Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them Hebrews 13:17

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them The church is not a democracy. It is a monarchy. Christ has been given all authority (Eph. 1:22-23). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them Christ has delegated authority to His apostles (2 Cor. 3:10). The Hebrew writer speaks of others who have been given authority in the churches (Heb. 13:17). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them Our text is referring to the elders. The rule of elders is controversial. Extreme views have developed over the years. ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them Extreme views of elders’ rule: No authority, rule by example. Absolute authority, unchallengeable. Neither are correct. ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule of Elders Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule Of Elders Overseers (Ac. 20:28). The Greek word episkopos “one who watches over, an overseer, guardian” ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule Of Elders Exercise oversight (1 Pet. 5:2). The Greek word episkopeo “to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for” ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule Of Elders Overseer (1 Tim. 3:1). The Greek word episkopē which comes from episkeptomai “to look upon or after, to inspect, examine with the eyes…in order to see how he is, i.e. to visit, go to see one…1B to look upon in order to help or to benefit” ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule Of Elders Rule (Rom. 12:8; 1 Ths. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24). “rule” in English means, the exercise of authority or control. These six verses use two Greek words that are translated lead, over, rule, and leaders. ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule Of Elders Rule (Rom. 12:8; 1 Ths. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24). Proistēmi, means, “guide, lead, direct (Rom. 12:8; 1 Ths. 5:12; 1 Tim 5:17)”. Hēgeomai, means “to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); fig. to deem, i.e. consider” (Heb. 13:7, 17, 24). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Rule Of Elders Who gave them this authority? God the Father Christ (Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23) Apostles (Ac. 1:2) Elders (Ac. 14:23; Tit. 1:5) ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

What is the nature of this rule? The Rule Of Elders What is the nature of this rule? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding their rule Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17 Understanding their rule ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? (1 Tim. 3:4-5 ESV) ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule Manage house Experience ruling their house well equips the elders to rule the church well, to take care of the flock (1 Tim. 5:17). Care for church ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule Manage house How can we tell if one manages the house well? Children (Eph. 6:1-2) Wife (Eph. 5:22; 1 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:12) Care for church ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule Manage house Household submits to rule/care. Church submits to rule/care. Benevolent rule, not tyranny. Care for church ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule Manage house Care for church Teach Exhort Admonish Oversee Feed Tend Example only? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule Manage house Guide Lead Direct Protect Care for church What is the scope of their rule? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging their rule Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17 Acknowledging their rule ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Christ is the lawgiver (Ac. 17:31; Jas. 4:12) No one alters His law (Gal. 1:6-9; Rev. 22:18-19). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Elders guide, lead, and direct the church in carrying out the law of Christ. ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Authorized music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) Vocal specified, no choice. Songbook, song leader, song selection, number, timing, etc. not specified but authorized. Whole church? Who decides? Men? Elders? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Lord’s Supper (Ac. 20:7) Frequency specified, no choice. Time to partake, manner of distribution, containers, etc. not specified but authorized. Whole church? Who decides? Men? Elders? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Assembling (Ac. 2:46; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2) Some acts specified 1st day, no choice. When, where, and how often to assemble not specified but authorized. Whole church? Who decides? Men? Elders? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Edification (Eph. 4:12) Bible class is not specified, but authorized method. Organize, arrange, and determine the instruction offered; authorized but not specified. Whole church? Who decides? Men? Elders? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Elders guide, lead, and direct the church in carrying out the law of Christ. Christ’s Law ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Understanding Their Rule When they do this…. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Heb. 13:17). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Acknowledging Their Rule Elders guide, lead, and direct the church in carrying out the law of Christ. Christ’s Law Are there any limits to their rule? ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing their rule Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing Their Rule Local church only (Ac. 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2) Cannot assume oversight of another church or human institution. One issue with sponsoring church, centralized control, etc. ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing Their Rule Law of Christ (Col. 3:17) General and specific authority In and out of assembly (1 Cor. 14:34-35; Ac. 8:3; Gal. 5:19-21; Heb. 13:17) ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

If so, then the elders’ have oversight! Opposing Their Rule Law of Christ (Col. 3:17) Does it affect your soul’s salvation? Does it affect the congregation? If so, then the elders’ have oversight! ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The elders’ have oversight! Opposing Their Rule Law of Christ (Col. 3:17) Modest apparel? Forsaking the assemblies? Instrumental music in worship? Collection on Wednesday night? The elders’ have oversight! ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing Their Rule Law of Christ (Col. 3:17) Where I live? The kind of car I drive? Salvation Issues? Church issues? These would be “lording” it over the flock. Such should be opposed (1 Pet. 5:3). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing Their Rule Elders guide, lead, and direct the church in carrying out the law of Christ. Opposing without cause is sinful. We rebel at our own peril! We rebel against God (Num. 12:1-10; 16:21, 31-35; 1 Sam. 8:7)! ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing Their Rule May none of us be guilty of opposing the proper rule of the elders. They are watching out for our souls. ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Opposing Their Rule “Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Heb. 13:17). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them Hebrews 13:17

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them The Rule of Elders Understanding Their Rule Acknowledging Their Rule Opposing Their Rule ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them May we willingly and lovingly obey them, submit to them, and esteem them highly for the care they provide (Heb. 13:17; 1 Ths. 5:13). ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG