Shepherds Of The Flock - Introduction To The Office

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                        "SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK"

                       Introduction To The Office

INTRODUCTION

1. In Ac 14:21-23, we read of Paul appointing elders while on his first
   missionary journey

2. Later, Paul instructed Titus to do the same thing on the island of
   Crete - Tit 1:5

3. The Bible reveals God intended for Christians to have the benefit of
   elders in each congregation...
   a. Yet many congregations today do not enjoy this blessing
   b. Reasons for why this is so vary, some scriptural and some
      unscriptural

3. Whatever the reason a church does not have elders...
   a. It should be a temporary situation
   b. The congregation should not be content without elders
   c. The congregation should be prayerfully working toward the day when
      it has men qualified to serve as elders

4. This lesson is the first of several that will hopefully hasten the
   day when a congregation without elders will be blessed to have them

[For the benefit of those not familiar with the New Testament pattern of
church organization...]

I. A REVIEW OF CHURCH ORGANIZATION

   A. LOCAL CHURCHES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
      1. Began wherever the gospel was preached and received
         a. E.g., the church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:36-47
         b. E.g., the church in Antioch of Syria - Ac 11:19-26
         c. E.g., the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of
            Pisidia - Ac 14:21-23
      2. Consisted of disciples who assembled together frequently
         a. E.g., the church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:42
         b. E.g., the church in Troas - Ac 20:7
         c. E.g., the admonition given to the Hebrew Christians - He 10:
            24-25
      -- These congregations were independent and autonomous, each
         answering directly to Christ as their Head, through the word of
         His apostles

   B. WHEN COMPLETELY AND SCRIPTURALLY ORGANIZED...
      1. A congregation had a plurality of specially qualified men
         serving as elders (also called by other terms as we will see,
         such as bishops) - e.g., Ac 14:23; 20:17
      2. Elders (bishops) in the church were assisted by qualified men
         designated as deacons
      3. A church might also have in their midst:
         a. Prophets (though this work, like that of apostles, was
            temporary) - e.g., Ac 13:1
         b. Teachers (those specially gifted toward this task) - e.g.,
            Ac 13:1; 1Co 12:28; Jm 3:1
         c. Evangelists (preachers of the gospel) - e.g., Ac 21:8; Ep
            4:11; 2Ti 4:5
      4. Filling out the congregation would be the rest of the
         disciples, called Christians or saints - cf. Ac 11:26; 1Co 1:2
      -- An example of a scripturally organized church is seen in Php 1:1

   C. THERE WERE "SCRIPTURALLY UNORGANIZED" CHURCHES...
      1. This was the condition of the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and
         Antioch prior to the appointment of elders - Ac 14:21-23
      2. It should be noted that such a condition was evidently
         temporary
      -- No church should ever be satisfied to remain permanently in
         such a condition

[To appreciate the need for qualified elders in each church, it helps to
understand...]

II. DESCRIPTIVE TERMS IN REFERENCE TO ELDERS

   A. THEY WERE CALLED ELDERS, OR PRESBYTERS...
      1. As noted in Ac 14:23; 20:17
      2. From the Greek word presbuteros, meaning "older"
      3. Indicating "maturity of spiritual experience" - Vine's
      4. Note the qualification ("not a novice") - 1Ti 3:6

   B. THEY WERE ALSO CALLED BISHOPS, OR OVERSEERS...
      1. Note that the elders were called "overseers" (bishops) - Ac 20:
         17,28
      2. The elders were to serve as "overseers" (bishops) - 1Pe 5:1-2
      3. From the Greek word episkopos, meaning "one who oversees, takes
         care of"
      4. This is reference to the work they do (take care of the church
         of God) - cf. 1Ti 3:4-5

   C. THEY WERE ALSO CALLED PASTORS, OR SHEPHERDS...
      1. The English word "pastor" is found but once in the New
         Testament - Ep 4:11
      2. It comes from the Greek word poimen, meaning "shepherd"
      3. Elders were charged to "shepherd the church of God" - cf. Ac
         20:28; 1Pe 5:1-2

   D. THESE TERMS ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ELDERS...
      1. As Christians try to live godly lives, it is a blessing to
         have:
         a. Spiritually experienced men (elders, presbyters) to guide us
            along
         b. Qualified men watching over us (bishops, overseers) to see
            that we grow
         c. Capable men feeding us (pastors, shepherds), protecting us
            from "grievous wolves"
      2. Without elders, Christians in a congregation:
         a. Must grow without the guidance and leadership God intended
            for His flock
         b. Fail to have the benefit of spiritual encouragement God
            intended for His church

[Why then, would any congregation be content without elders?  Yet there
are several reasons...]

III. WHY CHURCHES DON'T HAVE ELDERS

   A. SOME DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE FOR TODAY...
      1. They believe this office or function was only for first century
         churches
      2. Has the need provided for by elders changed?
      3. Or could the real reason for believing this be what we consider
         next?

   B. SOME DON'T WANT TO HAVE ELDERS...
      1. Perhaps because of bad experiences with unqualified elders in
         the past
         a. Should we throw away the blessing because someone abused it?
         b. Shall we discard marriage and family, because of the many
            bad ones?
      2. Perhaps because some want to have preeminence - e.g., 3Jn 9
         a. Without elders, it is easy for power hungry individuals to
            run a congregation
         b. Many young men and unqualified older men like that kind of
            authority
         c. Others have a problem submitting to elders (or to anyone,
            for that matter)

   C. SOME DON'T MAKE THE EFFORT TO DEVELOP ELDERS...
      1. Many men give little thought to one day serving as elders
      2. Therefore they make little effort to develop their abilities
      3. Is this not rather selfish?
         a. God needs godly men to serve Him and His church in this
            capacity
         b. But many are too busy in their jobs and planning their
            retirement
      4. Certainly not all men have the potential to serve as elders
         a. But how many did, but buried their talent under a pile of
            selfish interests in this life?
         b. How might Christ judge them if such be the case? - cf. Mt
            25:14-30

CONCLUSION

1. There is a crying need for qualified men to serve as elders in
   churches today!
   a. Churches often struggle without the benefit of elders
   b. Evangelists and preachers are often burdened with doing what
      elders should be doing
   -- In such cases, the growth of the gospel is hindered!

2. Everyone needs to be involved in fulfilling this need...
   a. Men need to examine themselves
      1) To see if they are qualified to serve
      2) To diligently work toward meeting the qualifications if the
         potential is there
      3) To encourage others who one day may be qualified, even if they
         themselves are not
   b. All should be praying for this work
      1) That God raise up men who are qualified
      2) That men will be able to provide the leadership and care God
         desires for His children
   -- What are you doing to expedite the development of men qualified to
      serve?

In our next study, we look more closely as the work of elders.  For now,
have we fully utilized the blessing of Jesus as the Shepherd and
Overseer of our souls...? - cf. 1Pe 2:24-25
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