Session I:
Men Leading in the Home
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Background
◦ Hezekiah followed his father, Ahaz, who was a
wicked king in Judah.
◦ Ahaz led the people to worship idols and false
gods, even sacrificing his children in the fire.
◦ Ahaz shut the doors of the temple and stopped the
worship of the Lord God.
◦ When Ahaz died Hezekiah became the King of
Judah.
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II Kings 18-20 and II Chronicles 29-32
◦ II Kings 18:2 - He was twenty-five years old when
he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for
twenty-nine years.
◦ II Kings 18:3 - He did what was right in the eyes of
the LORD, just as his father David had done.
 Crushed idol worship
 Reinstituted worship of the Lord God
 Led the people of Judah to repent and follow the Lord
◦ II Kings 18:5-7a - Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the
God of Israel. There was no one like him among all
the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.
He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following
him; he kept the commands the LORD had given
Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was
successful in whatever he undertook.
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The Bible records two weaknesses that
brought the downfall of Hezekiah and the
destruction of his home and family:
◦ Arrogance (Pride)
◦ Apathy
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Hezekiah’s Arrogance Exposed
◦ The Illness (II Kings 20:1-11)
◦ The Envoy from Babylon (II Kings 20:12-13)
 II Chronicles 32:31 - But when envoys were sent by the
rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign
that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him
and to know everything that was in his heart.
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II Kings 20:14-19 - Then Isaiah the prophet went
to King Hezekiah and asked, ‘What did those men
say, and where did they come from?’ ‘From a distant
land,’ Hezekiah replied. ‘They came from Babylon.’
15 The prophet asked, ‘What did they see in your
palace?’
‘They saw everything in my palace,’
Hezekiah said. ‘There is nothing among
my treasures that I did not show them.’
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of
the LORD: 17 the time will surely come when everything
in your palace, and all that your predecessors have
stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon.
Nothing will be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your
descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be
born to you, will be taken away, and they will become
eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’
19 ‘The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,’
Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘Will there not be
peace and security in my lifetime?’
16
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An Ongoing Problem for Hezekiah
◦ II Chronicles 32:24-26 – In those days Hezekiah
became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed
to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a
miraculous sign. 25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud
and he did not respond to the kindness shown him;
therefore the LORD’s wrath was on him and on Judah
and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah repented of the
pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem;
therefore the LORD’s wrath did not come on them
during the days of Hezekiah.
◦ God Tested Hezekiah in 32:31
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The Source of Hezekiah’s Pride
◦ He succeeded in everything he did (II Kings 18:7)
◦ He was “highly regarded by all the nations”
(II Chron. 32:23)
◦ He had “great riches and honor” (II Chron. 32:27)
◦ He acquired great numbers of flocks and herds
(II Chron. 32:29)
◦ God answered his prayer for healing
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Pride:
◦ An excessively high opinion of oneself.
◦ Putting one’s thoughts, opinions, and self-esteem
ahead of God.
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Pride confronts all men. It is not necessary to
have great riches, great accomplishments, or
a great reputation.
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Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a
haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 29:23 - Pride brings a person low,
but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
I Peter 5:5-6 - clothe yourselves with humility
towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the
proud but shows favor to the humble.’
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s
mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Isaiah 66:2(b) - ‘These are the ones I look on with
favor: those who are humble and contrite in
spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Pride/Arrogance, in part, cost Hezekiah
his kingdom, his home, and his family.
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II Kings 20:18-19 – ‘And some of your
descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be
born to you, will be taken away, and they will
become eunuchs in the palace of the king of
Babylon.’ ‘The word of the LORD you have spoken is
good,’ Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘Will there
not be peace and security in my lifetime?’
He just didn’t’ care – as long as bad things
didn’t come in his lifetime!
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The Source of Apathy:
◦ Lack of Focus/Becoming Overwhelmed
◦ Lack of Energy
◦ Lack of Values
Apathy, in part, cost Hezekiah his
kingdom, his home, and his family.
#1 – He lost his Riches/Family Fortune
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II Kings 24:10-13 - At that time the officers of
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on
Jerusalem and laid siege to it, 11 and Nebuchadnezzar
himself came up to the city while his officers were
besieging it. 12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother,
his attendants, his nobles and his officials all
surrendered to him. In the eighth year of the reign of
the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin prisoner. 
(II Kings 24:10-13 Continued)
As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar
removed the treasures from the temple of the LORD and
from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that
Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the
LORD.
13
#2 – He lost his Relatives/Family Members
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II Kings 24:15 - Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin
captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to
Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and
the prominent people of the land.
#3 – He lost his Religion/Family Worship
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II Chronicles 36:18-19 – [Nebuchadnezzar]
carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of
God, both large and small, and the treasures of the
LORD’s temple and the treasures of the king and his
officials. 19 They set fire to God’s temple and broke
down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the
palaces and destroyed everything of value there.
Hezekiah sacrificed his home, his
family, his financial legacy, and his
family’s religious practice for the
sake of his pride and apathy.
It can happen to us!
Session I:
Men Leading in the Home
Session II:
Men Leading in the Church
We’re looking for a few good men.
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Is brought in by a “few good men.”
Jesus said, “But small is the gate and narrow the
road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
(Matthew 7:14)
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God is looking for a few good men.
Acts 11:24 says Barnabas was “a good man,
full of the Holy Spirit and faith…”
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Acts 4:32-37 - All the believers were one in heart
and mind. No one claimed that any of their
possessions was their own, but they shared
everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles
continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in
them all 34 that there was no needy person among
them. For from time to time those who owned land or
houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was
distributed to anyone who had need. 
(Acts 4:32-37 Continued)
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the
apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of
encouragement’), 37 sold a field he owned and brought
the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
36
Barnabas was a man of GIFTS:
He gave physical gifts
He demonstrated Spiritual Gifts
I will use the word GIFTS to describe
Barnabas and to challenge men to be
leaders in the church.
 Generous – Acts 4:37
◦ Sold a field and gave the money to help those in
need.
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Contrast with Ananias and Sapphira
“Good men are remembered for what they
give away, not for what they keep for
themselves.”
 Generous
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Inspirational – Acts 4:36
Name was Joseph, but the apostles called him
“Son of Encouragement/Inspiration.”
Examples:
◦ Acts 9:26-28 – Paul
◦ Acts 11:19-23 – The Church at Antioch
◦ Acts 15:36-39 – John Mark
 Generous
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Inspirational
Fair-minded – Acts 11:22 says, “News of [the
conversion of the Greeks] reached the church in
Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.” 
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Jesus had told his disciples that they would be
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), but they were
skeptical when the gospel was proclaimed and
accepted by non-Jews.
This controversy continued in Acts 15 and Barnabas
was part of the resolution (v.12):
◦ The whole assembly became silent as they listened
to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and
wonders God had done among the Gentiles through
them.
 Generous
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Inspirational
Fair-minded
Trustworthy – Acts 11:29-30 says, “The
disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide
help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by
Barnabas and Saul.”
 Generous
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Inspirational
Fair-minded
Trustworthy
Shepherd (Pastor) – He was serious about
his responsibility for those under his care.
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Acts 11:23-26 - When he arrived [in Antioch] and
saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and
encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with
all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy
Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were
brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus
to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he
brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas
and Saul met with the church and taught great
numbers of people. The disciples were called
Christians first at Antioch.
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His actions in Antioch demonstrate a genuine
care and concern for the people:
◦ He wanted them to have the best
teaching/preaching possible, so he brought Paul –
and there was no ministerial jealousy.
◦ He accepted responsibility for discipling them. He
did not try to do everything himself, but shared the
responsibility for ministry. (See II Timothy 2:2)
 Generous
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Inspirational
Fair-minded
Trustworthy
Shepherd
Valuable characteristics for any man.
Session II:
Men Leading in the Church
Session III:
Men Leading in Their Work
#1 – The Relationship Principle
 Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so
one man sharpens another.
◦ Accountability
◦ A lesson from yardwork
◦ Find a godly friend (or be a godly friend) in your job
#2 – The Reward Principle
 Proverbs 27:18 – Whoever tends a fig tree will
eat its fruit, and he who looks after his
master will be honored.
◦ Reward comes through Investment (examples:
gardening, retirement fund, prayer and Bible study)
◦ Reward comes through Service. Mark 10:41-45 
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Mark 10:41-45 - When the ten heard about [James
and John’s request], they became indignant with
James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and
said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers
of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high
officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with
you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among
you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be
first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
his life as a ransom for many.’
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Mark 10:41-45 - When the ten heard about [James
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Not just for church!!!
and John’s request], they became indignant with
James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and
said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers
of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high
officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with
you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among
you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be
first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
his life as a ransom for many.’
#3 – The Reflection Principle
 Proverbs 27:19 - As water reflects a face, so
a man’s heart reflects the man.
 What is really in a man’s heart will show up in
his life.
 Jesus said it this way: You will know them by their
fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or
figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears
good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good
tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear
good fruit. (Matthew 7:16-18)
Consider:
Do you believe that your life
is a true reflection of your heart?
Or
Do people know what is in your heart
by what they see of your life?
#4 – The Refraining Principle
 Proverbs 27:20 - Death and Destruction are
never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of
man.
◦ Literally “Sheol and Abbadon” (Hell and Destruction)
◦ Our flesh is never satisfied.
◦ In Christ we can find contentment.
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An excellent memory verse to give victory
over sins of the eyes (such as jealousy, lust,
covetousness, a critical spirit, etc.).
#5 – The Refining Principle
 Proverbs 27:21 - The crucible for silver and
the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the
praise he receives.
 We are tested by praise:
◦ By who praises us and for what
◦ By how we react when we are praised
Session III:
Men Leading in Their Work