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The Church: The Wisdom of God

The Church: The Wisdom of God. Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership. Paul declares the church makes known the wisdom of God (Eph. 3:10). Since this is true, then the various aspects of God’s design within the church are also a demonstration of His wisdom.

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The Church: The Wisdom of God

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  1. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • Paul declares the church makes known the wisdom of God (Eph. 3:10). • Since this is true, then the various aspects of God’s design within the church are also a demonstration of His wisdom. • This study is focused on the wisdom in God’s design of the church and, in particular, the eldership.

  2. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership Where do we see this wisdom?

  3. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The congregational design.

  4. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The congregational design. • Elders were appointed in every city and in every church. “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” Titus 1:5 “So when they had appointed elders in every church… they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23

  5. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The congregational design. • Elders were appointed in every city and in every church. • These men had the oversight of the congregation among them. The elders who are among you I exhort… Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers” 1 Pet. 5:1, 2

  6. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The congregational design. • Elders were appointed in every city and in every church. • These men had the oversight of the congregation among them. • No one is better qualified to oversee a local congregation than the elders who labor among them. “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Th. 5:12, 13

  7. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The qualifications demanding spiritual maturity.

  8. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The qualifications demanding spiritual maturity. • Not a novice. “not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” 1 Tim. 3:6

  9. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The qualifications demanding spiritual maturity. • Not a novice. • Able to Teach and recognize and defend against error. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach” 1 Tim. 3:2 “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” Titus 1:9

  10. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The qualifications demanding spiritual maturity. • Not a novice. • Able to Teach and recognize and defend against error. • Experienced in successful spiritual leadership. “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Tim. 3:4,5 “if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.” Titus 1:6

  11. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The qualifications demanding spiritual maturity. • Not a novice. • Able to Teach and recognize and defend against error. • Experienced in successful spiritual leadership. “Elder indicates age, experience, maturity — it connotes wisdom and dignity” (Bullinger).

  12. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The plurality of the eldership.

  13. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The plurality of the eldership • The eldership always consists of a plurality. “So when they had appointed elders in every church… they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church” Acts 20:17 “The elders who are among you I exhort…” 1 Pet. 5:1

  14. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The plurality of the eldership • The eldership always consists of a plurality. • There is shared burden of responsibility. • There is shared insight and perspective reflecting wisdom. “So when they had appointed elders in every church… they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church” Acts 20:17 “The elders who are among you I exhort…” 1 Pet. 5:1

  15. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The authority of the eldership.

  16. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The authority of the eldership. • Elders have authority as overseers. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive” Heb. 13:17 “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord.” 1 Th. 5:12 “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor.”1 Tim. 5:17

  17. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The authority of the eldership. • Elders have authority as overseers. • This is delegated authority with Divine backing. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

  18. The Church: The Wisdom of God Wisdom In The Design Of The Eldership • The authority of the eldership. • Elders have authority as overseers. • This is delegated authority with Divine backing. • This authority is to be recognized and submitted to. “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord.” 1 Th. 5:12 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Heb. 13:17

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