Friday, February 23, 2007

Leadership Lessons from Matthew 23

I've recently been using Michael Wilkins's excellent NIV Application Commentary on Matthew. In it he takes Jesus' seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-36) and turns them around to offer some positive lessons from Jesus on leadership:
  1. Live by example God's message of grace (Matt. 23:1-4).
  2. Earn respect and honor, don't demand them (Matt. 23:5-7).
  3. Wear titles lightly that point to God (Matt. 23:8-10)
  4. Serve God's people to empower them to advance the kingdom of God (Matt. 23:11-12).
  5. Be a signpost to the doorway to the kingdom (Matt. 23:13).
  6. Make converts to the kingdom, not to yourself (Matt. 23:15).
  7. Maintain personal accountability (Matt. 23:16-22).
  8. Major on the majors of the kingdom (Matt. 23:23-24).
  9. Promote motive for leadership-ministry form the inside out (Matt. 23:25-26).
  10. Develop personal identity as a leader from the inside out (Matt. 23:27-28).
  11. Choose carefully the traditions you will represent (Matt. 23:29-32).
  12. Listen to God's other messengers, because leadership has stricter condemnation (Matt. 23:33-36).