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Serving God By Faithful Submission and Oversight
Hebrews 12:28-13:9,17-19
Our God is a consuming fire. He sent plagues on Egypt and judged the multitude with fire. There’s judgment. But there’s also mercy. He redeemed Israel from Egypt. And when Moses prayed, God quenched the fire and sent manna. At Sinai, God revealed his mercy and judgment. He descended in a fiery cloud in Exodus 34:5-7, and said “…The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” To those who repent, mercy. To the guilty who won’t, he’s a consuming fire. When Korah and his men rebelled, the ground opened and fire consumed them, despite Moses’ pleas for them. Sodom and Gomorrah were judged by fire and brimstone, despite Abraham’s pleas. Why? God is a consuming fire. But where’s mercy? Always there to those who repent. That’s why the author warned and pleaded with his readers not to deny the gospel. He had an elder’s heart. Paul also had the same heart. He said in 2 Corinthians 5:11, 15 - “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Beloved, this must be every elder’s heart. Knowing God’s fiery terror, we persuade men to believe and repent. Don’t live for yourself! Live for Christ! If this is their service to God, what’s yours? How should you serve God acceptably in reverence and awe? Firstly, esteem your elders. Secondly, trust your elders. Thirdly, pray for your elders.
Firstly, esteem your elders. Verse 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.” The author used the word “remember” not merely to tell them to recall, but to think of or feel for their rulers. And these rulers, or elders, speak the Word. They’re appointed to teach. That’s why we esteem them. It’s the same exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” To know them means to acknowledge their rule and work. To esteem means to dignity their office. So these verses clarify the two roles of the elder - they labor in teaching and ruling. And how do they teach? Verse 7 says they speak the Word of God. Meaning, what they teach is not their own. They’re only messengers. Like how the Old Testament prophet was to speak only God’s Words, not his. He couldn’t add or subtract, or turn to the left or right. He was simply to speak it. And the author of Hebrews had been doing that. He explained the Old Testament scriptures and pointed to Christ. He preached Christ, warning them to follow him and live a holy life - to be content and keep marriage pure, to minister to others, and believe the right doctrines. Why? Verse 9 - Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s a consuming fire. This was also Paul’s pattern of ministry. In Acts 20:20-21, he kept back nothing profitable, publicly teaching repentance to God and faith to Christ. He taught God’s kingdom, verse 25, not man’s kingdom. He declared the whole counsel of God, verse 27. And this is the work of elders. Paul charged them in verse 28 to feed the flock. Elders are appointed to teach. But not just teaching.
Elders are appointed to defend the timeless gospel. They’re appointed to speak and warn. Verse 9 says, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” The Hebrew Christians were warned against false doctrine. He emphasized Jesus Christ - the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Admonition is important. “Know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12). When our life, doctrine, and conduct aren’t according to the Word, elders are to admonish us with the Word. Why? We’re not supposed to live to ourselves but to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). This was Paul’s work. Acts 20 says he didn’t cease to warn, with tears, day and night, for three years pastoring the church. Why? Because after he left, savage wolves would attack the flock. Even from within the church, some will pervert the truth to draw the disciples away. And it happened to the Hebrew Christians. Some accepted an outward religion. If I don’t eat certain meats, I’m okay. Reformed people can be the same. We’re content with an intellectual religion. Yes, many may confess and promote orthodox doctrine but tolerate sinful living. But no, the heart must be established with grace. So this is what elders do. They teach and defend this grace - that Christ came to save sinners. And teaching believers to no longer live for themselves, but for him.
So how do elders rule? By speaking, warning, defending, and contending. That’s why you feel for and esteem them. What you want from them must be Christ’s Word, the Rod and Staff, which will comfort and guide you through this Valley of the Shadow of Death; to feed you at his table before the presence of wolves. Unfortunately, many don’t want that Word. Comfort comes when we know our sin and misery. So God’s Word can be hard. Instead, we want platitudes. We want to eat stones, not the bread of heaven. We want broken kingdoms now, not the eternal kingdom. We want exaltation now, not God’s exaltation of us in his time. That’s why we must want elders who’ll defend the timeless gospel and admonish those who are straying.
But it’s no use if they just speak and warn. They’re appointed to live and die for the gospel. Otherwise, where’s the credibility? As verse 7 says, “whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” The elder must embody the life. That’s why their qualifications are mostly on character and family qualifications. The only qualification on aptitude is teaching. If he’s always a contrarian and fighter; there’ll be problems. If he’s a hard or soft man; you’ll see it in his family life. If he preaches holiness, but is unholy; how can his ministry bear fruit? So yes, they’re appointed to live out the gospel, that we may follow their faith. And what an elder that would be! Someone who knows their doctrine and practice. Someone who’s watchful against error and not given to fads. Someone who’s holy in times of temptation; who shows contentment; and loves to show hospitality to people. It’s easy to remember and esteem such a one. But what do you think will also happen to this kind of elder? Many won’t like him pointing out error. They won’t like him calling them to holiness. The world will also not like his firm gospel stance. Such an elder is also bold to do what’s right. Don’t miss the context! Verse 7 - consider the end of their conversation - the outcome of their life. How do you think they ended up? Many died for the gospel. They died for living without compromise. And elders were the first to be targeted. They followed their master. Christ died for the gospel. And they refused to deny him. Why? Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s a consuming fire. Deny him, he’ll deny you. So remember and esteem them who live and die for Christ.
But what therefore does this mean? Elders, you must speak only the Word. You must rule only according to it. You must not fear those without and within. You must love God’s people, to comfort them by feeding them; but to guard the church from all false doctrine and wolves. And you must give attention to your own life - to live the gospel. When you do this, you’ll be esteemed not just by people, but by Christ. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s a consuming fire. He turned Miram leprous. He set aside King Saul. But he also restored Peter.
And therefore, if your elders are lawfully called, trust them. That’s the second point. Verse 17 says, “Obey them that have the rule over you.” The word translated as “obey” is not the commonly used word. It means to trust and have confidence. It’s to persuade yourself to submit to them, to receive their rule willingly. It’s in the middle voice; that’s just a fancy way of saying make yourself obedient to them. It’s not obey them; but to form obedience in you toward them. Let their teaching and counsel be persuasive in your hearts. Be teachable. Like in Acts 17:4. When Paul reasoned with the Thessalonians from the Word, “some of them believed”, meaning they were persuaded. The Bereans too. They were persuaded and they searched the Scriptures with readiness of mind. Therefore, to serve God acceptably, you must be teachable. Gladly receive what your elders teach, be ready to believe, insofar as it’s biblical. On the contrary, a disbelieving, skeptical, and questioning attitude is destructive. Consider Agrippa. Acts 26:28 has the same word - “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Why wasn’t he persuaded? He wouldn’t hear.
Let yourself be persuaded by your elders. Anyway, why would a genuine elder want to deceive? They desire to feed the flock, to mature and renew their minds; to help them grow in service. And if we find ourselves resisting their instructions, we must ask why. If the teaching is biblical, then we need to submit. Keep the Lord’s Day. Stop gossiping. Be faithful to your spouse. Repent. Let go of bitterness. These are biblical instructions. They aren’t the elder’s words but Christ’s. So the author isn’t suggesting obedience; he’s commanding it. Refusal to receive the word shows a rejection of Christ. Jesus told his disciples - “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” So verse 17 says to submit, to yield - like in the military where soldiers yield to their officers. You see, as sinners we tend to resist any authority. Some here struggle with this sin more than others. But God may be working through elders to expose this area of needed growth in you. They watch for your souls.
But to be clear, elders themselves are subject to God’s laws. They’re not above it. Why? God is a consuming fire. We’re all accountable. Verse 17 says, “for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.” Our duty is to trust them and yield to them. Theirs is to watch for our souls. They must give an account. They are appointed by God to be watchmen for souls. And the author took his job seriously. That’s why he warned them to press on, don’t turn back, love Christ. This is why Paul was prolific in his writing. Day and night, teaching and warning with tears. Even telling churches to cast out impenitent unbelievers from their midst. These are not easy things to say. But why must elders say them? They must give an account. God will ask - how have you been a loving shepherd and faithful watchman? But you know what? God will also hold you accountable on that day. He’ll ask - how have you yielded and entrusted yourself to them? How have you received their word and warning? Yes, you must also give an account. They’re appoint to watch for your souls; reject their ministry, disobey them, and your spiritual welfare suffers. Verse 17 says it’s unprofitable for you. We all want faithful elders to be comforting and loving. But we must also want them to warn and admonish. How have you trusted and yielded for your own profit?
That’s why we must help them enjoy their ministry. Verse 17 - “that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” How do you bring joy? It’s the same - how do we have joy? What must we know to live in comfort? We need to have a triple knowledge. Firstly, know our sin and misery. Secondly, believe the gospel and repent and receive that grace. And thirdly, live gratefully because of that grace - continue in repentance, obey God and grow in knowledge, holiness, spiritual fruit, and service. And how? The author had told us! Don’t neglect the fellowship of the saints. Preserve unity. Serve God together. And here, trust your elders. Yield to them. Seek their counsel and receive their reproof with gratitude. Esteem them highly and give them the benefit of the doubt. When you disagree, bring it up constructively. Refuse to advance or accept gossip about them. Wayne Mack wrote in his book - “Life in the Father’s House” - “our natural skepticism should not be directed toward our leaders but toward those who would accuse or slander them in any way.” Now, let me teach you how to bring grief to them. Do the opposite. Don’t believe the gospel. Don’t repent. Don’t grow in knowledge or in grace. Be immature. Be divisive. Don’t fellowship. Stir up trouble. Bite and devour one another. Serve only according to your way in church. My way or the highway! When you disagree, bring it up in the most divisive way possible, and be bitter. Despise them. Gossip about them. Listen to and believe others who slander them. This will make them grieve; they’ll groan. Elders are human. In their groaning, they may leave you alone. Not good for them, but not for you. So, can I just say - your acceptable service with reverence and awe toward God is to trust and yield to elders, and help them to enjoy their ministry? How have you served God?
That’s why you must lastly, pray for your elders. Verse 18 - “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.” No man is sufficient for the work of the elder. That’s why there’s a call to active prayer. Pray for us. In my ministry, as I suspect for many elders, I’ve asked people how I can pray for them. Some, not many, have asked me how they can pray for me. I think all elders would wish for more of that. But here, the author asked for prayer. Elders, ask for prayer. There’s a call to active prayer. Why? Who can teach, warn, love, show hospitality, live honorably, and be bold? Even Christ asked his disciples to watch and pray at Gethsemane. He needed prayer. Yes, elders labor in Word and prayer; but need help too. As Moses prayed for the battle below; it was Aaron and Hur who lifted his arms. When his arms were lifted, the battle advanced; when his arms were hanging, the Israelites fell back.
But what are we to pray especially for? The author requested prayer not because he did something wrong. In fact, he had the power of a clear conscience. He had lived honorably. Verse 18 - “Pray for us, our conscience is clear desiring to live honorably in all we do.” But he asked for prayer. Why? We don’t exactly know, but some have suggested he was being discredited. Right? That happens all the time. He hadn’t done anything wrong or sinful, his conscience was clear, he’d been teaching and warning; but still needed prayer to continue honorably. At the end of his life, Samuel asked Israel if he’d done anything wrong - whether he’d taken bribes, or was impartial in judgment. Why? There could always be accusations. Paul himself told the Corinthians that he worked hard not to give any offense in anything, so that his ministry would not be blamed. But despite clear conscience, Paul was often accused. Beloved, pray for your elders. Why? Accusations will always run rampant, even when they’ve not sinned. But yes, you must also pray we’d have clear conscience! To do all things honorably. And when we sin, to be humble and ask forgiveness. Because if a man purge himself of all these sins, he will be a powerful vessel through which God will work. Pray for your elders - that they’ll have humility, love, and clear conscience; and strength in times of baseless accusation.
But also, pray for their desire for effective ministry. Verse 19 - “But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” The author needed prayer to be restored to them. Likely, he was in prison - false accused; enemies wagging their tongues. “See, this proves he was wrong. He told us to pursue Christ, scolded us, and now he’s in prison. He’s unloving!” Or “See, he died! Proves his doctrine was wrong! God judged him.” Christians say the most wicked things. Yes, what was important to him was that he be released. Pray! So I’d be restored to you to teach, warn, love, strengthen, admonish, and point to Christ. Why? It’s what they needed. It’s what all of God’s people need.
Beloved, what applications can we give? The three points were the applications. Esteem your elders. Trust them. And pray for them. That they may be like Christ. Beloved, our Lord loved. He cried over Jerusalem who refused to repent. He taught. He spent his time instructing, comforted all manner of people by healing them and spending time with them. He fed the multitudes. He prayed fervently. He rebuked. He cleared the temple. The zeal of God’s house consumed him. In the midst of false accusation, he didn’t retaliate. And he went to the cross, naked and shamed by mockers. And he was abandoned. His disciples didn’t pray for him. They left him. Why? So he could bear all of our sins. So that he could pour his Spirit on us. Giving gifts to men to do the work of the ministry, to build the church. That they might serve him. That they might teach us, to serve God and do the work of the ministry. So that we’d be a people who no longer live to ourselves, but to him who died and rose for us. How can we serve God acceptably? In reverence and godly fear? Obey the Lord Jesus Christ through the Word brought to you. Esteem your elders. Trust the Word they bring. Pray for them. And elders, watch for the souls of your flock. Feed them. Warn them. Protect them.
1. Esteem Your Elders
A. They’re appointed to teach you
B. They’re to defend the timeless gospel
C. They’re to live and die for the gospel
2. Trust Your Elders
A. Persuade yourself to submit to them
B. We are all accountable
C. Help them enjoy their ministry
3. Pray for Your Elders
A. The call to active prayer
B. The power of a clear conscience
C. The desire for effective ministry
Conversation for Change:
1. Why is it important to listen to your elders on things moral and spiritual?
2. Do you think you bring joy or grief to your elders?
3. How often do you pray for your elders?
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. Mark Chen, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
(c) Copyright 2025, Rev. Mark Chen
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