What the Church Owes Her Elders

1. What the Church Owes Her Elders

2. Introduction • It is usually easier to think in terms of what others owe us, rather than what we owe them • The human mind is prone to think in selfish terms

3. Introduction • Many look for a congregation to meet their needs, instead of looking to meet the needs of the congregation • Phil. 2:3-4 • 1 Cor. 10:33

4. Know Them • 1 Th. 5:12 • More than just being acquainted • Know their duties and our duty also • Know them for the person they are and respect them as shepherds of the flock

5. Esteem Them • 1 Th. 5:13 • To esteem = to hold in the highest regard • This includes love and affection toward them for their work • Heb. 13:17

6. Esteem Them • We should never speak disrespectfully of the eldership • Be careful what you say about the eldership in front of others • Criticizing and trying to encourage are two different things

7. Count Them Worthy Of Double Honor • 1 Tim. 5:17-18 • Because of the responsibility involved in shepherding the flock the eldership is worthy of “double honor” or honor upon honor

8. Be Slow And Cautious In Criticizing • 1 Tim. 5:19-20 • Elders are now, and have always been the target of severe criticism • We may voice our opinion to the elders

9. Be Slow And Cautious In Criticizing • We may disagree with a decision made in the area of opinion and that is fine – but we should not disrupt the church and the eldership over such matters • 2 Cor. 13:1

10. Be Slow And Cautious In Criticizing • Witness = to give evidence, to bear testimony, to give proof • Mt. 18:15-17

11. Obey And Submit • Heb. 13:17 • We are to obey and submit to the Lord’s delegated authority • We hinder the efforts of the elders if we refuse to submit to their God-given authority

12. Conclusion • We must submit to God’s arrangement in the church