1. Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them
Hebrews 13:17

2. 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).
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3. 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).
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4. 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.
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5. Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them
Extreme views of elders’ rule:
No authority, rule by example.
Absolute authority, unchallengeable.
Neither are correct.
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6. The Rule of Elders Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17
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7. The Rule Of Elders Overseers (Ac. 20:28). The Greek word episkopos
“one who watches over, an overseer, guardian”
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8. The Rule Of Elders Exercise oversight (1 Pet. 5:2).
The Greek word episkopeo
“to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for”
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9. 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”
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10. 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.
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11. 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).
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12. 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)
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13. What is the nature of this rule?
The Rule Of Elders
What is the nature of this rule?
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14. Understanding their rule
Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17
Understanding their rule
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15. 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)
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. Understanding Their Rule
Manage house
Household submits to rule/care.
Church submits to rule/care.
Benevolent rule, not tyranny.
Care for church
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19. Understanding Their Rule
Manage house
Care for church
Teach
Exhort
Admonish
Oversee
Feed
Tend
Example only?
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20. Understanding Their Rule
Manage house
Guide
Lead
Direct
Protect
Care for church
What is the scope of their rule?
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21. Acknowledging their rule
Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17
Acknowledging their rule
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22. 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).
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23. Acknowledging Their Rule
Elders guide, lead, and direct the church in carrying out the law of Christ.
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24. 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?
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25. 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?
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26. 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?
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27. 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?
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28. Acknowledging Their Rule
Elders guide, lead, and direct the church in carrying out the law of Christ.
Christ’s Law
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29. 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).
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30. 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?
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31. Opposing their rule Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them - Hebrews 13:17
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32. 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.
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33. 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)
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34. 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!
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35. 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!
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36. 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).
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37. 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)!
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38. Opposing Their Rule
May none of us be guilty of opposing the proper rule of the elders.
They are watching out for our souls.
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39. 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).
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40. Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them
Hebrews 13:17

41. Obey Your Leaders & Submit To Them
The Rule of Elders Understanding Their Rule Acknowledging Their Rule Opposing Their Rule
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42. 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).
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