“Elevate: Step Up”

SERMON Title: Elevate: Step Up
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:5-8 ESV

Introduction

When we hear the words spiritual leadership, many of us imagine titles, positions, or authority—pastors, elders, or ministry leaders. And some may think, “This isn’t for me. I don’t have a title. I don’t lead a team.” But spiritual leadership is not defined by position. Every follower of Christ is called to lead spiritually because leadership is simply influence—how our lives point others to Christ in ordinary, everyday moments.

The problem is that we often bring the world’s definitions of leadership into the church. The world measures leadership by position, control, performance, and recognition. And when these standards shape how we lead spiritually, we begin to believe leadership is about visibility, being impressive, or influencing others with our abilities rather than pointing them to Christ.

But leadership built on performance leads to anxiety and exhaustion. Leadership driven by recognition becomes fragile because approval fades. Leadership rooted in control puts burdens on us that only God can carry. When these things define leadership, our influence becomes shallow, our hearts become tired, and many conclude they are “not cut out” for leadership.

But the good news is this: God never intended leadership to be built on position, recognition, or performance. He calls us to a different kind of leadership—one that produces lasting fruit and flows from the heart of Christ. Philippians 2 shows us this pattern. Jesus is not only our Savior but also our model. His way of leading is enduring, transforming, and God-glorifying. From Him we learn two essential truths:

Spiritual leadership is rooted in surrender

Spiritual leadership is rooted in servant-hearted humility

1. Spiritual Leadership Is Rooted in Surrender to God

When we think of leadership, we naturally think of control or influence. But true spiritual leadership begins with surrender.

Philippians 2:6–7 says, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Jesus—fully God—did not cling to His divine privileges for His own advantage. He did not use His equality with God to assert status or comfort. When the Father willed for Him to take on the mission of redemption, Jesus did not resist or debate. Instead, He emptied Himself—not by ceasing to be God, but by laying aside the independent exercise of His divine rights and submitting fully to the Father’s will. He embraced the limitations of humanity and took the form of a servant.

This is the foundation of spiritual leadership: a heart that says, “Not my will, Father, but Yours.”

Without surrender, leadership becomes self-serving. We begin leading from performance, recognition, and personal ambition. It may look successful for a moment, but it is fragile and exhausting.

But when we surrender, leadership shifts from my agenda to God’s agenda. We depend on the Spirit rather than our own strength. We allow God to guide, direct, and multiply our influence in ways we could never produce on our own.

Jesus makes this clear in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing.”

Fruit is not our work—it is Christ’s work. Our job is to abide. When we surrender and stay connected to Him, He produces the fruit. So surrender is not weakness—it is the true beginning of spiritual leadership.

2. Spiritual Leadership Is Rooted in Servant-Hearted Humility

If surrender is the foundation, humility is the posture of spiritual leadership. Leaders in God’s kingdom do not elevate themselves; they lower themselves to serve.

Philippians 2:7–8 shows us this: Jesus took the form of a servant and “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” The word for “servant” refers to a bond-servant—one whose life belongs to the will of another. Jesus’ leadership was marked not by prestige or self-promotion but by costly, obedient service.

Humility in leadership means stepping back so God and others can step forward. It prioritizes the growth and well-being of those we lead above our desire for recognition or control.

And humility frees us from comparison and ambition. Comparison traps us into asking, “Who’s doing more? Who’s getting noticed?” Ambition tempts us to lead for applause rather than obedience. Both lead to insecurity, envy, and burnout. But humility releases us from these pressures. It shifts our focus from results to faithfulness, from self-promotion to service, from competition to love.

This kind of humility is not something we produce by trying harder. It flows from surrender. When we yield our pride and control to God, the Spirit forms in us a heart that is ready to serve, willing to put others first, and free from the need to be seen.

Conclusion

That is my story in pastoral calling, but the Lord is inviting every believer to experience this same grace. Spiritual leadership is not just for pastors or ministry leaders. Every Christian is called to influence their home, workplace, friendships, and community with the mind and heart of Christ.

Because the same Jesus who emptied and humbled Himself now lives in us by His Spirit. His humility becomes our posture. His surrender becomes our freedom. His leadership becomes our model. But this only happens as we abide in Him. Our surrender, humility, and leadership are not produced by our effort—they are the fruit of a life rooted in Christ.

So, my brothers and sisters, let me leave you with three exhortations:

1. Step up by stepping down before God.

Lay down the burdens of performance, comparison, and control. Surrender—not as giving up, but as giving over. Leadership begins not with strength but with surrender.

2. Step up by taking the posture of a servant.

Ask, “Lord, who are You inviting me to serve this week?” True leadership is not about being impressive but about being available.

3. Step up by trusting the One who is already leading you.

What God calls you to, He empowers. You are not responsible for the fruit—only faithfulness. The Spirit will bear the fruit in His perfect time.

And the hope we hold is this: It is Christ who bears the fruit. It is Christ who builds His church and shapes His people. May we be a community that steps up with the mind of Christ, the humility of Christ, and the surrendered, abiding life of Christ flowing through us.

Reflection and Response

As we prepare for Communion, reflect on Christ’s humility, surrender, and sacrificial love. The same Jesus who gave Himself now lives in you. Ask:

How am I stepping up in Christ-like leadership?

What areas of control or comparison do I need to lay down?

Who is God calling me to serve this week with humility and love?