AUTHORITY & SUBMISSION 3

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Text : Hebrew 13:17

 *_Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit_* .

Today, we shall be looking at the duty and responsibility of a follower. 

The major reason spiritual leaders must play their role with all sense of commitment is because God commanded the followers to _obey them and do what they say_ .

Obedience is demanded from you as a follower. If you don't know or learn how to obey authority(ies) placed over you, you will greatly suffer loss.

Sometimes you are called to cooperate with your Leader(s), but some other times, you are called to obey. And obedience calls for submission. To obey certain instructions from your leader may be a difficult task sometimes, but God wants you to obey all the same. 

While obeying your leaders, you are expected to give them reasons to discharge their duties *joyfully and not with sorrow* God's word says that if your leader discharges his or her duty over you sorrowfully, such would not be to your benefit.  

This was the case between Samuel and Israel. They asked for a King because they no longer wanted Samuel and his sons as judges over them. This request did not go down well with Samuel but they still demanded a King. Though, they got a King, but at their own detriment. 1Samuel 8:1-7. Samuel and the Lord had only hearken to their request by giving them a King but it was not to their benefit. This is because their spiritual leader(Samuel) was never happy with such request.

When you disobey and refuse to submit to your leaders, you cause them to discharge their duty in such a way that won't BENEFIT you. Obedience and submission to authority(ies) under God always bring nothing but *BENEFITS.* Your safety and prosperity come by staying under.

Some followers are like Hymeanus, Alexander, Demas or Judas Iscariot (2Tim 4:10, 14, 1Tim 1:10). They like to create heart ache for their leaders. They are *"deserters"* , *"dissapointers"* and *'traitors"* They can't be trusted or relied upon. Such followers derive joy in giving their leaders problems. Godly leaders however will have no choice than to discharge their duties over them but with sorrow. Hence, they won't derive benefits from the work of such leaders.

Even the Pharisees (who laid so much weight on the people), Jesus commanded that they should be obeyed. 

 _.....practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach_ Math 23:3.

 *To reap the full blessing upon and in the lives of your spiritual leader, you must be willing and obedient. Isaiah 1:19* . 

 *PRAYER FOCUS* 

1. Pray for an obedient heart.

2. Pray for a submissive and humble heart.

Bible reading: 1Samuel 8:1-19

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