Leaders of Good Character
June 8th, 2025 “Leaders of Good Character” Rev. Heather Jepsen
Summer Sermon Series: Stump the Pastor
2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17 and Acts 2:1-18
Friends, this morning we continue our summer sermon series, “Stump the Pastor”. I have invited you to offer sermon questions or ideas that are difficult to discuss and then I will work on the topic during the week and present a sermon each Sunday. Last Sunday we discussed the Bible and how we got the book that rests in our pews each week. Today we are discussing leadership. What makes a leader of good character.
We will begin with some definitions. If you google “leaders of good character”, AI will happily tell you that leaders of good character have honesty, integrity, show respect, behave responsibly, and act with compassion and kindness. These traits are necessary to build positive relationships, to contribute to society, and to achieve personal fulfillment.
I thought today we would compare and contrast two leaders in scripture to examine whether or not they are leaders of good character. We will begin with David. The Bible is clear that David is a man after God’s own heart, and God loves David. But is David a leader of good character?
I think perhaps at one time in his life David was. In the beginning of his story David is a humble shepherd boy. He defeats the giant Goliath with sheer moxy and faith. But as time moves on and David usurps Saul for the throne, I think David grows haughty. He is overconfident, proud, violent, and known for taking what he wants without care for others needs or wants.
In our reading for today, David spies his neighbor’s wife on her roof taking a bath. This is not some steamy sex show, rather she is engaging in her ritual washing to cleanse herself after having her period. It’s a religious ritual and it is done in a special bath, a mikvah, which would have been outside. It was never meant to be a peepshow, but that is what David makes it. He sees her, lusts after her, and sends his servants to bring her to his chamber. Remember, he is the king, so this woman, Bathsheba, has no legal right to say “no” to him.
When David finds out she is pregnant, he seeks to cover up his crime. First, he brings her husband, Uriah, home from the battlefield in the hopes that he will sleep with Bathsheba and the child will appear to be his and not David’s. But Uriah is a loyal and faithful soldier. He refuses to partake of the comforts of home while the other men are out on the battlefield.
Thwarted, David sends Uriah back to war carrying a note that says he is to be placed at the front line. Uriah is placed in the front, battle commences, and he is killed. It is basically a murder to cover up David’s crime.
Is David a leader of good character? I don’t think so. He looks good on the outside, but David really struggles in his heart. He lacks honesty and integrity as well as compassion and kindness. David will reap what he sows both in this episode with Bathsheba and in the lives of his children. David paves the path for generational trauma in his own family and lineage. We love David, and so does God, but he is not a leader of good character.
In our New Testament reading for today we hear a speech from Peter. Is Peter a leader of good character? Throughout the gospels Peter is striving to follow Jesus Christ. He is often confused by Jesus’ teachings but when corrected he doesn’t sulk or leave the group, he continues to search after a better way. When Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to be killed and rise again, Peter protests. Jesus’ reply, “get behind me Satan” would have cut Peter to the bone, but he doesn’t stop following Jesus on the way.
When Jesus is nearing his death on the cross, Peter declares he will never leave Jesus’ side. But we know on the night of his trial, Peter betrays Jesus three times. Peter is heartbroken by his own betrayal and he flees the court of the religious officials in tears. Peter is not brave, but he is true in his love for Jesus.
When the disciples spot Jesus resurrected on the shoreline, Peter is so excited he jumps naked out of the boat to swim towards Jesus. Peter longs for forgiveness and renewed relationship with his friend.
In our reading for today, the Holy Spirit has fallen on the disciples, and everyone is going crazy speaking all kinds of languages. Peter gets up to speak and it’s not a superhero moment, instead everyone assumes he is drunk. But Peter goes on anyway, proclaiming that a new day has arisen in the church. Now the Holy Spirit has fallen on all people, and men and women, slave and free, can be leaders in the church.
I think Peter is a leader of good character. He is not cool like David, and he often looks a fool, but his heart is good. Peter’s life shows his honesty, his integrity, his kindness, and his compassion.
So, what makes a good leader in our own time? These same traits. Good leaders are not like David, all wealth and power and taking whatever they want without care for how it might hurt their neighbors. Instead, good leaders are like Peter. They may be a bit off, but they are honest and true. Peter shows kindness and compassion to all, and even though he messes up sometimes, still his heart is true to God.
Today we celebrate Pentecost and that is the call for all of us to be leaders. In the Holy Spirit, this leadership mantel transfers from kings like David, unto all people like Peter and the other disciples. Women and men can be leaders now. Slave and free can be leaders now. Gays and straights, insiders and outsiders can be leaders now. Everyone is blessed with the Holy Spirit, and everyone has the opportunity to be a leader of good character.
We also celebrate communion today and we remember that Jesus Christ himself shows us that true leadership is found in servanthood. Jesus came not to be served, like David, but to serve like Peter. Jesus gave everything he had, his very life, to endow us with the opportunity to spread the word of love and kindness in the world. Jesus shows us that true leaders aren’t kings, they are servants who share what they have with the world.
My friends, who is a leader of good character? The person with honesty, integrity, compassion, and kindness. As you go out into the world today imagine how you can be a Peter, goofing up but on the right track, instead of a David, blinded by power and desire. May we all be people of good character. Amen.
