WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.040 I do turn to Hebrews 13, page 1009. 00:00:04.440 --> 00:00:07.419 Can I just say thank you to all those who have been helping on Sunday nights, 00:00:07.640 --> 00:00:10.660 ! Just getting ready for the little stars, particularly the young people and the children. 00:00:10.660 --> 00:00:10.660 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.640 This is the last in our series on elders. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:38.519 Next week, a good friend of mine, David Horrocks, is going to be preaching in the evening. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:41.780 Then we'll get into a new series the following week. 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:43.560 Whatever that might be. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:44.939 Reuben? 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:48.679 If you could think of something, that would help me. 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:52.179 Hebrews 13. 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:56.299 We're going to finish off this series by looking at our responsibility to our elders. 00:00:56.299 --> 00:00:58.460 So look at Hebrews 13, 17. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.120 Obey your leaders and submit to them. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:10.680 For they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:15.519 Let them do this with joy and not with grumbling or groaning. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:17.840 For that would be of no advantage to you. 00:01:18.740 --> 00:01:19.980 And so there's two commands on there. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:20.780 I'm going to start. 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:28.000 And they summarize a great part of our responsibility to elders. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:31.760 Those two commands. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:34.319 They're really popular words, aren't they? 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:36.159 They're words that people really love. 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:38.079 Obey and submit. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:40.900 It would be very difficult to find two more popular words in our culture than that. 00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:44.660 And the word obeys repeated in the verse. 00:01:44.740 --> 00:01:45.580 Obey your leaders. 00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:46.640 Obey them. 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:47.760 Submit to their authority. 00:01:50.360 --> 00:01:53.400 Then they're words that are very easy to understand. 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:55.940 They're not difficult words. 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:01.420 It means that we have to do what our leaders tell us to do. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:04.879 Where to accept their instruction. 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:07.980 Where to listen to their counsel. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:12.039 Where to respect their authority and submit to them. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:15.900 Really easy to understand. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:17.060 Not so easy to do. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:21.979 And these are not popular words, are they, for any of us today. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:30.060 And so when we hear the word submit, immediately our hackles rise when we hear that. 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:36.259 Our antenna starts to send signals to our brain. 00:02:38.019 --> 00:02:42.319 If you're kind of my age, you think of wrestling with your father or older brothers. 00:02:42.739 --> 00:02:47.599 And you'd be pinned to the ground until one of you said, submit in great pain. 00:02:48.019 --> 00:02:49.659 That's the vision that we might have. 00:02:49.659 --> 00:02:56.979 There's a natural rebelliousness, isn't there, to us as human beings. 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:00.879 And we don't like obeying anyone. 00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:02.939 We don't like submitting to anyone. 00:03:05.620 --> 00:03:12.219 Many Christian wives have a real struggle with that commandment in the word of God to submit to the authority of their husbands. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:16.219 And they know that it's something that they should do. 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:18.659 They know that it's something that pleases God. 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:20.659 And yet there's times when it's really difficult to do. 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:24.139 You find that in your work, don't you? 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:29.139 You are called as a Christian to respect those who are your employers, your masters. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:31.479 To submit to their authority. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:37.319 But because our hearts are naturally rebellious, we find that hard to do. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:42.039 It's hard for a second reason. 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:45.819 And the second reason is because of those we have to obey. 00:03:48.299 --> 00:03:54.060 Those whom scripture is calling you to obey, they are themselves sinful and imperfect. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:58.520 Your leaders make mistakes sometimes. 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:00.960 Sometimes our advice is not the wisest. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:04.140 Sometimes our example is not the best. 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:10.780 You might think it would be easy to obey a perfect person. 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:13.419 I'm not sure it would be, but maybe we think that. 00:04:13.539 --> 00:04:15.699 It would be easy to submit to a perfect person. 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:23.879 But when you see the flaws in someone, it does rather go against the grain, doesn't it, to have to obey them? 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:29.839 Particularly if you think, well, actually I could do a better job than they're doing. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:33.800 And I think it's hard for a third reason. 00:04:34.459 --> 00:04:36.620 We live in an individualistic age. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:38.439 That's the air that we breathe. 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:44.420 Where everyone does what's right for them and what's true for them. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:47.259 And let no one tell you what to do. 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:48.819 You decide what's right and what's wrong. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:53.779 And church life gets infected by that. 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:58.040 We like to make up our own minds. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.420 To do our own thing. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:03.000 To please ourselves. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:04.600 That's the great law, isn't it? 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:06.560 Be true to yourself. 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:07.439 It's a great lie. 00:05:09.659 --> 00:05:16.459 And we are really reluctant to think of there being an authority in the church that's got an impact on our lives. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:22.139 That an authority in the church will affect what we do and how we behave. 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:23.279 We resent that. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:28.180 And yet it's a command from God. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:38.639 And Hebrews 13 verse 17 is just as much as a command from God as the ten commandments that we read every Sunday morning. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:47.439 And God says to the church in, well we don't know where the church, to the Hebrew church, he says, isn't he? 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:51.740 Obey your leaders, not perfect leaders, not sinless leaders. 00:05:52.899 --> 00:05:54.699 But obey the leaders that I have given you. 00:05:54.699 --> 00:05:55.699 In all their inadequacy. 00:05:55.699 --> 00:05:58.120 In all their inadequacy. 00:05:58.120 --> 00:05:59.839 And in all their imperfection. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:03.339 These leaders, these elders. 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:13.159 And just as we wouldn't break one of the ten commandments with an easy conscience, neither should we break this one. 00:06:13.160 --> 00:06:19.380 And so can you see the responsibility to our elders is to obey them and to submit to their authority. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.260 And it would be fine, wouldn't it? 00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:28.680 It would be quite enough if God had simply said to you and I, just do that and not say anything more. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:39.660 But because God is gracious, because God is God and we are his people and we are bound to obey him in God's grace and love and wisdom. 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:41.680 He gives you four reasons tonight. 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:44.040 Four points. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:48.280 To make our obedience to our elders easier. 00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:49.240 To help us. 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:55.420 To make their discharging, their duties, not a burden but a delight. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:59.040 Four reasons to make us want to obey and submit. 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:03.319 That will show you, actually, it's in your interest to do it. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:04.660 It's good for you. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:05.379 It's a blessing. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:11.699 It's something that will help us to yield that obedience to our elders. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:13.300 So here are the four reasons. 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:14.740 Number one, can you see? 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:16.379 It says because of their work. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:19.060 Look what it says. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:23.540 Obey your leaders and submit to them for they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:24.280 They keep watch. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:29.660 The word used, there is also used of sleeplessness. 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:32.100 They are sleepless over your souls. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:39.680 They stay awake on behalf of your souls. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:45.120 And so here we have, don't we, the work of the elders identified. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:46.500 What's their responsibility? 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:48.500 Their great responsibility. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:51.759 It is the spiritual well-being of the people. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:57.060 The elders' priority is your relationship to God. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:08:00.220 It is your spiritual progress. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:03.220 You're growing in the likeness of Christ. 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:06.340 That is their great concern. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:11.340 And they're not to treat this lightly. 00:08:11.339 --> 00:08:16.299 It's to be a matter of emotion and concern. 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:18.679 It's a picture of prayer, perhaps. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:22.439 That's why the elders are sleepless in praying for you. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.439 And so think tonight. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:25.139 And so think tonight. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:26.719 How many people are there that pray for you? 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:30.120 You children who are here. 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:31.759 Who prays for you? 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:35.860 Who is concerned about your soul? 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:37.120 Well, certainly your family. 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:40.179 Maybe some of your friends. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.080 A few people. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:45.700 But your elders are concerned for your soul. 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:52.920 How many people are there that are really motivated in helping you become more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:54.159 That's the task of an elder. 00:08:56.579 --> 00:08:58.959 And surely the picture here is of keeping watch, isn't it? 00:08:58.959 --> 00:09:00.179 Of a watchman. 00:09:00.699 --> 00:09:02.719 Of a sentry on the walls of a city. 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:05.319 And when everyone else is sleeping, he is watching. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:07.540 He's sleepless. 00:09:07.640 --> 00:09:08.360 He's awake. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.379 He's alert. 00:09:09.560 --> 00:09:12.560 He's looking for the danger and the approach of the enemy. 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:16.640 And let's suppose he sees an enemy approaching. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:17.680 What's his task? 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:20.820 His task is to call out to the people, isn't he, in the city. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.440 And he cries out, there's an enemy. 00:09:22.560 --> 00:09:23.300 There's an enemy coming. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.620 There's an enemy approaching. 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:28.960 And it would be a really foolish thing if you were living in that city. 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:32.520 And you call up to the wall and you say, well, why should we listen to you? 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:35.000 Why should we obey you? 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:38.120 Who do you think you are to tell us what to do? 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:40.220 And they roll over and go back to sleep. 00:09:42.260 --> 00:09:48.760 How foolish it is to ignore someone whose job it is to watch in your interest. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:58.460 And all the influence of the elder which you are required to obey is in the interest of your souls. 00:09:59.520 --> 00:10:00.640 To heed the warnings. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.080 To listen to the instruction. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:08.420 They watch because they are wakeful for your souls. 00:10:10.780 --> 00:10:14.040 And surely when we think of it like that, it's only common sense, isn't it, to listen to them. 00:10:15.400 --> 00:10:17.480 It's only reasonable to listen to them. 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.340 It's for your own good. 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:18.360 It's for your own good. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.480 The second reason is their responsibility. 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:26.980 That's the second reason why you should obey and submit to your elders. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:28.639 Because of their responsibility. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:30.639 So can you see what it says? 00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:34.100 It says they are keeping watch over yourselves as those who must give an account. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:38.680 As men who must give an account. 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:43.859 In our assurance of pardon this morning. 00:10:43.959 --> 00:10:44.799 Do you remember that? 00:10:45.599 --> 00:10:50.500 In the assurance of pardon we said there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.899 There is no condemnation. 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:53.979 But there is an accounting. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:58.240 There is a judgment. 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:03.740 And I think that's something never to be forgotten, I hope, by those of us who are elders. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:10.159 In all our duties, there is a day coming when we will have to give an account to God. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:14.259 When we will stand before God and be judged as to how we've served as elders. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:19.299 God will say, did you care for my people? 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.940 Did you keep watch over my flock? 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:26.100 Did you set them a good example? 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.659 Did you teach them? 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:31.180 Because I've entrusted them to you. 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:34.159 Those people for whom my son died. 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:37.000 For whom he shed his blood. 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:40.159 I gave my church into your hands. 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:42.659 To look after it on my behalf. 00:11:43.979 --> 00:11:46.299 I gave you my elect to care for them. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:47.659 I gave you my sheep. 00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:48.599 How have you looked after them? 00:11:49.099 --> 00:11:49.879 Men who must give an account. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.699 That is a heavy burden. 00:11:53.739 --> 00:11:56.519 A heavy burden on responsibility. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:07.120 I think there is, in a healthy church life, there are those often who wish that they were elders. 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:08.779 I think that's healthy in church life. 00:12:10.599 --> 00:12:14.939 And you go to different churches and people maybe wonder, well, should I be an elder? 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.879 I wish I was an elder. 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:21.000 And they haven't been chosen or put forward by the congregation or ordained to office. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.320 And that's a real disappointment to them. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:29.000 And I think one helpful way in thinking about that is this. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:35.059 That if you've not been made an elder, you've been spared a heavy responsibility. 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:39.419 I don't think you should be annoyed or disappointed. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:44.500 God in his providence has decided at this time the responsibility is not for you. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:46.120 Maybe it will be given to you in the future. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.919 Maybe it will never be given to you. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:56.919 Like you, I'm sure, some of the most godly and honorable and exemplary of men have never been called to serve as elders. 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:00.899 And being an elder is not a popularity context. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:04.980 It's not a verdict on the love that we have for you in the congregation. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.320 Some people are not suited to the eldership. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.399 We've got different gifts for me. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:15.000 But when those men who become elders, they have a burden put on their shoulders. 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:17.799 And it is a burden as men who must give an account. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:21.899 And if God spares you that burden, be thankful. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.720 The responsibility, men who must give an account. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:34.480 Third reason that you should obey your leaders and submit to them is their love. 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.279 Look what it says. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:41.259 Obey your leaders and submit to them for they are keeping watch over your soul as those who will have to give an account. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:43.339 Let them do this with joy. 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:46.699 And not with groaning. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.259 For that would be of no advantage to you. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:59.439 In other words, there's the picture there in that verse of elders emotionally involved in their work. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:03.839 Emotionally involved with their people. 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:11.040 That when the people are flourishing and fruitful and prospering, the elder is glad. 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:11.980 He's filled with joy. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:17.500 He's filled with happiness at seeing people become more and more like the Lord Jesus. 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:20.120 Of defeating the sin which would ruin them in their lives. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:26.120 And when people have problems, the elder sighs and he groans. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:29.899 That's what this word burden really means. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.480 It's sighing and groaning. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:35.259 When the people are rebellious and disobedient, the elder's heart is sore. 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.919 He cannot sleep. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.879 He is grieved. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.139 Because he cares for the people. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:48.480 In other words, the eldership, they are not made up of cold professionals. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.840 This is family. 00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:51.639 The church is a family. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.439 And the elders care for their people. 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.879 They experience joy and they experience grief. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:58.000 They really care for you. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:01.100 And when you prosper, they are happy. 00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:04.199 When you are ill, when you are grieved, when you're facing difficulties, 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.419 when you're in spiritual difficulties, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:08.379 they groan, they share your grief. 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:12.899 And surely it's easier, isn't it? 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:17.079 It's far easier to submit to authority of those who care for us. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.319 Who really care for us. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.259 Who are involved. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:25.719 We can see the tears in the eyes of our elders when we're suffering. 00:15:27.219 --> 00:15:31.539 We see the concern on their faces as they come to your home. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:35.559 As the elder puts his hand on your shoulder after a Sunday service and says, 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:36.240 How are you doing? 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:41.079 That he's interested in my family, my children. 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.719 He loves me. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:48.360 It's one of the things, isn't it, about church growth. 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:51.500 I don't think there is a right number in church life. 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:54.039 Some people are adamant we have to have small churches. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.120 I don't think that's right. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:16:00.259 I think what you have to have is, I think you have to have a ratio of elders to people. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:05.899 And so that you are known and you know. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:08.419 And that you are cared for. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:13.139 And that can be done as effectively in a small church as a larger church. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:15.319 If there is a good ratio of elders. 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:19.980 It's one of the reasons why we need to make as a denomination a priority of training elders. 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:23.420 There should be a good ratio. 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:25.159 You go to a school and the ratio is what? 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:30.000 One parent, one teacher to 35 children. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.200 You don't send your kids there. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:37.879 But you go to school and there's kind of a ratio of one teacher to 20 children. 00:16:38.020 --> 00:16:38.820 You think, well, it's a great place. 00:16:38.900 --> 00:16:39.440 They'll be cared for. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:39.940 They'll be known. 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.240 And the same is a church. 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:47.960 And so when you go to move on from healing and wherever you'll end up living. 00:16:48.160 --> 00:16:49.840 Hopefully not many of you will move on from healing. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:52.220 But when you go to the church, ask how many elders are there? 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:57.519 Look at the ratios of people to eldership. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:05.539 Because knowing and being known is essential to church life. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.759 Of experiencing joy together. 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:11.819 Of having an elder who shares your joys and your sorrows. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:16.620 And so you are not called to submit to someone who does not care about you. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:19.180 You are not called. 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:22.900 You are called to submit to somebody who would be like a father to you. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:24.320 Or like a big brother to you. 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:29.560 And so I can assure you, if you don't know it already. 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:32.320 Whatever the fault and weaknesses of our present elders. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.360 And they would be the first to admit. 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.000 They have them. 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:37.960 Every single one of them cares very deeply. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.460 For all the members of this congregation. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:44.240 They're emotionally involved. 00:17:45.580 --> 00:17:48.259 And so we have reasons to submit to our elders. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.160 Their work. 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:52.000 They're keeping watch over your souls. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.220 Their responsibility. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:55.400 That they are men who must give an account. 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.599 Their love. 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:58.460 So that their work will be a joy. 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:04.539 And so lastly, obey your leaders because of your salvation. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:08.299 Look at verse 17 again. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:13.339 The writer says, obey your leaders and submit to them. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:16.799 For they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:19.119 Let them do this with joy and not with groaning. 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:22.279 For that would be of no advantage to you. 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:24.819 That would be unprofitable to you. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:33.740 And so if you reject their authority and you reject their help and their counsel, who are you hurting? 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:36.620 Who are you hurting? 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.400 You're hurting yourself. 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:46.960 That if you've got godly men appointed by God to watch for your souls. 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:52.500 A man who knows he's going to have to give an account for how he cares for you and loves you. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.740 If you don't listen to him, you are the loser. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:59.519 It would be of no advantage to you, the writer of Hebrews says. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:06.960 The devil's lie is that we achieve fulfillment and happiness by going our way. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.180 Going our own way. 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.920 But God has provided us with men. 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:16.740 And the only thing they want for us is our spiritual good. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.700 That's their motive. 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:20.360 That's their purpose. 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:25.440 To help you as a Christian play your role and to be as fruitful as you can be. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.319 There's no other agenda. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.980 It's nothing we want to get out of you. 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.720 We don't want to manipulate you. 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:38.240 We're not wanting to exercise an unbiblical authority over you. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:47.640 If as elders we're true to our calling, our only purpose is your spiritual well-being and the growth of Christ's church. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:52.160 Your spiritual well-being and the growth of Christ's church. 00:19:55.400 --> 00:20:00.539 And so I think one good test of a church family is have you got leaders like that? 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:04.460 Is to ask how do they handle authority? 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:07.359 It's one of the reasons why I'm adamant about being a Presbyterian. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:10.079 And I believe it's biblical. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.980 Because we are under authority. 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:18.019 And if you have elders that don't submit to anyone. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:21.339 And that they are the highest authority. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.579 And there is no one. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:25.940 There's no decisions that are made that sometimes they have to submit to. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:28.019 Then I think you've got problems. 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:35.799 And so ask yourself, well how does the elders of this church submit to the authority over them? 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:40.240 How does Paul Levy cope when he loses another vote in Presbytery this week? 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:49.140 The writer says to you, if God gives you such men, listen to them. 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:50.940 Obey them. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.440 Submit to them. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:55.299 Don't make this work a burden. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:58.400 Don't break their hearts. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:02.819 Don't discourage them and dishearten them and disappoint them. 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:06.039 Don't frustrate them. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:10.079 For that will be of no advantage to you. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:16.259 And so let us live as a church family in obedience to God's word. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:20.919 That those who have responsibility over us will be filled with joy. 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.720 Let's pray together. 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:22.819 Amen. 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:22.819