“What’s This All About?”
Heb. 13:7-21
So we have ordained and installed another group of Elders and Deacons. I truly believe it’s always a very special time in the life of the newly elected leaders and also in the congregation. But what’s this really all about? What should happen when the time of worship and celebration is over? What should the leaders do? What should the rest of the congregation do? The author of the letter to the Hebrews gives us some wonderful insight into godly leadership in this 13th chapter.
First, let’s address what he says about THE ROAD OF LEADERSHIP. How are godly leaders supposed to lead? To set the framework let’s acknowledge two extremes of leadership. To do so consider one of Aesop’s fables about frogs. “The frogs wanted a leader. They bothered Jupiter so much with their requests that he finally tossed them a log into the pond, and, for a while, the frogs were happy with their new leader. Soon, however, they found out they could jump up and down on their new leader and run all over him. He offered no resistance nor even a response. The log did not did not have any direction or purpose in his behavior, but just floated back and forth in the pond. This practice exasperated the frogs, who were really sincere about wanting ‘strong leadership.’ They went back to Jupiter and complained about their log-leader and appealed for much stronger administration and oversight. Because Jupiter was weary of complaining frogs, he gave them a stork that stood tall above the members of the group and certainly had the appearance of a leader. The frogs were quite happy with their new leader. He stalked around the pond making great noises and attracting great attention. Their joy turned to sorrow, however, and ultimately to panic, for, in a very short time, the stork began to eat its subordinates.” How do godly leaders strike a balance between listening to the people and giving them a voice and taking charge without a deadly dictatorial authority?
Hebrews 13 lists four characteristics of appropriate, balanced godly leadership. First, verse 7: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.” SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD. While Elders have the particular responsibility of overseeing what is preached from the pulpit, both Elders and Deacons need to live in the Word of God. God’s Word must inform and instruct your decisions and actions. That means, of course, you must read it, study it, and digest it. It is the only way to know and interpret the will of God for you and for Hope Church. To follow God’s direction one must walk with God. While you have authority by virtue of the office to which you’ve been Ordained and installed, your full authority comes only from the Word of God.
When you are living in the Word of God and walking in the way of God, you can speak and share the Word of God with you those you lead. In your visitation you can share godly comfort, in your outreach you can share godly invitations, in your conversations you can share godly wisdom, and in your decisions you can share godly direction. People do not want to know how much you know or how wise you are, but how much you know of God’s wisdom. People are much more willing to follow God than follow you – so they need to know you are walking with God.
Verse 7 continues: “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” As leaders you must WALK THE WAY OF FAITH. Your lips and life must match up. What you speak you must live. Exhibit a faith worth imitating. The writer was referring first and foremost to saints who had passed away – many of whom did so as martyrs. He’s building on the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. Remember how their faith influenced their life, their loyalty, and their death. But the principle applies to living leaders as well.
As God’s duly appointed leaders you are held to, and must live by higher standards. People need to see that you are (Acts 6:3) “…full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Jesus said (Mk. 10:42-45), “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Later, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and then said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Remember that the word for deacon means minister or servant and pastor/elder means shepherd and one who serves.
So live the life of faith. May your convictions, your trust, your character be such that people are drawn not to you so much as to Jesus Christ. That way, when you are no longer leading, when you are gone, those you led will be closer to Jesus Christ because of you. Leaders come and go; only Jesus remains. Leaders change; only “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.” (8) Times, circumstances, and sin change us – but nothing changes Jesus! Leaders: walk the way of faith and exhibit a faith worth imitating.
The third characteristic of balanced, godly leadership appears in verse 17: “They keep watch over you.” Leaders, KEEP WATCH OVER YOUR PEOPLE. Look after and care for their physical and spiritual well-being. The word for “Keep watch” refers to surveillance that does not go to sleep; always awake; a care and concern that never ceases. It’s important to note that when the apostle Paul listed all the trials, tribulations, and pressures of his life he included (1 Cor. 11:28) “Besides everything else, I face the daily pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” As a church pastor for almost 37 years I can testify to how overwhelming this surveillance, this watching, can be. When you truly want and seek the best for the people God places under your care, when you rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, you will experience some gut-wrenching, heart rending, soul-stirring times.
But such painful, costly watching is worth the price – because you represent to people a visible reminder that a Greater One is watching. The Psalmist uses the imagery in Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” So, leaders, keep watch over your people.
Fourthly, as a God-appointed leader, PREPARE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT. Remember that, in the last analysis, it is not the judgment of your people that counts, but rather the judgment of God. James 3:1 – “Not many of you should presume to be teachers…because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Increased responsibility means increased accountability. Jesus told a parable about a foolish steward and concluded, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Lk. 12:48) Your speaking, your walking, and your watching will one day be judged by God. May you have led in such a way that He will say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come and share your master’s happiness.” (Mt. 25:21) Such are the responsibilities of a godly leader.
Yet we also need to hear what Hebrews 13 sates about THE RESPONSE TO LEADERSHIP. The letter addresses the followers, the congregation, as well. Back to verse 7: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.” When you look at your leaders REMEMBER AND IMITATE THEIR FAITH. I repeat what I said a few moments ago. The writer was referring first and foremost to saints who had passed away – many of whom did so as martyrs. He’s building on the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. Remember how their faith influenced their life, their loyalty, and their death. But the principle applies to living leaders as well. Paul wrote, in 1 Thess. 5:12-13; “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” Good, godly leadership is hard to come by so when you have it, hold it in high esteem and imitate your leaders’ faith. This means, certainly, to learn from their beliefs but also to learn from the way they live their lives. You are not asked to imitate their accomplishments, or their activities, but their faith. As Paul wrote the Philippians he was bold to say (4:9) “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, - put into practice.”
Realize, however, that your ultimate source for life, your definitive model, is Jesus. FOCUS AND STAND ON JESUS CHRIST. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.” (8) Base your beliefs on Jesus – “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” (9) Let your actions imitate Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit form your life. Jesus said (Jn. 15) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, (does not continue to learn and grow) he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you (continue to learn and grow), ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Know where and with whom you stand and you will always know how to act and what to do. The Johnson and Johnson company once had in their mission statement that employees would “operate with honesty and integrity” Several weeks before a major incident involving Tylenol, the president of Johnson and Johnson sent a memo to all the presidents of divisions in the company asking if they believed in and were abiding by the mission statement. All the responses came back affirmative. Shortly thereafter a problem developed with some Tylenol and within an hour of the Tylenol crisis, the president of the company, knowing it was a $100 million decision, ordered all capsules off the shelves. When reporters asked the president how could so easily and rapidly make such a major decision, his reply was, “I was practicing what we agreed on in our mission statement.” It is always easier to do right when you know ahead of time where you stand. So stand on Jesus. Honor and imitate the faith of your leaders.
The third response to leadership is in verse 17: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” OBEY AND SUBMIT. Why? As we have seen, leaders are held accountable for keeping watch over you. Throughout the Bible it is very clear that there is always a certain order in the relationships of life. Whether in government or in the church, there is an order which promotes peace and harmony. In Paul’s letters we find bishops, elders, and deacons. In Acts we discover men trained to teach and rule. In one of the first major conflicts within the church (Acts 15) it’s clear there was an order set up to guide the young church through the difficult waters.
So here the author states that followers are to willingly be under the rule of their godly leaders. As they give guidance from the Word, as they offer instruction for living, as they chart a course to follow – obey them. They, after all, are accountable to God. When you join Hope Church you agree to “give faithful adherence to the doctrines and teaching of the Church; to walk in the spirit of Christian fellowship and brotherly love with the congregation; to submit yourself to all Christian admonition.” Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey your leaders…so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” The word ‘burden’ is literally “groaning.” Think of Moses groaning to God because the people groaned against him. I see it far too often. There is nothing sadder than to see leaders burning out because they’ve become a dumpster for every complaint and groaning of members. While it’s true that every leader will need to endure such times, it is also true that no leader should have to endure it as the norm. Whether or not leaders here at Hope Church find joy or groaning is directly related to how seriously you take your vows to follow and submit.
What is your response to Hope’s leaders? Does your relationship with them facilitate their difficult ministry or hinder it? Are you a source of refreshment or fatigue? Do you leave a song on their lips or a groan in their hearts? Are you willing to accept their godly admonition and correction or do you listen only when they offer something you want to hear? How have you shown or spoken encouragement to your leaders?
And that sets up the fourth response to leadership – PRAY AND SUPPORT YOUR LEADERS. Verse 18 – “Pray for us.” There is no greater encouragement or gift for our leaders than your sincere, regular prayers. The more you pray the stronger and more effective our leaders will be. If you feel the leadership is poor then there’s a good chance you need to pray more – for their sake and for yours! Pray that God will grant them wisdom, increase their faith, sharpen their discernment, and strengthen their resolve; pray for God to richly bless them; pray for yourself, for the desire to imitate their faith, for the courage to focus and stand on Jesus Christ, for the humility to obey and submit, and for the perseverance to pray and support them.
Sandhill Cranes are large birds which commute great distances and even traverse continents. They have three remarkable qualities. First, they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. Second, they choose a leader that can handle turbulence. Third, all during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking, signaling their affirmation and support. I believe the author the Hebrew letter would see that as a picture of how the church should function. So I will close with his closing words (22, 20-21): “…I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter… May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” That’s what it’s all about.
