Word for the day “Leadership is influence.”
Matthew 27: 57 (NKJV) Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
Good morning, Leaders,
Today’s message unpacks several principles of leadership and influence. Leadership influence is the ability to change values, beliefs, or attitudes about a topic. It’s a skill and gift you can learn as you gain more experience as a leader. Let’s consider the impact of influence highlighted in the New Testament through the lives of two men: Apostle Paul and Joseph Arimathea.
THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP CAN HAVE AMAZING IMPACT.
When Jesus was crucified, there was a question as to where Jesus would be buried. Those who rushed him to the cross designed that he should make his grave with the wicked, but God designed he should make it with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), and so he did. Please understand that for Jesus to be buried with honor, a man of influence was permitted to take the body of Jesus. His name was Joseph of Arimathea.
It seems this man had a personal relationship with Pilate. He was a man of influence and owned a burial cave reserved for the rich. Joseph of Arimathea was called an honorable counselor, a person of character and distinction, and in an office of public trust. Some think he was in the state and one of Pilate’s privy council; his post, rather, seems to have been in the church. He was one of the great Sanhedrin of the Jews or one of the high priests’ councils.
If we are to influence the culture, there must be men and women of influence whom God uses to impact the culture. If you are a successful person, consider the words of Paul when he said, “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). Although Paul was referencing adversity in this statement, it can be equally said that each of us needs to ask if our success has served to advance the gospel.
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE CHANGES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.
I’ve discovered in my journey that influence is earned. It doesn’t come instantaneously, and it doesn’t come by accident, so we must be intentional with how we approach growing our influence. According to leadership standards, John Maxwell teaches that, at the end of the day, there are two types of people: those who give value and those who receive value. Influence is always gained by providing value.
John Maxwell lives out the principle of giving value by doing five simple things every day:
Value people.
Think of ways to add value to people.
Look for ways to value people.
Do things that add value to people.
Encourage others to add value to people.
I sincerely believe in this outline for my life and have seen tremendous growth in my influence. But this process doesn’t happen instantaneously; it evolves over a period of consistent and diligent execution.
Quote: “Influence is the currency of leadership.”
POINT TO PONDER
Are you using your influence to impact your church, workplace, community, or even our nation for the sake of the gospel? I sincerely believe that everyone is a leader because everyone influences someone.
However, only two questions must be considered: “Will you choose to develop your influence?” and “Will you use your influence to better the world we live in?”
Special Thanks,
Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) James Baker, Jr., and our leadership team are incredibly thankful to those aligned with us. Help us equip this generation of leaders for their God-given assignments. Your generous donation supports our labor of love, From Grace and Truth Leadership's mission to embrace, empower, and encourage leaders and emerging leaders globally.