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School Of Ministry
The Heart Qualifications of A Leader
I. God is a God of the Heart…
2 Chronicles 16:9; I Tim 1:5; Prov 4:18; I Sam 10:9; I Sam 13:14; I Sam 16:7;
Acts 13:22; Psalms 78:70-72; Psalms 17:3; Psalms 19:14; Psalms 24:1-4; Psalms
51:17; Psalms 51:10; 2 Cor 3:3; Ezekiel 36:26
A. The Conscience is the voice of the Heart like feelings are the voice of the
body, and reason is the voice of the mind…
B. The Conscience is joint knowledge of God and man; the principle which
decides the lawfulness of our actions and approves or condemns them;
C. The condition of the conscience determines the state of the heart…
D. The Conscience can be good ( Acts 23:1; I Tim 1:5, 19; Heb 13:18) or evil
(Heb 10:22); It can be weak (I Cor 8:7, 10, 12) or defiled (Titus 1:15); It can
be seared (I Tim 4:2) or purged (Heb 9:9, 14; Heb 10:2); It can be pure (Acts
24:16; I Tim 3:9; 2 Tim 1:3)…
E. The Conscience like the heart can be conditioned by the things we do…
II. The Importance of the Heart…
Physically speaking, the heart is the most important bodily organ. Without it, the
body’s various organs, processes, and functions would cease, and life would end. There
are many parallels between the physical heart and the spiritual heart, showing its utmost
importance in the leader’s spiritual life and function.
Biblically speaking, the leader has at least 3 reasons to guard his heart…
a) His heart is the very source of all his attitudes and actions….Prov 4:23; Phil
4:7….A Christian is to guard his heart as a soldier guards the city gate. A
leader must watch over his affections, to prevent an invasion of foreign
values.
b) The second reason to guard the heart is it is the source of all a Christian
ministers or speaks….Matt 12:34b, 35…A Christian will find his life, words
and actions subconsciously controlled by whatever fills the heart. We must
continually ask ourselves if we are proud of the contents of our hearts.
c) To prevent the heart from causing spiritual defilement to oneself or God’s
people…Mk 7:14-23…
The Lord Jesus said that the unguarded heart of a leader can become the source for a long
list of terrible things: base and wicked thoughts, sexual immorality, murders, stealing,
covetous desires, dangerous and destructive wickedness, unrestrained and indecent
conduct etc. It is important that both leaders and those who follow them keep their hearts
guarded.
III. The Qualities of the Heart….
The qualities of a leader’s heart are very important to God. God is continually trying
(Deut 8:2); Searching (Jer 17:10) and pondering (Prov 21:2) the hearts of his leaders. It’s
a minister’s responsibility to maintain a pure heart before God (James 4:8).
What’s the condition of your heart? In large part, that will be determined by your reaction
to the Lord, to people, and events around you. Are we obedient to God’s gentle nudging,
making changes in our lives whenever we are confronted or are we hypocritical making
excuses for ourselves but quick to condemn others? Are we willing to help people when
in need or are we hardened that we can’t be bothered? Are we desirous to see God’s will
enforced in situations around us or are we unconcerned?
A. Positive Heart Qualities:
Grieved (Gen 6:6); Stirred (Exo 35:21); Tender (2 Chron 34:27); Faithful
(Neh 9:8); Pure (Psalm 24:4); Broken (Psalm 34:18); Panting (Psalm 38:10);
Established (Psalm 112:8); Fixed (Psalm 57:7); Merry (Prov 17:22); New etc
B. Negative Heart Qualities:
Evil (Gen 6:5); Hardened (Exo 4:21); Deceived (Deut 11;16); Proud (2Chron
32:35); Hypocritical (Job 36:13); Deceitful (Prov 12;20); Bitter (Prov 14:10);
Double heart (James 1:8); Wounded (Psalm 109:22); Rebellious (Jer 5:23) etc
IV. The Father’s Heart of Jesus
Ministers ought to aspire to cultivate the Father’s Heart as exemplified in the life of
Jesus. This Father’s heart was demonstrated in different ways such as:
a) Compassion…Matt 9:35, 36; b) Concern….Matt 9:11-13; c)
Willingness…Matt 8:1-3; d) Humility…Phil 2:5-10; e) Warmth….Lk 10:38-42;
f) Forgiveness….Jn 8:11; g) Brokenness….Jn 11:33-36;
h) Self sacrifice….Jn 10:15; i) Service….Jn 13:14
V. The Minister and A Servant’s Heart…
A leader most people would say, is a person who directs, administrates, organizes, makes
decisions, delegates responsibilities, and plans for the future. This definition lacks a very
essential part of true leadership: a leader is one who SERVES. A minister must have the
inner attitudes and motivations, and the outer service of a servant.
A. New Testament Concept of Serving
Several Greek words in the New Testament present the concept of serving. From
these several Greek words, the English word most commonly used is the word
“Deacon”. Today, a large portion of the church world does not properly
understand the New Testament concept of deaconship or ‘servanthood’.
Some people erroneously think deaconship is limited to a small group of people in
the local church who perform certain functions. But the true meaning of
deaconship goes far deeper. The Early church appointed deacons (or deaconesses)
in Acts 6:3 because they manifested qualities of true Christian servants such as
having a good reputation, being full of the Holy Spirit, and being full of wisdom.
They were also people who deeply cared for other people and preferred them in
love. That is a true servant’s heart.
B. ‘DIAKONOS’
As a description of one who serves, the Greek word “diakonos” appears 30 times
in the New Testament. It comes from the word “diako” which means to run
errands. It is translated with 3 English words: minister, servant, and deacon. It
implies that all Christians are called to serve and run errands in the Kingdom of
God…See Phil 1:1; I Tim 3:8; I Tim 3:12; Romans 16:1 etc
C. Example Servants
Leaders can sometimes become isolated. They may think they are the only
ones trying to fulfill the ministry of service to God, Christ, the Gospel and the
Church. Fortunately, this is wrong. The New Testament presents an inspiring
list of individuals and groups who served God and His people from the heart
in their own particular ways.
1. Timothy and Erastus….Acts 19:22; I Tim 3:2
2. Onesiphorus service to Paul at Ephesians….2 Tim 1:16-18
3. Apostles’ service to the Church…..2 Cor 3:3
4. Paul ministering to needs of saints at Jerusalem…Rom 15:31
5. Ministry of saints in general…..Heb 6:10
6. Household of Stephen devoting themselves to service….I Cor 16:15
7. Archippus……Colossians 4:17
8. Tychicus……Ephesians 6:21; Col 4:7
9. Epaphras…..Col 1:7
10. Jesus…..Phil 2:5-7
If you earnestly desire to know your spiritual calling, pursue the qualifications that make
you the candidate to receive one. Develop the Father’s heart; Develop a servant’s heart.
Get involved in consistent, selfless service. That is the greatest qualification for being
used by God.
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