ChristianLeadershipTheServ.mp3
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“Then he arose and followed Elijah and became his servant.” –1 Kings 19:21, NLT
Great leadership is not about authority; it’s about service. This concept goes against the grain of what the world often teaches us about leadership. We’re conditioned to think of leaders as those in charge, those who give orders, and those who enjoy the privileges of power. But in God’s kingdom, leadership looks different.
Leadership starts with a heart of humility and a willingness to serve.
The Service Test is a crucial step in the journey of enduring leadership. It challenges us to set aside our desires for recognition and authority and instead embrace the role of a servant.
Leadership that lasts is built on a foundation of servanthood. Jesus modeled this perfectly when He said this:
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NLT).
If the Creator of the universe came to serve, then how much more should we, as leaders, follow His example? Elisha’s story shows us that serving comes before leading. In a time when people long for influence and recognition, we are called to take on the role of a servant. Elisha left behind his wealth and position to follow Elijah and serve him.
He wasn’t looking for fame or a fast track to leadership. He was looking for an opportunity to learn, to serve, and to grow. Elisha’s willingness to serve without seeking immediate reward prepared him for his eventual leadership.
Elisha’s journey from servant to prophet highlights a key principle: leadership begins with following. When God called Elisha to follow Elijah, he didn’t immediately step into the role of a prophet.
Instead, Elisha entered a season of service. He followed Elijah, learning from him and supporting him. For years, Elisha served in relative obscurity. But it was this period of humble service that prepared him to take on Elijah’s mantle.
When Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha was ready. His years of faithful service had prepared him for the leadership role God had in store for him. Elisha’s story teaches us that service is not just a stepping stone to leadership—it’s the foundation upon which leadership is built. Before we can lead, we must learn to serve.
The Service Test is fundamentally a test of humility. Are we willing to serve, even when no one is watching? Are we willing to take on tasks that seem beneath us, knowing that they are preparing us for something greater?