THE HEART OF A LEADER

As leaders, our heart (motives) are extremely vital.  We cannot just be concerned about what we do but we must consider our motivation for what we do. Let’s consider a few proper leadership motivations.

I.                   Surrendered Life.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

¹ For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ³ If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ^….

⁹ Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. …¹³ For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, they were all dead: ¹⁵ And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

1.     We should always desire something more from above. (1-5)

2.     We should love the honor that comes from God alone. (v. 9)

Labor - philotiméomai; loving or fond of honor, ambitious; to make something an ambition, aspire

Ø Romans 15:20

Ø 2 Corinthians 5:9

3. We should labor to please him. Accepted Euárestos - to please.

4. We must remember the judgment seat of Christ.

v It’s a judgment for Believers. Matthew 25:21

v It’s Both Judgment and reward. John 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:10

5. We need to consider the terror of God and persuade men. (v. 11)

6. We should be constrained by the love of Christ. (v. 14)

7. We must live unto the one who died for us. (v. 15)

II.        Endurance for Him

            2 Corinthians 4:5-12

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹¹ For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

III.      Heart for the Harvest 

1.     Harvest is seasonal – You don’t determine when it comes

Genesis 8:22

²² While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

2.     Harvest must be recognized

John 4:35

³⁵ Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

3.     Harvest is not the time for sleep

Proverbs 10:5           

⁵ He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

4.     God is the LORD of THE HARVEST – He loves fruit.

Matthew 9:37-38

³⁷ Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

5.     Harvest needs all hands on board –

Matthew 9:37-38

³⁷ Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

6.     There is a need for urgency in Harvest

      Mark 4:29

²⁸ For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. ²⁹ But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.