Obey Your Leaders

We Worship God
A Guide for Worship Leaders


Hebrews 13:17-25 (The Message)
¹⁷Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
 ^18-21Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.

   May God, who puts all things together,
      makes all things whole,
   Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
      the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
   Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
      up and alive from the dead,
   Now put you together, provide you
      with everything you need to please him,
   Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
      by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
   All glory to Jesus forever and always!
      Oh, yes, yes, yes.
 ^22-23Friends, please take what I've written most seriously. I've kept this as brief as possible; I haven't piled on a lot of extras. You'll be glad to know that Timothy has been let out of prison. If he leaves soon, I'll come with him and get to see you myself.
 ²⁴Say hello to your pastoral leaders and all the congregations. Everyone here in Italy wants to be remembered to you.
 ²⁵Grace be with you, every one.

For Reflection
The early church struggled with the new religion.  How does one reconcile this new way of thinking and acting with the context of his or her former life?  Obedience to the changed life style as the church leaders understood it was and perhaps still is essential.  How far can one stray from the practice of Christianity before the practice can not longer be considered Christian.  Who judges the difference?

Pray
that you remain true to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.  Pray that those who lead in the name of Christ are truely righteous.  Pray that you can recognize the Grace of God in Church leaders.