The Marks of a Godly Leader

Intro:

Daniel 1:17–21 NKJV

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

I have quite a few books in my office. In fact, I added a new bookshelf this week. I counted how many books are on Leadership, at least twenty-seven. I have read many of them in full and portions out of all of them.

There is not shortage of leadership books. Each book has an opinion from the author on what it takes to become a qualified leader.

Reading the book are helpful and insightful. But there are also important people in scripture that revealed what it means to be a Godly leaders.

Tonight I want to look at the Prophet Daniel.

The passage I read discusses the beginning of Daniel’s life in Babylonian captivity. Before we look at specifics, let’s see where God’s people were.

Because of their habitual cycle of sin, God moved them into exile at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar. He was ruthless and first took the youngest and strongest men, teenagers.

Daniel was one of those teenagers. He planned to indoctrinate them in Babylonian ways. First he made them eunuchs. Second, the gave them the delicacies of Babylon, causing them to forsake their God.

Many of the young Jewish men figured they lost their homes and their ability to have children, they might as well forsake their God. But Daniel refused and shows the marks of Godly Leaders.

Two marks—Character and Integrity.

character is one's moral and ethical code, and integrity means that one lives according to that code

1. Character

Daniel showed honesty and uprightness in his dealings. He believed the strong moral code God revealed to His people. Therefore, he refused to indulge in the delicacies of Babylon.

The Babylonian leaders tried to force Daniel and three of his friends. So they devised a plan, let us eat our way for ten days and you can enjoy the Babylonian treats, in ten days we will see who is stronger.

Sure enough, ten days later, their moral code, their character worked and God helped them.

Daniel 1:17 NLT

17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

Because of Daniel’s willingness to hold onto Godly character, God blessed him with supernatural favor and leadership skills.

2. Integrity

Daniel began his life in Babylon as a man of character. His reputation preceded him. Many of the other young Hebrews bent their character and lacked integrity.

But not Daniel

Daniel 1:20–21 NLT

20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. 21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.

Daniel began to have a reputation as a man of integrity.

Daniel 2—interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

Daniel 3—his friend would not bow down to golden statue and God rescued them from fire

Who we run around with also tells others if we have integrity

Daniel 5—Belshazzar’s feast, he had integrity of telling what needed to hear not what the king wanted to hear

Daniel 6—Daniel in Lion’s den

Daniel 9—fasted and prayed for God’s people

Daniel 10— enemy knew of Daniel’s integrity and attempted to keep the answer from him.

He served three kings in two empires. Outlasting rivals and critics, because he was a Godly leader.

Close:

Pastor Ed Shirrell told me once, Character and Integrity are like a double barrel shotgun, you need both to fire.

Some people know good character, but they do not live out their moral code.

Others have seemingly good integrity, but when we get to know them, we realize their character is flawed.

As leaders, we have to have both character and integrity. How is this attained? Accountability.

We are accountable to God. There are no lone rangers. When people feel they are accountable to NO ONE, including God, their down fall is inevitable.

We are accountable to each other. As leaders in this deacon ministry we are here to help each other, pray for each other, work with each other, encourage each other, and be there for each other.

I try to live this way with the deacon’s God has given me.

keep you informed

let you know when if i have to be gone

pray for you at least once a week

try to encourage when i can

It is a blessing when you all do this for me

keep me informed

knowing if you are not here

pray for me

encourage me

COVID, the deacons were a great blessing

terry with service, Clyde and Mike on vacation

Bekah new job, encouraged us

We work together, not against each other, but all of us on the same side, desiring the same outcome.

We are accountable to our church

As the pastor, I would be a poor example if I taught strong moral character, but did not live it out, I would have not integrity.

The same goes for our deacons. We are all at this table because God saw fit and the church agreed, they have character and we know it because they have a reputation of integrity.

I have shared this before, but as leaders, we go out in front of our people:

God leads the way

I walk close behind Him

I can look behind me and see the deacons helping

and the church follows.

Our prayer life/lack of prayer life will take effect

Our commitment to God’s house/lack of commitment will take effect

Our leadership in our families, leading our spouses, your children, and one day my children/lack of will take effect

The marks of a Godly leader are character and integrity, and those are fostered through accountability.

Spiritual, relational, financial, marital, and emotional accountability.

Let’s pray God help us become stronger leaders, as we focus on our character and integrity!

When we have both, we can do great damage to the enemy as we gain ground for the Kingdom of God.