Servant Leadership: Humility and Authority in the Church

Devotional

Day 1: Servant Leadership in Action

True leadership in the church is characterized by servanthood and humility, not by exerting power or seeking personal gain. Elders are called to be examples to the flock, leading by serving rather than ruling with force. This reflects the model of leadership that Jesus exemplified. In a world where leadership is often associated with authority and control, the church is called to a different standard. Leaders are to shepherd the flock of God willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain or as domineering rulers, but as examples to the congregation. This servant leadership model challenges traditional notions of authority, emphasizing that true leadership is about serving and setting an example. [02:19]

1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

Reflection: Think of a leader in your life who exemplifies servant leadership. How can you emulate their example in your own interactions with others today?

Day 2: Authority Through Mutual Submission

Authority in the church is not about dominance but about mutual submission and respect. Elders have authority only to the extent that the congregation willingly submits to their leadership. This submission is a voluntary act of respect and recognition of the gifts God has given. In contrast to worldly authority, which often equates power with superiority, the church is called to a model of authority that is rooted in servanthood and humility. This radical departure from the world's way of thinking emphasizes that greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved through service and humility, not through seeking positions of power. [30:19]

Ephesians 5:21 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Reflection: Consider a relationship where you struggle with authority or submission. How can you practice mutual submission and respect in that relationship today?

Day 3: Embracing Humility and Grace

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. True humility is a deep understanding of our spiritual poverty and need for God. It is not a facade but a genuine attitude that invites God's grace and favor. Humility is essential because it acknowledges our dependence on God and our need for His grace. This humility is not about putting on a show but about a sincere recognition of our limitations and our reliance on God's strength. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to receive God's grace and favor in our lives. [41:14]

James 4:6 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride has taken root. How can you invite God's grace by choosing humility in that area today?

Day 4: Living for the Eternal Reward

The reward for faithful service and humility is not found in earthly recognition but in the eternal reward that comes from Jesus Christ. This perspective encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that our true reward is yet to come. In a world that often values immediate gratification and recognition, the church is called to keep an eternal perspective. The Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, promises an eternal reward for those who serve faithfully and humbly. This eternal perspective helps us to remain steadfast in our service, knowing that our true reward is not of this world but awaits us in eternity. [24:15]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on a task or responsibility you find mundane or thankless. How can you shift your perspective to see it as service to the Lord, with an eternal reward in mind?

Day 5: Cultivating Mutual Submission

All members of the church, including leaders, are called to submit to one another. This mutual submission fosters a spirit of unity and respect, recognizing that we are all equal in the eyes of God and that each person has a valuable role to play in the body of Christ. Mutual submission is not about hierarchy but about recognizing and respecting the gifts and roles that God has given to each person. By submitting to one another, we create an environment of unity and respect, where each person's contribution is valued and honored. This spirit of mutual submission reflects the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. [37:15]

Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Reflection: Think of someone in your church community whose gifts you may have overlooked. How can you honor and encourage them in their role today?

Sermon Summary

In 1 Peter 5, we are reminded of the profound responsibilities and attitudes required of church leaders and members alike. Elders, or church leaders, are called to shepherd the flock of God willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain or as domineering rulers, but as examples to the congregation. This passage challenges the traditional notions of authority and leadership, emphasizing that true leadership in the church is not about exerting power but about serving and setting an example. The term "lords" used here refers to a despotic ruler, which is contrary to the servant leadership model that Jesus exemplified.

The concept of authority in the church is further explored by contrasting it with worldly authority. In the world, authority is often about power and dominance, but in the church, it is about servanthood and humility. Jesus taught that greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved through service and humility, not through seeking positions of power. This is a radical departure from the world's way of thinking, where authority is often equated with superiority.

The passage also addresses the congregation, urging younger members to submit to their elders and for everyone to be clothed with humility. This mutual submission is not about hierarchy but about recognizing and respecting the gifts and roles that God has given to each person. Humility is essential because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. This humility is not a facade but a genuine recognition of our need for God and our spiritual poverty without Him.

Ultimately, the reward for faithful service and humility is not found in earthly recognition but in the eternal reward that comes from the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, when He returns. This eternal perspective encourages us to remain faithful and humble, knowing that our true reward is yet to come.

Key Takeaways

1. Servant Leadership: True leadership in the church is characterized by servanthood and humility, not by exerting power or seeking personal gain. Elders are called to be examples to the flock, leading by serving rather than ruling with force. This reflects the model of leadership that Jesus exemplified. [02:19]
2. Authority in the Church: Authority in the church is not about dominance but about mutual submission and respect. Elders have authority only to the extent that the congregation willingly submits to their leadership. This submission is a voluntary act of respect and recognition of the gifts God has given. [30:19]
3. Humility and Grace: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. True humility is a deep understanding of our spiritual poverty and need for God. It is not a facade but a genuine attitude that invites God's grace and favor. [41:14]
4. Eternal Reward: The reward for faithful service and humility is not found in earthly recognition but in the eternal reward that comes from Jesus Christ. This perspective encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that our true reward is yet to come. [24:15]
5. Mutual Submission: All members of the church, including leaders, are called to submit to one another. This mutual submission fosters a spirit of unity and respect, recognizing that we are all equal in the eyes of God and that each person has a valuable role to play in the body of Christ. [37:15]
** [37:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to 1 Peter 5
[00:26] - Exhortation to Elders
[01:35] - Attitudes of Church Leaders
[02:19] - Avoiding Despotic Leadership
[03:44] - Misunderstanding of Clergy and Laity
[05:00] - Elders Among You, Not Over You
[06:50] - Jesus' Teaching on Leadership
[08:09] - Worldly vs. Godly Authority
[11:38] - The World's Way in the Church
[13:14] - Servanthood in Practice
[15:02] - Jesus' Example of Service
[18:41] - The Chief Shepherd's Return
[24:15] - The Eternal Reward
[29:12] - Submission and Authority in the Church
[37:15] - Mutual Submission and Humility
[41:14] - God Resists the Proud

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 5:1-7
- Matthew 20:25-28

Observation Questions:

What specific instructions does Peter give to the elders in 1 Peter 5:1-3 about how they should lead the church? [00:26]
According to 1 Peter 5:5, what attitude should younger members of the congregation have towards their elders, and what is the reason given for this attitude? [01:05]
In Matthew 20:25-28, how does Jesus describe the difference between worldly leadership and leadership in the kingdom of God? [06:50]
What does Peter say about the reward for faithful service and humility in 1 Peter 5:4? [18:41]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of servant leadership in 1 Peter 5 challenge traditional views of authority and power within the church? [02:19]
What might be the implications of mutual submission in the church as described in 1 Peter 5:5-6, and how does this differ from hierarchical structures? [29:12]
How does Jesus' example of servanthood in Matthew 20:28 provide a model for church leaders today? [15:02]
What does it mean to be "clothed with humility" as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:5, and why is this important for receiving God's grace? [41:14]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own experiences with church leadership. How have you seen servant leadership modeled, and how can you encourage this in your own church community? [02:19]
In what ways can you practice mutual submission in your interactions with other church members, regardless of your role or position? [37:15]
Consider a time when you struggled with pride. How can you cultivate genuine humility in your life, and what steps can you take to invite God's grace? [41:14]
How can you shift your focus from seeking earthly recognition to anticipating the eternal reward promised by Jesus? What practical changes can you make in your daily life to align with this perspective? [24:15]
Identify a specific area in your life where you can serve others more selflessly, following Jesus' example of servanthood. What actions will you take this week to serve in that area? [15:02]
Think about a leader in your church or community who exemplifies humility and servanthood. What qualities do they possess that you can emulate in your own life? [13:14]
How can you support and encourage your church leaders to lead with humility and servanthood, and what role can you play in fostering a culture of mutual respect and submission? [30:19]

Sermon Clips

The elders who are among you I exhort, I whom a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory there will be revealed shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock. [00:30:33]

The word clergy is used of those who are the flock and not of those who are the ministers, and yet you can see how easily we just twist these words. The word minister, instead of being servant, which is literally what the word means, becomes a boss or a master or a chief or something like that. [03:44:56]

Jesus called them to himself and he said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it, there's that same word lord it over them. They are lords over the people and those who are great exercise authority over them. And we say, well, don't leaders have authority? No, leaders really don't have authority. [06:50:12]

Whoever desires to become great among you let him be your servant and right here is the whole problem. Those who aspire to leadership aspire to greatness. They want to have some kind of position. The world is about power, the world is about authority, the world is about who is the top dog. [08:01:12]

Jesus says if you want to be anything in the kingdom you need to be willing to be the servant and this is not in a theoretical sense, this is in a real practical sense because Jesus washes the feet. He doesn't just say well I'm your servant, I've come from heaven and I'm going to serve you by dying on the cross. [13:50:72]

The church belongs to the Lord Jesus. He purchased it with his own precious blood and when he comes back he's going to ask for the elders to give an account and to give back to him that which is his, that which he has purchased. And so elders have never bought any church with their blood. [17:43:68]

When the chief shepherd appears you will receive a crown of glory that does not fade away. So the reward is coming when he appears and obviously when it says when the chief shepherd appears, it's referring to the second coming when Jesus comes again. I believe that this applies to the rapture. [21:08:64]

The reward does not come from the church, the reward does not come from the president, the reward comes from the chief shepherd, the king of kings and the lord of lords. And there are many pastors who are discouraged right now and I'm just absolutely overwhelmed by the pastors that I'm in contact with struggling. [24:15:44]

All of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Now I want you to listen very carefully now. Some of you have heard this before but others have not and this is very very important. [29:12:40]

The only authority that they have is the authority that the people give them by their submission. There are some of you who have never submitted to me and there is nothing I can do about it except cry and pray but the only authority the only levels and I spoke about this last week. [31:59:52]

Be clothed with humility. Wrap yourself up now he's not talking here about a show so I you know I put on a appearance of humility no that needs to envelop my personality that needs to envelop who I am. My whole being needs to be clothed in humility and so it cannot be something that I set aside. [38:39:52]

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Folk may God do a work in our lives may we come like Isaiah and see the Lord recognize who we really are and come to him take his yoke upon us because he is meek and lowly and gentle in heart those are the ones that God walks with. [41:14:00]

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