1. Elders in Every Church Acts 14:23 Christs Gift to His Church Chris Reeves * Westside church of Christ Gospel Meeting * April 5, 2006

2. Elders in Every Church Why Some Churches Today Are Without Elders Some men… Some men… dont have the desire (1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:2) dont have the desire (1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:2) dont want to mature (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6) dont want to mature (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6) dont want the work (1 Thess. 5:13; 1 Tim. 3:1) dont want the work (1 Thess. 5:13; 1 Tim. 3:1) dont want the accountability (Heb. 13:17) dont want the accountability (Heb. 13:17) dont want to be an example (1 Pet. 5:3) dont want to be an example (1 Pet. 5:3) dont want to watch themselves (Acts 20:28,31) dont want to watch themselves (Acts 20:28,31) dont want to care for others (Acts 20:35) dont want to care for others (Acts 20:35) dont want to be held accountable (1 Tim. 5:20) dont want to be held accountable (1 Tim. 5:20)

3. Elders in Every Church Why Some Churches Today Are Without Elders Some brethren … Some brethren … dont want to submit (1 Thess. 2:12) dont want to submit (1 Thess. 2:12) dont want to esteem elders (1 Thess. 2:13) dont want to esteem elders (1 Thess. 2:13) dont want peace (1 Thess. 5:12-13) dont want peace (1 Thess. 5:12-13) dont want to honor elders (1 Tim. 5:17-25) dont want to honor elders (1 Tim. 5:17-25) dont want to imitate / obey (Heb. 13:7,17,24) dont want to imitate / obey (Heb. 13:7,17,24) dont want to call for help (Jas. 5:13-16) dont want to call for help (Jas. 5:13-16)

4. Elders in Every Church Why Some Churches Today Are Without Elders Three Possibilities 1. Unscripturally organized 2. Scripturally unorganized (mens meetings, Titus 1:5) 3. Scripturally organized (Elders)

5. Elders in Every Church Elders are Christs gift to the local church (Eph. 4:11) Elders are Christs gift to the local church (Eph. 4:11) Are we rejecting the Lords gift of elders? Are we rejecting the Lords gift of elders? Are we despising the Lords gift of elders? Are we despising the Lords gift of elders?

6. Elders in Every Church Three blessings of Christs gift (Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5,7; 1 Peter 5:1-3) Three blessings of Christs gift (Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5,7; 1 Peter 5:1-3) Elder (Gr. prebuteros) = the blessing of mature, spiritual wisdom Elder (Gr. prebuteros) = the blessing of mature, spiritual wisdom Bishop (Gr. episcopos) = the blessing of watchful oversight Bishop (Gr. episcopos) = the blessing of watchful oversight Pastor (Gr. poimeen) = the blessing of protective feeding and guiding Pastor (Gr. poimeen) = the blessing of protective feeding and guiding

7. Elders in Every Church Elders will be greatly rewarded for their work (1 Peter 5:4) Elders will be greatly rewarded for their work (1 Peter 5:4) Churches will be greatly rewarded for having elders (Heb. 13:17) Churches will be greatly rewarded for having elders (Heb. 13:17)