First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day January 12, 2003 Anno Domini

Hebrews 13:17

Obey Those Who Rule Over You, Who Must Give Account

  I.  Remember, obey, be submissive to, and greet all those who rule over
you and all the saints. [Hebrews 13:7,17,24]
 

      A.  Hebrews 13:7, remember them and follow their faith.
      B.  Hebrews 13:17, obey them and be submissive. [2Tim 3:16-17; 1Cor
16:15-16.]
      C.  Hebrews 13:24, greet them. [1Peter 5:14; 2John 1:10]
     

  II.  Elders are to watch out for the souls of God’s people.
 

      A.  Christ’s commission to Peter [John 21:17; Ezek 34:15]
      B.    Peter’s commission to the elders. [1Peter 5:1-4]
      C.    Paul’s commission to the elders of Ephesus. [Acts
20:28-29]
      D.    Apostolic oversight: traditions and discipline.[John
16:13; 1Cor 11:2; 2Thess 2:15; 2thess 3:6]
      E. Timothy and Titus: [2Tim 2:2; 1Tim 1:3; 1Tim 3:2; 1Cor
3:11]
     

    III. The congregation’s response.
    

1 John 4:1

     A.  Are they teaching everything Jesus has commanded? [Matt
7:15; Rom 16:17; 1Tim 5:19]
     B.    Do they show evidence of taking heed to themselves? [1tim
6:11; 1Cor 9:26]
     C.  Do they show evidence of taking head to the flock?
[John 10:16; 1Peter 5:3]
    

   IV. What this means for our relationships.
 

     A.  Obedience in the Lord.
    

     B.  Submission in the Lord. [1Peter 5:5]
    

     C.  Giving an account.
        1. All of us: [1Cor 11:28; 2Corinthians 13:5]
        2. The elders [Rev 4:10-11; Luke 12:42-44
       

     D.  With joy. [Phil 2:15-16; 1Thess 2:19-20
       

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

phone: 617.864.3185