GC Women’s Ministries



JESUS’ LEADERSHIP MODEL

(Gleanings from Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy)

INTRODUCTION

Jesus gave himself to serve the needs of the people by healing their sick, feeding them when they were hungry, giving them hope concerning the kingdom of God. He set them free from evil, sin and demons by the power of His Word and the Holy Spirit. Jesus made disciples, and as a leader, He developed workers who could continue His ministry after He left the earth.

Jesus demonstrated both nobility and compassion in his dealings with people. Multitudes followed him, yet he mentored relatively few so that the quality of his mission could continue. Jesus demonstrated a humility and an attitude of servant-leadership that is unparalleled. He modeled true leadership for us.

Many illustrations of leadership can be found in the life of Jesus. It is true that Jesus’ model of leadership was and is very different from much of the leadership we see today. Yet His life has produced enduring results which have lifted many to a better life here and to life eternal. As we examine His life, it can serve as a model for us as we seek to develop our own talents for leadership.

I – HIS LIFE GROWING UP (OH-1, PP2)

We will first look at the childhood of Jesus. From even His early years He modeled for us many of the traits of true leadership. From the child Jesus we may learn humility, industriousness, responsibility, and ethics. He lived in poverty yet was a cheerful and faithful worker. He recognized work as a blessing and willingly did His share. He was practical, willing to start at the bottom, a careful worker, and patient, waiting on God’s timing. When we think of leaders whom we admire, do they not embody these traits? And as we follow Him as our example, we can become leaders whom God can bless. Let us look at what we learn about leadership from the childhood and youth of Jesus.

I. (a) – As a Child

Ethical EGWEthical EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 71 – “The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God. While He was a child, He thought and spoke as a child; but no trace of sin marred the image of God within Him. Yet He was not exempt from temptation. …Jesus was placed where His character would be tested. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity. He was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet, that He might be an example to us in childhood, youth, and manhood.

Cheerful “Jesus lived in a peasant’s home, and faithfully and cheerfully acted His part in bearing the burdens of the household.

Practical “Practical “He was a willing servant, a loving, obedient son. He learned a trade, and with His own hands worked in the carpenter’s shop with Joseph.

Thorough “Thorough “By His own example He taught that it is our duty to be industrious, that our work should be performed with exactness and thoroughness, and that such labor is honorable. The exercise that teaches the hands to be useful and trains the young to bear their share of life’s burdens gives physical strength, and develops every faculty. All should find something to do that will be beneficial to themselves and helpful to others. God appointed work as a blessing, and only the diligent worker finds the true glory and joy of life.”

Principled EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 86 - “At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God's word.”

Loyal EGWLoyal EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 87 – “Jesus loved His brothers, and treated them with unfailing kindness.”

I (b) - As a Youth (OH-2, PP3)

Patient EGWPatient EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 82 – “Jesus did not ignore His relation to His earthly parents. From Jerusalem He returned home with them, and aided them in their life of toil. He hid in His own heart the mystery of His mission, waiting submissively for the appointed time for Him to enter upon His work. For eighteen years after He had recognized that He was the Son of God, He acknowledged the tie that bound Him to the home at Nazareth, and performed the duties of a son, a brother, a friend, and a citizen.”

II – HIS SPIRITUAL LIFE (OH-3, PP4)

Christ also provides vital lessons for leaders as we look at specific aspects of His own spiritual life. First we will consider His prayer life. If prayer was crucial to Jesus’ power, how much more important it must be to us as we grow as leaders. Christ began His ministry with prayer, and He left us a model prayer, one that is familiar to us. But have you considered how many traits of leadership we can discover in The Lord’s Prayer?

II (a) - His Prayer Life

● Jesus started His ministry with a prayer.

Luke 3:21 (NIV) – “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened.”

EGW, Signs of the Times, July 24, 1893 - Jesus “opened His public mission with fervent prayer, and his example makes manifest the fact that prayer is necessary in order to lead a successful Christian life.” (OH-4, PP5)

● Jesus gave us a model prayer (OH-5, PP6)

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 102,103 – “The Lord's Prayer was twice given by our Saviour, first to the multitude in the Sermon on the Mount, and again, some months later, to the disciples alone….Jesus gives them no new form of prayer. That which He has before taught them He repeats, as if He would say, You need to understand what I have already given. It has a depth of meaning you have not yet fathomed.

The Saviour does not, however, restrict us to the use of these exact words. As one with humanity, He presents His own ideal of prayer, words so simple that they may be adopted by the little child, yet so comprehensive that their significance can never be fully grasped by the greatest minds. We are taught to come to God with our tribute of thanksgiving, to make known our wants, to confess our sins, and to claim His mercy in accordance with His promise.”

(OH-6, PP7)

Matthew 6:9 -14 (NIV) (OH-7, PP8)

a. 9, 10 “’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.”

Our spiritual center EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 104 – “Jesus teaches us to call His Father our Father. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. Hebrews 2:11. So ready, so eager, is the Saviour's heart to welcome us as members of the family of God, that in the very first words we are to use in approaching God He places the assurance of our divine relationship, "Our Father."

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 106 – “We are never in any manner to treat lightly the titles or appellations of the Deity. In prayer we enter the audience chamber of the Most High; and we should come before Him with holy awe. The angels veil their faces in His presence. The cherubim and the bright and holy seraphim approach His throne with solemn reverence. How much more should we, finite, sinful beings, come in reverent manner before the LORD, our Maker!”

True goals EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p.107,108 – “God is our Father, who loves and cares for us as His children; He is also the great King of the universe. The interests of His kingdom are our interests, and we are to work for its upbuilding.” (OH-8, PP9)

Patience “The disciples of Christ were looking for the immediate coming of the kingdom of His glory, but in giving them this prayer Jesus taught that the kingdom was not then to be established. They were to pray for its coming as an event yet future.”

b. 11 “Give us today our daily bread.” (OH-9, PP10)

Priorities EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 112 – “The prayer for daily bread includes not only food to sustain the body, but that spiritual bread which will nourish the soul unto life everlasting. Jesus bids us, "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life."

John 6:27. He says, ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever.’ Verse 51. Our Saviour is the bread of life, and it is by beholding His love, by receiving it into the soul, that we feed upon the bread which came down from heaven.”

Dependence on God EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 113 – “In teaching us to ask every day for what we need--both temporal and spiritual blessings--God has a purpose to accomplish for our good. He would have us realize our dependence upon His constant care, for He is seeking to draw us into

communion with Himself. In this communion with Christ, through prayer and the study of the great and precious truths of His word, we shall as hungry souls be fed as those that thirst, we shall be refreshed at the fountain of life.”

C. 12 “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

(OH-10, PP11)

Ability to forgive and work in harmony EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 113 – “Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.”

Compassion EGW, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 171 – “While the Christian will be ever kind, compassionate, and forgiving, he can feel no harmony with sin. He will abhor evil and cling to that which is good….The spirit of Christ will lead us to hate sin, while we are willing to make any sacrifice to save the sinner.”

d. 13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (OH-11, PP12)

Holding firm to principle EGW, “Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 293, 294 – “Satan is constantly at work, but few have any idea of his activity and subtlety. The people of god must be prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance that Satan dreads….It is only through Christ that Satan’s power is limited. This is a momentous truth that all should understand.”

e. 14 “For Yours is The Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (OH-12, PP13)

Acknowledging God as ruler EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 120 – “The last like the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer, points to our Father as above all power and authority and every name that is named….The power and the glory belong unto Him whose great purposes would still move on unthwarted toward their consummation. In the prayer that breathes their daily wants, the disciples of Christ were directed to look above all the power and dominion of evil, unto the Lord their God, whose kingdom ruleth over all and who is their Father and everlasting Friend.”

● His Example of Praying Constantly (OH-13, PP14)

Mark 1:35 - “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Bold font for emphasis supplied)

Relying on God EGW, Gospel Workers, p. 255-257 - “Because the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion, His service for heaven was without failure or faltering. Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God, from Him obtaining energy, perseverance, steadfastness.”

EGW, Gospel Workers, p. 2573 - “The life of a true Christian is a life of constant prayer…. It is only through the strength and grace gained from heaven that we can hope to meet the temptations and perform the duties before us.” (OH-14, PP15)

Total dependence on God EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p.19 - “As we need food to sustain our physical strength, so do we need Christ, the Bread from heaven, to sustain spiritual life and impart strength to work the works of God. As the body is continually receiving the nourishment that sustains life and vigor, so the soul must be constantly communing with Christ, submitting to Him and depending wholly upon Him.”

EGW, Education, p. 80 – “Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him.”

● His example of intercessory prayer (OH-15, PP16)

Praying for co-workers John 17:9-11, 20 (RSV) “ 9I am praying for them…11keep them in thy name…that they maybe one, even as we are one…..20I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word.”

Praying for the weak EGW, Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, p. 197 “Shall we not humble ourselves before God in behalf of those who apparently have little spiritual life. Shall we not have appointed seasons of prayer for them. Shall we not pray every day for those who seem to be dead in trespasses and sins. As we plead with God to break the hearts of stone, our own hearts will become more sensitive. We shall be quicker to see our own sin.” (OH-16, PP17)

● His admonition to pray in His name (OH-17, PP18)

Aiming to glorify God John 14:13, 14 (NIV) “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Reflecting Christ EGW, Review and Herald, July 14, 1910 – “It means that we are to accept His character, manifest His spirit, and work His works.”

EGW, Review and Herald, Oct, 30, 1894 – “When you make God your trust, when you call upon Him with your whole heart, He will be found of you.” (OH-18, PP19)

II (b) – His Study of the Scriptures (OH-19, PP20)

Luke 2:40 (NIV) “The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him."

Grounded in God’s Word EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 69 – “The child Jesus did not receive instruction in the synagogue schools. His mother was His first human teacher. From her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets, He learned of heavenly things. The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses for Israel He was now taught at His mother's knee.” (OH-20, PP21)

“Since He gained knowledge as we may do, His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God's word. And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works.”

● Jesus’ admonition to search the Scriptures (OH-21, PP22)

Matthew 22:29 (RSV) – “But Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.”’

John 5:39 (RSV) –“You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me.”

EGW, Review and Herald, Apr. 3, 1888 “Therefore we see that those who claim to be led of God, and go right away from him and his law, do not search the Scriptures….And we will not have to inquire whether others have the truth; for it will be seen in their characters….and if your feet are not firmly established upon the truth of God, then you will be led away from your foundation. The only safety for you is to search for the truth as for hid treasures.”

“We must search the Scriptures for ourselves, so that we shall not be led astray; and while many may be led astray because there are all kinds of doctrines in our world, there is one truth.”

EGW, Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, pp. 131,132 - “Those who dig beneath the surface discover the hidden gems of truth…. True searchers of the Word lift their hearts to God, imploring the aid of the Spirit.” (OH-22, PP23)

EGW, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 38 – 40 - “In the days of Christ the rabbis put a forced, mystical construction upon many portions of Scripture. Because the plain teaching of God’s word condemned their practices, they tried to destroy its force. The same thing is done today. The word of God is made to appear mysterious and obscure in order to excuse transgression of His law. Christ rebuked these practices in His day. He taught that the word of God was to be understood by all. He pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith.”

EGW, Counsels on Health, p. 372- “Not only will the student himself be benefited by a study of the word of God. His study is life and salvation to all with whom he associates. He will feel a sacred responsibility to impart the knowledge that he receives. His life will reveal the help and strength that he receives from communion with the word. The sanctification of the Spirit will be seen in thought, word, and deed.”

III – RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS (OH-23, PP24)

As we study the life of Christ, we may find many examples of how He related to others. Looking at these events as leaders, we will learn a great deal about how we are to treat others. Time spent studying our Great Example will help us to put away traits such as impatience, rudeness, criticism, and disloyalty. Let us look at the example of our greatest model and learn of kindness and compassion. Here are traits Jesus models for us as leaders today.

III (a) - A Summary of What His Life Was

EGW, Review and Herald, Aug. 20, 1959 - “Those who work for Christ are to be pure, upright, and trustworthy, and they are also to be tender-hearted, compassionate, and courteous….Kind words, pleasant looks, a courteous demeanor, are of inestimable value. Uncourteous Christians, by their neglect of others, show that they are not in union with Christ. It is impossible to be in union with Christ and yet be uncourteous.

“What Christ was in His life on this earth, that every Christian should be. He is our example, not only His spotless purity but in His patience, gentleness, and winsomeness of disposition. He was… firm as a rock where truth and duty were concerned, but He was invariably kind and courteous. (OH-24, PP25)

“He spoke a word of sympathy here, and a word there, as He saw men weary, and compelled to bear heavy burdens. He shared their burdens, and repeated to them the lessons He had learned from nature of the love, the kindness, the goodness of God.” (OH-25, PP26)

EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 89 – “Jesus did not contend for His rights. Often His work was made unnecessarily severe because He was willing and uncomplaining. Yet He did not fail nor become discouraged. He lived above these difficulties, as if in the light of God's countenance. He did not retaliate when roughly used, but bore insult patiently.” (OH-26, PP27)

● Qualities He wants us to have (OH-27, PP28)

Obedience to God John 14:15 (KJV) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (OH -28, PP29)

EGW, Signs of the Times, Apr. 17, 1893 - “Not only did Christ show us how we may become obedient children, but he showed us in his own life and character just how to do those things which are right and acceptable with God, so there is no reason why we should not do those things which are pleasing in his sight.”

Love Matthew 22:39 (NIV) “And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.” (OH-29, PP30)

EGW, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1097 – “The law of God requires that man shall love God supremely, and his neighbor as himself. When through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is perfectly done, we shall be complete in Christ.” (OH -30, PP31)

Purity Matthew 5:8 (NIV) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (OH-31, PP32)

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, pp. 26, 27-- “The pure in heart discern the Creator in the works of His mighty hand, in the things of beauty that comprise the universe. In His Written Word they read in clearer lines the revelation of His mercy, His goodness, and His grace. The truths that are hidden from the wise and prudent are revealed to babes. The beauty and preciousness of truth, which are undiscerned by the worldly-wise, are constantly unfolding to those who have a trusting, childlike desire to know and to do the will of God. We discern the truth by becoming, ourselves, partakers of the divine nature.”

(OH-32, PP33)

Forgiveness Matthew 18:21,22 (NIV) – “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-times seven.” (OH-3333, PP34)

EGW, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 243-245 “The rabbis limited the exercise of forgiveness to three offenses. Peter, carrying out, as he supposed, the teaching of Christ, thought to extend it to seven, the number signifying perfection. But Christ taught that we are never to become weary of forgiving….Then He showed the true ground upon which forgiveness is to be granted and the danger of cherishing an unforgiving spirit.” (OH -34, PP35)

“In a parable He told of a king's dealing with the officers who administered the affairs of his government. Some of these officers were in receipt of vast sums of money belonging to the state. As the king investigated their administration of this trust, there was brought before him one man whose account showed a debt to his lord for the immense sum of ten thousand talents. He had nothing to pay, and according to the custom, the king ordered him to be sold, with all that he had, that payment might be made. But the terrified man fell at his feet and besought him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him….

“The pardon granted by this king represents a divine forgiveness of all sin. Christ is represented by the king, who, moved with compassion, forgave the debt of his servant. Man was under the condemnation of the broken law. He could not save himself, and for this reason Christ came to this world, clothed His divinity with humanity, and gave His life, the just for the unjust. He gave Himself for our sins, and to every soul He freely offers the blood-bought pardon.”

Meekness Matthew 5:5 (KJV) – “Blessed are the meek [gentle], for they shall inherit the earth.” (OH-35, PP36)

Matthew 11:29 (KJV) “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest."

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 16 – “It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.” (OH-36, PP37)

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 17 – “Far better would it be for us to suffer under false accusation than to inflict upon ourselves the torture of retaliation upon our enemies. The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and can bring only evil to him who cherishes it. Lowliness of heart, that meekness which is the fruit of abiding in Christ, is the true secret of blessing. ‘He will beautify the meek with salvation.’ Psalm 149:4.”

Generosity Matthew 5:42 (KJV) “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” (OH-37, PP38)

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 72 “This scripture makes plain the meaning of the Saviour's words. Christ does not teach us to give indiscriminately to all who ask for charity; but He says, ‘Thou shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need,’ and this is to be a gift, rather than a loan; for we are to ‘lend, hoping for nothing again.’ Luke 6:35.” (OH-38, PP39)

EGW, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 142–143 – “Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the principle of our lives. ‘For their sakes,’ He said, speaking of His disciples, ‘I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified.’ John 17:19. The same devotion, the same self-sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of the word of God, that were manifest in Christ, must be seen in His servants. Our mission to the world is not to serve or please ourselves; we

are to glorify God by co-operating with Him to save sinners. We are to ask blessings from God that we may communicate to others. The capacity for receiving is preserved only by imparting. We cannot continue to receive heavenly treasure without communicating to those around us.”

Compassion Matthew 25:35, 36 (KJV) “For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (OH-39, PP40)

EGW, Christ Object Lessons, p. 383 – “Many will allow a brother or a neighbor to struggle unaided under adverse circumstances….Because they profess to be Christians he may be led to think that in their cold selfishness they are representing Christ. Because the Lord's professed servants are not in co-operation with Him, the love of God, which should flow forth from them, is in great degree cut off from their fellow men. And a large revenue of praise and thanksgiving from human hearts and human lips is prevented from flowing back to God. He is robbed of the glory due to His holy name. He is robbed of the souls for whom Christ died, souls whom He longs to bring into His kingdom to dwell in His presence through endless ages.”

“We may claim to be followers of Christ, we may claim to believe every truth in the word of God; but this will do our neighbor no good unless our belief is carried into our daily life. Our profession may be as high as heaven, but it will save neither ourselves nor our fellow men unless we are Christians. A right example will do more to benefit the world than all our profession.” (OH-40, PP41)

Humility Matthew 20: 26– 28 (KJV) “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (OH-41, PP42)

Matthew 23: 11,12 (KJV) “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

EGW, Desire of Ages, p. 650 – “There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brother, to work for self, to seek the highest place; and often this results in evil surmisings and bitterness of spirit. The ordinance preceding the Lord's Supper is to clear away these misunderstandings, to bring man out of his selfishness, down from his stilts of self-exaltation, to the humility of heart that will lead him to serve his brother.” (OH-42, PP43)

Mercy Matthew 5:7 (KJV) “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” (OH-43, PP44)

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 22 “The merciful are ‘partakers of the divine nature,’ and in them the compassionate love of God finds expression. All whose hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite Love will seek to reclaim and not to condemn. Christ dwelling in the soul is a spring that never runs dry. Where He abides, there will be an overflowing of beneficence.”

(OH-44, PP45)

Faithfulness in money matters Matthew 22:21 (KJV) “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” (OH-45, PP46)

EGW, Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 220. – “Some have not come up and united in the plan of systematic benevolence, excusing themselves because they were not free from debt. They plead that they must first ‘owe no man anything.’ But the fact that they are in debt does not excuse them. I saw that they should render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. Some feel conscientious to ‘owe no man anything,’ and think that God can require nothing of them until their debts are all paid. Here they deceive themselves. They fail to render to God the things that are His. Everyone must bring to the Lord a suitable offering. Those who are in debt should take the amount of their debts from what they possess, and give a proportion of the remainder.” (OH-46, PP47)

Peaceable Matthew 5:9 (KJV) –“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (OH-47, PP48)

EGW, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 28. “Christ's followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker.”

EGW, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 210 - The true Christian will in his intercourse with men suppress words that would tend to produce unnecessary anger and strife. All Heaven is at peace, and those who are closely connected with Christ will be in harmony with Heaven.” (OH-48, PP49)

CONCLUSION (OH-49, PP50)

Jesus, our Great Example, provides us a model of leadership that is just as applicable today as it was in His. He shows us how to become Christian leaders who exhibit traits that draw others, that create a better workplace, and that strengthen to organization, department or committee we lead.

In humility, let us seek to develop our leadership skills. Let us study to become all that we can become in His strength. Let us put aside self-seeking to become true servant-leaders, following our Model.

Looking to Jesus – “No man is so high in power and authority but that Satan will assail him with temptation. And the more responsible the position a man occupies, the fiercer and more determined are the assaults of the enemy. Let God's servants in every place study His word, looking constantly to Jesus, that they may be changed into His image. The inexhaustible fullness and the all-sufficiency of Christ are at our command if we walk before God in humility and contrition.” --Manuscript 140, 1902. (OH-49)

Follow your Leader

“I am instructed to say, Follow your Leader. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” --Pacific Union Recorder, Dec. 17, 1903. {RC 230.9}

Are you ready to follow the leader? To become a strong leader for Him?

References

Introduction –

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