Biggest hypocrisy & the Pretense... revisiting the original post (part two)

My lesson in spite of and duty is to obey and pray for godly church leaders.

In respect thereof self, my word, The Word of God, the ministry and Elder Leadership!

Not because of misrepresentation(s) of the "TRUTH", but what's found in The WORD of GOD in respect of oneself and honor of our Elder Leadership... admit ones faults makes you strong! So, I'm not there with the cohorts for all intent and purposes that intentionally lies, disrupts, with misrepresentation of and disregard for the truth,

The pretense of purporting to protect with the knife in ones back! And, the fact a specific situation involves Christian brothers or sisters being involved in the “fruitless deeds

of darkness”, “Ephesians 5:10-14”.

You should obey Godly Leaders because if you cause them grief, you cause yourself grief.

Hebrews 13:17 states that obedience to godly church leaders is for your benefit. Disobedience to them “would be unprofitable for you.” God designed authority to protect and bless. If you disobey godly church leaders who proclaim God’s Word to you, you are really disobeying God, which always has serious consequences (Gal. 6:7-8). Again, it is implicit that these leaders are conscientious men who are walking with God.

Spiritual children, like our natural children, can be the source of immense joy or of immense grief (which, literally, is “groaning”). Every pastor has had frequent occasion both for joy and for groaning over people in the flock. The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, (1 Thess. 3:9), “For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account?” (See also, 1 Thess. 2:19-20.) The apostle John wrote (3 John 4), “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

In spite of the Third Command: Obey/Submit to Elders

Hebrews 13:17: Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

So Hebrews 13:17 is saying: “There will be times when you disagree with your elders/pastors. Submit to them. Follow them. They are there as leaders, as gifts to this church.”

But at times, a decision must be made. Leaders must lead. And if when the elders propose and lead, you are frequently saying, “No, we should go a different direction; they’re not right;” if you are frequently resisting, thereby making their leadership difficult, that diminishes their joy in their labors. Indeed, that can lead to their groaning in their labors. And that is BAD – for whom? Not just for the elders. Not primarily for the elders. That is bad, says Hebrews 13:17, for the congregation! The leaders’ joy is vital for the health of the congregation!

So the bottom line is that unity is good. Trusting your leaders is good. Respect, love, and esteem of leaders is good. Submission to leaders is good, even if they haven’t made the best decision. These attitudes and the resulting joy and unity is more important than making the best decision in any particular case.

Stand in the gap of man down not in judgement!

“Our leaders are not lords.” A biblical leader is a servant, pouring out his life for the glory of God and the good of the people of God (Mark 10:42-45). This is a precious biblical truth.

“YOU are so quickly deserting.” Who is included in “YOU”? That is, who is responsible for the doctrinal purity of the church? Certainly the elders. But the letter is addressed to “the churches of Galatia.” Then in Galatians 3:1 Paul addresses all of them as “you foolish Galatians.”

Surely had the elders lived up to their responsibilities, this letter would not have been necessary. But given that false teaching on a central issue had entered the church, it was the responsibility of every member to deal with it. And they had not done so.

Once again, Paul blames the entire church, not just the elders.

Elders are sheep, and some will wander from the truth, or fall down in accountability and/or responsibility –

Even our disappointments in elders will continue;

The congregation must honor and esteem the elders 1 Thes 5:12-13, 1 Tim 5:17

The congregation must imitate their elders Heb 13:7

The congregation must obey/submit to their elders Heb 13:17

The congregation must watch over the teaching, purity, and unity of the church

NOT RULE OVER AND/OR ABOVE

Go back to Acts 6: What is at stake in Acts 6? The unity of the body: The congregation acts in a way that will unite the church, that will avoid the creation of factions on linguistic grounds. The specific issue is how to care for widows. But the major concern is the witness to the world through the unity of the church. Thus, the glory of Jesus Christ is at stake.

We are we not on our knees fasting and praying as a congregation, in unity? Not, petty nonsense you a member you not a member? I'm in charge no I'm in charge of YOU! I would guess because of the flesh!

1. He Will Restore Stubborn Sheep With A Rod!

Know any stubborn sheep? No! Looked in the mirror lately?

2. Chastening Renews Your Worship: Heb. 12:9.

“Furthermore, we have fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”