Keep hope alive.” We are in need of leaders today who will help to change our communities for the better. This morning in our text, we have Jesus sharing with his disciples a lesson on servant leadership and what I have entitled “LEADERSHIP 101.”
Many in our society today are enrolled in Leadership 201 who have not taken Leadership 101. 101 is a prerequisite 201. However, someone has convinced the Advisor and Registrar’s Office to allow this to happen. It is extremely important for us as leaders that we take Leadership 101 first. Leadership 101 provides fundamental and foundational essentials that we must have in order to make in today’s society. Therefore, Jesus who for three years had been trying to teach his disciples this course, but they were still flunking the course. In our text today, Jesus opens the classroom one last time with an attempt to teach his disciples this important lesson. It was on the evening of the Passover meal that Jesus discovered that the disciples had still not gotten his instruction and the semester was about to end with the disciples receiving an F once again.
Jesus knowing that this was his last semester with them, really wanted to close the class knowing that his students understood the principles of Leadership 101. These men had a difficult time getting the message from Jesus. He had taught them many times before using many illustrations but he was not successful in getting them to understand. He had used a little boy to teach the lesson on humility. He had denied the request of the mother of James and John for special seating privileges. He had told them that leadership begins with serving. Now Jesus makes one last attempt to help them understand what real leadership is and what real leaders do. Jesus had to deal with a spirit that was among the disciples, the spirit of competition and criticism as they fought among themselves to determine who would be the greatest. They were at it again, fighting to see who would sit next to Jesus during the Passover meal; the seats next to Jesus or any honored guest were considered the seats of honor. The disciples are not the only one who needs a lesson in Leadership 101, we need one also. We live in a world where competition resides and the desire to be at the top is alive and well. The problem is we desire top seats without top work. For those who are in Leadership 201 and have not been to 101 they believe that you have to manipulate people in order to manage them and make it. They believe they have to keep others down in order for them to stay up. They believe they have to fight against others in order for them to succeed rather than fight for them. They believe they have to downgrade others to upgrade themselves. They practice lieing and deceit as a means to get to the top.
However, the lessons Jesus teaches us in Leadership 101 differs from self taught lesson in Leadership 201. The first lesson that Jesus teaches us in Leadership 101:
(1) is that you cannot allow what you know about others to keep you from doing what you should do. Jesus knew that Judas had planned to betray him but it did not alter his plans for him and the others. That’s grace at work; someone has said that grace is doing something for someone who does not deserve it one little bit. Jesus was letting the disciples know that there would be many times in their life as leaders when they would face opposition from within and without but they must continue to give of themselves. Leaders do not quit just because there are those who are trying to destroy their careers, plans, business, families and even their lives. Leaders do not quit because someone dislikes them or opposes their agenda. Jesus teaches the disciples that even though he knew what they were planning to do to him, it made no difference in the way he served them.
(2) Jesus in Leadership 101 teaches that leaders must do what others will not do. It’s amazing how many leaders today see themselves as being to big and to important to do certain things for the people they serve. They have developed a me first perspective instead of me last attitude. Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist. Afterwards he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ dirty feet. Only slaves were assigned this menial task. The disciples were too busy politicking that they miss this opportunity to emerge as true leaders. The usual custom was that the host would see to it that a servant or a woman washed the guest feet. The host no doubt had omitted it on this occasion. You would think that one of the disciples who have performed the task. Not one of them step forward. Not one of them saw their role as leaders to do what was considered dirty work. They were more concerned with their perceived rights than their obvious responsibilities. No doubt they were all wishing that someone else would do it. Why me? Why not him? I knew Jesus first the one that came last should do it. I’m the oldest; it’s the young people’s work. No doubt Peter was to busy talking too much as he was always in the habit of doing. Every church and community has a loud talking Peter, a devilish doubting Thomas, a negative Nathaniel, inadequate Andrew, arrogant James and John. Jealous - Judah’s, lying and cheating - Matthew and a host of unbelievers, spectators, agitators and dictators. The spectators are the one that always sit there. They don’t do anything but critique everything that goes on. Agitators - they are the ones always stirring up mess, they can stand for it to be peaceful. The dictators - they want everything to go their way. But Leadership 101 teaches us to be participators and congratulators instead of agitators, dictators, spectators and alligators.
(3) Last, Jesus in Leadership 101 teaches us to learn how to submit to authority. He teaches us that submission is one of the greatest qualities of leadership. Peter started grandstanding when Jesus got to him and refused at first, but quickly consented when Jesus addressed him. He instructed Peter that fellowship with him requires submission. Permit me to close this message abruptly by saying that is not the only time Jesus got up, and pulled off his outer garments and ministered to those in need. One day hanging on a cross, men stripped him of his clothes, nailed his feet to a cross, but that’s not the end, that’s what men did. But Jesus himself got up from the grave, pulled off grave clothes and washed our sins in his blood. THANK GOD FOR JESUS!
St. John 13:4-12
An army of sheep led by a lion will always defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. No doubt the single most important ingredient missing in our society today is leadership. We are in desperate need for men and women who will lead and provide leadership. In our homes today, we continue to search for men like Joshua who will declare that, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Leaders like Moses who will challenge us and encourage us to abandon a slave labor force and enter a land flowing with milk and honey. A land filled with necessities and niceietes. A leader like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who will help to change both laws and hearts in America. Leaders like Nehemiah who motivated the people of his day to rise up, build their community walls. A leader like Queen Esther, a beautiful woman who discovered her purpose and save her people. Leaders like Nelson Mandela who did not seek to attract followers, but fought to eliminate apartheids in South Africa. Leaders like John F. Kennedy who inspired a nation to take care of those who are less fortunate, exemplified by his statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” In layman’s terminology he was saying it is our responsibility to serve others and not just ourselves. Leaders like Mother Teresa who will be moved to help those who are considered the poorest of the poor. Leaders like James Brown who could inspire millions of African Americans by saying, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud. Leaders like Jessie Jackson who helps to build self-esteem in many of us, by constantly reminding us to repeat these words, “I am somebody, I am somebody, Keep hope alive.” We are in need of leaders today who will help to change our communities for the better. This morning in our text, we have Jesus sharing with his disciples a lesson on servant leadership and what I have entitled “LEADERSHIP 101.”
Many in our society today are enrolled in Leadership 201 who have not taken Leadership 101. 101 is a prerequisite 201. However, someone has convinced the Advisor and Registrar’s Office to allow this to happen. It is extremely important for us as leaders that we take Leadership 101 first. Leadership 101 provides fundamental and foundational essentials that we must have in order to make in today’s society. Therefore, Jesus who for three years had been trying to teach his disciples this course, but they were still flunking the course. In our text today, Jesus opens the classroom one last time with an attempt to teach his disciples this important lesson. It was on the evening of the Passover meal that Jesus discovered that the disciples had still not gotten his instruction and the semester was about to end with the disciples receiving an F once again.
Jesus knowing that this was his last semester with them, really wanted to close the class knowing that his students understood the principles of Leadership 101. These men had a difficult time getting the message from Jesus. He had taught them many times before using many illustrations but he was not successful in getting them to understand. He had used a little boy to teach the lesson on humility. He had denied the request of the mother of James and John for special seating privileges. He had told them that leadership begins with serving. Now Jesus makes one last attempt to help them understand what real leadership is and what real leaders do. Jesus had to deal with a spirit that was among the disciples, the spirit of competition and criticism as they fought among themselves to determine who would be the greatest. They were at it again, fighting to see who would sit next to Jesus during the Passover meal; the seats next to Jesus or any honored guest were considered the seats of honor. The disciples are not the only one who needs a lesson in Leadership 101, we need one also. We live in a world where competition resides and the desire to be at the top is alive and well. The problem is we desire top seats without top work. For those who are in Leadership 201 and have not been to 101 they believe that you have to manipulate people in order to manage them and make it. They believe they have to keep others down in order for them to stay up. They believe they have to fight against others in order for them to succeed rather than fight for them. They believe they have to downgrade others to upgrade themselves. They practice lieing and deceit as a means to get to the top.
However, the lessons Jesus teaches us in Leadership 101 differs from self taught lesson in Leadership 201. The first lesson that Jesus teaches us in Leadership 101:
(1) is that you cannot allow what you know about others to keep you from doing what you should do. Jesus knew that Judas had planned to betray him but it did not alter his plans for him and the others. That’s grace at work; someone has said that grace is doing something for someone who does not deserve it one little bit. Jesus was letting the disciples know that there would be many times in their life as leaders when they would face opposition from within and without but they must continue to give of themselves. Leaders do not quit just because there are those who are trying to destroy their careers, plans, business, families and even their lives. Leaders do not quit because someone dislikes them or opposes their agenda. Jesus teaches the disciples that even though he knew what they were planning to do to him, it made no difference in the way he served them.
(2) Jesus in Leadership 101 teaches that leaders must do what others will not do. It’s amazing how many leaders today see themselves as being to big and to important to do certain things for the people they serve. They have developed a me first perspective instead of me last attitude. Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist. Afterwards he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ dirty feet. Only slaves were assigned this menial task. The disciples were too busy politicking that they miss this opportunity to emerge as true leaders. The usual custom was that the host would see to it that a servant or a woman washed the guest feet. The host no doubt had omitted it on this occasion. You would think that one of the disciples who have performed the task. Not one of them step forward. Not one of them saw their role as leaders to do what was considered dirty work. They were more concerned with their perceived rights than their obvious responsibilities. No doubt they were all wishing that someone else would do it. Why me? Why not him? I knew Jesus first the one that came last should do it. I’m the oldest; it’s the young people’s work. No doubt Peter was to busy talking too much as he was always in the habit of doing. Every church and community has a loud talking Peter, a devilish doubting Thomas, a negative Nathaniel, inadequate Andrew, arrogant James and John. Jealous - Judah’s, lying and cheating - Matthew and a host of unbelievers, spectators, agitators and dictators. The spectators are the one that always sit there. They don’t do anything but critique everything that goes on. Agitators - they are the ones always stirring up mess, they can stand for it to be peaceful. The dictators - they want everything to go their way. But Leadership 101 teaches us to be participators and congratulators instead of agitators, dictators, spectators and alligators.
(3) Last, Jesus in Leadership 101 teaches us to learn how to submit to authority. He teaches us that submission is one of the greatest qualities of leadership. Peter started grandstanding when Jesus got to him and refused at first, but quickly consented when Jesus addressed him. He instructed Peter that fellowship with him requires submission. Permit me to close this message abruptly by saying that is not the only time Jesus got up, and pulled off his outer garments and ministered to those in need. One day hanging on a cross, men stripped him of his clothes, nailed his feet to a cross, but that’s not the end, that’s what men did. But Jesus himself got up from the grave, pulled off grave clothes and washed our sins in his blood. THANK GOD FOR JESUS!
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