To Serve Is Worship: October 2026

Imitating Jesus is the fourth principle of the Ambition Framework and a vital part of marketplace ministry. Whatever our field, we will meet people who may never enter a church but will read the evidence of our lives. Discipleship is therefore not admiration but imitation: following Christ’s character, compassion, obedience, and way of serving in every sphere of life.

Key Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 5:48

Christ left us an example so that we would follow in His steps. Our faith cannot be separated from our work; His character must shape our conduct in the boardroom, classroom, workplace, and open field.

Doing Business Until He Comes

Jesus said, “Do business till I come” (Luke 19:13, NKJV). This instruction calls believers to purposeful obedience and faithful service. Our work is not separate from discipleship; it is one of the places where discipleship becomes visible.

The following marks show what it means to imitate Jesus in the marketplace:

·         death to self;
·         imitation of Jesus;
·         servanthood;
·         obedience;
·         an indwelling Word;
·         productivity;
·         love for other disciples; and
·         exclusive devotion.

1. DEATH TO SELF

Key Scriptures: Luke 14:25–34; Matthew 16:24; Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20

Jesus taught His followers to count the cost, deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. In the marketplace, counting the cost means planning carefully before starting a business, purchasing property, establishing a practice, or undertaking a major project. Sound planning includes assessing resources, especially finances, and ensuring that the assignment can be completed well.

Yet discipleship goes deeper than planning. Taking up the cross represents death to self-will. Jesus modelled this surrender when He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, NKJ). Paul expressed the same truth in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

Marketplace reflection:

· What will this plan cost?

· What must I lay down to move forward?

· Is this project part of God’s mandate, or is it driven by self-enrichment, self-gratification, or visions of grandeur?

2. IMITATING JESUS

Key Scriptures: Matthew 10:24–25; 1 Peter 2:21; Acts 4:13; 1 Peter 1:16; Matthew 5:48

Jesus is our pattern and plumb line. A disciple is not above the teacher; the goal is to become like the teacher. The early Christians were recognised because they had been with Jesus. In the same way, our lives should make His influence visible.

We are called to imitate Christ’s prayer life, compassion, brokenness, love, mercy, forgiveness, holiness, and obedience. Mature spiritual leadership can help us recognise blind spots, but every example must ultimately point us back to Christ.

Matthew 5:48 calls believers to maturity and wholeness. This cannot be achieved through human strength alone. As we follow Christ, obey His Word, remain humble, and allow Him to live through us, His character is formed in us.

3. SERVANTHOOD

Key Scriptures: John 13:13–17; Mark 10:45; Matthew 20:26–28; Philippians 2:5–7; Galatians 5:13; Matthew 23:11

Marketplace success can tempt us to develop illusions of grandeur, but Kingdom greatness is measured by service. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant.

A servant-hearted marketplace leader:

·         remains humble as influence grows;
·         uses freedom and authority to serve others in love;
·         does not consider any honest task beneath them; and
·         keeps an open hand, ready to help.

If we want to excel in the marketplace, our posture before Christ must remain one of humility and service.

4. OBEDIENCE

Key Scriptures: Matthew 4:19–20; Matthew 9:9; Matthew 21:5–6; Luke 5:5

Leadership can create the illusion that we hold all power and control. In the Kingdom, however, Christ holds the plumb line. The disciples responded to His call promptly: they left their nets, rose from their work, carried out His instructions, and acted at His word.

Obedience is not always easy, especially when a task appears beneath us. Yet when self is surrendered, every assignment becomes an opportunity to serve and reveal Christ’s love and grace. A disciple never outgrows humility.

5. THE INDWELLING WORD

Key Scriptures: John 8:31; John 6:56, 66; John 1:14; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11

Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31, NKJ). Crowds followed Him when they saw miracles, but many withdrew when His teaching demanded depth. True disciples remain when the Word challenges them.

The indwelling Word must be received daily. It gives wisdom and understanding, illuminates our path, directs our decisions, strengthens us in adversity, protects us from error, restores hope, and gives confidence when we face intimidating circumstances.

Marketplace practice:

· Read and study Scripture consistently.

· Test decisions against the Word rather than emotion or trend.

· Receive fresh direction for the situation and field in which you are serving.

· Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

6. PRODUCTIVITY

Key Scriptures: John 15:8; Matthew 28:19; Galatians 5:22–23

Productivity in the Kingdom means bearing fruit. One of the clearest marks of a disciple is the ability to make other disciples. We cannot credibly teach a path we refuse to walk ourselves; our instruction must be supported by a life that can honestly say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—provides a practical measure of Christlike productivity. The more these qualities shape our lives, the more clearly, we imitate Jesus.

7. LOVE FOR OTHER DISCIPLES

Key Scriptures: John 13:34–35; 1 John 3:16

Jesus raised the standard of love: we are to love one another as He loved us. His love was sacrificial, demonstrated by laying down His life. Our love for fellow believers must therefore move beyond sentiment to practical self-giving. This love is one of the clearest public signs that we are His disciples.

8. EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION

Key Scriptures: Luke 14:26, 33; Romans 12:1

A disciple loves Jesus above possessions, relationships, personal ambition, and even life itself. Exclusive devotion means that Christ determines the direction of our associations and the trajectory of our marketplace decisions.

The New Testament picture of a living sacrifice echoes the burnt offering that was given wholly to God. Discipleship requires the same wholehearted surrender: a life that is holy, acceptable to God, and fully available for His service.

CONCLUSION
Imitating Jesus requires practice, patience, endurance, and devotion. The task is demanding, but the Holy Spirit helps us. As we lay down self, embrace servanthood, obey Christ, abide in His Word, bear fruit, love one another, and remain wholly devoted to Him, His character becomes visible through us.

This is how marketplace influence grows: not through self-promotion, but through a life that consistently reflects Jesus.

Marketplace Application: Study Jesus’ leadership style:

His communication
His compassion
His clarity
His courage
His confrontation
His consistency

Then model it in your business.

Grace and peace to you.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Ambition Framework: Imitating Jesus