KINGDOM LEADERSHIP

INTRODUCTION The Bible gives many examples of how God provides leaders for his people. Jesus is the role model for all leaders. He had more power, wisdom, and insight, than any other leader could hope for, yet his ministry was always one of service and encouragement. His teachings were inspiring and challenging. We can learn so much from Jesus example of leadership. Other inspiring biblical leaders include Moses, Joseph, Nehemiah and Daniel. Different situations may require different kinds of skills in leadershiporganization, wisdom, humility, strength, and vision. Jesus had a deep knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. He often used this knowledge to highlight important teachings or to answer challenging questions. He spent much time in prayer and was clearly guided by God in all he did. Jesus resisted all temptations. Other biblical leaders sometimes failed in this. But all had a vital and close relationship with God, dependent on prayer, study of the scriptures and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Though they (we) make mistakes, God showed patience and forgiveness in his dealings with them. Biblical leaders shared the burden of leadership and trained others to take leadership responsibilities. Ex. Jesus had 12 disciples. Daniel had 3 friends, Joseph and Nehemiah organized well and delegated responsibilities to others. To fully understand the message this morning we must understand the meaning of Kingdom Leadership. If we were to define leadership we would define it as a method through which a person or group influences others to obtain certain goals and objectives, which in turn improves the coherency and efficiency of the group. My definition of leadership would be influencing people in their thinking, behavior, or direction. Kingdom- a domain in which something is dominant-The spiritual reign or authority of God So by these two definitions we can understand the Kingdom Leadership means- Under the authority of God we as leaders have a mandate from the King to influence other believers in their thinking, behavior and direction.

Matt 20:20-28 (NLT)

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Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.21 What is your request? he asked. She replied, In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, You dont know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Oh yes, they replied, we are able!23 Jesus told them, You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.25 But Jesus called them together and said, You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your

servant,27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. 1.) Who decides on your position in the kingdom (church)? a.) The mother of James & John tried to place her sons in a place of importance/leadership in the kingdom (church). b.) Matt. 20:20 mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons c.) Matt. 20:21 She replied, In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left

B.) Jesus said you can be part of my kingdom. 1. I cant place you in the places of authority because the Father has already done that. a. Matt. 20:23 But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen. 2.) Our place/gift has already been determined by the Father (Matt: 20:23). a. 1 Cor 12:18 (KJV) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. b. 1 Cor 7:7 (KJV) but every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that c. 1 Cor 12:7 (NLT) a spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other d. Romans 12:6 (NLT) in his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 3.) When seeking our place in the body/church it will sometimes cause complaining & hard feelings! a. When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. (The message bible) 4.) How the body/church will not function! a. It will not function like the world! 1. Matt 20:25 (NLT) But Jesus called them together and said, You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
2. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. (The Message Bible)

b.( Matt. 20:26) It's not going to be that way with you. 5.) The body/church will function as a servant! a. Matt 20:26-27 (NLT) Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. Matt 20:26-27 (KJV) but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 1. The minister(servant) serves the people in the gifting they posses and the chief (first/best) among you serves as a slave in there gifting to the ministers/servants.

6. JESUS SET THE EXAMPLE! a. Matt 20:28 (KJV) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matt 20:28 (NLT) for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. b.Phil 2:1-8 (NLT) Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.3 Dont be selfish; dont try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.4 Dont look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminals death on a cross.
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Romans 12:1-21 (NLT)

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And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrificethe kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Dont copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know Gods will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Dont think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,5 so it is with Christs body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.9 Dont just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.13 When Gods people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you. Dont curse them; pray that God will bless them.15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with each other. Dont be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And dont think you know it all!17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the LORD. 20 Instead, If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. 21 Dont let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

1 Cor 12:1-31 (NLT)

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Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I dont want you to misunderstand this.2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice ; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone

else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
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The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.15 If the foot says, I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand, that does not make it any less a part of the body.16 And if the ear says, I am not part of the body because I am not an eye, would that make it any less a part of the body?17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.21 The eye can never say to the hand, I dont need you. The head cant say to the feet, I dont need you.22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.27 All of you together are Christs body, and each of you is a part of it.28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.