Sermon : Why Elders Rue The Congregation Page 1 Why Elders Rule The Congregation Text : I Pet. 5: 1-4 ; Acts 20: 17-18, 26-32 ; Eph. 4: 11-16 S#1. A. Why is it important that we know why we do the things we do? S#2. 1. Many churches claim to be Christians but they believe and practice different things. 2. Some have openly espoused that as long as one has faith, doctrine doesn t matter. a. They don t really believe that unity plea. b. If they did, they would disband and be unified with other churches. 3. Jesus personally warned about the eternal consequences of this error. Matt. 7: 21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom S#3. of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter. 4. Thus, it is imperative that we follow the pattern that God set forth in His word. S#4. B. As we look about us we see churches being administered in widely varying ways. 1. The papists organized their church after the pattern of the Roman government. 2. Many protestant denominations are similarly organized, but w/o a pope or cardinals. a. Some are run by councils or synods b. Some are run by conventions c. Still others elected denominational presidents and boards of directors 3. There is also a great deal of difference on the local level. a. Largest denomination : Deacons supervise pastor, but pastor runs congregation b. Some have elders, but the pastor is above the elders. c. Others are overtly ruled over by the preacher, erroneously called the pastor. C. This lesson will observe the biblical administration of the congregations. S#5. 1. We will see that Jesus is the only Head of the church and the source of all authority. 2. It is the plan of God that congregations have elders. 3. In the original language three different terms all refer to what we call elders. 4. What is the function of elders? 5. We have responsibilities to our elders. I. All authority in the church belongs to Jesus alone.. S#6. A. No one has been appointed as the Vicar of Christ on the earth. S#7.
Sermon : Why Elders Rue The Congregation Page 2 B. Jesus alone has all authority. S#8. Matt. 28: 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, " All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make C. The authority of Jesus extends to all matters in the church. Eph. 1: 20-22 in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him S#9. at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him D. Therefore, an elder (man) can only be a steward of the church of Christ. S#10. 1. Even the Apostles could not unilaterally make up laws for the church. 2. I Cor. 4: 1-2 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. II. God s plan is that each congregation is to have elders..( stewards to oversee ) S#11. A. Matured congregations in the bible had elders. S#12. Phil. 1: 1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: B. The eldership is an office and a work to which men should aspire. S#13. 1. I Tim. 3: 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2. The eldership is a work, a ministry to be accomplished, not a position to be held. C. God wants elders in every congregation. S#14. 1. Titus 1: 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 2. Preachers must appoint elders in each city individually, NOT in each area. S#15. D. Only men qualified to do the work of the shepherding God s flock can be appoint Titus 1: 6-9 if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having S#16. children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Sermon : Why Elders Rue The Congregation Page 3 S#17. III. In the original language, three different terms all refer to what we call elders.. A. Notice the different terms referring to the same ministry : S#18. 1. Acts 20: 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ( vs. 17.. called the elders ) 2. I Pet. 5: 1-2 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder S#19. and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; B. Elder / presbyter ( presbuteros ) S#20. 1. 1 elder, of age,. 1A the elder of two people. 1B advanced in life, an elder, a senior. 2. Used to describe the leaders of the Jews 3. Also translated presbytery ( I Tim. 4: 14 ) C. Overseer / Bishop ( episkopos ) 1. 1 an overseer. 1A a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent. 1B the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church. 2. In the KJV it is translated as bishop. ( Phil. 1: 1, I Tim. 3:1-2, Tit. 1: 7 ) D. Shepherd / Pastor ( Poimen ) 1. 1 to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep. 1A to rule, govern. 1A1 of rulers. 1A2 to furnish pasture for food. 1A3 to nourish. 1A4 to cherish one s body, to serve the body 2. Notice the elder or bishop is referred to as the pastor, not the preacher. ( I Pet 5:2 ) IV. What is the function of elders?. S#21. A. to shepherd the church of God Fourfold responsibilities of a shepherd. S#22. 1. Keep the flock from going astray. a. Sheep eat with their heads down and tend not to watch where they are going. b. Christians become distracted by the world and are drawn toward the glitter. c. Elders work to draw the sheep together and keep them securely in the flock. 2. When a sheep strays, the shepherd goes after it and brings it back. a. Elders must have enough contact with the flock to know when a sheep is straying.
Sermon : Why Elders Rue The Congregation Page 4 b. Discipline may be required to prevent straying shepherds break leg of sheep. c. Remember the parable ( Matt 16: 12ff ) the shepherd leaves the 99 to search for one 3. The shepherd protects the sheep from predators and from their own stupidity. a. The devil is always seeking a weak moment to prey on the flock. I Pet. 5: 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. b. Predators are a constant threat to the flock, even among the eldership itself. Acts 20: 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; S#23. c. The elder must be sufficiently skilled in the word to recognize error and refute it. 4. The shepherd leads the sheep to the safety of the fold. a. Sheep know the voice of the shepherd that cares for them and will follow him. b. Sheep must be lead not driven. I Pet. 5: 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. S#24. c. The pastor/bishop/elder is responsible for God s sheep until they are with Him. * 5. Thus elders are to : Instruct, Discipline, Protect, Nurture B. The elder / pastor / bishop must exercise leadership in the congregation. S#25. 1. I Pet. 5: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not S#26. under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God 2. Elders lovingly rule the congregation, but not as a dictator. Heb. 13: 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. ( NKJV ) C. A bishop / presbyter / shepherd is responsible to prepare his replacement. S#27. 1. This is one of the reasons the pastor-teacher is required to be apt to teach. I Tim. 3: 2 A overseer must be. able to teach, S#28. 2. II Tim. 2: 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3. One broken link will destroy a chain. S#29. D. Developing Christlikeness is the ultimate goal of every church leader s ministry. Eph. 4: 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. S#30. E. Being a bishop / elder / pastor is not an executive position, but a stewardship.
Sermon : Why Elders Rue The Congregation Page 5 V. We have responsibilities to our elders / pastors / bishops.. S#31. A. Christians must know their elders and esteem them highly in love. S#32. I Thes. 5: 12-13 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those S#33. who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. S#34. B. We must be cooperative with their efforts to shepherd the congregation. 1. Heb. 13: 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch S#35. over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. 2. God s church is NOT a democracy. ( Ruled by business meeting is not biblical ) S#36. C. Do not receive an accusation about them, but correct them face to face if needed. I Tim. 5: 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis #37 of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. (cf- Mt 18 ) D. Christians must call the elders when they have any spiritual malady. S#38. James 5: 14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders S#39. of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. E. Pray for them. CONCLUSION : A. Christ is the head, but He ordained that elders as stewards of His church. S#40. B. Elders must be found to be faithful stewards of God s charge, not preachers. C. Elders / pastors / bishops will give an accounting for their stewardship. D. We are responsible to cooperate with and submit to our shepherds. INVITATION : Jesus is the Chief Shepherd so we must first submit to Him. S#41. S#42. Communion slide
Sermon : Why Elders Rue The Congregation Page 6 Lesson Text : I Peter 5: 1-4 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Acts 20: 17-18, 26-32 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, Skipping down to vs 26 26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 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. Ephesians 4: 11-16 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.