Don’t We Have

EldersEphesians 4.11, CB NT p. 340

SHEPHERDS

Last seen: years ago

Why?

Ezekiel 22.30, CB OT p. 1355

Who will stand in the gap?

Ezekiel 22.30, CB OT p. 1355

Who are these Shepherds?

Ephesians 4.11, CB NT p. 340

Who are these Shepherds?— elders (experience & wisdom)

Acts 20.17,28, CB NT p. 246, 247

Who are these Shepherds?— elders— overseers (bishops)

(guardian, superintendent)

Titus 1.5, 7, CB NT p. 376

Who are these Shepherds?— elders— overseers (bishops)— shepherds (pastors)

(tend, care, feed)Ephesians 4.11, CB NT p. 340; 1 Peter 5.1-2, CB NT p. 413

Who are these Shepherds?

“MUST BE”

1 Timothy 3.2, CB NT p. 366; Titus 1.6, CB NT p. 376

Who are these Shepherds?

above reproach husband of one wife sober-mindedself-controlled respectable hospitableable to teach not a drunkard not violent gentle

not quarrelsome not a lover of moneymanage his own household well

with all dignity keeping his children submissivenot be a recent convert well thought of by outsiderschildren are faithful and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination not be arrogantnot quick-tempered hospitable a lover of good

upright holy disciplinedhold firm to the trustworthy word

What Does a Bishop Do?

What Does a Bishop Do?“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

Acts 20:28, CB NT p. 247

What Does a Bishop Do?“shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3, CB NT p. 413

Where are our elders?

“in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers”

Acts 20:28, CB NT p. 247

Where are our elders?

Some are not qualified.

Where are our elders?

Some think they are not qualified.

Where are our elders?

Some do not want to serve.

Where are our elders?

Some do not want to serve.“If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

1 Timothy 3:1, CB NT p. 366

Bob CanonDavid ChavezJack DavisBob GibsonRay HollowayRong KuoBernie McNamaraTom Reynolds

Jiang RuinianEarl ShumakerPhil SmithDave StewartWalter StewartBen TarrAdrian WarrenKen White

Elder — Overseer — Shepherd

Who will stand in the gap?

Will today be the day you decide

to go toheaven?

Photo Credits: (All photos from istockphoto.com are copyright protected. Please do not use without permission.)

Milk Carton: http://jadaboomselfdirect.blogspot.com/2012/04/milk-carton-missing-people.html

Shepherd: iStock_000008170193

Breach in Wall: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Gamla_–_Breach_in_the_Wall_%284%29.JPG/1280px-Gamla_–_Breach_in_the_Wall_%284%29.JPG

Shepherd silhouette: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / draganmilenkovic: canstockphoto5142748

Shepherd’s Crook: iStock_000007264337

Sheep on a hill: Crestock: 4466225-org

Miscellaneous 2012

#16

Why Don’t We Have Elders?Ephesians 4.11

Compiled and Presented by:

Dave Stewart16 December 2012

www.churchofchristmiranda.com

Synopsis: In this lesson, we are reminded about the basics of who and what elders are. Then we ask the question Why Don’t We Have Elders? We examine the fact that some are not qualified to serve, some think they are not qualified, and some don’t want to serve. Self-examination, study, prayer are needed so that if we have qualified men, they will choose to serve as our shepherds.

“Let all that you do be done with love.”

“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”