The Power of the Front Line

Five points to key leadership principles for those on the front lines of an organization, ministry, or movement.

#1 - LEADERS ARE THE FRONT LINE OF AN ORGANIZATION

It all starts at the front.

Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT) "While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, ‘Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle."

A. Leadership is the key to a win or a loss.

As long as Moses (the leader) held up his hands, Israel had victory. When he got weak, the enemy advanced. Leaders directly impacted the success or failure of those they lead

B. Leadership’s Actions Affect the Whole Organization

Joshua and the army fought, but their success was tied to Moses' leadership. If Moses had failed, they would have lost. The strength and stability of the leader determines the strength and direction of the entire group.

C. Leadership Requires Endurance & Support

Moses got tired, showing how demanding leadership can be. But Aaron and Hur supported him, showing that strong leadership requires a team to uphold and strengthen the head leader.
Where the front goes, the rest follows. The frontline creates and maintains the culture of the entire organization.

#2 - GOD CHOOSES WHO IS IN THE FRONT

1 Samuel 16:6-13 (NLT) "When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, ‘This is not the one the Lord has chosen.’ Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, ‘Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.’ In the same way, all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Then Samuel asked, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse replied. ‘But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.’ ‘Send for him at once,’ Samuel said. ‘We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.’ So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, ‘This is the one; anoint him.’ So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.”

A. God Looks at the Heart, Not Gifts or Accomplishments

Samuel assumed Eliab, the eldest and strongest, was God’s choice, but God looks at the heart (v.7). When God establishes a team, the leaders on the front lines are not chosen by human standards but by divine purpose.

B. God Rejects Man’s Picks and Appoints His Own

Jesse presented his sons in the order of his preference, but God passed over them all until David was called. Man’s selection does not determine leadership, God’s calling does.

C. God Calls Leaders from Unexpected Places

David was overlooked and left tending sheep, yet God called him from the field to the throne. Leadership isn’t about position, it’s about fulfilling God’s assignment.

D. When God Chooses, He Anoints

David wasn’t just chosen; he was anointed, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him powerfully. When God puts someone in front, He equips them with His presence and power.

Romans 13:1 (NLT) “For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

As a leader, you are not in a position by accident, God appointed you.

Exodus 3:10 (NLT) “Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

God chose Moses, an insecure fugitive, to lead His people. Leadership is God’s decision, not man’s.

#3 - THE FRONT LINE IS AN HONORABLE POSITION

With great responsibility, full of sacrifice and reward.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NLT) "But now I said to them, ‘You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!’ Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, ‘Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!’ So they began the good work."

A. God Calls Leaders to Stand in the Gap

Nehemiah had the honor of being chosen to restore the walls of Jerusalem and lead God's people back to security. He wasn’t the strongest warrior, but he was willing to answer and obey the call of God.

B. Leadership Requires Vision & Strategy

Nehemiah didn’t just see the problem, he took responsibility for it. Nehemiah made plans, rallied the people, and organized the work. The front line carries the burden for others. Leaders steward the vision of God.

C. Opposition & Attacks Come At Those In The Front Lines

As soon as Nehemiah stepped into leadership, enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah mocked and threatened him (Nehemiah 4:1-3). Being in front comes with resistance, but great leaders press on and accomplish the God assignment.

D. The Walls Were Completed, and God Was Glorified (Great Reward)

Despite sacrifices, attacks, and challenges, Nehemiah led the people to finish the wall in just 52 days! (Nehemiah 6:15-16). His leadership blessed the entire nation and brought revival.

Luke 12:48 (NLT) “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”

Leadership is a high calling with great responsibility.

Mark 10:45 (NLT) – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

True leadership requires sacrifice, just like Jesus modeled.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT) “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Even when leadership is difficult, God sees and rewards faithfulness.

#4 - TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH EVERY ASSIGNMENT GOD GIVES US

It is all for a bigger purpose than our individual success, we need to succeed as a team accomplishing the team vision. The power is not in us alone, it’s in what we can do together.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT) “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

Success happens together, not alone.

1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT) “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”

Every team member matters, individual success means nothing if the whole team fails.

Insight: Success is a Team Effort

ILLUSTRATION

Tom Brady, who most people have heard of and recognize as the GOAT of Football.

Tom Brady's name will always be connected with football greatness. He’s done what most players don’t ever come close to, seven Super Bowl wins, five Super Bowl MVPs, and a crazy number of passing records.

Passing Yards: 89,214 yards – The most in NFL history.

Passing Touchdowns: 649 – The highest number of career touchdown passes in league history.

Pass Completions: 7,753 – The most completed passes in NFL history.

Games Played: 335 – The most games played by a quarterback.

Regular Season Wins: 251 – The most regular-season victories for any quarterback.

Playoff Wins: 35 – The most playoff victories, surpassing the total wins of 27 NFL franchises.

His career stands as the greatest in NFL history. But as we see his success, it's important to remember that Tom Brady’s achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the front line

Tom Brady’s offensive line played a pivotal role in his success.

The front line is key to pushing the ball forward. Most people have heard of Tom Brady as the NFL “GOAT”, but there was a front line of “GOATS” you may not have heard of. Without this front line, there is no Tom Brady.

Matt Light (Left Tackle, 2001-2011): He protected Brady’s blind side, a critical responsibility that gave Brady the time and safety to make history. 3 TIME Pro Bowler and 3 Super Bowl wins.

Logan Mankins (Guard, 2005-2013): The heart of the offensive line, Mankins provided unmatched toughness and consistency. 6-time Pro Bowler, with 3 Super Bowl wins. He helped anchor the line, enabling Brady to lead the team to victory season after season.

Dan Koppen (Center, 2003-2011): As the center, Koppen’s role in making critical line adjustments was crucial. He started 120 games, providing stability and intelligence to the offensive line that allowed Brady to focus on his craft. Prow bowler with 3 superbowl wins.

Sebastian Vollmer (Right Tackle, 2009-2016): Vollmer’s protection on the right side was key to keeping Brady upright and able to execute plays. A pro bowler who, started 80 games and was instrumental in two Super Bowl wins.

Joe Thuney (Guard, 2016-2020): Known for his versatility, Thuney played in three Super Bowls with the Patriots, winning two, and continued his success with the Kansas City Chiefs. His durability and skill allowed Brady to excel in both the regular season and the postseason.

While Tom Brady’s individual accomplishments are amazing, his success on the field was built on the foundation of a strong, dedicated front line. It’s the collective effort of the team that drives the success.

"I’m just lucky to have such great guys up front. They do all the dirty work, and I’m just the guy who gets to throw the ball. Without them, none of this would be possible." – Tom Brady

#5. THE SUCCESS OF THE FRONT LINE RELIES ON THEIR FAITHFULNESS TO THE INSTRUCTIONS

A successful front line follows orders, knows the goals, sticks to the plays, and doesn’t deviate.

Joshua 6:2-5 (NLT) "But the Lord said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days… On the seventh day, you must march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.’”

A. They Followed Orders Exactly
God gave specific instructions, and Joshua ensured that his army didn’t deviate.
They didn’t attack early, they didn’t break formation, and they didn’t question the strategy.

B. They Knew the Goal and Stayed Committed
Their mission wasn’t just to fight but to trust God’s plan for victory.
Even when marching for six days seemed pointless, they stayed disciplined.

C. They Stuck to the Play
The soldiers didn’t try to use their own battle strategies.
If they had acted outside of God’s plan, they would have failed.

D. They Won Through Obedience, Not Just Strength
Their success came because they followed God’s plan together.
When they shouted on cue, the walls fell, and they took the city!

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NLT) – “But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”

God values structure, obedience, and order for success.

A Successful Front Line Wins Through Discipline & Obedience

A front line that follows orders, knows the goal, and sticks to the plan will succeed, whether in battle, leadership, ministry, or life. Joshua’s army won not because of their own power, but because they followed the exact instructions given by God.

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