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June 29, 2025

Lead Different

In this message, Pastor Brett Cadwell teaches from Matthew 20:25-28 about the call to servant leadership. While the world often equates leadership with power, Jesus redefines it as service. True Christian leadership flows from a heart shaped in the quiet with God.

Sermon Notes

Most people don’t need to learn something new. They just need to remember what they already know.

Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader. – Lead Like Jesus, Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

Colossians 1:10 NIV

So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. 

Colossians 2:7 NIV

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Matthew 20:25-28 NLT

But Jesus called them together and said,
"You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 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."

Understand your audience

Self-Leadership

One-Life on One-Life

"Once leaders have life in proper perspective through self-examination, they are able to develop a trusting relationship with others." – Lead Like Jesus, Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

Luke 16:10 NLT

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Team/Family

Organizational/Community

"...when Jesus began his ministry on earth, He did not start at the organizational level. He could have come to the existing organizations of the faithful in His day and said, 'OK, gentlemen, I’m here, I’m in charge, and this is the way we will change things!' Instead, Jesus chose to take the approach of a servant leader and quietly influence the lives of a small group of men whom He then trusted and empowered to impact the world." – Lead Like Jesus, Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

Appreciate each season of leadership

Prince/Princess

Warrior/Warrioress

King/Queen

Sage

How do we really lead different?

  • Understand your arena of leadership
  • Appreciate the season of leadership
  • Lead from a transformed heart 

Audience — Season
Self — Prince/Princess
One-on-One — Warrior/Warrioress
Team/Family — King/Queen
Organization/Community — Sage

"Your strength as a leader doesn’t come from how polished you look. It comes from how devoted you are to what happens in the unseen." – Wade Joye


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