Calling all sheep!
Let's thank God for our current shepherds, and let's prepare to welcome those
about to join them in this vital role. Their combined ability to lead us will
depend to a large extent on our willingness to follow. As God guides them, and
as we listen and respond, they can take this flock closer to where we
need to be. Sheep, get thee behind them!
It’s the stuff that
movies, books, history, families, and the news are made of. It’s such a common
story line that it often becomes quite predictable. The leaders have a plan. If
the others in the group will follow that plan, they will all succeed together.
But someone thinks he has a better idea. There’s an independent, resistant
element in the group. There’s a rival leader, or an attempted break, or a
competitive, “I’ll never follow you!” spirit.
It’s even the stuff
that the Bible is made of. In our current study of Numbers, the people argue,
complain, and criticize Moses. How can he lead them? He feels overwhelmed and
has a meltdown. God says, “Appoint 70 elders!”
Well, we’re not
appointing 70! But we are in the process of installing additional elders to
shepherd and oversee this flock. How can we follow in ways that will help them
lead?
Have you ever tried
to lead a group of people – maybe your own children – through a busy, crowded
shopping area, or an amusement park, or a huge airport like DFW? Have you ever
lost anyone? Did you have to go back to get them?
OK, I know that “Get
Thee Behind Them!” is a tricky title. I took it from Jesus’ words to Peter,
“Get thee behind me, Satan!” in Matt 16:23. Certainly that would make a great
sermon. When Peter told Jesus that He would never be handed over to death,
Jesus was able to recognize that Peter’s words represented what Satan would
say.
Of course we must
also resist Satan and refuse any message or instruction that he would endorse.
But I chose this title for a very different reason.
In order for our
shepherds to lead this flock, you and I as sheep must get behind them. Not just
for their sake – not just for our own sake – but for God’s sake and for God’s
glory.
In fact, here is
something else Peter said, words given by the Spirit of God:
1 Pe 5:5-7
5 Likewise, you who
are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with
humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so
that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties
on him, because he cares for you.
The fact is, a
leader is a person that other people will follow. Otherwise he is just taking a
walk.
Leaders can only
direct and instruct those who are willing to submit and learn. As God raises up
additional elders to oversee and shepherd the flock, may He also teach us to be
willing sheep!
Critical time in the
church’s life.
We are choosing
leaders, but are we willing to follow?
What good are
leaders without followers?
What’s harder, to
lead or to follow?
Easiest: to refuse
to lead, refuse to follow, sit on the sidelines and complain about those who
do!
We have used, and
you have submitted, “Elder Nomination Forms. What if we had “Follower Nomination Forms?” Would you and I be considered?
Would a coach choose
you and me for the team as those that would accept instructions, work hard, and
contribute significantly to its success? Why or why not?
For
every job that a shepherd has, each sheep has a corresponding duty.
1 Th 5:12-14
Appreciate them.
Esteem them highly in love.
Because …
They diligently labor among you.
They have charge over you.
They give you instruction, admonition.
1 Th 5:12 But we request of
you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and
have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that
you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with
one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage
the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
“Know” (oida)
is rendered in some versions as “appreciate” or “respect.” The idea is:
recognize the important position which these men occupy and regard them with
due respect. Welcome them in your home. Speak highly of them in the presence
of others. Know them personally as friends and as spiritual counselors.
Three reasons are
given for such high regard, and each reason suggests a responsibility which the
church has toward her leaders. These three reasons are:
[1] These men are
those who labor dilgently (kopiao) among you. The first
term which describes church leaders is their tireless effort for us, their willingness
to exert themselves for the sake of the church, even to the point of weariness
and exhaustion (kopiao). So, appreciate them.
[2] And they have
charge over (pro-istemi) you. Because church leaders expend such
massive energy to serve the church, church leaders have the authority to lead
the church. Because they labor so diligently, they have the right to lead the
church; so, follow them. Let them lead.
[3] And they instruct
/ admonish / exhort (noutheteo) you. Noutheteo means
literally to “put in mind” (nous + tithemi), and hence to
instruct, warn, caution against specific wrongs, reprove mildly, correct. Such
“putting in mind” is a necessary function of church leaders. It follows from
this that the church must be receptive to hear and accept the warnings issued
by these men. They are appointed by God to admonish the church; so, give
heed to them.
When church leaders
must confront sin in our lives and encourage us to repent, they do
so as a part of their God-given responsibility, out of love for us and the
Lord. We should love them and esteem them all the more because they are willing
to correct us for our own good, even when such correction is difficult or
painful.
Knowing the leaders
of the church implies communicating with those leaders. Talk to the
elders. Voice your ideas, your feelings, your concerns, your needs. Help
them lead by informing them of areas in which their leadership is needed. Elders
cannot lead an individual, a family, or a church unless elders are made aware
of the needs which are there. Granted, elders are responsible to
communicate, too, and to know the sheep well. But communication is a two-way
street.
My experience in
church leadership has taught me that nothing is more important than clear
two-way communication between the church’s leaders and the church’s members.
The elders must set their highest priority on hearing the church and conversing
with the church. Every member in the church must likewise set the highest
priority on hearing the leaders and conversing with the leaders.
Esteem (hegeisthai)
= suppose, believe, consider, think
Highly (hyper-ekperissou)
= superabundantly, exceeding abundantly; only used three times in NT; cf. EPH
3:20!
In love (agape)
reminds us that the church is to love her elders at the highest level of
unconditional love, as God has loved us.
“Because of their
work (ergon)” reminds us that church leaders have earned the
respect and support of the church. Again, the eldership is not an honorary
position given to “good ole boys” who attend church services. The eldership is
not an award to be won or a plaque to be hung on the wall. It is rather a work
to be done ... the most important work on earth.
Heb 13:7 Remember those who
led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their
conduct, imitate their faith.
Imitate (mimeisthe)
The writer of
Hebrews has urged us in chapter 11 to imitate the faith of the spiritual giants
who have gone before (Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc.). Now he adds church
leaders to the list of those worthy of our imitation.
We imitate the faith
of church leaders because we consider the outcome of their way of life.
That is, we want to wind up one day where they are going to wind up. In this
life, we want to enjoy the blessings which they have received through their
godly character. In the life to come we want to be where they are,
around God’s throne in heaven.
If we want to have
the same outcome for our lives that godly elders will have for their lives, the
only way to go about it is to live by the same type of faith which they have.
Heb 13:17 Obey them. Submit to
them.
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders
and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give
an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be
unprofitable for you.
They keep watch,
give account for your soul.
When they can do
this with joy, not grief, you receive the benefit.
So help them enjoy
what they do – for you!
“Obey” = peithesthe
(obey because persuaded by them)
NOTE: This word
implies that the church trusts her leaders.
“Submit” = hypeikete
(be in subjection, under)
“Leaders” = hegoumenois
“For they
keep watch over (agryp-neuo) your souls ...
“As those who will give
an account.” Elders’ most sobering responsibility.
“Let them do this
with joy and not grief (groaning)” ... OR “Obey and submit in order that
they may do this with joy.”
That is, obey the
leaders in order to make their work a joyful privilege and not a burdensome
grief. Cooperate with the elders ... cause them to delight in their role ...
help them in solving problems rather than creating problems for them to solve.
Leaders cannot lead
unless followers are willing to follow. That’s one reason why this lesson on the
church’s responsibilities to leaders is so vital.
Leaders cannot be
accountable to God for us unless we are also accountable to the leaders.
The church must be
willing to follow the leaders even in “judgment calls” which the leaders must
make for the good of the congregation. Elders must be able to expect that the
membership will get behind the program of work which they put before the
congregation.
The task of elders
is not to do the work of the church, but to lead the church to do the
work of the church.
Eph 4:11 Church leaders “equip the saints for the
work of ministry ...”
They can only equip
us to serve if we submit ourselves to their leadership!
Sometimes church
members agree to follow their leaders only as long as the leaders perfectly
agree with what these members would have decided themselves if they were elders.
But such an approach does not really involve following the leaders at all;
rather, it has the members following themselves by insisting that their
will dominate.
In summary, the
church’s responsibilities toward church leaders are to RESPECT --- TRUST --- and COMMUNICATE.
It takes more than great
leadership to have a great church. It takes great followship.
We need leaders who will lead, but we must also have followers who will follow.
When leaders lead and the church follows, the result is a great church. To God
be the glory.
To get thee behind
them …
Pray for them, their
wives, and their families.
Reaffirm: “I will
work and worship under them.”
Show up! Don’t make
them come find you!
Expect a transition
period as roles are redefined.
Know who they are.
Know “your” shepherd.
To get thee behind
them …
Be the sheep that you
would want to shepherd.
Love them with the agape
traits of 1 Cor 13.
Recognize and
respect their responsibility.
Realize that they
have “feet of clay.”
Before you ask,
offer, “How may I help you?”
To get thee behind
them …
Help a deacon – or become
one.
Don’t complain about
the gaps. Fill them.
Talk to them, not
about them. Meet with them.
Talk them up with
family and other members.
Get close, and show
other sheep the way.
Help them
lead us to Him.
Possible hymns:
I am a Sheep
Where He Leads I’ll
Follow
I Have Decided to
Follow Jesus
Savior, Like a
Shepherd Lead Us
The Lord’s My
Shepherd
Fear Not, Little
Flock
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