SF899 - Let The Church Be The Church - Part 9 of 10 A Biblical Understanding of Church Leadership (1 Peter 5 1-3)
1 Peter 5:1-3
Introduction
A New Testament Church
Has a Biblical Theology; Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship; Will Preach the Word; Has a Biblical Understanding of the Gospel; Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion; Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism; Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership; Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline; Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Leadership; Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Growth
There seems to be a latent suspicion of authority in our culture. Christianity, however, has recognized the need for authority in government, the home, and the church.
In Christianity, there is a unique leadership structure. The New Testament sets forth four separate and unique groups that make up the church and her government.
They are Christ, the congregation, deacons, and elders.
1A. Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church.
1B. The church is a theocracy, not a democracy.
Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”
Colossians 1:18 “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”
2B. The church is an organism, not an organization.
Ephesians 4:15-16 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
The church is not a mere human organization. It is not merely an organization because it is an organism, a body. And it is not merely human, because its head is divine; the life he gives is supernatural life.
So the way a church is organized should not simply copy the way a human organization is run.
There should be structures and practices that let Christ the head govern, lead, and nurture his church. Jesus Christ is the living head—the leader and the sustainer—of the church, his body.
2A. The congregation - the role of the members
1B. All the members of Christ’s body are priests and ministers.
Every Christian is a priest – relationship & responsibility
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood…”
Ø The New Testament knows nothing of a priesthood of the clergy.
1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
Every Christian is a minister – position & practice
Ø The word "minister" does not define the pastoral office in the church. It defines the function of every member.
Ephesians 4:12 “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…”
2B. Under Christ, the local congregation is the final authority in the church.
The congregation must submit to the Scriptures.
Ø The congregation is not above the Scriptures, because the Scriptures are the Word of Christ. We submit to Christ by submitting to his Word.
The congregation must submit to the Holy Spirit.
Ø The congregation is not above the Holy Spirit, because the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. We submit to Christ by submitting to his Spirit in the church.
Under Christ, the local congregation is the final authority in matters of faith and life
Ø This is not only implied in the priesthood of all believers, but illustrated in Matthew 18:15-17
3A. Deacons – The Servant–Ministers of The Church
1B. The meaning of the word
Diakoneo, verb meaning “serve, wait on; care for, see after, provide for; serve as a deacon” (Matthew 20:28; Matthew 27:55-56; 1 Timothy 3:10, 13)
Diakonia, noun meaning “ministry, service; contribution, help, support; mission; perhaps office of deacon or authority (Romans 12.7; Ephesians 3:7).
Diakonos, noun meaning “servant; helper, minister; deacon; deaconess” (Romans 16.1)
Ø The general meaning of diakonos is a servant-minister.
Ø When diakonos is used to refer to the office it is plural (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3).
2B. The function of the office (Acts 6:1-7)
Ø Deacons are to promote peace (Acts 6:1).
Ø Deacons are to provide physical ministry (Acts 6:2-3).
Ø Deacons are to promote church growth (Acts 6:7).
Ø Deacons are to assist the elders (Acts 6:3).
3B. The qualifications of a deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
4A. Elders – The Servant-Leaders of the Church
1B. The terms (1 Peter 5:1-2)
“Presbuteros,” elder - spiritual maturity
“Poimen,” pastor, shepherd - caring
“Episcopos,” overseer, bishop – management/rule
Acts 20:17, 28 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. …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.’”
The Scripture clearly teaches the plurality of elders. (Acts 14:23, 15:2, 20:17; Titus 1:5; Jam 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1)
2B. The tasks
Feed - teach/preach/pray
Ephesians 4:11-12 “And He gave some as …pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ”
Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
Lead - govern
1 Timothy 5:17 “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
Protect - guard
Acts 20:28 “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.”
3B. The qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9)
Application
The church is a theocracy, not a democracy.
All of God’s children should be actively involved in a local church.
The local church has the final say in matters of life and faith.
Deacons are to be servant-ministers in the church.
Elders are to be servant-leaders in the church.