Leaders Lead

In many ways, the call to follow Christ is a call to leadership. Being a leader isn’t just about standing on stage and preaching a sermon to a room filled with people. You don’t have to go to seminary or train to know all the right answers. All you have to do is to follow Jesus. 

As we journey through Acts we see leadership on display throughout the book. Peter stands up at Pentecost and preaches; Barnabas leads with generous giving, and later leading the church to accept Paul; Stephen, the first martyr, boldly preaching.

As we come to Acts 20 Paul is about to head to Jerusalem. Before he does, he stops in Miletus and asks the Ephesian elders to meet him there. This is our only example in Acts of a sermon addressed to Christians, or more specifically, to church leaders. Leadership starts with exemplary character. Here there are three characteristics from this passage that all Christian leaders should pursue:

Servant Heartedness (v.19)

Paul saw himself as a servant of the Lord more than as a leader of people. His goal in life wasn't a crowd of followers but of obedience to His King. This is where spiritual leadership starts, at the feet of Jesus, in submission to Him.

We can only serve the Lord and others with humility in the strength Christ provides. We don't need human nature but rather a new nature and a new power to live in. We need more than a model in Jesus, we need a Savior, and we need an Empowerer.

Faithfulness (v.20,27)

(v.20) I did not shrink back from declaring to you anything that was profitable.

The word “shrink” carries the idea of avoiding or withdrawing. The idea seems to be that Paul did not avoid teaching anything in the Bible, if it was profitable for the church, he taught it. If it was part of the whole counsel of God, he taught it. He didn't avoid teachings that were offensive. He knew it was ultimately profitable. He didn't avoid teaching things that were counter-cultural, he knew it was the counsel of God.

There are a lot of things that can compete for time and attention. Leaders have to be focused on faithfulness to their main mission. If we do a half dozen things we want to do but not the things Christ calls us to, that's not faithfulness, its well-intentioned distraction. Those that would lead must be faithful to obey and those that teach must be faithful to teach the whole truth, not just convenient and easy ones.

Watchfulness (v.28)

Leaders must first watch over themselves. Leaders must lead themselves before they can lead others. He's about to warn them about false teaching that is coming. Leaders must not become what the flock must be protected from. How do we defend ourselves and others from false teaching? Be alert, keep watch! (v.31), and get in the Word (v.32). 

Every Christian in the church needs to be a servant, be faithful to the Word, and watchful for false teaching. Not everyone is called to pastor or serve in a church office. But we can all lead in our homes, schools, universities, and workplaces with humility, faithfulness to Christ and His Word.

Dear God,

Thank you for choosing me. Provide me with courage and conviction to receive this responsibility to be a Christian leader. Guard my heart to be humble, faithful, and watchful. Grant me wisdom to make decisions and conviction to follow You when it contradicts my desires or the demand of others.

In Jesus Name’

Amen