Leading Others by Following Jesus

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That's FocusNonCashGift.com. When you get Jesus in you, you won't be as scared. Because guess what? We're not even built for this life.

We're built for something way beyond here. Well, that's Willie Robertson and he's our featured speaker today on a Best of 2020 edition of Focus on the Family with your host, Focus President Jim Daly, and I'm John Fuller. John, back in July we shared this great message from Willie Robertson of A&E's very popular program Duck Dynasty.

The response to this show was so strong that it became one of our most requested broadcasts of the year, so we're airing it again for those of you who missed it. Willie is CEO of Duck Commander and Buck Commander in West Monroe, Louisiana. He's authored four books and he really has a warm and engaging speaking style. He starts with humor, but he has a very serious point to make that I know you're going to appreciate. This message was recorded in the fall of 2016, about five months before Duck Dynasty completed their five-year run on television. Here now is Willie Robertson speaking at Living Word just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota on today's episode of Focus on the Family.

I am so excited to be here. I've never spoken in Minnesota. I will tell you besides the Lord himself, I'll tell you who really pulled this off to get me here was a guy that worked for me named Kyle Tingwell. He lived up near Anoka. Likes a good diet coke. And I have fun with him every day. I cannot get enough of his accent.

I don't have one, but he has one. Kyle, thank you for this opportunity. I've been getting excited about it. We're still shooting Duck Dynasty. That's going to help me to make it through shooting Duck Dynasty. I'm going to remember that clap because it's kind of like sausage, you know, making sausage is kind of, you know, that's kind of what making TV's like.

It's a long process. I'm not complaining. I just didn't realize that right now we're filming our 130th episode.

So it's a lot of episodes. So, yeah, it's been good. God's blessed us so much. Never would have dreamed.

I get asked all the time. Would you have ever thought this was going to happen? No, it's impossible to know that we were shooting a show that and we put a prayer at the end of it.

And I'll be honest to us. It didn't seem like a big deal. We prayed normally before our meals. And so putting it on television, I never really thought that the impact it would have, but it resonated not just in America. You got to understand it's in countries all over the world. So like it or not, when you turn that TV on, sitting in somebody's living room all across the world, there's a prayer to God piped in. And it went right through Hollywood, right through New York.

And if you'd asked me, I'd have said, there's no way they'll ever do this. And guess what? God has a way, doesn't he? So give him the glory. So tonight I'm going to talk a little bit about leadership because it's a leadership conference. So I don't even think of myself as a leader.

I really don't. But there's a lot of leaders in our family. I am from a family of leaders, strong leaders. I do run the business along with my wife. She probably, let's be honest, she does more than I do at the business.

Those two guys are like, yeah, they do. So, but there's different types of leadership styles. So whether you're in business, church or families, we need to make sure that we pattern, you know, how we lead people after the right people.

Right. And I want my attitude to be like Christ Jesus. So the first person I'm going to look at is God himself that walked around on this earth. Philippians chapter two says, your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature, God did not consider quality with God, something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taken the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness and being found in an appearance as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the father.

Isn't that awesome? That Jesus did that for us. So we can't lead unless we know who exactly led us.

And it starts off so strange, right? Jesus was teaching us a lesson before he even got here because he had already figured out I'm going to come down there and become one of you. So let's contrast Jesus and what he's done to our leaders that we see today. Who are these people that lead us? Who are the people? They're the wealthy. They're the highly educated. They're the very well connected. They're lawyers.

This one's funny. They're athletes and ex athletes. I never figured that out. They're ex pro wrestlers.

I said that just because I'm in Minnesota. That's a leader. Celebrities, believe it or not.

And there's others, but let's face a lot of the people who we view as leaders are these kind of people, right? And these are the people that we think have it together. How did they get to the top?

And let's be honest. I mean, how do people a lot of times get to the top? Not everyone, but they kind of step all over each other, right? Don't we stomp each other on the ground trying to get ahead of someone else? We climb that ladder in this dog eat dog society.

If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying. And the big rewards go for the big performances. I've gotten a chance to actually hang out with some leaders, believe it or not. This is where I'm really going to name drop.

Okay. So, so Corey and I are going to the White House correspondents dinner. We were invited by the Roberts. So that's who it is.

700 click. So we're going to sit at their table. And so we're walking in. Corey's on the phone with her mom and she goes, yeah, we're going in. We're going to meet the president. And I said, cool. We're not meeting the president.

There's thousands of people here. It's a dinner. Like we're going to see him speak. And this is the funny one where they, the comedians are there and they might kind of, it's a light thing. And she goes, okay, Willie says, we're not meeting the president. I said, just, we're going in to sit down. So while walking, we walk in the front door, people's everywhere. Guy walks up, earpiece, Mr and Mrs. Robertson, the president would like to see you both. Corey said, I told you we were going to meet the president. So I'm walking in, I look up and like I'm in line behind like Nicole Kibben and somebody else.

And I'm like, this is unbelievable. So we get up, there's like a little dungeon area behind this thing. And so we go up, meet the president. He's very nice.

There's some kind of things. Love the show. He actually said he watches, they have watched their Duck dynasty on air force one, which I thought was kind of cool. He gave me some cuff links and I didn't know whether to say like, let's pray.

I'm not really cuff link. I just took him. We'll sell that on eBay. So I still have them. I didn't sell the cover.

I still have them. So it was pretty cool. I came, I don't tell it all my buddies.

I was like, you don't ever believe what just happened. So I'm kind of a big deal. And just when you think you're a big deal, this happened.

So I'm at a Daytona, they're doing a car race thing. They had some celebrity, I don't know what I was probably saying a prayer, doing something. So I'm there and the governor Scott walks up from Florida and I was like, oh, how you doing governor? And he said, how are you? He said, I am so, he said, man, it is so nice to meet you. I said, thank you governor. He said, I love your music and I saw your concert and it was unbelievable. Now I knew he thought I was that Brown.

I didn't even correct him. I said, thank you governor. I appreciate it. That's awesome.

10 minutes later, his wife is dragging him back over. Willie, I am so sorry that he did not recognize and he's like, he's like looking like, oh, I just, are there any cameras around? I said, it's fine.

It's fine. So sometimes you're a big deal. Sometimes people don't even know who you are. The last one I'll tell you about was I was able to go and meet Billy Graham and at his house, like at his home. So his daughter, they were family. I watched the show and so I had this chance and an offer and I said, Oh, Oh yeah, I'm there for sure. So I went up and I went in his room and you know, he's, um, he was having a hard time hearing just, you know, cause he's older and his daughter said, daddy, this is Willie Robinson. He's on a TV show. He came all the way from Louisiana to see you. And he looked up and he said, to see me, why would anybody want to see me?

And I was like, wow, like that's what I want to be like to where he sit. You talk about living that Philippians two as a leader and all he's done is to say, why would somebody come see me? That's the leadership style of Jesus. Jesus always gave a view and a thought that was totally opposite than what the world's view was. Right.

It was always different. Jesus was in this world, but not of the world. Leaders motivate, but what motivates us? That is the question. If you watch politics right now, you'll see the world's playbook, fear, money, jobs, security, all things of this world, right? You look around, you see that because fear will motivate you because people will get scared to death when you get Jesus in you, you won't be as scared. Guess what? We're not even built for this life.

We're built for something way beyond here. Matthew five, Jesus taught. It's interesting to me because, um, Jesus, this is one of the first things he said was he goes through and starts telling people kind of how to act.

So if you think about Matthew five, it's fairly early, right? In his ministry. Well, first things he said, blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meat for they will inherit the kingdom of earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of the righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Kind of a different list on leadership style, right? What does Jesus wants to be less, not more, not angry, not scream. He's telling them about rewards they're going to get bonuses. Just think about how much we push ourselves to make more money and more bonuses and that next thing and that next thing when Jesus is, he's offering things that he's seen, right?

He's been there. So you can imagine if you come from heaven and you're telling people things that you're like, this will turn you on. And as humans, we have a hard time even know what he's talking about. And I'm sure Jesus is like, these are the things that are going to motivate you. So I started thinking, and this may be silly and I've never done it, but I started thinking because I want to motivate you and I want you to be a better leader and it's probably going to be the opposite thing of what you're thinking. So I thought, well, how, what would that be like?

I always think about what it's like for Jesus to leave, where he came from, come down here. I used to say ants, like us becoming an ant. Now I thought, what if I were able to go and let's say be a duck. I'm a duck. I've got to explain to other duck things, not duck men. I've got to explain to them things that they don't understand, but I can't talk cause I'm a duck. Is that difficult?

That would be, and I'm just thinking about Jesus trying to tell human beings how awesome these things are going to be when he says, you're going to get something that's beyond that. I would tell a duck, okay, here's the deal. Make sure if you sit down, make sure that you're sitting by things that aren't plastic.

Okay. They look just like us. And if it's got a big wad of sticks beside it, stay away from that thing. Barrels come out of there and smoke starts going. It's awful. Don't stop in Western Louisiana either. There's some guys with some beards there that have just really done a hurting on the ducks over the years. The best thing to do, just live on a golf course.

It's safe. They don't shoot you on a golf course. Jesus trying to explain this to human beings, how different than our leaders do we see? Jesus had this amazing way of giving simple stories, simple things. The greatest leader of all time teaching limited human beings. He was teaching us how to lead. Ultimately he had to be sacrificed himself.

Guess what? That was a lesson. Knowing that he was going to have to sacrifice himself.

God gave him over to us human beings and he taught one more lesson. You know, it takes action to be a good leader. The first thing you got to do is follow.

It's another one of these opposite Jesus things he tells us. You want to lead? Follow.

Are we leading or are we following? One of the best, my favorite person in the Bible is the apostle Peter. This story of his life blows me away every day when I think about. So Jesus comes up, you know the story. Jesus comes up, a couple of boats there. Peter's a fisherman.

All right. I like that. We used to be fishermen. Um, so Peter's there. They've been fishing all day. They ain't caught nothing. Jesus gives them a little lesson. Then Jesus says, by the way, go ahead and throw the nets out.

Go out there and deep stuff. Jesus is not a professional fisherman. Okay. Peter is, that's what he's living his life.

What does Peter do? Imagine we've been trying this all day. We ain't caught anything. But if you, all he done was teach him a lesson, right? So whatever he said, at least got him interested enough to go try. You say, go do it.

We'll go do it. Throw the nets out. I almost think the boat, fish are everywhere. And what does Peter say?

I love it. What does Peter, Lord, get away from me. I'm a sinful man.

Isn't that what we do as human beings? Don't we let our sin, the first thing we'll do is push away from Jesus. Peter has no idea. He's standing there with a guy who's going to take this sin away from him. But he doesn't.

Jesus doesn't even bat an eye. He said, it's okay. He says, I'll tell you what you come follow me.

I'm going to make you a fisherman of men. What does Peter do? Drops everything he has and starts walking. And I love that about Peter, that he just said, let's roll.

We roll and let's roll. Left everything. Jesus looked way past Peter, his shortcomings, because he needed a follower. He needed followers.

He saw past his sin, past his lack of vision, lack of faith. He saw a follower. He's not looking for perfect people. He's looking for followers. That's what he's looking for. If you're going to be a good leader, you better start by being a good follower.

Okay. If you don't, you know what you'll be? Luke chapter 18, you'll be the rich ruler. Same opportunity was offered to this guy. You ever thought of him?

And he was actually, he had a way better resume than Peter said, I've done these things. I'm pretty good guy. Jesus looks right at him. So you're a good guy, right?

Let's sell everything you got and follow me. God himself, the, the creator of everything offered this guy a chance, a chance of a literally of a lifetime. The same thing Peter said, let's roll this guy looked and what'd he do? He walked away and he was very sad.

Couldn't do it. You know what happens when you don't follow him? You don't get your name in the Bible. You're just the rich ruler. You are forever known by the sin that kept you from being a follower.

You're just that guy. Peter took that chance. Peter followed. Now Peter doesn't remind me of me. I sometimes feel like Peter cause he had some dumb things, but he was like, he was so on the news that he wanted to please the Lord so bad. He was a follower.

You know what else he had? He had fearless faith, fearless faith. Who's the first one jumped out of the boat. Remember Jesus on strolling on the water. Now I thought it was a ghost. Oh Jesus.

That's okay. It's me. Peter's like, Oh yeah, I'm doing this. I'm getting right up on that water.

I'm gonna walk there too. I think he made a few steps. They're like, what the heck is my dude? He started seeking. Jesus looks at him. Peter, you know, he had to be like, Peter, good try.

Good try. Jesus at the end of his life, the guards are going to come and take him. Peter takes his order. He tried to chop somebody's head off. Caught the ear. Jesus is like, hang on. Not the way we're going to do this. That's why I love, cause I'm like that.

It's a stupid thing sometimes. And I'm like, what am I thinking? And then the ultimate thing Peter did, Jesus says, you know what? You're going to deny me three times. Peter says, no, never.

Three years at least of his life, walking, talking, all the miracles, all the things he's seen, transfiguration, just all this stuff. Do you know who Jesus is? Nope. You were with him? Nope. Yes, that was you. No, that was not me.

Denied Christ three times. Probably the worst thing you could do. I know a lot of you aren't married. This is not saying you're not married.

This is saying I don't even know my spouse. That's 10 years of counseling to get over that, right? That's a bad one. This is what Peter did. And what did Peter do? He starts bawling. See leaders cry.

It's okay. When you screw up, you cry. Leaders do screw up, but leaders get back up. Leaders get back up and they keep going. And that's what Peter did over and over and over. Acts chapter one, Jesus, he gone. Acts chapter two. It's a big gathering of people.

They huddle up. Somebody steps up. Man of Israel, listen to this. Peter, it didn't take long. He got up off his face from just a few weeks earlier, got up and he's preaching.

The climate's still bad, right? They just killed Jesus. Peter's getting up and preaching. And he's actually like you with the help of we can put him to death by now on the cross, but God raised him from the dead. And he's preaching and he's preaching at the end of chapters with many other words.

He warned them and please them. Save yourself from this corrupt generation. Two thirty seven when they heard this, brothers, what shall we do? Repent, be baptized. You'll get forgiveness of your sins. You'll get the Holy Spirit in you.

They just had it before. Fire, fire shooting out of their heads. That'll get you fired up. I had a fire pouring out of my head. Peter did not want to be defined. He did not want to be that rich ruler. He didn't want to be run away, Peter.

He did not want to be defined that way. Jesus said, that's a rock. I'm gonna build this whole church on is right there. And he followed him. When? All the way to he died. Same God denied him. That fires me up, people, because, look, I am sinful. I am broken. And I need Jesus. And when I read about people like that, who get themselves back up, pick themselves back up and they keep going. God can use you in amazing ways.

All right, we all can be leaders. If you would have told me 10 years ago I'd be standing right here talking to you, I'd have thought, I guess I got a preacher job and my other job didn't work out. God used a television show to help a lot of people, and we're honored to be part of that.

Love being with you. I hope you have a great conference. Father, I pray that we can be more like you. I pray that we can be more like Peter, Father, and the men that we read about in the Bible, the women who did so many amazing things and got this whole thing started 2000 years ago. Father, we are still talking about you. We are still thinking about you. We are still praising you. Father, we give you everything that we have, everything, and we give you all the glory. Thank you for the blood that saves us. We love you through Jesus. Amen. Thanks, guys. An enthusiastic response to Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson, and what a great presentation today.

It's one of our best of 2020 Focus on the Family episodes. Wow, Jon, what an inspirational message, and I really appreciate Willie's leadership skills. As the CEO of Duck Commander, as the father of six, and as a Christian man in the media.

That's not easy, as we know. Willie has written a book called American Entrepreneur, which looks at the history of the United States by featuring its great businessmen and women. He also details how he transformed his father's humble duck call business into an international brand, and it's a fascinating read. I hope you'll get a copy of Willie's book from us rather than an online bookstore, because when you shop with us, the proceeds go right back into ministry. You're helping us provide help and hope for couples in crisis, struggling parents, lonely singles.

And this year, those challenges have really been magnified by unemployment and isolation. So please bring hope to these families by donating to Focus on the Family. When you make a donation of any amount, we'll send you a copy of American Entrepreneur by Willie Robertson, and that'll be our way of saying thank you for supporting this ministry and helping people. And you can do that when you call 800, the letter A in the word family, or find the details in the episode notes. Next time, we'll continue our Best of 2020 presentations, a powerful story of God's love and redemption during a teen pregnancy. I'm just a puddle, just sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, and just couldn't, couldn't. You're watching, you just created this tornado. You crushed your parents' feelings and their hopes, and they're in complete utter shock and panic, and you're the source of all of it.

So much instant shame and guilt. On behalf of Jim Daly and the entire team, thanks for listening today to this Focus on the Family podcast. Please take a moment and give us a rating, make some comments at Apple podcast or wherever you listen, and then share about this episode with a friend, won't you? I'll invite you back next time as we once more help you and your family thrive in Christ. Find fun for your kids just a click away. And now, Adventures in Odyssey. The Adventures in Odyssey Club, where your eight to 12-year-old can find trusted, faith-building entertainment in a safe online club. It features almost every episode ever, plus special monthly club-only episodes and content, and a Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine subscription. Sign up today. Just go to aioclub.org slash radio.