To You are Given the Keys of the Kingdom

What is the key to unlocking the power of the church?

Most often I find that in most all congregations this will be, in various degrees, true:

Elders want to do great things.

Members want to do great things.

Great things aren’t being done.

Consequently:

Elders are exhausted and frustrated.

Members are exhausted and frustrated.

Everyone hopes to find way to make it work.

Many are ready to give up.

How can we all properly work together for God’s glory?

What is the key to unlocking the kingdom?

What are the “keys of the Kingdom?”

The Keys of the Kingdom Were Given to Peter—

Matthew 16:19 ESV

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Keys of the Kingdom Were Given to Y’all—

Matthew 18:18 ESV

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

How Does This Pertain to Church Polity?

Y’all are given the authority in the church—; .

Matthew 16:19 ESV

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 18:18 ESV

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

God has commanded that there should be leaders in the church.

How are there supposed to be leaders when we all have the authority?

We authoritatively select men to lead us and voluntarily submit to them.

Has This Been Done Before?

Acts 13:1–4 ESV

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

“They laid their hands on them and sent them off”

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 20:28

Acts 20:28 ESV

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.

What does this elder led congregationalism look like?

Elders are chosen by the church.

Elders lead the church which voluntarily submits to them.

Elders are accountable to the church who has appointed them.

The church is accountable to the eldership which they have appointed.

What does elder led congregationalism offer?

The church depends on the eldership.

The eldership depends on the church.

Neither should become exhausted with the work because they can lean on one another.

Neither should become exhausted with the other because they are in a symbiotic relationship.

In this way, we can best reflect the glory of God.

Remember how God does everything together.

Father, Son, and Spirit are inseparable in their work.

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1 Peter 1:1–2 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Are you ready to work together with God?

1 Peter 1: