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OT Reading // Psalm 133
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
NT Reading // Colossians 1:17-2:3
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Our End Goal:
By the Holy Spirit’s leading, we aim to align our hearts with God’s heart as we search His Word for His best concerning the church and leadership—acknowledging the experiences and voices that have shaped us, yet moving deeper into God’s design—so that, under the Lordship of Jesus, we grow together as a united, healthy, and empowered church community.
Last Week: Structures that Serve Relationship
We explored how the design of the early church—elders, deacons, and fivefold grace—was never meant to build hierarchy but to serve relationship. The Church grows like a family tree, where every believer matures through giving and receiving life in Christ. This week, we move from design to disposition—how leaders walk with the posture and purpose of Jesus Himself.
Today’s Aim – To posture our hearts like Jesus—walking in humility, serving with love, and remaining steadfast in commitment—so that our leadership reflects His character and fulfills His purpose. True New Testament leadership begins with the heart: leading not for influence or recognition, but to nurture Christ’s life in others until they are mature in Him.
Leadership begins with seeing ourselves rightly in the eyes of God and walking humbly among His people. When leaders lose sight of their identity in the Lord, they often begin striving for it through their actions. Humility grounds us again in grace—it keeps us small in our own eyes but secure in His love.
1 Peter 5:1–6 – Leaders are called to shepherd the flock among them—not by compulsion, not for gain, not lording over others, but being examples to the flock. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Matthew 11:28–30 – Jesus says, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” His humility brings rest, not striving.
James 4:6, 10 – God gives grace to the humble; those who humble themselves under His hand will be lifted in due time.
Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you what is good—to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Key Thought: Humility is seeing ourselves truthfully before God and living from that place. It is the soil where grace grows.
Servanthood flows naturally from a humble heart. It’s humility set in motion—the willingness to stoop low, to love deeply, and to act selflessly for the good of others. In serving, we reveal the heart of Jesus and make room for His life to grow in others.
Philippians 2:5–11 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… who took the form of a servant.” Humility in Christ was never passive—it moved Him to act for others’ good.
John 13:1–17 – Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, showing that greatness in the Kingdom is expressed through love. “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s.”
Servanthood is humility made visible.
Mark 10:42–45 / Matthew 20:25–28 – “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
In the family of God, we are not underlords but undershepherds—servants of all.
Key Thought: Servanthood is the natural movement of a humble heart. It dignifies others and models Christ’s way of leadership—strength expressed through love.
Commitment reveals the long obedience of humble love. It’s the willingness to stay, even when the work is slow or unseen—to trust that God is forming His people over time. Enduring leaders lead like Jesus, finding joy not in results but in remaining faithful.
Galatians 4:19 – “I labor until Christ is formed in you.” Leadership is patient participation in God’s forming work.
1 Thessalonians 2:7–12 – Paul’s example—gentle as a nursing mother, encouraging as a father. True leaders stay long enough to see maturity take root.
Colossians 1:28–2:3 – Paul’s aim was “to present everyone mature in Christ.” His labor flowed from love, not ambition.
While there are different roles and responsibilities in New Testament leadership, without enduring love they can easily become self-focused—opportunities to exercise our gifts or grow in our callings in ways disconnected from the Father’s heart for His people. Love makes our leadership truly Christlike.
Hebrews 12:1–2 – “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus shows us that enduring love and joy in the Father are what sustain true leadership through hardship and sacrifice. We are not qualified to lead what we will walk away from carelessly.
Key Thought: Commitment is humility that stays. It’s the steady love that walks with people until Christ is formed in them. The Purpose of NT Leadership
The purpose of leadership is not to build impressive ministries but to see every person rooted and growing in Jesus. Our goal is not to gather followers around us, but to nurture sons and daughters who abide in Him. True leadership stewards growth that only God can bring.
Colossians 1:28–29 – “Him we proclaim… that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
The aim of leadership is formation, not control.
John 15:4–5 – “Abide in Me, and I in you… apart from Me you can do nothing.”
We help people stay connected to the Vine, learning to draw life directly from Jesus.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7 – “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
Leadership is partnership, not ownership. We cultivate, but God causes growth.
Isaiah 61:3 – “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”
We don’t grow people into our vision; we help them grow into His likeness.
Psalm 127:1 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
Stop trying to build what God wants to grow. Our role is to nurture connection, not manage outcomes. The fruit that lasts always comes from abiding, not from our architecture.
Key Thought: The purpose of New Testament leadership is to cultivate environments where Christ’s life can flourish. We tend what He plants, we water what He’s growing, and we rejoice when the fruit bears His likeness—not ours.
Humility roots us. Servanthood moves us. Commitment keeps us. Together they form a posture that points people to Jesus and a purpose that helps others grow in Him. Leadership in God’s family isn’t about climbing higher—it’s about kneeling lower so others can rise in Christ.
Reflect & Pray:
• Reveal any ways I’ve viewed leadership differently than You do, and renew my mindset to reflect Your heart.
• Lord, teach me to lead from Your presence, not my performance.
• Are there places I am striving to build what You want to grow?
• As each of us grows into Christ, help us share His grace, honor His leadership, and serve others with His love.
• Help me stay humble, serve with joy,