God's Design for Elders

1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Timothy 3:1- The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

Acts 14:23- And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

What is an elder?

Multiple terms used for this same role

Overseer

Bishop

Elder

Not a deacon

The qualifications for deacons and elders are identical in every way except the elder must be able to teach

1 Timothy 3:1-7- qualifications for elders

1 Timothy 3:8-13- qualifications for deacons

Diakonos (deacon) literally means “servant”

And elder’s role is to lead and instruct (shepherd)

A man

Refers to a man in every instance in the NT

Elders are shepherds of the church who are appointed and affirmed by the church

What do elders do?

Teach

1 Thessalonians 5:12- We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Equip

Ephesians 4:11-12- And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Lead in faith

Hebrews 13:7- Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Keep watch over the souls of the sheep

Hebrews 13:17- Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Acts 20:28- 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.

Biblical precedent for plurality of elders

A plurality of elders is the NT prescribed model for church leadership

Acts 14:23- And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 15:2- And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Acts 20:17- Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

Philippians 1:1- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons

1 Timothy 5:17- Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Titus 1:5- 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—

James 5:14- Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Why does it matter?

The God who prescribed eldership is the all-wise God

He is the One who has established His Church

He has disgnied that it should be lead by a plurality of elders

Therefore, we out to submit to what He has said and trust that He is the all-wise God

The church deeply benefits from a plurality of elders

It helps to ensure that the leaders of the church are men called by God to lead

It helps to ensure that leaders are scripturally qualified

It increases the consistency of biblically-faithful church discipline

It increases pastoral accountability

It increases the potential for pastoral care

It gives greater pastoral support within the leadership of the church

It reflects a high view of Scripture and deep trust in what God has commanded

The beauty of the Good Shepherd is reflected when elders lead according to God’s design

As elders lead the church lovingly and sacrificially it reflects the grace and beautify of the Chief Shepherd who loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

The ultimate goal of biblical eldership is that Christ will be glorified and the church will be built up in Him

A word to John

Live as a fellow partaker in the glories of Christ

You are first and foremost a sheep of the Shepherd and a brother to every believer.

As you live before others, remember that they are fellow heirs of the glorious inheritance in Christ

Shepherd the flock selflessly

Model your life after Jesus Himself, who gave Himself for the sheep

Matthew 20:25-28- But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Live as an example in godliness

1 Timothy 4:12- Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Give yourself to the study and teaching of the Word

1 Timothy 4:13- Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.

Submit to the chief shepherd humbly

Pray that He will daily rid you of pride and keep you humbly walking in Truth of His Word and leading of His Spirit

A word to the congregation

Pray

Encourage

Support

Live in humility toward one another

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.