KINGDOM FIRST LEADERSHIP – TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Kingdom First SeriesMatthew 6:33 NKJV – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
You might be tempted to think that a series on kingdom first leadership doesn’t apply to you. You might be thinking I’m not a team leader or life group leader here at Beyond Church, I don’t work as an employee for the church and I don’t even have a leadership role in my paid work.
You couldn’t be more wrong! I’m here to tell you that part of being a kingdom first person is the calling and challenge to commit to growing as a kingdom first leader.
Matthew 4:19 TPT – Jesus called out to them and said, “Come and follow me, and I will TRANSFORM you into men who catch people for God.”
Jesus was a transformational leader:- He transformed water into wine- He transformed sick people to health- He transformed those with mental illness to have peace and clarity of mind- He transformed injustice to equality- He transformed death to life- He transformed darkness to light
Therefore, if we follow Jesus as the model of kingdom first style leadership, then Kingdom first leadership is TRANSFORMATIONAL leadership.
When we say Yes To Jesus, we submit to his transformation work in us. He begins the process of transforming us to look and sound and behave more like him. But it doesn’t stop there. When we say Yes To Jesus, he also charges us and commissions and calls us to spread the transformation to others. He calls us to TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

Now in the academic context, transformational leadership has four key components:1. Idealized influence2. Intellectual stimulaton3. Individualized consideration4. Inspirational motivation
Transformational leaders are able to inspire and motivate people with clear and compelling vision to be a part of something that’s full of purpose. They are often compared with TRANSACTIONAL leaders.
Transactional leaders are just bosses who expect something and have something to offer as a transaction in return. Many of us are part of a transactional leadership relationship with our employers, who offer us what’s considered a fair amount of money in return for our time and skills being devoted to their business or organisation.
WHY do we need to grow as TRANSFORMATIONAL leaders?- Because we model our lives on the life of Jesus who was the ultimate transformational leader- Because humanity is depending on us



Matthew 9:35 TPT – Jesus walked through the region with the joyful message of God’s kingdom realm. He taught in their meeting houses, and wherever he went he demonstrated God’s power by healing every kind of disease and illness.
When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to thrust out many more reapers to harvest his grain!”
Matthew 10:7-10 TPT – And as you go, preach this message: ‘Heaven’s kingdom realm is accessible, close enough to touch.’ You must continually bring healing to lepers and to those who are sick, and make it your habit to break off the demonic presence from people, and raise the dead back to life. Freely you have received the power of the kingdom, so freely release it to others. You won’t need a lot of money. Travel light, and don’t even pack an extra change of clothes in your backpack. Trust God for everything, because the one who works for him deserves to be provided for.
So how can we become even more transformational leaders? I think we can personalize the transformational leadership theory to apply it better to kingdom first leadership:

1. Know your sphere of influence – you have influence and you should see it and use it to inspire and motivate others to become part of heaven’s kingdom. Your influence may extend to the young hearts and minds in your home who you are faithfully and diligently parenting to better understand and serve God’s kingdom for the rest of their lives. You can always grow in your influence with your circle of peers and friends to gently and graciously point them toward Jesus and his plan for their lives. You may even have influence in business, community or politics which you can leverage for heaven’s kingdom purposes. Know your influence and grow your influence.
Proverbs 20:28 TPT – Good leadership is built on love and truth, for kindness and integrity are what keep leaders in their positions of trust.2. Grow in wisdom – great transformational leaders have learnt to think before they speak, to rely on the good and godly power of the holy spirit in them more than their own skills, to grow their skills and practise them.
Proverbs 24:4 TPT – because of their skilled leadership the hearts of people are filled with the treasures of wisdom and the pleasures of spiritual wealth.
Proverbs 4:8 TPT – Wisdom will exalt you when you exalt her truth. She will lead you to honour and favour when you live your life by her insights.Story: Kate F growing and learning as much as she can so that she can lead new people and in new ways
3. See the individual – every person is equal in the eyes of God and every person has a unique story. Transformational leaders don’t put everyone in the same box, but see through the messiness in people’s lives and rely on the wisdom they have learnt and practiced to help guide people toward kingdom solutions and pathways which will actually help them as individuals.
Proverbs 12:26 TPT – Lovers of God give good advice to their friends, but the counsel of the wicked will lead them astray.

4. Be inspirational! – people just can’t wait to be inspired. You living your best life and prospering and thriving and pointing people to the light of Jesus and his kingdom INSPIRES PEOPLE. And then your influence grows. Living a big, generous life is SURE to inspire people and bring them closer to heaven’s kingdom.
Proverbs 11:14 TPT – People lose their way without wise leadership, but a nation succeeds and stands in victory when it has many good counsellors to guide it.
Proverbs 25:15 TPT – Use patience and kindness when you want to persuade leaders and watch them change their minds right in front of you. For your gentle wisdom will quell the strongest resistance.

Today I want to pray for two different groups of people.1. Perhaps you’ve said yes to Jesus before, but you’ve fallen into having a transactional relationship with him. You realise that he died on the cross to save you and you know that you need to say yes to him in order to get into heaven and that’s as far as the transaction has gone. You know you’re in a place where you need to reactivate a TRANSFORMATIONAL relationship with Jesus which keeps transforming you for the benefit of others for the rest of your life.2. And perhaps you’ve never said yes to Jesus before, but your heart is being moved even now by the TRANSFORMATIONAL work he is longing to begin in you. You can now see clearly that Jesus died on the cross for you, and it makes you so grateful that you’re inspired and motivated to say yes to him and begin a transformational journey which sees you become more like him and spread his transforming love and power to others.
Jesus, this is my decisionToday I say yes to youYou died on the cross to pay the price for my sinI invite you to be my saviorCome into my life, forgive my sin and fill me with the power of your holy spiritAmen