Conduct Towards Elders

We find ourselves once again within the topic of Elders. Last time we were examining what is qualified leadership. What does that look like. Now we are finding ourselves answering a new question.

If we have elders, how should we be treating them?

This isn’t about the conduct of the elders, but the conduct of the congregation to the elders.

Rule Well

Rule well....by what standard?

That is by the standard of God. The elders are not leading according to the fickleness of the people, but elders that are faithful to the call that God has given them.

The elders who are seeking God’s glory, and not their own.

The elders that go to scripture to answer the question, “What does the bible say, how should that effect our lives, how does that effect our worship?”

Leaders that aren’t given to following the tradition of men alone.

Elders who don’t waver on the gospel, and all that the gospel encapsulates.

On the flip side, how should we deal with treacherous elders, who are unfaithful to the call of God.

The elders who have sought their own glory.

The elders who are shepherds who have devoured the sheep.

The elders that have failed morally.

The elders who have feared the people, and failed to lead the way that God has commanded.

Double Honor

The double honor is giving someone:

First- The respect and submission that their position commands.

Yes, that means as a church coming under the direction and leadership of the Pastor, and the church board.

This is knowing and recognizing that God has put that leadership over you to watch over your souls (Hebrews 13:17).

As a Pastor employed by Village Missions means that I respectfully come under their authority.

Due to certain doctrinal differences that I do not believe I can abide by, I need to respectfully step down from Village Missions being respectful of their authority, and honoring the work that they are still doing.

Understanding that they are leading well, doing the best they can within their scope which is in non-denominational evangelical churches.

You, as members here in Canyon Community Church have also agreed to come under the wisdom and the leadership of the Church board, to guide the direction of the church the best that we know how.

This is believing that the church leadership:

Is seeking God’s direction in all things.

Is adhering to scripture.

Truly loves you.

This is an extension of the fifth commandment:

Exodus 20:12 ““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

In the fifth commandment what is instituted is honoring your parents, but the reformers have also seen it as an institution of greater and lesser magistrates.

Just as God has given you parents, God has also given you people in authority over you, as parents so to speak. God has placed them in authority that you might come under them.

This is true in the form of Presidents, governors, mayors, police officers, employers and church leadership.

This is how the fifth commandment flows down to elders. They are the leaders of the church and thus must be honored and followed.

The idea of submission, coming under the authority and leadership of someone, is something repugnant to the sinful human mind.

For in mankind's sinful state, man desires, like Eve, to be like God. That is to be equal with God, not having any greater authority than himself.

Some Christians even after coming under the Lordship of Jesus, still hold to that idol of choice rather that acquiescing to the sovereign plan of God through election.

By holding tightly to our free will, we are trying to maintain autonomy from the authority of God.

For these reasons, mankind kick’s against the goads of leadership all the time.

If we have a hard time submitting to the authority of God, why would we want the authority of man?

This is why women bristle when you say, wives submit to your husbands.

This is why men bristle when you say “you must submit yourself to church authority.”

But God has instituted hierarchy for his purposes.

Becasue church leadership requires dealing with people who are redeemed, but are still sinners who wan to kick against the goads of authority. Being in church leadership is a painful, stressful business.

Which is another reason why those in leadership, deserve honor.

and

Second half of double honor- Recompense or payment for their work.

When you look at where else double honor appears in scripture, it is prevalent in the Hebrew culture.

Double honor was the blessing of the firstborn son.

It was a monetary blessing given to the one who was the executor of the estate. He was the one who would handle taking care of the parents in their old age and everything else.

Becasue of this, he recieved the lion’s share of the inheritance, the double blessing.

Elders, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. They are the one’s who have to deal with all the headache of governing the father’s household. Becasue of that, this is saying they deserve an extra financial blessing for all their work.

v.18

Laborer Deserves Wages

Paul uses the command from the Old Testament, don’t muzzle on ox while he treads out the grain.

If someone is working for you, don’t deprive them of the blessings that come from that work.

If an elder is working for the church to flourish Spiritually, an expression of that growth should be people giving physically to the church.

Don’t deprive him of that physical blessing.

Allow him to actually have a savings account.

Allow him to have a retirement.

Allow him to have an inheritance for his children’s children.

I have heard people say, “keep your pastor poor, keep them faithful.”

An individual who says that is a fool and lacking all discernment.

God says, that a laborer, deserves his wages.

Discipline of Elders

Why must we cover this topic? Because leaders aren’t always right.

Leaders in churches are still people.

They are still people who sin. There must be safeguards to protect the church if a leader starts going down the crazy train.

It isn’t honoring to allow a leader to head down the path to hell, it especially isn’t honoring to follow a leader to hell.

We covered the requirements for elders that was given in 1 Timothy 3, if an elder publically diverges from that, he must be disciplined.

Two or Three Witnesses

This is a law from the Old Testament, and it still holds true today.

If someone is living in sin, it cannot be allowed to continue. They must be brought to account.

But only if there is enough evidence, enough people to bring them up on a charge.

When scandals run unchecked in a church, the people are destroyed.

But when anyone is allowed to bring up charges against an elder without evidence, the elder is destroyed, and the church is effected along with him.

Rebuke must happen, but there is a proper order that it must take place in.

Matthew 18:15-17

Matthew 18:15, tell your brother his fault.

Matthew 18:16, take two others

Matthew 18:17, Cast them out.

They are to be removed from office and cast out. This is to bring them to repentance, but also that all might stand in fear.

So All Stand in Fear

This is a term we see over and over in the old testament.

Deut 13:11, If a false prophet arises. They are to be stoned to death so that the congregation will stand in fear.

That they may know, God is holy.

Deut 17:12-13, One who acts presumptuously by not obeying the priest. He shall be killed, to purge the evil from among you, that all may stand in fear.

Deut 21:21, If someone has a son that grows up to be stubborn and rebellious. A glutton and a drunkard. Then the men of the city shall stone him.

This is so you might purge the evil from within you.

So that the congregation might stand in awe of the holiness of God, and what He requires of His people.

We serve a holy God, we are to be holy people.

This is why the same wording is used when speaking of church discipline.

We are no longer killing people. But we should still follow the layout of church discipline given to us by Jesus in Matthew 18.

This is the process of church discipline, and it is important for the church to excommunicate those who would persist in sin.

Whether it be a person in the congregation, or a leader.

The leaders should be held to a higher standard.

Understand why this is a fearful thing

1 Corinthians 5:5

1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV

you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

This is so that they might come to repentance.

Hebrews 12:5-6

Hebrews 12:5–6 ESV

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

The overall point of discipline is to bring those who would be persistent in sin to the point of repentance.

v.22

Don’t Lay On Hands Hastily

A dire warning to all.

Do not be hasty to promote those into leadership.

There are some who can handle and are ready for the responsibility that comes with leadership. There are some who are not.

When the pressure is put on them, you’ll see what’s inside.

If you know they do not hold to the truth, and you put them into leadership. You will be guilty of their sin as well.

v.24

Some people’s sins are outward and evident.

Gossiping, slandering, no control over anger

Some people’s sin can be hidden

pride, bitterness, lust

These only appear later, they are not blatant.

This is why time and examination is critical.

Wrap up

Honor those who are in authority.

Not those who say what you want to hear.

But those who are faithful to the word of God.

If they are in sin, then they must be removed from leadership.

So don’t be hasty to promote some to leadership, and don’t be hasty to remove without evidence.

Like Jesus said, if you have a problem with a brother, go to them directly.