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Leadership is influence. Influence means to flow in to. In our first sermon in this series, we told you that Jesus is the greatest leader of all time. He flows into us, giving us a new heart and mind.
Welcome back to Redemption Church in Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt, and I am super pumped to share the Word of God with you today.
Greetings to everyone in the room! We are so glad to be able to worship with you in person!
Greetings to everyone online! We are also glad to worship with you virtually.
I would love it if all our online attenders would leave me a comment right now. Type something like PREACH BOY PREACH! Thank you for your encouragement!
Lead Like Jesus
We are in the 4th week of our series LEAD LIKE JESUS
How many of you are leaders? Raise your hands today if you are a leader.
Thank you so much for raising your hand. We believe leadership is INFLUENCE and that everyone is a LEADER.
We also believe that Jesus is the greatest leadership model of all time. We have studied the heart, the head, and the hands of His leadership.
If you missed any of the previous weeks, we have them available to you at REDEMPTIONPLANO.COM.
I have a question today that could really take us down a conspiracy theory rabbit hole.
How did they build the Pyramids?
The pyramid of Giza weighs about 5.75 million tons. It is made of roughly 2.3 million stone blocks. The average block weighs over 2 tons.
How did they move all those heavy stone blocks around? This is an often-asked question. Redemption Church is finally ready to take a position on this ancient conspiracy theory.
Aliens
I love this meme… It seems like this guy thinks Aliens are the answer to all of life’s questions.
No, Redemption Church is not espousing today that Aliens built the pyramids… I actually believe the answer is much more pedestrian.
I believe that the pyramids were built using “pulleys.”
Pulleys
We know what pulleys are right?
A Pulley is a “simple machine” that takes advantage of physics to transmit energy & motion. Taking a rope and looping it over 2 wheels allows you to pull down and through the pulley, increase an upward force by double.
In other words, a 4,000-pound stone becomes 2,000 pounds with a pulley. Add another Pulley and now it is effectively 1,000 pounds. Add a 3rd pulley and now that 2-ton stone can be lifted with 500 pounds of force.
A few men can manage 500 pounds of force. With a pulley they are able to bear a greater burden and lift a 2-ton stone.
So, there you have it. The aliens taught us about pulleys…
The Truth is Out There
I am sorry to disappoint anyone, but we are not actually preaching about aliens today. Today I want to talk to you about the Habits of a Leader.
Habits of a Leader
There are many leadership books that teach you little tips, tricks, and lifehacks that teach you how to be a better leader. One well known book is called “7 habits of highly effective people” by Stephen Covey.
Instead of giving you tips to help you rise faster on your job, I want to give you pulleys.
The Habits we will discuss today are tools that help you lift your burdens.
The habits, the routine, how the leader goes about his day has everything to do with HOW LONG THEY WILL BE THE LEADER.
Many leaders get burnt out. Many leaders become discouraged and loose sight of why, in their heart, they wanted to lead, in the first place. Many leaders sabotage themselves through their actions… through their destructive habits.
Jesus had leadership habits and, as we study them, I would like you to evaluate your own habits.
2 habits we see in Jesus are very applicable to our lives. The first habit is…
The habit of Humility
I struggled with whether humility is more a value than a habit. Humility is a value that Jesus lived out habitually.
Jesus was free from the burden of pride. Scripture is truly clear about how destructive pride is.
Proverbs 16:18
Is there anything more annoying than a prideful leader?
Is there anything more empowering and uplifting as an humble leader who gets down into the struggle with you and serves you?
This is exactly who Jesus was. He made it His habit to choose humility.
The Humble Habit of Honoring Others
Jesus had the humble habit of honoring others. In scripture Jesus often honors others.
He commends the faith of the centurion in Luke 7.
He lifts-up Simon and commends him for his revelation that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus says the Spirit of God revealed this truth. Jesus then changes Simon’s name to Peter, an honorary that we still hold today.
He honored the woman at the well… the woman who was caught in the act, and the Canaanite woman who refused to take no for an answer.
When others showed only contempt, Jesus turned to that thief on the cross and humbly heard his request.
This humility habit is like a pulley that helps lift the burden of pride and self-importance.
It is easy for leaders to fall into pride
Think about it. Leaders are usually confident. Leaders usually believe in their abilities and their ideas… often to a fault.
Leader, if you fail to develop the habit of humility and honoring others, you will fall into the habit of pride.
The Humble Habit of Honoring Others
What does this habit of humbly honoring others look like in your life?
- It might be you setting aside 10 minutes a week to write thank you notes honoring the work of others.
- It could be resisting the urge to take over a conversation with that random idea that lit up in your brain, instead of waiting to carefully listen to others.
- It may be developing the habit of thanking people publicly, often and loudly.
- Instead of depending on your own strength and intelligence, you might try asking others, because an humble person understands they are not the only capable ones.
- Perhaps you develop the habit of simply saying “thank you.”
The habits of a leader empower him/her to lift burdens he would not normally be able to lift. Without these habits leaders will burn out, become discouraged, and quit. This next habit is essential for leaders in our fast-paced world.
The Humble Habit of Resting
It takes humility to rest. It takes humility to say, “I need some time to recoup some energy.” It takes humility to say “I can’t do everything…”
Rest is a habit that many leaders never learn.
Influence – To Flow Into
Leadership is INFLUENCE. The English word “influence” finds it’s root in Latin and means “to flow into.” Influence is flowing into others… your ideas, your strengths, your ability…
Leadership influence is pouring out from yourself. It stands to reason that you if you pour out from yourself, you will also need to pour into yourself.
The Humble Habit of Resting
Rest is a recharging. Rest is a refilling.
Jesus had a ‘pulley’ habit of resting to allow Himself to pour out once again.
In Mark 6 Jesus sent His apostles out to minister. His apostles returned and had so much to report to Jesus about what they had taught & done…
Mark 6:30-31(NIV) 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming…
While the apostles where celebrating their success, a large number of people gathered about. How do you think Jesus would respond? With people gathering, would Jesus send these apostles straight out to do more ministry? How did Jesus respond?
Mark 6:31-32(NIV) 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
With people standing by ready to receive ministry, Jesus looked at tired & hungry apostles and said “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Jesus DID NOT DE-VALUE ministry. He valued ministry, and because he valued ministry, he valued rest. He knew that if they were going to pour themselves out, they also needed to refill.
Rest does not de-value work. Because you value your work, you MUST take time to rest.
The Humble Habit of Resting
Jesus had crowds. Our society believes crowds are a gauge of success… but, Jesus rested from the crowd.
There is no rest IN the crowd.
Jesus left the crowd of perhaps 10,000 people and withdrew to a group of 12.
It was here with His small group of disciples; He explained the mysteries of His Kingdom parables.
The withdrawal from the crowd was not a defeat… It was a rest & recharge for both Jesus and His disciples.
12 people… sounds like a small group. Can I brag on our small groups for a moment?
There are times where Jesus rested from the 12 and went with 3 close friends – Peter, James, & John.
He climbed the mount of transfiguration, not with the 12, but with the 3.
You need to have the mission-field of the crowd, the community of the 12, and the intimacy of the 3.
You need to have people who ARE NOT WORK, but rest.
Jesus also rested from the 3 and entertained an audience of 1.
Jesus would withdraw to a place where He could receive rest straight from God.
You talk about a pulley that will lighten your load… PRAYER IS SUCH A PULLEY.
Leader do you have a habit of prayer?
Leader do you have a habit of seeking God’s presence?
A leader who seeks an audience of 1 with God, that leader is a blessing to any organization.
What does this humble habit of rest look like in your life?
- You take deliberate time to not pour out effort, but to soak in rest & enrichment.
- Put your smartphone & laptop down and go clear your mind and improve your body with a walk, in nature.
- Have a vacation… not a work-vacation.
- Have an inner circle that is not WORK but REST.
- Rest from criticism.
- Shut off all the noise.
- Recharge in God! Pray. Worship. Seek. BE FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT.
Habits of a Leader
Leaders are under such great pressure. The higher the seat on that org chart, the more pressure there is.
Jesus shows us that Humility is an invaluable pulley that eases the pressure of power/responsibility.
Jesus used the pulley of humility to always look up above on the org flow-chart.
Humility looks up the org chart
There are these organizational flow-charts that show who the most powerful, authoritative people are in an organization.
What usually happens is that everyone down the chart usually looks up and says “If I were the head of this department, I would immediately do this…” If only I were the manager, I know the first thing I would do…” “What a dummy my boss is… I would do such a better job in that position.”
But there is a difference between daydreaming about being the boss, and actually being the boss. Anyone can make bets using house-money, but when it is your own money, it becomes a different situation entirely.
One of the burdens of leadership is authority. Authority is a burden.
You have seen a little bit of power ruin people…
Pride + Power = Poison
You have seen some bosses become tyrants because of the mixture of pride & power.
Pride + Power = Poison.
Then, there is the burden of being the one who must make the decision.
…Having to hire, or fire.
…close an office, or open an office.
…spend resources, or save resources for later.
Most people dream about sitting in that top spot, but once they are there in that spot, they may find it to be a nightmare. The higher the seat on that org chart, the more pressure there is.
Power can be a burden.
In January 1981 Ronald Reagan was the incoming president. Michael Deaver served as the deputy chief of staff, and on the morning of the president’s inauguration Michael Deaver grew concerned.
It appeared that His boss, the elected president of the United States had overslept. So Deaver gently knocked on the Ronald Reagan’s bedroom door and cracked open the door to say, “Sir it is 8:30 in the morning and in about 2 hours you are going to be sworn in as the President of the United States.”
According to Michael Deaver, He saw Ronald Reagan peek out from under the covers and say in a groggy morning voice… “Do I have to?”
No matter if you are the CEO, the governor, prime minister or president, the owner and founder, the lead pastor, the general… the number one, the grand poohbah, the kingpin, El jefe, big boss-man (or lady), top dog, big dog, the bigwig, the head honcho, the higher ups, the powers that be, the shot-caller, fearless leader, Sith lord, the big cheese or big kahuna…
No matter how high you go on the org chart, there is still someone above you when it comes to power & authority.
Humility looks up the org chart
Jesus, the King of Kings & Lord of Lords… the Alpha & Omega, beginning & ending… The Almighty… He demonstrates the habit of looking up the org chart…
John 6:38(NIV) For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
When you read the Gospels you see the man Christ Jesus, looking up in prayer and asking for God’s will to be done. A great habit to help ease the troubles of leadership is the humility to look up to God and pray.
The reason Humility looks up the Org Chart is because only through humility will you admit there is someone above you.
This is great news!
To the CEO who is facing a tough decision – LOOK UP and ask God for wisdom!
To the President of the United States, you are the leader of the free world and bear a heavy responsibility – but LOOK UP because God has “got the whole world in his hands.”
To the Lead Pastor who is worried that he doesn’t have what it takes to lead – LOOK UP! You are the Pastor, but the Church belongs to the guy above you on the Org Chart – The Lord Jesus Christ!
To the mom or dad who feels completely inadequate as a parent and a spouse – LOOK UP the org chart to a God who will guide you.
To you who are struggling in your position of leadership – LOOK UP and ask! LOOK UP and pray!
If you are carrying a burden today, I want you to grab a hold of a pulley… a habit that will cut your burden in half.
Does anyone feel the need to pray today? Who feels a drawing towards an audience of one?