Humility: The True Path to Leadership and Influence
Summary
In this sermon, Pastor Jason Cusick discusses the importance of being a positive influence by focusing on our character. He emphasizes the power that God has given us and encourages the congregation to practice humble influence, following the example of Jesus. The pastor uses the story of Jesus' Last Supper, as recorded in Luke Chapter 22, to illustrate Jesus' teachings on leadership and influence. Jesus' disciples argue about who among them would be the greatest, and Jesus explains that the greatest should take the lowest rank and that leaders should be like servants.
The pastor also discusses the concept of humility and its importance in having a positive influence and leadership. He refers to a passage from the Bible, specifically The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters five through seven, to emphasize that humility is not weakness, but rather being aware of the power and influence that God has given us and using it responsibly. He encourages the congregation to reflect on their own character and choose an area of their influence and leadership that can be infused with humility.
In addition, the pastor emphasizes the importance of humility and servant leadership in relation to influence and leadership. He refers to the words of Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, who contrasts the rulers of the world who lord over their people with the way Jesus teaches his followers to lead. The pastor highlights the biblical creation story, where God grants human beings the power to govern and influence the world, emphasizing the responsibility of stewardship and care for creation and each other.
The pastor shares a personal anecdote about the various titles and labels that have been attributed to him over time. He shares how he initially noticed a sticker with his name, Jason C, on the microphone and thought it was amusing. However, as time went on, the titles became more elaborate, such as Dr. Reverend Jason C, esteemed Dr. Reverend Jason C, and esteemed noted author Reverend Jason C. Each time a new title was added, the pastor felt a sense of humility and a reminder of Jesus' teaching that the greatest among us should have the lowest rank.
Finally, the pastor addresses the concept of learned helplessness and its damaging effects on various aspects of life. He emphasizes that learned helplessness leads to a misuse of power, as individuals resort to blaming, complaining, and gaslighting others. The pastor highlights the importance of recognizing the power within oneself, even for those struggling with learned helplessness. He encourages the congregation to celebrate the power they possess, which comes from God, and to use it in a healthy and humble manner.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership and influence, using the example of Jesus' teachings during the Last Supper. Jesus taught that the greatest should take the lowest rank and that leaders should be like servants, an upside-down view of influence and leadership that prioritizes service and self-sacrifice. [49:33]
- The pastor encourages the congregation to reflect on their own character and choose an area of their influence and leadership that can be infused with humility. This could be in relationships, approach towards money, or self-perception. Humility is not about thinking less of oneself, but rather thinking of oneself less. [52:12]
- The pastor highlights the biblical creation story, where God grants human beings the power to govern and influence the world. This emphasizes the responsibility of stewardship and care for creation and each other. Power is inherent in being human and how we use or withhold it determines our impact on others. [55:45]
- The pastor shares a personal anecdote about the various titles and labels that have been attributed to him over time. Each time a new title was added, the pastor felt a sense of humility and a reminder of Jesus' teaching that the greatest among us should have the lowest rank. This serves as a reminder to not let titles or labels inflate our ego, but to remain humble and focused on serving others. [58:30]
- The pastor addresses the concept of learned helplessness and its damaging effects on various aspects of life. He emphasizes that learned helplessness leads to a misuse of power, as individuals resort to blaming, complaining, and gaslighting others. The pastor encourages the congregation to recognize and celebrate the power they possess, which comes from God, and to use it in a healthy and humble manner. [1:01:15]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 22:24-27 #!!11:16!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What was the argument among the disciples in Luke 22:24?
2. How does Jesus respond to the disciples' argument about greatness in Luke 22:25-27?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when he says "the greatest among you should take the lowest rank" in Luke 22:26?
2. How does Jesus' teaching in Luke 22:24-27 challenge the world's view of leadership and influence?
Application Questions:
1. Can you think of a situation in your life where you can practice humble influence as Jesus taught in Luke 22:26?
2. How can you use your influence to serve others in your community, similar to the care package project for foster kids mentioned in the sermon?
3. Reflect on a time when you were more focused on the outcome rather than your character. How can you ensure your character remains the primary influence on your behavior moving forward?
4. In what ways can you demonstrate Jesus' "upside down view of influence and Leadership" in your workplace, school, or family this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Gift of Power
God has gifted us with power and influence, not for our own gain, but to steward and care for His creation and each other. This power is inherent in our humanity and how we use or withhold it determines our impact on others. We must recognize this power as a good gift from God and use it responsibly and healthily ([11:42]).
Genesis 1:28 - "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"
Reflection: How can you use the power and influence God has given you to better steward His creation and care for others?
Day 2: The Humility of Influence
Jesus teaches us that the more influence and leadership we have, the more of a servant we should be. Influence and leadership are not about bragging, but about humbling ourselves and serving others ([12:01]).
Matthew 20:26 - "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."
Reflection: How can you use your influence and leadership to serve others in a humble way?
Day 3: The Meek Will Inherit the Earth
Jesus invites us into meekness, a state of being fully aware of the power God has gifted us with and using it responsibly and healthily. The meek, those who know their strength and power and use it wisely, will inherit the earth ([26:47]).
Matthew 5:5 - "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Reflection: How can you practice meekness in your daily life and in your areas of influence?
Day 4: Positive Influence Through Character
If we want to have a positive influence on people, we need to stay focused on our character. Our character is the source of our actions and it is what truly influences those around us ([28:08]).
Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
Reflection: How can you focus on improving your character to have a more positive influence on those around you?
Day 5: Serving Through Influence
We are called to use our influence to serve and help those in need. By doing so, we can make their lives a little bit easier and show them the love of God ([30:58]).
James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Reflection: How can you use your influence to serve and help those in need in your community?
Quotes
"We have verbal power - what we say to each other is powerful, and our silence can be just as powerful." (source: [15:05]) This quote highlights the impact of our words and the power they hold in shaping relationships and influencing others.
"We can be a positive influence by staying focused on our character. Recognize God's good gift of power and like Jesus, practice humble influence." [29:33]
"In this world, the Kings and the great men lorded over their people, yet they're called the friends of the people. But among you, it'll be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank and the leader should be like a servant." [11:16]
"Choose one area of your influence and leadership that could be infused with a little dose of humility." This quote encourages self-reflection and challenges us to identify an area in our lives where we can cultivate humility. It suggests that humility can be applied to various aspects such as relationships, approach towards money, and self-perception. [28:08]
"Everyone has power, even if you feel like you don't. Don't fall into the trap of learned helplessness. Recognize that you have the ability to make a difference in various aspects of your life, whether it's at work, with friends, or in your family." [20:12]
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