Sermon Tone Analysis

Qualifications for church leadership

The first apostles were witnesses of Jesus Christ’s life and resurrection:

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(NASB95) — 21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— 22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

(NASB95) — 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

(NASB95) — 1 Am I not free?

Am I not an apostle?

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

(NASB95) — 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

(NASB95) — 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Qualifications for elders and deacons:

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(NASB95) — 3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

(NASB95) — 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

(NASB95) — 17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

(NASB95) — 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

(NASB95) — 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Ministry in the church

Synopsis

The regular ministry of officially appointed or recognised ministers is a particular instance of the duty and call of all God’s people.

The responsibilities of those in recognised ministry

As shepherds

(NASB95) — 28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

See also

(NASB95) — 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

As watchmen

(NASB95) — 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.

Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

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(NASB95) — 17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

(NASB95) — 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;

As teachers

(NASB95) — 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

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(NASB95) — 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

(NASB95) — 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

As examples

(NASB95) — 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

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(NASB95) — 28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

(NASB95) — 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

What believers owe to those with recognised ministries

Respect

(NASB95) — 12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

Live in peace with one another.

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(NASB95) — 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

(NASB95) — 17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Obedience

(NASB95) — 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.

Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

See also

(NASB95) — 15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

Support

Despite Jesus Christ’s command, Paul did not claim his rights in this matter, but supported himself as a tentmaker.

(NASB95) — 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

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(NASB95) — 7 “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages.

Do not keep moving from house to house.

(NASB95) — 6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

(NASB95) — 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

(NASB95) — 4 “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.

Prayer

(NASB95) — 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

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(NASB95) — 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

(NASB95) — 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

(NASB95) — 25 Brethren, pray for us.

(NASB95) — 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

Hospitality

(NASB95) — 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

See also

(NASB95) — 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

Imitation

(NASB95) — 7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

Recognised ministers should encourage the ministries of other believers

(NASB95) — 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

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The Holy Spirit allocates gifts and enables ministries.

No individual has all the gifts; ministry is shared and mutual;

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(NASB95) — 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

(NASB95) — 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

(NASB95) — 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

(NASB95) — 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

The motivation of ministry is mutual love

(NASB95) — 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

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(NASB95) — 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;