INTRODUCTION
The Ministers of God have many responsibilities assigned by our Lord, for example, pray and make intercession for the people of God, study the scriptures, watch for the
The ministers of the Lord we have several responsibilities delegated by God, for example to pray and intercede for the people before God, study the scriptures, to ensure the care of the soul of the sheep, and other tasks. Likewise, the Lord's sheep have responsibilities, that with the help of the Holy Spirit we are going to teach in order to grow as one healthy body.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Note that as the body of Christ we must grow, but that growth will be properly provided by the joint cohesion. The joints are the ministers, who guided by the Holy Spirit locate each sheep in an activity as a member of the body in order for them to exercise and grow in love
However, within the responsibilities of the people of God, today we will study 3:
1) Heb 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.
2) Heb 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.
3) Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Note that three elements are the ones that God's people must seek in its life:
1) Remember the leaders who speak unto you the Word of God.
2) Obey whom you recognize as a pastor and abide by them.
3) Pray for your pastors.
For what purpose? According to verse 7, for an example worthy of emulation in the faith. According to verse 17, because God has delegated someone to account for us and if that person does so cheerfully and without complaint, the people achieved more blessing from God.
Finally, because when the church prays for their pastors, provides a special coating that protects them from temptations.
DEVELOPMENT:
1. REMEMBER, Hebrew 13:7: The word "remember" translates the Greek mnemoneuo which means: keep in mind, be alert, call to mind and mention.
The Bible invites us to remember our leaders to see their behavior, their way of life and consider if your life is in agreement with what we have been taught and preached, and if so, then we must imitate them because that will be safe walking. When The Lord Jesus was physically on earth told his disciples to do what the Pharisees were saying but not what they used to do, because his conduct did not agree to what they taught. Apostle Paul says:
1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Some of the virtues that we should imitate the ministers (2 Cor 6:1-10), are collaborating on the altar of the Lord, well testimony, perseverance, anxiety, whipping, hard work, sleepless nights, fasting, purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, word of truth, God's power, visionary faith (Isa. 54:2-7, 10), fidelity to the apostolic doctrine.
2Ti 1:11 Where unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
The sheep should be imitators of the way of living (that also means according to the doctrine), BUT SOUND APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE, AND THIS CANNOT BE IMITATED IF THERE´S NON APOSTLES COVERING. One that already knows the true and sound apostolic doctrine of Christ, should be able to make differentiate between a flowing that is according to it and the that is not, otherwise if that person does not try to do it and keep its growth will not be perfect and complete on time.
We must imitate the ministers as they imitate our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Ti 4:10), e.g.:
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Let´s review some examples:
Ministre Disciple
David beat Goliath (1 Sam. 17:31-47). David´s mighty men beat the giants (2 S. 21:15-19).
Paul while doing God´s Work Timothy makes God´s work (1 Cor. 16:10).
Elijah makes 16 miracles. Eliseo makes 32 miracles
Another duty of the sheep is not to neglect the minister who guides,
1Co 16:10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
1Co 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
In the O.T the Lord instructed the people not to abandon the Levite who lived among them:
Deu 12:19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Let´s see an example:
Movement
Act 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Act 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Act 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Act 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Act 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Is important to remember that the sheep do not have to judge the ministers, because we see the example of David, even though Saul had no communion with God, he did not revealed against him but respected him as an authority.
2. OBEY, Hebrews 13:17: EThe second and also important advice that the Lord gives us is that we must obey and subject to the ministers. The obedience has to be done for the love of God, is an external attitude where a person can do what they are told by compromise, but the subjection for love and fidelity, is because we recognize the authority of the minister that God has placed on the person.
Is important to fulfill these aspects because the ministers are in our care, and will account to God for us and will not be good for any sheep that they arrived before God and instead of being accountable to do so with joy, they do it with sadness, or complaining about lack of obedience and subjection of the sheep. They are here to examine ourselves, stand before God and ourselves and take care of ourselves. Like David, who kept his father´s sheep and whenever a lion or a bear came and took one of the sheep, he followed it and took the sheep back.
A minister who has learned to obey and abide to its coverage can Project to the people and the people with obey and be subject to him and support him, such as Joshua was faithful and was subject to Moses, and then when God delegate him to lead the people they were subjected to him as they were subjected to Moses (Jos. 24:13-16).
We must be obedient, subject, sincere, etc. to the Lord and the ministers for love. A disobedient does not do what the laws or the superiors indicate, like Jonah who disobeyed God (Jonah 1:1-2), someone who is not subject revolts, like Hymen and Alexander who were disobedient and did not subject (1 Ti. 1:18-20).
3. PRAY, Hebrews 13:18:"Pray" is translated from the Greek word meaning proseuchomai: media, pray and medicine. The third advice is that we need to pray for our pastors. Prayer for the ministers is very important, we see that even the Apostle Paul on several occasions he asked for prayer for him:
Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Rom 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
(Rom. 15:30; 1 Th. 5:25), to be given Word in his mouth (Eph. 6:19), that the Lord would open doors to preach the gospel (Col. 4:3-4), so the Word could run quickly (2 Ts. 3:1).
When Moses was praying for Israel to defeat their enemies he got tired and Aaron and Hur needed to take a stone for him to rest and then they arrested him the arms (Ex. 17:8-16). Some of the benefits of meeting the three instructions are:
1) That ministers give thanks with joy for us before God (Col 1:3).
Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
2) May the Lord make us perfect for every good work (He. 13:21).
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
3) We can do God´s will (Heb. 13:21).
4) We are under the coverage of the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ and the delegated minister (He. 13:20).
CONCLUSION
We love God and his Word, that´s why we obey our pastors, the ones that had been placed as cover. We have to demonstrate our love to the minister, praying to God for his life, family and for the Word and revelation flow into him, because as they flow in him we´ll grow spiritually (2 Co. 1:11).
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
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