BAC Sermons
God's Plan for Leadership |
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1999-05-01 | Titus 1:5 |
Elders are: 5 I you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that arelacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I commanded you. 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 Since an overseer/bishop is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing/self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent/striker, not pursuing dishonest gain.8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober/sound-minded, just, holy, temperate/self-controlled; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince/convict the contradictors (See “Marks of Godliness” and 1 Tim 3) Ac 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers/bishops. Be shepherds/pastors of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Embodiments of Sound Doctrine who: Edify, Encourage, Exhort, Evaluate, Expose, and Eject ... according to Sound Doctrine Leaders who Labor and Love 1 Thess 5:12 we request you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have rule/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 one another 17 The elders who rule/direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching 19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 17 Obey (be persuaded about) your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. - Leaders - Laborers in preaching and teaching - Lovers (desiring another's best at the expense of oneself) Deciders, Directors and Delegators of the affairs of the Church Ac 11:30 sending their gift to the elders Ac 15:6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question...28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not 16:4 they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey Entrusted with Responsibility by God Ac 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church (Ac 20:28) Rulers exercising the authority of Christ 1Cor 16:15 household of Stephanas were the first converts, they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, 16 to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. 2Cor 10:8 boast about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 13:10 I write...when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up Shepherds who watch souls (Heb 13:17) 1Pt 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed 2 Be shepherds /pastors of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers/bishops--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to the elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1Tim 3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant/watchful, sound-minded, orderly/of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not contentious/a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all reverence; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony/report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be reverent, not slanderers, soujnd-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. |