Have you ever looked at someone who has been put in charge of a group and thought, “That guy’s an idiot. If I was in charge, I could get this done so much faster and better. People would do what I tell them, because clearly, I know more than they do.” I have had that thought on more than one occasion. This what leadership from the world’s perspective looks like. It looks like being in charge, telling people what to do and taking the credit for the accomplishment. The way we get promoted and level up in the business world is by showing leadership potential. And you may be surprised to hear me say, that is exactly what it looks like in the kingdom also. How you demonstrate leadership potential is the difference between the world and the kingdom. In the kingdom of God, if you want a promotion, there is only one way to get it. It is done by serving others. Today is a big day here at FUEL. Today we get to serve the community. Serving is a big deal in the kingdom life. Service is really all about leadership. Again, if you desire to level up in the kingdom, serving others is the only way to do it. This next statement is absolute truth: “If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you.” The idea that this comes from, is the concept that Jesus taught us about serving. True leadership is earned by serving others, not granted by birthright. Why do you think people resent the boss’s son, when he is given a large salary and put in charge of a department? It is because he has no qualifications to be there...except that he is the boss’s son?
Jesus talked about what we can expect when we serve in the church. Matthew 23:1-12 “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Basically, what this passage is saying is don’t be a hypocrite. The old saying “do as I say, not as I do” is completely rebuked here. In the businesses I’ve owned, I’ve always had one rule as the leader. I would never ask an employee to do something that I was not willing to do myself. That is just as true today here at FUEL. You will never hear me telling you to do something, that I am not already doing myself. Even though Jesus warned the crowds and His disciples about desiring a position of prominence, people still want it.
Mark 1:35-45 “35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Two of the disciples wanted Jesus to promise that they would have high leadership positions in His kingdom. But Jesus told them what that would cost. They had no idea what He was talking about, but they would find out later in their life. It would require suffering and service. The world system says that if you are in leadership authority over others, you should lord over them, but in the kingdom life it is the opposite. I will say it again...if you want to be great in the kingdom, if you want to level up, there is only one path to an upgrade. And that is through the suffering that comes from being a servant.
Serving isn’t always easy or fun...and this is why. When you serve, you are serving people...and people are the worst. They can be difficult, ungrateful, arrogant, entitled and down right mean. Especially when you deal with Christians. So, what are we supposed to do when people show up with a rotten attitude? Jesus had something to say about that. Luke 6:32-36 “32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” That's a tough passage. It’s easy to love people who love us, but that’s not going to do anything for us if we want to level up in the kingdom. Can you love people even when they don’t love you back? And you should know, I’m not just talking about those outside of the church. Inside the church can be a difficult place to love people when offense rules the atmosphere. We must all be on guard against letting our feelings rule us. This is especially true when we are serving. Here is a passage that talks about what our attitude should be as we serve. Our service to others can certainly involve suffering. 1 Peter 5:6-11 “6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the
devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” The way to be exalted is through humility. As you serve, the enemy will be looking for an opportunity to attack you. You are not suffering alone. It’s not just you. The family of believers are experiencing the same thing all over the world. But after you have suffered a little while God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. As we put our faith into action today and begin to serve the people of our community, allow what might seem like suffering to make you stronger in your faith. If we pull together and commit to love and support each other today, we can deal with whatever the enemy throws at us. There is a quote that has been in several movies. It’s always spoken by the leader of a group in a quiet moment just before a battle scene begins. They are up against a larger force that they are unfamiliar with fighting against. As they wait inside their fortress, the advancing enemy begins to breakdown their defenses and the hero says: “Whatever comes through those gates, we have a better chance of survival if we work together.” So let me say this about our event today: Whatever comes through our doors today...we have a better chance of survival if we work together.
If you see one of us struggling, jump in and help. Our job isn’t to hand out cookies and serve apple cider. Our job is to love people. At the end of the day, when we serve people, whether they be our fellow believers or those who are still far from God in their spiritual journey, who are we really serving? Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” If we are serving in the name of our Lord Jesus, we are representing Him with how we conduct ourselves. We serve God when we serve others, and the one who we serve is the one with the authority to approve our service and promote us according to His will. Today will be long. Today will be challenging at times. Today will also be joyful and full of opportunities for leveling up in the kingdom. I will leave you with this passage to focus on. Colossians 3:12-15 “12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Let’s serve with love
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