Elders

Elders  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Elder/ Overseer

What is an elder or overseer?

An elder is the watchful spiritual leader for the church of God.
In non biblical greek the term “ἐπισκοπῆς” (Overseer) “can be applied to various human activities, e.g., watching over corpses, overseeing a ship or a business or the market or construction, looking after young married couples, ruling a house. Other meanings along these lines are “protector” and “spy” or “scout.”
the term can be applied to various human activities, e.g., watching over corpses, overseeing a ship or a business or the market or construction, looking after young married couples, ruling a house. Other meanings along these lines are “protector” and “spy” or “scout.”
epískopos
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 246). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
The terms used for elders “πρεσβυτέρους⸃” and the term used for overseer “ἐπισκοπῆς” are virtually interchangeable. They certainly apply to the same group. Another term that is used to describe this role is shepherd.
1 Peter 5:1–4 ESV
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.
An elder is charged to “shepherd” and “exercises oversight” of the church. They watch over people’s souls.
They must do so “voluntarily” and “according to the will of God”. This must be a voluntary choice the individual makes, but the individual must also have a sense from God to take on this responsibility. They also must do so with “eagerness”. Eldership is a lot of work but it is to be done by someone with a sincerely good attitude.
“Nor… lording it over” BUT “proving to be examples”. An elders job is not to order people around the job site but to show them how to swing a hammer. A spiritual leader in his own home is has already lade the ground work for this.
Just as Jesus is the ultimate Apostle, Prophet and Priest He is also the ultimate Shepherd. There would be no shepherd’s in the church of God without The Good Shepherd laying down His life for the sheep. While we are the house He is the builder of the house. An elder should consider it a great honor though to walk in a semblance of his footsteps and should do so with reverence and fear.
Ephesians 20:28-36
Acts 20:28–36 ESV
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. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
“The Holy Spirit has made you overseers”. While one needs to have a sense from God so must those around you. When we select elders the current eldership will do so prayerfully. We will also lay hands on you to be anointed by the Holy Spirit for the work of the ministry.
“Be on alert!” Notice the term Paul is using in this passage is overseer. An overseer must have great spiritual vision. Better than 20/20. The main concern here is false teachers leading the church away from Christ.
Titus 1:9 ESV
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.
Notice an overseer cannot be merely “saved” they have to understand the Gospel so well they can both exhort and refute false teachers.
To what exstent must you “be on alert”. Remember Paul’s example: “for three years, night and day!”
“better to give than to receive”. You will do more giving than receiving as an elder. But there is a blessing in that. We must “Remember the weak!”.
Qualifications for Elders
1 Timothy 3:
1 Timothy 3:1–7 ESV
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
The word “aspire” means “to stretch for”. If it wasn’t clear already eldership is hard work! Much sacrifice is involved. Constant care for others. Do not think being an elder will mean you keep on doing what you are doing but now have a nice title. You will be stretching yourself. It will be hard. You will take on more.
The word “desire” is also a strong word. The same word translated as “lust” in . The same word translated as “desire” in . The office of elder is no small thing to go after.
“Above reproach” - meaning “irreproachable observable conduct.” - John Stott.
“Husband of one wife” - this does not mean monogamous (though it does entail that), but rather faithful to his one and only wife. If you can’t be faithful to your bride you can’t be faithful to the bride of Christ.
"Sober minded” - essentially meaning sober or alert. Since the overseer must be watching over spiritual matters it is essential they are spiritually alert. How do you be spiritually alert?
“self controlled and respectable” - This is the inward and outward expression of discipline. François Rabelais said, “‘how shall I be able to rule over others if I have not full power and command of myself?” - Stott, J. R. W. (1996). Guard the truth: the message of 1 Timothy & Titus (p. 95). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
“Hospitable” - This cannot be overemphasized. An elder will have a revolving door to his home. He will generously open it to others.
François Rabelais, the sixteenth-century French satirist, put it, ‘how shall I be able to rule over others if I have not full power and command of myself?
“Able to teach” - I stressed how important it is you know your Gospel. I expect elders to not just be reading their Bibles but digging into their Bibles. They are swordsmen. If you are content with where you are at today you are not ready to be an elder. An elder wants to dig deeper. From there you can teach and disciple others. The great commission says what? So how important is it that elders are able to do this. Doesn’t mean preach on Sundays.
Stott, J. R. W. (1996). Guard the truth: the message of 1 Timothy & Titus (p. 95). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
“Not a drunkard” - I don’t drink. If you do I expect it you to be uber conservative. I would rather my elders not drink.
“Not violent but gentle” and peaceable. John Claude Van-Damn example. Your goal is helping and caring for others. Anger often is very selfish.
“Not quarrelsome” - we don’t have time for a quarrelsome elder. A quarrelsome elder isn’t in the business of advancing the Kingdom of God but more interested in their own opinion.
“manage his own household well”
“Keeping your children submissive” with “dignity”. We have all had these moments, but have you ever see a parent trying to parent and dignity is out the window. They are almost worse than the kid. If you can’t manage your house you can’t manage God’s church. Your wife needs to be on the same page as you.
“Not a recent convert”
“well thought of by outsiders” - we don’t need no smo.
1 Timothy 3:14–15 NASB95
I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
In some ways elders are the pillars of the pillar. Their commitment to TRUTH will lead the body of Christ to be firmly established on His Word.
Why “aspires” and “desires”?
Who falls into the “not sure” camp?
Who falls into the “maybe one day” camp?
Who falls into the “I need a little more time” ?
Who falls into the “
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