Letters To Leaders 2
Notes
Transcript
Handout
INTRO
Where do we go from here?? What next? What now?
The kind of man you should want to be
The kind of man you should help him to become
PRAYER
A - God our father in heaven we praise your name today.
C -
T -
S -
MESSAGE
ABC Authority of Elders and Deacons… ELDERS
What is Biblical Eldership look like and what are they to do?
Leading One Another: Church Leadership (Main Idea)
Elders are called to lead the church by teaching God’s Word, shepherding the flock one by one, and serving as examples of godly character
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Elder = Presbyterous / Episkopes = Supervisor, Overseer, Leader, Shepherd
Elder Requirements
Elder Requirements
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Leading One Another: Church Leadership Digging In
New Testament scholar D. A. Carson has observed that perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the biblical qualifications for elders is that they are not all that extraordinary. In fact, almost all of them are required of all Christians elsewhere in the New Testament (see Matt. 5:27–30; Rom. 12:13; Eph. 6:4; 1 Thess. 4:12; Titus 2:1–12; 1 Pet. 1:13). Apart from not being a new convert, the one qualification that is not required of all Christians elsewhere is that elders must be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2).
Moral Requirements
Above Reproach
this does not mean perfection
moral or ethical disgrace??
stewards of Gods household
examples to the congregation
Respectable = Modest
virtuous and well behaved
Not a Lover of Money = Greedy
in it for the money?
flashy lifestyle?
Well Thought Of By Outsiders
do those outside the church have the same impression??
Mental Requirements
Sober Minded = Temperate
able to think clearly with balanced judgement
objective and thoughtful - Mentally stable
Physical Requirements
Husband of One Wife
Debatable…
not multiple wives
never divorced
faithful to current wife
Single Men?
Not A Drunk
substance use / abuse
Hospitable
open and inclusive
Manage Home / Submissive Children
When they are under your roof
Emotional Requirements
Not Violent / Quarrelsome = Not a bully / Peaceable
uncontentious and considerate
pressing for self
Self-Controlled = Moderate / disciplined
exercising common sense
careful thoughtful choices
Spiritual Requirements
Not a New Convert
what does this mean to you?
Able To Teach
James 3.1 “1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Elder Responsibilities
Elder Responsibilities
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
Shepherd the Flock
Peter - Jesus = Shepherd Flock
Jhn 21.15-17 “15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,
Feeding = encouragement
Protection = correction / guidance
Who’s flock is it? Who’s sheep are they?
Matt 18:12 “12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?”
Jhn 10.11 “11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Exercise Oversight
Not for shameful gain
gladly, eagerly
As an example
Able to Teach
James 3.1 “1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Instruction
Rebuke / Defense
2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 4:1–2 “1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Elder Rewards
Elder Rewards
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
This is a noble task
you should aspire to this !!
The task in and of itself is to be desired
Double Honor
Paid Ministry
Heavenly Reward
unfading crown of glory
future leadership capacity
Matthew 25:21–23 “21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
Faithful service to our LORD… LOVE!!
Jhn 21.15-17 “15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
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Group Questions