Three questions that will help us understand leadership in the Church:
I. How is leadership
in our church?
Colossians 1:17-18 NIV84 For by him all thing were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 18 He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.
A. Elders are called to
1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV) The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
B. Elders are instructed to lead in
Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1
C. Elders are constrained by
Additional Notes:
II. What are leadership
in our church?
A. Leaders are qualified by
1 Timothy 3:1-7,;Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7, 17
Acts 4:13 NIV When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
B. Leaders must have proper
1 Timothy 3:1; Jeremiah 45:5; 1 Peter 5:6
Additional Notes:
III. What does leadership
in our church?
A. Leaders are expected to be
Luke 9:46-48; Matt 20:20-28 ; Matt 20:20; John 13:1-17
B. Leaders are expected to be
Acts 20:28 NIV 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.
1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV So I exhort the elders among you… 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Additional Notes:
IV. Conclusion: We need more godly
in our church!
A. Jesus
Additional Notes:
Discussion Questions:
1. What part of this message encouraged you the most?
2. What did you learn from this message about leadership in the Church?
3. What surprised you or challenged you?
4. Why do you think it’s sometimes hard for people to trust leadership in the Church?
5. Discuss the difference between character-based leadership vs. degree-based leadership.
Resources:
“Core Values Paper” PDF
http://www.experiencetherock.com/wp-content/themes/trc/docs/M28_CORE_VALUES_final.pdf
“Revolutionary” (1 Timothy 2:8-15)
Josh Whitney, September 29 & 30, 2018
https://vimeo.com/292619956
“Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call To Restore Biblical Church Leadership.”
Alexander Strauch, 1997, ISBN #0936083131