TRANSITION: If we want to be like the centurion and make our God pleased we should learn this lesson!

2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

Who To Withdraw From / Who Not To Follow:

Mt 24:11 Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. 12 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

There is probably more people to not follow then there is to follow! Are you follwing the right ones? Are you one that should be followed?Please keep in mind, the Bible says that there are many mockers.From O.t. leaders and prophets and kings to N.T. Apostles, Pastors etc.

2Co 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

The devils best weapon is not outright lies, but twisted truth!

Mt 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Those worth following must be proven. Are you?

TURN:2Pe 2:10 but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries; 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, don't bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking in matters about which they are ignorant (which is evil), will in their destroying surely be destroyed, 13 receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you; 14 having eyes full of adultery, and who can't cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing; 15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing;

First, a bad leader, does not like leaders! Wants authority, but wants no accountability. Ignorant speech, is evil, because they lead astray in arrogance. Watch for the big mouths, ever talking, rarely doing. Watch for those who act on feeling over truth! Emotions over Bible, heart over mind. Self-control is the basic fruit of the spirit! Who do they entice? Unsettled souls! Those who desire selfishly. Are your ears itching to hear what makes you comfortable, or flatters? And they do not want to be challenged, so they challenge those who challenge them!

Pr 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Pr 13:1 A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2Thess 3:6 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us:

Do you know how to follow? Are you willing to? Or are you unsettled? Do you like to be challenged? Do you appreciate rebuke?

Back to the Centurion Mt 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, "Most assuredly I tell you, I haven't found so great a faith, not even in Israel.

How did Jesus equate authority / submission with faith? Jesus points out how big God was to this Soldier. The more you can trust an infallible God through the hands of fallible men, the more you are closer at seeing how big God really is!Anyone can say they trust God and wait for the wind to blow. But what about trusting God when another person above you makes a mistake! Is God still on the throne? Your willingness to submit, shows your level of faith! As does your willingness to take responsiblity shows your level of trust in the one above! To be a good leader you must be a good follower!

TURN: Ro 13:1 Let every soul be in subjection to higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2 therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, 4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. 7 Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

The most lacking thing in society and church in our culture. We mock the politician, malign, the boss, speak bad of police, disrespect the teacher, humor the pastor. This God will judge! God sets up authority as an umbrella of protection and guidance, when not followed, opened to deception and attack!

1Pe 2:12 Have your conduct honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully

. This is considered a good witness! Even not speeding! God is pleased by the one who smiles at the cop giving the ticket. Salutes the dignitary. Honors the leader, appreciates the boss, respects the teacher and so on.

Heb 13:7 Remember them who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their manner of life. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 9 Be not carried about with various and strange doctrines. Don’t forget in prayer or word or deed.

Your leader should be a stabalizing factor, who proclaims Christs truth, which never changes but is stable.

Heb 13:16 But to do good and to share forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Pastoring has one of the highest burn outs! Even the church has become more rebellious and individual in the name of spirituality and false maturity. If we cannot trust God to work through the people He said He would, our God is small. God authorit doesn't usually come in thunder and a booming voice, it come through people, whom He love to work with and through. Bless God's authority by blessing who God put there!

2Thess 3:6 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us:

Do you cause grief or joy to leaders? Do you understand God's chain and order of authority? Is your God big enough?

2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing; but worked with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you: 9 Not because we have not that right, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

A good mentor: 1. giver vs taker 2. Appreciative/encouraging vs assuming / arrogant 3. Example/motivated/ing vs neutral 4. Knowledgable/wise/hungery vs status qou Overall: Leader w/ best intentions and calling. We must remember, and have faith that all authority, from secular to spiritual, God ordains! None slip in! We don't like to think of someone smarter, wiser, stronger than us, but this honest humility is the key to growing. The mentor you choose better be wiser, hungrier, and more mature than you or your cheating yourself! Like only playing a game with someone always beat. Never get better!

1Co 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16 That you submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that works with us, and labors. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge them that are such.

A good mentor cares for those they are over. Addicted! To be a leader you must be a follower first as did all the Apostles!

1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. 5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

To whom more is given, more is required, therefore deserving more honor, and reward. The more God requires of you the more you are given. Peter shows that submission/ humility should be rampant all over God's church!

1Th 5:12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, 13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

Here we see a contrast: Follow those who 1. Labor - works, example of faith. 2. Over You - Called by God to be your authority, or put in authority by authority. No one can simply earn authority, it is always given. 3. Admonish - Assured of truth, so as to rebuke for good, exhort to motivate,comfort to encourage Accept this right of authority and youwill be well guided. Even when the authority is wrong, submission in faith makes it God's problem to fix, He will make up for it, for the sake of the one faithfully submitting and for the sake of the authority He set up! Respect/Honor - Give them the right to guide you, show them importance to show respect for your God. If His representitive, then it is deserving. You will be honored for honoring your authority, for you then honor God. These are the people that God sets up for good leadership! We see bad leaders, but they are set up by God as well! To punish or chasten those He wants to and the one leading!

Ac 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of authoriety

Respect the position even when you cannot the person! In love - To the good leaders, do all the more and be sincere for your God's sake. Wheras the disorderly - rebellious = admonish.

2Thess 3:6 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us:

Are you willing to give God honor through His authorities? Are you willing to be humble to grow? Do you cause grief or joy to leaders? Will you follow to lead? Do you understand God's chain and order of authority? Do you like to be challenged? Do you appreciate rebuke? Do you know how to follow?