New Wave of Leaders!

Text:  Jeremiah 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.   (KJV)

Jeremiah - the 24th book; 52 chapters; 1,364 verses; 42,659 words); Jesus is portrayed in this book as “Our Branch of Righteousness”!

God wants us to know that He will always have “leaders” who carry His heart and His messages.  We can all become disappointed from time to time with leaders, preachers, and even fellow Christians for various reasons.  However, be assured that God always has a remnant who will not compromise the true message of God or their righteousness.

I believe that God is about to raise up and is releasing a people who will not only maintain their purity but maintain their anointing as well.

God said “power and authority” will produce a miracle!  He told us we are anointed for purpose. Now is the time for us to come together in unity - as an army - to tear Satan’s kingdom down and to divide and conquer.  He wants us to rightly divide the word of truth which we can use to defeat and conquer the enemy!  John 8:32  Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Also with the resurrection power God has given His people, we have the key to change our vile bodies from sin, death, and ruin and bring them to the place of not sinning, life, love, peace, knowledge and understanding.  1 John 3:9  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him:  and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusteth in thee.  Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Because we are looking in an upward direction [higher realms of spiritual elevation], we know that we are more than conquerors in Christ.  But for us to totally overcome and defeat the adversary, we must first conquer the four beasts of our own personality which Revelation chapter 4 verse 7 speaks of:  And the first beast was like a lion [soul – emotions], and the second beast like a calf [still immature spiritually - body], and the third beast had a face as a man [spirit or heart], and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle [mind].  These are the areas Jesus said that we must “love” the Lord with!  Mark 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.

God is not allowing us to hear these messages for naught.  But because of the new wave of leaders, the number of these leaders who are getting hold of the revelation truth of God’s Word will increase.

We have to remember that Jesus is Lord over His church!  He is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).  He will see to it that it is being operated in good hands.  Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

That doesn’t mean that there will not be leaders, as representatives of the kingdom, who won’t miss the mark.  So let us take a look at what Jesus said in Matthew 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  But they cannot deceive the “elect”, the “Peter class”, those who are able to discern “The Christ”, “THE ANOINTING”!  

Matthew 16:16-17  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona:  for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  Vs 18-19  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [the revelation that Jesus was and is - “the Christ”]  I will build my church [the anointed ones]; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee [those who get the revelation of the CHRIST, the anointed ones] the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  His body is the CHRIST in the earth!  We must get this revelation!  He (Jesus) is the head, and we are one with Him!  1 Corinthians 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is CHRIST!  

Jesus also warned us what to look for in Mark 12:38  Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts, which devour widow’s houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.  We have in the churches today those who will get angry if they are not addressed by their titles; love to be seen and heard; have got to sit up front, and name must be called so that all will know they are present!

But it does mean that you can trust that there are good ones across the land as well!  Matthew 9:37-38  The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.  This word “labourers” is from the root word ergates, which is a toiler, teacher, a worker.  One who knows how to break the word down and get the message in the “ear”!  These are the ones who “study”  [spouda’zo meaning to use speed; make an effort; be prompt or earnest; endeavors; or diligently labours] so as to rightly divide (orthos’ & orthotome’o or to make a straight cut; anatomize; examine; or analyze] the Word of God and get the revelation so that they can expound correctly the divine message of Truth!  2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  These “labourers” are those who fit in the John class - the “revelators” who study with a spiritual mind and see with a spiritual eye!  God takes off the “covers” so that they see God’s Word not just as a bible story, but they capture the spiritual insight, seeing it as God Himself reveals it!!  Hallelujah to our God!!

If you are keeping your life pure and walking close to God in the anointing, you can trust that He will put you in the right place and provide the right “leaders” who will feed you The Word of God - the Message of The Kingdom with knowledge and understanding!

God is going to have leaders who will not compromise, who will not take down, or have a religious spirit.  He will have those who will allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in their services and in their lives as well as those who will allow God to restore the precious and glorious anointing in the house of the Lord!

Anyone who is willing to follow the principles put forth in this book of Nehemiah can also become a great leader.  There are many other leaders in the church and many future leaders whom we are wanting to see and are beginning to see develop.

For example, let’s take a look at one of the best leaders in all biblical scripture (other than Jesus) - Nehemiah!!!  In Nehemiah 2, he had to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  He was a Jewish man living hundreds of miles away from his home of Jerusalem in captivity in Persia.  He heard about the walls of Jerusalem lying in waste.  He was devastated.  He prays and weeps and plans, and now sees a miracle happen as the King actually breaks his own law and gives him permission to go home and start rebuilding.  Not only that, but the King gives him protection in the form of an armed guard with him.  Then he gives him all the provisions he would need!!  WOW!!!  God leaves no stones unturned!

After 120 long days of praying and planning, Nehemiah gets everything he needs from the King in one ten minute conversation!  So you see, when God opens a door, no man can shut it, and when God closes the door on a deal, no man can kick it down!!!

Nehemiah goes from being the cupbearer to being the contractor and God’s anointed leader of His people!  Talking about a “new wave of leaders”!

Nehemiah exemplifies the principles of leadership:  (1) Principle – a truth that is a foundation for other truths; a rule of action or conduct.  (2) Leadership – the condition of being a leader; the ability to lead.

These are “leadership principles” that Nehemiah had apply to all of us.

Principles of Leadership:

1. Leaders understand the value of solitude (leaders spend lots of time alone).

Nehemiah 2:11-16 is a picture of solitude.  This is a man who is awake while others are sleeping.

Most of us don’t like to be alone.

We are used to constant conversations and companionship.

We are used to noise.  Be honest.  Even when you are in your car alone, you can’t stand it, and you eventually turn on the radio.

2. Leaders understand that times of quiet are vital in life.

Ecclesiastes 9:17  The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

In the quiet we receive a clear vision from God.  He wants to speak to us if He can get a word in “edge-wise”.  He will speak to us if He can only cut through the noise!

Nehemiah needed three days to hear from God.  Before he begins the work, he wants to pause and make sure he does it God’s way, not his own way.  Some folks probably said, “What a waste of time, he could have been three days down the road on this project”.  But it is never a waste of time to get alone with God.

Later it was proven that Nehemiah was miles ahead…… because of the time he sat still!

This multi-year project was accomplished in fifty two days…. Unbelievable!!!

Regine Anne Baldomar once stated “Time spent in prayer and planning is always recovered in performance”!  So don’t rush into your day, take time to pray!!

Look, you can’t out-give God!  Give Him time each day, and He will give you more back!!

1 Kings 19 is an illustration:  Elijah found himself discouraged and needing God.  He got alone with God on a high mountain.  It was there that he heard a mighty wind, but God was not in the wind.  And a great earthquake rumbled with a powerful noise, but God was not in the earthquake.  Then a fierce fire swept through, but God was not in the fire.  And then there came a still, small voice….it was the voice of God!!!!!

In the quiet we receive the power of God!  Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Nehemiah knew this undertaking was impossible without the power of God.  At GBC I think we’ve seen what we can do, but I’m thirsty to see what God can do!

Look, how did Moses prepare for his ministry?  Forty years in the desert!  

How did Apostle Paul prepare?  Three years in the Arabian Desert!  He entered the desert with a knapsack and came out with the book of Romans!

Jesus spent forty days in solitude in the wilderness fasting and praying to defeat the devil and yielded not to his temptations.  If Christ needed solitude, how much more do you and I?  Mark 1:35  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.  Luke 5:16  And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.  Matthew 14:22  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  John 6:15  When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.  Luke 22:41  And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.  John 12:36  These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.  

We will never have the vision and the power amidst the noise and clatter of this world…. We must get alone with God!!!

It was in the eerie solitude of Bethel that Jacob was granted visions from God.  It was when Moses was alone in the desert that he saw the burning bush.  It was when Joshua walked unattended under the stars at Jericho that the Captain of the Lord’s host spoke to him.  It was while Isaiah was alone that the angel brought the message of the Lord.  It was when Isaiah was alone in the temple that a live coal touched his lips and changed his life forever.    It was when Mary was alone that the angel brought the message of the Lord.  It was when Elisha was plowing his lonely furrow that the prophet’s mantle fell upon his shoulders.  Abraham wandered and worshipped alone.  Daniel dined and prayed alone.  Jesus lived and died alone!

A “leader” sees more in the night than others see in the light!

“Leaders” understand the importance of solitude!

3. Leaders patiently gather all the facts.

Nehemiah 2:13-14:  Nehemiah is on a reconnaissance mission.  He is carefully surveying the situation close up and first hand.  

Leaders don’t rush into a project ill prepared.  

Before you can lead, you have to learn!

Leaders make a mess of things when they try to lead without doing their homework!

Nobody seems to have the time to do it right, but everybody finds the time to do it over!  “Measure twice, cut once”!

Nehemiah starts by the gate of the valley…that’s on the southwest wall of Jerusalem and goes on to the southeast wall of Jerusalem.  Then he moves to the fountain on the northern wall, making his rounds of it all, and making notes.  He’s making notes of the manpower, materials, and money that are going to be needed.

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity!  Nehemiah was not “lucky”; he was prepared!! Most of us would be shocked if we realized how many opportunities passed us by…… just this week!  We didn’t even recognize the opportunity, much less seized it! Because we weren’t prepared!!

We would rather pray for a miracle than prepare!  We would rather sit around and hope for a miracle in our finances than take a few minutes to budget and do wise financial planning.

Now don’t get me wrong, God can do great wonders!  We’ve seen it!!  But we’d rather ask others to pray for our children to straighten out their life than to set ground rules of discipline and get off the couch and enforce them!  Proverbs 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son.

God will only do what He can do after we do what we can do!

Illustration:  When Lazarus died, Jesus came and told the people to roll the stone away from the tomb.  Once they did, He raised Lazarus from the dead.  Well Jesus with all His power, could have just waved his hand and rolled the stone away Himself!  But He wanted the people to do what they could do before He would do what only He could do!

So we must first do something!!!

4. Leaders keep their eye on the big picture:

Nehemiah 2:15:  Nehemiah is now by the “Brook”.  This is the brook “Kidron” meaning muddy, dirty, obscured, gloomy, sad), located on the Mount of Olives.

Nehemiah left the closed up walls and climbed the closest mountain to step back and see the “big picture”.  Jesus sat on the same mountain overlooking Jerusalem and wept over it.

Nehemiah saw an overview of the ruins, but also had a vision of what it will look like when he is done!

Leaders must plan out the details but keep their eye on the “big picture”!

Now you must trust and delegate others with the details while you make sure the main project is on track!

5. Leaders carefully choose their words:

Nehemiah 2:16:  They don’t speak until it’s time!

They don’t run off at the mouth until they know what they’re talking about!

They don’t have to share every thought that pops into their mind.

It is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!

Don’t share all details too soon.  Human nature is for us to think of reasons it can’t be done.

“Remember, that same project was attempted a few years before, and it was shut down?”

Nehemiah knew that the number one thing he would hear once he shared the details with his workers would be, “We tried that before; it didn’t work”!

Vs 12:  Like Nehemiah, you don’t jump up and tell everything you know immediately.  You wait for God’s time and place like Nehemiah did.

People of God!!  Get ready!!  For God is raising up a “NEW WAVE OF LEADERS” who shall have His heart!!  

For they shall be pure and equipped to restore the gold and precious anointing in His house!!

• Leaders that understand the value of solitude!!!
• Leaders that patiently gather all facts!!!
• Leaders that will keep their eye on the prize!!!
• Leaders that carefully choose their words!!!

THIS IS THE “NEW WAVE OF LEADERS”!!!

Evangelist Jackie Burton