Sunday, May 30, 2010 am
The work of Elders
a.
The terms
used are more than titles.
i.
They are actually descriptions
that help to define their work as we shall see.
ii.
Three
terms – one office –
Acts 20:17 & 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2
b.
Elder (presbuteros)
i.
It is a
term that has reference to one who is older (cf. 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Tim. 5:1
& 2).
Bear in mind that such a term is relative (old is defined by the
audience) but it is OBVIOUS that what is meant is one who is of
sufficient age to have reached a good degree of spiritual maturity.
“The term ‘elder’ indicates the mature spiritual experience and
understanding of those so described.” (W.E. Vine)
ii.
The term
was used in the Old Testament to describe the leaders in a city or tribe
(Ex. 3:16, 24:1, Heb. 11:2) and in reference to the leaders in Jesus day
(Mt. 21:23, Acts 4:5, etc.). The term was used because more often than
not, if you wanted wise leaders with experience you would turn to the
older generation.
iii.
Acts 14:23
– appointed elders in every Church; Acts 20:17 Paul called for the
Ephesian elders, 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Timothy 5:17, 19, James 5:14, etc.
iv.
When we
consider the awesome work they are engaged in, we can see why such is a
requirement to serve.
c.
Bishop (overseer
– NASU)
Episkopos: It a term that means one who
superintends or oversees the affairs of the local church.
The LXX (Septuagint) uses the word in Ezekiel 3:17 where it is
translated “watchman.”
TDNT speaks of “their function is that of the watchful direction of
believers on the basis of Christ’s work.”
i.
1 Tim.
3:1, Phil. 1:1 – (Episkopos) clearly identifies it as an office in the
local church.
ii.
Consider
also Ac. 20:28 & 1 Pet. 5:2 – where the same word described what they
did.
iii.
Hebrews
13:17 speaks of those who rule over you, “for they watch out for your
souls.”
iv.
Examples
of their oversight in the affairs of a congregation include:
Acts 11:30 speaking of relief
being sent to Judea by brethren in Antioch notes,
“This they also did, and sent it
to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
Acts 15:5-6, 22-23 – the elders were at the forefront of dealing with
the circumcision controversy in Antioch and Jerusalem.
v.
There is a
sense in which they are managers of the congregation and they oversee
the work to be done. But
they do so, being directed by the dictates of the Holy Spirit (Ac.
20:28, 1 Peter 5:3-4 speaks of being examples to the flock and appeals
to the Chief Shepherd from whom they will receive their reward.
d.
Pastor (shepherd)
i.
Poiman –
to shepherd or tend, especially to feed.
It has reference to a shepherd of a herd of sheep.
Like the other words discussed, more significance is placed upon the
function rather than it being a title.
ii.
1 Peter
5:2, “Shepherd the flock”, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11 listed among those
God gave to lead and teach the church.
iii.
Considering the duties of a true shepherd we can see the analogy.
1.
He leads
the flock by showing the way they should go.
He is up front in this.
2.
He feeds
and provides what they need to survive.
3.
He
protects the flock from predators by watching where they go AND at times
confronting the predators.
4.
He nurses
the weak, sick and injured back to health.
5.
He keeps
track of all the flock
iv.
Similarly,
our pastors do the same for us.
1.
They set
an example for us to follow – 1 Peter 5:2-3.
This is the greatest way they lead!
(More in a moment)
2.
They
provide for and feed the church spiritually – not only are they “apt to
teach” (Heb. 13:7 – they have spoken the word of God to you), they also
consider what IS taught and ensure the flock is adequately taught
(Ephesians 4:11-15)
in this you find that they work with the preacher and teachers to ensure
that the flock is being adequately fed.
3.
They
protect us from predators – Titus 1:9-11; Acts 20:29-31 – where Paul
warns of wolves.
4.
They keep
track of us and give special attention to the weak and infirm - Heb.
13:17 says they watch out for our souls; Acts 20:35 notes that by
following Paul’s example they are to support the weak
e.
Steward (oikonomon) –
i.
Not often
mentioned, it is another term descriptive of the work of the elders.
ii.
Titus 1:7
says, “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…”
iii.
It is a
term that describes the manager of a household or its affairs.
If a slave, this would be one entrusted with his master’s
belongings.
iv.
The elders
of a congregation have been entrusted with the care of the flock.
Their qualifications have earned His trust.
In this term, I am reminded that the office is one not to be
taken lightly. It is an
awesome responsibility for which they will answer to the Chief Shepherd
– Heb. 13:17, 1 Peter 5:5 – when He appears, you will receive the crown
of glory.
1 Cor. 4:1-2, Paul described himself as a steward of the mysteries of
God. “Moreover it is
required in stewards, that one be found faithful.”
1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has
received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.”
a.
In
addition to these terms there are other passages that make reference to
the work elders are to be engaged in.
Let us consider a few of these.
b.
It
is a work – 1 Tim. 3:1.
I want to impress upon us that
they have a big and important job.
It requires dedication, love, time and energy.
Their response to this work will
determine in large part the strength of a congregation.
In other words, their task is
more than a mere figurehead or representative for the congregation.
Yet there are some elders who do not understand this.
ONE source that I consulted in my studies (Gary Henry,
www.brasstacks.org) noted
three types of elders that do not fully recognize their work:
1.
“Announcement elders” about the only real work they do is make
announcements and preside over worship services.
2.
“Business
manager” elders who see their primary duty as making the financial
decisions of the church.
3.
“Parking
lot” elders who do little more than chat about the work of the church
after services (i.e. they do not formulate real plans for the growth of
the church, etc).
c.
They are examples –
i.
1 Pet. 5:2
says it in uncertain terms
ii.
Acts
20:28, the first thing Paul said to the Ephesian elders about their work
was, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock…”
Recall in our last lesson we noted they are Christians first.
iii.
But not
just Christians, in character they have PROVEN themselves worthy of
imitation (Heb. 13:7)
d.
They are to teach us – it
is an important part of the work elders engage in
i.
An elder
HAS to be a capable teacher in those areas that matter to the well being
of the church. They
also must have the ability to communicate their intentions to the
congregation.
ii.
Able to
teach (1 Tim. 3:2) is one of their qualifications.
iii.
Ephesians
4:11 – the context (11-16) deals with teaching brethren so that they are
prepared to withstand false doctrines and so that they will grow as they
ought to. Note in vs. 12
that they are given, “for the
equipping of the saints for
the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…”
This is fulfilled by teaching and it is NOT just the preachers
who do the teaching!
iv.
Hold fast
the faithful word (Titus 1:9) – indicates one who will not let go of it.
When faced with those who oppose the truth, he must be able to
defend His beliefs which requires a degree of teaching ability which is
EFFECTIVE!
NOTE how the verse continues, “that
he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who
contradict.”
v.
Shepherding the church – involves teaching.
They are “feeding the flock.”
e.
They watch out for our souls -
i.
Hebrews
13:17 notes this.
In the course of their pastoring, they are going to do many things to
accomplish this. They will
be there to give guidance, encourage you to do the right thing, try to
motivate you to be the best you can and admonish you when you are not
what you ought to be.
ii.
Their
wisdom is applied to make you a better Christian (and person) and to
preserve the church (cf. Acts 20:28-31)
iii.
1 Thess.
5:12 notes that we are to recognize “those who labor among you, and are
over you in the Lord and admonish you.”
iv.
1 Timothy
3:5 in discussing his qualifications it notes that He will need to “take
care of the church of God.”
f.
They pray for us –
i.
James 5:14 calls for us to go to
them when we need their prayers.
ii.
Every
other passage that calls for us to pray for one another would also apply
to them. Being godly men of
godly character, they should personally excel in this virtue as well.
And thus we can see the work of elders within a congregation.
Perhaps other things can be added to this list, but it is my hope
that with what has been presented, we can see the magnitude and intent
of their work. It is often a
thankless job and requires a special type of person.
MOST will not achieve this plateau; therefore we each must remind
ourselves to properly honor and submit to them.
As they effectively strive to do their job, will we do ours
toward them as well? Think
about it!