Why Elders Rule The Congregation Why is it

Why Elders Rule The Congregation

Why is it important that we know why we do the things we do ?

Matthew 7: 21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, ' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter. We want to be accepted by God ?

Denominational churches are administered in many ways. Can all be acceptable to God ?

Biblical administration 1. Jesus is the Head of the church. 2. Elders and deacons are God’s plan. 3. Three terms all refer to 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

God has never appointed anyone to function as the vicar of Christ on the earth.

Jesus alone has all authority. Matthew 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 disciples …

Ephesians 1: 20 -22 … in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him 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

An elder can only be a steward I Corinthians 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.

Congregations in the bible had elders. Philippians 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:

The eldership is an office and a work to which men should aspire. I Timothy 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.

God wants elders in every congregation. 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,

Only men qualified to do the work of the shepherding God’s flock can be appoint to the eldership.

Titus 1: 6 -9 if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having 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, selfcontrolled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so

III. Three different terms all refer to elders.

Different terms. . the same ministry 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 to him the elders of the ch )

I Peter 5: 1 -2 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;

Elder / presbyter ( presbuteros ) ( I Tim. 4: 14 ) Overseer / Bishop ( episkopos ) ( Phil. 1: 1, I Tim. 3: 1 -2, Tit. 1: 7 ) Shepherd / Pastor ( Poimen ) ( I Peter 5: 2 ) Note : The “pastor” is an elder, not a preacher.

IV. What is the function of elders.

“to shepherd the church of God” Fourfold responsibilities of a shepherd. 1. Keep the flock from going astray. 2. Brings back sheep who stray. 3. Protects the sheep for predators. 4. Leads the sheep to the safety of the fold.

I Peter 5: 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Acts 20: 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not

I Peter 5: 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. Thus, elders are to : Instruct, Discipline, Protect, Nurture

The elder / pastor / bishop must exercise leadership in the congregation.

I Peter 5: 2 Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God Hebrews 13: 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.

A bishop / presbyter / shepherd is responsible to prepare his replacement.

I Timothy 3: 2 A overseer must be … able to teach, II Timothy 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.

Developing Christlikeness is the ultimate goal of every church leader’s ministry. Ephesians 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.

Being a bishop / elder / pastor is not an executive position, but a ministry, a stewardship.

V. We have responsibilities to our elder / pastor / bishops.

Christians must know their elders and esteem them highly in love.

I Thessalonians 5: 12 -13 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those 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.

We must be cooperative with their efforts to shepherd the congregation.

Hebrews 13: 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch 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. • Administering a congregation by business meetings is NOT biblical. • The Lord’s church is not a democracy.

Do not receive an accusation about them, but correct them face to face if needed. Matthew 18 also applies to elders

I Timothy 5: 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis 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. Matt. 18: 15 -17 )

Christians must call the elders when they have any spiritual malady or crisis of faith.

James 5: 14 -16 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders 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

I. Christ is the head, but He ordained that elders as stewards of His church. II. Elders must be found to be faithful stewards of God’s charge, not preachers. III. Elders / pastors / bishops will give an accounting for their stewardship. IV. We are responsible to cooperate with and submit to our shepherds.

Jesus is the chief Shepherd we