Are you following Jesus? #33

Sorry for the devotions not being presented for the last week! I had an unexpected trip to Oklahoma come up, a friend's wife had brain surgery the day after I got back, and to top it off my wife and I got a stomach virus! Fun fun! Let's get back to the Word today.



Last time we met we talked about being committed to a church and staying faithful to that body and serving as taught by the bible. What I want us to see as followers of Jesus as we serve and learn in the church we also must submit to leadership in the church as long as they are staying biblical. Look at this passage of scripture:


Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.



When you are in a particular church, the pastor is your care giver. The pastor has a great responsibility in training, teaching, leading, and if needed disciplining the church (you and me)! As the body we can make it easier or tougher on out pastor as the verse above indicates, be a good body part for the joy of your pastor!



Let me just add a side note here: Being a pastor for many years now I have seen the stresses on pastors as they have so much on their plate that should not be there. The body expects the pastor to do all the work of the church, this is not his job. His job is to train you to get your ready to do the work along side of him. Are you doing that? Look at this verse:




Ephesians 4:11-12

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,



Now as the Pastor is the leader let me be clear that this is not a dictatorship, it is a leadership of love as the pastor leads us closer to Christ in relationship and service. A Pastor must serve as the bible teaches:




Mark 10:44

44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.



All the great pastors I have served under have been a picture of this verse....they give way more than is required! Thank God for all my godly, servant leader pastors! Give praise to God for yours!



Also remember this verse:




Hebrews 13:7

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.



The pastors I have had have been role models, I want to follow their faith! God has placed them where they are for a reason and I have had no problem submitting to their authority as this what the bible teaches, so we are to follow the Words of God.



One last side note, in a case of a Pastor who is not staying biblical. The bible is clear one in the midst who is deceiving the congregation is to be corrected and if no change removed. Refer to false teachers passages in the bible. Now be very careful you know what your bible says and that you are being correct in your pointing out the wrongs of the Pastor. This is a very touchy place as some will always stay with a Pastor even if he is wrong! Also remember the steps God gives in trying to correct a brother....one on one talk if this does not work, you take two or three witnesses with you for another talk, and if this does not work you bring him before the whole church. I pray you never find yourself in this situation but it does happen.



So...submit to your church leadership and serve beside them! It is your responsibility!



Tom