AM Sermon 6/29/14: God’s Appointed Leaders in the Church
AM Scripture Reading: Titus 1.4-9
Sermon Series: Keeping The Church Strong & Growing
Brent T. Willey
Lesson #2:
GOD’S APPOINTED LEADERS IN THE CHURCH
Introduction:
- “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” (Titus 1.5).
- Why? The local church will always be in need of leadership!
- Notice how the apostle Paul addressed the Philippian church: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1.1).
DEFINING THE BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS
- The Eldership: 1 Position – 3 Words – 6 Descriptions…
(Read Acts 20.17-28; 1 Pet. 5.1-3)- Elder/Presbyter: presbúteros [elderly, mature]
- Bishop/Overseer: epískopos [overseeing]
- Pastor/Shepherd: poimén [shepherding]
- The Deacons: diákonos [servant] (Phil. 1.1; 1 Tim. 3.10)
- The Preacher/Evangelist (Rom. 10.14; 2 Tim. 4.5)
- Preacher: kerússō [to herald or proclaim]
- Evangelist: euaggelistés [bringer of good tidings]
RESPECTING THE SCRIPTURAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Elders, Bishops & Pastors: 1 Tim. 3.1-7; Titus 1.5-9
- Deacons: 1 Tim. 3.8-13
- Preachers: 1 Tim. 4.12-13, 16; cf., James 3.1
APPOINTED LEADERS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
- The church’s simple organization: Phil. 1.1
- The church’s need: Titus 1.5: “Set in order…”
- Spiritual oversight: Acts 20.28; Heb. 13.7, 17
- Serving physical needs: E.g., Acts 6.1-7
- Preaching God’s Word: Rom. 10.13-17; 2 Tim. 4.2-5
- The church’s autonomous nature: 1 Pet. 5.2; Acts 20.17, 28
Conclusion: The local church must strive to honor God’s wise design!
Next Week
Lesson #3: The Ongoing Need of Biblical Edification
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