Leaders are always willing to go first, lead first, and sacrifice first. Sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love more. Sacrifice is the most overlooked essential in spiritual leadership! When we Sacrifice to serve the right way and the right person (Jesus), it always leads to Satisfaction. Two ways Jesus served the disciples He loved: He poured His life into the 12 by teaching and giving them examples on how to live. Jesus suffered and sacrificed His life. It takes suffering and sacrificing our time, energy, money, and pleasure to pour our life into others, but it is also one of the most satisfying things we can do with our life. As leaders, we love and teach to the multitudes, but we have a few we are pouring our lives into. Basic and Practical level sacrifice looks like: Sacrifice getting credit for something you did. Sacrifice sleep, pleasure, and time so you can be ready on Sundays or to help someone else in need. Sacrifice comfort for risk. Sacrifice pleasing God over pleasing people. Sacrifice pride for peace! God wants us as leaders to not only live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him, but help others find their true sense of identity. Knowing our true identity makes it easy in decision making. When you know who you are, you then know what to do!
‘Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”’ Matthew 20:26-28
‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ 3 John 1:4
‘Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.’ Matthew 5:23-26
‘And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.’ Nehemiah 11:2
‘Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ‘ 1 Timothy 5:17
