LEADING THE WAY
Hebrews 13:17 (page 853) February 13, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Our theme for 2011 is "The Next Step: Following Jesus into the unknown" and as we've said, "Every one of us has a next step. For some it might be the first step of surrendering their lives to Christ, but after that step every single person who calls themselves a Christian is expected to grow, to become more mature in Christ, and that growth cannot happen if we are stuck in one place, complacent or apathetic in our spiritual lives. Growing in Christ always involves a "Next Step."
The key to that truth is that "disciples are made" by following in the footsteps of leaders. Jesus modeled this example with his disciples and expects His church to practice that same model for discipleship and growth.
Jesus was a leader who was close enough to his followers they could relate, but was far enough ahead to motivate them. He understood that people are changed not by coercion or intimidation, but by example. He understood that there is a huge difference between a "Boss" and a "Leader."
Every Jew in Jerusalem lived under a boss. Rome occupied Judea. Rome had its laws and its soldiers to make sure they were obeyed. It’s the exact reason Jesus says to his disciples…
"You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them" (Matt. 20:26)
Basically Jesus says "The bosses of the world love to tell you what to do…and love making you do it from behind their desks."
And then Jesus says, "Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant".
Robert Greenleaf said, "Good leaders must first become good servants."
We teach what we know. We reproduce what we are. Jesus was a servant – leader, that is what he sought to reproduce.
1.
Fern Creek Christian Church is filled with servant leaders. Some of them have titles, many don't. But all of them understand good leaders are good servants and that we reproduce what we are.
The writer of Hebrews knew that leadership the church is extremely rewarding, filled with the joy of seeing lives changed, but also extremely difficult if not supported and encouraged.
It's why he says…….
I OBEDIENCE IS HOW WE HONE THOSE IN LEADERSHIP
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority"
The difficulty in this is "authority"….every single one of our hearts raises the "A" Anarchy flag of rebellion. (If you don't know what the Anarchy Flag is ask a teenager).
Disobedience was chosen by our spiritual parents in the Garden of Eden as they ate the forbidden fruit, and that nature inhabits every single person's soul.
We didn’t like it when our parents sat down rules….we don't like it when the government tells us how fast to drive, we struggle when we see and encounter "church policies" and "power struggles". When someone in leadership promotes their interests over someone else's…why are you telling me I can't do this?
George Barna has a new volume called "Moral and Spiritual Anarchy”. He flatly states that moral anarchy has arrived and rules our culture today. The argument hinges on….
a substantial amount of attitudinal and behavioral evidence: record bankruptcy levels, frivolous lawsuits, the rapid growth of the pornography industry, highway speeding as the norm, income tax cheating, computer hacking and viruses, rising levels of white collar crime, rampant copyright violations (movies, books, recordings), terrorism and intimidation tactics, net-based plagiarism, emotional comfort with lying and cheating, increasing rates of co-habitation and adultery, and so forth.
Moreover, Barna takes the argument farther and suggests that the United States is now in a state of spiritual anarchy as well. He mentioned that millions of people's faith activity is no longer affected by parameters such as church loyalty, respect for clergy, acceptance of absolutes, tolerance of Christianity, reverence for God, a desire to strive for personal holiness, sensitivity to theological heresy, and appreciation of tradition. The rejection of these elements has created a void that has been filled by the customized spirituality that lacks biblical moorings. Obey and submit are not two words that find an easy place in our rebellious hearts. In a climate where we mistrust leadership…sometimes because they've disappointed us with their character or their direction…whether it be preachers or politicians….we become cynical of motives…and the cynicism brings about judgment and criticism.
2.
I'm not going to say a great deal about those outside the church because that is not who the writer of Hebrews is dealing with in our text. Paul tells the Romans "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1).
Nero, the evil Roman leader was on the throne when Paul wrote these words. We are told in scriptures to pay our taxes, pray for those who are in authority. Yes we are to obey God before men if a law is unscriptural, but we are to understand that God has ordained these powers and we are building His Kingdom, not an earthly one and an earthly Kingdom without laws leads to chaos.
But our text isn't talking about government leaders…its taking about leaders in the church.
II INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD.
"They keep watch over you as men who must give an account."
Jules Ormont said, "A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibility."
The responsibility of leading others to follow Christ more closely is heavier because for those whose who desire it, and are gifted by God to do it…one day they will have to see how successfully they've accomplished the job. My heart aches with this responsibility for our elders, our deacons, our staff, our teachers and ministry leaders...asking others to follow me as I follow Christ is sobering.
It's hard work to admonish, counsel, warn and caution. It's hard to make big picture decisions when you know people will get mad because it affects their little pictures. It's hard to follow Jesus by faith when many tell you it can't be done realistically. It’s hard to know so much…and keep on loving instead of becoming judgmental. It's hard to know that your failures will be put under a microscope and your victories will get very little credit.
It’s tough to stay in the game when you’re tired, bloody and beaten…and people from the stands are booing. Support your ministers and leaders. They know they are accountable to God for how well they shepherd and guide the flock. Obedience is one of the greatest proofs of effective leaders. John Maxwell says, “Leaders will not experience long-term success unless a lot of people want them to.” And when that occurs…
II. Joy is the result of people working as one.
Our goal in ministry and leadership here at Fern Creek is to help people meet Jesus personally and then grow to be mature followers. There is no greater joy for us than when that truly happens.
When people obey Christ in this way the work of leadership isn’t a burden. It’s a joy. It has the advantage of renewing our focus and encouraging those who work very hard for this to happen. It’s the lifeblood of a growing, healthy body.
The word for minister in the New Testament means “servant,” as does the word “deacon.” The term that’s used more often than any other to describe the role of an elder is “shepherd” along with “overseer.”
None of these individuals or any other ministry leader will be perfect. They are called to be people of character, people who will be an “example to the flock,” but what really sets all leaders apart is the joy that comes in sharing life with those they oversee. It takes time, a lot to do it effectively. It takes a willingness to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. As Lynn Anderson said, “Shepherds smell like sheep because they are close to them.” Sheep follow shepherds they know and trust. That takes an investment of yourself that few are called to make and are willing to make. As Fred Smith said, “Leadership is both something you are, and something you do.”
Francis of Assisi once invited an apprentice to go with him to a nearby village to preach. The young monk quickly agreed, seizing an opportunity to hear his teacher speak. When they arrived in the village, St. Francis began to visit with the people.
First he stopped in on the butcher. Next a visit with the cobbler. Then a short walk to the home of a woman who’d recently buried her husband. After that a stop at the school to chat with the teacher. This continued throughout the morning. After some time, Francis told his disciple that it was time to return to the abbey.
The student didn’t understand. “But we came to preach, “He reminded. “We haven’t preached a sermon.”
“Haven’t we?” questioned the elder. “People have watched us, listened to us, responded to us. Every word we have spoken, every deed we have done has been a sermon. We have preached all morning.”
St. Francis said, “Preach without ceasing; if you must, use words.”
When Jesus invited the disciples to “come and follow Him” He knew he couldn’t heal all the sick, release all the captives, feed all the hungry, or teach all the people. But what he did do was pour himself into his followers. He shared life with them for over 3 years. They had private times of discussion and learning. These zealots, fishermen, tax gatherers, and prostitutes knew Jesus had called them. He was their leader and they followed. Sometimes they argued, sometimes they failed, sometimes they spoke when they should have listened, but he was preparing them to “love others as He had loved them.”
And when he left them as His ambassadors on earth to carry on His mission He gave them His Spirit so they could recall His words, be comforted when they grieved, and be convicted when they forgot to be “Holy!”
And as they went people could tell these leaders had been with Jesus.
Joy doesn’t come from getting your own way. Joy doesn’t come from having power to “Lord it over” people. Joy comes from being with Jesus and helping others find that truth. It makes us one.
May we have the same goal as the Apostle Paul who said, “Follow me as I follow Jesus.”
Let’s pray.
