2 Corinthians 4:5, 10–12 (NIV)

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

Every Christian man faces the same daily battle—whose glory will I pursue: mine or His?

Paul makes it clear in this passage that the real servant of God isn’t trying to make a name for himself. He’s not building a platform, defending his image, or chasing applause. The true man of God preaches Jesus Christ as Lord, not himself.

That’s the foundation of servant leadership—the kind that starts at home, spills into the workplace, and transforms the world.

We don’t lead so others will think highly of us.
We lead so others will think highly of Jesus.

Paul says, “We preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.”

Men, our families, coworkers, neighbors—even the nations—don’t need to see our strength. They need to see our Savior.

The goal isn’t personal greatness, influence, or recognition. The goal is that people would know Jesus as Savior and obey His commands. That’s how we measure our lives: not by titles or trophies, but by how clearly people see Jesus in us.

We are the means—not the message.
Our task is to move people toward Christ, reflecting His character and teaching obedience to His commands.

Paul writes that we “always carry around in our body the death of Jesus.” That’s not poetic language—it’s a daily calling.

We die to self—our ego, our agenda, our preferences—so the life of Jesus can shine through us.

Jesus said it first:

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

If our Lord lived to serve and to sacrifice, how can we expect to lead any other way?

Godly men don’t measure success by ease or comfort. They measure it by obedience and impact—by how many lives are touched through their faithful service and sacrificial love.

That’s what Paul meant when he said, “Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”
He gave himself away so others could live eternally.

Jesus gave us one mission—to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything He commanded (Matthew 28:18–20).
That means every man who follows Christ is a minister of the gospel and a servant of others.

We serve God by serving people—sacrificially, humbly, consistently.
We love without condition. We lead without self-interest. We die to self daily so that others may live for Christ eternally.

The message we carry everywhere is Jesus.
And the method we use to deliver that message is humble service done in love.

Men—your life is your sermon.
Let people hear Jesus through your actions, not your ambitions.
Put self to death so His life can be seen in you.

Run Today’s Play: Lead like Jesus

• Serve without seeking credit.

• Love without condition.

• Sacrifice without hesitation.

That’s how we change our homes, our workplaces, and our world.

When we die to self, we don’t lose our life—we finally find it.