OBEY YOUR LEADERS

Passage: Hebrews 13:17-25

Key verse: 20,21

NIV

17 Have confidence in your leaders(A) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you(B) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us.(C) We are sure that we have a clear conscience(D) and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.(E)

Benediction and Final Greetings

20 Now may the God of peace,(F) who through the blood of the eternal covenant(G) brought back from the dead(H) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,(I) 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will,(J) and may he work in us(K) what is pleasing to him,(L) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(M)

22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.(N)

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy(O) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders(P) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy(Q) send you their greetings.

25 Grace be with you all.(R)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

17 Obey (A)your leaders and submit to them, (B)for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to (C)give an account. (D)Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 (E)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order (F)that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction

20 Now (G)may the God of peace (H)who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, (I)the great shepherd of the sheep, by (J)the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 (K)equip you with everything good that you may do his will, (L)working in us[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, (M)to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

22 I appeal to you, brothers,[b] bear with my word of exhortation, for (N)I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that (O)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all (P)your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 (Q)Grace be with all of you.

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 13:21 Some manuscripts you
  2. Hebrews 13:22 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Spiritual order (17-19)

If we are to grow in faith and in usefulness to God, e must accept spiritual order in the Christian community. Leaders must give an account to God for their ministry and for their influence. Shepherds are not necessarily more able or qualified than those under them, but they are our leaders. When we submit to their authority with joy, we can learn obedience to God--and this is how our faith grows.

2. Our Great Shepherd (2

-25)

Jesus is our Great Shepherd. Through his death, he sealed our blood covenant with God. He was established by God who raised him from the dead. God himself equips us with everything good for doing his will; he works in us what is pleasing to himself--when we trust and obey the shepherds whom he has appointed to be our leaders.

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn deeper faith through obedience to the leaders you have raised up. Help me to do your will, depending on the equipment you give. Help me to glorify my Great Shepherd Jesus.

One Word: Obey your leaders