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GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS

GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS. Acts 20:28. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS. 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,

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GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS

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  1. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS Acts 20:28

  2. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • 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.

  3. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • 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

  4. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • 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

  5. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • 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:

  6. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • Introduction 3. 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

  7. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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.

  8. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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.

  9. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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.

  10. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth A. Proper Attitudes Develop Character • Matt. 5:3-11 Attitudes essential in God’s kingdom

  11. 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

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

  13. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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

  14. These attitudes essential to elders’ role & work

  15. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth B. Spiritual Growth Produces Godly Character • 2 Pet. 1:5-7 Godly character grows upon faith

  16. 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. • 2 Pet. 1:5-7 Godly character grows upon faith

  17. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS II. The Qualifications Result from Spiritual Growth B. Spiritual Growth Produces Godly Character • Character traits essential to elders’ role & work

  18. These attitudes essential to elders’ role & work

  19. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity A. The Qualifications Prepare Men for the Work • Eph. 3:10 The church reflects God’s wisdom 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, Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  20. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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. • 1 Tim. 3:1-7 A good work to be desired

  24. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity B. The Qualifications Are Given to Study & Apply • Tit. 1:5-9 Orderly organization of the church Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  25. 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

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

  27. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS III. The Qualifications Represent Spiritual Maturity C. They Are Comprehensive for the Work • Proper relationships to God & man • Personal character • Family life Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  28. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  29. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  30. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  31. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  32. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  33. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  34. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  35. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  36. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  37. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  38. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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. Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  39. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  40. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • 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. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • Invitation 2. 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 Spiritual Attitudes Spiritual Growth Spiritual Qualifications Spiritual Work

  42. GOD QUALIFIES MEN AS ELDERS • 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.

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