The Offices of the Church Part 2

Intro:

Last week we talked about the important church office of deacons. It was great that there was a lot of discussion around the topic afterwards, as it is hard to jam everything into one sermon.

This week we move on to the other office - Pastor/Elder. The need for Pastors is massive! Australia suffers from a lack of quality men for this role; so it is an important topic to study.

Theme: Pastors care for God’s flock as they lead the church by example and through solid teaching.

Responsibilities

A. Care for the flock of God.

1 Peter 5:2 NKJV

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

This includes spiritual leadership.

1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

This is the main thing a Pastor does! He is not mostly a preacher, or someone to visit the congregations, or pray at special memorial events and officiate at funerals.

This includes organisational leadership

Acts 15:22 NKJV

Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

The reason the pastor should have this role is because he cares so much about the previous thing mentioned. While he does not have to do it all, or know all the details, a pastor should be the man in charge.

B. Pastors/Elders are expected to teach and preach.

Titus 1:9 NKJV

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

1 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

This is another primary focus of their ministry. They should be devoted to it! Point A was care for the flock and this is the first part of “how” they do that. While not all pastors preach, each should be able to preach.

C. Pastors/Elders are responsible to confront wrong teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Titus 1:9 NKJV

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 1:13 NKJV

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Wrong teaching seems more prevalent than correct teaching. A good pastor knows the difference and can help the flock avoid an unhealthy diet! Even this last Wednesday I brought out how people who hold a theological preference twist the Scripture to try to make it say something they want it to say. Most bad doctrine comes from taking small bits of Scripture and putting it with preferred beliefs.

D. Pastors/Elders are responsible to pray for the flock

James 5:14–16 NKJV

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth Responsibilities

By God’s design, elders play a central role in the health and function of the church.

Qualifications

A. Pastors/Elders must not be a new Christian

1 Timothy 3:6 ESV

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The fear is that new pastors easily get arrogant and conceited.

Note: We are not commanded to keep them humble, but instead keep people from doing themselves and others harm by not putting them forward to soon.

Give men time to learn and grow. See who has potential and who is doing some of the work as a pastor before having the title.

In our case, we had to ask others about our new pastors maturity and abilities.

B. Pastors/Elders must be of sound moral character.

see chart

Above Reproach - un accuse able

Husband - more than polygamy ban

Sober Minded - can be serious about serious things

Self Controlled - can control their passions

Respectable - one who voluntarily places limitations on his own freedom

Hospitable - a friend of, or kind to strangers

Teacher - we have covered

Not a drunkard - Not one who uses any substance to get a buzz or escape.

Not Violent - Used mostly of words that wound

Not Quarrelsome - not contentious

Not Greedy - not constantly looking for more money

Skilled managers - Their children show a lot

Good fathers - His skill in managing his family establishes a precedent regarding his ability to shepherd the church.

Not new convert - covered

Respected - Quality in character

Lover of good - loves and is likely to do good works

Upright - conformity to the rules of God

Holy - unpolluted with wickedness because they are set apart to serve God in a certain way.

Conclusion: Pastors care for God’s flock as they lead the church by example and through solid Bible-based teaching.

This church is blessed to have placed this as a high priority for a long time. We have a couple of Pastors who are committed to living out this office/role in this church.

q1. Do you place the same importance on the Pastoral office as that Scripture does?

q2. Are we committed to changing our lives according to the teaching, and possibly correction, from God’s word through our pastors?

q3. Pastors don’t always get it right. How do we help our pastors when the qualifications list seems like such a high bar.