1. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n It is the Lord's will that elders oversee a local church!

2. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n It is the Lord's will that elders oversee a local church! n This was a major focus of the apostles. (Acts 14:23)

3. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Acts 14:23 (NKJV) - So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

4. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n This is a God given obligation of an evangelist. (Titus 1:5)

5. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Titus 1:5 (NKJV) - For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

6. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Jesus equipped His church with these men. (Eph 4:11-13)

7. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV) - And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

8. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Another term for an elder is a pastor or shepherd.

9. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Another term for an elder is a pastor or shepherd. n As a shepherd works with sheep, the elder works with people! (Acts 20:17; 28)

10. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Acts 20:17 (NKJV) - From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

11. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Acts 20:28 (NKJV) - Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

12. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Where do elders come from?

13. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Where do elders come from? n They come from men who build a strong Christian character!

14. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n They come from men who have spent their lives working and serving others!

15. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n They come from men who have spent their lives working and serving others! n I could title these lessons: "The Christian's Character". Every Christian needs to examine their lives in this study.

16. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n They come from men who have spent their lives working and serving others! n I could title these lessons: "The Christian's Character". Every Christian needs to examine their lives in this study. n You will be asked to apply this material. Are you ready?

17. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n We will consider these qualifications in six categories: character, reputation, domestic relations, experience, habits, and ability. (1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9)

18. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n 1 Timothy 3:1-8 (NKJV) - This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

19. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

20. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

21. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n Titus 1:5-9 (NKJV) - For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

22. The Lord expects every church to appoint qualified men to be elders! n 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick- tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

23. The Character of an Elder n He must desire the office. (1 Tim 3:1)

24. The Character of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:1 (NKJV) - This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

25. The Character of an Elder n To desire means: “to stretch one's self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire”

26. The Character of an Elder n Why does he have this attitude? Because he loves God and the great work involved in serving Him! Our children need to be taught this.

27. The Character of an Elder n Why does he have this attitude? Because he loves God and the great work involved in serving Him! Our children need to be taught this. n In this desire there must not be worldly ambition. If you desire this work what will you do if the brethren decide you are not qualified at this time?

28. The Character of an Elder n He must be holy. (Titus 1:8)

29. The Character of an Elder n Titus 1:8 (NKJV) - but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

30. The Character of an Elder n There must be a hatred of sin and a love for righteousness. (Heb 1:9)

31. The Character of an Elder n Hebrews 1:9 (NKJV) - You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

32. The Character of an Elder n If a man does not have this within his character, he will quickly be moved to make decisions based upon what the brethren want! How many men have caved in to the statement: "If we do not do this then several families are going to leave!?" (2 Tim 4:3)

33. The Character of an Elder n 2 Timothy 4:3 (NKJV) - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

34. The Character of an Elder n He must be just. (Titus 1:8)

35. The Character of an Elder n Titus 1:8 (NKJV) - but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

36. The Character of an Elder n “Just” is defined: "1) in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God 2) rendering to each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them."

37. The Character of an Elder n Elders will often be called upon to judge others without partiality. (1 Tim 5:21)

38. The Character of an Elder n 1 Timothy 5:21 (NKJV) - I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

39. The Character of an Elder n He must be gentle. (1 Tim 3:3)

40. The Character of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) - not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

41. The Character of an Elder n This means he is: "equitable, fair, mild, gentle.“

42. The Character of an Elder n This means he is: "equitable, fair, mild, gentle.“ n This gentleness will go a long way in helping another face some hard truths!

43. The Character of an Elder n Do others often become angry with you to your puzzlement? (2 Tim 2:24-26)

44. The Character of an Elder n 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJV) - And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

45. The Character of an Elder n He must have good behavior. (1 Tim 3:2)

46. The Character of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

47. The Character of an Elder n This carries the ideal of modest behavior, that which is well arranged.

48. The Character of an Elder n This carries the ideal of modest behavior, that which is well arranged. n This eliminates the flamboyant lifestyle that draws attention to self!

49. The Reputation of an Elder n He must be blameless. (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6, 7)

50. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

51. The Reputation of an Elder n Titus 1:6 (NKJV) - if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

52. The Reputation of an Elder n Titus 1:7 (NKJV) - For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

53. The Reputation of an Elder n This means that no blame or reproach can be proved against him.

54. The Reputation of an Elder n This means that no blame or reproach can be proved against him. n This does not mean that he is sinless but rather he can no longer be held to blame before God or men! He has made things right.

55. The Reputation of an Elder n This does not allow for others to bring out old "skeletons in the closet" and use it against him. Why have you waited until now to bring it up?

56. The Reputation of an Elder n This is another reason why it is important to make confession of sin that others know about throughout you life!

57. The Reputation of an Elder n He must have a good testimony from those who are outside. (1 Tim 3:7)

58. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:7 (NKJV) - Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

59. The Reputation of an Elder n This is what others see concerning your character!

60. The Reputation of an Elder n How many times have I know of a man to have a good reputation at church but later find out how he acted at work and at home! I was shocked after I became a Christian at some who I previously worked with who were “members of the church.”

61. The Reputation of an Elder n He must be hospitable. (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8)

62. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

63. The Reputation of an Elder n Titus 1:8 (NKJV) - but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

64. The Reputation of an Elder n “hospitable” means "one who is generous to guests, loving towards guests and having a love of strangers." This will involve their wives.

65. The Reputation of an Elder n How many in this church regularly open their homes or seek to arrange occasions to be with other Christians? How many here are hospitable?

66. The Reputation of an Elder n A man cannot be involved with others without spending time with them outside services. Until he can do this, he cannot be an elder.

67. The Reputation of an Elder n He must not be violent. (1 Tim 3:3)

68. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) - not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

69. The Reputation of an Elder n He must not be quick to fight or strike back in words.

70. The Reputation of an Elder n Here is where you learn if a man has learned how to forgive. If a man cannot deal with bitterness he will often lose control of himself. (Eph 4:31-32)

71. The Reputation of an Elder n Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV) - Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

72. The Reputation of an Elder n He must not be greedy for money. (1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Pt 5:2)

73. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) - not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

74. The Reputation of an Elder n Titus 1:7 (NKJV) - For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

75. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Peter 5:2 (NKJV) - Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

76. The Reputation of an Elder n A man will either give his life for money of for serving God. We must not view a successful businessman as automatically being a good elder!

77. The Reputation of an Elder n A man will either give his life for money of for serving God. We must not view a successful businessman as automatically being a good elder! n Some men will cheat the IRS, take advantage of others unfairly for a dollar!

78. The Reputation of an Elder n He must not be covetous. (1 Tim 3:3)

79. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) - not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

80. The Reputation of an Elder n This literal means to be a lover of money. (1 Tim 6:6-10)

81. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) - Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

82. The Reputation of an Elder n 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

83. The Reputation of an Elder n Not only is this a sin but it will cause one to have a warped view of others. In time they will judge success by their riches! (Ex. Attitude in business meetings)

84. The Reputation of an Elder n He must not be quarrelsome. (1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7)

85. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) - not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

86. The Reputation of an Elder n Titus 1:7 (NKJV) - For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

87. The Reputation of an Elder n There are some who enjoy fights and fusses.

88. The Reputation of an Elder n There are some who enjoy fights and fusses. n This kind of leadership will bleed a church to death. (1 Tim 1:4; Eph 4:29)

89. The Reputation of an Elder n 1 Timothy 1:4 (NKJV) - nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

90. The Reputation of an Elder n Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

91. The Reputation of an Elder n What kind of life are you building?

92. The Reputation of an Elder n What kind of life are you building? n Every Christian must seek to build these things in their lives. (Mt 7:24-27)

93. The Reputation of an Elder n Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV) - “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

94. The Reputation of an Elder n 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”