Leadership 101 (3)

Lesson 5 — The Character of Leadership: Becoming a Vessel God Can Use

Central Point

Before God works through a leader, He first works in the leader. True leadership is not built on talent, charisma, or gifting — it is built on Christlike character formed in the secret place.

The anointing may open doors, but character keeps them open. The Spirit may empower you, but your integrity sustains that power.

Your public influence will only go as far as your private intimacy with God allows. Before God gives a platform, He creates a person.

“But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” — Daniel 11:32b (NKJV) “He who walks with integrity walks securely.” — Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV)

Scripture Foundation

Exodus 33:7–11 (NLT)

“It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp… As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses… Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”

I. Leadership Is Formed in the Presence of God

Moses didn’t become a great leader in Pharaoh’s palace or by managing crowds — he became one in the Tent of Meeting, face-to-face with God. Before he ever stood before Pharaoh, he learned to stand before the Lord.

He didn’t gain direction through strategies but through seeking. He didn’t gain strength from crowds but from communion.

It says, “The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Friendship with God is the foundation of effective leadership.

“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” — Romans 8:14 (NIV) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 (NKJV)

Every great leader in Scripture had a secret place where they met God.

Abraham had his altar.

Daniel had his upper room.

David had his pasture.

Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16).

The secret place is where leaders are shaped, refined, and equipped for public ministry. As Leonard Ravenhill wrote:

“No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing. The people who are not praying are straying.”

II. God Uses Vessels of Character, Not Just Ability

“If anyone keeps himself pure, he will be a special utensil for honorable use. His life will be clean, and he will be ready for the Master to use him for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)

Before God gives a leader influence, He tests their integrity. Before He gives authority, He checks humility. Before He releases power, He proves purity.

God is not impressed by gifting; He is moved by obedience. Saul had position and ability — but lost the anointing because he disobeyed. David, though flawed, had a heart after God and was quick to repent.

The difference was character.

A.W. Tozer once said:

“Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply.” Character is shaped in the furnace of humility, testing, and surrender.

Jesus taught,

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 (ESV)

Purity isn’t perfection — it’s sincerity of heart before God. The Lord doesn’t use perfect people; He uses those who are perfectly yielded.

III. Zeal for God: Passion Born from Love

Zeal that is not rooted in love becomes reckless. Love that lacks zeal becomes lifeless. But zeal born of love becomes holy passion — the kind that moves heaven and shakes hell.

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” — Matthew 22:37 (NLT) “The zeal of Your house has consumed me.” — Psalm 69:9 (NKJV)

True zeal comes from intimacy — from walking so closely with God that His heartbeat becomes your own. Paul wrote,

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23 (CSB)

When leaders love the Lord deeply, they serve Him passionately. This passion ignites others to follow. It’s not hype; it’s holy fire.

Charles Spurgeon once said:

“If you want others to weep over their sins, you must first weep over your own. If you would have them rejoice in Christ, you must yourself be full of joy in the Lord.”

Passion is contagious — but it must come from purity and presence.

IV. The Character of Christ: Servant Leadership

Mark 10:45 (NLT)

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus redefined leadership forever. He didn’t build a throne — He carried a towel. He didn’t seek honor — He gave His life.

Christ’s leadership was defined by humility, sacrifice, and service. When He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:3–5), He showed that the highest title in the Kingdom is servant.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26 (NIV)

Leaders who carry Christ’s heart don’t use people to build ministries — they build people to advance God’s mission.

Oswald Sanders wrote:

“True leadership is achieved not by reducing men to servility, but by giving them liberty. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Every leader must ask:

Am I leading to serve or to be seen?

Do I use my position to lift others or to lift myself?

Does my leadership reflect Jesus or the world?

V. The Fire That Must Never Go Out

Leviticus 6:12–13 (NIV)

“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out… The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

The fire on the altar represents the continual devotion of the leader’s heart. It was the priest’s job to add wood daily and remove ashes.

In the same way, leaders must tend to their inner fire:

Add the wood of prayer — daily communion keeps the flame alive.

Add the wood of worship — it keeps your heart soft and sensitive.

Add the wood of the Word — it fuels discernment and wisdom.

Remove the ashes of offense, burnout, and pride — they suffocate the flame.

As Smith Wigglesworth said:

“If you are in the same place today spiritually as you were yesterday, you are a backslider.”

The fire of yesterday’s encounter cannot sustain today’s calling. We need fresh oil and fresh fire continually.

VI. Historical Insight: Leaders Formed by Fire and Presence

Every generation has seen leaders who became vessels of revival because of their personal walk with God.

John Wesley rose before dawn daily to pray for hours. His motto: “God does nothing except in answer to prayer.”

Evan Roberts, leader of the Welsh Revival, was known for saying, “Bend the church and save the world.” His passion was born from brokenness before God.

Catherine Booth declared, “If we are to better the future, we must disturb the present.”

Leonard Ravenhill warned, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.”

All of them had one thing in common — they were people of presence, purity, and passion.

Application: Cultivating a Heart God Can Use

Protect your private tent. Set aside daily time with God. Don’t allow ministry to replace intimacy.

“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” — Psalm 16:11

Guard your character. Stay teachable, accountable, and humble. Integrity is greater than influence.

“The integrity of the upright guides them.” — Proverbs 11:3

Stir your zeal. Keep your love for God alive through worship, prayer, and obedience.

“Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.” — 2 Timothy 1:6

Serve like Christ. Look for opportunities to lift others. Lead with a towel, not a title.

Tend the fire daily. Keep your altar burning. Never get too busy to meet with God.

Leadership Lesson

When the heart burns for God, the hands can build for God. When character reflects Christ, leadership becomes an extension of His love. And when zeal is fueled by intimacy, service becomes an act of worship.

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” — 2 Chronicles 16:9

D.L. Moody once said:

“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.”

Let that be the cry of every leader — to become a vessel God can trust, not just a voice God can use.

Reflection for Leaders

Am I protecting my secret place with God?

Is my passion for the Lord increasing or growing cold?

Do I lead to serve, or serve to lead?

What ashes need to be removed from my heart to keep the fire burning?

Could God say of me what He said of David: “I have found a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22)?

“Private encounters produce public effectiveness.” The leader God uses is first the lover God refines.