The Leadership Characteristics of Moses

Do you have Christian leadership qualities? The Leadership Characteristics of Moses is a sermon by Mark Hollingsworth, which shows forth the leadership of Moses and his teaching on faith.

Hebrews 11:23-29

Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned.

INTRODUCTION:

One of the most outstanding examples of leadership in the Bible is the example of Moses. I think it is important to note that he learned leadership principles and faith from his parents (see verse 23) and he learned leadership principles and organization from his father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 18:13-27).

Moses was an able learner and becomes an able leader with great leadership characteristics. Hebrews 11 lists Moses in that great list of the faithful and describes the leadership characteristics that allowed Him to succeed in the immense task given to him by the Lord.

I. Faith

Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

What an amazing story of faith. Moses, as you know, was by faith sent down the river and picked up by Pharaoh's daughter and taken in as her own. However, he was really raised by his own parents in a baby-sitting role.

But when Moses came of age, he chose God and his own people over the house of Pharaoh and certain fame and wealth. That took hope and faith in God but that's what we must have to be a great leader for God.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

We need some people of genuine faith in Christian leadership today.

II. Fidelity

Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Integrity is moral and ethical soundness. In the physical realm it is an unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality. Too many people in leadership positions really don't qualify for leadership because they are broken in the area of morality and ethics. They are broken in the area of their relationship with God and it shows in their relationships with man.

We need more people with integrity in Christian leadership today.

III. Foresight

Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Moses saw the big picture not just the problems at hand. He saw God's big picture. Too many get caught up in the little picture...man's picture. God's big picture is bigger than man's picture, no matter how good man's picture is.

Christ's riches are greater than Pharaoh's riches even if the path to Christ's riches leads us through suffering. It's still worth it to follow Christ.

We must have a vision that sees more than the problems but also sees the possibilities because of the power of God. This is the vision we must share with those God gives us to lead.

IV. Firmness

Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Decisions must be made even if they involve fear and risk. Moses made the decision to forsake Egypt (Israel's security) and leave for the promised land (God's security).

But getting from man's security blankets to God's real security inevitably takes us through the wilderness which test our faith in God. And it takes real Spiritual leaders to lead the way even in the face of opposition.

V. Fulfillment

Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Now it is one thing to decide and another thing to do. When Moses was negotiating Israel's release from Egypt with Pharaoh, he pronounced the plagues one by one to Egypt. When it came to the passover, Moses led Israel to be obedient to the observance even in a strange land because it was right.

It was a picture of the covering and redemption provided by the shed blood of Christ on the cross. That sprinkling of blood saved believing Israel and condemned unbelieving Egypt. It is the same today. We need Spiritual leaders to lead us in obedience to Christ.

VI. Freedom

Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned.

When God says move, it's time to move. It is the responsibility of Spiritual leaders to lead God's people through the Red Sea's of life. The sea is in front of us; the mountains are on either side of us; and the ememy is closing in behind us.

God says He will open up the sea and give us dry passage to the other side. It is time to move out and real leaders with the leadership characteristics of Moses will lead God's people to the other side.

CONCLUSION:

It is no wonder that most Jews and Christians and other religions alike consider Moses one of the most able leaders of all time. He was a great spiritual leader who embodied the great leadership characteristics listed in the Bible and that describe not only Moses but every other great leader who followed God, including David, Nehemiah, and the Apostle Paul, to name just a few.

And of course, the leadership characteristics of Christ and his teaching on faith overshadows all of them. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Do these leadership characteristics describe your kind of leadership? Maybe you need to work on one or two of them to become the leader God wants you to be for Him in the Kingdom work He has given you.

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