Distinguishing Marks of a Godly Leader

2 Corinthians 10 NASB95

Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

INTRO: How many of you would agree that leadership is necessary for the good of any society or group? Yeah- we know it’s necessary and important. We all want to have a good leader- a good president, a good teacher, a good boss, etc.

But Leadership can be scary. Not many folks these days want to be a leader because along with leadership comes responsibility.

ILL: It’s kinda sad, but most of us can think of a time when we felt we needed to step up and lead in a situation, but were too scared to do it. Either we felt unqualified or we didn’t want to put in the work. As a result, often the person who ends up leading is not really the best choice and all the folks who allowed them to lead just sit around and criticize their poor leadership.

Truly what we want and what we need are Godly leaders.

Godly leaders don’t lead like those who are worldly. Actually, Jesus made a statement to His disciples sharing that their leadership would be upside-down from the secular.

Luke 22:25–27 NASB95

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

In our text this morning, we see the Apostle Paul responding to some who challenged his leadership. Let me remind you of the context:

Paul has corrected this young church - rebuking them for sinful behaviors, holding them accountable to Christian values, and pushing them to be authentic and faithful. In the last couple chapters, we’ve looked specifically at the financial stewardship of the church. No doubt, some of these messages have been challenging. After all, when we talk about our finances, things tend to get rather personal.

And so, naturally, the response to Paul’s messages which called for generous living, sincerity in giving, and investing in the future - likely struck a chord.

So what we find is an attack upon Paul’s character by some in Corinth. You see, Paul was pretty bold in his writings- he did not want his recipients to walk away wondering what he meant. His letters were clear and straight-forward. However, Paul was not exactly the picture of strength in person. He was meek.

I imagine that he spent a good deal of time listening and observing - he was kind and patient with these folks. He probably didn’t go around yelling at them or beating them into shape with a whip. So, was this an indication that Paul was not really serious about his leadership? No, of course not!

Paul explains in v. 1 that he was imitating Christ- He who washed the feet of His disciples, sat at the table with sinners and graciously extended forgiveness and life to those who were far from Godly.

And in the paragraphs to follow, Paul defends his character and role. But as he does, he lays out 3 distinguishing marks of a Godly leader. These certainly pertain to the role of pastor, but I believe we can broaden that focus to each of us.

Why? Because in some respects, we are all called to be Godly leaders and to subject ourselves to Godly leadership.

Remember Jesus telling of the parable of talents? Some of us may be given only a few leadership roles- perhaps in our homes as spouses, parents, older siblings… maybe within our friend groups or even on social media. Others are given leadership roles that include overseeing employees, teaching a SS class, leading a ministry program, or being a deacon, and others still are called to pastor or lead in another positional role.

So, as we walk through these marks of a Godly leader, my hope is that we will aspire to have our lives marked by these things.

If you picked up a bulletin, I invite you to make use of the sermon guide and discussion questions. Let’s jump in together and learn the “Distinguishing Marks of a Godly Leader”.

We begin by observing

Godly Leaders are Defended in their Calling (3-6)

This might sound odd, so bear with me as we read verses 3-6 again (READ)

Paul is explaining that those whom God has placed in leadership are there for God’s purpose. They are not there for their own egos or some worldly agenda. And, when that person gives instruction, he gives it in accordance to God’s holiness.

Thus, to ignore or reject their leadership is to ignore or reject God. And when we ignore or reject God, we place ourselves as enemies of the Most High.

Paul basically says, “I know I’m human, but I don’t have to fight like man does. Why? Because God fights my battles for me.” You’ve heard of heavy artillery, here we see Paul telling us that Godly leaders have heavenly artillery!

Exodus 14:14 NASB95

“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”

Deuteronomy 3:22 NASB95

‘Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.’

Godly leaders are leaning on Jesus- and Scripture reminds us that there is nothing too difficult for Him!!

Some of Paul’s critics were being swayed by those who claimed to have a special knowledge- gnostics. Paul states that these speculations and attacks will not stand, but will instead be destroyed. (5) Paul was not going to fall into their trap- as the writer of Proverbs reminds us

Proverbs 26:4 NASB95

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.

Let me give you a few Biblical examples where God took action against those who rebelled against Godly leaders:

In Numbers 16, we read of a fellow named Korah who tried to lead a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Moses tried to reason with Him, but Korah was insistent- he did not want to be under Moses’ rule. Long story made short- God causes the ground to open up underneath Korah and all his clan and they were swallowed by the earth.

In Acts 5, a couple sold some property and lied to Peter about what they had done, being greedy. He lied and he died. Then his wife came in a few hours later telling the same story, and she dropped dead herself.

What we see here is the principle which the wise Pharisee Gamaliel stated in

Acts 5:39 NASB95

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

Here’s the point:

The Godly leader has subjected himself to God (5), taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and will stand with divine reinforcements calling those under his care to obedience. (6)

Now, as we think about how this applies, I doubt any of you are plotting a rebellion in the church… if so, I pray these verses cause you to rethink that, but instead I want to encourage you in your striving to be a Godly leader.

It will be hard to stand upon God’s principles in an ever-secularizing world. There will be days and perhaps even years of hardship and persecution but listen - GOD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!!

His word will never fail! His promises are sure! The war has already been won, so stand tall, knowing that:

Discuss: How does God fight for us?

Godly Leaders are defended in their calling.

Next, we see that:

Godly Leaders Are Confident in their Calling (7-11)

Let’s read verses 7-11 again. (READ)

Paul’s critics were using worldly values in order to push against Paul’s instruction. They thought, “Paul looks weak physically, therefore he is probably weak spiritually.”

Oh, but let me remind you of King David. When Samuel came to anoint the man God would have be the king, it was not physical stature that was considered, but the heart of David which God regarded.

Paul tells the Corinthians, “Hey guys, I’m confident in God’s call on my life and the authority that He entrusted to me.”

Paul could be bold in His letters and in his teaching because it was God’s authority on which he stood! The Lord called him; gave him authority, and so long as He proclaimed God’s Word, there was no reason not to be confident.

The authority granted a godly leader is given in order to build up the church, not for dividing or destroying it. - That’s true for me and for you, friends.

Paul’s letters were not intended to scare people into obedience. They were meant to point them to the holiness of God and our biblical response to Him.

That is my aim as well. I don’t preach in order to beat you up or intimidate you. But I am confident that God has called me to proclaim His Word and to point you to the holiness of our Lord.

Are you confident in God’s call on your life?

Let us start with what we know. Jesus, speaking in Mat. 28:18-20, issued what we know as the Great Commission. This is a call for God’s people to take God’s message and lead others to be closer to Jesus!

Mark Dever of 9 Marks said, that - We must realize that one of our main roles as a Christian is to help others grow in their faith. That is making disciples; that is godly leadership! (Discipleship is leadership)

You don’t have to wonder about that! You can be confident in God’s command, and also in His promises. Within these verses are the promises that ALL Authority has been given to Christ our Lord, and He is with us until the end of days.

Christian, let me encourage you to be confident in the call God has placed on your life. Wherever you are called to lead- your home, your work, in the church- have confidence that the One who called you to lead did not make a mistake.

Discuss: Where are you confident God has called you to lead?

Godly leaders are defended in their calling, and are confident in their calling.

Finally, we can observe that

Godly Leaders Are Equipped for their Calling (12-18)

Leadership can get lost when those in leadership positions start commending themselves. I see this happen especially in politics - folks are more concerned with looking the role rather than actually fulfilling it. They are constantly patting themselves on the back and tooting their own horn while criticizing or demeaning others.

Social media has exasperated this issue. We want others to measure us according to whatever seems admirable. This is true even when it comes to pastors.

This is not healthy or helpful. Paul essentially says (12) that this is an ignorant practice.

Instead, we ought to not only be be confident in our calling, but also secure in God’s equipping and measure of our call. Let’s read v. 13-16 again. (READ)

Here is what Paul is saying. We not only know what God has called us to, we are confident that he has given us the tools and talents necessary to accomplish that which He has commanded.

Paul could point to the Corinthian church and say- God is the one who brought me to you - He led me here instead of other places. And look- you have heard and received the Gospel!!

That is evidence of God’s equipping of Paul to accomplish that mission. And so Paul could see what God did through him.

- Where God Guides, He provides! If God leads you to it, He will see you through it!

Further, Paul’s vision was to preach the Gospel beyond Corinth so that even more may hear the Good News and be transformed!

You want to know why? Because that is God’s heart; He desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance!

And since God is the one who calls and equips us, Godly leaders will have a heart for seeing the Great Commission carried out.

Friends, think back to the parable of the talents we spoke of earlier. God has equipped us- you and me - and commissioned us to be Godly leaders so that the world would know Him and experience His goodness. As we are faithful in stewarding what we have, God gives more. That’s how the Gospel is multiplied beyond our church walls.

The church is God’s plan to reach our neighbors and the nations. Some of you are being called to lead beyond where you are currently. Some of you, God has been bugging the hound out of you and you don’t know what He wants…

Could it be that God is calling you to GO- as Paul wrote in Rom. 10, “How will they hear without a preacher? How will one preach unless he is sent?”

Discuss: How has God equipped you to be a Godly Leader?

May I encourage you in these ways:

Answer God’s call.

Do not be afraid; God will fight for you. He will give you clarity and confidence in your call. He will Equip you for the road ahead.

Begin where you are.

As God has given you influence and opportunity - in your home, work, community, and church, exercise Godly leadership so that others may see Christ.

Encourage God’s leaders among you.

As you submit yourself to other Godly leaders in the church, pray for their holiness. Pray for my holiness. It is God who commends His leaders.

We stand today with amazing opportunities to see God work through this church!

How will your leadership help fulfill God’s Mission for LRBC?

[PRAY]