Christian Life Church
January 18, 2026 at 9am & 11am
Servant leaders understand sacrifice for the glory of God and the good of others.
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
THE BOOK OF ACTS JANUARY 18, 2026
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
SCRIPTURE
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert of Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7
First, within every growing church, there are legitimate needs and illegitimate needs.
Second, there is a right and wrong way to voice a complaint when needs go unmet.
Third, needs are met and churches grow when everyone does their part.
EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY
Remember the story of Kitty Genovese.
When you do what others are called to do, it robs you of your role and them of theirs.
Their responsibility is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4:12
QUALITIES OF A SERVANT LEADER
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7
1/ Servant leaders genuinely love their people.
Jesus had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the very end. John 13:1
Affection
A servant leader will express their love in meaningful ways.
Protection
A shepherd will protect people against wolves and wickedness!
Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 1 Samuel 12:23
Direction
A good and godly leader will provide wise counsel that directs lives.
2/ Servant leaders strive for integrity.
Then Pilate said…“I find no guilt in this man.” Luke 23:4
3/ Servant leaders have courage.
Matthew 23:1-39
Jesus was meek and mild, not weak and mild.
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” G.K. Chesterton
4/ Servant leaders walk in confident humility.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8
Moses was the meekest person on earth, but a confident leader.
In humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
5/ Servant leaders lead by example.
And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me.” Matthew 4:19
6/ Servant leaders understand authority.
“Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42
In every home and church, God has a designed authority structure.
Submission is not about oppression. It’s about honor.
Godly leadership has never been about dominance, but design.
7/ Servant leaders are solution oriented.
While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Romans 5:10
Healthy leaders will stay in their lane, while picking up trash along the roadside.
8/ Servant leaders are dependable.
Jesus is the Faithful Witness. Revelation 1:5
9/ Servant leaders are crushed.
Jesus was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5
Servant leaders understand sacrifice for the glory of God and the good of others.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
SCRIPTURE
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert of Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7
First, within every growing church, there are legitimate needs and illegitimate needs.
Second, there is a right and wrong way to voice a complaint when needs go unmet.
Third, needs are met and churches grow when everyone does their part.
EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY
Remember the story of Kitty Genovese.
When you do what others are called to do, it robs you of your role and them of theirs.
Their responsibility is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4:12
QUALITIES OF A SERVANT LEADER
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7
1/ Servant leaders genuinely love their people.
Jesus had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the very end. John 13:1
Affection
A servant leader will express their love in meaningful ways.
Protection
A shepherd will protect people against wolves and wickedness!
Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 1 Samuel 12:23
Direction
A good and godly leader will provide wise counsel that directs lives.
2/ Servant leaders strive for integrity.
Then Pilate said…“I find no guilt in this man.” Luke 23:4
3/ Servant leaders have courage.
Matthew 23:1-39
Jesus was meek and mild, not weak and mild.
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” G.K. Chesterton
4/ Servant leaders walk in confident humility.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8
Moses was the meekest person on earth, but a confident leader.
In humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
5/ Servant leaders lead by example.
And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me.” Matthew 4:19
6/ Servant leaders understand authority.
“Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42
In every home and church, God has a designed authority structure.
Submission is not about oppression. It’s about honor.
Godly leadership has never been about dominance, but design.
7/ Servant leaders are solution oriented.
While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Romans 5:10
Healthy leaders will stay in their lane, while picking up trash along the roadside.
8/ Servant leaders are dependable.
Jesus is the Faithful Witness. Revelation 1:5
9/ Servant leaders are crushed.
Jesus was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5
Servant leaders understand sacrifice for the glory of God and the good of others.