1. Elders in Every Church Acts 14:23

2. 2 The Chief Shepherd Ezek. 34:23 God promised “one shepherd” – Christ (Jno. 10:11, 14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25) Christ wants elders in every church to work as shepherds of His sheep – 1 Peter 5:1-4

3. 3 Some Object to Elders Because it will change the status quo Because it requires new obligations, new expectations & a willingness to submit to the rule of elders Because they lack faith in the Lord’s design for the local church Because they don’t want “trouble”

4. 4 The Will of God When a church can have elders but won’t, it is sinning & not pleasing the Lord – Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5

5. 5 Every Church Needs the Organization the Lord has Arranged & Approved Commanded – Titus 1:5 Approved example – Phil. 1:1 (1 Cor. 4:16; 1 Ths. 2:14) Necessary inference – Acts 14:23

6. 6 Every Church Needs Shepherds – Eph. 4:11 To lead us – Heb. 13:7 Rule: “To go before; to be a leader” Rule: “To go before; to be a leader” Oversee the church’s work, Acts 11:30; 15:4, 6, 22-23; 21:18-26; Jas. 5:14 Oversee the church’s work, Acts 11:30; 15:4, 6, 22-23; 21:18-26; Jas. 5:14 Examples to follow, 1 Pet. 5:3; Heb. 13:7 Examples to follow, 1 Pet. 5:3; Heb. 13:7 Watch for our souls, Heb. 13:17 (Ezek. 34) Watch for our souls, Heb. 13:17 (Ezek. 34)

7. 7 Every Church Needs Shepherds (Eph. 4:11) To feed us – 1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28 The word of God, Heb. 5:12-14 The word of God, Heb. 5:12-14 Urgent warnings, comforting encouragement, helpful support & enduring patience, 1 Ths. 5:14, 2 Tim. 4:2 Urgent warnings, comforting encouragement, helpful support & enduring patience, 1 Ths. 5:14, 2 Tim. 4:2

8. 8 Every Church Needs Shepherds (Eph. 4:11) To watch for our spiritual safety – Heb. 13:17 Danger of doctrinal error, Acts 15:23-24; Titus 1:9-11 Danger of doctrinal error, Acts 15:23-24; Titus 1:9-11 Danger of moral decline, Acts 20:29-31 Danger of moral decline, Acts 20:29-31

9. 9 Every Church Needs Willing & Qualified Men (Acts 14:23) Qualified men, willing to serve – 1 Tim. 3:1, 2-7, 11; Titus 1:5-9 Willing to accept the responsibility of tending to the souls of others, 1 Peter 5:3 Willing to accept the responsibility of tending to the souls of others, 1 Peter 5:3 Willing to give an account to God, Heb. 13:17 Willing to give an account to God, Heb. 13:17

10. 10 Every Church Needs Willing & Qualified Men (Acts 14:23) Must not demand men be sinlessly perfect in order to qualify – 1 Peter 5:1; Luke 5:8 In the past, Peter had… Minded the things of men, Matt. 16:23 Minded the things of men, Matt. 16:23 Lied, cursed & denied Jesus, Matt. 26:69-75 Lied, cursed & denied Jesus, Matt. 26:69-75 Been a hypocrite, Gal. 2:11-14 Been a hypocrite, Gal. 2:11-14

11. 11 Every Church Needs Willing & Qualified Men (Acts 14:23) Some would disqualify Peter… “He is not blameless” 1 Tim. 3:2; Gal. 2:11 “He is not blameless” 1 Tim. 3:2; Gal. 2:11 “He is violent” 1 Tim. 3:3; Jno. 18:10 “He is violent” 1 Tim. 3:3; Jno. 18:10 “He is not self-controlled” Tit. 1:8; Matt. 26:74 “He is not self-controlled” Tit. 1:8; Matt. 26:74 With this approach, nobody would ever qualify to be an elder!

12. 12 Every Church Needs Willing & Qualified Men (Acts 14:23) Men who serve as elders must be honored for their work – 1 Ths. 5:12-13; cf. 1 Tim. 5:17 Those who do not willingly obey qualified elders in doing scriptural work are sinning, Heb. 13:17 Those who do not willingly obey qualified elders in doing scriptural work are sinning, Heb. 13:17 Such honor helps them do their work with joy (Heb. 13:17) Such honor helps them do their work with joy (Heb. 13:17)

13. 13 Elders in Every Church This church needs elders This church can meet this need with faith that the Lord’s will about elders will work This church can work together to appoint qualified men to serve as elders – Eph. 4:2-6, 11-12 With love for Jesus, His truth & each other With love for Jesus, His truth & each other