A Study of Hebrews
“Jesus Is Better”
Sermon # 27
“A Proper Response To Leadership”
Hebrews 13.7-18
Today’s text is one of those that a pastor comes to with some reluctance. The reason for this reluctance is the fear of being accused of using the text as a pretext for self-promotion. Anytime the pastor must speak on pastoral responsibility it is with the certain knowledge that some will think he is trying to prove something or reprimand someone.
The truth is that this is a difficult time to be a pastor in America. Every pastor is constantly compared to the greatest Preachers in our country. Because of Christian radio every Christian in this country has the opportunity to listen to a top handful of Christian preachers and teachers giving their best stuff, edited and packaged with artistically interspersed background music. As Kent Hughes points out, “When they come to church on Sunday they find the fare to be …dull in comparison. So at the door the pastor hears things like; ‘That was interesting pastor…Eh…I have a terrific tape by Dr [So and So] that is along the same lines, I think you should listen to it, In fact here it is. The pastor smiles and says. ‘Thank You.’ He gets the message but also senses a reduction of his esteem and authority.” [R. Kent Hughes. Hebrews (Chicago: Moody) p. 234]
There are four action verbs in the closing portion of the letter to the Hebrews that I want us to consider today. They are Remember, Follow, Obey and Submit.
First, Remember Your Leaders. (v. 7)
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” When verse seven calls us to remember it is not just calling us to reminisce, it is calling us to action!
On a personal note, in the time I have been pastor here we have gone through good time and bad times together we have worked, cried, rejoiced, prayed and loved as a family of believers. For most of that time we have enjoyed an extraordinary measure of unity. There have been disappointments as well as victories.
Second, Imitate Their Faith. (v. 7)
“…who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
The remembrances of those who have been mentors to us in the faith, is not to simply put us in a nostalgic mood. Instead, that remembrance should have the focus of “considering the outcome of their conduct.” The word translated “follow” is “mimeomai” from which we get our word “mimic.” So we are to mimic or imitate the lives of those we have seen live lives of constant faithfulness. He says, think of those who have provided spiritual leadership in you life, look at the way they live and follow their example of faith.
Verses nine through twelve are directed against the tendency of many to Christians then and now who seek God’s approval by what they do and do not do – in this case by what they eat. Verse nine says, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.”
The once held Catholic practice of eating fish on Friday would be a case in point. The dietary laws of the Old Testament still impressed some people as imparting spirituality, but they were only the shadows of the reality we have in Christ. This brings to mind Paul’s words to the Colossians (2:23) “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” (NIV)
How Then Is Real Faith Manifested? The answer to that question is found in verses fifteen and sixteen. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (16) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Real faith is shown through the two-fold sacrifice of worship- genuine praise and work - compassionate sharing with others in need. The sacrifice of praise from our lips, coming from our hearts is a beautiful gift to our loving Heavenly Father. The second spiritual sacrifice, “of good work of sharing,” is proof of the reality of our faith.
Third, Obey Your Leaders. (v. 17)
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
The simple truth is that we don’t much care for the idea of anyone “ruling over us.” We find the whole idea of being under authority a little offensive.
The word translated “obey” (peithesthe) is not blind obedience but rather obedience after thoughtful consideration. This does not mean unqualified blanket obedience – the kind that made it possible for Jim Jones to order over 800 of his followers to commit suicide by drinking poisoned Kool-Aid.
What it does say is that, when a Servant of God is in the Will of God, teaching the Word of God, the people of God should submit and obey.
This does not mean that pastors can be dictators, Peter says (1 Peter 5:2-3) “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
A part of the pastoral responsibility is “to watch out for your souls” the word “over” is better translated “on behalf of.” It is the God-given responsibility of pastoral leadership functioning under the direction of God to give direction to the local church, to teach the Word, to protect the church from false doctrine, to reprove and rebuke and exhort.
One major point that we need to understand is that the church is "not" in its strictest sense a democracy where the majority rules, it is a theocracy in which God rules through appointed spiritual leaders.
Fourth, Submit To Your Leaders. (v. 17)
“…and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
The word “submission” can be better understood when it is taken apart. The word “sub” means “under” thus the word submarine means under water. The word “mission” means “purpose or goal.” Thus submission means to place myself under or yield to a stated purpose or mission. Submission means to bring myself under the authority of the mission.
The mission of the church is not in one ministry. Every ministry of First Baptist Church is important. The mission of the church is bigger than; the Mission’s program, the Awana program, the Children’s ministry, the Youth ministry or Evangelism and Outreach. Each of these ministries is important, none are in competition, and all are a part of the broader mission of this church.
The writer goes on to give some reasons why “submission” to God’s plan is a good idea.
•They watch out for your souls. The imagery is that of a shepherd overseeing and protecting the flock. I am going to say something that really simplistic, the larger a church grows the more difficult it becomes to care for the sheep!
•They will give an account. The Word of God is very clear on the point that those who are called into leadership in the church will give an account to God for their labor. Just as James (3:1) explains that teachers, “shall receive a stricter judgment” – spiritual leaders face a time of giving an account of how they discharged their responsibilities as shepherds of the flock of God.
•They should do so with joy. So the writer asks the readers to make this an enjoyable task for the leaders that they may not be grieved.
“Let them do so with joy and not with grief.” “Joy” and “Grief’ express the two extremes of emotions that characterize the life of a Christian leader. A pastor’s greatest joy is to see people come to know the Lord and grow in their relationship with Him. Conversely one of the greatest sadnesses is to see individuals who do not grow or mature in their Christian walk. The word “grief” (stenazontes) is to groan inwardly without external expression. “When the members of a congregation fail to submit themselves to the leadership the leader end up working under an emotional burden that gives them a life filled with sighs. Such a condition is [“unprofitable” - NKJV] to the congregation since the ministry is diminished by undue emotional stress.” [George H. Guthrie. The NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews.(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998) p. 442]
The implication is that the present leaders were overburdened with the care of the congregation. In all the years I have been involved in ministry, it has often be demonstrated how naïve some church members are about the realities of the daily life in the pastoral ministry. Most if not all pastors have many times heard a member say, “So I know you preach on Sundays. What do you do the rest of the week?”
Sometimes church goers are hard pressed to have something to say to the pastor as they file past at the completion of the service. This problem is evidenced by what one minister reported having been said to him.
•“You always manage to find something to fill up the time.”
•“I don’t care what they say, I like your sermons.”
•“If I’d known you were going to be good today I’d have brought a neighbor.”
•“Did you know there are 243 panes of glass in the windows?”
•“We shouldn’t make you preach so often.”
[ Arthur Myers in Berkshire Sampler – from bible.org; Sermon illustration/pastoring]
But honestly the pressure to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is never ending. The emotional toll of feeling somehow responsible for every moral failure of every member can not easily be explained away. The expectations of the membership to spend hours in the office studying, yet visit every person in the hospital, comfort everyone who has lost a loved one, be available at a moments notice for counseling, yet spend hours developing a plan and vision for the church, while not neglecting a vigorous personal walk and life of prayer – can lead to some really silly and unrealistic expectations
If however, the members of the congregation yield voluntary submission to responsible leadership it has the ability to make the leader job lighter and a joy. It is worthy of note that the responsibility for making the operation of the church a joy, and not a burden is placed on the members of the congregation, not on their leaders.
• Not to do so is harmful. The writer
says “for that would be unprofitable for you.” The word “unprofitable” literally means “harmful.” Clearly the use of the plural pronoun “you” in this verse applies this to the church. The sad fact is that the whole church is detrimentally affected when even a few are rebelling against the leadership of the church. When someone is agitated they are seldom content to be agitated alone. The attitudes of a few can have an effect on the whole church.
The closing section of the letter takes a personal turn when in verses eighteen the writer asks, “Pray for us.” He asks his readers to pray for him and thus for those in leadership. How different the modern church would be if they chose prayer over criticism.
“A Proper Response To Leadership”
Hebrews 13.7-18
First, ____________ Your Leaders. (v. 7)
Second, _________ Your Leaders. (v. 7)
How Then Is Real Faith Manifested? (vv. 15-16)
•___________ - genuine praise
•______ - compassionate sharing with others in need.
Third, ________ Your Leaders. (v. 17)
Fourth, __________ To Your Leaders (v. 17)
Reasons why “submission” to God’s plan is a good idea.
• They watch out for your ________
• They will give an _____________
• They should do so with _______
• Not to do so is ____________
