A Well Built House

INTRODUCTION

We are in our third message of a new series entitled “Family Matters.” We’re taking a break from the book of Revelation so we can study what God’s Word says about how to do church.

I’m assuming you have some degree of interest in the church or you wouldn’t be here this morning.

But the reality is there’s a growing apathy towards the local church. People’s commitment to and involvement with the local church has decreased over the past many months and years.

It’s an unfortunate reality because a Christian without a church is a Christian in trouble.

Church Matters

The local church should really matter to US because the local church really matters to GOD. We saw this last week in Ephesians 3.

The local church is God’s plan A for accomplishing his redemptive purposes in the world.

We have been purchased by Christ’s blood. We been bought with a price and brought into a new covenant and new covenant community.

We are to continue Christ’s Ministry. We are the visible and tangible continuation of Christ’s ministry and presence on the earth.

Finally we are to steward Christ’s authority. , with the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Local church have been invested with the authority of Christ and will therefore be accountable to him for how they stewarded that authority.

Given these truths about why the local church matters we also discovered a core set of things that really matter in the church.

It matters to God that the members of a local church be truly saved. This is why our church is committed to a regenerate church membership and believers baptism.

It matters to God that members of a local church be progressively sanctified. Everyone is welcome to come just as they are. However, membership in a church should entail you not staying AS you are but progressively becoming more and more of who Christ wants you to be.

Finally, it matters to God that members of a local church be submitted to Jesus Christ . Christ’s keys are a stewardship. They’re temporary and we’re accountable.

We also said that Christ doesn’t give us a command without also giving us the means and tools to accomplish his commands. There are four in particular.

The Word: First, Christ has given his Word to the local church. By this I don’t only mean the completed cannon of Scripture as much as I do the Gospel preached by Christ and the rest of the apostles.

The Spirt: Closely related to the Word is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God and the Word of God go hand in hand. They work synergistically in the life of a local church.

Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper act like a fence and a gate. They help us remember Christ’s work on the cross but they also help maintain the purity of the local church.

Offices: Finally we have the offices. We’re going to look at that today. Pastors and Deacons (and healthy church leadership) are given to churches to help provide structure and stability and protection.

Last week I used the analogy of a house.

The Ordinances are the doors,

The Word acts like the frame of a house giving stability and structure.

The Spirit acts like electricity running through a house giving power to everything within.

The Offices act like plumbing underneath the house (in that nobody really notices it until there’s a mess that needs to be cleaned up.)

Read The Text

We’re going to talk more about that last one this morning. Our preaching passage is Ephesians 4:1-11.

If you’ll remember last week I said that the book of Ephesians is a fantastic blueprint for how local churches ought to operate.

Ephesians 4 starts a shift in Paul’s letter from the theology of the Gospel to the practical outworking of that theology on how we live our live and how we structure the local church.

Verses 1-6 review chapters 1-3. In verse 7 Paul begins to speak of Christ’s authority in the church and his gift of the Holy Spirit TO the church.

Ephesians 4:7 says, “Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

That gift he’s talking about is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit empowers us for for the mission of Christ and ministry within the church.

But the Spirit gives different gifts to different people and appoints particular people to particular offices within the Church.

Verse 11 begins to spell out those details.

Ephesians 4:11–16 (CSB)

11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Healthy Church = Healthy Structure

This is one of my favorite passages in all of the New Testament for how the local church is supposed to work.

Jesus Christ is the head of the church. The church is called to grow into Christ. Christ has given pastors to equip the saints and build up the body.

When each part works the way it is supposed to work, the church as a whole grows healthy and strong!

In other words, healthy churches have a healthy structure.

From this text and some supporting passages elsewhere in the New Testament I want to show what I believe to be Christ’s design for the “proper working” of the local church.

Four pillars of healthy church governance.

Christ ruled

Congregationally Affirmed

Pastor Led

Deacon/Member Served

Christ & The Congregation

The first two pillars are Christ and the congregation.

Jesus Christ is the head of every healthy church. We saw this in our text today.

Eph 4:15 “ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.”

By the way, this isn’t the only passage that talks about Christ as the head of the church.

Ephesians 1:22 says that Christ is the head over EVERYTHING FOR THE CHURCH. (not just authority in the Church but authority over all things for the church)

Colossians 2:9-10 says the same thing “For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

To be the “head” of something means to have authority over and responsibility for that which is underneath you.

Christ is in authority OVER the church and has taken responsibility FOR the church.

He told Peter, “I will build my church!” (Matthew 16:18)

It is “CHRIST who washes us with the water of the Word.” (Eph 5:26)

Congregational Authority

Christ is our head. But Christ, as our head, exercises his authority through His body, the Church.

In our constitution and by-laws we say we are “pastor led and congregationally ruled.”

That language isn’t wrong but it is indirect. We’re really ruled by Jesus Christ but our congregation is tasked with affirming whether or not we’re in alignment with our head.

That doesn’t mean pastors don’t LEAD. We obviously do (as we’ll see in a minute.) But the authority of Christ doesn’t rest in a single individual. It rests in the congregation.

I love that quote by John Maxwell, “If you’re leading but nobody else is following then you’re not leading, you’re just taking a walk.” That’s true in the local church as well.

Matthew 16

We touched on this last week in Matthew 16.

You’ll remember Jesus asked his disciples “who do men say that I am.”

Peter responds with a confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ.

Christ responds to Peter with an incredible promise. Matthew 16:18-19

Matthew 16:18–19 (CSB)

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”

This is why we said last week that the Church has been entrusted with the authority of Christ.

Jesus asked, “Who do yall say that I am?”

Peter answered, “We say you’re the Christ.”

Jesus’ response - “I’m going build my church on that confession and she will exercise my authority on the earth.”

Matthew 18

If you turn over to Matthew 18 you see the same language of binding and loosing used in the context of a congregational gathering.

To give you the context there’s a grievance between two Christians. Jesus says it needs to be made right so here’s the game plan.

First go face to face.

If you can’t get reconciliation then take 1-2 people who can bear testimony about the person’s wrongdoing.

Finally, verse 17...

Matthew 18:17–20 (CSB)

17 If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.

Do you see? It is the congregation who is vested with the authority to bind and loose.

Jesus takes it even further in the following two verses. Matthew 18:19-20

Matthew 18:19–20 (CSB)

19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”

Church Discipline

These are not the only examples in the NT of the church being invested with the authority of Christ. We also see this dynamic at work in churches that Paul planted in Thessalonica and Corinth.

The context for those passages seems to be church discipline.

If there is a professing Christian who refuses to LIVE as a Christian and everybody in the church can see it - it’s glaringly obvious and is bring shame upon the name of Christ - the solution is for the church (not pastors, elder) to excommunicate him.

1 Corinthians 5:2 (CSB)

2 And you are arrogant! Shouldn’t you be filled with grief and remove from your congregation the one who did this?

Now the purpose in church discipline is never to be mean and judgmental for the sake of being mean and judgmental. The goal is always restoration. But sometimes LOVE requires you to draw and enforce a boundary.

In the NT, the CONGREGATION is the one tasked with that authority and responsibility.

Membership Matters

By the way - this responsibility is one of the reasons MEMBERSHIP in a local church really matters.

The church cannot carry out this responsibility without some kind of mechanism for determining who is in and who is not.

That’s why you should think of church membership as a responsibility and not a loose affiliation.

It’s not a badge you wear. It’s a responsibility you carry. You are covenanting with other Christians to soberly and wisely carry out the commands of Christ and preserve the integrity of his bride.

Pastors

Now that we’ve established the role of Christ & the Congregation, let’s close with the final two pillars of a healthy church governance.

Christ rules.

Congregation affirms.

Pastors Lead.

Deacons Serve.

If we go back to our text in Ephesians 4 you see that Christ has gifted the church with these various offices: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

Unsurprisingly there are debates as to whether these are spiritual gifts or if they’re offices within the local church. Probably a bit of both.

There are also debates as to whether the office of apostles and prophets have ceased to function now that the foundation of the church has already been laid.

I’m going to leave that debate for another day. I tend to think of that the office of apostle or prophet has probably ceased but the gifts accompanying that office still operate today.

But today I want us to focus on that last office of pastor/teacher.

Ephesians 4:11–13 (CSB)

11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

Pastors Lead & Oversee

Pastors/Elders are called to shepherd the church through teaching and oversight so they properly functions according to God’s design.

Let me show you this dynamic in the NT. There are three books called the “Pastoral Epistles” that lay out God’s design for this office: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

In Titus 1 Paul tells a young pastor Titus why he was left in Crete.

Titus 1:5 (CSB)

5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.

Did you notice that phrase, “set right what was left undone.”

What has God given the church so that she might be “rightly ordered” according to God’s design? Elders. (aka Pastors)

Paul says something similar to Timothy - an elder in the church in Ephesus. 1 Timothy 3:15

1 Timothy 3:15 (CSB)

15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

He says this RIGHT AFTER he lays out the qualifications for an elder.

Elder, Pastor, Shepherds

In our church we call these elders pastors. That’s not because we’re allergic to the word elder. It’s a biblical word. In other churches they use the word elder.

Why do we call our elders, pastors? Because the Bible seems to use the words “elder,” “bishop/overseer” and “pastor” interchangeably.

The best example in Acts 20.

In verse 17 it says that Paul sent to Ephesus and summoned the ELDERS of the church. (Gk presbyteros)

In verse 28 Paul instructs these elders to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers (episkopos), to shepherd (poimainein) the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”

Right there you have ALL THREE words used for the same office.

We see the same thing in 1 Peter 5:1-2

1 Peter 5:1–2 (CSB)

1 I exhort the elders (presbyteros) among you ... Shepherd (poimaino) God’s flock among you, not overseeing (episkopeo) out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you...;

And for good measure there’s also Titus 1:6-7

Titus 1:6–7 (CSB)

6 An elder (presbyteros) must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer (episkopeo) of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money,

Qualifications For Pastors/Elders

As you can see from these passages the primary job of a pastor is to LEAD. That’s what the word “oversee” means. To tend to or take care of. The same idea is present in the word for “pastor.” Sometimes it means rule, sometimes is means care for.

An elder is an overseer is a pastor.

What is God’s design for the office of pastor in a local church? God desires that the pastoral office be filled by a plurality of scripturally qualified men who faithfully lead their congregation.

I say plurality because most often when the word elder is used it’s in the“plural.” (Acts 14:21-23)

This is why in our church I don’t lead in a vacuum. I lead alongside a team of other scripturally qualified men.

Which leads to the next attribute about elders: they must be scripturally qualified men.

Just because you’re a member of the church who is really old doesn’t make you an elder. Just because you’re a man who is really influential doesn’t make you an elder. Elders must be qualified and commissioned by the congregation.

Above Reproach

The qualifications for an elder are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They include the following:

husband of one wife

good leader of his family

good reputation with outsiders

self-controlled, sensible & gentle

respectable & hospitable

not an excessive drinker

not a bully, quarrelsome or hot tempered

not greedy or arrogant (not new Christian)

In all things he must be “above reproach” (blameless).

This does not mean that pastors are sinless or never make mistakes. It just means they live a godly and righteous life. They’re leaders and so they must be able to lead themselves and lead their families well.

Able to Teach

Most of these qualifications are also given to deacons. There’s one noticeable and important exception, however. And that is the ability to teach.

Both 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:9 make clear that qualified pastors have the gift of teaching. They’re able to teach.

Not only are they GIFTED they are also RESPONSIBLE for teaching the truth and correcting error. This is why they’re put in a position of leadership.

Christ exercises his authority through his Word and Christ administers his Word through the pastor of a local church.

The office of pastor is uniquely vested with the responsibility of teaching and preaching.

The idea of teaching goes beyond the mere “sharing of information about the Bible.” (There are a host of small group leaders who do that every week and they’re not pastors). The idea of teaching in these contexts carries with it a sense of authority.

As teachers they are like doctrinal watchdogs to ensure the church isn’t drifting into error or being led astray by false prophets and the life.

Every Christian in tasked with speaking the word of God to other believers. But the teaching and preaching of an elder/pastor carries a level of authority that is greater than that of a regular church member.

Able to Lead

This is why pastors must also be able to lead. With authority comes responsibility. Authority to teach = a responsibility to lead.

There are different levels of leadership in the local church but those who serve in the office of pastor sit at the top of that leadership hierarchy.

It’s the nature of institutions to need leadership. By God’s design, pastors serve that function in the church.

This is part of the reason I believe God reserves the pastoral office for scripturally qualified MEN.

In 1 Timothy 2:12 Paul forbids a woman from teaching or having authority over a man.

This isn’t to say women can’t be gifted teachers. It’s not to say they can’t have any leadership positions in the local church.

We see women doing both of those things in the NT. (Acts 18:26; Rom 16:1-2)

It’s just to say that God has a particular design. When it comes to the hierarchy of a home or a local church, God has chosen to put men in a position of headship. They are the ones who carry the ultimate authority and responsibility.

This isn’t because men are better than women or more gifted than women. It’s just because that’s what God decided to do. It’s part of his creation order. (1 Timothy 2:13)

Putting It Together

So when it comes to leadership in the local church, God will is that His churches be led by a plurality of scripturally-qualified men who are held responsible for that particular flock.

As leaders, these men are accountable to God for every soul placed under their care. As Hebrews 13:17 says...

Hebrews 13:17 (CSB)

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

They must be men of character (above reproach) and competency (able to teach) if they are going to lead well in God’s church.

They are to exercise oversight in the church through teaching and shepherding, equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and building up the body of Christ.

They model for the congregation what godliness looks like and multiply their leadership into other men who will pass on the same. (2 Timothy 2:2)

In addition to trusting your pastors and submitting to their leadership the Scripture also encourages love and respect for their work in the church. 1 Thess 5:12-13

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (CSB)

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Deacon/Member Served

The last pillar of a healthy church structure relates to ministry of those who serve in the church. The Greek word is “deacon.”

Deacons are a great gift to the local church. They’ve been given by God to SERVE the church by helping the pastors with shepherding responsibilities, member-care and maintaining unity in the local church.

There are many people who “deacon” in the church but don’t have the title of deacon.

That’s always been the case because every member has a ministry. But God has also established the “office” of deacon in the local church.

Deacons come alongside the pastors to help shepherd the church.

In Acts 6 we see the first deacon election and the men are promoted to the office of deacon so they can help the pastors with “member care” in the life of the local church so that the apostles could devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer.

The fourth pillar says “member/deacon” served because the deacons who serve as deacons come from AMONG the established membership of the local congregation.

Acts 6:2–4 (CSB)

2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

In this passage the only deacons promoted to the office are men who meet these scriptural qualifications.

Female Deacons

In Romans 16:1-2 however we see the title of deacon applied to a woman as well. (Phoebe) The deacon qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:11 apply to “wives also.” Many interpret that word as “women also” instead (a legit interpretive also).

1 Timothy 3:11 (CSB)

11 Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything.

So is there anything to keep women from serving as deacons in a local church? In this particular local church it would certainly break tradition.

But I can promise you there are MANY people just like Phoebe in this local church and they help me as the pastor to devote myself to the ministry of prayer and the word.

ALL of us are called to serve in the local church. Even pastors serve through their ministry of the Word. But certain individuals are promoted to an office of leadership because their character and service in the church is above the average.

Conclusion

So as we bring this morning to a close I want to make a point of application around each of these four things.

For all us us, may we commit to the life of this local church with the same love and zeal we commit to the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s the head of this Church and our main ambition is to submit to his Lordship.

As a congregation, I want to challenge you to rethink your involvment with Broadview as an organization. This isn’t my church. This isn’t your church. This church belongs to Jesus but he’s choses US to demonstrate his will.

You’ll have an opportunity today to AFFIRM God’s will in recommending new deacons for our church to ordain and commission.

The same is true for our pastoral team. Having seen what the Bible teaches about these things let me encourage you to recommend people who might be qualified and interested to serve in either of these roles.

Jesus Christ love this church. He has equipped us for everything he has called us to do