Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• We are in the practical section of the book of Hebrews
• Chap 12 & 13 - how to live the Christian life
• 13:1-6 Five Moral Directives
• 13:7-17 the Apostle begins to address the areas of our religious life and worship
• Directive for worship and faith

1. Remember your Leaders (v7)

• There is an encouragement not to forget things
• We are often forgetful (v16)
• We are still of the flesh
• Don't forget the stranger (v2), the prisoner (v3) and leaders (v7)
• There is much teaching in the bible about not forgetting and to remember
• Is the apostle talking about past leaders?
• It does not exclude present leaders
• Remember the apostles
• Don't forget the patriarchs but remember your present pastors
• Those who "rule you" or "lead you" - who are these leaders/rulers?
• Specific people - is it referring to elders and deacons?
• v7 and v17 is not speaking about elders and deacons but those who have the teaching gifts and shepherd the flock
• These people guide the church in the word of God
• Deacons: Phil
• How do we apply this to Tabor?
• Remember your previous pastors
• Remember the fruit produced
• Remember pastors from other churchs
• Whose "faith follow"
• Speaking both about the body of faith taught and their lives of faith lived
• This is a tremendous challenge - "consider the outcome of their conduct"
• What legacy are we leaving?
• Remember the outcome of their faith is glory and heaven - as it is with us
• This section begins and ends with the leaders
• For a church to function it must be healthy
• There must be good leaders
• As we follow the church is blessed
• If there is in-submission to the word of God the leaders find it difficult and are grieved

2. Jesus is the Focus (v8)

• At times your leaders may not be constant but Jesus is
• Jesus is completely faithful - the same yesterday, today and forever
• The apostle doesn't mention any names apart from the one true Pastor
• The Shepherd of the Sheep (v20)
• The same word in Greek as Pastor
• Do not put leaders on a pedestal - look to Jesus

3. Reject all False Teaching (v9)

• In order for the church to be healthy we must reject false teachings
• People will hear all sorts of teachings, not all true
• The Hebrews were hearing that they should come back to Jewish religious directives
• The apostle countered this
• The apostle Paul would remind people to return to grace
• The Old Covenant was concerned with external issues - Heb 9:10
• Now the people were to look to Christ and faith alone
• Any doctrine that puts emphasis on anything other than faith in Christ - reject this
• Reject anything that is faith plus
• Think of sects who emphasise a certain type of baptism, liturgy, ceremony, etc
• Beware of such

4. Accept the Reproach of Christ (v10-14)

• We cannot come to the priestly altar (v10)
• Consider the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement - the sacrifices were burnt outside the camp (v11-13)
• Jesus was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem
• Jesus suffered this ignominy
• We are to share in Jesus' shame and reproach
• This was a word especially to the Hebrew Christians whose Jewish families were disowning them
• Moses suffered the reproach of Christ
• We have not come to live an easy life - our citizenship is in heaven

5. Offer A Sacrifice of Praise (v14-15)

• It is not a miserable life bearing the shame and reproach of Christ
• Instead we can continually praise God, lift up our hearts and make a good confession before Him
• Example of young Syrian Christian
• Praise God and Christ even if it means great suffering

6. Remember to do Good and Share (v16)

• Do not forget to do good
• We are called to be a people zealous to good works
• Do good and share
• It may mean putting yourself out

7. Obey your Rulers (v17)

• Be obedient and submissive
• The bible needs to be taken as a whole
• These were certain words given to a specific group of people
• There are other passages speak about the importance of the church and the church making decisions together
• There must be a right balance
• Leaders should not lead in a wrong way
• Become dictators and hard line
• The begin to give advice in areas they should not
• Each believer is accountable to God
• It is lovely when God's people follow God's servants
• The leaders leading and the people following
• People often tend to go from one pole to another
• Beware of extremes: the congregation is everything, heavy shepherding
• 1 Pet 5:1-3
• The question of loyalty and authority is relevant today - are we will to be led?
• The rulers watch out for your souls
• They are concerned for you
• They want to help you
• They know they must give an account to God for you
• Help the people with your prayers and encourage
• Let the rulers lead with joy and not with grief
• This is for the benefit of the church
• Remember the words of the apostle John
• 1 Thess 5:12
• They are to lead with humility, love and joy
• Society, government and work depend on good leadership
• The church depends on good leadership

Closing Remarks