Sermon Tone Analysis

proskarterountes - To persevere Devotedly

The leadership of the Biblical Church is outlines in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9

The Church is to be led by a PLURALITY of Elders.

The idea of one man leading a church by himself is not biblical and is dangerous to the church.

It’s clear from the text that the early church had many men, called by God to lead the local body.

This isn’t my opinion, it’s scripture

These men are to be:

1. Called and Mature

The calling of men by God is not explicit but rather implicit.

It includes on inner calling, by which Through his Spirit, God speaks to those persons he has called to serve as pastors and ministers of his Church.

The great Reformer Martin Luther described this inward call as “God’s voice heard by faith.”

Those whom God has called know this call by a sense of leading, purpose and growing commitment to preach and teach the word of God.

Second there is an external call.

That is the church should recognize that calling in the life of men in the church.

Men who have a history of leading the congregation by example in their commitment to pray.

Men who are committed to the church for the long haul.

Seminary students, men on temporary work assignment, might be elder qualified, but because they are planning on leaving, it may be unwise to appoint them to the office of elder and have them make critical decisions for the church they are planning on leaving.

It is usually best to let them serve and teach as they are able, but not as elders.

2. Manhood and Family

Note previous qualifications for pastors.

Men who have a history of regularly practicing hospitality, who are often having people from the church into their homes in order to minister to them, so that the flock can see how they live, how they manage their household, and if their children are under control with all dignity.

Men who are known to have excellent marriages, happy wives who are thrilled with and in love with their husbands.

3. Character and Godliness

Men who are doctrinally and philosophically unified with the current leadership of the church, especially what is coming from the pulpit.

Elders cannot lead the church in multiple and conflicting directions.

Though there will always be some doctrinal diversity among the congregation, there must be close doctrinal and philosophical unity among elders in order for them to lead the church.

Since the greatest influence of the Word of God comes from the pulpit, the eldership must be aligned with what is being preached.

They must have biblical unity, which is being of “the same mind and same judgment” (Rom.

15:5; I Cor.

1:10; Eph.

4:4-6; Phil.

1:27; 2:1-2).

But not only that Men who have an unflinching commitment to obey the Word of God, even if it brings persecution, slander, mocking, and reproach.

Though humble and meek, an elder qualified man understands that the only way to love God and give Him glory is to obey the Word of God.

Men who are humble.

Elder qualified men are content at serving.

They don’t need a title, but “humble themselves under the mighty hand of God,” so that God, in His providence, “can exalt them in due time” (I Pet.

5:6).

If appointed to the office of elder, they have sensitive consciences in relation to their responsibilities.

If they realize they are no longer able to do the work of an elder or that they have become disqualified, they humbly step down, out of love for the Lord, a desire to obey the Word of God, and in order to be good examples to the flock.

They are elders because they desire the work, not because they want power, position, title, or prestige.

4. Skilled and Gfited

Men who have a history of being gifted, trained, teachers, disciplers, and counselors of the Word of God, who know the Word of God and theology well enough to exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.

The Elders are Called to FEED, LEAD and PROTECT God's people.

FEED the Flock (John 21:15-17, 1 Timothy 4:13)

LEAD the Flock (1 Peter 5:1-3)

PROTECT the Flock (John 10:11-15, Hebrews 13:17)