Number One Distinguishing Mark Of A Leader

Number One Distinguishing Mark Of A Leader

Nehemiah 2:17-18NKJB

Nehemiah 2:17-18NKJB Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Nehemiah 2:17-18TM Then I gave them my report: “Face it: we’re in a bad way here. Jerusalem is a wreck; its gates are burned up. Come—let’s build the wall of Jerusalem and not live with this disgrace any longer.” I told them how God was supporting me and how the king was backing me up.They said, “We’re with you. Let’s get started.” They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work.

The #1 distinguishing mark of a leader. Leaders understand the value of vision.

Again in vs. 17 Nehemiah said, you guys see broken down walls and charred gates, but I see new ones surrounding a sparkling city filled with much happier people.

How did he see that? A fresh vision, instilled by God.

The Bible says we walk by faith, not by sight. This means that we have a vision, not of the way things are, but of the way they ought to be.

Notice verse 17 again. Nehemiah say’s to the people, you see the distress, the ruins of Jerusalem, the gates burned down?

Did you realize there are professional evaluators? They are paid to go to a place of business, or to a church and evaluate the condition of buildings, properties, customer service, ushers, greeters, music, and even a pastor’s sermon. After the evaluation is finished correction is spelled out with a plan and goals are set up to fix what’s broken.

Romans 4:17KJB even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

What if we all became a be not follower? a be not discouraged, a be not depressed, and a be not hopeless!

Here’s a test for you to take: Look around you and see how things are. Now close your eyes and see what it's supposed to look like in here. Then leave this place and do the same exercise everywhere you go. Ahh, this is what my workplace is supposed to be like, this is what my home is supposed to feel like, this is how my off hours are supposed to be spent.

Again Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:

God’s people need an Open Revelation. People perish if there is no open revelation. Aren't you glad you have the full, open revelation of God open in your lap? All 66 books are open revelation.

Joke: I asked Bro. Delbert if he ever dreams and he said, “Yeah, just last night I dreamed I was at the circus, it was great.” Then he asked me if I had a dream. “I said yeah, I was at the World Series, with 2 tickets right behind home plate, and the Atlanta Braves were in it!” He said, “Wow, and you didn't call me? I can't believe you had those seats and didn't call me.” I said, “I tried, but they said you were at the circus!”

Not only do we need an open revelation, We need to understand the value of a vision, and then we need a mental picture.

If we don't have vision, we will perish. What does perish mean? It doesn't mean to die or perish in hell, that's a different Hebrew word.

This is the Hebrew para, perish it has 3 meanings:

To become naked.

Zero or barren.

To go backwards.

So, putting Prov. 29:18 all together now we see that if you have no mental picture, you will go backwards, and amount to nothing!

We must have goals, visions, dreams!

And so God raises up leaders with vision! Show me a church that’s going backward, and I'll show you leaders with no vision.

It all starts between the ears. We need the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5NKJB Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Romans 12:2NKJB And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Right behavior is preceded by right thinking. Wrong behavior doesn't just happen, it is always preceded by wrong thinking.

“We are not just going to stumble into success. Luck has nothing to do with it. Success happens when you walk in right behavior and right thinking.” P.H.