Title: The DNA of a Great Leader

Introduction.

Being a great leader depends more on who you are, rather than what you say or do

Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

According to Luke 6:45, our actions and words are a reflection of the contents of our hearts. They are an overflow of our character and beliefs. This emphasises that being a great leader goes beyond mere external actions or words; it is rooted in the essence of who we are.People are naturally drawn to leaders who embody qualities they admire and respect. The truth is that people follow the leader based on who they are which is related to a leader’s ability to inspire and influence others.

Assessing Your Reputation

To understand the impact of our leadership, it is essential to assess our own reputation. Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you known as excuse makers or excuse busters?
Are you known as a faith-builder or faith-deflated?
Are you seen as a complainer or conqueror?
Are you a spiritual prophet or a worldly muppet?

This needs to be a year you change your reputation.

If your reputation needs to change, never fret! Famous men in the Bible had a horrible reputation before they served God.

Peter was a smelly fisherman who became a spiritually ambitious man when he met Christ.

David was an unpopular young shepherd boy who became God’s hero when there was a call to defeat the nation’s biggest enemy.

Jesus was a backwater carpenter who ultimately became a world-changing arbiter.

Are you sick of being you?

Are you tired of the results or lack of results you bring by not imitating and embracing the character of God, the character of Jesus?

Point 1. Great leaders are very demanding.

1 Kings 17:7-16 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

Great leaders are very demanding of themselves.

Navigating through the challenges of ministry involves experiencing both highs and lows. Elijah’s story exemplifies this reality, as he operated in a time of wickedness under King Ahab, facing adversity and a spiritual drought in the land. Despite the difficult circumstances, Elijah remained resolute and steadfast. From an outsider’s perspective, it may have appeared that he was ineffective, hungry, and spiritually dry. However, true leadership is not swayed by external situations or personal moods.

Ephesians 4:11-14 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Leaders must rise above moodiness and emotional fluctuations. Rather than being blown around by circumstances, they cultivate emotional stability, grounded in righteousness and the teachings of Christ. By taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ, leaders exercise control over their emotions.

2 Corinthians 10:5 we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Elijah exemplified immediate and complete obedience to God’s call and direction as he went to the country of Jezebel (the centre of Baal worship). Great leaders bend their will to God’s commands and the needs of His Kingdom. They surrender to God’s will without fighting or seeking to change it, recognising that His way is always the best way.

Great leaders trust in God’s Provision

Great leaders trust that God will provide a way out of troubles, often through unlikely sources. When they obey God’s commands, they witness His faithfulness and experience victories that surpass their expectations. This understanding eliminates disobedience, insecurity, and moodiness from their leadership approach.

Great leaders hold themselves to high standards. They demand excellence in their character, actions, and decisions. They continually strive to improve, embracing accountability and making repeated decisions aligned with their values and purpose.

Great leaders are very demanding of others.

Elijah goes into a new town, approached a complete stranger, a single mother, and called her provide him with water and food. He did so because God had promised to meet Elijah’s needs through a widow. This example illustrates that great leaders are not afraid to expect and demand from others, even from those they have no prior relationship with.

When the widow initially made excuses and played the sympathy card, Elijah did not back down. He insisted that she fulfil his request immediately. This demonstrates that great leaders do not accept delay or complacency but rather push for immediate action and results.

Biblical Promises of Demanding Others

The Bible is filled with promises that call upon believers to demand from others for the sake of God’s Kingdom. This includes:

Generosity from others

Ecclesiastes 2:26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

Hard work from our disciples.

John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Fruit from our evangelism.

Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Repentance from our ministries in order to ensure refreshment for them.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Great leaders recognise that blessings and fulfilment of God’s promises are dependent on obedience. If they do not demand obedience from their disciples, they should not expect the promised blessings to manifest in their lives.

To feel comfortable demanding great things from others, leaders must first demand great things of themselves. Demanding excellence from oneself establishes the foundation for expecting the same from others. Without personal integrity and accountability, leaders risk being perceived as hypocrites.

Great leaders are very demanding of God.

From the moment God said He would provide, Elijah expected God to work. He went to the city he was instructed to, approached the first woman he saw, and anticipated that God had already worked in her heart. There was no doubt in Elijah’s heart regarding God’s ability to fulfil His promises.

Although God had only told Elijah that a widow would provide for him, Elijah took the initiative to come up with a plan for a never-ending supply of food from a jar of flour and jug of oil. God expects us to collaborate with Him in planning and committing our endeavours to Him. As we do, our plans become aligned with God’s plans, and He establishes them.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

God is constantly at work

Instead of trying to forcefully change people, they look for open hearts and works through what God has already provided.

Matthew 9:29 “According to your faith let it be done to you”;

They are not afraid to ask for what they need or desire, even from non-believers, recognising that God can move hearts and circumstances.

Exodus 12:36 The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

Complaining about a lack of fruit, resources, or blessings is contrary to the mindset of great leaders. When they prioritise God’s mission above their own ambitions, the impossible becomes possible. They trust in God’s promise that whatever they ask in His name, the Father will give them.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Point 2. Great leaders are very loving.

1 Kings 17:17-24 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

“Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

Great leaders are very loving towards themselves.

Elijah’s life took an unexpected turn when the widow’s son died. While the woman questioned whether God loved her, Elijah remained steadfast. As a prophet, he understood that encountering problems was part of bringing glory to God. Elijah’s confidence in God’s love for him did not waver based on the success or failure of external circumstances. He embraced challenges in this world because his focus was on the eternal and his trust in God’s unfailing love.

Knowing that God created and loves us, regardless of our flaws or shortcomings, allows us to love ourselves and others more authentically. This assurance liberates us from self-doubt and empowers us to lead with confidence and compassion.

Great leaders recognise that God takes care of them in every aspect of their lives, regardless of their circumstances or identity.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Rather than being discouraged by trials, great leaders view them as chances to deepen their relationship with God. Elijah saw the event of the widow’s son’s death as another opportunity to draw near to God, to cry out to Him. They understand that challenges have the potential to refine their faith, produce perseverance, and lead to maturity and completeness.

When challenges arise, leaders have a choice to either draw closer to God or drift further away from Him. Some of the closest moments with God often occur during troubled times.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Those who shy away from challenges and difficulties also struggle to embrace the love of God in their lives.

Great leaders are very loving toward others.

Elijah’s response to the widow’s distress was marked by love and compassion. Instead of becoming annoyed or harsh, he willingly took on her burden as his own. Great leaders have a genuine love for dealing with and resolving other people’s problems. They embrace the opportunity to have a “do it list” or a problem list to pray about, trusting in God’s power to bring about solutions.

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

A notable aspect of Elijah’s love for others is seen in how he carried the widow’s son. He physically and emotionally connected with the boy, even though he didn’t know him well. Elijah’s act of laying on the boy and crying over him demonstrated the depth of his heart’s investment in the lives of others.

2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

Great leaders consistently and freely give their hearts to everyone they encounter. They don’t hold back or retract their love. Just as Jesus didn’t withdraw His heart from His disciples despite their shortcomings, great leaders extend love and care unconditionally. They understand that pulling their hearts back show their own self-righteousness but also their selfish ambition. Loving others involves embracing pain and being resilient. Great leaders develop a thick skin, allowing them to withstand potential hurts and offences. They also cultivate a bad memory, choosing not to hold onto past wrongs but instead extending forgiveness and grace.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is kind.....it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Great leaders are very loving towards God.

Great leaders understand that their primary role in life is to lead others to believe in God. To effectively teach others to fall in love with God, leaders must first cultivate a deep and genuine love for Him. When people observe leaders who eagerly anticipate spending time with God and prioritize their relationship with Him (found in their Bible reading and prayer), it becomes an invitation for others to experience the same joy and fulfillment. Elijah’s example demonstrates a natural inclination to cry out to God. He recognized God as Lord and had an intimate relationship with Him, referring to Him as “my” God.

Finding Fulfillment and Sustenance in God Alone

Elijah’s decision not to marry stemmed from his understanding that his relationship with God fulfilled and sustained him. Great leaders recognize that their happiness and spirituality should not be dependent on a spouse or any other relationship. They understand that pursuing relationships that hinder their spiritual growth or effectiveness for God will only lead to disaster. Singles are encouraged to be consumed with the ministry, while married individuals must prioritize their love for God above all else to avoid idolizing their spouse.

Elijah’s closeness to God was evident in the extraordinary experiences he had. He escaped death and was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. His close relationship with God even led to him becoming Jesus’ counselor on the mount of transfiguration. Elijah inspired others, such as Elisha, to pursue a similar relationship with God, desiring a double portion of his spirit. Great leaders emulate Elijah’s example by developing a deep bond with God that empowers them to influence and guide others. They become role models whom others aspire to emulate, enabling them to have control over situations instead of being controlled by them.

James 5:16-1 8 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Conclusion

In conclusion, in the pursuit of great leadership, it is essential to embody both demanding and loving qualities. Demand excellence from yourself, others, and God, while also fostering a deep love for yourself, others, and God. As a new year begins, reflect on what you will demand of yourself and what love you will cultivate in your journey as a leader.