god qualifies men as elders

Acts 20:28

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• Introduction

1. Acts 20:28 God qualifies men as elders to guide & guard souls, leading them to heaven

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

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• Introduction

1. Acts 20:28 God qualifies men as elders to guide & guard souls, leading them to heaven

God designed & purchased the church for its uniquely spiritual purpose:

salvation Its spiritual organization is sufficient

to its spiritual purpose: elders lead, deacons serve, & all saints cooperate

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• Introduction

1. Acts 20:28 God qualifies men as elders to guide & guard souls, leading them to heaven

God set qualifications for elders relating directly to the church’s spiritual purpose Each qualification is primarily spiritual—

emphasis on character not nation, race, or earthly status

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• Introduction

2. Tit. 1:5 Local churches can exist without elders but need elders to function most effectively

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

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• Introduction3. We seek to understand God’s plan to qualify men as elders in order to fulfill it.

The Holy Spirit Revealed the Qualifications The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity

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I. The Holy Spirit Revealed the Qualifications A. The Holy Spirit Revealed the Plan of Salvation

Jn. 16:13 The Spirit of truth revealed all truth

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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I. The Holy Spirit Revealed the Qualifications A. The Holy Spirit Revealed the Plan of Salvation

2 Tim. 3:16-17 The revelation is complete

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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I. The Holy Spirit Revealed the Qualifications B. The Spirit Guides Us in God’s Will by His Word

Acts 20:28 Thus the Spirit makes overseers

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

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II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth A. Proper Attitudes Develop Character

Matt. 5:3-11 Attitudes essential in God’s kingdom

Matt. 5:3-11 Attitudes essential in God’s kingdom

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matt. 5:3-11 Attitudes essential in God’s kingdom

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8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

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II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth A. Proper Attitudes Develop Character

Proper attitudes are essential to enter God’s kingdom, & then they must be cultivated These attitudes essential to elders’ role & work

These attitudes essential to elders’ role & workPOOR IN SPIRIT: humble, reverent before God, respect others MOURN: godly sorrow for sin

MEEK: strength of character yielding to God

HUNGER, THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: deep desire to be right with God & to do right toward God & manMERCIFUL: compassionate, forgiving

PURE IN HEART: single-minded focus on serving God

PEACEMAKER: love unity, harmony, & reconciliation

WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST: willing to suffer & sacrifice for truth & right

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II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth B. Spiritual Growth Produces Godly Character

2 Pet. 1:5-7 Godly character grows upon faith

2 Pet. 1:5-7 Godly character grows upon faith

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

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II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth B. Spiritual Growth Produces Godly Character

Character traits essential to elders’ role & work

These attitudes essential to elders’ role & workFAITH: conviction of the truth, trust in God, obedience to His WordVIRTUE: moral courage, goodness in action

KNOWLEDGE: grasp & follow the truth in God’s Word

TEMPERANCE: self-denial, self-discipline, self-control

PATIENCE: endurance, perseverance, persistence

GODLINESS: reverence toward God shown by life

BROTHERLY KINDNESS: family love toward saints

LOVE: active unselfish spirit seeking the welfare of all

III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity A. The Qualifications Prepare Men for the Work

Eph. 3:10 The church reflects God’s wisdom

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10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity B. The Qualifications Are Given to Study & Apply

1 Tim. 3:1-7 A good work to be desired

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

1 Tim. 3:1-7 A good work to be desired 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

1 Tim. 3:1-7 A good work to be desired

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1 Tim. 3:1-7 A good work to be desired

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity B. The Qualifications Are Given to Study & Apply

Tit. 1:5-9 Orderly organization of the church

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

Tit. 1:5-9 Orderly organization of the church

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Tit. 1:5-9 Orderly organization of the church

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity C. They Are Comprehensive for the Work

Proper relationships to God & man Personal character Family life

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity C. They Are Comprehensive for the Work

Necessary talents: able to teach & refute error Absolute qualities: experience in leading a family Relative qualities: patience, able to teach

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity D. General Qualities of Christian Character

Blameless: not living a life of reproach Vigilant: sober-minded, watchful Temperate: self-disciplined, self-controlled

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity D. General Qualities of Christian Character

Sober: prudent, even-tempered, wise in judgment Good behavior: respectable, good conduct Given to hospitality: hospitable, generous to guests

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity D. General Qualities of Christian Character

Good report from without: good reputation Not given to wine: not intoxicated or addicted

to alcoholic drinks Not a striker: not quarrelsome or threatening

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity D. General Qualities of Christian Character

Not greedy of filthy lucre: not seeking dishonest gain; not a cheat or a gambler

Patient: gentle, reasonable, conciliatory demeanor Not a brawler: not provoking quarrels & strife

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity D. General Qualities of Christian Character

Not covetous: not loving money & material things Not self-willed: not having a stubborn disposition Not soon angry: not irritable or quick-tempered

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity D. General Qualities of Christian Character

Lover of good men: loves all that is morally good Just: fair, honest, impartial Holy: pure, devout, set apart to God’s will

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity E. Specific Traits Necessary to the Office

A man: a mature male Desire the office: longing to serve God & saints in this role—result of deep love for God & saints

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity E. Specific Traits Necessary to the Office

Husband of one wife: scripturally married Having faithful children: leads his children to be Christians Rules well his own house: leads his family well

in harmony with God’s will

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity E. Specific Traits Necessary to the Office

Apt to teach: skilled teacher of God’s Word Not a novice: not a recent convert but an experienced & mature Christian

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity F. His Wife Must Be Spiritually Mature

1 Tim. 3:11 A wife’s character enhances or prevents the ability of men to serve

11 Even so must their wives be grave [worthy of respect], not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity F. His Wife Must Be Spiritually Mature

If a man seems to have all other qualifications, but his wife is not strong & mature, he cannot serve

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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• Invitation

1. Acts 20:28 God qualifies men as elders to guide & guard souls, leading them to heaven

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

41

• Invitation2. We seek to understand God’s plan to qualify men as elders in order to fulfill it.

The Holy Spirit Revealed the Qualifications The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity

SpiritualAttitudes

SpiritualGrowth

SpiritualQualifications

SpiritualWork

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• Invitation

3. God is seeking souls who are seeking Him: Acts 22:16 Come without delay!

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.