Leadership 101 (2)
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Leading By the Spirit not by Strength
Leading By the Spirit not by Strength
Central Point- True spiritual leadership is not about human ability, charisma, or skill — it’s about dependency on the Holy Spirit. Every ministry rises or falls on whether its leaders are Spirit-led or self-led.
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
1. The Foundation of Leadership: God’s Presence Over Performance
1. The Foundation of Leadership: God’s Presence Over Performance
The Most important part of Biblical Leadership is the Holy Spirit- God presence
The Anointing - is make makes or breaks Spiritual Leadership
Saul has the Spirit come upon Him for Leadership
And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.
Saul had been moved and anointed by the Spirit
it was the Spirit upon Saul that made Him capable to Lead
Yet What He began by the Spirit he tried to accomplish later by His own efforts
How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
Saul represents leaders who begin with divine empowerment but drift into self-reliance — depending on systems, personalities, and performance rather than on the presence of God. When we stop listening to the Spirit, we start losing the anointing.
Eventually, the Lord told Samuel, “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Sam. 16:14). Saul continued to hold the position, but he no longer carried the presence. He had title without touch. That’s one of the most dangerous places a leader can be.
David is a dichotomy to Saul-
So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
We know nothing of David until this moment- He isn’t even mentioned
But Everything He does after this moment it done as a man anointing- and that is why He is able to accomplish everything that He Does
Until this moment, we know almost nothing about David. He’s invisible — a forgotten shepherd in the field.
But once the anointing comes, everything changes. From this point on, every victory, every song, every battle, every act of wisdom flows from the Spirit of the Lord upon him.
David’s secret was not his sling, his skill, or his strategy — it was his surrender to the Spirit.
That’s why he could say:
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
David understood something extremely important: He understood that the anointing was not optional. It was essential.
HEAR ME- we know very little of Jesus’ life before He is baptized and the Holy Spirit descends on Him- But after that moment we see Him do great and mighty things
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Desire the Presence of God
And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.
Principle: Moses refused to lead without God’s presence. Likewise, our first priority as leaders is not what we do, but who we walk with.
Question for leaders: Are we more focused on results or on relationship?
Application: Before every service, meeting, or outreach — pause and invite the Holy Spirit. Don’t rush into ministry without His direction.
2. The Power of Leadership: The Anointing Over Ability
2. The Power of Leadership: The Anointing Over Ability
1 Samuel 16:13
So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
Principle: David wasn’t chosen because he was qualified; he was qualified because he was chosen — and anointed.
“If God’s anointing leaves a leader, their ministry becomes maintenance.”
That’s what happened to Saul. He continued to wear the crown but no longer carried the oil.
He had position without power.
The anointing is not just a spiritual “feeling” — it is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to fulfill a divine assignment. Without it, even the best structure becomes lifeless; with it, even the smallest effort bears eternal fruit.
It is the anointing that breaks the yoke (Isaiah 10:27).
It is the anointing that turns ordinary leadership into supernatural impact.
It is the anointing of the Lord that makes any ministry succeed- the anointing can grow
The Anointing Can Grow
The Anointing Can Grow
David’s anointing didn’t stop at one moment of oil — it grew as he continued to walk with God.
He went from:
Private anointing in Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:13) → Serving under Saul
Public anointing over Judah (2 Sam. 2:4) → Eventually king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:3)
The anointing matures as the leader matures.
Your current measure of anointing may not carry you into the next level of calling — that’s why spiritual growth is essential.
How to Grow in the Anointing
How to Grow in the Anointing
We have the responsibility to steward and strengthen the anointing through spiritual disciplines:
The Word — The Word renews your mind and keeps you sensitive to the Spirit.
“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” — John 6:63
Prayer — Prayer keeps your spiritual vessel filled and aligned with God’s heart.
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions.” — Ephesians 6:18
Worship — Worship keeps the oil fresh and your heart tender before God.
David’s anointing was often renewed as he worshiped in secret.
Gathered Services — The anointing flows corporately when believers come together.
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity… it is like precious oil poured on the head.” — Psalm 133:1–2
Each of these areas becomes a channel of oil, keeping you filled and flowing with fresh grace for your calling.
Application
Application
Stay freshly anointed.
The oil that worked last season won’t sustain this one.
Leaders must continually seek personal renewal in the presence of God.
You cannot pour out what you do not have. If you keep giving without refilling, you’ll end up ministering from emptiness instead of overflow.
Scripture Reflection
Scripture Reflection
Psalm 23:5 (ESV)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.”
David’s secret to enduring battles and opposition was that his cup overflowed.
He didn’t lead from burnout — he led from abundance.
A dry cup can’t refresh anyone.
But a heart continually anointed by the Spirit will overflow with life, wisdom, and strength for others.
Leadership Lesson
Leadership Lesson
The difference between a talented leader and an anointed leader is the presence of oil.
Talent may open doors; the anointing keeps them open.
Skill can impress a crowd; the anointing can change a generation.
Ability can grow a ministry; the anointing can birth revival.
We must choose: do we want to be capable or carried — carried by the Holy Spirit?
Reflection & Challenge
Reflection & Challenge
Am I relying more on my gifts or God’s grace?
When was the last time I experienced a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit?
What disciplines am I neglecting that help keep my oil fresh?
“Serving from an empty cup does no good.”
As Leaders we must first be filled before they can pour.
Make room this week to be renewed in His presence — not to prepare a message, but to receive the oil again.
3. The Test of Leadership: Character Over Comfort
3. The Test of Leadership: Character Over Comfort
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2–4;
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Principle: God is more concerned with who you are when no one’s looking than how you perform when everyone’s watching.
This is the essence of Character and it separates out true people of Character from the Hypocrites
Example: Joseph’s leadership test came not in the palace, but in the prison.
When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.
Application: Testing and temptation wiil come and God uses seasons of testing to build integrity that can carry His glory.
God doesn’t let anything go to waste in your life- He uses the testing to build your integrity.
Trails are never wasted with the Lord
4. The Vision of Leadership: Building People, Not Platforms
4. The Vision of Leadership: Building People, Not Platforms
entral Point
entral Point
The true vision of biblical leadership is not to build our own name, brand, or platform — it is to build people.
Leadership that mirrors Christ is not about how many follow you, but how many you empower to follow Him.
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
A leader’s success is not measured by popularity or visibility, but by spiritual reproduction — raising others who walk with God, serve faithfully, and carry the vision forward.
Ephesians 4:11–12
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
The Purpose of the fivefold ministry is to Equip and not exalt
the anointing on the leader’s life is not given to make them the center of attention, but to make the Church stronger.
Apostles pioneer, prophets clarify, evangelists mobilize, pastors nurture, and teachers ground the people — all so that the saints can do the work of ministry.
Principle
Principle
The goal of leadership is not to get people to follow us,
but to empower them to follow Jesus.
True leaders don’t gather followers — they make disciples.
The Apostle Paul understood this deeply when he said:
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)
“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
Paul wasn’t calling people to idolize him; he was inviting them to follow his example as he followed the Lord. His leadership wasn’t self-centered — it was Christ-centered.
In other words, “Follow me — but only as long as I’m following Him.”
That’s the mark of humility and maturity in a spiritual leader.
The Goal is to great people to follow Jesus- 1 Cor 11:1
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
Biblical Insight
Biblical Insight
Even Jesus’ model of leadership was focused on people, not position.
He didn’t build a throne; He built twelve disciples.
He invested in people who would carry His mission after He ascended.
When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13), He showed that leadership is not about hierarchy but humility. His vision was reproduction — multiplying Himself in others by example, word, and Spirit.
Likewise, leaders today are called to raise up others, not to make themselves irreplaceable.
If our ministry dies when we stop leading, we weren’t leading biblically — we were hoarding influence instead of handing it off.
The Vision of the Kingdom
The Vision of the Kingdom
In the world’s system, leadership is about building an empire.
In God’s Kingdom, leadership is about building people — developing character, gifting, and calling in others.
A platform can draw attention for a moment, but people carry the Kingdom into generations.
Jesus never said, “Go build a ministry.” He said,
“Go and make disciples.” — Matthew 28:19
He wasn’t after fans or followers — He was after transformation.
Application
Application
Ask yourself:
Who are you intentionally developing right now?
Every leader should be raising another.
Leadership without reproduction is short-lived.
God’s design is always multiplication. Paul trained Timothy. Elijah trained Elisha. Moses mentored Joshua. Jesus raised up the Twelve.
This pattern runs throughout Scripture — no one is called to carry the torch alone.
Practical ways to build people:
Look for someone to pour into. Ask the Lord to highlight a person in your circle who is hungry to grow.
Be intentional. Don’t just “hang out” — train, pray, correct, and encourage.
Model what you teach. Your example is your greatest influence.
Empower, don’t control. Let them learn, lead, and make mistakes under your covering.
If you’re a parent, start at home.
Your first disciples are your children. But make it purposeful — teach them the Word, pray with them, and lead them in serving others.
When you invest in people, you’re investing in eternity.
Buildings may crumble, programs may change, but the lives you build will continue to bear fruit long after you’re gone.
Reflection for Leaders
Reflection for Leaders
Who am I equipping and empowering right now?
Am I more concerned with growing my ministry or growing people?
If I stepped away today, would others be able to continue the work without me?
“Legacy is not what you leave behind, but who you leave behind.”
Let the vision of your leadership always point people upward — not to your platform, but to His presence.
