1. Welcome To The Services Of The We Are Thankful For Your Presence!
Dunlap church of Christ
We Are Thankful For Your Presence!

2. Welcome Questions? Just Let Us Know! To The Services Of The
Dunlap church of Christ
Questions? Just Let Us Know!

3. Judges 5:1-2 (NKJV)
“Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: (2) When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!”

4. A Great Church Is Built
“One Brick At A Time”

5. Brick #2 - DETERMINATION
Brick #1 - PURPOSE
Brick #2 - DETERMINATION
Brick #3 - UNITY
Brick #4 - PREACHERS
Brick #5 - ELDERS

6. Elders In The Book Of Judges? Consider Background & Context!
“When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!”
The one always follows the other!
Leadership that is daring, courageous & devoted always draws out the best in others!

7. Elders In The Book Of Judges? Consider Background & Context!
Judges 5:2 (NKJV)
Consider Background & Context!
“When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!”
The one always follows the other!
Leadership that is daring, courageous, reliable & caring always draws out the best in others!

8. Judges 4:1-2
“And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. (2) And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.”

9. (3) And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. (4) And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.”

10. (5) And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment (6) And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?”

11. (7) And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. (8) And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.”

12. (9) And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.”

13. (9) And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.”

14. (9) And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.” Jael, vs.21

15. The government of the Lord’s church is in their hands!
Per The New Testament Model…
The government of the Lord’s church is in their hands!
It is not by democracy, nor by consensus, but through divine authority, conviction, & true Christian character that genuine elders lead!
The will of the majority.
Compromising to make a deal.

16. Obvious Per The Scriptures!
Elders are to be leaders!
They are way more than decision making authorities in the kingdom!
Shepherds!
The reasons for all the qualifications is for the work they must do, not simply qualifications for a position!
As with everything, God’s standard is supreme (Col. 3:17; I Timothy 3; Titus 1).

17. Sad But True Facts “Good old boy” “Successful businessman” “Old men”
Men are sometimes placed in the office of the eldership because they meet our own manmade qualifications.
“Good old boy”
“Successful businessman”
“Old men”
They cannot lay claim to the qualities of leadership & ability that God requires in a true elder!

18. Serious Responsibilities
Acts 20:28 “take heed unto yourselves”
I Peter 5:2 “feed the flock”
I Peter 5:2 “take the oversight”
Acts 20:28 “feed the church”
I Timothy 5:17 “rule well”
I Thess.5:12 “labour among you, & are over you in the Lord, and admonish you
Hebrews 13:17 “watch for your souls”

19. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Hebrews 13:7
Remember your guides; their counsel and instruction.
Imitate their example of faith, their manner of life, the end result.

20. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
“He is not fit to rule who is not capable of guiding.”
Your spiritual welfare is the highest priority of those you respect & submit to!

21. Jesus On Officers In The Church
Very few specifics, but tons of principles!
Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.”

22. (26) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; (27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

23. Did You Get The Principle?
The bigger the office in Christianity, the larger the service!
Hence, the Lord’s design is that elders lead the church by being servants of the servants.
For what purpose? Galatians 4:19
To mold & make men and women into the image of Christ!

24. Can You See The Difference?
A good leader inspires people with confidence in themselves.
A great leader inspires confidence in the Lord & then in themselves as His servants!
That’s the source of the power genuine elders hold over brethren, and the only kind they desire!

25. Avoiding The Pitfalls

26. God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24)
REPENT (Luke 13:3)
CONFESS (Rom.10:9-10)
BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27)
ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)

27. Are You Wayward?
“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” (Acts 8:22)
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)