Mike Mazzalongo #2 – Church Leadership

Each role in the church has a specific function based on: Responsibilities Aptitudes Appointment

New Testament Leadership A.The head and leader is Jesus Christ He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. - Colossians 1:18

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; - Ephesians 4:4

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. - Matthew 28:18

Jesus expresses His leadership in 2 ways: 1.His Word He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. - John 12:48

and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; - II Timothy 3:15-16

Jesus expresses His leadership in 2 ways: 1.His Word 2.His Spirit Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:38

The Holy Spirit Leads: Our Ministries – Acts 16:6 Our Prayers – Romans 8:26 Our Resurrection – Romans 8:10-11

New Testament Leadership A.The head and leader is Jesus Christ B.The responsibility to exercise the leadership of the Lord in the local assembly belongs to the Elders

When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. - Acts 14:23

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, - Titus 1:5

Pastor/Shepherd – Acts 20:28 Bishop/Overseer – Acts 20:28 Elder/Presbyter – Acts 20:17

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. - I Thessalonians 5:12- 13

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. - Hebrews 13:17

Why the emphasis on leadership? 1.Bible teaches that Elders lead

Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” - Acts 15:1

And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. - Acts 15:2

Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. - Acts 15:3

When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.” - Acts 15:4-5

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas— Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, - Acts 15:22

Why the emphasis on leadership? 1.Bible teaches that Elders lead 2.Guard against the errors of denominationalism

Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. - James 5:14-15

Our calling is not to be a BIG church, our calling is to be the church of the BIBLE.

Why the emphasis on leadership? 1.Bible teaches that Elders lead 2.Guard against the errors of denominationalism 3.Challenge this congregation

Why the emphasis on leadership? 3.Groups Challenged: –Elders

Why the emphasis on leadership? 3.Groups Challenged: –Elders –Congregation

Why the emphasis on leadership? 3.Groups Challenged: –Elders –Congregation –Future Leaders