On Sunday 31 May 2026, Kurt Jackson shared a practical and deeply needed message at 3C South Coast: How to Be Led by the Spirit. It formed part of the Go Make Disciples call, but it brought the message right into our homes, workplaces, families, and daily choices.
Because before we lead others well, we need to learn how to lead ourselves.
That may sound simple, but it touches everything. How we respond under pressure, speak when we are frustrated, and how we treat people when nobody is watching. It is about how we follow Jesus when emotions, disappointment, and past hurt try to take the lead.
The foundation scripture was clear:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Romans 8:14
Being led by the Spirit is not only about a feeling in a worship service. It is the mark of a child of God. It is how sons and daughters learn to walk, decide, serve, and lead.
The Holy Spirit Leads From Identity
Kurt reminded us that leadership does not begin with a title but with identity.
Dr Myles Munroe said, “Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by passion, generated by vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.”
That is powerful because it moves leadership away from position and into purpose. You may not see yourself as a leader, but if you influence someone, you lead. Parents lead. Spouses lead. Friends lead. Cell leaders lead. Employees lead. Young people lead.
The question is not only, “Am I a leader?”
The better question is, “What is leading me?”
If fear leads us, we lead from fear. When hurt leads us, we lead from hurt, and if pride leads us, we lead from ego. But when the Holy Spirit leads us, we begin to reflect the heart of Jesus.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
Psalm 139:14
When you know you are created by God, loved by God, and called by God, you stop trying to prove your worth. You start living from it.
Empty First, Then Be Filled
One of the strongest illustrations from the message was the bottle of water. If a bottle is already full, nothing more can be poured into it. It has to be emptied first.
That is a simple picture, but it lands.
Many of us ask the Holy Spirit to fill us, but we are still full of ourselves. Full of old hurts, opinions, anxiety and ego. We are full of our own plans. Full of “I know what I’m doing.”
The Christian life calls us to a different posture. It calls us to surrender.
“Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.”
Galatians 5:16 TPT
To be led by the Spirit, we must yield. That means we stop fighting God for control. We give Him our plans, our reactions, fears, desires, and even the parts of us we would rather hide.
This is not weakness, but wisdom.
The Holy Spirit cannot overflow through a life that refuses to make room for Him.
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6
Leading Yourself Before Leading Others
A big part of Sunday’s message was about self-leadership. Before we try to guide others, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
Proverbs 11:3
Integrity is not what people see but who we are when there is no audience. It is the quiet compass inside us that says, “This is right,” even when the easier road is available.
Kurt reminded us that to lead yourself well, you need to allow the Spirit to form your inner life.
- That means learning patience.
- Practising self-control.
- Choosing honesty.
- Listening before reacting.
- Apologising when you are wrong.
It also means bringing your anxiety to God instead of letting anxiety drive the car.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6
The Spirit-led life does not mean you never face pressure. It means pressure no longer gets the final say.
Sheep, Shepherds, and the Wisdom of Following
The message also used the picture of sheep and the shepherd. Sheep need guidance. They can wander and get distracted. They need to trust the one who knows where the safe places are.
So do we…
Following Jesus is not passive. It is not mindless but wise. It means we trust the Good Shepherd more than we trust our own limited view.
When we try to do our own thing, we often create anxiety for ourselves. We step away from peace, then wonder why we feel unsettled. But when we follow the Shepherd, He leads us into life, rest, and purpose.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
That is the kindness of Jesus. He does not drive us like slaves. He leads us as sons and daughters.
Leading Others Means Serving First
Once we learn to lead ourselves, we can begin to lead others in a healthy way.
Jesus made leadership very clear:
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.”
Matthew 20:26–28 NLT
Kingdom leadership is not about control. It is not about being important. It is not about needing people to notice you. Kingdom leadership is service.
It asks, “How can I help?” before asking, “What can I get?” It values people above personal ambition. It leads by example, not pressure.
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
That is where discipleship becomes real. We do not only tell people what to do. We show them what following Jesus looks like in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
This connects strongly with the call to Go Make Disciples. Every believer carries influence that can help someone take one step closer to Jesus.
If you are still starting your journey with God, you can begin with this simple salvation prayer. Are you looking for a church family to grow with? Why not visit 3C South Coast and get connected.
Young people can also look forward to Voltfest 2026, a powerful space to be stirred, equipped, and encouraged in faith.
For Cell Leaders
This week, help your group talk honestly about what is leading them. Keep it practical. The goal is not to sound spiritual. The goal is to become more surrendered.
You can ask:
- What has been leading my reactions lately — the Holy Spirit, fear, hurt, pressure, or pride?
- Where do I need to empty myself so the Holy Spirit can fill me again?
- How can I lead myself better this week?
- Who has God placed in my life for me to serve, encourage, or disciple?
Pray for each person to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, especially in their home, work, family, and daily conversations.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, lead us.
Empty us of pride, fear, anxiety, and self-will. Remind us who we are in Christ, and teach us to follow Your voice in the small moments. Help us lead ourselves with integrity and serve others with humility. Use our lives to make disciples and point people back to Jesus.
Amen.
