Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. Church

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Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. Church

Shepherding The Flock

The Importance Of Elders In The N. T. Church

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhy Elders? Why not a “free-for-all?” Judg

17:6 (chaos) Why not “majority rule?” Ex

23:2 (majority could be wrong)

Churches without them are “lacking” Titus 1:5

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhy Elders? God’s people often seen as

“scattered” and “wandering” Mt 9:36 Elders provide necessary watch,

care God’s people have spiritual needs

that have been placed under “shepherds” Ezek 34:1-10

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhy Elders? God certainly cares for our

spiritual well-being…every lamb is precious Mt 18:12-13

His desire place “sheep” in the care of an under-shepherd 1 Pet 5:4 Heb 13:20

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Kind Of Man? Qualified 1 Tim 3:1-7 Titus 1:5-

9 As God would define it…not as we

would Re: his character and his family It is important to properly understand

these verses…however, this will not be our focus in this lesson

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Kind Of Man? The N.T. uses 3 different

words to identify such a man Presbuteros A man who is

mature in age & spiritual development“Elder”

Titus 1:5“Presbytery” 1 Tim 4:14

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Kind Of Man? The N.T. uses 3 different

words to identify such a man Episkopos A man who

has demonstrated the

ability to rule“Overseer” Acts 20:28

“Bishop” Phil 1:1

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Kind Of Man? The N.T. uses 3 different

words to identify such a man Poimeen A man who

realizes the watchfulness,

care for a flock“Shepherd” 1 Pet 5:2

“Pastor” Eph 4:11

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Does He Do? He doesn’t regulate in doctrine…

Christ does that Mt 28:20 Col 3:17 2 Jn 9

If not in this realm, where does he lead?

In the realm of human judgment It is here the sheep hear his voice and

follow him

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Does He Do? Because he is qualified, he will be

a tremendous blessing Feeds the flock 1 Pet 5:2 Watches over the flock 1 Tim 3:5 Protects the flock from danger

Titus 1:9 Acts 20:29-30

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Does He Do? Because he is qualified, he will

be a tremendous blessing Provides leadership, guidance…

an example to follow Heb 13:7 Re: marriage Titus 1:6 Re: parenting 1 Tim 3:4 Titus

1:6 Re: discipleship Titus 1:9

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Does He Do? Can we not see how weighty his

task is? Heb 13:17a The sheep’s task is equally

weighty Heb 13:17b We are charged to submit to him To refuse puts our souls in

jeopardy

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Does He Do? The relationship between a

shepherd & his sheep is special He is such a man the sheep will

go to when they have problems Also such a man that goes to the

sheep when they are wandering, needing care

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchWhat Does He Do? Therefore, he deserves respect

from the sheep 1 Thess 5:12-13 The shepherd knows his sheep

Jn 10:1-4, 10-11, 14 The sheep must “know” the

shepherd“To have regard, cherish, pay attention to”

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchHow Is He Chosen? We have no specific N.T. passage

that directs us re: this “process” We do have Acts 14:21-23 &

Titus 1:5 Passages that speak of apostles,

other inspired servants appointing elders

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchHow Is He Chosen? We can look to Acts 6:1-6 as a

“model” Admit: context does not address

elders However, it provides guidelines

we can use when local churches select & appoint their shepherds

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchHow Is He Chosen? We can look to Acts 6:1-6 as a

“model” It emphasizes some important

truths……servants who met given qualifications…brethren who had already earned the respect & trust of fellow believers

…believers chose from among themselves

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchHow Is He Chosen? Any man who “aspires” to this

office must not see it as a promotion One who seeks it for personal glory

is not qualified nor worthy to serve One who campaigns for it is not

qualified nor worthy to serve

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchSome Closing Comments We’re seeking individual

shepherds… not an eldership Yes…it must be a plurality Acts

14:23 Yes…they act in concert together

But we appoint men individually

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. ChurchSome Closing Comments The work of a shepherd is

weighty The work of selecting a shepherd

is equally important May we undertake this task carefully and prayerfully…and not lightly

Shepherding The FlockThe Importance Of Elders In The

N. T. Church

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