(If you have found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info)
The most important part of a minister’s duty, is to insist on the great, fundamental truths of Christianity….
But to be an effective Christian leader, one must also seek and come to possess the following qualities:
1. Humility. This is the guard of every other grace. As someone beautifully observes, other graces, without humility, are like a fine powder in the wind without a cover. Let a man or woman be ever so zealous, ever so laborious, yet if lack humility, such a one will be only like Penelope with her web in the ancient fable, undoing at one time what he does at another. There is something interwoven with human nature, which immediately recoils at the very appearance of pride. But the effective Christian leader is clothed with humility. When no other grace shines forth, still we discern this beautiful vail. We give such a one credit for everything. And when, in spite of all his caution, some hidden gem peeps out, it sparkles with redoubled luster. But, above all, he is a vessel fit for his Master’s use. His eye is single, he or she moves directly on; his only desire is to glorify God and benefit humankind, indeed, the effective Christian leader lives for no other end. The effective Christian leader has a desire to depart and be with Christ, and at the same time, a fervent desire to be a blessing to his fellow-creatures. Such a one is “crucified to the world, and the world to him” (Galatians 6:14). The effective Christian leader’s soul, disentangled from every selfish view, and emptied of every selfish desire, is a fit receptacle of all the divine gifts which God is willing to bestow. The effective Christian leader continually lies at the feet of his Lord, and the language of his heart is, “Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thy Name, O Heavenly Father, be all the praise!” (Psalm 115:1). There is no impediment in such a one’s soul to the divine operations. He is as the clay in the hand of the Potter, as the pen in the hand of the ready Writer. His humble spirit simply enquires into the Will of its God, and when that is discovered, confers no longer with flesh and blood, but fulfills it with the most entire resignation and great delight.
2. Meekness. This is a passive grace. It is the sacred ballast of the soul—that evenness, that divine serenity of spirit which “is not provoked” (1 Corinthians 13:5), which nothing can move to wrath—that moderation spoken of by St. Paul, which harmonizes all the passions, and holds every power of the heart in sweet subjection—it ties them all to the horns of the altar. In this the effective Christian leader eminently shines. Amidst all the contradictions of sinners, and the provoking of slanderous criticisms, he still retains his gracious temper, and discovers no emotion but that of pity and compassion—all is softness, all is Love. This is the “quiet Spirit”, whose price is great in the light of God (1 Peter 3:3-4). It is the Spirit of the Lamb, whose voice was not heard in the streets; who was oppressed and afflicted, and was brought as a lamb to the slaughter. Still, as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7). O how contrary to the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus, is the turbulence and violence of many who call themselves the ministers of Christ. “But the sheep will flee from such, for they know not their voice” (John 10:5).
3. Gentleness. This is an active grace, which is revealed in social interaction and behavior. It is Christian courtesy. This also the effective Christian leader possesses in a high degree. “Grace is poured into his lips” (Psalm 45:2), for “out of the fullness of his Lord he receives grace for grace” (John 1:16). Nothing that is grating drops from his mouth: his reproofs are dipped in oil, subtle, gradually converting, and the hearer is not provoked to angry response. The effective Christian leader’s words “drop like the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath” (Deuteronomy 32:1-2). His looks, and every gesture, and every feature, beam forth Love. This is a key by which hearts are opened. What an amazing field of action does this attractive and influential disposition, accompanied by the blessing of God, gradually open to his zealous soul! The effective Christian leader makes religion appear amiable even in the judgment of the world itself. And, except when employed in the more sever duties of the Christian leader’s responsibilities, the effective Christian leader knows nothing of the pain of giving pain.
4. Patience. This is the Grace that “endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7)—that flows out in sufferings and trials, and bears up the soul under every difficulty! The more patience is exercised, the stronger it grows. Let us view the effective Christian leader in this respect. Observe the steady pace with which he moves!—equally unshaken by the smiles or frowns of men, he gently moves along, like a mighty river, that bears down all before it, and yet waters every fertile meadow on its sides. His soul “looks to Jesus, who endured the cross, regarding the shame to be negligible” (Hebrews 12:2). The effective Christian leader earnestly endeavors to trace the Lord’s example, the world to disdain, and constantly trample on pleasure and pain. He smiles at persecution, and thanks the Creator for the opportunity of displaying an example to the world of the religion he proclaims. Thus does he continue until the work which God has given him to do is finished. And when the organs of his body have been weakened and enervated by the diseases which sooner or later assault the mortal frame, he still puts forth his/her little strength for the glorious cause in which he has been so long engaged, until having “fought the good fight, and finished his course”, (2 Timothy 4:7), he drops asleep in the arms of God.
5. Fortitude. The effective Christian leader’s soul is far above the fear of temporal dangers. He possesses the cardinal virtue of fortitude in all its strength and vigor. He “adds courage to faith” (2 Peter 1:5). And though it is so divinely tempered by all the softer passions, as to be hid to all but the discerning eye when not drawn out to action; yet there it ever resides in the effective Christian leader’s soul, as strong as a steel pylon. But when the Church, which he protects in his anxious heart, is in danger, he always steps out to the forefront. He stands in the front of the battle, endeavoring to draw the fire of the enemy. Like a faithful Shepherd, he steps between the wolf and the sheep, and is perfectly willing to lay down his life for their sake. If you touch the Church of god, you touch the apple of his eye. And though he is not entirely ignorant of the value of his life and labors, yet when the cause of Zion calls him forth, the effective Christian leader, “mocks fear, and is not frightened, nor does he/she turn back from the sword” (Job 39:22). Such a leader beholds his once-suffering but now exalted Savior. He looks up to the noble army of martyrs, “the cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), and follows their glorious path.
6. Impartiality. This is the rarest of all the virtues, and yet one of the most important for a leader within the Church. There is nothing more intolerable than partiality in the one who leads; and it always springs in part from a meanness and baseness of mind. Partiality meets with such immediate and effective resistance, that all the reins of disciple are dropped, and the vineyard of the Lord thrown open to every beast of prey. But the effective Christin leader is “without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). He doesn’t seek the praise of others, but serves first and foremost the Lord. He receives constant and effective support from the upright and the good. And when the welfare of the Church demands the separation of a rotten apple, however rich, however honorable, however powerful, the effective Christian leader clothes himself with the dignity of his responsibilities, and executes the will of God.
7. Zeal. In this the effective Christian leader is eminent; for though it is softened and corrected by the other graces, yet it wraps up his heart in the interests of the Kingdom of God, and “the zeal of the Lord’s House impassions him” (John2:14-17). He pants for the conversion of the whole world, and cries out, “How long, O Lord?” (Revelation 6:10). How far does his spirit rise above the honors, the riches and the pleasures of the world! Such things are left far behind. The effective Christian leader’s whole attention is swallowed up by greater things than these. While the men of the world are variously employed in the pursuit of earthly objects, he endeavors, in the Spirit of his Lord, to extract honey out of every flower, good out of every evil. He watches the opportunity, runs through every open door, and “spends, and is spent” (2 Corinthians 12:15), for the good of humankind.
8. Wisdom. This reigns entirely over the effective Christian leader’s soul. He is prepared for wisdom by the God of Nature, and endued with it by the God of Grace. The effective Christian leader is born to lead. He is “as wise as a serpent” (Matthew 10:16). The effective Christian leader knows with clear precision, when to speak, and when to be silent; when to move, and when to be still, when to parry, and when to thrust. He has a quick discernment of worth of others, but is not quick to attack others. His choice of laborers proceeds from excellent judgment, and from the clearest evidence that can be obtained. He feels all the strength of his resources, as if they were wholly centered in himself, and knows how and when to draw them forth. He is acquainted with the various views, the knowledge, that situation, the circumstances, and the wishes of the people; the various gifts, graces, and abilities of others under his care. The effective church leader brings out all his force against the common enemy, he spreads out all his sails to every favorable wind; he keeps in motion every wheel of the machine, and uses to the uttermost every person, and does everything within his power for the glory of God and the prosperity of his congregation, (company or other organization).
9. Communion with God and Confidence in Him. These support the effective Christian leader under all trials. His soul cleaves to God; and he strengthens all of his endeavors with fervent prayers. He bears upon the altar of his heart the interests of the Church of Christ, and sends prayers up to the Throne of Grace with all the sacred fervor of devotion. He spreads out all his hopes and all his requests before God, and “makes all his requests known unto him” (Philippians 4:6); and then returns to his labors with cheerfulness and vigor. He “walks with God” (1 John 2:6), and moves with full confidence and divine assurance of success, so far as the means he uses are connected to the great purpose of everything he does; i.e. the Glory of God and the good of humankind.
10. Though the effective Christian leader lies at the feet of all the lovers of Jesus, yet he never debases himself. He knows his station, and “magnifies his office” (Romans 11:13). The enemies of God may fear and hate him, but they cannot despise him. No lightness of spirit is observable in him; all is dignity as well as love. The company of the greatest upon earth affects him not. He lives in the preference of his Master, and says nothing but what is becoming the audience-chamber of the King of Kings.
O what a blessing to the world is the man or woman who answers this description—a polished shaft in the quiver of God, “a burning and shining light!” (John 5:35). Rivers of living water flow out of him for the benefit of all amongst whom he wanders. When he visits a people, he comes “in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel, and his Master’s feet are heard behind him” (Romans 15:29). He husbands every golden moment, picks up every fragment of time, and devotes his little all to the service of the Lord. He looks with the deepest contempt on filthy lucre, and is perfectly satisfied with the “Riches of Christ” (Philippians 4:19; Mark 4:19; Titus 1:11 KJV).
You may now easily perceive the dreadful effects of raising immoral or unconverted men and women to the government of the Church. The harmful influence of their example is so extensive, that all the skill and cruelty of devils can hardly fabricate a greater curse than an irreligious Christian leader.
But, “O thou Man of God, follow after righteousness, Godliness faith, love, patience and meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Be an example to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, purity. Keep that which is committed to your trust. Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God. Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. “Do the work of an evangelist, and prove your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). And God will open to you a wide door which all your enemies shall not be able to shut. The effective Christian leader will carry the Gospel from sea to sea, perhaps from one end of the continent to the other. Just feel your importance, and feel the danger, and do not let pride defeat you; but keep yourself in all humility, and chastity, and holy Love, and you shall be a vessel of gold in the sanctuary of God, you will bring millions to righteousness and “will shine in Glory as a star of the first magnitude forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).
O thou who art the Holy One and the True, consecrate this thy servant with the fire of Divine Love, separate him for the most glorious purposes, make him a star in thine own right hand (Revelation 1:16), and fulfill in him and by him all the good pleasure of thy goodness.
(If you found this sermon to be helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org)
