“The one who serves you best will be your leader.”
Luke 22:26 TLB
The lessons Jesus taught us about life in the Kingdom turned the world upside down…
He told us, “Those who are last will be first and the first will be last” (Matt 20:16 NLV)—“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24 NIV)—and “If you give, you will get” (Luke 6:38 TLB).
Understanding the Kingdom requires some major paradigm shifts.
This is why attending Kingdom School of Ministry is so important.
Next week we will be immersing ourselves in the dynamics of practically and powerfully doing life in the Kingdom—equipping you to maximize your leadership potential so you can impact the world for Christ.
It’s not too late to join us for five intensive days that will elevate your life and your capacity to lead beyond what you can imagine.
Shift your paradigm of what’s possible at Kingdom School of Ministry.
Become the influencer you’ve always dreamed of. Rise up and take your place in leading change by joining other world changers July 30 – August 5.
I want to empower you to turn your world upside down with the power and authority you have in Christ.
And it all begins with understanding the protocols of submission.
“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:43-45 ESV
Probably more than any other leadership lesson Jesus came to teach His disciples was how to lay down one’s life for the benefit of others and serve with selfless humility.
This is not how the world understands the role of a leader, but it is the secret to walking in divine power and authority!
“The kings and great men of the earth lord it over the people; but among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all.”
Mark 10:42-44 TLB
Do you want to be great? Learn to serve.
How can you become a great servant? Learn to submit.
There is divine power at work in not only the act of, but more importantly, the attitude of submission. It is an attitude of the heart that brings glory to God.
“Honor Christ by submitting to each other.”
Ephesians 5:21 TLB
Another translation states, “submitting to one another in the fear of God” (NKJV).
Interestingly, there is only one other place in the New Testament where Paul mentions being motivated by “the fear of God”…and it is in regards to living a life set apart for His purpose:
“Let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 AMP
We know that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (See Psalm 111:10)—but we don’t often consider that fearing God requires submission; a heart submitted to both God and man.
It is out of the fear of God we honor and submit to one another. In his first letter, Peter instructed believers to “honor all people…Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).
The other place we read about fearing God is in Paul’s letter to the Colossians:
“Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”
Colossians 3:22 NKJV
Submission is an attitude of heart that honors God.
If you’re not submitted to those both above and around you, you’re not submitted to God. Plain and simple.
Check your heart.
A submitted heart is a servant’s heart.
In the 4 Points Broadcast, I outlined the power and authority available to those who successfully embrace the protocols of submission.
It is a destiny-defining stage in the maturation process that will open you up to your own greatness and enable you to fulfill your potential as an effective servant leader.
God is calling each of us to grow up and mature as His servant leaders.
If you can’t serve, how can you lead?
If you can’t lead through service, how can you demonstrate God’s love? And if you’re not demonstrating love, how can you call yourself a friend of God?
Faith works through acts of love (see Galatians 5:6 and James 2:14-26)—likewise does true leadership work through acts of service.
If you want to know if you’re growing as a servant leader, check your motives.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Becoming the kind of servant leader God can use on behalf of the Kingdom will require you to mature spiritually.
What will your spiritual legacy look like?
Invest in your spiritual growth and leadership greatness by expanding your capacity to serve.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.”
Matthew 20:26 NLT
“The fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others].”
Galatians 5:22 AMP