Jesus Is Better - 18

Jesus Is Better - 18

Introduction

On Tuesday, June 6, 2016, the good citizens of Huesca, Spain were awakened to a crazy scene unfolding at 4:30am. Local police responded to calls claiming that hundreds of sheep were roaming the streets. And that is exactly what occurred. 

[video of sheep] The one question that needs to be asked upon seeing that sight is this: Where is the Shepherd?! He was found within minutes and promptly redirected the sheep back to where they had been earlier. Apparently the sheep had broken free from their pens and the watchful eye of their shepherd. In a short amount of time they were back at home, safe and sound.

The importance of good leadership cannot be overstated. These animals could have been lost, hurt, or even killed by motorists. Leadership is critically important. Did you notice what the sheep were doing while they were leaderless? They intuitively began to follow each other…round and round a traffic roundabout. They were going absolutely nowhere! If you want to get somewhere, leaders are essential.

Every year the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University conducts a “National Study of Confidence in Leadership.” The results from the most recent study show how important leadership is.

—69% of Americans think we have a leadership crisis in America.

—70% agree that unless we get better leaders, the US will decline as a nation.

—81% feel that the problems we face today can be solved through effective leadership.

God agrees. From the very beginning of his creation, God has placed leaders and systems of leadership over his people. Ironically, God’s favorite image to use for this is declaring us to be “sheep” and his leaders “shepherds.”

In the book of Genesis, leadership was found in the patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They led their very large families in faith and toward God’s will for them. In Exodus we are introduced to Moses who will lead the nation of Israel through their wanderings in the desert after God delivers them from slavery in Egypt. Moses will faithfully lead the nation to freedom, confront their sin, and ensure God’s will is fulfilled. How did God prepare Moses for that 40-year journey? By having him be a shepherd in Midian for the previous 40 years. 

After Moses, it’s Joshua. Then the establishment of the system of priests and religious leaders. Then the Judges. Then the Kings. Then the Prophets. Once we get to the NT, we see Jesus as our sacrificial Lamb whose sacrifice will forgive our sin, but also referred to as the Chief Shepherd in . He is the ultimate leader over God’s people. 

Once the church is established, those leading it were the Apostles. They set doctrine as revealed by the Holy Spirit. They confronted sin. They ensured God’s will was done in the church. As the Apostles began to die off, God set up a system of leadership in the church through a group of men called Elders. Each congregation were to have an appointed group of men set over them who would faithfully lead that church. These men would be qualified to serve in that role based on their character. Their community influence, their wealth, their business success, their talents were not to be a factor. In the church our leaders are to be chosen based on the maturity of their faith and the strength of their character.

Several primary passages of the NT speak to the qualifications for Elders and their functions of leadership in the church. , , , . Because these passages are so very clear about the nature of church leadership and their qualifications, we are able to see that their leadership is to be a different kind of leadership. It is not the same as business leadership. It is not the same as political leadership. It is not the same as military leadership. Though we can learn much from those forms of leadership, Elders are to lead pastorally. In fact, one of the words the NT uses to describe their role is rightly translated as “shepherd.” 

Since these shepherds are placed “over us” (as the NT describes) by God, that means they have authority. Though that is not a popular word in today’s culture, it is an important one. God has always set leaders over his people for the purpose of exercising God’s authority in very real, tangible ways. We will come back to this in a few minutes.

TS - of all the passages in the NT that speak to and about the leaders, there are a couple of them that are unique. They are unique because they speak not only to the responsibility of the leader, but to the responsibility of those who are following. is one of those passages. 

It may seem a bit odd to end this letter with an emphasis on leadership. But it really makes perfect sense. He’s been pleading all this time that Jesus is Better. Maintain faith in, and faithfulness to, this Better Jesus. Stay the course. Cross the finish line. And if they want to see what that looks like in a very real way, all they have to do is look to the leaders around them who are setting the pace. Here is how he phrases it:

- 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Let’s take a minute and break this verse down to see both the follower’s responsibility and the leader’s responsibility.

—Leader’s Responsibility #1 - Teach the Bible

The primary responsibility of leaders in the church is to communicate God’s Word in whatever environment they find themselves in. Whether that is at church, in a classroom, LifeGroup, or in someone’s home. They are to so deeply know God’s Word that they are able to come alongside others and offer counsel and direction…not from their opinions or personal wisdom, but directly from the Bible. In fact if you read through the qualifications for Elders in and , you will see that there is only one qualification that is listed that is not character based.  Elders are to be “able to teach.”

—Leader’s Responsibility #2 - Set an Example

If followers are to imitate a way of life, then leaders are to live lives worthy of imitation. This is one of the reasons that Elders cannot be new Christians. They have not come to the point of enough maturity in their faith. They haven’t walked far enough down that road for others to follow them. This is also typically why Elders are older in age. Though spiritual maturity and age are not always synced up, typically those who have been faithful over a large portion of their lifetime are better equipped to be Elders.

- 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

- Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

So we must ask of existing Elders, those who would consider becoming Elders in the future…Is your life worth imitating?

—Follower’s Responsibility #1 - Remember

God is big on having us regularly remember important items of information. Countless times in the OT God would remind the Israelites that he was the one who rescued them from slavery in Egypt. In God says that he blesses the one who “meditates” on his law day and night, keeping it always at the forefront of their mind. Perhaps the greatest example of God’s desire for us to remember is in the institution of the Lord’s Supper (communion). 

- 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Each week when we gather together we take communion so that we remember. We remind ourselves of Jesus’ sacrifice and that it is the centerpiece of who we are and what we do. 

This word used here for “remember” is the Gk. word “mnemonic” where we get our concept of a mnemonic device. If I asked you to say the ABC’s you’d likely sing the song in your head. Or if I asked you to tell me the colors of the spectrum, you’d tell me ROYGBIV. Those are mnemonic devices, things which allow us to repeat and remember important information. 

Hebrews instructs us to be that way with our leaders. They are to be such an important part of our lives that we do not set them aside in our minds. They are ensuring we are being led by the Word of God. They are living a good example. We must keep that at the forefront of our minds.

—Follower’s Responsibility #2 - Consider & Imitate

If an Elder is to live a way of life that is an example to follow, then we should be considering their lives. This word for “consider” means to observe carefully. It literally translates as “gaze upward.” We are constantly looking at their lives and the outcome of it. What does their life produce? Do I want my life to produce the same thing?

So we examine and if their lives match up with the Word of God they are teaching us, then we imitate their faith. We see the results of what their faith does and we strive to follow in their footsteps. This word for “imitate” is the Gk. word “mimic.” If their faith has produced a great marriage, a mature Christian, a wisdom we admire…then we mimic what they have done, trusting God to produce the same outcome.

- 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

—Leader’s Responsibility #3 - Keep Watch

This is the Elder role of being an Overseer. The leaders of the church, by their ongoing teaching of God’s Word, and their living example to follow, are to watch over your soul. They live out the command from …don’t only be concerned for your own interests but look to the interests of others. Elders live this reality for the entire church. They help look out for you by protecting sound doctrine in this church. By offering counsel where needed. By interceding on your behalf in prayer. By setting the direction of this church to ensure it is pursuing health and the ministry offered will be beneficial to you.

—Leader’s Responsibility #4 - Give an Account to God

This is the most frightening and sobering reality for church leaders. This is not their church. There is only one who owns the church. There is only one Head to the Body. And that is Jesus Christ alone. While we do have an organization chart to show lines of communication and accountability, Jesus always sits on the top of that chart. It is his church and leaders will answer for how they led his church. 

- So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

There is only one Chief Shepherd. Elders are never more than under-shepherds who take their cues from their Chief Shepherd. It is from him we learn how to shepherd, it is to him that we answer. As one who is not an Elder but who meets with them at least once a month and is held accountable to them…rest assured that this reality is taken very seriously by the Elders of this church.

—Follower’s Responsibility #3 - Obey and Submit

Because they are keeping watch over our souls and will give account to the Lord for their work, our responsibility is to obey and submit. This is not just a verse for me as one who is employed by the Elders. It is for us all. One of the statements I say often to our Elders is “You are my Elders too.” Before I am anything in this congregation, I am a church member. The Elders shepherd me too. So at times if there is a decision or direction that I propose and they are hesitant or would rather do something different, it is not my place to be belligerent or push something through because I want it. Not only are they my boss, they are my Elders too. I gladly submit to their wisdom.

While we may not like the word “obey” because it can reek of the abuse of power or a domineering form of leadership, it is our role. Why? Because their responsibility is to teach the Word of God. Their decisions are to be informed by the Bible. The direction they set, the counsel they offer, all of it is to come from Scripture. And what is our response to God’s Word? We obey it.

While we may not like the word “submit” because it underplays our individual opinions and forces us to recognize others as having authority over us, that is our role. Why? Because the Elders represent God. Let me set something straight because many churches get it wrong…I said earlier that the kind of leadership Elders offer in church is to be a different kind of leadership. Not business, not military, not political. 

Many churches get their leadership structure and practices from the U.S. government, not the New Testament. There are the Deacons (House of Representatives). There are Elders (Senate). Together they form a Board (Congress). And there is the Preacher (Speaker of the House who talks but does not have any real authority). And who has the real power in a democracy? The people. The voters. If they don’t like something they just vote it out. People vote in politicians to represent their interests and vote in their favor…and if that doesn’t work, find another candidate.

That concept does not exist in the New Testament. That is an American concept, not a biblical one. This is not a democracy. The Elders are not voted-in spiritual politicians to represent your interests. They don’t represent you to God. The Elders represent God to you. They are real-life manifestations of God’s Word and God’s authority in your life. In fact, the very word translated in these verses as “leader” literally translates as “one with authority.” 

—Follower’s Responsibility #4 - Bring Joy

v. 17b - “Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

You can respond to leaders with defiance, politicking, passive-aggressive behavior, slander. All of it is sinful. And all of it is unhelpful. Leaders who lead with groaning, out of obligation and not love, are of no benefit to you.

Or you can respond with understanding, flexibility, humility, and respect. You can inquire, question, and challenge in godly and gentle ways. That is all a delight to lead and watch over. That brings joy. And joyful leaders are of utmost benefit to your soul.

TS - Again, it may seem odd to end Hebrews at such a place, but good theology is always practical. Leaders are a gift from God placed among us and over us to help lead us to God’s design for our lives and for this church. They model for us faith in Christ and faithfulness to Christ.

I pray our time in Hebrews has been beneficial for you. My hope is that we would exalt the Lord Jesus high over all things as Better. He really is better. If you are a Christian then you know how much better he really is. He’s saved you. He’s forgiven you. He’s granted you eternal life. says to taste and see that the Lord is good. You’ve done that and you know he is better than anything. If you aren’t a Christian, Jesus can be all of this for you. He welcomes you and offers to you everything that is Better. 

- 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER

COMMUNION