Earned respect (i.e., gravity) belongs to those who heroically serve their flocks.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:28-31)
Heroic leaders sacrificially love their flocks.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
Heroic leaders are dedicated to their “own” till the very end of their lives.
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1)
Heroic leaders live holy lives “for the sake” of their flock.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:19)
For all things are for your sakes … (2 Corinthians 4:15)
Heroic leaders “go before” their flock.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (John 10:4)
Heroic leaders are “breakers” (i.e., those who make a way for their flock to “break out” of captivity.)
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them. (Micah 2:12)
Heroic leaders gain victories in areas they know their flock will have to face.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Heroic leaders inspire others to fight and win the battles of the day.
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiledtheir tents. (1 Samuel 17:51-53)
Heroic leaders face the “giants” that are common in their “land” and day.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the namesof the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. (Zechariah 13:2)
Heroic leaders know what being in the midst of the battle is like.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)
Heroic leaders effectively minister to their flock where they have been ministered to.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Timothy 4:16)
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. (2 Timothy 2:6)
Heroic leaders do not condemn their flock for faults which they have not conquered.
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou seeclearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:4,5)
Heroic leaders face the temptations their flock face but do not succumb to sin.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Heroic leaders are able to come to the aid of (i.e. succour) their tempted flock because they have received help when facing the same temptations.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
Heroic leaders can skillfully guide and feed their flock because they possess integrityof heart.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. (Psalm 78:72)
Heroic leaders are the living examples their flocks need to see. They are what they want their flock to become.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2,3)
Heroic leaders leave the imprint of their life on their flock.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17)
example > Greek – tupos > the mark of a stroke or blow, impress, imprint