1. Of the Church – Pt. 1

2.  He is the head over everything.  Colossians 1:18 -- 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.

3.  Ephesians 1:20-22 – “…which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church….”

4.  Colossians 3:17 -- Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

5.  Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

6.  “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

7.  2 Timothy 3:16 -- All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness….

8.  No man is infallible  No man has authority from God  No man can claim the position of authority of Christ’s church.

9.  Bible vocabulary  PRESBUTEROS – an older man  EPISKOPOS – overseer, bishop  POIMEN – shepherd, pastor  All three words describe the same group of men – the elders of the church.

10.  “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders (PRESBUTEROS) of the church…Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (EPISKOPOS), to shepherd (POIMEN) the church which He purchased with his own blood.

11.  “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder…shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight….”

12.  They act as watchmen  Acts 20:28 – “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God….”

13.  Hebrews 13:17 -- 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.

14.  Ephesians 4:11ff  …He gave some as pastors and teachers  “…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ….” (vs. 15)

15.  1 Peter 5:3 -- …nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock….

16.  I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9  Men  Husbands of but one wife  Willing and able to teach  Above reproach  Sober  Peaceable and gentle

17.  1 Thes. 5:12-13 – “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….”

18.  “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.”