There is a great reluctance on the part of the majority of people in this country to follow authority. Perhaps it is because of the anti-establishment tidal swell that began in the 1950’s. Perhaps it is because of the way that many in authority have taken advantage of people’s trust in the recent past (especially in some church settings). Whatever the reason, the author of Hebrews calls us to boldly follow the leaders that God has placed over us for our benefit. The key idea of this passage is that God has given church leadership for the spiritual wellbeing of the body of Christ. Support your leaders with obedience and prayer. The author outlines two necessities in this passage.
I. The Need to Obey Your Leaders
The first necessity the author outlines for the believers to whom he is writing is the need to obey your leaders. He describes this in verse 17. He notes, “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.”
A. The command to obey
The author describes three truths related to this need to obey your leaders. The first truth he describes is the command to obey. He tells us, “Obey your leaders and submit to them.” What’s interesting about the author’s command to obey is that he uses words for obey that are rare in the New Testament. The verb translated, “Obey” is found in many places as, “to be persuaded by,” “to listen to,” “to believe in” or “to trust.” It is translated as “to obey” in two other places in the New Testament but it is not the most common idea associated with this word. We might describe this command as “Be persuaded to follow your leaders.” “Trust in your leaders and listen to them.”
Of course this obedience is never to be seen as blind, untested trust. It is never to be in disregard of the Word of God. Even the apostle Paul understood people in certain places where he preached the Gospel to be more noble-minded than others because (as Luke records in Acts 17:11), they searched the Scripture daily to see if the things spoken by the Apostle Paul were so. They didn’t take what someone said for granted just because they claimed to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. They listened but they searched. They were willing to believe, they were willing to obey but they searched the Scripture to make sure. This ought to be the practice of everyone here. What is said from this pulpit, whether it is from myself or anyone else should be carefully examined and then followed.
The second word the author uses is “submit.” This means to place yourself under the guidance and direction of someone. Submission to church leadership is essential to maintain a good testimony among those outside the church. We are not to treat church leaders the way the world treats their leaders. The world slanders its leaders. It looks for various blemishes in them and then attacks them verbally to others. Now I don’t mean that we overlook sin in a leader’s life or problems that he has in his leadership. They must be addressed. The Scripture says so. There are certain qualifications the Bible gives that leaders must have if they are to be leaders. And if you notice an apparent problem in a leader’s life the Bible describes the way to handle it. The way to handle it is not, however, to spread it around to whomever you wish. That is gossip or slander and its sin.
Isn’t it funny that people who say they don’t feel right approaching the pastor about something wrong in the church are the same ones who feel no compulsion whatsoever against approaching someone else about it. What this indicates is a heart problem with the person who will not speak to the pastor. I cannot tell you how many problems in the church have been avoided because someone came to speak to me about an issue and when they did they found out they had misunderstood the whole situation. What would have happened if they simply took it upon themselves to be the fix-it committee in the matter? Chaos would have reigned.
But as we speak about obeying and submitting to the leaders in the church we need to understand what the definition of Christian leadership is because it is definitely not the world’s idea of leadership. In Mark 10, as His disciples argued over who was the greatest, Jesus outlined for them what it really means to be a leader in the Christian realm. Here were these twelve men, handpicked by Jesus vying for first place in the kingdom. They looked for any way to get ahead. James and John brought their mother to ask Jesus if He would make them his right and left hand men. The Scripture says that it offended the other 10 (probably because they didn’t think of bringing in their mom first).
But in verse 42, Mark begins, “Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority (dominance) over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus said that leaders in the secular world lord it over those under their charge. They rule by domineering those under them. Intimidation, threats and manipulation are the means to motivate. But Jesus said this is not the way Christians are to lead those under them. He told his disciples that they were asking the wrong question. “Who is the greatest?” No, that’s not it. As those who claim to follow Jesus, being the greatest doesn’t mean being the most powerful or having the strongest will but the being the one who is the biggest servant. Who will give of themselves for others? Who will put the needs of others above themselves?
After all, Jesus said that He came (God in the flesh came) not to be served but to serve. If God came to serve, what example does this pose for us? This is why we see the apostles in this light throughout their letters. They were not leaders who demanded to be honored or exalted. They called themselves slaves for Christ’s sake. They didn’t have people bowing to them or kissing their ring. They gave up the comforts that others afforded for themselves for the kingdom of God. They served others for the Gospel. These are true Christian leaders. They are those who possess a servant’s attitude. A Christian leader must be first and foremost a servant of Christ then they will be able to be a servant to others.
The author says that you are to follow the leaders whom God has given you. But I don’t think that should be a difficult thing when the church’s leader knows that he is God’s servant. The shepherd that willingly lays down his life for the sheep is a shepherd the sheep will follow. In my own experience, I never found it hard to follow someone whom I knew had my own best interest in mind. This is the way it ought to be. I only hope that I can be such a servant leader here in this church.
B. The reasons to obey
The next truth the author gives us concerning the need to obey is the reasons to obey. The reasons stand out as implications for the true servant leader. The leader who truly recognizes his ministry to the church has two such implications.
1. Leadership implies responsibility
The first implication of Christian leadership is that leadership implies responsibility. The author first notes why you are to obey your leaders by saying, “for they keep watch over your souls.” As your pastor, I have a ministry in seeking your spiritual wellbeing. I am to care for you in such a way as to make sure you are walking with the Lord. I am to care for you in seeking to restore you if you are straying from Him. I am to care for you to help you live righteously. I am to direct you to live from out of the Scripture that you might grow in your walk with Christ.
There is a real responsibility in being your pastor. The issues that I deal with are eternal matters and affect your life’s destiny. Don’t think that I can see this as a light thing. How you live and respond to the Word of God are of great importance to me. Your burdens and cares and struggles follow me throughout my day.
There are those who call themselves pastors but they are simply hirelings. They act like CEOs instead of shepherds. They run church like a business and think that ministry would be great if it weren’t for all the people. People with this mindset do not understand the great responsibility that is upon them as pastor.
2. Leadership implies accountability
The second implication of Christian leadership is that leadership implies accountability. The author says next, “they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.” In Romans 14:12, the apostle Paul says, “Each one of us shall give an account of himself to God.” In this leadership role, it is clear that the pastor is not only giving an account of himself but an account of how he ministered to those under his care.
This truth of accountability has deep significance for me. One day I will stand before Lord, face to face, and give an account of the stewardship of your souls with which He has entrusted me. I will give an account of how I handled myself in the pulpit, that is what I did with the Word of God. I will give an account of how I treated those under this charge. I will give an account of what I did with my time and whether I profitably used it or squandered it. I will give account of how I dealt with those who refused to follow God’s Word. I will give an account of whether or not I was faithful to speak all of God’s counsel to you, either to you as a group or to you as an individual. In other words, I will speak to the Lord as to whether I was a real shepherd. Understanding this has often given me the courage to say what needed to be said instead of compromising. I tell you there is a battle in my own heart on many occasions. I want to be likeable but I cannot let this get in the way of speaking the truth for your eternal benefit. Because not only will you give account for it but so will I. And as much as you would not want to stand before the Lord on that day and be ashamed so I don’t want you to stand before the Lord on that day and be ashamed because I too will give account if I did not fulfill my ministry to you as your shepherd.
C. The results as you obey
The third truth the author wants us to understand about the need to obey is the results as you obey. The author mentions two results that take place when you obey the leaders God has given you in the church.
1. Your leader’s joy
The first result is your leader’s joy. The author says in the second part of verse 17, “Let them do this with joy and not with grief.” Seeking to lead a group of people to follow the Lord has both joy and grief associated with it. The word the author uses here translated, “grief” has the idea of groaning. Sometimes working with individuals who are recalcitrant (or stubborn) against following the Word produces grief in a leader’s heart that causes innumerable groans and sighs.
Nothing gives me more joy then when I hear of individuals who are excited about obeying God’s Word because I spoke the truth to them and they embraced it. There are many of you here whom I have had the joy of seeing you put into practice something I said and watching you reap the reward of the obedience to God’s Word.
Conversely, some are not here today because they heard the truth and disregarded it. And they too are reaping the consequences of their disobedience. It is for these that I grieve. There is no joy in my heart in knowing someone has liberated himself from the service of Christ in order to pursue a course of immorality or debauchery.
The reason for my grief is not mainly that someone has done me wrong but that they have heard what the truth is and have walked away from it. It causes me grief because the Scripture has clearly shown what would have made for their own joy and yet they refuse it to their own peril and judgment. How can I be happy about this?
I think of the Apostle Paul, as he wrote in Philippians 3. He described those who turned away from following Christ and the attendant grief it caused him. He said, “Many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame.” Contrast this with what he said at the beginning of chapter 2, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” What brought joy to Paul’s life? When the church was serving Christ in harmony.
In a similar vein, the author of Hebrews notes that obeying and submitting to your leaders will bring joy to their hearts.
2. Your spiritual benefit
The second result in obeying your leaders is your spiritual benefit. He says that if the leaders were to be in grief, “this would be unprofitable for you.” If you obey and submit to your leaders you will find spiritual benefit from it. He says that if you don’t it will be unprofitable. Actually the word is a little stronger than this. It would not just be unprofitable but it would be harmful. It is harmful to disregard the Word of God spoken by those who lead you. Do you want to be encouraged and strengthened spiritually? Then follow the leader. Or as in the way Paul said it, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
There seems to be today a general disinclination to follow authority. Perhaps it has to due with past circumstances in dealing with ungodly leadership in other places. Maybe it is because you seek an excuse to disobey the Word of God and leadership just happens to be a convenient cover for your disobedience.
What I say is don’t let a poor excuse or past difficulties prevent you from experiencing the spiritual benefit that comes from obeying leadership God has established in the church. For as best as I can, unless there is actual defection from the Word of God or some disqualifying event in my life you yourself are culpable for not obeying. You will bring down this hardship upon your own self
If there is a true problem, defined by the Scripture, then you are really obeying and submitting to leadership if you make it known to the leader first. Then if they will not listen take the next step, again, according to Scripture, specifically Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20. Otherwise, for your own spiritual benefit obey your leader.
II. The Need to Pray for Your Leaders
The second necessity the author outlines for the believers to whom he is writing is the need to pray for your leaders. In verses 18-19, the author mentions two reasons to pray for your leaders.
A. To maintain a good testimony
The first reason to pray for your leaders is so that they will maintain a good testimony. In verse 18, he says, “Pray for us for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” The author wants his readers to understand that he covets their prayers. He notes that he currently has a good conscience and desire to maintain such a testimony. He says, “we desire to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” How is he to maintain this good testimony? He asks them to pray for him and those with him.
In 1 Timothy 3(v. 7), Paul tells his son in the faith that a qualification for the pastor is to have a “good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” A good reputation is so vitally important in having a growing ministry to those around the church.
Let me tell you how much I need you to pray for me. So many important things take place here daily. I need the wisdom of God to discern what is right. I need the strength of God to say what is right. I need God’s grace to minister to those who come for help that I might see the real issues that need to be dealt with. Be part of the kingdom work here and pray for me. I am confident that I have a good conscience. I am confident that I want to do what is honorable in everything. But I need your prayer on my behalf to serve Christ in this church effectively. I know that many of you do pray for me consistently and fervently. But I ask you here who may not pray for me regularly to commit yourself to do so and ask God to prosper the spiritual well-being of the people in this church. Pray for the undertaking that I have begun to disciple everyone in this church (either personally or through those whom I have already discipled). Pray so that in this way the Word of God may spread rapidly in our midst and God may be glorified.
There are so many things for which to pray. Pray that God would raise up other leaders in our church to multiply the work here. Pray for those who lead the worship and other aspects of ministry. We could go on and on but commit yourself to pray for me that in everything we intend to do here we would have a good testimony.
B. To ensure a long ministry
The second reason the author says you should pray for your leaders is to ensure a long ministry. He says in verse 19, “And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.” The author may have been writing from prison. He was asking his readers to pray most diligently that he would be restored to them sooner. He understood that their prayer was vitally important to the continuance of his ministry. God would use the means of prayer to expand his ability to serve Christ.
Let me say that I fully intend to stay here and minister at this church for eons. However, you need to pray for me that my ministry here would be effective and fruitful for years to come. And pray not just for my spiritual growth and effectiveness but for my physical protection too (something the author was asking his readers to do). Some here have affectionately called me the porcelain pastor because I have the tendency to hurt myself so astutely. Perhaps my physical wellbeing should also be seriously brought up before the Lord as you intercede.
Friends, what the author brings to us today is the need to follow, for the good of Christ’s church, the leaders God gives to you here. With all your heart, support the work of God we are seeking to do. And commit yourself to pray for myself and for any one else here who seeks to shepherd God’s people for God’s glory.