The Young and the Restless: A Challenge to Rookie Shepherds and Reluctant Sheep

Welcome & Announcements (Hopson)

Good morning family! Please take your seats.

6 announcements:

1) Connect Card

Thank guests for attending

Explain what the Connect Card is, where to find it, and where to return it

2) NextGen Vision lunch

Parents, teachers, and NextGen volunteers join us immediately following the service for a NextGen Vision Luncheon.

This will be a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about how we plan to disciple your kids from lost to leader, and to engage with other parents

3) Sabbatical

Lord willing, begins today after the lunch

Will be back at PBC on Feb 26 and back in the pulpit on March 5

4) Fellowship Groups

Most of our groups will be launching soon

Members, an elder should be reaching out to you soon with information

Not a member but interested in a group? Please talk to an elder or contact the church office.

5) Sunday Nights

Meeting once a month

Next PM gathering will be Feb 26

6) Women’s Speed Bonding event

Exciting, creative event designed to help older ladies to connect with younger ladies

Please save the date for March 11 at 10AM

Now please take a moment of silence to prepare your heart for worship.

Call to Worship (Psalm 23)

Prayer of Praise (Nancy Akers)

God of Wonders

O God Our Help in Ages Past

Prayer of Confession (Craig Figgers), Pride

O for a Thousand Tongues

We Fall Down

Scripture Reading (1 Timothy 4:11-16)

You can find it on page 1179 in the black Bibles

1 Timothy 4:11-16—Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

Pastoral Prayer (Hopson)

Prayer for PBC—Elders

Prayer for supported ministry—Operation Christmas Child

Prayer for US—President's cabinet

Wisdom, discernment, integrity, courage

Prayer for the world—Jamaica

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

Against violence, drugs, rape, domestic abuse

Pray for genuine conversion for nominal Christians

Pray for effective cooperation among the many Christian organizations already established in country.

Local churches—passion for evangelism, holiness, and spiritual maturity

Missionaries--safety, fruitfulness, perseverance

Send laborers into the harvest

Pray for the sermon

SERMON

START TIMER!!!

Sometimes you need to learn how to quit when you’re ahead.

Like the sports gambler who wasn’t content with over a million dollars, so he decided to get just a little bit more.

Just over a week ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars trailed the Los Angeles Charges 27-0 in the first half. Jaguars QB Trever Lawrence had already thrown four interceptions, and it looked like the Jags were well on their way to a crushing defeat.

At that moment the unnamed gambler who didn’t know when to quit placed a bet online. He waged $1.4 million that the Chargers would hold on to win the game. If his bet proved correct, this gambler would make an extra $11,200.

Instead of getting just a little bit more, the gambler watched in horror as the Jaguars stormed back to a 31-30 victory on a last-second field goal. Instead of walking away with $1,411,200 that gambler walked away with nothing.

He should have quit when he was ahead.

By now most of you have heard the news that our three elder nominees (Sam, Jason, and Sterling) were overwhelmingly affirmed by the congregation during our Members’ Meeting last Sunday night.

One of the concerns leading up to the vote was the relative youth of the elder nominees

It’s clear that, even if some had concerns, the congregation as a whole did not see their youth as a reason to not affirm them as elders

Some of you might say to me, “Hopson, you need to learn how to quit when you’re ahead!”

But I still think it’s fitting today (as we officially install those men to this office by laying hands on them) that we hear from God’s Word on how rookie elders should relate to reluctant sheep

Turn to 1 Timothy 4:11

Written by Paul from prison in the early AD 60s

Written to Timothy, who was a young pastor in Ephesus

Purpose of the letter:

1 Timothy 3:14-15—“… I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

This is a letter about how to behave in church!

Near the top of his concerns about how a church should behave is how shepherds and sheep relate to each other.

Big Idea: One sign of a church’s health is how members and elders relate to each other.

This truth has unique and specific applications for both members and elders

So I’m going to speak both to our members and to our elders (with special application to our newest elders)

Two challenges:

1) A Challenge to Reluctant SHEEP

“I’m not reluctant at all! I am excited and eager to follow the men that God has given us as elders!”

Praise God! What the Scripture says still applies to you.

Perhaps God would use you to help encourage those who might be more reluctant

Some of you are reluctant...

Maybe it has something to do with their age… or lack of experience… or your reluctance towards authority in general… or some painful experience with church authority in your past

If you are reluctant for these or some other reason, I want to encourage you that some level of reluctance is okay.

The Bible takes Spiritual authority very seriously… so should we!

Spiritual authority is sometimes abused, with serious negative impact!

Perhaps you’ve heard examples of church leaders behaving badly like Mark Driscoll, Bill Hybels, James MacDonald, Johnny Hunt, etc.

Perhaps you’ve seen it played out in your own life

This isn’t a recent problem...

3 John 9-10—I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Diotrophes was a self-serving leader who used his authority to wrongly excommunicate people he disagreed with!

It’s no wonder some of us may be reluctant to fully trust and follow our elders, whether they’re young or not!!!

And yet, even though some leaders abuse or misuse their authority, God’s Word doesn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Two Requirements for Reluctant Sheep:

A) Don’t despise their youth

4:12—Let no one despise you for your youth...

If the Spirit commands Timothy not to let anyone despise his youth, than the Spirit also commands the members of his church not to despise Timothy’s youth.

The Scriptures don’t tell us how young Timothy is, but he’s probably in his thirties or older

The point is not his age, but the temptation to disregard an elder because of some arbitrary standard.

These instructions could apply to anyone older than any of our elders!

You can despise an elder’s youth as a sin of commission:

“How can you possibly teach me anything on ____ subject?”

“Son, I was a member of this church before you were born. What do you know?”

You can despise an elder’s youth as a sin of omission:

I’m not going to him with my concerns! There’s no way he knows enough to help me!

ENCOURAGE: most of you have received my leadership with joy and thanksgiving, even though I am younger than many of you!

STRUGGLING? Do you trust that Jesus, your chief Shepherd, knows how to appoint under-shepherds to take care of you until He returns?

This doesn’t mean we give our elders a free pass to do or say whatever they want. We test them by the Scriptures!

Dear PBC sheep: whether you’re reluctant or not, don’t despise the youth of your leaders.

B) Do follow their lead

4:12—Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

If the Spirit commands Timothy to set an example for his church members, than the Spirit also commands the members of his church to follow his example!

What’s implied here is explicitly stated elsewhere...

Hebrews 13:7—Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

This is why we must be so careful to only install as elders those men whose lives meet the qualifications given to us in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1

Not a member? We’re glad you’re here! But how are you going to obey Hebrews 13:17 if you’re not connected to a church?

Every Christian should be a member of a church, or moving towards membership in a church

Members: If you’re going to follow the lead of your shepherds, you need to spend time with them!

The value of Fellowship Groups

Following their lead doesn’t mean these men are perfect!

4:15—Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

The implication is that Timothy has some growing to do (as does every pastor, both young and old)

So how do I know what parts I should imitate and what parts I shouldn’t?

Hold them to the standard in God’s Word!

1 Corinthians 11:1—Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

We put it this way in our church covenant...

PBC Covenant—We commit to pray for our leaders, submit to them as they submit to Christ, and hold them accountable as they lead us in obedience to Christ.

What do I do if/when a leader isn’t following Christ?

1 Timothy 5:19—Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Leaders are often criticized. Don’t receive a formal charge against an elder on every minor criticism.

1 Timothy 5:20—As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

But when an elder is caught in sin it must be dealt with. Sometimes publicly!

Especially true when the elder is persisting in his sin!

In the same letter where Paul tells members how to deal with sinning elders, he encourages members to follow their elders. How do we know which one to do?

THE SCRIPTURES!

One sign of a church’s health is how members and elders relate to each other.

Members relate rightly to elders when they don’t despise their youth or inexperience and when they faithfully follow their lead.

2) A Challenge to Rookie SHEPHERDS

Special applications to our newest elders, but Paul’s words apply to every elder...

Four Requirements for Shepherds:

A) Teach

4:11, 13—Command and teach these things.

These things = what Paul has already said.

So where is your authority? The Scriptures!

Elders: you have the same authority as a babysitter.

It’s not ultimate or unquestioned authority. It’s delegated authority for a specific period of time.

How do you exercise this authority?

4:13—Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Public reading of Scripture

One reason why we tweaked our worship services to have our elders read the Scriptures

Elders: your Scripture reading is not an insignificant thing. You stand before God’s people and you declare to them God’s Word! That matters!

Exhortation

Challenges people to apply the truths they have been taught

This can happen on a large scale when you preach or pray; on a medium scale in your Fellowship Group; on a small scale when you meet with individual members

Teaching

Refers to the entire teaching ministry of the church

Elders: so encouraged by how many of our elders are involved in regular teaching...

Mike L, Bubba & Sterling—all help teach in adult SS

Mike K & Jason—kids’ SS

Sam—students SS

Elders: your natural response should be, “Who me? How can I teach?”

In C.S. Lewis’ book Prince Caspian, the young prince Caspian meets Aslan, who represents Christ. "Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?" "I — I don't think I do, Sir," said Caspian. "I'm only a kid." "Good," said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not. [1]

B) Model

4:12—Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Elders, if/when members begin to despise your youth, don't respond by pulling the elder card

That sort of response is rooted in pride and lacks the gentleness of a shepherd

1 Timothy 5:1—Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers

Philip Ryken—“How can a young minister gain the respect of [those older than him]? Not by demanding [respect], or by throwing his weight around, but only by setting a godly example. The way to stop people from looking down on you is to make sure they look up to you, and the way to do that is to lead by example.” [2]

Where do you need to set an example?

In how you talk

"speech”

Remember everything we talked about last Sunday regarding our speech? Elders, you should set an example in godly speech!

Be an example of when to speak up and when not to speak up

Be an example of speaking the truth in love

In how you act

“conduct”

Spend time with sheep so they see your conduct!

Let them see how you react to your wife, your kids, your neighbors

Let them hear you say you’re sorry when you get it wrong!

In how you love

“love”

Set an example on how to treat women

How to care for the sick or elderly

How to pursue the wandering

How to welcome the guest

How to respond to critics

In what you believe

“faith”

Your theology should be exemplary!

Read, read, read!!!

Be prepared to carefully and faithfully explain what God’s Word teaches on crucial issues!!!

In your purity

“in purity”

Be above reproach in all your dealings with the opposite sex

But don’t hold women at arm’s length either!

Be approachable, yet above reproach!

C) Grow

4:14-15—Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

Elders, don't neglect the gift you're receiving today. The Spirit has made you an overseer. The other elders have recognized you as such, and the church has affirmed you. Take that gift seriously as something that must be cultivated.

Practice and grow!

Mike K recently said to the new elders: “we’re going to be with you guys to weather the storms!”

D) Guard

4:16—Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Paul tells Timothy to guard to things: his life and his doctrine

The order is important: you cannot successfully defend the Christian faith until you faithfully live the Christian life!

Pastors: guard your life!

Pastors: guard your doctrine!

What does Paul mean by “you will save both yourself and your hearers”?

Paul is certainly not saying that pastors can save anybody in the way Jesus saves

Ephesians 2:8-9—For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!

Unbeliever: you can be saved today if you turn from your sins and trust in Jesus!

The word “save” also means to “preserve”

Kind of like when you say “I’m saving that for later”

In this context, Paul is saying both the shepherd and his sheep are preserved through the faithfulness of the shepherd!

One sign of a church’s health is how members and elders relate to each other.

Elders relate rightly to members when they faithfully teach, lovingly model, consistently grow, and passionately guard their own lives and their doctrine.

Sheep and shepherds, follow Jesus!

Jesus was the lamb of God, who died for the sins of the world

He gladly submitted to His Father’s will, even if it meant death on a cross

PBC Members: our elders will not ask you to follow us to death. But we will ask you to follow us as we follow Jesus.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep!

PBC Elders: the life of a pastor is a life of a thousand deaths. Die to your will, your desires, your comfort so you can serve the sheep!

Prayer of Thanksgiving

LAYING ON OF HANDS

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross

Benediction (1 Peter 5:2-4)

“shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”