EPISODE 811 – PRACTICAL WAYS TO HONOUR YOUR LEADERS 3 – Obey them 1

PRACTICAL WAYS TO HONOUR YOUR LEADERS 3 – Obey Them 1

“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” 

Hebrews 13:17 (NLT)

The Lord has appointed Spiritual Leaders to function as shepherds.

They have the responsibility to:

– Lead and guide you unto God’s agenda.

– To care for and feed you as a shepherd feeds his flock.

To think that you don’t need a shepherd is to act contrary to the wisdom of God’s word.

Our Lord Jesus is the great good Shepherd-King (Hebrews 13:20; John 10:11; 1 Peter 5:4), and He has appointed leaders within the various assemblies of saints to shepherd the saints as He does.

Your Pastor or Church leader has the work or spiritual task to watch over your souls as shepherds watch over a flock.

“…I urge my fellow elders among you to be compassionate shepherds who tenderly care for God’s flock and who feed them well, for you have the responsibility to guide, protect, and oversee. Consider it a joyous pleasure and not merely a religious duty. Lead from the heart under God’s leadership…” 1 Peter 5:1-2 (TPT).

This was Peter the apostle’s instruction to the Church elders as Jesus instructed him.

Jesus asked Peter at three different times if he loved Him, and He instructed Peter more than once to feed His lambs:

“… Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you burn with love for me more than these?”
Peter answered, “Yes, Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!”
“Then take care of my lambs,”
“Then take care of my sheep,”  Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs.” John 21:15-17 (TPT)

Again, Paul the apostle also instructed the elders of the Church in Ephesus:

“So guard your hearts. Be true shepherds over all the flock and feed them well. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who appointed you to guard and oversee the churches that belong to Jesus, the Anointed One, which he purchased and established by his own blood.” Acts 20:28 (TPT).

The obedience in Hebrews 13:17 is not just to respond to a command as one under authority, but also to have confidence in a person. The Greek word is “peithō”, which means “to yield” or “have inner conviction”.

To obey your leader is not a mere outward display of conformity. It is not acting properly in the presence of the leader. It is assenting in your heart to yield to the guidance of your spiritual leader.

There are people who act in obedience only when they are in the presence of their leader and do otherwise or speak contrary in his absence.

It is not a display of honour. It is a display of the hypocrisy of your heart. This kind of evidence wouldn’t last for long. Soon you will be exposed, or you will showcase your lack of commitment and unyieldingness.

This is Paul the apostle writing :

“So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” Philippians 2:12 (Amplified Bible)

The Greek word for obedience in this verse is “hupakouō”, which means “to heed”, “hearken or conform to a command or authority”.

These people conformed with conviction to Apostle Paul’s instruction with enthusiasm in his presence. Now he urged them that it is more important for them to obey him in his absence.

This is a true demonstration of honour to your spiritual leader.

This is proof that you are not obeying your leader because you are afraid or being hypocritical, but you honour the Lord and honour the shepherd He has set over you.