The Leader’s Example

1. Read: John 13:13-15

2. About the Text:

1) Jesus was the master teacher.

2) He always knew when an example needed to be set.

3) In this context, he has just washed the disciples’ feet.

4) They needed to see His example.

5) Examples are intended to be copied and followed.

6) We need biblical leaders that will set good examples.

3. We are going to be talking about leadership some this year.

1) Biblical leadership involves elders, deacons, teachers, preachers, and others.

2) Leaders have an obligation to God to set good examples.

a. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[a] in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

b. “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

4. Having this in mind, let’s discuss the leader’s example.

5. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. There are different kinds of examples.

1) Leader’s may set good examples or bad examples.

2) Godly leaders will seek to set good examples.

3) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt.5:16).

2. This means that his example must be established upon truth.

1) The only way to know if one’s actions are right is by learning God’s truth.

a. John 14:6 – Jesus is the truth.

b. John 8:32 – Abide in the words of Jesus to know the truth.

c. John 17:17 – God’s word is truth.

2) He must spend time studying and understanding the word of God.

a. He will study to show himself approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15).

b. He will hold “fast the faithful word as he has been taught” (Titus 1:9).

3) He will follow the example of Christ.

a. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

b. “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor.11:1).

3. He will know the difference between truth and error.

1) “Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” (Titus 1:9)

2) “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

1. Leaders are men of conviction.

1) They don’t let the crowds sway them, but simply follow the beacon of truth.

2) They are like Peter when everyone else left Jesus, He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69).

3) They are like Paul when he said, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

2. Leaders are men of action.

1) They are men who practice what they believe.

2) They are doers of the word – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).

3) They practice righteousness – “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:29).

3. Leaders live the message they seek to tell others.

1) “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17).

2) Their custom of living is worthy of the gospel (Phil.1:27).

1. Godly leaders have thought of these things for years.

1) They love God with their minds (Matthew 22:37).

2) They seek to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

2. They will speak clearly regarding spiritual matters.

1) They pray that God will help them speak boldly. “And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph.6:19-20).

2) They want to make their words clear: “that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:4).

3. They speak truthfully and sincerely.

1) “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).

2) They speak truthfully and sincerely. “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).

1. Good leaders set good examples. They do this by . . .

1) Being established on the truth.

2) Living the truth out in their lives.

3) Communicating the truth to others.

2. Invitation