MEMORISE:
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:14
READ: John 13:12-17
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
MESSAGE
Some people don’t know the difference between being a serving-leader and a servant-leader. A great example of a serving-leader is our Lord Jesus Christ. He served till the end of His earthly ministry and continues to serve even at the right hand of power in heaven (Romans 8:34), Hebrews 7:25). However, he is not a servant; He actually acknowledged His status as Lord and Master in John 13:13. It is unfortunate therefore that many followers want to make servants out of their God-ordained leaders. Leaders are meant to serve but not to be subject to servitude! This is what I personally describe as the “abuse of a leader”. Some people use their leaders to their own self advantage, and when such a leader dies, they jump over to another leader who they will also use to death! King Saul is a good example of a servant-leader. When he was confronted with his disobedience to god, he said in 1 Samuel 15:24:
“I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”
The people he was supposed to guide were actually the ones controlling him, and by his own admission, he feared them.
When a serving leader becomes a servant-leader, people begin to wonder, “who is leading who?” God is not the author of confusion; this is why He always appoints a leader who He relates with and through whom He passes instructions to His people. Our Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that there is a difference between a servant and a friend (John 15:15). A servant is limited, whereas a friend has a deeper relationship. This distinction is the reason why leaders appointed by God cannot be servants. Followers should be sincere enough not to try to make servants of their God-ordained leaders. Such leadership will not do them any good, and they may not be spared when these servant-leaders, whom they have badly influenced, receive their judgement from God. Some mischief makers who like to manipulate their leaders to do their bidding would always advocate for servant-leadership, because they don’t really want leaders; they would rather have a stooge who they can use for their own selfish interest. This arrangement is common in the political sphere, and cannot serve the interest of the people. If you are in such situation, remember you will give account of your service to God and not to a godfather. May God grant us leaders who will serve His interest in our churches and nations in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, make me a serving-leader and not a servant of individual interests. Also, give us serving-leaders and not servant-leaders who will lead us astray through the fear of men.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 4-5
Jeremiah 42:7-22
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.
1.While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
Refrain
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain
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