Becoming a Great Leader, Part I

8/6/2019 Becoming a Great Leader, Part I

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Becoming a great leader inBecoming a great leader in

Gods eyesGods eyesPart IPart I

Key Texts:Key Texts:II Kings 4:8II Kings 4:8--37; II Chron. 20:2037; II Chron. 20:20

This teaching is intended to help leadersThis teaching is intended to help leadersunderstand how to tap into Godsunderstand how to tap into Gods

blessings and anointing in order to becomeblessings and anointing in order to become

the leaders God has destined them to be.the leaders God has destined them to be.


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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

When Im dead and gone, would it have madeWhen Im dead and gone, would it have madeany difference that Ive lived on this earth?any difference that Ive lived on this earth?What would be my legacy?What would be my legacy?

The greatest honor a Pastor can receive is toThe greatest honor a Pastor can receive is to

be called a Man of God by God himself. Itbe called a Man of God by God himself. Itsignifiesgreatness, power, obediencesignifiesgreatness, power, obedience

Similarly the greatest honor you can receive isSimilarly the greatest honor you can receive is

to be called great by God (vs. 8).to be called great by God (vs. 8).

Here is an unHere is an un--named woman who was callednamed woman who was calledgreat! Who was she and what did she do?great! Who was she and what did she do?


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First, what she wasnt!First, what she wasnt!-- Not from royal blood, great rank, wealth, orNot from royal blood, great rank, wealth, or

high social status.high social status.-- Not endowed with great knowledge, or skill.Not endowed with great knowledge, or skill.-- Not strikingly beautiful like Sarah, Esther or,Not strikingly beautiful like Sarah, Esther or,Bathsheba.Bathsheba.

-- Didnt save her people as did Esther, nor leadDidnt save her people as did Esther, nor leadher people to God, like the Samaritan women.her people to God, like the Samaritan women.-- She wasnt a great leader or judge, likeShe wasnt a great leader or judge, like

Deborah & she didnt even have a child whoDeborah & she didnt even have a child whobecame great, like Hannah, or Jochebed.became great, like Hannah, or Jochebed.

So why was she called great? Lets study soSo why was she called great? Lets study so

that we can imitate her life and become great!that we can imitate her life and become great!


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Examination of the StoryExamination of the StoryLets begin at verse 8Lets begin at verse 8

After succeeding Elijah, Elisha is travelingAfter succeeding Elijah, Elisha is travelingthrough a little town called Shunem. This wasthrough a little town called Shunem. This washis job, he was a traveling preacher, goinghis job, he was a traveling preacher, going

from townfrom town--toto--town, proclaiming Gods word.town, proclaiming Gods word.

He could be considered a pastor, missionary,He could be considered a pastor, missionary,evangelist, prophet, or even an apostle.evangelist, prophet, or even an apostle.

This womens attitude toward the PreacherThis womens attitude toward the Preachermade God to refer to her as being great.made God to refer to her as being great.

Question: What did she do?Question: What did she do?


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Point #1 to GreatnessPoint #1 to Greatness -- Her Spirit ofHer Spirit of

Sensitivity (vs. 9Sensitivity (vs. 9--10)10)

This woman was sensitive to the need of theThis woman was sensitive to the need of theman of God/the church/preaching the Word.man of God/the church/preaching the Word.

Men of God have needs. Mt. 27:55Men of God have needs. Mt. 27:55 ManyMany

women were there watching from a distance.women were there watching from a distance.They had followed Jesus from Galilee and hadThey had followed Jesus from Galilee and hadalways supported (ministered unto, waited on)always supported (ministered unto, waited on)himhim

We need prayers, encouragement, comfort, fairWe need prayers, encouragement, comfort, fairtreatment, insurance, good cars to drive, gifts,treatment, insurance, good cars to drive, gifts,money, etc.money, etc.

Are you sensitive to pastors needs?Are you sensitive to pastors needs?


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Your sensitivity to the needs of the Man of GodYour sensitivity to the needs of the Man of Godwill cause God to open doors and bless you.will cause God to open doors and bless you.

Matthew 10:41 Anyone who receivesMatthew 10:41 Anyone who receives

(honors) a prophet because he is prophet will(honors) a prophet because he is prophet willreceive a prophets rewardreceive a prophets reward

Honor: to put value to something; precious;Honor: to put value to something; precious;weighty; to respect.weighty; to respect.

Here are a few things that this womansHere are a few things that this womans

sensitivity led her to know:sensitivity led her to know:


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1)1) I dont have to be a prophet to receive aI dont have to be a prophet to receive aprophets reward; all I have to do isprophets reward; all I have to do isreceive (honor) him.receive (honor) him.

2)2) We are to outdo one another in showingWe are to outdo one another in showinghonor.honor.

3)3) Honor is something youre given and notHonor is something youre given and not

take (Matt. 23:6).take (Matt. 23:6).

4)4) When I honor a pastor or a prophet, GodWhen I honor a pastor or a prophet, Godtakes note and makes a promise to me.takes note and makes a promise to me.


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Service (vs. 9Service (vs. 9--10)10)

Service is the 2nd reason for her greatness!Service is the 2nd reason for her greatness!A service that was probably not noted byA service that was probably not noted byothers, but God did!others, but God did!

It wasnt some great, newsworthy deedIt wasnt some great, newsworthy deed(saving a life or something) but to God, it(saving a life or something) but to God, itwas!was!

The text doesnt give us her name, but takesThe text doesnt give us her name, but takestime to identify the specific items of furnituretime to identify the specific items of furniture

in the room (list in vs. 10)in the room (list in vs. 10)


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Service (vs. 9Service (vs. 9--10)10)

A teaching elder, pastor is worthy of doubleA teaching elder, pastor is worthy of doublehonor (service, respect, wages); I Tim. 5:17honor (service, respect, wages); I Tim. 5:17--18.18.

Let me ask you these questions:Let me ask you these questions:

How do you serve those you value?How do you serve those you value?

How do you honor those in authority?How do you honor those in authority?

How do you pay for services rendered toHow do you pay for services rendered toyou by professional?you by professional?

How are you serving your pastor(s)?How are you serving your pastor(s)?


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Point #3 to GreatnessPoint #3 to Greatness -- Her SpiritHer Spirit

of Sacrifice (vs. 9of Sacrifice (vs. 9--10)10)

Please note the following:Please note the following:

She took the initiative & not the Board!She took the initiative & not the Board!

She went to her husband & he agreed!She went to her husband & he agreed!

They prepared and furnished the room!They prepared and furnished the room!

They shared their meals and resources.They shared their meals and resources.

StoolStool, Heb. Kicceh, meaning Canopied seat, Heb. Kicceh, meaning Canopied seat

or throne.or throne.

She did it not because she wantedShe did it not because she wantedsomething, but to please the Lord & to make itsomething, but to please the Lord & to make it

possible for the word of God to be preached.possible for the word of God to be preached.


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J.D. Rockefeller said:J.D. Rockefeller said: I never would haveI never would havebeen able to thithe the first million dollars Ibeen able to thithe the first million dollars Iever made if I had not tithed my first salaryever made if I had not tithed my first salary

which was $1.50 per week.which was $1.50 per week.

Martin Luther said,Martin Luther said, I have tried to keepI have tried to keep

things in my hands and lost them all, but whatthings in my hands and lost them all, but whatI have given into Gods hands, I still possessI have given into Gods hands, I still possess


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I will not in anyway try to make you think thatI will not in anyway try to make you think thathonoring a man of God is not sacrificial andhonoring a man of God is not sacrificial andcostly.costly.

Jesus sacrifice for me was costly (didntJesus sacrifice for me was costly (didnthave a home), but he did it anyway.have a home), but he did it anyway.

It was bloody, but he did it anyway.It was bloody, but he did it anyway.

It was humiliating, but he did it anyway.It was humiliating, but he did it anyway.It was deadly, but he did it anyway.It was deadly, but he did it anyway.

It was embarrassing, but he did it anyway!It was embarrassing, but he did it anyway!

Oh, that I may sacrifice to please him!Oh, that I may sacrifice to please him!


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Point #4 to GreatnessPoint #4 to Greatness -- HerHer

Satisfaction (vs. 11Satisfaction (vs. 11--13)13)

Elisha, says to this woman: Now, what can I doElisha, says to this woman: Now, what can I doto repay you? I know the king, and those into repay you? I know the king, and those inhigh authority. Say it, and it is settled.high authority. Say it, and it is settled.

By the way what would you ask for? A betterBy the way what would you ask for? A betterjob; be on the kings payroll, or a staff member;job; be on the kings payroll, or a staff member;govt., assistance, or medical card?govt., assistance, or medical card?

Look at her response (vs. 13).Look at her response (vs. 13).

-- Shes saying, I appreciate your offer, but IveShes saying, I appreciate your offer, but Ivegot a home, my basic needs are provided for, Igot a home, my basic needs are provided for, I

dont really need anything. I AM SATISFIED!dont really need anything. I AM SATISFIED!


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Point #4 to GreatnessPoint #4 to Greatness -- HerHer

Satisfaction (vs. 11Satisfaction (vs. 11--13)13)

John PiperJohn Piper God is most glorified in us whenGod is most glorified in us whenwe are most satisfied in Himwe are most satisfied in Him

Yes, I want God to bless me with the prophetsYes, I want God to bless me with the prophets

reward but,reward but,The prophet reward might not be something IThe prophet reward might not be something Ineed now.need now.

The prophet reward will come and go, butThe prophet reward will come and go, butI am satisfied because it pleases the heart ofI am satisfied because it pleases the heart ofGod when I honor the prophet / pastor. HeGod when I honor the prophet / pastor. He

represents God and will account for my soul.represents God and will account for my soul.


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I Am Satisfied because...I Am Satisfied because...

I am sowing a seed and it will reap fruits inI am sowing a seed and it will reap fruits indue season (it is natural law)!due season (it is natural law)!

I am advancing the Gospel of Christ!I am advancing the Gospel of Christ!

I am setting the example for others to knowI am setting the example for others to knowthat serving God is worthwhile!that serving God is worthwhile!

I know that God is preparing somethingI know that God is preparing somethingspecial for me!special for me!

I know that my gift will open doors!I know that my gift will open doors!

The Man of God is praying for me!The Man of God is praying for me!

God is smiling and saying:God is smiling and saying: Well doneWell done


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And So What?And So What?

1)1) I dont have to be rich, intelligent, etc., toI dont have to be rich, intelligent, etc., tobe calledbe called GREATGREAT by God. by God.

2)2) When we honor Gods prophet and HisWhen we honor Gods prophet and His

people, we are operating in his will.people, we are operating in his will.3)3) When I honor Gods servant and hisWhen I honor Gods servant and his

people, He is pleased.people, He is pleased.

4)4) When I honor Gods servant and HisWhen I honor Gods servant and Hispeople, Im honoring God.people, Im honoring God.

5)5) When I honor Gods servant and HisWhen I honor Gods servant and His

people, He calls mepeople, He calls me GreatGreat


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And So What?And So What?

The road to Greatness in Gods eyes beginsThe road to Greatness in Gods eyes beginswith:with:

Sensitivity to the needs around you.Sensitivity to the needs around you.

Serving the Man of God and the churchServing the Man of God and the churchSacrificing to meet the needs.Sacrificing to meet the needs.

Satisfaction in knowing that I am pleasingSatisfaction in knowing that I am pleasing

the Lord and he will take care of my needsthe Lord and he will take care of my needsaccording to his riches in glory by Christaccording to his riches in glory by ChristJesus.Jesus.

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Becoming a Great Leader, Part I