 We looked at sacrifices. Sacrifice being something that we willingly give up or something that we take on. Again, sacrifices can be fleshly. Sacrifices can be spirit-led. A motive for sacrifice also can be very different in a sense. It can be motivated by fear, motivated by whatever, because of pressure, motivated by guilt. What is the motivation for sacrifice? It's good to think about that as a leader because my sacrifice is something because of fear or because of guilt. What is the real reason why and why for my sacrifice? It's important to understand that our motive be pure, our motive be led by God and then we make those sacrifices. That way, it will be in line with God's wants. It won't be something that we do in order to win the appreciation of people, win the accolades of people, win the applause of people, and not to just feed our own, sometimes our own brokenness. We want appreciation because we are insecure. We want people to say, that was great, that was a very noble act because we just feed off that. It could happen because of some kind of an emotional need, some brokenness inside. It's very important to also think about what is the motive, what is the motivation for sacrifice as we sacrifice something as leaders to think about that. Let's move on and let me just share the notes. The next thing that we see is as leaders to be an example, which means that as leaders, we might be verbally giving instructions, maybe imparting information, knowledge, building people, but it's very important and crucial that we lead by example, which means that what we are instructing others, is it seen in us? The expectation that we want from people, is it seen in us? Are we modeling the kind of life that we are expecting from others, that we are instructing others to live? As a servant leader, we see this in the Lord Jesus. So in that very act of washing the feet of the disciples, John 13, 12 to 15, so when he had washed their feet, taken his garments and sat down again, he said to them, do you know what I have done to you? You call me teacher and Lord, you say well for so I am. If I then your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet, for I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. So I'm sure this stuck in the disciples' mind. Whenever they were taught about serving, whenever they thought about the Lord Jesus, leading by example, this would have been there for most of their memory that I saw the Lord wash my feet and this would have been there even after the Lord ascended. This would have been there over and over again, playing on in their minds. So the Lord did this and he said, I have given you an example. So he led by example and he said, you need to do this, you need to serve one another. So the things that be the precepts or the principles that we are expounding that we are teaching and maybe that whatever we are instructing, are we leading by example? Now that's a very important question because leading by example makes our leadership very authentic, very real. It takes away all superficiality in the way we lead. It takes away all the hypocrisy out. It takes away everything out. It makes you an authentic leader. When people say, when people see that you're talking and you're living the same thing, then they want to follow you. They want to listen. They want to give you that space or give you the permission to speak into their lives. But if they don't see that, if there's a mismatch between the words we speak and what we profess, who we are, and if there's a mismatch between the way we live our lives, then definitely it's very hollow. There's no authenticity in that. And it is true that our actions speak very loud and louder than our words. Even though our words are what we hear, people are able to hear the physical organ of yours, but what they will actually be impacted by in their hearts much deeper than the words that they hear are the actions. And if the words we speak and our actions match, if they are one and the same, then it's a very powerful message that is being communicated. So one needs to lead by example. So there's no dichotomy. There's no mismatch between what a person is saying and what a person is doing, what a leader is saying and what a leader is doing. Now I'm sure we have seen in certain setups maybe in an organization where people might say something and do something and people will do something else and people would still be compelled to do it because of the kind of authority that the person has or because of the consequence of not really carrying out the task. But the motivation is that you've lost the person. The motivation why that person does it is because of, okay, I need to do this irrespective of what that person is. I better do it because otherwise there will be consequences. So they might do it but they might not really follow the person or that person has lost the ability to influence others because it's not an authentic life. So the Lord Jesus, he modeled his life, he led by example. And what we see in 1 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 12 is at Paul's instruction to Timothy. Now Timothy is again a leader. He is the leader in the church and he's leading a mixed group of people. He's leading people who are older than him and he is a young person. If you actually look at 1 Timothy chapter 5, we see the kind of people who are there, the kind of people whom he's leading. Like Paul says, do not rebuke an older man, older women, younger women, younger men, widows. So all these kinds of people are there and then elders who are actually ministering alongside and so on. So all these kinds of, it's a group of a varied demographic, varied age and everything. So they are there and Paul gives this example, this instruction to Timothy in verse 12, 1 Timothy 4 and verse 12. He says, let no one despise your youth but be an example to the believers and he lists out certain things. Be an example in word, be an example in conduct, be an example in love, be an example in spirit, be an example in faith, be an example in purity. So some of these things that he says, word, behavior, love, spirit, you can say out of our innermost being, even the motives and everything, be an example in faith, the kind of faith that you have, the kind of faith that you live, impurity, everything, be an example. And that word there, example, is really a word which means pattern. I worked for, my last assignment was with a garment manufacturing company and I worked for the retail side in a business. So we had these visits to the factory and they would show us how things are done, how these jeans are done, tailored and how these shirts are done. And there is one pattern for every design that comes out. There is one pattern for every size actually, if you call it like small, medium, large, extra large, whatever, double XL, there is a pattern for each of that. And that pattern is something that you need to follow very carefully. And there is this master who they call as a master tailor or he's the one who gives that pattern. And the measurement, everything, measurement of the cuff, the measurement of the sleeve, the measurement of where the placement of the buttons and everything, the kind of buttons, all the embellishments that go into that fabric, everything is detailed out. And it's mass produced, but it's based on that pattern. So if there's something wrong with the pattern, then the entire production, the entire production run is ruined because of this pattern, which was faulty. This pattern which had some mismatch, there may be a sleeve was missing, whatever, this pattern. So now Paul says to Timothy, be an example. Knowing that Timothy is young, knowing that Timothy has his limitations, has his fears, even Paul writes to him and he says, God has not given us a spirit of fear in the next episode. He says, but of power and love and a sound mind, don't be ashamed, all that. So he has limitations. But with all that, to be a pattern, to be a pattern, to be an example that others can follow, that others' lives can be a role model. Now as leaders, we are called to be role models, to be patterns that others can pattern their life after. So if you're in spiritual leadership, it goes without saying that, saying that, well, you are influencing others with your life, with the teaching, with the ministry that you do, and in all other ways, you are setting an example. People are following, people are watching, observing. And some of the things that we don't say, but the way we are, actually speak a lot, right? Because people are observing. Yes, they would be, what is more visible or what is more on display is what you're doing, but who you are, how you are as a person is also speaking louder. So the Lord Jesus is led by example, like what he does and everything is there, but who he was as a person, his compassion, his love, everything, the way he served, everything is an example to us. And so also our lives are an example. So when we live a life, when we model our life, then we are setting the right example for who was there. And sometimes maybe the Lord will increase our scope of influence or the sphere of influence. According to his will and ways, Jesus maybe increases the scope of the sphere of influence, maybe to nation, maybe to nations. So the greater the responsibility to be that example. Now again, to be an example doesn't mean that we live a life that's paranoid, we live a life constantly checking, introspecting, and just inward looking all the time, am I doing right, right? Am I saying it right? It's not that. The Lord has called us and released us into freedom. When the Holy Spirit leads us, he leads us into truth. Truth liberates. With all our uniqueness, in personality, in speech, and everything, the Lord has actually liberated us. It's not to put a leash on us and to say that, okay, this is one size fits all. We come with our own personalities, we come with our own likes and dislikes, and the Lord releases us. The Lord delights over us. And to be who we are, to be released to be who we are, and as we continue to be works in progress to be examples. And the thing is this, you may not know who is watching, who is observing, who is looking up to you. We think, okay, these are people who are looking up to us. Maybe it's a formal setting, and we say, okay, these are people who are looking up to us, oh, I better be on my best behavior. Here's this class. I want to say the good things and say the right things. But the thing is that, even in a very different kind of setting, there are people who are observing, there are people who are watching, and you'd be very surprised. It could be your peers, it could be your superiors. It could be your subordinates. It could be anyone. I was very, very surprised when I had a farewell party. I always had this impression that my boss was not very happy because I was not there. I was not like everyone else. I was not there. I was there, of course, for the parties, but I'd be the first one to leave. I would not drink and so on. So I was very, very unhappy with my fresh lime soda and coke and all that. So there would be many times, I would say, JK, you have to, today you have to, we've done this, today you have to drink. And there were other things. Other things like doing a sale. Just tell him something and get the sale. And when that is not done, of course, they would be very unhappy. So I always had the feeling that maybe he's not too happy with me. But then at the farewell, I'd notice that apparently he never used to give farewell. And all the resignations were actually extremely bad. People left with a bad taste them out because it was always very messy, resignations. Letters of experience he would not give. So it was that kind of a person. So they were very surprised when they said, okay, there's a farewell get together. And some of the things that he shared, then I realized that, okay, I was just being me in some of these scenarios. I was just being me to the best of my ability. But these things made a big difference to him. And for him to point that out and to share that, I was, I was humbled to see that God, this is how one can be. And it's not like I was trying to be someone, but I was just being me living the life that comes out of knowing God. And that made a difference. Right? So you don't know, you know, each one of you, each one of us in this class, you don't know who's observing what. But you be you, you follow the Lord and diligently and, you know, let your, let your thoughts, let your words, let your actions come out of that life, come out of that Zoe kind of life, the God kind of life that he has already put in you and let it be a natural overflow. Right? May the work of the spirit, may the work of his word in us, let it just naturally transform. So our speech is seasoned with salt, you know, it's gracious and our personalities are shaped by the Holy Spirit. Our minds are renewed by the words, the word of God, the truth of God, which bringing life and maybe be examples. Right? It's very different from trying to be someone in a very, you know, very artificial setting and being someone else outside of that. There's so much pressure. Right? Whereas if we are who we are, who God has made it in us to be and in any setting, you know, we are liberated to be who we are, we are liberated to be examples, right? To be role models. Right? Okay. Let's move on to another thing, another aspect of leadership. Now, this is a big one. Right? This is a very big one. It has a leader to trust our team. Okay? Like someone has said, you know, this whole thing of sacrifice, trust, it's a good idea till you have to trust. Sacrifice is a great idea till you have to sacrifice. Forgiveness, wonderful, very noble, till you have to forgive. Then you realize that, hey, this is working against my flesh. My flesh is rebelling. My flesh is still seems to be alive in these areas. Right? So as a leader to trust our team, especially when trust is broken. Now, when trust is broken, it does take time to rebuild trust, you know, let's be real. It does take time to rebuild that trust, but trust can be rebuilt, whatever trust is broken can be rebuilt. Right? But the Lord Jesus, he trusted, he forgave, he even, you know, entrusted that person who broke the trust. There are many. And he interested them with the work of carrying out the gospel. Look ten and verse one. After these things, the Lord appointed seventy others, sent them, sent the others also, he sent them two by two before his face into every city and place where he himself was about to go. This was a team and this was a fairly big team. They went out, he taught them, he had seen what he had done and they went out and preached the good news of the kingdom. They went out, healed the sick, signs, one does everything they did. And when it came to him dying on the cross, we see that most of them had deserted and most of them had gone. In fact, very few people who are still at the cross and we see that the Lord entrusting them again, entrusting the disciples again with the commissioning them again. Look 24, 47, 48 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations beginning at Jerusalem and Jerusalem and you are witnesses of these things. They had seen it and they had missed it within the Lord again. Interesting. And this conversation with Peter is so precious. John 21, 15 to 17. When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these? He said to them, yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said to him, feed my lambs and he said to him again a second time, okay, this is John 21, just a minute, John 21, 15. Yeah. So you, I'm sorry. So he said to them again, said to him again, a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? He said to him, yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said, dead my sheep. He said to him, the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? Jesus was, Peter was grieved because he said to him, the third time, do you love me? And he said to him, Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. Fine. For the three times that he actually denied the Lord, here the Lord is, you know, reiterating and reinstating Peter back to that place of ministry and saying, feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. So, well, if the Lord Jesus is led by example, then who are we to not follow his example? Okay. Now the question is, you know, so do I blindly trust someone after they have broken my trust? Do I again and trust them with responsibilities when they have actually, you know, not carried them out? What do I do? Right. So we see in Peter that, well, Peter repented. Right. Peter repented. He realized that what he had done was wrong and he came back and the Lord did not hold that wrong against him. So that's the thing. Peter did repent and because he had missed it once, the Lord did not say, okay, now I cannot trust this guy with the, you know, salutation plan for the entire world. How can I trust him? Right. The Lord did not come to that conclusion. The Lord saw something which was in him, right, beyond the surface. The Lord saw something which was in him, saw the, saw the father's will for him, and just my opinion, you know, saw the father's will for him, saw God's plan for him and what, who he could be in God, who he could be when he would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and who he could be and what he could do when he was led by the Holy Spirit. Probably Jesus saw that, right, going beyond that moment's actions or going beyond the action of the past. He saw something which was far valuable in him and he entrusted it with, reinstated him into ministry and said, feed my land and, you know, tend my sheep and feed my sheep. And I'm sure these words meant a lot to Peter and would have kind of brought in that healing and restoration. If he was, if there was any kind of shame and any kind of remnants of guilt, you know, this would have been, this would have wiped away that. The words of Jesus, wiping away all that, all that fear and all that shame and all that guilt and reinstating that and reinstating him to ministry, you know, this would have, the words of the Lord, the action of the Lord would have done a lot to Peter, right, brought in a lot of healing and restoration. So when in ministry it is true, it is possible, it is a fact that, you know, there could be, you know, people who break your trust, right, they, you know, can't say there could be, there will be, right. But, but the thing is to go before God and then of course, pour out our hearts and pray for that person and observe and see as that person come to a place of repentance, you know, restore that person even and restore that person to wholeness. Well, it would definitely involve correction. It will definitely involve talking about what had gone wrong and also the person realizing and repenting and coming to that place of repentance and then us, you know, when that happens to go ahead and trust again, right. So to be able to trust, even when trust was broken, to be able to restore, to encourage and to restore that person to the task that is ahead. That is an example that the Lord Jesus left for us. So, so we see all these examples of leadership by no means, you know, easy. It's definitely not an easy walk when we do it in our own strength, maybe temperamentally, certain things we can to some extent, but we, it requires walking with him. It requires hearing his voice. It requires putting to death our flesh and it requires being renewed in our spirit and being filled with his spirit to be able to walk, like to be able to lead like Jesus did. Okay. Okay. I think we'll stop here. The next topic is about vision and to, you know, a very important aspect of leadership and it's something that we need to have a firm grasp of, sorry, I have a firm grasp, firm grip on for us to lead effectively. So we'll look at that fresh in the next class. So I guess we'll stop here. But I just want us to, you know, look at these seven aspects again, maybe in our personal time to see and to really meditate and say, okay, God, you know, Lord, you've left us this example as leader, as a leader. And you've called me to be a leader. And, you know, how can I, how can I fulfill this, right? Help me to fulfill this. Help me to step into your, into your way, into your path, into your shoes, right? And to be a, to be an effective leader. Okay. So, yeah, we'll stop here and we'll continue next class. Just a minute. Okay. So you guys have a great weekend. God bless. I know we're just finishing a little early, but yeah. So have a great weekend. We'll catch up next class more on Christian leadership, right? Thank you. God bless.