Here’s the Sermon I Preached today at Chapel ><
Character-The Foundation of Leadership
Introduction:
An important key to success as a spiritual leader is character. Take for example the biblical account of a mighty general like Joshua. The bible makes no mention of his size or strength of appearance. In God’s kingdom somehow physical features seemed irrelevant and do not matter much to God, but character does. The reason is simply because people can only do so much to improve their physical and mental abilities, but the potential for character and growth is limitless.
The ministry is an important task. It is like a big assignment from God, and to be able to be successful in this important task, we are required to mature in our character. Now we know that when God chooses a leader, He usually bypassed the most obvious candidates. The common denominator among all those God used mightily is character. However it is important to note that these people that God choose did not arrived on the scene “perfect” in their character. But rather they were people who were willing for God to shape them and stretch them into the people He wanted for His assignments.
The potential lay deep within us. So deep sometimes only God could see it- a character that could be mould and used for His service. We may feel raw, inadequate, or my characters are such and such, I am only suited for the lesser. But God sees deeper than that, if only you are willing to let God look into you and search you and mould and grow that potential that is hidden within you.
This afternoon, I would like to share with you 3 areas we can mature in our characters from the book of Joshua.
Point #1: CHARACTER IN KEEPING YOUR WORD
Let’s turn to Joshua 6:22-23 22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” 23 So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
Joshua was always a man of his word. Learning to keep our words is one essential character especially for a leader in the ministry. From the passage we have read, we see that Joshua was a man of his word. Though the oath to save Rahab was not made by him, he saw to it that his men kept their word too. He made sure that he and his men honored the promise that they made to Rahab.
In Joshua’s days, men did not normally enter into agreements with women. Certainly in this case with Rahab, the prostitute, their promise with her could have been excused or forgotten during the intensity of the battle. Moreover, Joshua had not made the promise himself, but he was diligent to keep it.
There will be times in our ministry where we know we can be excuse for not keeping our words. It may not be wrong for not keeping our word at that time but we have just wasted another opportunity for God to refine our character. At times when compromising a little integrity for convenience sake seems permissible and acceptable, I guess it is time we paused and rethink the value of our ministry, and reconsider whether should we trade character for a little convenience. I think if we know the value of the task God has given us, we will cease every opportunity to grow in our character.
Joshua understood that a careless word reduces influence. Joshua’s loyal adherence to his word brought him great respect. When Joshua had Achan put to death for disobeying God, he vowed to do the same to the next person violating God’s commands. Everyone knew he meant it. This gave his followers tremendous confidence. His character commanded respect.
As a leader do not make pronouncements but often have no intention of acting on them. In moments of frustrations, do not make rash statements that you know you cannot carry out. Do not promise to listen to any suggestions, but never follow through that word. Do not promise to faithfully support your colleagues but disappear when the pressure is on. Your followers will soon recognize your character and grow to disregard everything you say.
Remember when you make a vow or a promise to someone; you are accountable to God because He choose you for His work. Every word and promise you make to someone you are making it to God. Ecclesiastes has warned us in Chapter 5 verse 2 and 5, 2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
Point #2: CHARACTER FORGED BY CRISIS
From the historical background of the life of Joshua, we can make an observation that he came not just from the hardship of his early life but also from the challenges of a difficult childhood. He was born into slavery. He spent forty years in a wilderness because of his people’s lack of faith. He watched his spiritual leaders and heroes die one by one, only Caleb remained. Even when Joshua was experiencing success as his nation’s preeminent general, he was immersed in constant warfare and bloodshed. His was not an easy life.
In the life of Joshua, he could not pick and choose God’s assignment for him. He could not choose assignments that were safer or more assuring. Neither did he have control over the people’s reaction. He had no control over what his fellow Israelites of his enemies would do. But what Joshua could determine was how accessible to God his life would be.
In ministry we may not be able to choose safe and comfortable assignments. We may not have control over the people we serve. We may not be able to stop people from criticizing but one amazing thing we can experience in times of crisis is the transforming power of God, changing and building our character which will ultimately result in a stronger character.
Let’s turn to James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
From this verses we can draw out that how we respond to crisis and challenging situation in our lives are vital. Are we going to allow trials to leave a bitter scar or are we going to allow trials to forge strength humility and compassion. God uses challenges and crisis to fashion and humble the character of a minister.
Joshua approached the challenging moments of his life with humble dependence on God. While hardships tempted other leaders of his time to forfeit their faith and doubt God, Joshua grew to trust God more. And the result was a strong character that could stand firm in times of fear, temptations and doubts
Point #3: CHARACTER IN BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD
Joshua 24:15b But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.” 19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”
When Joshua declared to the people, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”, it was a declaration that came out of a heart of reverence towards God. The revered God because he knew who God is, he knew God is a Holy God, a Jealous God. And how then can he serve such a holy God with an unholy life. To Joshua, accountability to God, was not a matter of duty, it was not a matter of preference neither was it a question of rights; it was all a matter of reverence. He could boldly declared that he will serve the Lord, and he indeed has made it a priority to serve God righteously.
Tragically many Christian leaders to day are devoid of profound sense of reverence for God. The culture today emphasizes on God’s unmerited love but failed to mention God’s holiness and judgement. As ministers, we will be faced with temptations that will try to lure us off our tracks, so it is clearly important that we daily remind ourselves of the God we are serving. Remind yourself that you are serving a Holy God, and yet it is a Holy God that chose you to serve him. Remind yourself that God is a jealous God and God covets our service and commitment to Him. When we have that image of God in our minds constantly, we will find the strength to shun temptation, to shun ungodliness. And it is all done out of reverence and out of love for God. We won’t be doing it just because we have to, or we are expected to do so or because it is part of a religious duty as a minister. It is impossible to fear God and yet tolerate sin in your life.
Joshua captured this perspective of God well, in the verses that we have read, Joshua understood that God coveted his allegiance. God would not look the other way if Joshua betrayed Him. He knew God would never be satisfied with the crumbs that fell from the plate of Joshua’s affections. Hence, Joshua strongly urged the people to either wholeheartedly follow God or else reject Him. He discouraged them from trying to follow God in a careless fashion.
In conclusion, let me encourage you to be leaders that not only have the charisma but more importantly leaders of character. There are no shortcuts to success with God. He will constantly stretch you and mould you and fashion your character to be like Christ’s.
Therefore, may we all grow to be leaders whose words are always backed with action. And remember as a leader will cannot run away from times of distress but we can shift our focus from the crisis to our character. We can welcome God’s way of transforming and molding our character so that we will always be fit for the ministry God has installed for us. Finally remember at the root of our service and ministries there must be a healthy fear of God, so that we can always remain accountable to God.
May we, each and every one of us here walk out of this campus one day, not just ready to be leaders, but be leaders, pastors, church worker of great character.
God bless.
