WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 Well, good morning. Let me ask you to take your copy of God's Word and turn to Hebrews chapter 13. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:17.820 Last week, we began a short series, Lord willing, four weeks worth of a study of biblical authority. 00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:25.019 ! We spent a little bit of time setting the stage for that and thinking about the authority of the family. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:31.480 And this week, we're going to pick up the authority of the church in two halves. 00:00:31.739 --> 00:00:39.299 Today, we're going to talk about the authority of elders of the leaders of the church and next week of the congregation. 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:46.039 So, anytime, let's issue this warning again, we do theology systematically. 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:57.439 We must be careful that we don't take bits and pieces of the scripture and bend it to our opinion, our assumptions, our traditions. 00:00:58.159 --> 00:01:02.939 But rather that we are honest with it as we pull its teaching together. 00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:12.180 What does the Bible say about any particular matter can be really important, but we must do it carefully. 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:19.080 And so, I just want to say to you, please be discerning as we think together this morning. 00:01:19.940 --> 00:01:25.700 Many of you are members of this church and you know that our normal habit is verse-by-verse exposition. 00:01:25.880 --> 00:01:30.660 I'll spare you all the reasons why we like to do that normally, but some of you are guests. 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:38.140 You may be here just this singular Sunday and you'll go back to your church or you'll go someplace else to look for a church. 00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:47.620 And I just want you to hear again, be careful as the Bible is being taught in a systematic form rather than verse-by-verse. 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:53.000 Both can be done faithfully, but be extra careful when it's being done topically. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:59.599 Our look at the authority of elders will be brief this morning with two simple reasons. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:04.099 Number one, the authority of elders is limited. 00:02:04.699 --> 00:02:08.620 Its demarcations are relatively narrow. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:15.620 So, as I announced the topic, if you thought I was going to stand up here and browbeat you about the authority of elders this morning, I'm not. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:22.419 It's pretty limited authority, but I think it's important that we understand that authority. 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:33.919 Secondly, we have four men who have been nominated and installed to the office of elder by this congregation who have been faithfully serving you for some months now. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:39.639 And we've yet to formally install in our public gathering those four men. 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:44.399 So, what a good time to do that as we think about the authority of elders. 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:52.379 So, we're going to do that at the conclusion of the sermon this morning, and I want to allow time for this important moment in the life of our church. 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:55.040 So, we'll get right into it. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:57.599 Last week, I made eight assertions. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:10.180 Now, I didn't make them in quite that tidy of a format, but there were eight things that I thought we needed to restate and have our minds set on before we move on to the authority of elders. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:10.840 So, here they are. 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:13.159 Eight assertions made last week. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:19.039 I won't take the time to prove these all from you, to you from the scripture, but they are there. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:23.259 And if you weren't here last week, I would encourage you to go back and listen to that sermon. 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:27.259 Number one, God's authority is innate. 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:28.979 It's from him. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.419 Nobody grants him authority. 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:38.740 Authority belongs to him because he is God, and his authority is final. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:40.039 So, it's absolute. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:42.560 It's the highest authority. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:48.180 And if anything less than this was true, then God would not be God. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:50.479 It's part of who he is. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:53.300 Creator, we are creation. 00:03:54.020 --> 00:04:00.300 On your bulletin this morning on the back, John Wilson was an early American preacher said, 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:00.920 God's power is unlimited. 00:04:00.920 --> 00:04:02.620 God's power is unlimited. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:04.160 His wisdom infinite. 00:04:04.160 --> 00:04:06.960 His authority is supreme. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:08.920 His freedom absolute. 00:04:09.140 --> 00:04:14.860 And he may both do what he will himself and appoint what he will have us to do. 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:19.819 So, God's authority is innate and it is final. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:27.459 Secondly, God's authority is necessarily good because he is good. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:42.839 One of the doctrines of God that I love is called the simplicity of God, which isn't to say he's simple in our typical thinking of that word, but it's just to say that he is who he is all the time. 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:47.839 He's not fickle like we are, but he is everything that he is at all times. 00:04:48.459 --> 00:04:50.599 He doesn't change at all. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:52.019 He's simple. 00:04:52.359 --> 00:04:53.219 So, he's good. 00:04:53.799 --> 00:04:54.359 God is good. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:56.560 The scripture states this again and again and again for us. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:05:00.540 So, therefore, his authority is necessarily good. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:06.040 And the things that he's commanded and the way that he's ordered the world is good. 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:16.160 And we do well to lean into that, to recognize it, to be humble and go, well, what does the Lord say about this topic or that topic? 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:20.740 Thirdly, humankind has an authority problem. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:26.259 So, the very core of our sin nature is that we have an authority problem. 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:28.060 We ourselves want to be in charge. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:31.339 We want to put off any and all authority. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:38.360 That's part of our very core, but also there's some reason for it, isn't there? 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.259 We've all seen authority abused. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:53.779 You may have felt it firsthand, close to you, authority misdirected or misapplied, but we can observe it all around us all the time. 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:55.859 And let's get into a conversation about politics. 00:05:55.859 --> 00:06:01.119 And we'll see, oh, can we trust anybody who is in authority? 00:06:01.479 --> 00:06:09.199 And so, it's good for us to think about it and to say, okay, well, there is authority not to be trusted, but what kind of authority has God ordered? 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:12.939 And therefore, what kind of authority should be trusted? 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:29.500 Fourthly, we are delegated authority, and by we I mean mankind, this delegated authority that always has limits and is always subservient to the one who delegated it. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:38.259 So, delegated authority by God himself, and therefore meant to work within the parameters that God has laid over that authority. 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:51.819 Fifth, when a person or institution takes up a responsibility not granted to them, or exercises an authority granted to them in a way not granted to them, 00:06:51.819 --> 00:07:15.920 it's at best ineffective, it's at best ineffective, it's at best ineffective, it's at best ineffective, it is at worst abusive. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:23.480 You may notice, if you're a guest this morning, that families are with their children. 00:07:23.960 --> 00:07:25.759 There are children in this room with their families. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:30.140 There are many children across the hall with their families. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:41.060 And we don't think that that specifically is commanded in the Bible, but we do know that parents are commanded to raise their children in the fear and instruction of the Lord. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:53.399 So, as a church, we want to be careful about how we position ourselves to not say it's a particular person's responsibility, a children's pastor, for example, to teach that to your children. 00:07:53.840 --> 00:08:00.899 We don't want to reduce fathers to merely chauffeurs, but we want them to take up that responsibility in their home. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:12.839 So, we want to think about how do we, as a church whole, support that work and not take that responsibility from a parent who's willing to give it away, right? 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:23.299 That's an example of how, at best, ineffective in the raising of children to fear the Lord. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:39.639 Sixth, the aim of exercising authority in submissions to God's good authority is for the sake of protecting the vulnerable, strengthening our communities, and promoting human flourishing. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:44.340 And I borrowed that from the subtitle from Jonathan Lehman's book, Authority, which I still haven't read the entirety of. 00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:48.399 I've read more of it, and it's becoming more and more commendable. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:50.519 I think I'm going to say, yes, just read this book. 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:54.000 It's been helpful in my thinking. 00:08:55.059 --> 00:08:56.159 It's aimed at good, right? 00:08:56.240 --> 00:09:06.240 God's design for authority is aimed at the good of people, protect the vulnerable, strengthen our communities, and promote human flourishing. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:13.879 Seventh, God delegates his authority through three institutions and six positions. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:20.079 Those three institutions I shared with you at some length, the family, the church, and the government. 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:22.340 We see those in the scripture. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:25.779 The family, first and foremost, the church. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:27.360 God's people called together. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:35.220 We see this Old Testament, his people, and then New Testament, the church, and the government of various kinds. 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:38.679 And within those institutions, there are positions. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:42.419 So within the family, there's husband and parent. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:47.240 There's authority given to the husband, and there's authority given to parents. 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:57.220 There's authority given to elders in the church, and there's authority given to the congregation as a whole, which includes elders also. 00:09:57.899 --> 00:10:01.879 And the government, there's various offices, king, governors, judges. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:04.180 I was thinking about this one this week. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:07.940 It's got my head spinning a little bit for the Sunday we'll spend on the government. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:12.080 There's also, in our form of government, the office of citizen. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:14.740 That's an interesting thing to consider. 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:25.899 And then there's extra institutional position in the scripture of employer or boss or manager, unless, of course, you're employed by the church or the government. 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:30.879 And those two positions can cross over in that case. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:36.519 So three institutions and six positions. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:43.340 And within these three institutions, this is number eight, and six positions, there's granted two types of authority. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:51.419 Number one, there's the authority of coercion, or you could think of it as the authority of command. 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:57.779 The power to make someone do something by force. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:01.379 And within each of those institutions, there's a position that does that. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:05.200 We see that tied to a tool in the scripture. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.799 So the family, we have the rod. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:11.220 And parents exercise that with their children. 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.919 In the church, we have the keys. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:19.379 And the congregation exercises the keys through the final step of church discipline, 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:24.799 in which somebody's put out of the church because they've shown themselves not to be a Christian. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:29.159 And then in the government, we see the power of the sword, right? 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:35.099 To punish wrongdoers for breaking the laws of that particular government, right? 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:40.000 So that's the authority of coercion or command, right? 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:43.939 The right of corrective discipline. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:49.719 But we also see the authority of persuasion or counsel. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:54.800 The power to convince someone to do something. 00:11:55.139 --> 00:12:01.000 When we see this given to the husband, to the elder in the church, right? 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:08.779 We can only call this authority or power if it has some bearing on you, right? 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.759 Otherwise, it's not authority at all. 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:15.779 Unlike the advice you might receive from a friend, take it or leave it, 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:20.240 the authority of counsel has weight. 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.559 It is an authority. 00:12:22.699 --> 00:12:25.299 It is a power. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.620 Let me give you the example of husbands, which we talked a bit about last week. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:32.519 Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 22. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.519 Paul here says, 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:40.120 Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.519 So we see a command, right? 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:44.980 You ought to submit to this leadership in your life. 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:47.320 Therefore, your husband has an authority. 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:53.500 But we don't see a tool, an operative tool given for corrective discipline to the husband. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:59.980 And in that text, if we go on, we can see there's a way that the husband is meant to lead his wife. 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:04.080 A type of submission that falls in line with this kind of leadership. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.480 Verse 25 says, 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:11.860 Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:16.680 Gave his very life for the sake of her life. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.080 So there's an example. 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:26.320 The husband has this power of persuasion to work to convince his wife to follow the truth. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:33.820 And then she, bearing on her conscience, because he's leading her, should submit to that leadership. 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:40.940 Elders have that same type of authority as we'll see in today's text. 00:13:41.540 --> 00:13:44.360 So today's text is just three verses. 00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:47.200 Hebrews chapter 13, verse 7. 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:52.100 And then Hebrews chapter 13, verse 17 and 18. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:54.460 I'll read those all together. 00:13:55.020 --> 00:13:58.960 Hebrews 13, 7 and then 17 and 18. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:01.600 The author of Hebrews writes, 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:06.519 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:10.900 Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:18.280 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:24.560 Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:32.279 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience desiring to act honorably in all things. 00:14:33.219 --> 00:14:39.479 Now, our church believes that the most biblically faithful form of polity or governance, 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:44.259 and I don't mean to disparage and cast any shade on any other form of polity, 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:48.839 but we believe that the most biblically faithful form of governance in the church 00:14:48.839 --> 00:14:53.919 is what is often called elder-led congregationalism. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:15:00.719 It puts a lot of emphasis on the congregation as a whole having authority, 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:04.559 but elders giving leadership to that authority. 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:07.939 And I intend to unpack this position further next week. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:13.240 This whole series was brought about because many of you asked for me to talk about congregationalism. 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.059 Like, we're not sure. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:16.819 We totally wrap our minds around what it is. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.740 Will you show us from the scripture? 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:22.099 So we're going to do that at length next week. 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:29.340 But you can see from this title of this position, and more importantly from today's text, 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:35.019 that God intends for there to be some measure of leadership in the church. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:43.939 In both of those passages, Hebrews 13, verse 7, and then verse 17, we see the phrase, 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:46.259 your leaders. 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:53.319 We're to remember and consider and imitate and obey and submit to them. 00:15:53.320 --> 00:16:00.340 The author of Hebrews, we're not exactly sure who it is, includes himself in this number, I believe, 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:04.000 when he says in verse 18, pray for us. 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:07.760 So we're to pray for our leaders. 00:16:08.760 --> 00:16:11.480 Men meant to lead. 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.420 Who are your leaders? 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:23.659 If you are a member of this church, then your leaders are those men that you deemed qualified to inhabit the office of elder. 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:26.399 You have leaders. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:31.579 This is my go-to text for anybody who doesn't believe in church membership. 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:34.099 Because I say, who are your leaders? 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:37.459 You can't just arbitrarily decide that somebody is your leader. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.319 Why? 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.960 Because they're going to give an account for your soul. 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:46.400 I know exactly who soul I'm giving an account for, at least this morning. 00:16:47.140 --> 00:16:48.860 But their name's on a list. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:50.360 I'm thankful for that. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.100 It helps me. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:57.580 Not only to absolve myself of some of your nonsense, 00:16:58.160 --> 00:17:03.180 but also, who ought I press? 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:06.019 Who do I need to most be praying for? 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:09.180 Who do I need to have in mind as I preach? 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.559 There's people. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.200 There's souls. 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:14.460 I'm going to give an account for. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:18.160 The elders of this church will give an account for. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.920 And if you're not a member of this church, 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:24.139 please know I'll be happy for your name to be added to this list. 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:27.440 We want to care for your soul. 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:29.539 So you should have leaders. 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:31.519 The author of Hebrews assumes that this is true. 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:33.980 He seems to know who these men are. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:37.620 He speaks quite highly of them, doesn't he? 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:47.000 He says, you should remember and consider and imitate and obey and submit to and pray for your leaders. 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:52.779 What is this authority that's given, though? 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:53.640 They're leaders. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:56.920 How is it that they're meant to lead? 00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:03.600 And we get some idea of that in these two words in verse 17, obey and submit. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:10.380 I think our minds mesh together into a single idea, but they're nuanced in what they mean. 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:12.460 And I want to show you that this morning. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:25.779 The Greek word here translated obey carries the idea of the word, has that idea of making yourself available to be persuaded by your leaders. 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:30.120 Remember the kind of leaders that are being talked about here. 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:32.960 We're remembering them back in verse 7. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:38.480 Those who spoke to you the word of God. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:45.539 Who said to you things, authoritative things, from God's word. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:52.000 And not only that, but verse 7 says that we have to think about the outcome of their way of life. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:58.860 Not only have they told you things that are true from God's word, but they've lived their lives according to that word. 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.639 And they are worth imitating. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:04.839 Their faith ought to be imitated. 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:14.500 So, these are men worth submitting or obeying, making yourself available to their persuasion. 00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:20.459 This is a kind of authority that's often called referent authority. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:22.419 And that just means from every point of reference. 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:28.779 As you look at this individual's life, you could say, yeah, there's things to be learned there. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:31.599 They're pace setting for me. 00:19:31.699 --> 00:19:32.619 They're out ahead of me. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:35.099 They are leading me. 00:19:35.699 --> 00:19:39.740 Obey that leadership, the author of Hebrews says. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:44.500 Notice some of the qualifications for elder found in Titus chapter 1. 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:47.139 I'll pick up about halfway through. 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:52.639 There he says, an overseer as God's steward must be above reproach. 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:58.399 He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. 00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:06.339 But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:18.059 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it. 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:22.819 Doesn't this sound like a man worth listening to? 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:26.579 Worth being persuaded by? 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:29.159 Remember your leaders. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:31.299 Consider the outcome of their way of life. 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:33.819 Imitate their faith. 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:37.059 Obey your leaders. 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:39.779 Be persuaded by them. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:42.960 And then we see the word submit. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:48.160 Now this Greek verb is found only here in the New Testament. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:53.039 But it is often used in extra-biblical Greek literature. 00:20:53.619 --> 00:21:01.180 The author of Hebrews takes up this word because it connotes obedience to a person in a position of authority. 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:05.720 Such as a colonel taking orders from a general. 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:10.880 I don't know if generals ever actually talk to colonels, but this is the example that popped into my head. 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:16.940 This is the type of authority known as, commonly talked about, positional authority. 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:21.120 So see the author of Hebrews is, he's like ramping it up a little bit. 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:24.620 He's saying not only because they're worth listening to. 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:27.560 They ought to be listened to. 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.920 You can observe their lives. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:31.019 You know that they're growing in holiness. 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.720 You know that they're setting the pace for you. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:35.920 You know that they're the ones that are speaking to you the word of God. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:40.279 But also, there's a divine appointing, right? 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:43.440 That these men are qualified for the task. 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:51.640 And if you're a member of this church, I hope that you carefully consider it as we go through the process of considering men that serve our church in this role. 00:21:52.060 --> 00:21:54.320 Are they qualified for the task? 00:21:54.319 --> 00:22:04.279 And as the church has gone through the process, considering them and installing them, I take it as God's divine work in their lives. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:08.759 There are eight of us right now, and we don't always agree on everything. 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.119 That might shock you. 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:13.879 We have two meetings a month, at least. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:17.879 And we spend a lot of time talking through decisions that we should make. 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:18.839 And guess what? 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:21.059 I don't always win the day. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:25.259 Sometimes I feel like I should win the day. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:31.799 But I trust that the men at that table are of God's choosing. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:35.700 That they went through the process of our church appointing these men to that role. 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:41.399 And so, when they don't agree with me, I made my case, I take that as God's word. 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:43.079 And I settle into it. 00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.720 I go, okay then. 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:47.839 Then this is the way we press on and move forward. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.279 You see? 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:53.319 Even I submit positionally to the elders of our church. 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:55.879 And it's good for me to do so. 00:22:56.179 --> 00:22:59.220 So, obey and submit. 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:05.679 Both to the office itself, the position, but also to the earning of that. 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:10.579 To the leadership that's been given and shown in the life of our church. 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:16.960 And church, I want you to know at this point, I'm grateful that this is just generally true of this church. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:19.379 I have no rebuke for you this morning. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:22.279 I say keep on doing what you're doing. 00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:25.859 We have had troubles in the past. 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:32.699 There's no one right now in this building that is causing any grief in my life at all. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.819 You guys are all wonderful and supportive. 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:37.000 And I'm very thankful for you. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:40.559 And I like to hang out with other pastors. 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:45.200 It's good to spend time with men that do the same work that you do. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.740 I get you. 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.900 It's just easier to communicate sometimes. 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:53.720 You don't feel like you have to hedge every comment that you make about the difficulty of your job. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.319 Things of that nature. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:59.079 But I have to admit also, I kind of like hearing how tough some pastors have it. 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.720 Because it makes me so thankful for you guys. 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:05.700 I forget sometimes just how grateful I should be. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:08.420 So, just press on. 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.600 Keep going. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:13.720 Keep doing the things that you're doing as a church. 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:21.360 Why should you remember, consider, imitate, obey, and submit to your elders? 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:27.199 Well, as I've said, firstly, they have faithful lives worth imitating. 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:30.859 Should have faithful lives worth imitating. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:33.359 Not perfect lives. 00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:37.039 Not a single one of us would make that case. 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:42.019 I think it's appropriate to think of elders as elder brothers. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.779 elders, right? 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.480 Who lead by example. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:47.720 Especially in a congregation that's predominantly young people. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:50.639 You'll notice we have some young elders. 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:53.759 I don't like the word elder for myself, particularly. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:56.940 But it seems to be the most biblical word. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.519 So we use it all the same. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.799 This week, I will turn 44. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.680 And I keep waiting for my hair to go gray. 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.119 And it just doesn't seem like it's going to happen. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:12.599 But in the meantime, I'll gladly think of myself as an elder brother leading an example. 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:19.799 And not only in holiness, although we should be setting the pace for holiness, but also in repentance. 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:28.259 We ought to be the ones who most clearly represent the gospel of Jesus Christ for you. 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:33.919 Elders are at their very best when their lives display the gospel. 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:36.519 And it's easy, right? 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:45.920 And I will admit to my shame across the past 15 years, how many times I've become so performance-oriented in my leadership of you. 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:53.740 Thinking that if I accomplish such and such, if I can just preach better sermons, God will be more pleased with me. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.599 Which is not the gospel at all. 00:25:56.379 --> 00:26:02.759 God is pleased with me because of the completed work of Christ on my behalf. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.019 Amen. 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.139 Amen. 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:07.200 Which gives me room, not to be a slouch. 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.599 Should I want to preach better sermons? 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.420 Of course I should. 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:12.299 But it also gives me room to make mistakes. 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:14.119 And to say that I'm sorry. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:17.839 And to still have standing with my God. 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:21.500 And therefore, such a motivation to serve you. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.759 So, elders are not perfect. 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.319 Don't look for perfection. 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:30.900 If you think there's a leader out there that is perfect, it's because you only listen to them on YouTube. 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:38.000 You don't live close enough to them to see that there are cracks in everybody's bridge. 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:42.680 But we ought to be giving leadership to you in holiness and in repentance. 00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:50.040 Our gospel belief should be so firm as we press on with you in this life. 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:54.159 So, lives of faith worth imitating. 00:26:54.460 --> 00:27:01.079 But also, the author of Hebrews says, they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:01.460 Right? 00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:07.119 Obey and submit for they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:10.579 As those who have to give an account. 00:27:11.459 --> 00:27:17.500 The job of elders is to look over your soul. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:26.139 And in this church, I can say with great confidence, I won't speak of myself, but I will speak of the other men who help lead this church. 00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:31.319 Their concern as we lead this church is only for your souls. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.479 To the glory of our God. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:37.259 God has such heart for you all. 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:41.400 We have two different kinds of meetings as we meet together as elders. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:47.519 One of those meetings is for things that are more administrative in nature. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.660 Plans for scheduling. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:52.059 What are we going to preach next? 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:54.960 We're having those kinds of conversations together. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:58.059 And interestingly, I asked our elders last time we met, 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:01.500 Hey, which is your favorite of the types of meetings we have? 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:04.099 And three of us liked that one, and I was one of them. 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:08.319 Kind of administrative-y, plan-y kind of meeting. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:13.480 The rest, much preferred, are other kind of meeting. 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:18.599 And I say this, I'll tell you who likes the planning meeting more, besides myself. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:26.759 But to these men's credit, we have a meeting where we simply go through the member role and we pray for members of our church. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.279 Are there counseling concerns? 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:31.720 Do we need to help each other in any way? 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:34.720 Situations that we all need to be made aware of. 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:38.660 And we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray. 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:48.079 There are men with full-time jobs who volunteer a significant amount of their time to come together and pray for your soul. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:52.259 You should obey and submit to your leaders. 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:57.439 Four, they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:28:58.139 --> 00:29:04.519 We know, we bear the weight of giving an account for how we care for you. 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:12.180 Paul, when he's leaving the Ephesian elders and knows that he's not going to see them again, says many wonderful things. 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:14.680 But in Acts chapter 20 and verse 28, he says, 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:20.379 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock. 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:25.860 He picks up the shepherding language of caring carefully for the sheep. 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:27.220 And then he goes on, he says, 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:35.100 In which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to care for the church of God, 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:40.080 which he obtained with his own blood. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:46.679 We know how precious you are because Christ died for you. 00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:53.000 Your soul matters to him, and therefore, it matters to us. 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:57.019 As undershepherds of the great shepherd. 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.099 It's a labor. 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:04.960 We love you and want to serve you to the glory of Christ because we care. 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:09.399 Now, to what extent is the author of Hebrews expecting his hearers to obey 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:11.800 and submit to their leaders? 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:15.040 Certainly not outside the bounds of the Bible. 00:30:15.040 --> 00:30:17.980 I hope that this can be assumed. 00:30:18.360 --> 00:30:25.519 You ever have a person claiming to be a leader in the church tell you to do something that's not biblical? 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:26.680 Don't do it. 00:30:26.820 --> 00:30:30.540 They've outstepped the demarcation of their role. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:35.680 But if he only intends to have them obey and submit to the Bible, 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.780 why not just say that? 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:41.339 Wouldn't it make sense for him just to say, 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:43.259 obey and submit to the Bible? 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:47.599 He could even say, obey and submit to the Bible as your leaders teach it to you. 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.920 But he doesn't. 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:52.599 He says, obey and submit to your leaders, 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:55.980 for they are keeping watch of your soul. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:31:00.539 And I think this is because there are matters of application of the Bible, 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:04.880 gray areas that require careful navigation, 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:09.299 and decisions that just must be made. 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.140 Right? 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:17.500 But a dear friend who's an elder at a church that I would deem a healthy church, 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:20.020 and I asked him one time, I said, 00:31:20.080 --> 00:31:23.900 do you ever feel like people come to you looking for particular advice? 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:27.340 And if they don't get the particular advice that they're looking for, 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:29.980 then they just reject everything that you have to say. 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:31.720 And he said, this is an older man, 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:33.940 and he said kind of through squinted eyes, 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:38.579 he said, Nathan, I think sometimes people just tolerate us. 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:44.919 It's a heartbreaking thing to hear this seasoned pastor say, 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:48.059 I think sometimes people just tolerate us. 00:31:48.679 --> 00:31:53.539 There's careful applications of the Scripture, right? 00:31:53.939 --> 00:31:55.319 Matters of wisdom, 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:59.619 ways that you're going to have to take what God has given us 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:03.299 and apply it to the specifics of your life. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:06.519 Gray areas that require navigation, 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:10.940 decisions that just have to be made. 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:13.480 My dad once told me a funny story, 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.319 and I may get this wrong, 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.960 so dad, I apologize if I get the story wrong. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.059 You can correct me later. 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:20.579 I'll come back and apologize and retell it if that's the case. 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:23.660 Dad worked in church planting in the state of Arizona 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:26.220 for a lot of years, some number. 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.579 He'll remind me of later. 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:31.379 And told me of a church that had decided 00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:33.539 that it was time to re-roof the church. 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:38.539 This was the days when colored shingles had become popular 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.460 for some reason. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:44.500 And this was also the days when hunter green and maroon 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.559 were popular colors. 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:47.720 And this church could not agree 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:50.319 on how they ought to shingle the roof, 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.899 and it became contentious. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:54.460 And there was division going on in the church. 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.659 And the pastor started noticing 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:57.819 people sitting on one side of the aisle 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.859 and the other side of the aisle 00:32:58.859 --> 00:33:02.079 based on their opinion of the roof color. 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:04.960 And so, he just ordered the roof 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:08.079 and he shingled one half of it in the maroon tile 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:10.039 and one half of it in the green tile 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.699 and resigned that Sunday. 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.339 I think I'd do the same. 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:18.460 Stuff that doesn't matter. 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.779 Frankly, the pastor shouldn't have been involved with it at all, 00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:23.819 but stuff that just doesn't matter. 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:27.740 Just decisions have to be made sometimes. 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:31.579 Listen to Paul, 1 Timothy chapter 3. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.539 The saying is trustworthy. 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:35.200 If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:37.380 he desires a noble task. 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:40.299 Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.400 the husband of one wife, 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:43.279 sober-minded, self-controlled, 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.519 respectable, hospitable, 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.980 able to teach, 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.599 not a drunkard, 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:50.200 not violent but gentle, 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:51.259 not quarrelsome, 00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:53.120 not a lover of money. 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:56.459 He must manage his own household well 00:33:56.459 --> 00:33:57.500 with all dignity, 00:33:57.719 --> 00:33:59.359 keeping his children submissive. 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.959 For if someone does not know 00:34:00.959 --> 00:34:02.619 how to manage his own household, 00:34:02.899 --> 00:34:06.659 how will he care for God's church? 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:10.659 There's some application 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:12.779 of management of a household 00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:15.359 that comes over to the management of a church, 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:17.359 which certainly has something to do with souls. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:19.980 It's talking about submission of children in this case, 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:23.480 but also includes some of the practical matters 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:24.639 of the church. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:26.199 And church, you have 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:28.760 taken up the task 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:30.960 of installing eight, 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.920 I commend to you, 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:34.800 qualified men 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:36.539 who are close to all of this, 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:38.240 who take the time to think about it 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:39.240 and talk about it 00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:40.780 and are concerned about 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.900 the greater good 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:43.699 of every soul 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.940 in this congregation. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:47.039 And we just have to make little decisions 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.880 sometimes. 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:49.740 A simple example 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.440 that I'll give you. 00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:53.079 We still currently have this screen 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.440 behind me on the wall, 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:56.320 but there's nothing on it. 00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.300 Well, 00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.920 there's nothing wrong 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.840 with using a projector. 00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:02.360 It's fine. 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:04.480 It can even be convenient. 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:07.079 This projector was starting to die, 00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:08.700 and projectors were really expensive. 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.940 I don't know if you know that or not. 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.640 This is the third projector 00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.280 that we've had. 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.680 They're costly. 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.240 And so we just started to think, 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.860 I don't know, 00:35:16.860 --> 00:35:18.440 do we really want to replace 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.840 the projector? 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:21.700 And I gave an emphatic no. 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:23.579 And I think there's some great good 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.920 to you holding 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:26.599 a book in your hand. 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.599 I think there's a great good 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:30.740 for us having a collection of songs 00:35:30.740 --> 00:35:32.860 that have been passed down. 00:35:33.740 --> 00:35:35.800 I think there's a great good 00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:36.700 in you being able to take 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:38.340 that bulletin home with you 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:40.240 and study it. 00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:42.899 We are trying to think about 00:35:42.899 --> 00:35:44.799 the long-term good 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.639 the life of this church 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:46.699 already. 00:35:47.779 --> 00:35:48.739 So we're thinking, 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:50.299 a little thing like that, 00:35:50.359 --> 00:35:51.399 the projector's going to go out. 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.039 What do we do? 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.419 Oh no, 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:52.939 the projector. 00:35:54.299 --> 00:35:55.599 How do we best serve 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:57.059 the souls of this congregation 00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:58.579 with that decision? 00:35:59.619 --> 00:36:00.559 And so we made it, 00:36:00.879 --> 00:36:02.259 and we didn't ask anybody's opinion 00:36:02.259 --> 00:36:03.000 about it. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.199 The eight of us 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:05.479 made that decision together, 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:07.159 and we're working 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:09.139 for your good. 00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:09.880 I want you to know, 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:11.039 nobody complained about it to me, 00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:12.000 so I'm not using it 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.519 as an example 00:36:12.519 --> 00:36:14.300 for that reason. 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:15.059 But when you think, 00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:15.920 man, it's hard to hold on 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:16.500 to this book 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.320 and this bulletin 00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:18.260 and this kid 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.440 and this giant 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:21.179 metal water bottle. 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:28.179 Guys are all about to die 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:29.320 of thirst, I think. 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:32.019 Just think, 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:33.480 this is for our good, right? 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.860 This is an obey and submit point 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:37.940 because someone is thinking 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:39.240 about how this 00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:41.159 will long term serve me. 00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:41.519 So, 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:43.860 I think those matters 00:36:43.860 --> 00:36:46.699 particularly of prudence, 00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:48.159 which is another word 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:50.380 for careful wisdom, 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:52.240 matters of prudence, 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:54.159 what should I do, 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:55.619 how do I respond to, 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.219 brother, 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.300 I think you shouldn't 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:58.599 take that job, 00:36:58.679 --> 00:36:59.460 I don't know that you 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.659 should go there, 00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:02.740 those things should be heated, 00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:04.059 particularly heated 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:05.399 from your elders 00:37:05.399 --> 00:37:06.279 and matters 00:37:06.279 --> 00:37:07.879 of preference. 00:37:09.719 --> 00:37:10.579 So, we're talking about 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.739 starting a Sunday evening 00:37:11.739 --> 00:37:12.339 gathering, 00:37:13.339 --> 00:37:13.500 right? 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:15.079 We're not asking 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.939 permission to do it, 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:16.579 we're not expecting 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.599 everybody to be there, 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:19.099 we're just going to do it 00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:20.759 and we're going to ask 00:37:20.759 --> 00:37:21.339 a lot of people 00:37:21.339 --> 00:37:22.119 but we're going to pick 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:23.059 a time at some point. 00:37:23.919 --> 00:37:25.079 So, let's say we say 00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:25.739 six o'clock 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:26.259 and you go, 00:37:26.379 --> 00:37:27.399 ah, 5.30 would have been 00:37:27.399 --> 00:37:28.039 so much better, 00:37:28.799 --> 00:37:29.000 right? 00:37:29.339 --> 00:37:30.199 I'd love to hear that, 00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:31.419 but we might not 00:37:31.419 --> 00:37:31.980 change it 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:33.500 and if you want to come, 00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.179 you just should come 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:34.759 at six o'clock 00:37:34.759 --> 00:37:36.059 or don't come at all 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.679 and just don't complain 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.159 about it, 00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:37.480 right? 00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.519 Trying to navigate 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.419 the greater good 00:37:40.419 --> 00:37:41.199 for everybody. 00:37:41.919 --> 00:37:43.139 So, matters of prudence 00:37:43.139 --> 00:37:44.199 and matters of 00:37:44.199 --> 00:37:45.279 preference, 00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.239 right? 00:37:46.679 --> 00:37:47.559 It's good 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.980 to just submit 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.339 to the leadership 00:37:50.339 --> 00:37:51.939 of those you've asked 00:37:51.939 --> 00:37:53.759 to give you leadership. 00:37:54.419 --> 00:37:55.339 So, in conclusion, 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:55.879 let me give you 00:37:55.879 --> 00:37:57.379 some quick applications. 00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:59.099 I want to give 00:37:59.099 --> 00:38:00.240 four applications 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:01.099 for the congregation 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:01.860 and I want to give 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.500 four applications 00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:03.760 for our elders 00:38:03.760 --> 00:38:04.760 and these just 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.599 really briefly 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:07.780 straight from our text. 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.340 Number one, 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.300 remember, consider 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:13.059 and imitate your leaders. 00:38:13.680 --> 00:38:14.400 Don't lose sight 00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:14.860 of the fact 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.820 that God has appointed 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:17.320 men in our church 00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:18.300 to give leadership 00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:18.980 in your lives. 00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:19.920 It'll be of value 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:20.539 to you 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.800 to submit yourself 00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:23.119 to that authority. 00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:23.820 It's an authority 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.420 that's there 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:25.920 for your good. 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.559 Secondly, 00:38:27.700 --> 00:38:28.280 obey and submit 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:29.059 to your elders 00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.659 in matters 00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:30.800 of prudence 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:32.280 and preference. 00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:33.860 I already spoke 00:38:33.860 --> 00:38:34.180 to that 00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:34.680 and I'd be happy 00:38:34.680 --> 00:38:35.559 to speak with you more 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.119 if you'd like to 00:38:36.119 --> 00:38:37.099 hear some more 00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:38.380 examples. 00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:39.240 Again, 00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:40.119 I think that it's 00:38:40.119 --> 00:38:40.900 generally true 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.639 of this congregation 00:38:41.639 --> 00:38:43.559 that this is the case. 00:38:44.579 --> 00:38:45.099 Thirdly, 00:38:46.180 --> 00:38:47.559 seek your advantage 00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.780 by supporting 00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:50.380 joy-filled 00:38:50.380 --> 00:38:51.320 leadership. 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:53.340 Notice what he said. 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.059 Don't give an opportunity. 00:38:55.059 --> 00:38:55.900 Don't make it 00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:58.320 hard for your leaders 00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:59.299 to lead you 00:38:59.299 --> 00:39:01.000 with joy. 00:39:02.079 --> 00:39:02.559 I don't think 00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.440 it's your fault 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.980 if we don't have joy. 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:05.480 I think joy 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.019 is a thing 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:07.000 that we have 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.619 to take up 00:39:07.619 --> 00:39:08.179 and meditate 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:09.440 and fight for, 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:11.259 but you can make 00:39:11.259 --> 00:39:12.139 it really difficult 00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:13.639 to join 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:15.320 not with groaning 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:15.799 because 00:39:15.799 --> 00:39:17.639 that's no advantage 00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.059 to you, 00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:18.719 so seek 00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:20.039 your advantage 00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:21.539 by supporting 00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:22.779 joy-filled 00:39:22.780 --> 00:39:23.840 leadership 00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:25.280 which obeys 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:25.900 and submits 00:39:25.900 --> 00:39:26.500 in those matters 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.220 of prudence 00:39:27.220 --> 00:39:28.120 and preference. 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.820 It doesn't demand 00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:31.120 thousands of hours 00:39:31.120 --> 00:39:31.880 of conversation 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:33.060 about little things 00:39:33.060 --> 00:39:33.720 that aren't that 00:39:33.720 --> 00:39:34.980 important in the end. 00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:36.540 Be encouraging. 00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:38.180 Be thankful 00:39:38.180 --> 00:39:39.420 as you guys are. 00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:41.340 Always assume 00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:42.220 the best 00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:42.920 of your leaders. 00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:44.400 Assume 00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:45.960 that they are 00:39:45.960 --> 00:39:46.560 keeping watch 00:39:46.560 --> 00:39:47.400 over your souls 00:39:47.400 --> 00:39:48.040 and come with 00:39:48.040 --> 00:39:48.800 those kinds 00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:49.440 of questions 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:49.960 which we 00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:52.000 always welcome. 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:52.460 So seek 00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:53.059 your advantage 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:53.840 by supporting 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:54.639 joy-filled 00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.900 leadership. 00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.400 And lastly, 00:39:57.780 --> 00:39:58.559 pray for your leaders. 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:00.300 Your leaders 00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:01.440 need your 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:02.880 prayers. 00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:03.659 And I 00:40:03.659 --> 00:40:07.019 have felt 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:07.780 over the years 00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:08.860 just the weight 00:40:08.860 --> 00:40:10.079 of serving 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:10.639 a church, 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:11.860 the type of work 00:40:11.860 --> 00:40:12.500 that I do 00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:13.900 vocationally. 00:40:14.260 --> 00:40:15.300 You also have men 00:40:15.300 --> 00:40:16.619 who have jobs 00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:17.800 and they do it 00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.519 as a volunteer. 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.259 They're giving 00:40:19.259 --> 00:40:20.699 extra time. 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:21.639 They take time 00:40:21.639 --> 00:40:22.259 away from their 00:40:22.259 --> 00:40:23.280 wives and their 00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:24.360 children to serve 00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:24.820 you. 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.119 There are attacks 00:40:26.119 --> 00:40:27.099 that come on 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:28.159 our families 00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:28.980 as leaders 00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.679 in the church. 00:40:30.699 --> 00:40:31.259 Pray. 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.739 Pray for 00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:34.039 your leaders. 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:34.860 We are 00:40:34.860 --> 00:40:36.659 open to the 00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:37.239 same kind of 00:40:37.239 --> 00:40:37.639 temptation 00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:38.900 you experience. 00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:40.059 Continue to 00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:40.699 lift us up 00:40:40.699 --> 00:40:41.960 in prayer. 00:40:43.159 --> 00:40:43.759 Now for our 00:40:43.759 --> 00:40:44.000 elders. 00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:44.480 So just 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:44.940 quickly, 00:40:45.420 --> 00:40:45.619 men. 00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:47.219 Number one, 00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:47.719 live lives 00:40:47.719 --> 00:40:48.280 worth imitating. 00:40:48.780 --> 00:40:49.300 There's this 00:40:49.300 --> 00:40:50.739 charge given 00:40:50.739 --> 00:40:51.300 to the church 00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:51.719 that they 00:40:51.719 --> 00:40:52.179 ought to 00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:53.139 consider 00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:54.480 and imitate 00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:55.340 our lives 00:40:55.340 --> 00:40:55.780 and therefore 00:40:55.780 --> 00:40:56.400 we ought to 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:57.059 live lives 00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:58.340 worth imitation. 00:40:58.800 --> 00:40:59.019 We ought to 00:40:59.019 --> 00:40:59.440 be faithful 00:40:59.440 --> 00:40:59.759 to the 00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:00.039 scripture. 00:41:00.559 --> 00:41:00.800 We ought to 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:01.360 rely on the 00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:02.059 grace of God. 00:41:02.259 --> 00:41:02.619 When we 00:41:02.619 --> 00:41:03.099 screw up, 00:41:03.139 --> 00:41:03.360 we ought to 00:41:03.360 --> 00:41:04.159 be so quick 00:41:04.159 --> 00:41:04.639 to repent 00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.019 that we 00:41:05.019 --> 00:41:05.300 would even 00:41:05.300 --> 00:41:05.619 give an 00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.519 example in 00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.699 repentance. 00:41:07.960 --> 00:41:08.460 Live lives 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.440 worth 00:41:09.440 --> 00:41:10.480 imitation. 00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:11.780 Secondly, 00:41:11.920 --> 00:41:12.360 keep watch 00:41:12.360 --> 00:41:12.719 over the 00:41:12.719 --> 00:41:13.519 souls entrusted 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:14.139 to you. 00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:14.360 Men, 00:41:14.400 --> 00:41:14.619 as you 00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:15.440 already do, 00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:16.599 press on 00:41:16.599 --> 00:41:17.019 this. 00:41:17.319 --> 00:41:17.880 Continue to 00:41:17.880 --> 00:41:18.279 do this 00:41:18.279 --> 00:41:19.920 good work. 00:41:20.239 --> 00:41:20.819 God has 00:41:20.819 --> 00:41:21.880 granted us 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:22.500 a people 00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.039 that we 00:41:23.039 --> 00:41:24.380 might serve 00:41:24.380 --> 00:41:26.500 for our 00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:27.659 eternal joy. 00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:28.920 Please continue 00:41:28.920 --> 00:41:29.500 doing this. 00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:30.500 Thirdly, 00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:31.599 fight for joy 00:41:31.599 --> 00:41:32.819 in your 00:41:32.819 --> 00:41:33.139 leadership. 00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:34.119 I have been 00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:34.920 apt at times, 00:41:34.980 --> 00:41:35.380 and I need to 00:41:35.380 --> 00:41:35.960 hear this again 00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.279 and again 00:41:36.279 --> 00:41:36.659 and again, 00:41:36.779 --> 00:41:37.480 I've been apt 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.599 to say people 00:41:38.599 --> 00:41:39.779 are making me 00:41:39.779 --> 00:41:40.440 groan and 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:40.779 that's just 00:41:40.779 --> 00:41:41.480 not true. 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.920 They can 00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:43.420 create the 00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:44.139 temptation for 00:41:44.139 --> 00:41:44.380 me to 00:41:44.380 --> 00:41:44.780 groan in 00:41:44.780 --> 00:41:45.240 my leadership, 00:41:45.699 --> 00:41:46.260 but they 00:41:46.260 --> 00:41:46.880 don't make 00:41:46.880 --> 00:41:48.500 me groan. 00:41:48.579 --> 00:41:48.860 But there's 00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:49.480 times that 00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:50.280 I've got to 00:41:50.280 --> 00:41:51.099 fight for 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:51.440 joy. 00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:51.900 I've got to 00:41:51.900 --> 00:41:53.440 remember my 00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:53.860 Savior, 00:41:54.059 --> 00:41:54.579 why he's 00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:55.019 called me, 00:41:55.240 --> 00:41:55.639 the people 00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:56.260 that he shed 00:41:56.260 --> 00:41:56.940 his own 00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:58.460 blood for, 00:41:58.579 --> 00:41:59.059 and therefore 00:41:59.059 --> 00:42:00.500 what a joy 00:42:00.500 --> 00:42:01.199 to serve 00:42:01.199 --> 00:42:02.400 such a 00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:03.780 Savior. 00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:04.480 So fight 00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:05.539 for joy 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.679 in your 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:06.960 leadership. 00:42:08.199 --> 00:42:08.440 And then 00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:08.820 fourthly, 00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:10.260 have confident, 00:42:10.260 --> 00:42:11.800 clear consciences 00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:13.720 concerning your 00:42:13.720 --> 00:42:14.040 leadership. 00:42:14.180 --> 00:42:14.500 You see that 00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:15.240 closing, 00:42:16.040 --> 00:42:16.640 the author of 00:42:16.640 --> 00:42:17.460 Hebrews says 00:42:17.460 --> 00:42:18.180 that he's 00:42:18.180 --> 00:42:19.220 confident, 00:42:19.660 --> 00:42:20.220 their consciences 00:42:20.220 --> 00:42:20.960 are clear 00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:22.820 concerning all 00:42:22.820 --> 00:42:23.380 things. 00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:23.960 So have 00:42:23.960 --> 00:42:24.800 confident, 00:42:24.920 --> 00:42:25.420 clear consciences 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:25.920 about our 00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:27.420 motivation for 00:42:27.420 --> 00:42:27.960 the leadership 00:42:27.960 --> 00:42:29.220 of the church. 00:42:29.680 --> 00:42:30.180 Let's pray 00:42:30.180 --> 00:42:30.480 together.