10 Strategies for Christian Influence/Leadership

2. 10 Strategies for Christian Influence/Leadership How to increase flavor and shine brighter, #6, Humility

3. There Are Differences • Jews looking down on Gentiles • And on those “dogs,” the Samaritans • Pharisees looking down on “sinners” • The compassion of Jesus, who dealt with all of the other groups. versus

4. There Are Differences • A culture as a FAMILY nation • With a lineage • Everyone connected by blood, kinship • A culture of capitalism • Families separated easily • Profiteers versus Leadership comparative to that of a loving Grandfather versus a Boss

5. How Can We Grow in Humility? • Defeat the attitude of pride and superiority

6. a sense of shame What tears down superiority?

7. Romans 3:23; 10-12 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

8. What tears down superiority? •  A sense of shame • A sense of fallibility 3. A sense of dependence

9. John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

10. How Can We Grow in Humility? • Defeat the attitude of pride and superiority • Put down the “Elijah Complex”

11. 1 Corinthians 8:2 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

12. How to fight the “complex” • God doesn’t confide in us • Others have talents different from mine

13. 1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14. How to fight the “complex” • God doesn’t confide in us • Others have talents different from mine 3. My frustration is not new

15. How to fight the “complex” • God doesn’t confide in us • Others have talents different from mine 3. My frustration is not new 4. Even if I AM the only one, it is all right!

16. Matthew 20:28 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

17. Luke 22:25-26 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

18. How Can We Grow in Humility? • Defeat the attitude of pride and superiority • Put down the “Elijah Complex” • Encourage mutual respect and courtesy

19. Leadership demonstrates Humility by… • Withholding authority

20. Matthew 23:4 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

21. 2 Corinthians 13:10 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

22. Leadership demonstrates Humility by… • Withholding authority • Really listening

23. Proverbs 18:13 13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

24. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful

25. Leadership demonstrates Humility by… • Withholding authority • Really listening • Give value to others

26. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

27. Philippians 1:3-5, 7 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart,

28. Ephesians 1:15-16 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your lovetoward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

29. Colossians 1:3-4 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

30. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, 6-8 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantlymentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere

31. Leadership demonstrates Humility by… • Withholding authority • Really listening • Giving value to others • Being able to apologize

32. Matthew 5:23-24 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

33. Leadership demonstrates Humility by… • Withholding authority • Really listening • Giving value to others • Being able to apologize • Speaks to sincerity • Speaks to concern • Speaks to humility

34. Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

35. Christian Leadership Works in Humility • Defeating pride and superiority • Putting down the “Elijah Complex” • Encouraging mutual respect & courtesy

36. Proverbs 22:4 Before “growing” as a Christian, we must BE one. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.