Elders and the Blessings
A. IN THE APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS A MAJOR CONCERN IS WHAT GOD
REQUIRES WITH RESPECT TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.
B. THE FIRST PLACE THAT WE TURN IS 1 Timothy 3.
C. BUT A KEY PASSAGE IS ONE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS, BUT WE RARELY
LOOK AT IN RELATION TO OUR QUESTION – Matthew 5:3-12.
1. The Beatitudes set forth character traits Jesus expects in his disciples.
2. The elders are to be examples to the flock in these things.
3. These traits have a bearing on their work.
A. HUMBLE – A REALIZATION OF ONE’S SMALLNESS (Psa. 144:3-4).
B. A TRAIT NECESSARY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS (Matt. 18:1-4).
C. A SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS
(Luke 18:9-10; 1 Tim. 3:6; Rom. 12:3).
A. DOES THIS INCLUDE ALL THAT MOURN THIS WORLD’S LOSSES? WHAT
ABOUT THOSE WHO DIE IN SIN? THEIR LOVED ONES? (1 Thess. 4:13).
B. THOSE WHO MOURN OVER LIFE’S BURDENS IN CHRIST (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
C. MADE TO THOSE WHO ARE BURDENED WITH SIN.
1. All of us are sinners (1 John 1:8, 9).
2. Sin in a godly man produces a great burden (2 Cor. 7:10).
3. Elders have to make judgments (Matt. 7:1-5).
A. prautes, GENTLENESS IN STRENGTH. POWER RESTRAINED.
B. JESUS AS THE PRIMARY EXAMPLE (Matt. 26:53; 27:29-44; Luke 23:34).
C. APPLIED TO CHRISTIANS, ESP. ELDERS (2 Tim 2:24; Titus 3:2; James 3:17).
D. ELDERS HAVE AUTHORITY – THEY MUST HAVE MERCY.
A. VORACIOUS APPETITE FOR IT – MUST HAVE IN ABUNDANCE.
B. FOR THE WORD (1 Pet. 2:1-2; Psa. 119:97).
C. INCLUDES CONDITIONS DESCRIBED AS RIGHT (Jude 22-23; 3 John 2-4).
D. LONGS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS LINKED TO CLEANSING (Psa. 51:7-9).
E. NOT HAPPY JUST KNOWING RIGHT, BUT MUST SEE THAT IT PREVAILS IN HIS
LIFE, WHETHER OR NOT TO HIS PERSONAL ADVANTAGE. THE CAUSE OF
GOD (HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS) IS MOST IMPORTANT, SO HE STUDIES GOD’S
WORD, APPLIES IT TO HIMSELF, AND TEACHES IT TO OTHERS.
A. eloes, “THE OUTWARD MANIFESTATION OF PITY.” KINDNESS IN EXCESS OF
FAIRNESS. “ACTIVELY COMPASSIONATE.”
B. GOD’S MERCY.
1. Our hope of salvation (1 Pet. 1:3).
2. Not limited to our redemption (Heb. 4:16).
C. WE ARE TO IMITATE GOD (Eph. 5:1).
1. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) showed mercy (1 John 3:17-18).
2. Spiritual needs (Jude 22-23).
3. Forgiveness (Matt. 6:12-15). Grudge bearing not allowed.
A. katharos, “FREE FROM ADMIXTURE, WITHOUT BLEMISH, SPOTLESS.”
B. TRUE PURITY COMES THROUGH FORGIVENESS (1 John 1:7).
C. OUR LIVES MUST BE PURE.
1. Worthy of the gospel (Phil. 1:27).
2. God’s intention (1 John 2:1; 2 Cor. 7:2).
D. HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THIS?
1. Determination to obey (1 Pet. 1:22; 4:19).
2. Avoiding temptation (2 Tim. 2:22).
3. We can control our minds (Phil. 4:8).
ELDERS AND PREACHERS MUST SET THE EXAMPLE!
A. GOD IS THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE (2 Cor. 5:18-20).
1. Our goodness or worth not the determining factor (1 John 4:9-10).
2. He took the initiative (Rom. 5:8).
B. WE ARE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE.
1. We must also take the initiative (Matt. 5:23ff.; Matt. 15:18).
2. 1 Pet. 3:11; Romans 12:18. Give Peace A Chance!
C. ELDERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH PEACEMAKING. THEY CANNOT
BE FOUND CREATING SCHISM OR FORMING PARTIES – CLIQUES
(1 Cor. 12:25; 3:16-17).
A. PERSECUTION IS PROMISED (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12; Luke 6:26).
B. OUR REACTION (Acts 5:41; 1 Pet. 2:21-23).
C. THE ELDER MUST COMMIT TO SERVE ANYWAY (1 Pet. 4:19; 2 Tim. 1:12).
A. WE HAVE A TENDANCY TO FOCUS ON PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS.
B. QUALITIES OF CHARACTER ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT.
