Does the church that has elders have any responsibility? Leadership Pt. 4 Does the church that has elders have any responsibility? YES!

This is a good example for the church in appointing elders. Leadership Pt. 4 We have already studied about the initial responsibility of the church. Acts 6:1-7 – the church was to look among themselves for men who fit the qualifications 1 Cor. 14:40 This is a good example for the church in appointing elders.

Leadership Pt. 4 They are to oversee the work of the church. 1 Peter 5:2-3 – feed the flock; shepherd the flock as examples The elders are an example to the church. The responsibility of the church is to follow the example.

Leadership Pt. 4 1 Cor. 11:1 – Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 1 Peter 2:21-23 – Jesus is an example for all of us John 13:15 – “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done.” The qualities that we see in elders are to be qualities for all of us as we imitate Christ, our example.

Leadership Pt. 4 If we are all following Christ then we are all working and not just relying on the elders and deacons to do the job. Eph. 4:11-16 – Jesus gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (elders) and teachers

Leadership Pt. 4 Why did Jesus give us all these? The answer is in verse 12; for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Leadership Pt. 4 This is not for the elders alone or for them to delegate to the deacons. This is the church working. When we continue reading we learn about the growth of all to maturity in Christ.

Leadership Pt. 4 This is described as to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The elders cannot make you grow to this stature; you must work to this fullness.

Leadership Pt. 4 We continue reading and see that the elders are helping to build you up so that you will not be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men in deceitful plotting. They help to build you up so you will know when to stand.

Leadership Pt. 4 Acts 20:28-30 – Paul warned the elders from Ephesus that from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves Eph. 6:11-13 – every christian must put on the whole armor of God

Leadership Pt. 4 The elders cannot stand for you. They might be the ones who are enticed and draw away. If they are drawn away will you just blindly follow or will you stand?

Leadership Pt. 4 A responsibility the elders have is to watch over the congregation. Ezek. 34:1-10 – there is a warning from God for the shepherds that fed themselves and did not feed the flock 1 Peter 5:3 – …nor as being lords over those entrusted to you…

Leadership Pt. 4 Heb. 13:17 - Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Leadership Pt. 4 This verse gives a responsibility of the elders and it gives a responsibility of the church.

The church is cautioned to let them serve with joy and not with grief. Leadership Pt. 4 The church sought out these men and appointed them as elders, as overseers of the church. The church must act accordingly. It is difficult enough being an elder but it is doubly difficult when members of the congregations do not behave as christians. The church is cautioned to let them serve with joy and not with grief.

Leadership Pt. 4 We have several warnings us about grieving. Gen. 6:6 – the Lord was sorry…and He was grieved in His heart Psalm 78:40 – How often they provoked Him…And grieved Him in the desert Eph. 4:30 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…

Leadership Pt. 4 These men are appointed for service to the church according to God’s plan. When you grieve them you are grieving God. When you are not submissive to them you are not just making their job more difficult but you are grieving God.

Leadership Pt. 4 In other words don’t make it difficult for the elders to do their job. They have the responsibility toward the insubordinate and the idle talkers, Titus 1:10. A christian should not put another christian in the position of constant and continual correction.

Leadership Pt. 4 Finally, the church is not going to receive an accusation against an elder lightly. 1 Tim. 5:19 – Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. The church is not to receive a frivolous accusation.

Leadership Pt. 4 The witnesses are not witnesses to the accusing of the elder, but witnesses to what was said to be done by the elder. Matt. 5:11 – Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matt. 10:36 – and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

Leadership Pt. 4 Even the elders who are supposed to be blameless and have a good report from those outside will have enemies and those who want to bring them down. The church must not be caught up in personal vendettas and vengeance.

Leadership Pt. 4 The elders and deacons have qualifications. The church has responsibilities toward them, specifically the elders.

Leadership Pt. 4 No man should undertake either office with the intent of becoming someone important and the church should not appoint elders and deacons so that the other members might sit back and do nothing.

Leadership Pt. 4 Acts 6:7 – Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Leadership Pt. 4 Eph. 4:16 – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Leadership Pt. 4 The elders have responsibilities. The deacons receive direction from the elders. The church has responsibilities to the eldership.