“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’

3. Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

4. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

5. The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” (1 Timothy 5:17–25, NIV)

6. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:1–2, NIV)

7. “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:3, NIV)

8. “Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven.” (Job 25:2, NIV)

9. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11–12, NIV)

10. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,” (1 Cor. 14:33, NIV)

11. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders:

12. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 1. Honor Them

13. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

14. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:33, 35, NIV)

15. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 2. Protect Them

16. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 2. Protect Them “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.” (1 Tim. 5:19, NIV)

17. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 2. Protect Them “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105:15, NIV)

18. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 2. Protect Them “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.” (1 Timothy 5:20, NIV)

19. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 2. Protect Them “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.” (1 Timothy 5:21, NIV)

20. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 3. Carefully Select Them

21. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 3. Carefully Select Them “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22, NIV)

22. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 3. Carefully Select Them “The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.” (1 Tim. 5:24, NIV)

23. 3 Edicts for Esteeming Elders: 3. Carefully Select Them “In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” (1 Timothy 5:25, NIV)