Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The Irony of Leadership

Bryan Schneider · May 20, 2023

Mark 9:30-37

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-irony-of-leadership

Summary

The disciples argue about rank immediately after Jesus predicts his betrayal, death, and resurrection, revealing how poorly they understand his kingdom.
Jesus overturns worldly leadership: whoever wants to be first must become last of all and servant of all.
By embracing a child, Jesus shows that leadership serves and welcomes people who cannot repay, elevate, or advantage the leader.
Authority is real, but authoritarianism uses fear, violence, privilege, or control to satisfy the leader rather than care for those entrusted to them.
Failed leaders such as Eli and David illustrate how office becomes abusive when leaders protect ease, appetite, and power instead of God's people.
Faithful leaders cultivate a larger vision, relationships, responsibility, wise authority, communication, encouragement, teamwork, courage, humility, and perseverance.
Jesus perfectly embodies servant leadership: the glorious King willingly accepts betrayal and death, lays down his life, rises again, and calls his followers to serve in his strength.

When I receive authority, do I first think about status and control or about whom I am called to serve?
How do I respond when someone under my care cannot repay or enhance my reputation?
Have fear, anger, comfort, appetite, or convenience begun to shape the way I lead?
Do the people I lead experience me as one who listens, equips, communicates, and builds them up?
What difficult responsibility am I tempted to avoid or push onto someone with less power?
Whose counsel can help me recognize authoritarian habits before they harm others?
How does Jesus' willing death and victorious resurrection supply both the pattern and power for sacrificial leadership?

Servant leadership: Using real authority to love, equip, protect, and serve others rather than to secure personal status or ease.
Authoritarianism: The misuse of authority through domination, fear, violence, or self-serving control.
Kingdom paradox: Jesus' reversal in which the path to greatness runs through humility, lowliness, and service.
Receiving a child: Welcoming and caring for someone vulnerable who cannot repay the leader, as service rendered to Christ and the Father.
Stewarded authority: Responsibility entrusted by God and exercised under his judgment for the good of others.
Perseverance: Continuing faithfully in costly service through difficulty rather than abandoning one's calling.