How to Recognize a Spiritual Leader
Hebrew Series 12/03/14
Introduction
A. The author describes one group in the church in particular that are to be “remembered”, “those who led you”.
1. Guiding/leading men/spiritual leaders at the local church/assembly.
a. Where ever Paul went, he founded local churches & ordained qualified believers to lead those assemblies.
Acts 14:23 (NASB) When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Titus 1:5 (NASB) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you
aa. “Saints, Bishops (Elders) & Deacons”
Philippians 1:1 (NASB) Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons
b. The member were instructed to do four things in response to the leaders God put over them.
aa. Remember them:
Hebrews 13:7 (NASB) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
To be mindful of, think of, feel for: It’s possible that some of their leaders were dead; honor the dead.
bb. Imitate their faith:
Hebrews 13:7 (NASB) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
The leaders were not preaching to return to the Temple, Priestly Worship — Jesus is the same yesterday, today & forever.
cc. Obey & Submit to them:
Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
When a servant of God is in the will of God, teaching the Word of God, the people of God should submit & obey. (Doesn’t mean the Pastor is a dictator - nor does he’s simply holding an office: both are dangerous.
dd. Greet All your Leaders:
Hebrews 13:24 (NASB) Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
Show affection, every Christian should be on speaking terms with his/her Pastor — never allow the “root of bitterness” to grow in your heart because it will poison you & hurt the whole church.
Hebrews 12:15 (NASB) See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
2. Each member of the local body has an important/essential role to fill, it is also true that God has ordained spiritual leaders in the church.
a. Where people permit the pastors/elders to lead, there is usually blessing/growth.
aa. Not talking about high-handed, egotistical dictatorship
bb. But true spiritual leadership — That’s God’s pattern for church.
b. One day every Pastor will have to give an account of his ministry to the Lord, and he wants to do it with joy.
c. A disobedient/trouble-making/antagonist will find on that day that the results of their disobedience/trouble making are unprofitable, not for their Pastor, but for his/herself.
B. Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
It’s easier to “win souls” then to “watch over souls”.
1. Some ministries see their work as to preach/run the programs.
a. No Shepard’s heart, tenderness, vested interest in his flock.
b. Some do it for the money - run when danger is near
John 10:11-14 (NASB) 11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
2. When a shepherd is faithful to watch for souls, it is important that the sheep obey him.
a. How do you know the kind of man to follow?
aa. In the last century we have seen Jim Jones, David Koresh.
bb. Day of distorted or compromised truth.
b. Who/what should we look for in a spiritual leader?
I. The Marks of a Spiritual Leader
Hebrews 13:7 (NASB) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
A. There are three marks of a spiritual leader.
1. Man of Truth (He believes the entire/whole truth of Scripture)
a. In the first century not everyone had a copy of scripture. People had to have a Pastor who knew & believed the Word of God.
aa. Their lives pointed to Christ! Kingdom!
bb. Pastors come & go but the message remains the same.
b. I’ve witnessed families shop for the right church...
aa. Building, student ministry, social ministries, music, missions, operate gifts, events ... these are secondary when considering the message that comes from the pulpit weekly.
bb. The true man of God will not change the message to suit the popular winds.
cc. Billy Sunday: “The old cat’s headed for hell, If it would turn around, I’d be rubbing it into the right direction.
2. Man of Trust
a. The Hebrews were told to follow after the leader who leads by faith.
aa. Their lives matched their sermons.
bb. The spiritual leader must be following after Jesus so the people can follow Him.
b. The church will eventually take on the Spirit of the Pastor.
c. The Pastor can not lead to where he hasn’t been.
3. Man with a Clean Testimony (lit. “Observe attentively”)
a. See what direction their life is heading them, the goal of their life.
b. Bad doctrine results in bad living.
II. The Message of a Spiritual Leader
Hebrews 13:8-14 (NASB) 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefitted. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
A. The audience of Hebrews were in danger of getting wrapped in dangerous doctrines.
1. Some where considering going back to legalism, dietary laws, Temple worship.
a. Hebrews 13:9 (NASB) 9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefitted.
The writer warns them that dietary laws never saved anyone - made anyone spiritual.
b. The Laws were a shadow of the reality found in Christ.
2. Remember their Sermons!
B. The true man of God will be centered on Jesus.
1. The Pre-Eminase of Christ
Hebrews 13:8 (NASB) 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
a. Jesus never changes.
aa. He’s not affected by public opinion, polls, or changing culture.
bb. The message of Christ doesn’t change with time.
b. To preach Christ is to preach grace, not the rules of religion or rituals.
2. The Passion of Christ
Hebrews 13:12-13 (NASB) 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
a. Two words stand out: Suffer & Blood
aa. “Suffer” describes shame, humiliation, outcast, condemnation put on th sacrificial animal
Hebrews 13:11 (NASB) 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
bb. Their sins had been committed to the animal outside on the alter, blood spilt & they had faith this animal atoned for their sin.
b. Our Lord went outside the gates of Heaven’s Glory to come to Earth
aa. He was lead violently outside Jerusalem, beaten, battered, bruised & bloodied to buy back our souls!
bb. He suffered our sins!
cc. That’s the message - we are called to call men to leave all & follow Jesus.
C. The promise of Christ
Hebrews 13:14 (NASB) 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
1. Jesus had promised us that we can join Him in a city He has prepared for us.
2. Our message is not just to make people comfortable here - prepare them for Heaven.
III The Measure of a Spiritual Leader
Hebrews 13:15-16 (NASB) 15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
A The measure of a spiritual leader is not found in numbers: (attendance, S.S., Baptism, square feet), but by the people we produce.
1 When you are in the business of producing people you will have to sacrifice. . .
a Sacrifice of Worship
Hebrews 13:15 (NASB) 15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
aa Praise/thanksgiving are the hallmark of the worship of a people who love Jesus.
bb The Holy Spirit that leads us in worship, draws us near Christ.
b Sacrifice of discipleship
Hebrews 13:16 (NASB) 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
aa “Doing good” is a simple phrase that describes true ministry.
bb God’s people led wisely will do good morally, socially, and spiritually.
cc They’ll reach out to others to touch them in ministry.
c Sacrifice of stewardship
Hebrews 13:16 (KJV) 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
aa “communicate” (v.16, kjv) is translated often as “share.”
bb People led rightly will give of their finances for God’s glory.
Conclusion:
A Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
declares that a pastor must be accountable to God as the guardian over the members of His church.
1 Pastor’s watch over the souls of the flock.
a Regardless if the watching over is wanted, that’s his job.
b Whether the flock receives the instruction or not . . . it’s his job to watch over.
2 How do you relate to your spiritual leadership?
a Pray for them? Obey the Lord as the pastor shares His Word?
b No man of God can lead unless those under him will be led.
B No man of God can feed unless there are those who will be fed.
1 You are the measure of your pastor’s ministry.
2 Your response will determine God’s blessing on the church.
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