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Hebrews 13:17 – Elders Lead to that Eternal City
A congregation can get a lot done organizationally without elders. Ironically that encourages groups to think, “We’re doing fine without elders.” Sadly too many – including elders – see their job as simply organizing. Having been an elder, organizing is often best handled by delegating most of that to deacons and other servants. As one elder regrettably observed, “What’s wrong here is the preacher is pastoring, the elders are doing the deacons’s work, and the deacons are doing nothing.”
Many have forgotten two valuable Bible principles:
1) Elders, while overseeing the congregation, are more about overseeing individuals than things.
2) If having elders is God’s plan, then “We’re doing fine without elders” is rebellious in thought; and functioning more on human works than God’s blessings.
Notice Hebrews 13:14-17 (CSB):
1. GOAL – “For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.
2. SACRIFICES THROUGH WORDS – Therefore (i.e. going back to previous thoughts), through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
3. SACRIFICES THROUGH WORKS – Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
4. GOAL THROUGH PERSUASION AND SUBMISSION – Obey (i.e. means be persuaded to obey) your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
God’s shepherds help us in worshiping through words and works as they oversee by shepherding. May we seek God’s blessings by prayers and attitudes.
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