Let's begin this study in prayer...
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. An we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
I. INTRODUCTION
In our previous study we saw that,
A. THE BODY OF CHRIST IS COMPOSED OF TRUE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS
1 Corinthians 12:27
and,
B. EACH MEMBER HAS BEEN GIVEN A SPIRITUAL GIFT
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Given the above, the following question arises.
QUESTION: How is the church managed? How does each member and the
whole operates and functions as God intends?
Well, as it turns out we find that its direction and management
comes from Jesus Christ Himself. For what we find is that the Bible
teaches us that,
II. JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH
This is clearly given to us in,
Colossians 1:15-18
Notice vs 18(a) He is the Head.
and again from,
Ephesians 1:22-23
QUESTION: Since Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, how does He
provide direction/guidance for its operation? Actually, the Bible
teaches us that Jesus will speak to the His Body in three ways.
A. THROUGH HIS WORD
In order to see this, let us read,
2 Timothy 3:16-17
B. THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTLY
To see this, let us read what Jesus said to His disciples when
He was preparing them for His departure.
John 16:5-15
Notice vs 13 He will guide you...
finally,
C. THROUGH HIS APPOINTED LEADERSHIP
In order to see this, let us read why the Lord Jesus Christ
provides prophets, apostles, etc to His church.
Ephesians 4:11-13
Since the topic of this study is the church leadership, Lord willing
we will limit our study to it...OK?
III. THE LEADERSHIP/ELDERS
QUESTION: How is the eider or leader identified? How are they
appointed?
Well, as it turns out it is Jesus Christ Himself that appoints His
elders. To see this, let us first consider the,
A. APPOINTMENT OF THE APOSTLES
To see that the twelve were chosen by Jesus, let us read the
account in,
Luke 6:12-16
Notice vs 13(b) from them He chose...
QUESTION: This is fine and dandy for when Jesus was physically
here upon this earth, but what about now? What about today?
Well, what we find is that our Lord Jesus Christ still appoints
His leadership. And so let us explore the,
B. APPOINTMENTS FOR TODAY
First of all we must realize that,
1. LEADERSHIP IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT
To see this, let us consider the following passages,
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Notice vs 11 the Spirit works all these things
and again,
Ephesians 4:11-12
Notice vs 11 He Himself gave ...
In addition we also find that the Bible teaches us that,
2. NEW LEADERSHIP IS RECOGNIZED BY LAYING ON OF HANDS
To see this, let us first read about the,
a. THE FIRST DEACONS
Acts 6:1-6
and,
b. THE INSTRUCTION TO TIMOTHY
For this let us read how the Holy Spirit, through
Paul, was encouraging Timothy to exercise the
spiritual gift that was given to him.
1 Timothy 4:11-14
and again,
2 Timothy 1:6
QUESTION: How does the leadership know whom our Lord Jesus
Christ has called into church leadership?
Well, in additional to the gift of spiritual discernment,
the Holy Spirit has also provided some clear requirements
for His elders. To see them, let us read the,
3. BIBLICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LEADERSHIP
a. BISHOPS
1 Timothy 3:1-7
and again,
Titus 1:5-9
b. DEACONS
1 Timothy 3:8-12
4. WOMEN
As one reads from the above scripture one could come away
with the impression that these instructions are only
applicable to men. Hence, one is left with the following,
QUESTION: Is the position of leadership within the church
a role for only men?
Well, in order to answer this question, let us first consider
the following,
a. PHILIP HAD FOUR DAUGHTERS WHO PROPHESIED
We find this given to us when Paul was being warned of
what would happen to him if he returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:8-9
And depending upon the translation that you have,
b. PHOEBE WAS CONSIDERED A SERVANT (DEACONESS)
Romans 16:1
However, we do find that the Bible is very clear about
the fact that women are not to teach or have authority
over a man. In order to see this, let us read from,
1 Timothy 2:12-14
QUESTION: Since the church elder/leader is an appointed
position by our Lord Jesus Christ, does this mean that
as church members we are to obey all that they say or
ask us to do?
Well, in order to answer this, let us first remember:
i. Judas was an apostle.
ii. Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders,
Acts 20:25-31
Hence we find that we are to,
IV. TEST ALL THINGS
To see this, let us consider the instruction given to us in,
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Notice vs 21(a) Test all things
(b) Hold fast to what is good.
22 Abstain from evil.
QUESTION: How does one test the words of an elder? How does one test
spiritual matters?
Even though we have covered some of these tests for spiritual
matters in part B, they are so important that it is worth while for
us to review some of them again...OK?
In order to begin our exploration of these tests it is important for
us to remember that it is Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit who is
to be speaking and working through the leadership. Hence the
following tests,
A. IS THE DIRECTION CONSISTENT WITH WHAT JESUS WOULD DO?
Remember,
1. JESUS IS THE TRUTH AND DOES "NOT" CHANGE
Hebrews 13:8
also,
2. PAUL ADMONISHES US TO BEHAVE AS JESUS DID
To see this, let us read,
1 Corinthians 11:1
and let us also consider,
Philippians 2:5-8
and,
B. DOES THE LEADER BEAR THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
We find this instruction given to us when Jesus warned us
about false prophets and teachers. To see this, let us read,
Matthew 7:15-23
QUESTION: What should we do if we find that the teaching or direction
or behavior is not in harmony with the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,
what are we to do?
V. ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
Well, there are two possible courses of action.
A. SHARE WITH THE ELDER/LEADER THE CONCERN
We must remember that the whole purpose of us in gathering
together is to build each other up. By way of review, let us
read,
Ephesians 4:11-16
Hence, we are to bring the matter up to the elder that is felt
to be in error. Note this is to be accomplished in harmony with
Jesus' instruction in,
Matthew 18:15-20
However, if the problem is blatant and is infused throughout the
membership or if we are not able to go before the person; then,
B. DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH EVIL DOERS
1. THOSE NOT BEARING FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To see this, let us read part of the Holy Spirit's instruction
relative to incest that was occurring within the church in
Corinth.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11
and again,
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
2. THOSE BRINGING FALSE TEACHING/DOCTRINES
As it turns out, we find that when it comes to false
teachings our Lord Jesus Christ has some very strong things
to say,
a. THEY ARE ACCURSED
Galatians 1:6-9
b. THEY ARE TO BE AVOIDED
2 John 7-11
However, if we find that the direction and behavior of the
leader is consistent with the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,
then obviously we are to obey. To see this, let us read,
Hebrews 13:17
QUESTION: So what is the point? What is the message of it all?
VI. THE MESSAGE
Even though God has ordained elders or shepherds to guide and give
direction for His church and church membership, it is the Lord Jesus
Christ who is our Lord and Saviour and it is in Him and His Word we
must abide. As a reminder of this fact, let us read the parable of
the vine,
John 15:1-11
Let's end this study in prayer...
Hebrews 13:20-21May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
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