Worship Preparation - July 7, 2024
Read the sermon text: Hebrews 13:17-19
Read the sermon summary: Submit to the authorities or fight the power? Even if we recognize God’s design of human society as involving structures of authority, our knee-jerk reaction might be to fight it rather than submit to it. Perhaps we have become cynical about all those who are in authority (from governmental leaders to spiritual leaders). Our passage for this Sunday commands us to obey our spiritual leaders and submit to them. How do we make sense of these commands, knowing that all humans are sinful and prone to abuses of power? We will see that the author qualifies this submission to our leaders and that these commands are given in the context of the great high priesthood of Jesus, our ultimate leader, authority, and shepherd. In preparation for the sermon consider the following questions: What does the word “obey” mean in this text? What is the purpose of obeying and submitting to spiritual leaders? What qualifications to these commands can you see in the text? What does the author’s request for prayer reveal about him and other spiritual leaders?
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
He Will Hold Me Fast
When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast
Chorus
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost
His Promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last
CCLI Song # 7016161
Ada Ruth Habershon | Matthew Merker
© 2013 Getty Music Publishing; Matthew Merker Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 11078052