Chapter 9: Who Leads?
Notes
Transcript
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.
INTRO—
INTRO—
[Chapter Author: Jonathan Leeman]
My Testimony in surrendering to a call to vocational ministry…
[P. 125] “Everyone knows what a pastor is, right?”
1 Timothy 3:1 “This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.””
1 Timothy 3:2–7 “An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.”
Sooo, as we turn to a chapter like we have before us, I am often hesitant (for various reasons…).
What I want to do—this week and next, under the title of “Who Leads?” (Chapter 9)—is talk about our responsibilities. This week: To the Pastors. Next week: To the People.
TO THE PASTORS: Equip the Saints
TO THE PASTORS: Equip the Saints
Ephesians 4:11–12 “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,”
[[Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”]]
EQUIP BY TEACHING
2 Timothy 1:13 “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” [KNOW WHAT’S IMPORTANT…especially to teach]
2 Timothy 2:2 “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” [KNOW WHOM YOU SHOULD PRIMARILY TARGET]
2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.” [KNOW IT TAKES PERSEVERANCE]
2 Timothy 2:24–25 “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.” [KNOW IT TAKES MORE THAN YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN…&…IT’S DIFFERENT THAN MANY EXPECT]
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” [KNOW YOU NEED TO BE ALWAYS READY, etc.]
EQUIP BY EXAMPLE
1 Peter 5:1–3 “I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
KNOW YOU NEED TO DO AS MUCH—if not more than—AS YOU SAY.
KNOW IT’S MORE THAN YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN.
1 Corinthians 4:16–17 “Therefore I urge you to imitate me. This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”
KNOW THIS IS A PRACTICAL, REACHABLE EXAMPLE FOR EVERYONE.
…AND is why [P. 130 “Folks may wonder why Paul doesn’t require, well, something more extraordinary of elders…should be something that others can copy”]
CONCL—
CONCL—
This is what I want (desire, strive) to do. Imperfectly, to be sure, but what I live to be and do.
INVITATION:
Salvation
Pray for your pastoral leadership
Prepare for the Lord’s Supper
THE LORD’S SUPPER
THE BREAD
1 Corinthians 11:23–24 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””
THE CUP
1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””
THE REMINDER
1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.