Biblical Community - Submission

Good morning, Five Minute Families! Thank you for joining us this morning as we explore God’s great truth for families in bite-size, five minute, nuggets. Our desire for families is to learn more about God in their family’s unique way, based on where they have been and where God is taking them. We do that primarily at our Family Camp retreats at Clear View Retreat, but we also do that in our day-to-day conversations, staying available to one another and to those who cross our paths. But, we know that we must also seek counseling and mentoring, not just be the mentors. We must submit to our church authority and be respectful when the Lord is teaching us something new (or something for the twentieth time, which happens way too often, too). Hebrews 13:17 tells us to “[o]bey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” When you hear the words obey and submit, are they pleasant words to you or do you find yourself putting up your guard? As one writer stated, “Our nation was founded on a rebellion against authority, and one of our early mottoes was, ‘Don’t tread on me!’ We have a defiant national spirit that exalts individual rights. The concept of submission to authority seems wimpy to us!” Reality is, though, we should thank God for godly leaders: pastors, elders, and deacons, who watch over the souls of the flock. They have a burden to lead and to teach truth, and they are accountable for the direction of their congregation. Godly leaders share the vision God has given them and direct each one of us as disciple-makers as we all follow the Great Commission, together as a community of believers. Our church leaders are not infallible, of course, so as part of the biblical community, we must lift our church leaders up daily in prayer. We are also to work with them and seek their counsel when needed. They are like the battle field commanders wi