LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

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
There is nothing more fulfilling than a life of
service. Jesus Christ washed the feet of His
disciples to set an example of what leadership is.
Jesus Christ being our Lord and Saviour, our
master and instructor has proven to us that
leadership is not title but service. It is service
that show relevance, one may have title and not
be relevant in the scheme of things. That should
not be heard among the children of God. Even
though He was the master,yet, He condescended
so low in humility to serve His disciples. This
means a leader irrespective of the position he
occupies, must never forget that essence of that
position is to serve the people that God has
entrusted in his care. Every leader must emulate
people like Gideon and Abimelech who led by
service. Judges 9:48 says:
"And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he
and all the people that were with him; and
Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down
a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on
his shoulder, and said unto the people that were
with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste,
and do as I have done."
As ministers of the gospel, we are to show grave,
humility and love at every given time. We must
serve the interest of those the Lord has put in our
trust at every given time. You as a leader should
not lord it over people. People should should not
obey you simply because of the office you
occupy. They should respect you for the value you
adding to their lives. Our knowledge of Jesus as
the creator of all things who still stopped low to
clean the feet of those people He created should
make us think twice. We must be able to go extra
mile for physical and spiritual needs of the people
we are leading. The Bible demands that whoever
will be great should be a servant ( Mathew
20:27 ).
The essence of the anointing of God in your is
not for show but for service. Service is a
fundamental aspect of leadership. The moment
you remove service from your life,there is no
room for good leadership. People should see the
good example you are showing and praise God for
your life. There are people occupying one office
or the other and they have become principalities
and powers to those they are supposed to serve.
They use the instrument of office to oppress
others. This is not the example that Jesus set.
Invest in people, and they will give you their
commitment and loyalty. Value people genuinely,
and they will respect you. A true leader is
identified by the value he places on those under
him. You must labour more than those under you.
Apostle Paul was a latecomer but he laboured
more than others, and he admonished us to
follow in his footstep as he followed Jesus
Christ. Leadership is awesome, but you need the
wisdom of God to be able to lead well. The Lord
will assist you in Jesus name.
Prayer Point:
Father, let my life be a good example for others
to follow.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Chronicles 1:1-5:1 and
Proverbs 30:18-33
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 14: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see his banners go!
Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell's
foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Chorus:
3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have
trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Chorus:
4. Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise
and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church
prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot
fail.
Chorus:
5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels
sing.
Chorus.