Spirit-Empowered Eldership: 8 Wise Ways An Elder Shepherds the Church
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As leaders go, so goes those who follow
As leaders go, so goes those who follow
On June 25, 1876, General George Armstrong Custer led 600 of his 7th Calvary soldiers into battle against some 10,000 Sioux Indian warriors on the rolling plains of Montana. He was out numbered 10:1. which explains why the battle is called Custer’s Last Stand. General Custer perished along with 200 of his men.
It was a tragedy that could have been avoided. The Lakota Indians were not looking for a fight. They were following the buffalo herds and preparing for a religious ceremony called the Sun Dance. But America was expanding West and gold was found on their land. So the powers that be sent Custer to hep move the Sioux Indians along.
Custer sent out scouts to see what he was up against. When the scouts reported that there were more Indians than army soldiers and their bullets, Custer rebuked them for their cowardliness. On the afternoon of the battle, he divided his men up into three companies in order to attack from three different sides, weakening his overall fighting power. Custer was killed twenty minutes into the fight and the battle was done within the hour.
There are hundred of speculations as to why Custer decided to fight against outrageous odds. Some say argue had a fighting disposition. Others say that he had ambitions or being president of the United States. Regardless, the fact remains that his poor leadership led to the death of 200 of his men and one of the worst defeats in American history. The Battle at Little Big Horn reveals to us that leadership has consequences, sometimes devastating consequences on those who follow. Where leaders lead, so goes those who follow.
Paul understood the importance of good leadership in the church. He made sure he appointed elders in every church community he planted (Acts 14:3). In Acts 20, Paul goes out of his way to address the Ephesian elders one last time on his third missionary journey.
In verse 1-6, Paul is being driven by the Holy Spirit toward Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. He decides to go through Macedonia, and then down to Greece where it is likely he landed in Corinth (Acts 20:3). He goes through Macedonia once again to Troas where he preaches late into the night (Acts 20:7). A young man named Eutychus fell asleep and slipped out of a three story window to his death (Acts 20:9). Paul brings him back to life and continues on with his journey.
He is in such a hurry that he intentionally sails past Ephesus and stops in Miletus. It is likely Paul wanted to see all of the Ephesians. He spent approximately three years (Acts 20:31) ministering to the community, evangelizing the lost, and encouraging the leadership. Ephesus was the place where the Spirit poured out so wonderfully that idol making silversmiths were in an uproar and people were burning their sorcery books worth up to 50,000 pieces of silver. Paul loved the Ephesian church, but only had time to meet with the leadership.
So, Paul stops in Miletus and sends a messenger 20 miles south to Ephesus and calls for the elders to come to him in Miletus (Acts 20:17). If Paul is being driven to Jerusalem and he is cutting it close, why stop in Miletus to talk with the elders of the Ephesian church. Why not get to Jerusalem and send a letter letter? The answer is simple. Paul knew that the effectiveness and success of the Ephesian church to joyfully advancing the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus in the church, community, and home, hung on the leadership of the elders. And, as John Piper says,
“As elders go, so goes the church.” John Piper
“As elders go, so goes the church.” John Piper
Who are the elders?
Who are the elders?
The elders are pastors who oversee the church. Paul ensured that every church had a plurality of qualified men to lead the church.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Notice Luke records it is elders, with an (s). Plurality means there was never a senior pastor, but several pastors who lead the church. Dr. Greg Allison, who is a Systematic Theology Professor at SBTS, and who has written extensively on the church says,
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology Biblical Support > Understanding the Doctrine > Chapter 38: Church Offices
Scripture always presents a church being led by a plurality of elders (“council of elders”; 1 Tim. 4:14), never a solo leader. For example, at the end of their missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas appointed elders (plural) in each of the newly planted churches (Acts 14:23). Other examples of a plurality of elders include the churches of Jerusalem (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23), Antioch (11:30), Ephesus (20:17, 28; 1 Tim. 5:17), Crete (Titus 1:5), and “the Dispersion” (James 1:1; 5:14).
God’s plan of leadership for His church is too have several wise men who are filled with His Spirit to lead the church body. The qualifications are found in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5. The qualifications include, as Greg Allison points out, “being called by God (aspiring to the office), having an upright character (sober mindedness and self-control), exercising well-developed competencies (leading, teaching, and hospitality), and enjoying good chemistry with other elders (that is, working in unity with them.)”
Elders are called to teach and practice sound doctrine. They are to care for God’s church by shepherding them and praying for them. Elders are pastorally responsible for guiding and guarding the flock and leading them in the kingdom of God. For this to be done well, it is done with a plurality of qualified men.
If Paul were alive today and he found himself in Edwardsville, IL, calling the elders of FBCL to meet with him, he would be a bit perplexed when I showed up alone. He would wonder where are the other elders. I don’t believe he would recognize the church government we have in place. He would seek to fix it so that one pastor does not carry the burden of shepherding alone. Maybe you would say, “Pastor, our deacons would meet with Paul.” Paul would wonder why they showed up. He did not call for the deacons of the church to meet him in Ephesus. He called for the elders because they are the pastoral leadership of the church. As the elders go, so goes the church.
Luke does not have to include Paul’s speech in the book of Acts. He could have just said that Paul met with the elders and encouraged them to hold fast in the faith. However, as you read Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders, you hear his heart. He loves the church. He loves these men who serve as leaders in the church. There is weeping and tears inside of his address. He knows his ministry is coming to an end, and he’s never going to see these men again this side of heaven. That reality brings weight to Paul's words. He knows he needs pass on wisdom and instruction that will help them lead the church well. Paul offers from his own character and ministry, as well as his instruction, eight wise ways spirit-empowered elders shepherd the church.
8 Wise Ways Spirit-Empowered Elders Shepherd the Church
8 Wise Ways Spirit-Empowered Elders Shepherd the Church
Spirit-Empowered Elders Serve the Lord with Humility (Acts 20:19)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Serve the Lord with Humility (Acts 20:19)
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
It is worth noting who Paul is serving here; the Lord. Jesus is Paul’s sovereign King and is the head of the church. Jesus identifies with his church. Paul learned this the hard way when Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus. Jesus asked him, “Why are you persecuting me?” Jesus made it clear to Paul that his assault on the church was an assault on Christ himself. Paul recognizes Jesus is the sovereign Lord, and that he serves him first and foremost as he serves the church.
The implication for elders is that they must be born again Christ-loving, God-honoring, bible believing believers. For the elders love and commitment to Jesus directly affects the church body. If he serves Jesus well he will serve the church well.
The word for “humility” expresses the sense of lowliness, submission, and modesty. The New Century Version of the Bible translates the phrase “I served the Lord unselfishly.” If the word “tears” is taken with humility, it adds depth to Paul’s service. His ministry to the Lord often found his heart breaking for God’s people and His kingdom.
God told Paul he would suffer for His name’s sake in Acts 9. Paul suffered trials of persecution, ship wrecks, flogging, and prison. But he lost sleep over the church. The state of the church took his appetite away. In the list of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, he says
And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
What was he anxious about? He was anxious about the churches commitment to walking in a manner worthy of the gospel, to being holy and faithful in a crooked and perverse generation. Regarding the Ephesian church, he says
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
Paul’s admonishment refers to advising the church about the dangers of not living a holy life. It refers to counseling the church to avoid sin and instructing the church how to live Spirit-empowered lives that are pleasing to God.
Paul’s humility is that he did not use the church to serve himself, but he gave himself to the betterment of the church. He was unselfish with is time and talent, always thinking of his fellow Christians, willing to confront their sin and suffer for them.
I lament that so many pastors in the West exploit the church for personal gain. Some exploit her for financial gain, others exploit the church to gain status in a community, and some even exploit her for sexual gratification. How many people have been sexually abused by pastors? How many people have been hurt by men in power in the church? How many people have given the last cent of their savings or retirement to a pastor who promises them health and wealth as he pushes them into poverty? is not serving the Lord in humility.
Spirit-empowered elders are men who have surrendered their life to Jesus as Lord and are passionate about His kingdom. They express their love for Jesus by humbly coming underneath the church to support and seek the her success. They weep when she hurts and rejoices when she is victorious. They are not concerned with making much of themselves as they are of making much of Jesus in the lives of the men and women, and children they serve.
Hudson Taylor was a missionary to China. When he arrived to China he had no money or support. He was often sick and frail. He gave up his western identity and fully embraced the Chinese culture. From his hair and clothes to the food he ate and the language he spoke, he looked Chinese. The western missionaries were appalled by his behavior, but he was loved by the Chinese. He advanced the kingdom of God further into the mainland of China more than any other missionary in his time. His work became world renowned and his model of ministry was eventually accepted for doing missions.
Taylor was once being introduced by a Presbyterian moderator in Melbourne, Australia. He was the visiting missionary speaker and everyone their knew of his work in China. The Moderator showered Taylor with accolades and ended his introduction with “our illustrious guest.” Hudson Taylor began his address with,
“Dear friends, I am a little servant of an illustrious Master.” Hudson Taylor
Elders are servants of an illustrious Master. Therefore, they serve the church with humility. Can you imagine what the church would look like with humble elders who saw themselves as servants of the illustrious Master? Can you imagine what ministry could be done by the church under that kind of servant leadership?
Spirit-Empowered Elders Boldly Proclaim the Gospel (Acts 20:20-21)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Boldly Proclaim the Gospel (Acts 20:20-21)
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
When Paul says that he “did not shrink back from declaring to you that was profitable,” he means that he never avoided proclaiming the truth of the gospel out of fear. The word he uses for “shrink back” is the same word used to describe Peter in
For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
Peter drew back/shrink back from the Gentiles out of fear for what the circumcision party would think of him. Paul never separated himself from the truth of the gospel. He was boldly consistent in proclaiming God’s message of salvation both publicly and privately. There were never two Paul’s in ministry; a public Paul and a private Paul.
Do you know what duplicity means? Duplicity is deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter.
Duplicity has no place among God’s elders. Spirit-empowered elders are not double-minded or double-tongued. God empowers His elders to be bold, courageous, and confident in order to proclaim a message of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The message of the gospel starts by declaring bad news. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That means everyone of us, and your friends and family, and neighbors, are sinners. A sinner is someone who has offended God by breaking his moral law. The consequence of offending God is His eternal wrath in hell.
I’m reminded of Jesus’ warning to a group of people who were upset that Pilate mingled the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices.
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Unrepentant sinners will perish. He says it twice to make sure his listeners understand the message. You must repent of your sin before you die, otherwise you will perish forever in hell.
What does it mean to repent of your sin?
First, it means you have to acknowledge you are a sinner, that you have offended God’s perfect moral law, and that you deserve his wrath. Second, you must turn from your sin toward Jesus by placing your faith (trust) in his Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension). Jesus says
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
God gave his Son as a perfect sacrifice to atone for your sin. For the bible is clear,
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Why is the shedding of blood necessary? Because life is in the blood.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Someone might contend, “Why does God require blood? Why does life being in the blood matter?” Because in God’s economy of things, the life in the blood is sacred and it purifies. Blood makes atonement for life. God gave blood to be sacrificed on an alter to make atonement. This issue is, animal blood could not fully atone for humanity's sin. A better sacrifice was needed. The blood Jesus shed on the cross was perfect and powerful to cover all sin. And God gives you the atonement your soul needs when you, by faith, accept Jesus sacrifice on your behalf. By faith you are covered by His blood, that is perfect, your sins are atoned for and forgiven, and you are accepted into God’s family.
The message of the gospel is you are a sinner who has broken God’s law. Because you have broken God’s perfect moral law, he will execute His perfect justice on you when you die. The penalty for breaking his perfect moral law is condemnation in hell for all eternity.
The Cross is a stumbling block
The Cross is a stumbling block
At this point, you can see why people shrink back from boldly proclaiming the gospel. This is offensive to many people and they shun the idea that God would condemn anyone to hell, especially card carrying Americans. And what is even more confusing is that we have duplicitous pastors who say they are bible believing pastors, and yet go on national television and refuse to call people to repent.
Last week, Ethan and I watched a video that pointed out Joel Olsteen’s heresies. I was caught up in one interview in particular. The lady assumed because the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin, that Olsteen called homosexuals sinners. She questioned how you could call someone a sinner. Olsteen’s reply was insane. I’m paraphrasing here, but he says something along the likes of, “I really don’t call people sinners and I don’t speak to homosexuality at my church; only on interviews. I just stay in my lane and bring positives messages that lift people up.” When Larry King pressed him, asking, “Do you believe that anyone who rejects Jesus will go to hell?” Olsteen said, “It’s not my place to judge whose going to hell. I just want to help people live a good life now.”
What makes Joel Olsteen duplicitous is that he ends all of his services by saying, “You need to be a part of a bible believing church.” He assumes his church is Bible believing. Do you see the confusion? Can you sense the frustration? The bible teaches that all men need to repent and believe upon the lord Jesus Christ to be saved from God’s wrath in hell. And if you repent and believe you will be saved and have eternal life with him. And yet, Olsteen does not preach the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). And there are too many like him in the church.
Spirit-empowered humble servant leading elders say with Paul
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
The gospel of the grace of God refers to the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that allows you and I enter into His rest by faith. Paul received this calling from God. Preach the Gospel. Every elder who serves in this church, in this pulpit, in our classrooms, in your home, receives the same calling to testify of the gospel of grace. Spirit-empowered elders boldly preach the gospel.
AS the Elders Go, so goes the church
Michael Koen sent Sonny and I an article this morning. He commended us to “Make God happy this morning by letting Him know that FBCL knows how to worship rightly and preach his word.”
The articlke he sent was from the Illinois Family Institute. The HEadline reads, “Drag Queen Sunday at a Central Illinois Church.” Here is an excerpt:
“ At first glance someone viewing Bloomington, Illinois’ Hope United Methodist Church’s Sunday morning worship service online might chuckle about the 1980s style “big hair” worn by the redheaded woman addressing viewers on April 11. But looks can be deceiving. That particular Sunday was Drag Queen Sunday, and the person speaking was Ms. “Penny Cost,” the drag alter ego of Isaac Simmons, Hope Church’s director of operations.
In the message, Simmons, as Ms. “Penny Cost”—a sacrilegious play on the word “Pentecost”—describes the service which followed Palm and Easter Sundays as, “Our way of celebrating and uplifting the voices of drag artistry within the church.” And this was not the first time Simmons has appeared as his drag persona before the church. Other videos of him speaking on various topics can be found by searching the church’s website.
Earlier this year Simmons was unanimously certified as a ministry candidate by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference’s Vermillion River District Committee on Ordained Ministry. He is the first openly gay candidate to be certified by the conference and the first known drag queen to be certified by the United Methodist Church. Simmons told Religion New Service (RNS), “It is mind-boggling simply that it’s 2021 and I’m the first, but also it’s incredibly humbling.”
In addition to his position at the church, Simmons is a student at Illinois Wesleyan University studying Business Management and Religious Studies.”
Leadership matters. The United Methodist Church has been going off the orthodox reservation for a while now. It’s leaders are moving the church happily into a revolt against God’s kingdom. Their university is literally training future pastors to embrace a lifestyle and doctrine contrary to scripture. As the elders go, so goes the church.
Spirit-Empowered Elders Persevere Through Persecution (Acts 20:22-23)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Persevere Through Persecution (Acts 20:22-23)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Teach the Full Counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:26-27)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Teach the Full Counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:26-27)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Protect the Church (Acts 20:28-31)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Protect the Church (Acts 20:28-31)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Believe it is Better to Give than Receive (Acts 20:33-35)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Believe it is Better to Give than Receive (Acts 20:33-35)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Pass on the Mantle of Eldership (Acts 20:32)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Pass on the Mantle of Eldership (Acts 20:32)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Finish the Race Strong (Acts 20:24-25)
Spirit-Empowered Elders Finish the Race Strong (Acts 20:24-25)
A Spirit-empowered elder serves the Lord with humility as he boldly proclaims the gospel to all people. Though he is persecuted for the name of Jesus, he perseveres and continues to teach the full counsel of God’s word, never shrinking back from hard doctrines or culturally controversial texts. By teaching the God’s word and being alert, he protects the church from wolves who threaten from the outside with ideologies and from the inside heresy. The Spirit-empowered elder is generous with his life, believing it s better to give than it is to receive. He builds up the church by raising up good men to be future elders. And when his time is done, and the Lord calls him home, he will enter heaven hearing from his king, “Well done, my faithful servant.” And the those in heaven and earth will agree.