Sermon #99 Hebrews
Notes
Title: “Them which have
the
rule over you”
Text: Hebrews
13:7 and 17
Subject: Churches and their Pastors
Date: Tuesday Evening—
Tape # X-35a
Introduction:
I cannot think of a greater privilege or a
more weighty responsibility in the world than the privilege and responsibility
of preaching the gospel of Christ.
(Ephesians 3:8) "Unto me,
who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."
(Romans 1:15-17) "So, as
much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at
If there is any privilege that is greater, or any responsibility that
is heavier than the preaching of the gospel, it would be the privilege and
responsibility of hearing the gospel preached in the power of God the Holy
Spirit.
(Isaiah 52:7) "How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth
salvation; that saith unto
(2 Corinthians 2:14-17)
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph
in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every
place. (15) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that
are saved, and in them that perish: (16) To the one we are the
savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And
who is sufficient for these things? (17) For we are not as many,
which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight
of God speak we in Christ."
Two Questions
One day last week I received a call from a friend of
mine, a man I’ve known for ten or twelve years. He wanted to know if he could
come to
My friend had no idea what I was preparing to preach
on tonight; but the questions he asked were precisely the things I had on my
mind.
I gave up the notion of telling others what God’s
will is for them a long time ago. Because I am aware of the fact that the
Scriptures do not give precise answers to those questions, I cannot speak with
absolute certainty about them.
In the Old Testament prophets were called
immediately by God himself, by a direct, unmistakable
revelation—(Isaiah—Jeremiah—Ezekiel). In the New Testament the apostles were
called directly by Christ. The first seventy preachers were sent out by the
Master’s direct command. Other pastors and elders were chosen and ordained by
the Apostles.
But today we do not have such advantages. And the
Scriptures give us no clear instructions in the matter. The Scriptures tell us
the kind of man a pastor must be, and tell us clearly what a pastor’s
responsibilities are. But they do not specifically tell us how God puts a man
into the ministry, or how a man knows that he is called of God to preach the
gospel. So my answers to those questions are just that, “my answers.” They
arise from both my understanding of the Scriptures and the observation of
experience. As Paul put it on one occasion, Concerning this matter “speak I,
not the Lord.” But this is my best perception.
1. If God puts a man into the
ministry he first puts grace in his heart.
2. Before God puts a man into
the work of the ministry he proves him as a faithful servant in
his church.—“Not a novice!”[1]
3. If the Lord God puts a man
into the ministry he gives him his message (Isa. 40—Redemption
Accomplished!—All Flesh is Grass!—Behold, Your God!).
4. If God puts a man into the
ministry he gives him the gifts necessary for the work. He makes
him “apt to teach.”—(Knowledge—Understanding—Ability to Preach the
Gospel).
5. If God puts a man into the
ministry he gives him a place to preach. As one old preacher put
it years ago, “God never made a possum without a persimmon tree; and he never
made a preacher without a pulpit.”
6. If God puts a man into the
ministry he gives him a hearing. God’s preachers never have to
look for a place to preach or for people to hear them. When a man is sent of
God, he is sent to a people who want to hear his message. (Acts 10:33—“Now
therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are
commanded thee of God.”)
7. When God puts a man into the
ministry he gives him the support of his fellow-laborers in the
gospel.
I cannot fully answer the questions raised by my
friend. “How does a man know if he is called of God to preach the gospel? And
how does God put a man into the ministry?” But I do know these things.
·
Only God himself can make a man a preacher.
·
That man who is called of God to the work of preaching the gospel has a
direct commission and call from Christ, and it is unmistakably clear. He knows
that he has been sent of God.
·
Any man who is called of God to this great work takes the work
seriously and earnestly seeks a message from Christ as he stands to speak for
Christ.
·
God called men preach with urgency because they have experienced in
their souls the message they preach. They carry in their souls “the burden
of the word of the Lord.”
·
They preach with urgency because they know the serious consequences of
their message.
Turn with me, now, to Hebrews 13. I want to talk to
you about preachers, about “them which have the rule over you.”
(Hebrews 13:7) "Remember
them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."
(Hebrews 13:17) "Obey them
that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your
souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not
with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
I have shown you many, many times what the responsibilities of pastors,
elders, and preachers are. Here, in these two verses, we are told that Gospel
preachers are specifically responsible for four things.
1. `It is the responsibility of
every gospel pastor to rule the house of God.
A Gospel church is a kingdom under the rule of Christ her King. God
called pastors are the overseers, governors, and rulers of his churches. Christ
is the Shepherd. Faithful pastors are under-shepherds. The pastor’s rule of
God’s house is like a husband’s rule of his own house. It involves…
·
Direction
·
Provision
·
Protection
2. The way God’s servants rule
his church is by the declaration of God’s Word, by the preaching
of the gospel.—“Who have spoken to you the Word of God.”
(Jeremiah 23:28) "The
prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let
him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the
LORD."
3. To preach the Word of God is
to instruct eternity bound men and women in the way of faith.—“Whose
faith follow.”—By Word.—By Example.
4. These things God’s servants
are responsible to do as watchmen, as men who “watch for your
souls, as they that must give account.”
But Paul’s primary object in these two verses is to show God’s people
what they ought to do, how you ought to behave, in relation to “them which
have the rule over you.” The Scriptures give very clear instructions to
God’s people about these things. Let me briefly show you what those
instructions are.
Here are ten
things revealed in the Word of God which every church and every believer within
the church should do for the man who preaches the gospel of Christ to them,
laboring for their souls” eternal good.
I. Know him (1 Thess. 5:12)
(1 Thessalonians 5:12) "And
we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you
in the Lord, and admonish you;"
Obviously, this means more than having a bare
acquaintance with him. It is unthinkable that a church might have a pastor with
whom it is unacquainted. To know your pastor is to acknowledge him as your
pastor, as the messenger of God to your soul.
Every believer should get to know, and show his care
for, every faithful pastor, preacher, missionary and evangelist that he can.
God's people need to build strong relationships with God's servants everywhere.
As your pastor I highly encourage you to write to, visit and get to know every
faithful gospel preacher they can. (God's servants are not jealous or fearful
of one another!) But there should be a special relationship between a pastor
and the congregation which he serves. Your pastor is to be acknowledged by you,
above all others, as God's messenger to you. That makes him special to you.
To know your pastor is to love him.
The word “know” is often used for “love” in the Scriptures, and every
member of the church should have a distinct love for the man who is the
instrument of God to minister to the needs of his people. The man who devotes
his life to securing your soul's comfort, edification and strength is worthy of
your love.
To know your pastor is to hold him in respect.
Paul admonished the Philippians to hold their pastor in reputation, to honor
him (Phil. 2:29). God's people are to give honour to those men who are God's
ambassadors. They are to be treated as God's ambassadors (Luke 10:16).
To know your pastor is to show concern for his
comfort, welfare, safety and protection. David used the word “know” in
this way (Ps. 142:4). Churches should be greatly concerned for the safety and
welfare of their pastors in the discharge of their responsibilities. Pray for
your pastor's spiritual safety and well-being. Protect his name and reputation
from the slanderous gossip of evil men, and always endeavor to encourage him in
his work.
Three
Reasons
Paul gives three reasons why churches should make it
their business to know their pastors.
A. They labor among you. If God has given
you a faithful pastor, he has given you a man who labors for your soul. He
fills his hours with diligent work, studying hard, praying earnestly, preaching
fervently. He corresponds with needy people. He visits the sick. He writes
articles, tracts, books, etc. The vast majority of his work is unseen by those
for whom it is done, and too often unappreciated. But faithful pastors are
laboring pastors.
B. They are over you by divine appointment.
God has placed your pastor over you as your spiritual guide and ruler in his
kingdom. If you would follow his faith, you need to know him.
C. They admonish you. Your pastor
continually reminds you, in public and in private, of things which you need to
know.
·
He reminds you of your past experiences of grace (Isa. 50:1-2).
·
He faithfully preaches and instructs you in the doctrines of the gospel
(1 Cor. 1:26-31; Rom. 8:28-39).
·
He reminds you of your privileges and responsibilities in this world
(Eph. 4:17-5:2).
·
He points out the dangers you must face (Matt. 13:18-23).
·
Finally, he ever reminds you of the blessed, soul-cheering promises of
God in Christ (Isa. 43:1-5; 2 Cor. 1:20).
II. Esteem him very highly (1
Thess. 5:13)
(1 Thessalonians 5:13) "And to esteem them very highly in love
for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."
Every believer should esteem his pastor very highly.
The word is “superabundantly,” over and above the esteem given to other
brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not because he possesses any personal
superiority; he does not. He, like you, is “only a sinner saved by grace”. But
he is to be esteemed superabundantly for his work's sake. What does this mean?
You are to entertain the highest possible
opinions of your pastor at all times. Hold him up in your own mind.
Highly esteem his gifts and abilities as a preacher, and his grace and
faithfulness as a believer. If you have a low opinion of a man, it is not
likely that he will be of much use to your soul. His words will carry no weight
with you.
Always speak honorably of your pastor.
Believers should always speak well of one another, but this is especially true
regarding their pastors. If you do not speak well of your pastor, it is not
likely that anyone who knows you will have any respect for him. At home, among
the members of your family, at work, in the midst of your co-workers and in the
community, always give God's servant the highest possible esteem in your
speech.
Speak respectfully to your pastor as God's
messenger to you. The use of titles and names of distinction to separate and elevate
God's servants above his people is to be deplored. Our Lord plainly forbids it
(Matt. 23:7-9). We should address no man as “Reverend', “Father', or “Doctor'!
But God's servants should be spoken to in respectful terms. Neither the pastor's
office nor his work should be made the object of a joke or of ridicule. Like a
father in his household, the pastor is to be treated and spoken to with the
respect that becomes his high and holy office in the church.
This superabundant esteem must be the esteem
of sincere love for the pastor's work's sake. It is not a forced
reverence for an office. It is to be a heartfelt esteem flowing from your
realization of the burden, labor and value of the work of the gospel, to which
God's servant faithfully gives himself. That man deserves your highest, most
loving esteem who spends his life in ardent labor for the gospel, who has been
the instrument used of God for your salvation, who ministers to the comfort of
your soul and is used of God for your spiritual growth and edification in the
knowledge of Christ.
III. Remember him (Heb. 13:7)
(Hebrews 13:7)
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto
you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their
conversation."
Ever keep your pastor close to your heart in fond
remembrance. Remember him at the throne of grace when you pray, but
particularly, the admonition here is to remember his messages and the doctrine
he preaches. Listen carefully to what he preaches. Take notes to aid your
memory. Discuss his sermons at home, among your brethren, and store up his
doctrine in your mind, so that you may apply it to yourself as you seek to live
in this world for the glory of God. As you read the Word of God in your private
worship, if you remember what has been preached to you the Word will open
before you and be blessed of God to your heart.
Two
Reasons
Here are two reasons for remembering your pastor,
particularly, for remembering his messages.
First, he has the rule of the church. His word is to be
remembered, because God has made him your spiritual guide in this world.
Second, he speaks to you the Word of God. He does not come
in his own name, teaching his own opinions, or the philosophies of men. If he
is God's man, your pastor comes to you with God's message, armed with God's
authority, and what he says you are responsible to hear, remember and obey. He
preaches to you the Word of God.
IV. Follow him (Heb. 13:7)
“Whose faith follow”—Believers and churches
are to follow their pastors. Your pastor is your leader and guide in the
kingdom of God. You are to follow his example of faith and faithfulness. Follow
the pure gospel doctrine that he preaches to you. It leads to life everlasting.
Follow his example of devotion to Christ.
Your pastor, if he is truly the servant of God, is a
man of resolute, heart devotion to Christ, his church, his gospel and his
glory. He guides God's people by his own example of consecration to Christ.
Follow his example of faithfulness. The one thing God requires of his servants
is faithfulness, and if you would be serviceable to the cause of Christ in your
own sphere of responsibility, you will learn how by following your pastor's
example.
This is not blind allegiance to a man. This is
obedience to Christ. If you would follow Christ, you must follow the man he has
made your guide, “considering the end of his conversation, Jesus Christ the
same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). Christ is the object
of our faith, the pattern of our faith and the end of our faith. Follow your
pastor in the life of faith, as he presses towards the mark, Christ Jesus.
V. Obey him (Heb. 13:17)
(Hebrews 13:17)
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it
with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
Obedience is not servitude, but it does mean
submission. God's people are expected and required to obey their pastors. In
spiritual, doctrinal matters, in all things regarding the affairs and work of
the church, the pastor is to be obeyed. If he is not worthy of obedience, he
should not be the pastor. Elders are to serve the church in obedience to the
pastor. Deacons are to serve the church in obedience to the pastor. Teachers
are to serve the church in obedience to the pastor. Every member of the
congregation is to serve the church in obedience to the pastor. The pastor is
the captain of the ship. All the crew must serve in obedience to him.
Obey his message, the gospel of the grace of
God. Hear it. Receive it. Love it, and order your life by it.
Obey his direction in the worship of Christ.
Every aspect of the worship and work of the church should be carried out in
accordance with the pastor's instruction. The order of the services, the
selection of music, the administration of the ordinances and the activities of
the church are to be performed in the way required by the pastor, as he is
guided by the Word of God. There is no need for committees and societies within
the church body. The pastor's voice, as he seeks the will and glory of God, is
to be obeyed in all things.
Obey his admonitions and reproofs. No pastor is infallible.
He will often err. But if he is a faithful man, his errors will be errors of
judgment, not errors of principle. You can safely follow such a man and obey
him. His admonitions and reproofs, if he is God s servant, are not personal
attacks, or fits of passion. They are thoughtful, needful, God-given warnings
and directions for your soul's eternal good.
VI. Submit to him (Heb. 13:17)
“Submit yourselves”—The admonition here is to
submit yourself to the Spirit-led, faithful care of your pastor. Do what he
tells you to do, even if you do not really understand why. That may seem a little
too much to expect, but a little consideration will show that it is not.
A few years ago, I was dying with cancer. The
doctors wanted to treat my disease by injecting me with a series of drugs and
cobalt treatments. The drugs and the treatments could prove deadly themselves,
if they were not properly administered. I do not understand how they work, but,
being confident of my physicians abilities, I submitted myself to them and did
what they told me to do, because I knew that they knew better than I did what
was needed.
You are to submit to your pastor in just that way.
If he is a faithful man, he probably knows better than you what is best for
your soul, the cause of Christ, the welfare of the church and the furtherance
of the gospel. He will not willfully mislead you, and he will not abuse you, or
take advantage of you.
Your pastor's concern is for the welfare of your
soul. He watches for your soul as one who must give account, both to his own
conscience and at the judgment bar of God. Every faithful pastor exercises
great care and diligence as he watches over God's people, for he desires to
give account of his hearers with joy and not with grief. If on the Day of
Judgment God's servant gives account of you with grief, as one who has heard
but refused to obey the gospel, you will suffer the wrath of God for it (Deut.
17:11-12).
(Deuteronomy 17:11-12) "According to the sentence of the law
which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall
tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they
shall show thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. (12) And the man that will
do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to
minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall
die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel."
VII. Pray for him (Heb. 13:8; Eph.
6:19: Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1)
(Ephesians 6:19)
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open
my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
(Colossians 4:3)
"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of
utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:"
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that
the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with
you:"
(Hebrews 13:18)
"Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things
willing to live honestly."
Let every child of God pray continually for all who
faithfully preach the gospel of Christ, but every believer should especially
pray for his own pastor.
C. H. Spurgeon was once asked, “To what do
you attribute the phenomenal success of your ministry?” Without a moment's
hesitation, he replied, “My people pray for me.” Let all who believe follow
their example. Pray for your pastor.
·
As he seeks a message for your soul in his private study and
preparation for the pulpit, pray for him.
·
As he preaches the gospel to you, pray for him.
·
Pray, too, for your pastor with regard to his life and conduct in this
world.
He is a man, like yourself, weak, frail, sinful and
tempted of the devil. Pray for his preservation from the evil one. Pray that
God will ever give him grace to seek neither to avoid the disfavor of men, nor
to crave the favor of men. Call upon God to preserve him in grace, in
usefulness and in health and strength.
·
And pray for your pastor's constant and increasing usefulness in the
cause of Christ.
VIII. Provide for him (1 Tim.
5:17-18; Gal. 6:6; 1 Cor. 9:7-14)
(1 Corinthians 9:7-14) "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own
charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? (8) Say I these
things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? (9) For it is written in
the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out
the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (10) Or saith he it altogether for our
sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should
plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his
hope. (11) If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we
shall reap your carnal things? (12) If others be partakers of this power over
you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer
all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. (13) Do ye not know
that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple?
and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? (14) Even so
hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the
gospel."
(Galatians 6:6)
"Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that
teacheth in all good things."
(1 Timothy 5:17-18) "Let the elders that rule well be counted
worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
(18) For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out
the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."
Carefully read these texts of Scripture. Then read
them again and ask the Spirit of God to apply them to your own heart. It is a
shame and reproach upon any congregation which is able to care for its pastor,
if the pastor has to provide for any of his own, or his family's earthly,
material needs. And it is the congregation itself which suffers when the pastor
has to support himself.
Every local church should generously supply every
need of the pastor and his family, so that he may be able to give himself wholly
to prayer, study and preaching. A faithful man will make whatever sacrifices
and adjustments are necessary to live within his means, and he will not take
advantage of the generosity of God's people. But every church, and every member
of the church, should do everything within its ability to see to it that God's
servant lacks nothing.
IX. Adhere to him (2 Tim. 1:15-18)
(2 Timothy 1:15-18)
"This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away
from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (16) The Lord give mercy unto
the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my
chain: (17) But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and
found me. (18) The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in
that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest
very well."
In every state, condition and circumstance, adhere
to your pastor. He needs you. In difficulty, support him. When he is
discouraged, encourage him. When he is engaged in trials, sympathize with him.
When he is opposed, stand by him. When men speak evil of him, defend him. In
all his labor for Christ, your soul and the gospel of the grace of God, do
whatever you can to assist him, for the glory of God.
X. Treat him as the minister of Christ
(1 Cor. 4:1-2)
(1 Corinthians 4:1-2) "Let a man so account of us, as of the
ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (2) Moreover it is
required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
He has been made your servant for Christ's sake by
the will of God. He is the steward of the mysteries of God. God has made him
the servant in his house who is entrusted with the treasury of the house, the
gospel of the grace of God. And, if he is God's servant, he is faithful to your
soul in all things.
We have seen, from the Word of God, ten things which
the believer should be doing for his pastor. Many will say, “No man deserves to
be treated so royally,” and, of course, they are right. No man deserves to have
such treatment from his peers. But if God's servants are to be effective in,
and give themselves, to the work of the gospel, they must have the unwavering
help, support and faithfulness of God's people behind them. Remember also that
your pastor, if he is God's faithful servant, is God's ambassador to your soul;
and the Lord regards that which is done to his ambassadors, be it good or bad,
as having been done to him (Luke 10:16).
Churches sometimes wonder why they cannot keep a
pastor more than a few years. There may be many reasons. But this one thing I
have observed, after a good many years of pastoral experience: very few pastors
would even consider the possibility of leaving any church which did for them
the things which we have seen in the Book of God tonight. Personally, I have
never known a pastor to leave such a congregation. If we are to labor together
for Christ, as a family, we must treat one another as a family.
[1] The fact is—If we are born of God we are his servants. He has put us into the ministry. Some serve in one capacity and some in another. But we are all his witnesses and his servants. And each of us is useful only in the place God has put us.