1 IMITATE YOUR LEADERS FAITH Hebrews 13:7,17 As the author of Hebrews nears the end of his letter, he encourages the readers to be faithful not only to Christ, but also to leaders. The implication of this verses (Heb 13:7,17) is that the leaders who began the church were faithful until they died. They were exemplary in many ways, especially in their faith. REMEMBER YOUR LEADERS (13:7) How often Paul says, Let me bring this to your remembrance. In the same way, the writer here tells his people: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God (v. 7). The word spoke (aorist elalesan) indicates leaders who were no longer with them, who probably had died, and yet continue to make an impact upon their lives. By telling us to remember the writer was telling us to remember our leaders, leaders such as Peter the leader of the church, John the beloved disciple, Paul the apostle, Stephen the first martyr, James the first apostle to be martyred (Ac 12:2), etc. And there were many others who died at the hands of the Jewish anger. Consider these and observe their example, imitate their faith. The memorial marker to John Wesley in Westminster Abbey bears the inscription: "God buries his workmen, but he carries on his work." Memories of godly lives help best when they turn us to the One who never needs to be replaced and who is permanently available to his people. The next verse follows with the great statement that Jesus is unchanged and unchangeable and builds upon Hebrews 1:10-12 where all creation may pass away but Jesus the Creator remains forever the same. Here, at the end of Hebrews, Jesus' role as mediator of the new covenant and pioneer of faith who is always available to his people is even more the focal point of the author's declaration. Remember, it is their faith in looking to Jesus that is most important. As the writer demonstrates early on, we are to look through those we respect to see whom they have seen: our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a fact of church history, that it is the spiritually humble of every age, who recognize the grace that has been given to them. And grace it is what saves and strengthens us all. Christ must always be our primary interest in all times and all places. 1
2 CONSIDER THE OUTCOME OF THEIR WAY OF LIFE (13:7) We are also exhorted to consider their perseverance: Consider the outcome of their way of life... (v. 7). They were faithful to God and His cause even during the most trying circumstances. They suffered persecution and many died a violent death. But God never left them. He never forsook them. Therefore they were joyous in their afflictions and triumphant in their death. Carefully consider this and act as they did. Keep the faith! The last part of verse 7 states:... and imitate their faith (v. 7). Paul advised Timothy along the same lines: IMITATE YOUR LEADERS FAITH (13:7) Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Ti 4:16). Such leaders should be remembered or recognized and followed. Not only does a church need godly leaders, it also needs godly followers. It is specifically their faith that must be emulated since it was fixed on Jesus who is unchangeable. The memory of those who have shaped our faith is an encouragement that we should nurture to draw strength from our Lord who is the same yesterday, today and forever (13:8). OBEY AND SUBMIT TO YOUR LEADERS (13:17) Obedience to leaders and submission to authority is also key: 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 (13:17). Obey and submit to your leaders. In the former verse the apostle exhorts them to remember those who had been their leaders, and to imitate their faith; in this he exhorts them to obey the leaders they now had, and to submit to their authority in all matters of doctrine and discipline. 2
3 The injunction to obey persons in authority includes obedience to civil powers; and even the policeman is referred to in the Scripture as "a minister of God to thee for good" (Ro13:4); but the obedience required here is submission to the leaders of the church. Such men are known in the New Testament by at least six, possibly seven, titles. The words "bishop" (episkopos) translated "overseer"; "presbyter" translated "elder"; "pastor" translated "shepherd" and "steward" are all scriptural designations of the kind of ruler mentioned in this verse. Paul referred to himself and to others as "stewards of the mysteries of God," making such persons a class of men and declaring that it was required of stewards that they be found faithful" (1 Co 4:1-2). Moreover, he said of an "elder" called "bishop" in this verse, that "the bishop must be blameless as God's steward" (Titus 1:7) and Peter also used the terms in some sense to include all Christians calling them "good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pe 4:10). "Pastor" is used in Ephesians 4:11 as being distinguished from evangelist, apostle, and prophet, and therefore appears to be another name for "elder," "bishop" or overseer. This office is specifically mentioned an enumeration of qualifications (1 Ti 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). This indicates its crucial importance to the church and requires submission on the part of followers. Every society must have some kind of government; and the Lord has chosen to elevate to that responsibility in the church people of faith, ability and reputation to bear the burden of government of the church. Every Christian should be loyal, faithful and obedient to such leaders, who themselves must give an account to God, and who do not lord it over God's people, but in patience, love and humility, seek only that which contributes to the happiness and spiritual prosperity of the community of believers (1 Pe 5:1-3). Why should we obey and submit to our leaders? We should do so because God has put them in the place of responsibility and accountability. They are to keep a watch of our souls and have to give an account of their conduct to God This, of course, does not relieve individual responsibility, but it puts an additional accountability and responsibility to leaders. This is the strongest stimulus to watchfulness (Mk 13:34-37). The early church father Chrysostom was deeply struck with these words that he said: "The fear of this threat continually agitates my soul." It is an awful consideration that many pastors, who had loved their flocks as their own souls, shall be obliged to accuse them before God for either having rejected or neglected the great salvation. The issue of submission can also go too far. The "Shepherding Movement" about thirty years ago was a clear example of this kind of abuse. There were many who welcomed such a movement because they wanted someone to tell them what to do and be responsible for their lives). 3
4 When speaking on the authority of God's Word, leaders have a right to tell us how to live and walk after God. Yet the primary responsibility of a teacher is to teach his people to submit to God, not to himself. Remember the leaders of the past. Consider the leaders perseverance. Imitate the leaders faith. APPLICATION Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. The sameness of Jesus Christ in verse eight links what precedes with that which follows, that is, because Jesus Christ is the same, we should not be carried away by strange teachings which focus on scruples about what we eat or drink, etc. rather than on the grace of God. Paul admonishes the church in Rome that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever therefore serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding (Ro 14:17-19). Mutual upbuilding is the result of such exhortations. 4
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