ELDERS GUIDE & GUARD SOULS

Acts 20:28

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• Introduction

1. Acts 20:28-32 God ordained 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.


31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

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• Introduction2. We want to understand & follow God’s plan

for the role of elders in His church: The nature of leadership in three words Specific duties of elders Why desire this work?

3. Let us encourage elders & encourage men to prepare to accept this vital work!

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I. The Nature of Leadership in Three Words A. SHEPHERD, PASTOR: One Who Cares for Sheep

Greek word poimen: shepherd, pastor; any presiding officer, manager, or director

of an assembly; ruler, guide, protector, & companion People like sheep need guidance & protection

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Ps. 23 God is a shepherd to His people

Ps. 23 God is a shepherd to His people 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Ps. 23 God is a shepherd to His people 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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Jn. 10:11-15 Jesus is a good & true shepherd: he gave his life for our salvation

Jn. 10:11-15 Jesus is a good & true shepherd: he gave his life for our salvation

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

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Acts 20:28 God delegated authority to elders to “feed,” shepherd, or pastor His people:

to serve, lead, & guide 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.

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I. The Nature of Leadership in Three Words B. OVERSEER, BISHOP: One Who Superintends

Greek word episcopos: one who inspects to see that work is done properly; any guardian, officer, or magistrate; a superintendent in a church People need leaders to guide & protect them

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Num. 3:32 Eleazar had “oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary” 2 Chron. 2:18 Solomon had 3,600 “overseers” in building the temple Acts 1:20 Judas’ “bishoprick:” The Apostles oversaw activities under the direction of Jesus

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1 Pet. 2:25 Jesus watches over our souls

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

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Acts 20:28 Jesus delegates authority to elders to watch over our souls

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.

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I. The Nature of Leadership in Three Words C. ELDER, PRESBYTER: A Wise & Mature Leader

Greek word presbuteros: comparative age or seniority; men of age, experience, & wisdom appointed to lead in civil or religious positions; spiritually mature men appointed to lead in local churches People need mature leaders to guide & protect

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Num. 11:16-17 Moses appointed 70 “elders of Israel” as judges (later Sanhedrin Court) 2 Sam. 3:17; 5:1-3 Abner convinced “the elders” of Israel’s tribes to accept David as king

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1 Tim. 5:1-2 Term can be used in general way

1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

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Acts 14:23 Term is often used in official sense of leaders appointed in local churches

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

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Acts 20:17, 28 Elders, bishops, & pastors refer to 3 aspects in the nature of the office, not to 3 different offices

Acts 20:17, 28 Elders, bishops, & pastors refer to 3 aspects in the nature of the office, not to 3 different offices

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. +++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++


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II. Specific Duties of Elders A. Duties to God

All duties of any Christian A special charge in the office & work of elder Acts 20:32 Proper use of God’s Word as elder 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

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II. Specific Duties of Elders A. Duties to God

A special charge in the office & work of elder Heb. 13:17 Account for destiny of souls

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

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II. Specific Duties of Elders B. Duties to Himself

Acts 20:28 “Take heed unto yourselves:” keep watch, pay careful attention, be on guard Maintain close relationship with God:

source of strength & wisdom God’s servants: special targets of Satan

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II. Specific Duties of Elders C. Duties to the Church

Acts 20:28 “Feed the flock:” shepherd Constant diet of sound teaching: feed, feed! Guard against error from without & within Guard against worldliness corrupting the flock:

fornication, adultery, drugs, drinking, gambling, dancing, materialism, indifference, etc.

Seek the straying, discipline unruly rams

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Acts 20:28 “Taking the oversight:” lead, guide, inspect, & direct all affairs of the church Assert authority & leadership of the office,

do not be intimidated or manipulated by anyone Work, worship, discipline, classes, treasury,

preaching, receiving members, peace, unity, etc.


1 Tim. 5:17 “The elders that rule well:” steady, balanced, considerate of all, impartial Maintain qualifications & respect All things “decently & in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) Not “being lords” as dictators (1 Pet. 5:3):

considerate, patient, easily entreated Good communication with deacons, members

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Tit. 1:9-11 Expose false doctrines, apostasy, & factional movements before they penetrate

Tit. 1:9-11 Expose false doctrines, apostasy, & factional movements before they penetrate

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. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

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Tit. 1:9-11 Expose false doctrines, apostasy, & factional movements before they penetrate Premillennial, institutional, divorce-remarry A.D. 70 doctrine, “house church” movement Separate personal scruples & doctrine (Rom. 14):

pro & con on P.M. Lord’s Supper, home schooling

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1 Pet. 5:3 “Being ensamples to the flock” Family life, make a living, entertainment,

uphold the truth, peacemaker, hospitality, unselfish giver & helper, speech, honesty, etc.

A living example makes teaching more powerful Hypocrisy undermines the truth

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Ja. 5:14 Pray for the sick, minister to their needs (not perform miracles today, but trust providence)

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

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III. Why Desire This Work? A. Love of God

Acts 20:28 Love what God loves!


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III. Why Desire This Work? B. Love of Souls

Jn. 13:34-35 Love as Christ loves!

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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III. Why Desire This Work? C. Uphold, Propagate, & Defend the Truth

Ps. 119:126-128 It is time to rise up! 126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

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III. Why Desire This Work? D. Overcome Hesitation

Ex. 4:10-12 Moses learned if we do our best, God does the rest!

Ex. 4:10-12 Moses learned if we do our best, God does the rest!

10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

God can use any man

who yields to Him!

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Num. 13:30-31 Why the difference: “We are well able” VS “We be not able”?

30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

By faith in God,not in ourselves,

we can do any work He gives us!

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Phil. 2:5-8 “My wife & children will share my sacrifices.” Yes, is that good or bad?

Phil. 2:5-8 “My wife & children will share my sacrifices.” Yes, is that good or bad?

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Lead the family in the spirit of

unselfish service & sacrifice!

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1 Cor. 16:13-14 “I do not like battles & criticism.” This means, “Let others serve & sacrifice for me, but do not expect me to do the same for them.”

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity.

God calls for soldiers brave, true, willing to serve by love!

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• Invitation


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..

44

• Invitation2. We want to understand & follow God’s plan

for the role of elders in His church: The nature of leadership in three words Specific duties of elders Why desire this work?

3. Let us encourage elders & encourage men to prepare to accept this vital work!

45

• Invitation3. 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.

ELDERS GUIDE & GUARD SOULS

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