Jesus Style Leadership 2 - Love & HeartSample

Spiritual Authority

Leadership Lesson

A heart for God and His Word will lead to spiritual authority.

Read John 14:9–14.

Comment

Jesus is close to His death and departure from this earth, and His disciples are starting to panic. They hope that the Father is suddenly going to show up in all His glory and sort things out. But in this passage, Jesus points out that they’ve already seen the glory of the Father in Him. The Father has been speaking through Him and working through Him (14:10). But then Jesus goes on to say that it would be the same for His disciples. The Father was going to show up through them, and they would do even greater things than He (Jesus) had done (14:12). Our goal as Jesus-style leaders is for the Father to show up in us—in our lives (seen in our character and power) and in our words (seen in our wisdom and authority). This combination of godly character and godly wisdom results in spiritual authority. This may be a new term for you, but “spiritual authority” is the recognition that we are representing God in our actions and words. Seasoned Jesus-style leaders have authority that comes from God. The presence of the Father is seen in their words and actions. They are respected, trusted, and followed because the Father is acting and speaking through them. Spiritual authority is the end product of a heart for God and His Word.

Prayer

I know that I’m nearing the start of my leadership journey, but Lord, please grow in me a heart for You and a heart for Your Word. I want to know what You think and to live Your way. I want You to show up more and more in my life, Father. I want to be part of the “greater things” that Jesus promised—not for my own benefit but so that You will be seen and believed.

Personal Reflection

Have you noticed any evidence of a growing spiritual authority in your leadership? Is anyone trusting you more because you are seen to live like Jesus and speak for Jesus? No worries if you can’t discern anything yet. Nurture your heart for God and His Word, and your spiritual authority will grow in God’s time.