Role and Work of Elders
Church leadership • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 38 viewsexamination of the role that elders serve in the local church and the members' duties to the elders
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Intro: Continue in our series on the eldership with look at their role in the NT church. It is important to understand their purpose before we can profitably consider their qualifications. These are defined by the titles and the work.
Roles defined
Roles defined
Overseer – bishop – episkopos – – watchful for dangers – – yet not restricting open discussion – – against attacks from without and within – - yet, all have that duty – ;
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
A) Overseers – – watchful for dangers – – yet not restricting open discussion – – against attacks from without and within –
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Yet, all have that duty – ;
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Shepherd – pastor – poimen – – willing and able to teach the Bible – – but more than just feeding (teaching), it is tending to all needs – - Yet, so should all mature disciples – ; ;
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: 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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
A) Shepherd the flock – – willing and able to teach the Bible – – but more than just feeding (teaching), it is tending to all needs –
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
B) Yet, so should all mature disciples – ; ;
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
Caregiver – - yet, so should we all –
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
A) Pray for the sick –
B) Yet, so should we all –
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Corrector – – these professed to know God, yet were seeking for fleshly gain; the greatest need for church discipline is not for those who have abandoned God and the local church, but for the active, yet divisive, members, but preachers also bear this duty – ; – as do all disciples – ;
For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
A) Silence the rebellious – – these professed to know God, yet were seeking for fleshly gain; the greatest need for church discipline is not for those who have abandoned God and the local church, but for the active, yet divisive, members
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
B) Preachers also bear this duty – ; – as do all disciples – ;
God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
What about decision-makers? Certainly, they must make decisions to accomplish their work – ;
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
A) Certainly, they must make decisions to accomplish their work – ;
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
Yet in judgment matters (which are not settled by an express command in the Bible) they do so by involving the whole church and getting their approval – ; – and they are to subject themselves to the congregation also – – to think otherwise is “lording” (rule completely) – – they “rule” by example
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
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: 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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Some have said that Christ rules in matter of law and elders rule in matters of opinion, I disagree – : – the rule of elders should not and cannot be compared to that of Christ – ; – they must seek consensus from the church, with full input from every concerned member
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Role of the local church
Role of the local church
Must agree to appointing the men, not necessarily that you believe they are the best – – but that they are qualified
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Respect – – give them honor for the work they do in service to God and the flock even if you do not always agree with their judgment – – show them appreciation (pat on the back, etc.)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Obey (peitho – by persuasion) and submit (hupeiko – yield under) – ; – not giving them grief, but joy (ex. taking or teaching a class they ask you to or supporting/participating in a work they ask the church to do, even if you do not agree that it is the best course)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Imperfect elders
Imperfect elders
All give “lip-service” to this concept, but do we understand the implications?
Elders have faults and will sin – – if one does not continue is sin, then do not rebuke them
Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
They have reached a level of qualification, not perfection – all but husband of one wife are relative qualifications, not absolute (ex. prudent – good judgment, not perfect; children under control – still made mistakes; able to teach – not necessarily the best teacher in the church), which means it is a matter of judgment as to whether someone is qualified
Should not refuse to approve someone unless you are certain they are not qualified, especially if most feel he is qualified
Speak to the men privately first if you have any doubts – – that will clear up most questions
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Concl: Then what is unique about elders? I believe it is that they have demonstrated themselves to be proficient in all these areas and are recognized as leaders.