Sermon – Caring for Godly Leadership
Scripture Lesson: 2 Samuel 23:8 -17 “These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam (people will return) the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle. 9 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar(God is helper) son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. 10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!
11 Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12 but Shammah[e] held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. 13 Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. 14 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.
16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. 17 “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So, David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.
Introduction: Do you know how leadership should be treated? Do you know what all godly leaders need? How can you be a better follower? In this text we discovered two things, First we see what people can become with the right leadership and second, we will see the kind of support that causes leaders to soar! We are need love, sensitivity, and celebration.
What do you do when It feels like everything, and everyone is against you. Every leader, me included, knows what we need to change. But most of us get stuck on how to bring about needed change without offending others. Between the opposition, self-doubt, and unknowns, change freezes so many leaders. How do you know which risks are worth taking? What do you do when you’re faced with opposition? Who do you tell? How do you develop the strength to keep pushing, even when it feels like everything is working against you? David would become Israel’s greatest king, but now he tired.
David the sweet psalmist of Israel, a man after God own heart, who considered His service of King Saul and of Israel as a high honor. This event occurred early in the life of David unto this point had been almost a fairytale. David’s story is very familiar to most of us. We remember him as a shepherd tending his father’s sheep. This son of Jessie, earned a great reputation as a great protector of the sheep, killing and bear and a lion. We are familiar with his musical skills and extraordinary anointing. Probably, nothing pushed David to the forefront as did his noted battle with Goliath. After defeat Goliath, His reputation soared, he was moved to the palace of king Saul, given the king’s daughter in marriage and his family was tax exempt. The privilege to serve in Saul’s and defend his nation must have been simply awesome. Can you imagine, being promote from shepherd with no military training to become the son-in-law of the king, and a commander in the king’s army.
David has almost forgotten being overlooked by his father and mistreated by his brothers who failed recognize his greatness. David looked to king Saul as his mentor. He admired his stature, his vision and wisdom. David served king Saul with all his might. Whatever task, David was assigned, He excelled. With every successful deed, His popularity grew. David became the subject of legends. Psalmist sang his praise, the people celebrated him, the soldiers admired him, and the Generals highly respected him. David was living the dream. Little did he know that his newly found popularity would stir up so much envy, jealousy, and opposition. King Saul, his mentor, and friend would become his chief enemy. Saul who had been known for his humble beginnings, honesty and just acts was now trying to take David’s life. David goes from friend to fugitive, from riches to rags, and from palace to a pit.
Our text is a part of David’s last words as he remembers all God has done. Our focus today is on David’s mighty men who knew how to care for godly leadership. Many people get excited about renown pastors, huge ministries, and large following without recognizing their supporting cast. In 1 Sam. 22:1-2, we read: “David therefore departed thence and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.”
David on the run himself, finds himself protector, leader and provider from his father’s house and a host of misfits who need a place to belong. God used David to mold them into one of mightiest fighting armies in biblical history. Leadership is difficult under the best conditions. How do you lead misfits, unemployed, frustrated people? David built them into what they could not become without godly leadership. Leadership is always lonely. One of the great blessings of leadership is knowing that you are anointed by God, and favored by God, and that you are loved and supported by those around you. David needed a great support system! He is hiding in a hole, a cave of Adullam, hot, and thirsty. King Saul on his trail, the Philistines camped in the valley of Rephaim and occupying Bethlehem. It is enough to make anyone cry! David’s supporters were different the Moses’ crowd who complained about Moses’ leadership, their location, their provisions and even Moses’ wife! David’s supporters were different that those in Samuel’s day, who complained about Samuel’s age, his sons, and his weakness, so they asked for a king! First, these supporters loved David and knew David loved them.
1. Faithful Supporters should love their leaders and recognized their leader’s love for them. Since leadership is a weighty responsibility, providing loving support for one another is key. They spent time together, laugh together, worked together, and fought together. Love, time, and togetherness can build a great people. Supportive people build great teams. (The people said the Samuel, if you cared anything about us you would ask God to give us a king. You are failing us as a judge) The People said to Moses, “we are thirsty, hungry, and lost. You brought us out here to die.” Moses, like David needed their love, support, and encouragement. Faithful Supporters should love their leaders and recognized their leaders love for them. There is a difference between a hireling and a good shepherd. A good shepherd never abandoned his sheep. Care, protection, and kindness are all signs of love. Neither the leader nor the people are perfect, but both deserve our love! Everybody’s different, like different things, to be treated in different ways, so be a student of one another. Turn what they like!
2. Faithful supporters should be sensitive to their leaders and the leaders should be sensitive to their sheep. V.15 “David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” These three men sensed the heart of David. David is tired, frustrated that things are at a standstill, thirsty and feeling empty. He is probably questioning himself, What could I have done differently? I have put my family in jeopardy. I feel like crying. David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" David needs refreshment!
These men knew that David was not dying of thirst. They also knew that water from the well would solve all David’s problem, but they sensed his need for special care. They decided to do something about it. These men did what Mary did with her alabaster box before Jesus’ crucifixion. Some people say, they are concerned but they never go out of their way to help. (I need a new phone, my iphone 4 would freeze during doing tapings for Facebook live program) Brother and Sister Hines stepped in. I have a phone and I will bring it to you! They could have said, “you got money, go buy you a phone!”
These men stepped in without saying, “you are drinking the same water we drink.” They sense this desire came from a deeper place, a place of isolation and loneliness. So, the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. These mighty men were sensitive to David’s need at that moment, and David was sensitive to the great sacrifice of his men. When presented with the water, immediately David recognized their sacrifice and their loving support. Their actions said, you are not alone, we have got your back, you can count on us. We are willing to do anything to support this godly cause.
Every leaders need to see that sometime. David saw their gift as being too precious, too sacred, and too holy to drink! David saves the water until the time of the feast of Tabernacle, then in their presence, he poured it out before the Lord. This water from the well of Bethlehem cause these men put their lives on the line. Bethlehem was David's city, and he knew the excellence of the water which was there; and being near the place, and parched with thirst, it was natural for him to wish for a draught of water out of that well. These three heroes having heard it, though they received no command from David, broke through a company of the Philistines, and brought away some of the water. When saw theses supporter willing putting their lives in danger from him, David considered that water as precious as their blood. David was so grateful, he decided to deny himself of the pleasure of drinking this water. There is no evidence that David had requested them to bring it; they had gone for it of their own accord, and without the knowledge of David. David appreciated it so much that in his final words, after 40 years reigning as king, he records the deed so it would never be forgotten. Their sensitive changed David’s outlook and encouraged his heart and pushed him forward. Faithful Supporters should love their leaders and recognized their leader’s love for them. Faithful supporters should be sensitive to their leaders and the leaders should be sensitive to their sheep. Sacrifice should be appreciated.
3. Faithful supporters should celebrate their leaders and their leaders should celebrate their supporters.
During this wilderness sojourn, David built a loyal army of about 400 men. Some of these brave followers accomplished great things on David's behalf, and they’re described in the Bible as David's “mighty men” (2 Samuel 23:8). Reading through a list of names in the Bible might seem boring and useless. Why would God include these lists of names in Scripture? We know the Holy Spirit didn’t waste words.
Romans 15:4 says that “everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” What teaching and encouragement can we gain from this list of David's mighty men? The fact that God keeps a detailed record of David's fighting men, and their exploits indicates that God also records our personal service. If God kept track of David's valiant soldiers by name, He would surely keep track of the faithful servants of Jesus! He knows each of us as an individual disciples, and He will reward every act of faithfulness. Many in this room can look forward to great rewards.
Godly leaders may not be perfect, but they should be celebrated. They are God’s anointed and appointed leaders. Some time they are not recognized as they should be, sometimes they feel rejected and lonely. Let’s make sure when we have an opportunity, we celebrate them. Let’s make sure we push them into greatness. Give your pastor the home court advantage, Celebrate him! Cheer them on, encourage them to keep keeping on! Every leader needs it. Even Jesus needed a team. The garden was easier with a team.
In the same way, our members may not be recognized. They may feel overlooked by this world. Godly leaders must celebrate and encourage their people because life is hard, and heaven is a long way. Some time they have more fear than faith, you would be surprised at what encouragement can do.
We must celebrate each other because we are involved in Spiritual warfare. To be successful on the battlefield, like David’s men, we must overcome great odds - and we can, with God’s help! Eleazar continued to fight, even when his fellow soldiers retreated. He was at the point of exhaustion, but he would not rest until the Lord brought great victory. Spiritual warfare is draining, but great victory comes to Christians who hang tough. If you can look around and see someone stand with you, celebrate them.
Shammah defended the position and provision of Israel without fainting or quitting. The Lord is looking for the “Shammah’s” of today who will defend the faith and be willing to go to “battle and “contend earnestly for the faith.” These mighty men spent no time complaining about those who led, those who just came to gather the spoils or those disappointed them or surprised them. They choose to celebrate.
The actions of the three mighty men is a beautiful picture of mutual celebration. David longed for a refreshing drink from the well of his hometown, Bethlehem. Despite overwhelming obstacles, the mighty three overcame the enemy and brought the water to David. They were not commanded to do this, but they acted out of love for their leader! Similarly, when we celebrate our leaders, it is an act of devotion because we love them! True celebration involves hard work, time, effort, sacrifice, and sometimes overcoming barriers that are thrown in our path by the enemy. Have you ever noticed how many interruptions and diversions seem to present themselves when you are getting ready for Pastor’s Appreciation? Sometimes, there are personal needs, inner conflicts, disagreements and even a lack of interest by some, all because Satan does not want us to celebrate each other.
I know when David refused to drink the water and choose to pour out the water before the Lord, it seemed like a waste. It seems like the three men wasted their hard work, time, effort, sacrifice, and had overcome great for nothing. But no, David considered their act to be so significant that he honored the Lord with their precious offering of water and He honored them by recording their act in the nation’s history. Likewise, the celebration of our leaders, may appear to some people as a waste of money, time, and effort. After all, the money could be used to feed hungry people or provide care for the homeless. Yet from God's perspective, our act of celebrating our leaders has great value, and bring refreshment to the heart of our leaders. When Mary broke her alabaster box, and the fragrance filled the house, the disciples complained, but God wrote in His book and As long the Gospel is preached, this woman’s story will be told.
When give to our leaders, we give to God and give to ourselves. When we refresh our leaders, we bring refreshment into our lives. When we celebrate our leaders, we celebrate our selves. Every man who joined David in the wilderness was celebrated in David’s kingdom. For the 400, but only a few made the list of mighty men. Every Christian has a place in the kingdom of Christ, but Christians who are willing to serve the kingdom and God’s leaders with special care, loyalty and devotion will stand out as God’s “mighty ones.” Is your name recorded on God's list of mighty Christians? I hope it is.
Mt 10:40-42 “He who gives honor to you gives honor to me; and he who gives honor to me gives honor to him who sent me. He who gives honor to a prophet, in the name of a prophet, will be given a prophet's reward; and he who gives honor to an upright man, in the name of an upright man, will be given an upright man's reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will not go without his reward.”
In conclusion, Love one another, be sensitive to one another and celebrate one another and you will not go without reward. Amen
