Hebrews 13:17–18, 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. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. The bible is filled with the responsibilities of leadership and the accountability that a leader has before the Lord as well as those who he is leading. But what are the responsibilities of the Christians towards their spiritual leaders? In these two verses we see two areas of ministry that we are to have toward those who lead us in the ways of the Lord; identification and exhortation. We need to identify those who God has placed over us for the purpose of leading us. As we have all been called to lead those less mature than we are we are also called to follow those who are more mature. In our ministry to the leaders in our lives we are to be obedient and submissive. When you have a leader who is worthy of these things and people who are devoted to them then the work of ministry is a joy. When there is division between leadership and the people ministry ceases, purposes are unfulfilled, and grief rather than joy is what is produced. When you identify a leader who rules well there is no better exhortation to him that to pray for him. Pray that you leaders are confident in the Lord. Pray that they would be assured of the direction God has given them and their decisions are the direction God has for them. Pray that your leaders are of a good conscience. Pray that they would have an ear to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit, that they would live a life pure before God, and rejoice in His grace. Pray that the leaders in your life would live honorably. Lastly, pray that their manner of life would glorify God in all areas. As with most lists that we draw from the scriptures this one is not all inclusive. As you serve alongside of your leaders you will get to know them and then take that knowledge to your prayer closet and exhort them. As a Pastor the greatest encouragement that someone can give to me is to tell me that they are praying for me. Daniel 12:3, Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 14:57:06 +0000
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