The Character of Christ-Like Servant Leadership

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:1-7).

The community of believers was growing as a result of the apostles and disciples’ obedience to God’s unbeatable plan. The disciples were… “increasing in number” despite external opposition from the Jewish leaders. Now they were faced with an internal issue. Some of the Hellenist, or Greek speaking widows were being neglected when food was being distributed to the poor. This called for some wise action on the part of the apostles, who must continue to be devoted to God’s plan by preaching the word. They urged the disciples to search among themselves for seven special people. The Holy Spirit led them to choose seven outstanding men who would become the first deacons, or servant ministers in the local church. These men had good reputations because they were full of the character of Christ-like servant leadership.

Servant leaders are full of the Holy Spirit. It’s not natural to serve others because serving others means putting the needs of others first. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to exhort disciples to this spiritual calling… “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Those of us who profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ are to embrace and reflect His servant character… “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7). As we are filled with the Holt Spirit, He conquers our fleshly nature and helps us put on the servant leadership character of Jesus Christ.

Servant leaders are full of wisdom. These new servant leaders would have to be filled with wisdom as they assumed the responsibility of managing the community’s offerings to meet the community’s needs. They would need the kind of skill that comes from seeking God’s perspective in order to know how to discern and meet the real needs of those they were serving. This kind of wisdom is not natural, it is spiritual… “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). This spiritual wisdom is available to all true disciples that ask for it in faith… “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6). When we feel the call to serve but lack wisdom, we can ask in faith and trust that God will fill us with His wisdom for the task.

Servant leaders are full of faith. The Holy Spirit compelled Luke to make a special note here that the first deacon chosen, Stephen, was… “a man full of faith”. We already noted that being full of wisdom requires asking in faith. It’s also true that believing in God’s provision for our individual needs as well as for meeting the needs of others requires faith… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). As we humbly and faithfully serve others, God moves through us to supernaturally meet their needs and He gets all the glory.

As we grow up into Christ, we can move on to higher levels of Christ-like service as He develops in us…

The Character of Christ-Like Servant Leadership.