Chapter 14 Qualities of a Spiritual Leader

Sense of Energy

Matthew 9:35–37 NASB95

Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

A spiritual leader must recognize the spiritual landscape of their community. They must understand the spiritual depravity and have a desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They must also recognize that they must act quickly because we only have a certain window of time.

Intentional and Intense Prayer

A spiritual leader mus pray that the Lord would raise up workers for the advancement of His Kingdom. The advancement of the world is growing quickly. The desire for worldly things are consuming most people. We must pray that the Lord would make a difference in changing the hearts of the people in our community. That He would open their eyes and ears to see that only Jesus will satisfy their souls and bring peace into their lives.

Steadfast Relationship with Jesus

Matthew 10:1 NASB95

Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

A spiritual leader must have a steadfast relationship with Jesus. This is necessary because ministry is hard. You are often required to do things outside your comfort zone and out side your natural function. For example God will call you to something that you may not have the natural ability to do. Or he may lead you to keep silent when you want to defend yourself or give someone a piece of your mind.

Accountability to God

A spiritual leader must recognize that they were chosen by God. We did not choose Him, but He chose us for His purposes. We must see ourselves as bond-slaves of Christ.

Clear Demonstration of Spiritual Authority

Matthew 10:1,8

Matthew 10:8 NASB95

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

A spiritual leader will have authority to carry out what the Lord calls them to do. They do not have the authority to do as they please. You will have the power and grace to overcome crisis situations. Also, others around you will recognize the authority that God gives a person. A spiritual person does not have to exert their authority because others will recognize and follow.

Must Have Faith, Trust, and Confidence in God

Matthew 10:11–16 NASB95

“And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

A spiritual leader must know that God will lead them where he wants them. He knows what will happen and will guide the person he calls. A spiritual leader must have faith in God to accomplish the task he is called into.

Committed to the Cost Involved

Matthew 10:17–23 NASB95

“But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Jesus told his disciple that their task would not be easy. They would be severely persecuted for their efforts.

Ministry is always difficult and will require a risk and cost. It will certainly cost you time but it may cost you financially or emotionally. A spiritual leader must consider the cost before engaging in the ministry.

God- Oriented, Not Man Oriented

Matthew 10:26–31 NASB95

“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

A spiritual leader will have to make unpopular decisions. There will be people that adamantly disagree with you and make life very difficult for you. A spiritual leader must have confidence in God aside for the favor of man.

A spiritual leader must overcome being a people pleaser and be a God pleaser.

Live a Life Patterned After Christ

Matthew 10:24–26 NASB95

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

A spiritual leader must pattern their thoughts, word, and action like Christ. They must have a desire for His will and live for His will

Must Share the Gospel

Matthew 10:32–33 NASB95

“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

A spiritual Leader must confess Jesus as their Lord before people. This is sharing the gospel

Risk Relationship for the Kingdom

Matthew 10:34–36 NASB95

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

A spiritual leader must understand that the gospel is offensive. They will have people that may turn their back on them for sharing the gospel.

Jesus must be the number 1 Love

Matthew 10:37–39 NASB95

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

A spiritual leader must prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all other relationships.

Life Identity With Jesus

Matthew 10:40–42 NASB95

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

A spiritual leader must devote his life to Christ in anticipation of hearing those blessed words, “well done good and faithful servant!”