SPIRITUAL RULERS:

THEIR TREATMENT AND THEIR ACCOUNTABILITY

Text: "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." --(Hebrews 13:17)

Like it or not, the Bible teaches that in the local church there are "Rulers" and there are those who are "Ruled," It is required of a son, rotation therefore that its members freely submit to its Rulers, and that its Rulers take seriously the charge to their office.

Two duties are spoken of here: Obedience and Submission. The persons toward whom these duties are to be discharged are "they that have the Rule, or ’Guide’, over you." The passage speaks of Leaders and not of those who exercise oppressions over God’s heritage like some secular rulers. It refers to them who like a Shepherd "Pastors" the sheep. Such a person is recognized as an "Elder", a "Bishop", an "Overseer", a "Superintendent." He MUST NOT therefore be a "Puppet" to be "controlled" by the sheep.

The first duty spoken of here is that of Obedience. Obedience falls like a sour note on the ears of rebellious men, but the sons of God are not to be numbered among the sons of Korah. The congregation of God is expected to obey their spiritual rulers, and two reasons are given: first, because "they watch for their souls," and second, because "they must give account" for their souls. Spiritual Rulers are to take great care and diligence to guide their souls that they may be brought safely Home. For these reasons the people of God are commanded to "Obey" their Spiritual leaders in respect to their teaching and their preaching. This Obedience, however, is to be a Willing and Determined Obedience because if it is forced or is utterly disregarded, can the church be edified? Or be in order? Or be at peace?

The second duty enjoined is that of submission. Obedience pertains to their doctrine and instruction, while Submission has to do with their rule. Briefly the Apostle commands, "Submit to their rule." There is an exception, however, to the duties of Obedience and Submission: Obedience is to an office and not to a person. Therefore, if they teach things not belonging to their office, no obedience is due them, but when they preach and teach what Christ has commissioned them to teach and preach, God justly demands obedience and submission. The congregation of the Lord is to act according to the Word of the Lord. Spiritual rulers are to be obeyed because Christ has committed His flock unto their care.

Spiritual Rulers are not Owners, but Stewards. They are but Vinedressers for the Olive plants of the Lord. They are not "lords", but "Servants under that "Great Shepherd of the Sheep" (verse 20). They are under the "Prince of the Shepherds" --the "Chief Shepherd."

(I Peter 5:4) To Him they must sire account of the flock committed unto them. Therefore, they are to act with boldness and confidence towards them. As good stewards, they are to be diligent in the care of them.

The account here spoken of is that to be given on the Day of Judgment. At that time Shepherds will be called upon to give account of every lamb. Grief in the ministry over unprofitable souls caused John Bunyan to write, "I can truly say that when after preaching some went back and sometimes too many did, that it has gone more to my heart than if one of my children, gotten by my own body died." To eschew discouragement and hard-heartedness, let the people "Obey them that have the rule over (them) and submit (themselves): for they watch (their) souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for (them)."

The text is well summarized by John Brown of Haddington: "The consideration of these facts should induce the Christian people to ‘obey’ their pastors, and ‘submit’ themselves." He may urge upon you unpalatable truth --he may utter sharp reproofs; but recollect, he has no choice; remember he is a man under authority. Put the question, ‘Has he said anything that Christ has not said?’ If he has, disregard him; if he has not, blame him not --he has but discharged his duty to his Master and to you; and recollect, you cannot in this case disregard the servant out doing dishonor to the Master. If he had been appointed to amuse you, to speak smooth things’ to you, you might reasonably find fault with him for his uncompromising statements and his keen rebukes. But he ‘watches for your souls.’ Your spiritual improvement, your everlasting salvation is his object; and therefore, he must not, to spare your feelings, endanger your souls."

CLEANSING AND HOW TO OBTAIN IT

Text: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word." --(Psalm 119:9)

How difficult is it for a young man to be clean! His newly awakened passions cry more loudly for fulfillment at this time than at any other time of life. How awfully tragic for a young man to barter his virginity and leave his manliness at the altar of Weakness --to be humbled forever.

The young man thus characteristically Lustful is also apt to be Light-hearted, Sobriety being as yet undeveloped. Life to him is apt to be a Lark. His spirit of independence may cause him to act thoughtlessly, Carelessly, even Presumptuously. Young men are apt to be Rash and Headstrong while in actuality being Immature in their Judgment. They are however very impressionable, and their Scornful friends may lead them by the nose. Though Inexperienced, they may be Self-Confident and to be very Unteachable. The only way, however, for a young man to be Clean is to "take heed" according to the Word of God. Before he can expect cleansing, he must acknowledge the impurity of his way, even his pollution from Adam’s transgression. But once he has diagnosed the filthiness of his inherent nature, he must go to the Word of God for the remedy. Nor is this enough: he must thirdly "take heed" to what the Scriptures say.

The greatest Wonder drugs have a prescribed manner of use. To ignore this is to reap no benefit at all, or perhaps to reap the most harmful of results. Likewise, the most refined travel guide is worth nothing to us, if we will not heed his directions. So it is with the Word of God: to be benefited by its counsels and admonitions we must take "HEED."

The Word of God is given us to guide us, to guard us, to preserve us. Oh, that men would have an eye to see, and an ear to hear the gracious Word of God!

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-Samuel Smiles, 1872

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19, 1941 --At Sea. Ralph Hult, a Lutheran minister, was the first missionary to Tanzania. During World War II, German Lutherans had to leave the country and he went home to Missouri. But feeling the urgency of returning to the field, he has left his family and has taken a ship on way back to the Dark Continent.--Today, in mid-ocean, his ship the ZamZam is sunk by German raiders. Mr. Hult will be picked up by German ships and after returning to New York he will immediately book passage on another ship.

20, 1506 --Spain. It is Ascension Day, and Christopher Columbus prays, "Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." and dies.

29, 1733 --Georgia. The chief men of the eight towns of the lower Muskhogees, accepting the invitation of General James Oglethorpe, come to make an alliance with the English settlers. Long King, the elderly chief of the Oconas, speaks for them "The Great Spirit who dwells everywhere around and gives breath to all men sends the English to instruct us." The chief of Coweta stands, "When I heard you were come, that you are good man, I came down that I might hear good things."