Leadership and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 13:7-25
The last practical exhortation of the Letter to the Hebrews is to remember, obey, and submit to leadership. In this sermon, we will reflect upon why having this attitude toward leadership is important, but why this can also be controversial.
Hebrews provides three reasons why this kind of attitude toward leaders is important. First is that leaders are the ones who speak the word of God. As Hebrews mentioned previously (Hebrews 3-4; 5.11), the word of God is not meant to be read in isolation or individually; it is meant to be preached. In fact, how we respond to the preaching of the word is one of the most important indicators of our growth in Jesus Christ.
Second, the life and conduct of leaders are one of the best ways for us to grow in our own faith. In an individualistic society, we might think that our growth in faith depends solely on our personal relationship with God. While our relationship with God is important, so is the way we imitate our leaders. Other parts of Scripture also emphasizes the need to imitate the faith of our leaders (e.g., 1 Cor 4.16; 11.1; Phil 3.17).
Not only are we to remember our leaders (which is an expression of honor), but we are to obey and submit to them. This last portion is controversial, especially in light of so many fraudulent and scandalous leaders. Therefore, it is important to see how Hebrews points to the God-factor in this regard. Leaders keep watch over our souls because they need to give an account to God himself. Because leaders must answer to God, we must obey and submit to them. One of the ways to discern if certain leaders should be followed is if they are leading in such a way where their focus is taking care of souls and fearing the judgment of God. If so, then we must obey and submit to such leaders.
Christ embodied all three of these aspects of leadership: (1) Instead of miracles, he focused on the preaching and teaching of the word to correct our understanding of God. In fact, he is the Word that became flesh. (2) Reflecting upon his perfect life despite all of the persecution that he had to endure is one of the best ways for us to grow in our faith. Moreover, his righteousness has been imputed onto all those who believe in and submit to his gospel. (3) Christ is perfectly keeping watch of our souls even to the point of giving up his own life. Even now, he is interceding for us.
Questions:
1. Share about a time where God placed a leader in your life who has helped you through either the teaching of the word, the conduct of his/her life, or having to obey/submit to him/her?
2. In what ways do we also have an unhealthy skepticism toward leadership?
3. What are some guidelines that can help us to have a biblical attitude toward leadership?
4. Share about how God has been using the leadership at Uptown to help you experience Christ.
5. Close your time by praying for the leadership at Uptown and that God will raise new leaders that can be a blessing to others. Also, take some time and reflect upon how Jesus Christ himself is the quintessential leader. Not only did he preach the Word, but he is the Word that became flesh. Not only is his perfect life the ultimate model of faith for us, but his perfect life has been imputed onto us. Not only does Jesus keep watch over our souls, but he gave up his own life to secure salvation for us.
