1. Can We Serve Church “Cafeteria Style”?
Lesson 7:
Who’s in Charge Here?
Leadership in the New Testament Church

2. Introduction Barnacles on our boat Our approach in this lesson
Doctrinal foundation for church leadership
The priesthood of all believers
The headship of Christ
The crucial New Testament text: Matthew 23:1-12
Principles, commands, and apostolic example
Conclusion and Application: What New Testament leadership looks like at CBC

3. Doctrinal Foundation The priesthood of all believers Exodus 19:4-6
Deuteronomy 5:1-5
Deuteronomy 5:22-33
Revelation 1:5-6
Revelation 5:6-14 (especially vss. 9-10)
1 Peter 2:4-10 (especially v. 9)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may
proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out
of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

4. The Headship of Christ Exodus 20:3-6 Isaiah 42:6-8 (see Acts 12:20-23)
Ephesians 1:18-23
Colossians 2:9-10
Colossians 1:15-20
He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the
beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that
he himself may become first in all things (Colossians
1:18, NET Bible).
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things
He may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18, NKJ).

5. Christ’s Teaching in Matthew 23
The scribes and Pharisees are not good leaders
Nevertheless, submit to their teachingDon’t follow their example
Their evils exposed:
They are hypocrites
They are a burden, not a blessing (cp. Gal. 6:1-3)
They seek status, rather than service

6. Lessons in leadership – Jesus style (vss. 8-12)
Don’t be called Rabbi – One is your teacher, and you are all brothers
Don’t be called father, for God is your Father
Don’t be called teacher, for Christ is your Teacher
Godly leadership is about humility and service

7. New Testament commands, principles, and practices
Matthew 23:8-12
Titus 1:5
1 Peter 5:1-2
Acts 20:28-31
General principles
You are all brothers (Matthew 23:8)
Body life (1 Corinthians 12, 14; Ephesians 4 etc.)
Spiritual gifts (including teaching and leading)

8. Principles on how to lead
Not like the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-12)
Not like the Gentiles (Matthew 20:20-28)
Not like the “false apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:20)
But like Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30; 12:17-21; Philippians 2:1-11)
And like Paul (Acts 20:17-35; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
And like Peter learned (1 Peter 5:1-5)

9. New Testament practice (plurality of leaders)
Acts 6:1-6
Acts 13:1-4
Acts 14:23
Acts 15
Acts 20:17-35

10. Conclusion: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
No laity-clergy distinction
Two offices: elders and deacons (no office of pastor)
What does this look like. . .
In our worship meeting
In our teaching
In our elders meetings
Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 7 in the series, Can We Serve Church Cafeteria Style?, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for March 16, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.