{ Biblical Leadership Part 1

 Pastors / Elders / Shepherds / Overseers / Guardians / Etc. Every Healthy Church Must Have Biblical Leaders

 Matthew 4:23 “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming (Preaching - kēryssō in Greek) the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”  Matthew 9:35 “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming (Preaching) the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.” SERIES: More Teaching than Preaching

 What does the Bible say and how does it apply? Preconceived Notions?

 Renew does have Biblical Leadership now…  It is time to grow… Just To Clarify…

  Ephesians 5:25-27 “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her [remember chamber pot?], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”   Ephesians 4:13 “mature…to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” [2015 theme] The “Bride of Christ” must be Pure & Mature

 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12 God Gave Special People as Gifts to the Early Church.

  God’s Ambassadors, Messengers, “one sent”.   Chosen by Jesus and given authority to carry out certain tasks.   They spoke authoritatively and often had a ministry beyond one local congregation.   2 Great qualifications: they had to see Jesus & be a witness of the resurrection. Apostles

  Paul is referring to NT prophets which were different than OT prophets.   Prophets here are not necessarily fortelling the future; rather, they were forthtelling the will of God.   “Prophet” means to “speak before” = so a prophet speaks before other people on behalf of God…communicating God’s truth.   Apparently, their message was not so much from study, but the direct result of the Holy Spirit.   Part of their job was to strengthen and encourage believers. Prophets

  Many of these people would have worked in multiple areas as well.   Commissioned to tell the “good news” of Christ.   Divinely equipped to win the lost to Christ. Evangelists

  Granville-Sharp’s rule in Greek = when 2 nouns are governed by one article, they’re one group.   So, the text would say: He appointed The Apostles, The Prophets, The Evangelists, and The Pastors/teachers.   Does it apply? Plural?   “Teaching-Pastors” Pastors/Teachers

 Apparently located in a congregation  Responsible for teaching, correcting bad teaching, encouraging, calling believers to the calling they’d received (Eph 4:1), and shepherding the flock and keeping them safe. Pastors/Teachers

 Jesus called Himself, “the Good Shepherd”  John 10  He invites others to “shepherd”  “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” - 1 Peter 5:2-4 Pastors/Teachers

 CAPITAL = more of an office *Early Church  lower case = more of a gift/task/role/function *Today **D.A. Carson in Showing the Spirit “A” Apostles -vs- “a” apostles “P” Prophets -vs- “p” prophets

Evangelists Today

 Closely related to what we know as Elders/Shepherds.  Wise counsel, correction, encouragement, consolation.  They “shepherd” the “sheep” Pastor-Teacher Teaching Pastor

 “ 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, [a] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:12-16 a So What?

 Equipping….for the work of Ministry  Ministry = the work of God by the people of God. Now What?