Fresh Anointing for Leadership and Service

How many of us know that we are all leaders in our own rights?

I’ve heard the theory that some people are leaders and some people are followers. While that is true, I think it tends to put people in a box and limit their potential. So I want to suggest to us today that we should all strive to be leaders. 

Now, there would be times when we have to be followers, but generally, we should aim to be leaders. Why? Because leadership is about service and we want to be like Jesus who modeled the life of a servant leader while He walked this earth.

To be like Jesus is a tall order. But with the Holy Spirit as our Enabler, we can grow closer to Him everyday and at that appointed time enter the kingdom of God.

In Matthew 19:26 NKJV, Jesus emphasized “...With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

So we need that fresh anointing to demonstrate that we can be good leaders and servants like Jesus.

Jesus demonstrated servant leadership by prioritizing the needs of others and sacrificing Himself for humanity. In Matthew 20:28, He reveals His purpose as a servant leader: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

God’s anointing enables us to be leaders who adopt this Christlike posture of humility and selflessness. 

Servant leaders are not about themselves, they do not seek to glorify themselves or seek personal gain. Rather, we serve with integrity and love, reflecting the heart of Christ.

1 Peter 5:2-3 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" 

Family, the fresh anointing we seek today will equip us to be leaders who will serve with wisdom, humility, and strength.

There’s the account in the Bible where God anointed Bezalel to work with wisdom, understanding, and skill in building the Tabernacle. This was not just a symbolic act but a divine empowerment.

Exodus 31:2-3 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,”

Family, we are not left alone on this journey of being great and model leaders. God is with us as we choose to serve others with humility, lead by example, demonstrate integrity and honesty, show compassion and empathy, and seek God’s guidance through prayer and scripture. 

Practical examples include volunteering to help with tasks no one else wants to do, like cleaning up after events; arriving on time to church or work and following through on promises; being truthful when handling money or responsibilities, even when it’s inconvenient; visiting the sick or praying with someone going through a tough time; and regularly leading or participating in Bible studies.

We will remain followers if we try to do things on our own. To be leaders, we must rely on this fresh anointing to make wise decisions, remain humble as we serve, and get strength to face challenges. It is because we rely on human effort instead of depending on a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit that many shy away from coming forward to do the work of the Lord.

Family, I challenge each of us here today, if you have not yet taken up the mantle to be a leader in the Body of Christ, now is the time.

Today, we ask the Lord for fresh anointing for leadership and service. As it was in Bible days, so it is now. 1 Samuel 16:13 "Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward."

The Messiah spoke in Isaiah 61:1 saying: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

Fresh anointing today, Family, for leadership and service, something that we are all called to do as Christians.

Let us step up to the plate and be leaders filled with the Spirit of God. No faking it and doing it for selfish reasons. That will backfire. Let us truly become instruments of God's grace and truth. 

Let us step up and help others lead as well, all of us growing in faith and obedience, thereby fulfilling our calling for His glory.

aub - 29Jan25

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