elders and followers

ELDERS & FOLLOWERS

God only created two institutions:

The home + The ChurchA natural family + A spiritual family.

Family matters!

Psalm 95:3 (NIV) 3 For the Lord is the great God, the great King

above all gods.

Psalm 103:19 (NIV) 19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

1 Peter 5:1-3 (NIV) 1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-

elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be

shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being

examples to the flock.

Acts 20:17 (NIV) 17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the

elders of the church.

Acts 20:28 (NIV) 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock

of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he

bought with his own blood.

• Elder is the office given to the person.

• Bishop or overseer is the governmental work of giving direction & ‘overseeing’ the church

• Shepherding or pastoring is the spiritual ministry of an elder

What should we expect of our elders?

1. DIRECTION

1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV) 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church

well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Romans 12:8 (NIV) 8 … if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; …

Being disciples, who make disciples,

who are making disciples!

Church in Celebration Church in Small Groups

Church to the Community

2. DISCIPLESHIP

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that

is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many

witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

D = Divine TruthHear God for yourself and joyfully obey

N = Nurturing AccountabilityGrow up before you grow old

A = Apostolic MissionBring His Kingdom from heaven to earth.

3. DISCIPLINEHebrews 12:5-9 (NIV)

5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the

Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes

everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had

human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our

spirits and live!

3 ways to exercise discipline in the church

a. Encourage

Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV) 12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a

sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

b. Reprove

Proverbs 15:12 (ESV) 12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he

will not go to the wise.

c. Rebuke

1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV) 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them

in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

4. DUPLICATION

2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

5. DOCTRINE

Titus 2:1 (NIV) 1 You must teach what is in accord with sound

doctrine.

6. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 (NIV) 1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare

he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not

know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not

competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much

more the things of this life!

Romans 12:18 (NIV) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,

live at peace with everyone.

What can your Elders expect from you?

1. Godly humble leaders can expect those they lead to submit.

Hebrews 13:17 (NLT) 17 Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your

souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be

for your benefit.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NIV) 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you

in the Lord and who admonish you.

2. Godly humble leaders can expect those they lead to protect the unity of the church.

Philippians 2:2 (NIV) 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in

spirit and purpose.

3. Godly humble leaders can expect those they lead to take personal ownership of the vision of the church.

"I don’t need a Church" is nonsense. You can’t love Christ & not his Body, the King & not his

Kingdom, the Father & not his Family.