Elders and Deacons Part 2

Part 2

Exodus 19:6 – And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.” NLT

1 Peter 2:5 – And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. NLT

1 Peter 2:9 – … . You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. NLT

Revelation 1:6 – He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. NLT

Revelation 20:6 – Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. NLT

1 Peter 2:5 – And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. NLT

Romans 12:1 – And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. NLT

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. NLT

1 Corinthians 3:16 – Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? ESV

1 Corinthians 2:12 – Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. ESV

As a N.T. Priest you are to offer your body to God as a living and holy sacrifice

demonstrated by eating, drinking or whatever you do, do it to His glory.

ALL BELIEVERS ARE

GOD’S PRIESTS

REVIEW

Jesus as our Chief Shepherd

He has Compassion – Mk 6:34

He Purses the lost from His flock – Ezek 34:16 & Lk 19:10

He Promises His flock His Kingdom – Dan 7:27 & Lk 12:32

He Warns his sheep about the wolves from within and outside the flock – Mt 7:15; 10:16

Sacrificed His Life for His sheep – Jn 10:11

Initiated the New Covenant – Heb 13:20

Will unite His sheep from two flocks (Jews & Gentiles) – Jn 10:16; 1 Pet 2:25; Jn 10:16 & 11:52

Will give crowns to the Elders – 1 Pet 5:4

Ephesians 3:6 – And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. NLT

As Exalted King, the Lamb will lead His sheep to springs of life-giving

water – Rev 7:17

The Great Shepherd is the Head over All Shepherds & He is Concerned about the Lack of Shepherds –

Num 27:15-18 & Mk 6:34

All Believers Are God’s Priests

Jesus is our Chief Shepherd

REVIEW

Shepherd as a term for a Congregational Leader starts in Ephesians 4:11 - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. NLT

The N.T. uses the terms Guardian, Bishop, Elder, Presbyter and Overseer

interchangeably.

Guardian (episkopos) – Bishop (Episcopal church) or Overseer – describe the responsibilities of a pastor,

shepherd or elder.

Elder (episkopos) – Overseer, Bishop, Guardian, Supervisor, Keeper Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon

Elder (presbuteros) – Bishop & Presbyter

Acts 20:28 – “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and Shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders (episkopos). NLT

Philippians 1:1 – This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders (episkopos) and deacons (diakonos). NLT

1 Timothy 3:2 – So an elder (episkopos) must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. NLT

N.T. Shepherd’s Responsibilities

Leads the Flock (2 Sam 5:2; Ps 78:71-72; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2)

Cares for the Flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2)

Rules over the Flock

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

The most important of all is to preside in the sense to lead, conduct, direct, govern (2 Sam. 13:17; Pr. 23:5; Am. 6:10) (TDNT)

Rule - standing or going before, to assist, to join with to protect, to represent, to care for, to help, to further

(TDNT)

Rule - guide, lead, direct (Ro

12:8; 1Th 5:12; 1Ti 3:4, 5, 12; 5:17); be active in helping, engage in aiding (Tit 3:8, 14)

(Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

Shepherd’s Responsibilities

Ministers to the Sick (Jam 5:14)

Helps the Weak (Acts 20:35)

Feeds the Flock (Acts 20:27-28; 1Tim 3:2)

Teaches the Flock (1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:9)

Protects the Flock (Acts 20:17, 28-31; Tit 1:5, 6, 9; Acts 15:5-6)

All Believers Are God’s Priests

Jesus is our Chief Shepherd

N.T. Shepherds

REVIEW

N.T. Elders and Pastors

Elder or Bishop or Overseer - (Elder most common use - Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 23; Jam 5:14)

Definition - A man charged with the duty of seeing that things that are to be done are done right

(Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

N.T. Elders and Pastors

These are the men who have the responsibility to Shepherd the Church.

The one’s God gives to exercise spiritual oversight while leading His people

in a humble and loving manner.

Elders are Referred to as Pastors or Shepherds

Acts 20:28 – “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders (episkopos). NLT

Elders Are Appointed Over Local Churches

Acts 14:23 – Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders (presbuteros) in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. NLT

Titus 1:5 – I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders (presbuteros) in each town as I instructed you. NLT

Elder Responsibilities

Determine church polity - Acts 15:22-30

Oversee - Acts 20:28

Ordain others - 1 Tim. 4:14

Rule, Teach, and Preach - 1 Tim. 5:17

Exhort and Refute - Titus 1:9

Act as Shepherds, setting an Example for all - 1 Pet. 5:1–3

All Believers Are God’s Priests

Jesus is our Chief Shepherd

N.T. Shepherds

N.T. Elders & Pastors

REVIEW

Next Week

Pastor-Teacher(Teaching Pastor)

& Deacons