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I.   Introduction
     A.  The church needs leaders.
          1.  It is made up of people of varying maturity.
          2.  It has members of differing spiritual needs (Hebrews 5:14)
     B.  God gave leaders to the church as a gift to help it grow. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
          1.  These leaders see to the task of helping the church as a whole.
          2.  This is a great and very grave responsibility, as we shall see.
     C.  The Bible lays out a very plain description of those who are to be the leaders of the church.
          1.  Many groups have differing opinions about leadership.
          2.  The Bible gives very clear instruction about those who are to lead.
II.  What do the church’s leaders do?
     A.  The Bible plan: a plurality of elders/overseers/shepherds.
          1.  The New Testament uses three terms to describe the church leaders.
               a.  ”Elders” (Acts 11:30; 14:23)
               b.  ”Overseer” (Philippians 1:1)
               c.  ”Pastor” or Shepherd (Ephesians 4:11)
          2.  These roles don’t describe multiple roles, but a single one (Acts 20:17, 28)
     B.  Their duties are implied in the names for their office.
          1.  Acts 20:17 – Paul called the elders (presbuteros) — older.
          2.  Acts 20:28 – The Holy Spirit has made them overseers, bishops (episkopos)
          3.  They are to care for (poimaino), or shepherd (poimen) the church (John 10:27; 21:15-17)
     C.  Peter offers encouragement, direction for the role (I Peter 5:1-4)
          1.  He uses the same descriptive terms of the role.
          2.  He addresses the motivations, purposes of the elders.
III. What must an elder be?
     A.  Paul gave explicit instructions concerning the qualifications (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
          1.  He wrote to Timothy and Titus to remind them of the requirements for the role (Titus 1:5)
          2.  His use of “must” is noteworthy – “necessary”
     B.  The qualifications are an embodiment of the Christian ideal.
          1.  Godly character
          2.  Proven capable family leader
          3.  Knowledge, experience in the truth
          4.  Strong personal relation skills
          5.  Integrity in material matters
IV. What is the church’s obligation to the elders?
     A.  We are to obey and submit (Hebrews 13:17)
          1.  They have rule, authority, responsibility (Jeremiah 23:1-2)
          2.  We must submit to their authority
     B.  We are to respect, honor them
          1.  Respect, esteem highly (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)
          2.  They are worthy of double honor (I Timothy 5:17)
V.  Conclusion
     A.  The elders are vital to the spiritual condition of the church.
     B.  Let us resolve to make the elders’ jobs easy
     C.  Let us resolve to make their account one of joy.

Glenn Record
February 1, 2009