Pastoral Leadership, Part 2

In the age that we live in, 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians are some of the more difficult books of the bible to go through. This is because they are counter cultural. But we must ask ourselves, are we going to adhere to what the bible says, to what God teaches us. Or are we going to do what we want to do? Is your life about pleasing yourself, or pleasing God?

We have now begun to take a look at how God has instituted and set up church government. Sometimes we can begin to ask, why? We seem to be doing just fine, why try to change things?

The brown family didn’t make it to the beach very often so it was always a tremendous treat for the family any time they were able to make it to the white sand beaches and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The only problem with with this beach in particular was the waters were known to house many bull sharks. One of the most fierce predatory sharks in the world. Luckily, there was a shark net, designed to keep the beach goers same from these apex predators. The brown family knew that as long as they stayed on the beach side of the fence, they were safe.

Little Johnny had just gotten a new paddle board and was anxious to try it on gulf, after all, there were more waves here than on the pond at home.

As he slid away from shore he heard his father remind him “Don’t go past the net Johnny.”

“I know, replied the 10 year old.”

As Johnny paddled out he was amazed at how much he could see from his vantage point on the board. Red, yellow, and blue fish swam around the sea floor.

“Not to close to the net” came the voice of his mother.

“I know mom,” replied the adventurous young boy.

Johnny laid down on his board, mesmerized by the life on the sea floor. He saw some rays, an eel, and some strange looking fish he hadn’t seen before. He wasn’t sure how long he had laid there. Suddenly he heard his mothers voice frantic!

“Johnny! Get back across the net!”

He looked up to see that the net was now 20 yards behind him. He had drifted across without realizing it.

As he stood up on his board, he noticed that the sea life that was once below him had seemed to disappear. Then to his horror, he understood why. Directly below him was a large shadow circling, and it was drawing closer with each pass.

Why is it important to examine scripture and then get ourselves aligned with it?

The farther we drift from biblical orthodoxy, the more dangers we begin to encounter.

God’s laws and directions are a shark net, to use an analogy.

There is freedom to explore in the safety within the net, but danger if we venture outside.

When we institute government the way we want, rather than how God wants, we are beginning to cross the shark net.

If we don’t course correct, we can begin to drift farther out to sea.

This is why it is important to study things like church government.

To know what the boundaries are.

We look at this culture, and we know that it needs reform.

To have a morally correct culture, it needs people who know God, and therefore know what the boundaries are to change that culture.

But before we can reform the culture, we must reform the church.

We must be living correctly, and following the commands of God before we can expect others to follow Him.

1 Timothy 3:1

We have learned that overseer, is synonym with the term elder, shepherd and pastor.

We have leaned that there are to be multiple overseer’s in a church.

We have leaned that an overseer is called to love the flock of God, but they are called to rule.

We have leaned that overseer’s are called to rule by leading the flock and feeding the flock.

Which brings us to today.

What do the elders do? (continued)

Protect the Flock

Remember why Paul is writing this letter to Timothy. There are false teachers. An elder must be able to protect the flock from people who will seek to destroy them.

Acts 20:28-31

Some are going to arise, from within the church and try to steal the flock of God away.

Elders job is to be a biblical sheep dog.

Jesus obtained the flock with His own blood.

And elder should protect them the same way.

Be on alert (v.31)

Elders must be aware of issues in the church, and in society.

If their are issues within the church that are troubling people, the elders must take care of it.

If there are situations within society that are threatening to lead people astray. The elders must be able to handle it.

This is also why multiple elders is good and not just one pastor.

They can have multiple people weighing in on the situation so they can proceed forward with wisdom.

They are like a wall, as a united front to protect the people.

Elders must be courageous

King David spoke about tending his fathers flock. When a bear came, when the lion came. He killed them to save the flock.

That took courage.

To confront internal strife, stand up to false teachers who peddle heretical garbage takes courage.

An elder must care about the concerns of the people, but cannot let the concerns of people, trump the commandments of God.

There’s times when I hear people ask, “what will people think?”

That’s the wrong question, the right question is “what does God think?”

When you stand against the cultural norms of modernity, you will often find yourself in opposition with people who are being conformed to the image of the world.

If an elder is cowardly, and is more concerned about what people think, they will be steered by society, and not by God.

John 10:12

John 10:12 ESV

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

The church leaders are to follow in the footsteps of the good shepherd, not to be a hireling that flees when trouble comes.

A good elder will die before he allows a world to devour the flock.

Church government, must defend the people, and be courageous.

In the Home

Men, before you can be an elder, you must be doing this in your own home.

You are the gatekeeper.

What movies are being watched, what books are being read, what music is being listened to?

Who are the people you let speak into the lives of your kids?

Who are the people that speak into the life of your wife?

You will be held accountable for the direction of your home.

Sometimes we believe that we will keep the peace if we bite our tongues.

God will not bless you with peace, if you don’t honor Him with the way you order your household.

Kid’s, your father is trying to lead the family. Listen to him.

Obey your parents in the Lord, that you might live a long life.

Wives, listen to your husbands. He’s trying to do what God calls him to do.

If you don’t agree, it’s okay to ask him about it.

Why don’t you think that movie or book is a good one?

Why do you believe Margie is a bad influence?

But in the end, when God calls you to be submissive, it means you listen to the direction

To Women

Still speaking about protecting the flock.

Women are not called to be elders, but looking out for one another is something everyone is called to do.

2 Timothy 3:6

2 Timothy 3:6 ESV

For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

Here the bible is speaking of false teachers who will be leading, as it says, “weak women” astray.

Why’s that?

For one, if there is someone who is desiring to spread false doctrine, they aren’t going to come to me with it.

They probably aren’t going to approach elders in the church.

Since men are more intimidating, and women are more approachable, they will most likely approach women with false doctrine.

Weak women are those who are not biblically sound, and who’s thoughts and opinions are easily swayed.

All the more reason for women to know their bibles well and to be able to refute false doctrine.

Ladies you protect the flock when you hear something strange going on, and make it known to church leadership.

You don’t have to confront people about things going on, that is a difficult task and one that God has given to men.

But if you hear of things that need to be addressed, don’t let it go unchecked.

Caring for Practical Needs

Ezekiel 34:1-4

The call of God is very direct. They were not caring for the flock of God as they should. Instead they were feeding themselves and not caring for the people.

The point being that God desires His shepherds to care for the physical needs of His flock.

An elder must love the sheep!

Love is an action, it implies doing something for them.

“All the care, all the work, all the alert watchfulness, all the skill, all the concern, all the self-sacrifice are born of his love, the love of one who loves his sheep, loves his work loves his role as a shepherd.” Phillip Keller

James 5:14

James 5:14 ESV

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.

call for the elders when your sick.

The elders are to be concerned with the issues of the people in the church.

Visiting the sick, comforting the bereaved, strengthening the weak (counseling).

An elder must love the sheep, and love being with them.

The elders depend on the gifts and skills of one another in order to take on this role.

They also raise up and train deacons to help attend to this matter as well.

As the Church

The elders must be leading in this regard, but we should be doing this for one another as well.

Look out for your neighbors, for those who might need help.

We bring meals to one another for a reason, to show our love for one another.

At Christmas you all join together to bring gifts to those who are in need. PRAISE GOD FOR THE CHURCH!

Let us continue to look for ways to help each other.

Galatians 6:9-10

Paul urges the believers in Galatia to bear one another’s burden’s. To help one another when we are in need.

Do not grow weary in it.

How do you not grow weary?

By keeping your focus on Christ.

By not doing it alone.

First who we take care of is the household of faith.

The other sheep in the fold.

Employers, look for other Christians to hire.

When your looking for a job, find a fellow believer. Then bless them with working diligently for them.

Whatever service you need (appliance, carpenter, plumber, accountant), look first to the household of faith.

We all should be helping one another, but the elders must be examples to the flock in doing this.

Conclusion

It is good for the whole church, to strive to meet the standards that God has set forward for leadership.

We need to look at our church government. What needs to change to fit how God calls us to govern our church, and how should we be governed.

Whenever we look at potential leaders, are they the type of people who God would have to lead His church.