Rediscovering the Church: Servant-Leadership
Rediscovering the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsAs we rediscover the church, we must rediscover biblical church leadership.
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Intro
Intro
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Why this image?
Intro
Intro
Intro
Intro
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
More of a Teaching Sermon
More of a Teaching Sermon
More of a Teaching Sermon
More of a Teaching Sermon
A Necessary Series
A Necessary Series
Why?
3 Core Convictions
3 Core Convictions
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Acts
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
We must implement or sustain biblical leadership, therefore we must identify it, therefore we must
1 tim 3:16-17
2 Tim 4:2
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Spiritually Practical Reasons
Spiritually Practical Reasons
Biblical leadership is necessary in order to...
To Cultivate Discernment
To Pursue Faithfulness
8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Rev 3:8
To Be Healthy
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
To Experience Fullness of joy
To Pursue Glory
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
To See Glory
To Pursue Joy
that Jesus gave as gifts to men (i.e. the church) the apostles, the prophets, the evangelist, the shepherds and teachers (or Shepherd-Teachers).
that Jesus gave as gifts to men (i.e. the church) the apostles, the prophets, the evangelist, the shepherds and teachers (or Shepherd-Teachers).
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
Rev 19:7
Biblical Leadership: A lost Gem
Biblical Leadership: A lost Gem
Today the dominant mentality toward leadership is distrust, because of corruption, lust for power, and the abuse of authority.
Ignatius implemented a 3 tier
Ignatius
V-formation Uplift
Read excerpt from “Elders and Leaders, God’s Plan for Leading the Church”- Gene Getz: p 23-24
Historically wide-spread corruption in the church leadership when Ignatius (Christian writer and Bishop of Antioch) deviated from the biblical model of leadership, and implemented his own 3-tier system of leadership -Bishop>Elders>Deacons, which he later expanded to place himself as the highest bishop over the bishop’s of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome. This deviation from the biblical model continued to spiral out of control in the church and continues to be practiced in the catholic church and some protestant denominations.
Bishop-Elders-Deacons
Despite the corruption that exist because of the historical deviation from biblical leadership we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must rediscover biblical leadership!
Despite the corruption that exist because of the historical deviation from biblical leadership we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must rediscover biblical leadership!
Bishop’s grew to possess inappropriate “thus says the Lord” authority, and ensuing abuses continued, and still formally exist in some denominations.
So what were leaders in the NT church called?
Elders/Overseers and Deacons.
Hang-ups
Hang-ups
“This is just politics, I want nothing to do with it or I could care less!”
Google Definition of Politics: the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.
reminds us that Christ is the head of the church and must remain preeminent.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Politics in the church exist in the church when Christ no longer seen as preeminent and people start viewing themselves as heads of the church
A Reminder from the Lord Jesus
A Reminder from the Lord Jesus
Servant Leadership
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Pray
Pray
Elders/Overseers
Elders/Overseers
Elders/Overseers
“Elders” [Grk “presbuteroi”] English Presbyter
“Overseer” [Grk “episkopos”] English Bishop
Their Emergence
Their Emergence
In Israel
In Israel
“Elders” - Term familiar to Jews
“Elders” - Term familiar to Jews
16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,
Men selected to represent various segments of the people (e.g. tribes, nobility, religious sects).
16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,
In the time of Jesus every major town had a Sanhedrin composed of 23 elders. In Jerusalem 70 men comprised the “Great Sanhedrin” - priest, wealthy, scribes, pharisees, sadducees; all called “elders”
Ex 3
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
NT
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said,
In the time of Jesus every major town had a Sanhedrin composed of 23 elders. In Jerusalem 70 men comprised the “Great Sanhedrin” - priest, wealthy, scribes, pharisees, sadducees; all called “elders”
NT
The function of Elders in Israel was quite different than Elders in the NT church
The function of Elders in Israel was quite different than Elders in the NT church
In the Church
In the Church
“Elders”
“Elders”
A.D. 45: Barnabas and Paul (then called Saul) transported a gift of money from the church in Antioch which they delivered “to the elders” in Jerusalem ().
A.D. 45-47: James the half brother of Jesus, primary leader among the Jerusalem elders encouraged believers to “call for the elders of the church” to pray for the ill ().
A.D. 47: Paul and Barnabas appointed “elders” in the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch ().
A.D. 49: The “apostles and elders” in Jerusalem functioned as a team to resolve the law/grace controversy ()
A.D. 49-52: Paul, Silas, and Timothy “traveled from town to town” and “delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey” ().
“Overseers” - Term familiar to gentiles (episkopos - a superintendent or leader of a colony).
“Overseers” - Term familiar to gentiles (episkopos - a superintendent or leader of a colony).
A.D. 58: Interchangeably by Paul in the same passage/context
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
A.D. 63: “Elder & Overseer” Used interchangeably by Paul throughout ;
A.D. 63: Peter
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 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;
A.D. 65: Paul to Titus
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
Their Qualifications
Their Qualifications
Their Function
Their Appointment
Their Appointment
Appointment By Biblical Qualification
Appointment By Biblical Qualification
;
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
“Anyone aspires”
“Anyone aspires”
no special revelation, apostolic succession, or unique calling; no spiritual gifts required- just a desire serve as an elder/overseer.
“He”
“He”
reinforced in “I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man...”
The Maturity Profile
The Maturity Profile
Should be true of every believer, but must be exemplified in an elder/overseer
Not merely what
To everyone: Assess your maturity and be challenged toward biblical maturity
To those men who desire to lead as an elder/overseer: Would those in the community, and those closest to you characterize you this way?
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Tim 3:2
“be”
“be”
Grk “eimi - to have the quality of being
characterized by. The emphasis is on the consistency of being, not isolated incidents of doing.
“Above Reproach” same in Titus 1:6
“Above Reproach” same in Titus 1:6
“a
same in Titus 1:6
same in Titus 1:6
Not a requirement to be perfect
blameless, unable to be accused, a good reputation. This is a overarching trait.
“Husband of One Wife”
“Husband of One Wife”
“Husband of One Wife”
So much discouragement comes from poor interpretation of the phrase.
Must be married? Must Never be Remarried? Must not be a polygamist? Must not be divorced? One-woman man?
Must be Married?
No. Paul, Timothy, and Titus were not married.
Must never be remarried?
Must Never be remarried (widower)?
No. Widows (and by implication widowers) were encouraged to remarry.
Must not be a polygamist?
No. Already outlawed by Roman law, so it wasn’t a concern
Must not be divorced?
No. Problem: this interpretation distinguishes divorce as an unpardonable sin, but what Paul being a murderer?
However, a divorced person could still be disqualified because the natural consequences or practical ramifications of his divorce that continue to tarnish his reputation.
One-woman man
Yes.
His faithfulness to his present wife must be affirmed in the the church and the community.
“Sober Minded”
“Sober Minded”
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The sober mind is a prepared, focused, spiritually clear-thinking mind that remains focused on the end game, on glory!
1 Pet
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
1 Thess
The sober mind
Focused
The outcome of the sober-mind is a person who is not “tossed to and fro by the waves (trouble) and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”
“Self-Controlled”
“Self-Controlled”
Lit “Sound in mind”, sensible, reasonable.
Not crazy acting, or impulsive
“Respectable”
“Respectable”
What do we mean when we tell someone to look respectable? Clean-up, make-up, dress-up, look the part, modest, or appropriate.
Grk -Kosmios. Same Greek root that we get the English word cosmetics.
meaning orderly, modest
“but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn (Kosmeo) the doctrine of God our savior”
The christian’s and especially the elder/overseers cosmetics, what makes them (and most importantly the faith) “look respectable” is how we live out the gospel!
The christian’s and especially the elder/overseers cosmetics, what makes them (and most importantly the faith) “look respectable” is how we live out the gospel!
“Hospitable”
“Hospitable”
Grk “philosxenos” = friend, stranger/foreigner; love of strangers.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Gene Getz “refers to the way we use our material possessions-particularly the homes we live in and the food we eat. All Christians are to be hospitable -but this is a quality that should characterize every spiritual leader, no matter what his resources”
Servant-Leadership
Mark 10:35
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Appointment through Human Decision
Appointment through Human Decision
Their Priorities
Their Priorities
Teaching the Word
Modeling Christ-like Behavior
Maintaining Doctrinal Purity
Disciplining Unruly Believers
Overseeing the Material Needs of the Church
Praying for the Sick
Their Accountability
Their Accountability
The Purpose
By fellow elders
By the Congregation
Their Assistants
Their Assistants
Their Support
Their Support
Double-honor
Live by the gospel
Rediscovering Biblical Leadership at Highland
Rediscovering Biblical Leadership at Highland
Cautiously using titles
In the flesh, titles puff-up and foster division
In the spirit, titles reflect faithfulness to God’s design and provide focus and direction.
Congregational Meeting Date TBD to Amend Constitution
Terminology from “Board of Deacons” to “Board of Elders”
Remove “Board of Trustees” and appoint “Deacons” as needed.
Maintain biblical congregational selection and removal of Elders
Remove requirement of congregational vote for constitution amendments, addition/removal of members, ministry decisions, logistical/financial decisions.
Closing Thoughts:
Closing Thoughts:
Don’t let your hangups prevent you from experience the fullness of what God intends the church to be, including your role in in it.
V-formation Uplift
Read excerpt from “Elders and Leaders, God’s Plan for Leading the Church”- Gene Getz: p 23-24
Keep the bar of God’s Maturity Profile high. Seek to be above reproach/blameless in every way.
A Plurality of Biblical leadership is a precious and powerful gift to the church.
This is God’s best for you, for his glory and your joy!
May we rediscover it, treasure it, and continue to experience the blessings of it!
Benediction
Benediction
Acts 20:
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.