THE HEART OF A LEADER

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The word “leader” is only found three times in the Bible.  All three verses are found in the Old Testament (1 Chron. 12:27; 13:1; Isa. 55:4).

 

B.   The word “leaders” is only found three times in the Bible.  Two of the verses are in the Old Testament and one is in the New Testament (2 Chron 32:21; Isa. 9:16; Matt. 15:14).

 

C.   Although the word “leader” is not found frequently in the Bible, positions involving leadership are numerous:  fathers, priests, priestesses, high priests, judges, kings, princes, lords, queens, governors, captains, the elders of the city, shepherds, prophets, prophetesses, the scribes, the apostles, Pharisees, Sadducees, and the elders of the church.

 

D.   One of the needs of the home, our society, and the church involves good leaders.

 

E.   To be leader, the individual who accepts the position must have “The Heart of A Leader.”  In this lesson, let’s examine some of the qualities of a leader’s heart.

 

I.             A HEART OF HUMILITY

 

A.   The Bible connects humility and exaltation by God.

1.    Proverbs 15:33

 

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

 

2.    James 4:10

 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 

3.    1 Peter 5:6

 

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

 

B.   There are several Bible characters who were exalted by God who manifested humility when selected to lead.

1.    Moses (Exo. 3:11)

 

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh…

 

2.    Saul (1 Sam. 9:21)

3.    David (1 Sam. 18:18)

4.    Solomon (1 Kings 3:7)

5.    Jeremiah (Jer. 1:6)

 

C.   Three things involved in leadership that necessitate the need for humility:

1.    Leadership involves power, authority, and the ability to control.

a.    A proud individual is not able to properly exercise these things for the good of those he leads. 

b.    Even a person who begins with a humble heart can be influenced by the power of an office (Ex., Saul, 1 Sam. 15:17).

2.    Leadership involves money and decisions about money.

3.    Leadership involves the honor and praise of others.

 

D.   Luke 14:11

 

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

II.           A HEART FOR PRAYER

 

A.   This springs from the leader’s heart of humility.

 

B.   The leaders of the Bible who prayed are numerous.

1.    Moses prayed (Num. 11:2).

2.    Samuel prayed (1 Sam. 8:6).

3.    David prayed (1 Sam. 23:2).

4.    Solomon prayed (1 Kings 8:22).

5.    Nehemiah prayed (Neh. 1:8).

6.    Esther prayed (Est. 4:16).

7.    Paul prayed (Acts 16:25).

8.    Jesus prayed (Luke 5:16).

 

C.   A leader knows that he is weak, and frail. 

A leader knows that he doesn’t have all the answers.

A leader knows there will be obstacles.

A leader knows there will be opposition.

A leader knows there will be changes in plans.

A leader knows he will make mistakes.

Thus, he depends on God for assistance, and that assistance is obtained through prayer.

 

D.   A leader will follow the Lord’s direction found in Matthew 6:6.

 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 

III.         A HEART OF INTEGRITY

 

A.   Adherence to moral principles

1.    “Integrity means always doing what is right and good…” (Joseph B. Wirthlin).

2.    Romans 6:2

 

God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein.

 

B.   Honesty

1.    “Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership.  Always tell the truth” (Brian Tracy).

2.    Romans 12:17

 

…Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

 

C.   Genuineness and sincerity

1.    “The most honorable people of all are not those who never make mistakes, but those who admit to them when they do” (Sandra Kring).

2.    Psalm 32:2

 

Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

 

D.   Willingness to be held accountable

1.    “Every person makes mistakes, but only a person with integrity will own up to them” (Nicole Guillaume)

2.    James 5:16

 

Confess your faults one to another…

 

IV.         A HEART OF VISION

 

A.   Leaders must have vision.

1.    They can see into the future.

2.    They can see what they want to bring to pass in the future.

3.    The picture they have in their mind is just as clear as the reality they want to bring to fruition in the future.

 

B.   Examples: 

1.    Nehemiah

a.    The result (Neh. 6:15)

 

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

 

b.    The vision (Neh. 2:5)

 

And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

 

2.    The apostle Paul

a.    The result

1)    The gospel was preached (Col. 1:23)

 

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

 

2)    Persecuted for the gospel (Gal. 6:17)

 

From henceforth let no man trouble me:  for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

 

b.    The vision (Acts 9:15-16)

 

But the Lord said unto me, Go thy way:  for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

 

C.   Yes, a leader knows that this is where we are, and this is where I want to take this group of people.

V.           A HEART OF COMMUNICATION

 

A.   A leader must be able to communicate his vision to the people he is leading.

 

B.   When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he first viewed the walls (Neh. 2:12-15).

 

C.   Following his tour, he communicated his vision to the leaders of Israel (Neh. 2:17-18a).

 

Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire:  come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.  Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me…

 

D.   It was this communication that was received by the leaders (Neh. 2:18b).

 

… And they said, Let us rise up and build.  So they strengthened their hand for this good work.

 

VI.         THE HEART OF SERVICE

 

A.   Leaders who are dictators want others to serve them. 

1.    They oppress their followers.

2.    Oh yes, they get some things done, but they destroy the individuals who are under them in the process.

3.    Eventually, the things they are attempting to build come crumbling down.

 

B.   Leaders are servants according to the Scriptures.

1.    Two verses:

a.    Matthew 20:26-26

 

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.

 

b.    1 Peter 5:3

 

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage but being ensamples to the flock.

 

C.   Jesus Christ is the supreme example of a servant-leader.

1.    Washing feet, performing miracles, teaching the Word of God to the people, training His twelve disciples, counseling and encouraging others, etc.

2.    Verses:

a.    Mark 10:45

 

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

b.    Philippians 2:7

 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

 

VII.       THE HEART OF ENDURANCE

 

A.   Endurance is the ability to start something and finish something regardless of what comes in between the start and finish.

 

B.   Leaders know that bringing their vision to pass is not going to be easy.

1.    There will be unknown obstacles.

2.    There will be attempts that fail.

3.    There will be opposition from naysayers and outright enemies.

4.    There will be dissension within the ranks.

5.    There will be some who will not get on board.

 

C.   We mentioned Nehemiah and his success in building the wall of the city of Jerusalem in 52 days.  Let’s go back to Nehemiah 2.

1.    Nehemiah communicated his desire to build the wall.

2.    The leaders joined his vision, saying:  “Let us rise up and build” (v. 18).

3.    The very next verse is interesting (Neh. 2:19).

 

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Tobaih the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing ye do?  Will ye rebel against the king?

 

4.    These men posed a constant threat and problem for Nehemiah.  Yet, he endured. 

 

D.   The verses that exhort us to endure to the end are numerous.

1.    Matthew 10:22

 

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:  but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 

2.    Romans 2:7

 

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.

 

3.    Galatians 6:9

 

And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

4.    Hebrews 6:11-12

 

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:  that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

5.    See also Hebrews 3:14 and James 1:12

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   In all realms of life, leaders are indispensable to success. 

 

B.   Our world is in desperate need of leaders.  Too, the church is in dire need of leaders.

 

C.   There are a few individuals who come along who seem to be natural leaders.  For the most part, however, leaders are made not born.

 

D.   It begins with an individual developing the heart of a leader.

1.    A Heart of Humility

2.    A Heart of Prayer

3.    A Heart of Integrity

4.    A Heart of Vision

5.    A Heart of Communication

6.    A Heart of Service

7.    A Heart of Endurance

 

E.   Those who are leaders need to constantly reflect on these things and maintain the heart of a leader.

 

F.    Those who are younger need to study these things and begin to develop them so they can be leaders in the future.