What Is A Servant Leader?

Introduction

I love Thy kingdom, Lord, the house of Thine abode,

The church our blest Redeemer saved, with His own precious blood.

I love Thy church, O God, her walls before Thee stand,

Dear as the apple of Thine eye, and graven on Thy hand.

For her my tears shall fall, for her my prayers ascend,

To her my cares and toils be giv’n, till toils and cares shall end.

-Timothy Dwight (1752-1817)

“Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

throughout all ages, world without end.”

Ephesians 3:21

Philippians 1:1 is an important text regarding the local church for it tells us of whom the church consists (everyone in the church is important but the order here is significant):
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,“
Following is a definition of “Ministry” by Warren Wiersbe:
“Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”
Based on Wiersbe’s definition of ministry Servant Leaders have a four-fold objective:
1. We are providentially dependent (divine resources)
2. We are purpose driven (the glory of God)
3. We are people directed (human needs)
4. We are personal distributors ( loving channels)

I. Servant Leaders Are Providentially Dependent

(Divine Resources)

There is a problem of becoming “predominantly independent” rather than “providentially dependent” as a Servant Leader. John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
TRUST is believing that God CAN! (Attitude)
FAITH is believing that God WILL! (Action)
PRAYER is what moves us from TRUST to FAITH…from knowing to showing…from ATTITUDE to ACTION!

“WHEN GOD WANTS A JOB DONE, FAITH GETS THE CONTRACT!”

II. Servant Leaders Are Purpose Driven

(Glory of God)

Ephesians 3:21: “Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.”

In our personal lives and in the church how do we really glorify God?
1. By confessing Jesus as Lord – Phil. 2:9-11
2. By confessing sin – Joshua 7:19
3. By being strong in faith – Romans 4:20
4. By our faithfulness – John 15:8; Phil. 1:11
5. By our praise – Psalm 50:23
6. By our suffering – Isaiah 24:15
7. By prayer – John 14:13
8. By unity – Romans 15:5-7
9. By giving Him glory in everything we do – I Cor. 10:31; Acts 12:20-23
Eccles. 5:16: “What profit has he who has labored to the wind?”

John 17:4: “I have glorified You on earth. I have finished the work which you have given Me to do.”

III. Servant Leaders Are People Directed

(Human Needs)

A true Servant Leader will be a member of the T.A.R.S. Team —- a “Turn-Around- Specialist.”
As we read through the Gospels Jesus was definitely a “Turn-Around-Specialist.” (so acknowledged in a book by Laurie Beth Jones entitled, “Jesus – CEO.”)
Psalm 147 confirms that God is “people directed” and it must also be a trait of a Servant Leader.

IV. Servant Leaders Are Personal Distributors

(Loving Channels)

A Servant Leader Must Have A Thankful Heart – I Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks…”
William Law: “The greatest saint is the world is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice. It is he who is most thankful to God, and who has a heart always ready to praise Him.”
A Servant Leader Must Have A Happy Heart –
Psalm 144:13: “…..happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.”
Psalm 100:2: “Serve the Lord with gladness (happiness); come before His presence with singing.”
A Servant Leader Must Have A Sensitive Heart – 1 Peter 3:8-9–8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
A Servant Leader Must Have An Open Heart –
Matt. 26:39: “He fell on His face and prayed…”
Mark 1:35: “He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
A Servant Leader Must Have A Passionate Heart –
David had a passion to Know God: “As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Psalm 42:1
Paul had a passion to know Christ: “That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” Phil. 3:10
Moses had a passion for lost people: “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Ex. 32:32
God’s reaction to a non-passionate heart is very clear in Rev. 3:15-16: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
A Servant Leader Must Have A Clean Heart –
Psalm 66:18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear.”
Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

Conclusion

Wiersbe’s definition of ministry once again:
“Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”
As Servant Leaders we must never forget that:
1. We are providentially dependent (divine resources)
2. We are purpose driven (the glory of God)
3. We are people directed (human needs)
4. And in all of this we must have right hearts. Hearts that are thankful, happy, sensitive, open, passionate and clean!
We are personal distributors (loving channels)

“It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus!”

-Robert Murray McCheyne

Recommended Books:

On Being A Servant, Warren Wiersbe, Baker Books

My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers, Discovery House Publishers

Notes by Maynard H. Belt

Introduction

I.

Servant Leaders Are Providentially Dependent

II.

Servant Leaders Are Purpose Driven

III.

Servant Leaders Are People Directed

IV.

Servant Leaders Are Personal Distributors

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