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LEADER.L03
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TO THE GLORY OF GOD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Study No 3
A BALANCED FATHER'S HEART
1. Nurture 1. Love
2. Admonition 2. Gentleness
3. Instruction 3. Nourishment
4. Correction 4. Forgiveness
5. Chastisement 5. Patience
6. Authority 6. Nursing
7. Rebuke 7. Kindness
8. Warning 8. Praise
9. Truth 9. Mercy
10. Judgement 10. Justice
The Leader and the Heart of a Servant
Most people understand a leader to be one who directs,
administrates, organizes, makes decisions, delegates
responsibilities and makes plans for the future. This
definition, however, lacks a very essential part of what it means
to be a true leader: one who serves. A leader of God's people
must have the inner attitudes, motivations and outer service of a
servant.
The Hebrew Definition
There are several Hebrew words translated 'servant' in the
Old Testament. Each of these words presents a certain portion of
truth concerning the heart of a servant.
First, the Hebrew word for servant, which is transliterated
'ebed', generally means one who is a slave or a servant. This
word's application can be seen in the following list, which also
includes the general ways in which a leader can fulfill each
definition in his own ministry:
1. Just as 'ebed' applies to a person who is at the
complete disposal of another person (Genesis 24:1-
67).
2. Just as 'ebed' also applies to a person who works
for a master (Deuteronomy 15:12-18).
3. Just as this word also applies to a slave who has
given up all of his personal rights to serve his
master (Deuteronomy 15:12-18).
4. Just as this word also applies to a slave in the
service of a king (1 Kings 1:9; 1:47).
5. Finally, just as this word also applies to a person
who serves as a servant in attendance to the temple
sanctuary (1 Samuel 3:9).
Other verses where this word is used are: Genesis
26:15,24;32:4,5; Numbers 12:7; Deuteronomy 7:8; Joshua
1:1,2,13,15; 24:29; 1 Samuel 3:9, 10; 29:3; Isaiah 20:3; 49:3;
Jeremiah 33:22; Joel 2:29; Zechariah 1:6; 3:8.
Second, the Hebrew word for servant, which is transliterated
'abad', generally means to work and (in any sense) to serve.
This word also has a variety of applications:
1. Just as 'abad' applies to a person who tills the
ground (Genesis 2:5; 3:23).
2. Just as this word also applies to a person who
dresses or keeps a garden (Genesis 2:15).
3. Just as this word also applies to a priest who
serves the people (Numbers 18:7,23).
Other Scriptures which use the word 'abad' are: Exodus 23:25;
Deuteronomy 4:19,28; Joshua 22:5,27; 1 Samuel 12:14,20; Psalm
22:30; 72:11; Joel 2:22,23; Jeremiah 34:14; Ezekiel 29:20,36:9;
Malachi 3:18.
Third, the Hebrew word for servant, which is transliterated
'sharath', generally means a person who is a doer of menial and
insignificant tasks. This word also has a variety of
applications:
1. Just as 'sharath' applies to the priest who
ministers serves in his priestly office (Exodus
28:35-43).
2. Just as this word also applies to a priest who
ministers continually before the ark of the covenant
(1 Chronicles 16:37).
3. Just as this word also applies to Joshua as a
minister or servant unto Moses (Exodus 24:13;
Numbers 11:28).
The Greek Definition
One of the Greek words for servant, which is transliterated
'doulos', is used in the New Testament many times and gives us a
very good word picture of a servant's heart. Generally, 'doulos'
signifies bondage, but it is used most commonly to apply to a
servant who is in subjection to his master willingly, or by some
legal obligation. Paul the Apostle uses this word to describe
himself in several of his epistles:
1. Romans 1:1, "Paul a servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ
..."
2. Philippians 1:1, "Paul a servant (doulos) of Jesus
Christ..."
3. Titus 1:1, "Paul a servant (doulos) of God."
4. Philemon 1:9, "Paul, a servant (doulos) of Christ
Jesus...and also a prisoner of Christ..."
The Old Testament provides the background for the word
'doulos' in Deuteronomy 15:1-23. Here we find that when it came
time for a master to release a slave, after he had served his
master for six years according to the Mosaic Covenant, the slave
was given two options. The slave could either accept his total
freedom with no legal obligations to his master, or, he could
stay in his master's house as a love slave. If he chose to stay
in his master's house as a love slave, he was far more valuable
to his master than the slaves who only worked out of a legal
necessity, eg. to pay a debt. The servant who decided to become
a love slave would be essentially saying to his master, "Because
it is good with me being your slave, and because I love you and
your house, I will serve you forever on the basis of my deep love
for you".
The New Testament Concept of Serving
In the New Testament, there are several Greek words that
present the concept of serving. From these several Greek words,
the English word most commonly used is the word 'deacon'.
1. Luke 12:37 And he will come forth and serve ('diakonea')
them (which is a picture of a master serving
the slaves).
2. Luke 22:27 Which is greater, one who sits at the table
or one who serves? ('diakoneo'). I am among
you as one who serves ('diakoneo').
3. John 13: As an example, Jesus takes the place of a
slave and washes the disciples' feet. (The
word 'diakoneo' is not used here, but the
Jewish custom and picture is clear.)
4. Mark 10:43 Not lording it over them...Whosoever will be
great let him be your servant. The first
must be a slave...
5. John 12:24-26 If anyone serves ('diakoneo') me, he must
follow me, and where I am, there shall be my
servant ('diakonos'). Also...if anyone serves
('diakoneo') me, the Father will honour him.
6. Philippians 2:8 Jesus took the form of a servant and humbled
himself unto the death on the cross. Jesus
was bound to this service in the sense that
He knew that He had no free choice in the
matter as God's Servant.
May every leader develop a servant's heart like Jesus.
THE LEADER AND
THE HEART OF A SHEPHERD
In this section we have been viewing necessary heart
qualifications for the Lord's leaders. All of those who
endeavour to fulfill their area of responsibility in the kingdom
of God must have these heart qualifications. The heart of the
father will nurture the people of the Lord to maturity. The
heart of the servant will sacrifice time and life to minister to
every need of God's people. Now we come to the heart attitude of
the shepherd. All of those who are involved in the work of the
Lord must have a shepherd's heart as well. A shepherd's heart is
not just for the "full-time" pastor.
There is a great need for true shepherds today because the
sheep are scattered, wounded and bruised as they were in
different times during Israel's history:
1. Numbers 27:15-17, "Set a man over the
congregation...that the congregation
of the Lord be not as sheep which
have no shepherd".
2. 1 Kings 22:17, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the
hills, as sheep that have no
shepherd..."
3. Ezekiel 34:4-6, "...they were scattered because
there was no shepherd..."
4. Zechariah 10:2, "...they were troubled because there
was no shepherd..."
5. Zechariah 13:7, "...smite the shepherd and the sheep
will be scattered..."
The word 'shepherd' means "a man who takes care of the sheep,
a person who cares for and protects the sheep; a spiritual guide,
a friend or a companion". This is a description of a natural
shepherd's work with his sheep. He is the protector, the guide
and the feeder of the flock. So it is with a spiritual
shepherd's work with the people of the Lord.
The Lord is also called a shepherd of his people many times
through the Scriptures. He, too, is the guide and the feeder.
All truth originates with the Father. He is the example of all
that He would have us be and do. He is the Great Shepherd of our
souls:
1. Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd..."
2. Psalm 80:1, "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel..."
3. Ezekiel 34:12, "I will search for my sheep as a
shepherd does a flock..."
4. Isaiah 40:11, "He shall feed his flock like a
shepherd..."
5. Psalm 77:20, "Thou leadest thy people like a
flock..."
Attitudes and Actions of the Great Shepherd
1. Ezekiel 34:11-16, Searched out the lost sheep
2. Ezekiel 34:12, Delivered the captive sheep
3. Ezekiel 34:13, Gathered the dispersed sheep
4. Ezekiel 34:13, Fed the hungry sheep (Is. 40:11)
5. Ezekiel 34:15, Caused rest for the weary sheep (Ps.
23:1-3)
6. Ezekiel 34:16, Bound up the hurt sheep
7. Ezekiel 34:16, Strengthened the weak sheep
8. Psalm 23:3, Guided the directionless sheep
9. Isaiah 40:11, Carried the broken sheep
10. Psalm 23:3, Restored the soul of the tired sheep
11. Psalm 23:4, Comforted the agitated sheep
12. Psalm 23:5, Prepared a table for the frightened
sheep
13. Psalm 23:5, Anointed the needy sheep
In the New Testament, we find the revelation of God in the
flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
1. John 10:11, 14, "I am the Good Shepherd."
2. Hebrews 13:20, "Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the
sheep"
3. 1 Peter 2:25, "Return unto the Shepherd and Bishop
of your souls"
4. 1 Peter 5:4, "when the Chief Shepherd shall
appear"
a. The Church needs leaders who have an intimate relationship
with God themselves, and who can bring others into similar
communion with God. To demonstrate this need for
relationship, God uses many different pictures. principles
that shepherds should have their sheep. Each of the
following pictures demonstrates certain relationship
principles that shepherds should have with their sheep.
1. The Father and Child Relationship: This is a picture of
the warm, loving relationship between a father and his
children. In this relationship there is love and respect
for the father. The children respond to the father's
corrective hand. Fathers also seek to mature their
children in all of their relationships in life.
2. The Husband and Wife Relationship: This is a picture of
the love relationship of Christ and His Church, the bond
of marriage with all its sacred meaning. Here we see how
the shepherd must be the initiator in giving his love to
his sheep and how he must provide them with a good
spiritual home.
3. The Head and Body Relationship: This is a picture of a
relationship of governing and protection. Just as Christ
governs and protects His church, which is His body, so
the shepherd must take his rod and staff in hand and
govern and protect his local church body.
4. The Vine and the Branches Relationship: The Lord Jesus
presents this picture of a relationship between Him and
the Church in John 15. In these verses, He is the vine
and His people are the branches. All of the life,
source, and power for the branches must come from the
vine. So it is with the shepherd, who should develop
such a close relationship with his sheep.
5. The Husbandman and Vineyard Relationship: This is the
picture of a vineyard meticulously being cared for by a
husbandman or farmer. At times, the vineyard is
overgrown, and so the husbandman must come and clean out
all the debris. But, there are also times when he must
use his skillful tools to harvest the vineyard's fruits.
Similarly, God's shepherd must be sensitive enough to his
sheep that he can discern the spiritual times and seasons
in their lives.
6. The Potter and Clay Relationship: This is a picture of
the hand of God which forms His vessel, the Church. The
potter's hand is in complete control of the clay. The
clay cannot ask the potter what he is doing. This is the
way the Lord deals with His people. Similarly, the
shepherd should be able to relate so to his sheep, that
he will be able to help form Christ's character in their
lives.
7. The Captain and the Army Relationship: The picture here
is one of discipline and authority. The army of the Lord
is a place of correction and training. The army must
experience many drills in order to be useful to its
captain in warfare. The shepherd must be able to train
and discipline his sheep to fit them for their tasks.
8. The Creator and Creature Relationship: God is the all-
powerful creator at whose word the worlds were brought
into being and framed. At his word all that is in the
heavens and earth were formed. This is a picture of the
mighty God reproducing His own image and likeness in His
creation. Similarly, the shepherd should be the
instrument through which God can create new life in His
people.
9. The Shepherd and Sheep Relationship: This last picture
of the shepherd and the sheep is a picture of warmth and
beauty in which love, compassion and tenderness are
exchanged. This relationship can be demonstrated in the
shepherd carrying his small, hurt lamb upon his shoulders
to safety. Since this illustration is also shown in one
of the titles of God, (the Great Shepherd), it still
holds a tender picture of true ministry.
b. The natural shepherd was first of all a watchman over his
flock. In order to be a good watchman the shepherd built
himself towers to see afar off. The shepherd had to be alert
for many different kinds of dangers that could come upon the
flock without warning.
Secondly, a shepherd was to be a guard, protector and
defender of the flock. Such guardianship was necessitated by
the fact that sheep are among the most defenseless of
animals. Sheep are not provided with natural weapons of
attack. They do not bite, kick or scratch. They are one of
the only animals that are almost completely dependent upon a
human protector. The shepherd is the main, if not the only,
protector and guard from all of the snares and enemies of the
sheep. At times, the shepherd will have to risk his own life
for the life of the sheep.
Third, the shepherd was to be a guide to the sheep. Sheep
are not independent travelers. They have no sense of
direction. When a sheep strays from the flock, he will
wander around in circles until the enemy finds him and
destroys him. Sheep will keep their nose to the ground as
long as there is grass to eat but will never look up to see
where their grazing is taking them.
END of STUDY THREE
