Great to see you all here this morning. Please take out your copy of God's Word. We're going to do something a little different this morning. You may have noticed in your bulletin if you pay attention to that at all that we are not going to continue in Mark today.
And I know that some people get very dogmatic about what preaching should look like. Many people say that expositional preaching must be verse by verse. Exposition is just simply, in the most simplest of terms, preaching what the Bible has to say about any given topic.
Say, picking for the main points of a sermon, the main points of a text for the sermon. That's the definition in its simplest form. And so it's healthy at times to stop and take a little topical look at some things, a more broad look.
And so that's what we're going to do together today is we're going to look at church polity together. And the reason for that is this evening we're having our direction dessert when we get together and present a vision for next year and what we believe God is leading us into.
Next year and we have newly appointed elders. It just happened, oh gosh, maybe five or six weeks ago we appointed elders of our church and we have yet to really take the time to stop and talk about what that even means.
So that's what I would like to do with you today. So I have a lot of texts for you to turn to. And in habit I actually told you to take out your copy of God's Word. I didn't tell you where to turn because I'm going to give you a lot of places.
You may find it best for you today to just simply jot down references and turn to them later.
You might want to catch me on some of the longer ones. You may try to keep up with me.
But for the sake of time I'm going to move pretty quick and I'm not going to wait until I hear pages stop flipping in order for us to get through what needs to be accomplished this morning.
I want to say to you also church polity is the doctrines about the organizational structure of the church and it's a subset of a greater study, the doctrines of the church called ecclesiology.
What we're going to do this morning is going to be very glossary.
I can't possibly expound all of this in a single service unless you guys were willing to stay here until one or two, which I don't think you are.
So we're going to kind of glance over some things.
So if I don't make a connection for you, I know I'm not making the connection for you.
Let's talk about it later. We can connect the dots together.
So with that in mind, let's pray and then I'll pile in where we're going to head today.
Father, we thank you for the great love that you've shown us in Christ.
We are here sitting together in this room because of his completed work.
I thank you that we have such a great hope in him.
We thank you, Father, that you've also given us, because of Christ, your spirit.
There's great triune work in play right now on our behalf.
And we pray by your spirit, Lord, that you'll work today.
You know our frailties even better than we.
And Father, I know that I can accomplish nothing good apart from you.
So I pray that you'll work this day in our hearts to bring us into conformity with your son for the praise of your glory.
We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.
I hope in your Christian walk you are growing in your appreciation for the church.
Because the church is what Christ came to die for.
The church itself was purchased by Christ's blood.
And I mean that in a universal sense.
The church today, the church past, the church future.
All those who will be found in Christ, who will place believing faith in him, were purchased by Christ's blood.
It was his very intention in coming here was to purchase the church for himself.
1 Corinthians 15.3 says,
Paul states in Ephesians 5.25 that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
This is why Christ came.
This is why we have hope in this season in him.
Because Christ came and purchased the church.
It was precious to him.
It is his bride.
And he completed that work.
Wes mentioned that earlier.
This was something that happened once and for all.
He was able to with confidence say,
it is finished.
The writer of Hebrews 10.14 says,
For by a single offering,
he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
So this is an accomplished work on Christ's behalf.
Yet we still find it carrying out.
Still find it having its effect.
We have been made perfect in him and yet we are being made perfect.
Perfect.
As individuals and as the church.
Sorry again for Judah.
We're in this process and God has given to us a great responsibility.
As the church.
As the global church.
Right?
He's set us about a mission.
And I think rightly it's good to say,
not that God has given a mission to the church,
but that he's given the church to his mission.
Matthew chapter 28.
Verse 16 through 20.
After Jesus is resurrected,
spending time with his disciples.
Verse 16 says,
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
And when they saw him,
they worshipped him,
but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them,
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold,
I am with you always to the end of the age.
And we can see even here,
this work that has been completed
and is being completed
by the power and grace of God.
Right?
This is the command that's been given to us
as a local congregation.
And it's a big, mighty task.
So we see most commonly mentioned in the scriptures
when we speak of church,
the gathering of believers,
those local congregations,
which we would be one of.
And as the global church has this mission
to go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe,
to be disciple-making disciples,
we as a church have been given that very same command.
This is true of us as well.
So it's important that we ask the question,
how?
How are we supposed to do this?
This is a big, mighty task
that has been given to the church.
And very quickly,
lots of people will give you lots of answers to that.
Ask anybody who serves in full-time ministry
what their philosophy of ministry is,
and you're going to hear all sorts of answers.
I feel that for our church it is a grace,
and I am thankful to get to serve at a church
that believes in the sufficiency of Scripture
and actually lives like they believe
in the sufficiency of the Scriptures.
God has given to us a book
that is the guide and rule for all holiness,
and that includes the way in which
we govern our church.
James Montgomery Boyce
was a 20th century Philadelphian pastor,
just means he pastored in Philadelphia,
and said,
I don't know why I wrote it down that way,
said,
while many churches now confess belief
in biblical authority,
they remain undecided
whether the Bible is sufficient
for the church's life and work.
We confess its authority,
but we discount its ability
to do what is necessary
to draw unbelievers to Christ,
enable us to grow in godliness,
provide direction for our lives,
and transform and revitalize society.
He adds,
in the 16th century,
the battle was against those
who wanted to add church traditions
to Scripture,
the Catholics,
but in our day,
the battle is against those
who have to use worldly means
to do God's work.
Our great battle
in American Christianity
is not over the inerrancy
of the Scripture,
but of the sufficiency
of the Scriptures.
Has God given us what we need
to accomplish the task
that He's laid before us?
The answer is yes.
You can't just say that
and not live that appropriately.
And so what I want to show you today
is the way in which
we have arranged
our organizational structure
as we see the Scriptures
teach them to us.
And I gave you a phrase
that's in the top of your bulletin
in the notes
that says simply this,
maybe not simply,
Christ Family Church is
God-ordained,
Christ-ruled,
Spirit-led,
elder-guided,
deacon-served,
and congregation-governed,
or congregationally
if you prefer.
Christ Family Church
is God-ordained,
Christ-ruled,
Spirit-led,
elder-guided,
deacon-served,
and congregation-governed.
So I want to break
this phrase down for you.
We certainly see
that the Godhead
starts out this phrase, right?
This is a church
that has been given to us.
It belongs to God.
It's God-ordained.
It's Christ-ruled.
It's Spirit-led.
It's God-ordained
as all things are.
All things in this world
are ordained by our Lord.
They're all held
in His providence.
And therefore,
we can safely say
that our church
is God-ordained.
Isaiah 45.7
God says,
I form light
and create darkness.
I make well-being
and create calamity.
I am the Lord
who does all these things.
Job recognized this.
Job 42.2.
He said,
I know that you can do
all things
and that no purpose
of yours can be thwarted.
King Nebuchadnezzar,
after his wild times
in the wilderness,
when he comes back
to his senses
in Daniel 4.35,
says of God,
He does according
to His will
among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants
of the earth,
and none can stay His hand
or say to Him,
what have you done?
Paul,
in Ephesians 1.11,
says that God works
all things
according to the counsel
of His will.
He is sovereign
over everything
and therefore,
the very fact
that this church exists
means that God
ordained it.
That we have a name
and we are here
means that God
is in control
over what is happening.
I think every good sermon
has a Charles Spurgeon
quote in it.
It makes my brother
plain language
beautiful
to read something
he said.
So let me just read to you
this beautiful quote
by him.
He said,
I believe that
every particle of dust
that dances in the sunbeam
does not move an atom
more or less
than God wishes.
That every particle
of spray that dashes
against the steamboat
has its orbit
as well as the sun
in the heavens.
That the chaff
from the hand
of the winnower
is steered
as the stars
in their courses.
The creeping of an aphid
over the rosebud
is as much fixed
as the march
of the devastating pestilence.
The fall of leaves
from a poplar
is as fully ordained
as the tumbling
of an avalanche.
Isn't that beautiful?
And so this is true
of our church.
Christ's family church
is God
ordained.
And it is
Christ ruled.
Matthew 16
verse 18
Jesus says
in response
to Peter
claiming that
he is the Christ
he says
and I tell you
you are Peter
and on this rock
that truth
the very truth
that he is the Christ
I will build
my church
and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.
Notice the language there
he says
Christ says
that on this truth
I will build
my church.
Christ rules
Christ family church.
Christ family church
is God ordained.
things under Jesus' feet
and gave him
his head
over all things
to the church.
And again later
in Ephesians 5
verse 23
that Christ
is the head
of the church.
We are simply
an extension of him.
His body
moving
and working
in this world.
Christ family church
is God ordained.
It is Christ ruled.
And it is
spirit led.
It is
by God's spirit
that this
act
is accomplished.
The spirit
is an agent
of Christ
to us.
A helper
sent to us
to help us
accomplish
this great task
that has been put
before us.
Romans 8
verse 14
and then verse 17
says
for all who are led
by the spirit of God
are sons of God.
Verse 17
if children
then heirs of God
and fellow heirs
with Christ.
So we have been
called together
as these heirs
of God
who are led
by the spirit.
And that is the way
in which we function
in the church.
Paul exhorts us
in Ephesians
chapter 4
verse 3
in the beginning
of verse 4
that we ought to be
eager to maintain
the unity
of the spirit
in the bond
of peace
for there is
one body
and one spirit.
So we are
therefore
by the Godhead
led along.
Christ family church
is God ordained
Christ ruled
and spirit led.
But now what part
do we play
in this?
How is it that
the Godhead
intervenes
and connects
in our lives
and we actually
play this out?
The scriptures
have been very clear
to us
in this way.
Now let me say to you
that there are
various forms
of church government
that I find
acceptable.
I just find the one
that we practice
most acceptable.
I think it's
most clearly
laid before us.
I think church history
has spoken clearly
to us that this is
the most health
giving form
of polity.
But I will grant
that there are
some variations
of some degree
that are also
acceptable.
But let's just
talk about elders.
Christ family church
is elder
guided.
This word elder
in the scriptures
has also been
translated bishop
or overseer.
it's translated
only as pastor
one place
in the entire
scripture
which is found
in Ephesians
chapter 4.
That's the only time
you see that term
as a noun.
Otherwise
it's a verb
that elders
are called
to pastor
in that way.
And so the role
of elders
in the church
if you look
in 1 Timothy
5.17
is to rule
to preach
and to teach.
It says
let the elders
who rule
will be well
considered
worthy
of double
honor
especially
those
who labor
in preaching
and teaching.
Elders are
to care
for God's
church.
1 Timothy
3.4
and 5
He must
manage
his own
household
well.
This is a
qualification
for an elder.
He must
manage
his own
household
well
with all
dignity
keeping
his children
submissive.
For if
someone does
not know
how to
manage
his own
household
how will
he care
for God's
church?
Right?
Judah
making me
look bad
this morning.
1 Peter
5
2-3
we see
that
elders
are to
shepherd.
Instruction
here
Peter is
giving to
the elders
of these
churches
that he's
writing to
shepherd
the flock
of God
that is
among you
exercising
oversight
not under
compulsion
but willingly
as God
would have
you
not for
shameful
game
but eagerly
not domineering
over those
in your
charge
but being
examples
to the
flock
keeping
watch
over
their
souls
this is
the
instruction
that's
been
given
to
us
Hebrews
13
17
obey
your
leaders
and submit
to them
for they
are keeping
watch
over your
souls
as those
who
would
give
to give
an
account
let them
do this
with joy
and not
with groaning
for that
would be
of no
advantage
to you
so elders
are to
look
after the
spiritual
well-being
of the
flock
that's
been
given
them
it's
the
tasks
that are
laid
before
them
they
must
possess
outstanding
character
we don't
have time
to get
into all
of these
things
you can
look at
these
later
1st
Timothy
3
1-7
and
Titus
1
6-9
I
encourage
you
to take
a look
at those
we
believe
fully
that elders
should be
plural
in nature
we should
have a
plurality
leadership
Acts 14
23
Paul and
Barnabas
have just
been
drug
out of
Lystra
Paul is
beaten
they think
to death
some of
the
Christians
gather
around him
and he
rises
and then
Paul and
Barnabas
return
they go
to Derbe
for a while
then they go
to Lystra
Iconium
and to
Antioch
and it
says
and when
they had
appointed
elders
plural
for them
in every
church
with prayer
and fasting
they committed
them to the
Lord
in whom
they had
believed
later in
Acts 20
verse 17
we see the
record that
now from
Miletus
he sent
to Ephesus
and called
the elders
of the church
to come to
him
again plural
elders
Titus
1.5
Paul writes
to Titus
this is why
I left
you in
Crete
so that
you might
put what
remained
into order
and appoint
elders
in every
town
as I
directed
you
James
5.14
is anyone
among you
sick
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
and then
1 Peter
chapter 5
verse 1
and the
beginning
of 2
so I
exhort
the elders
among you
as a
fellow elder
and a
witness
of the
sufferings
of Christ
as well
as a
partaker
in the
glory
that is
going
to be
revealed
shepherd
the
flock
of
God
that is
among
you
or
pastor
the
flock
of
God
that is
among
you
that is
enough
for me
that is
enough
that we
see
this
plurality
as an
example
to us
again
and again
is enough
for me
to say
we need
more
than one
we don't
need a
guy on
top
making
all of
our
decisions
for us
I have
found
practically
it to be
of great
benefit
I have
men
that I'm
accountable
to
I have
men
that I
get to
shoulder
the
burden
of
service
share
in the
joy
of
service
and
guidance
to
our
church
it's
of
great
benefit
for
us
I
have
seen
in my
very
young
years
so
many
pastors
tumble
from
the
top
because
they
have
no
accountability
they're
placed
on a
pedestal
as if
they're
perfect
and they
try to
live that
way
on the
outside
on the
inside
they
absolutely
rot
away
we're
working
hard
together
for that
never
to be
the
case
with
us
I
want
you to
know
that
I'm
a
man
in
need
of
grace
right
it is
my
hope
it is
my
goal
to
lead
you
and to
lead
you
well
but I
fail at
things
sometimes
and I
need
accountability
in my
life
and this
provides
that
having a
plurality
of
leaders
in that
way
so we
see that
we're
to give
guidance
to the
church
and we'll
talk in
a moment
about
congregationalism
and what
role you
play
in that
effort
I want
to tell
you who
the elders
of our
church
are
and I'll
just let
you guys
raise your
hands
if you
will
Wes
Shelnut
who has
served our
church for
so many
years leading
us in
music and
pastoring
us in
that way
has been
elected as
an elder
Doug
Hitchcock
I picked
him out
here on
the aisle
Stan
Luttrell
over here
Daryl
Allison
in the
back
and then
myself
we have
five elders
of our
church now
and this
is a
massive
blessing
I may
feel it
more than
any of
the rest
of you
do
but I
love
that these
men are
coming
alongside
and helping
me serve
in leading
you all
it's a
huge
blessing
to our
church
and to
have
men
of this
quality
by God's
grace
is a
great
blessing
to us
as well
and I
hope that
you'll
recognize
that you
have a
leadership
structure
here
that you
can go
to
I
can't
possibly
give each
and every
one of
you
the attention
that you
may need
in your
life
but there
are
men
that can
look to
them
for
leadership
trust
them
for what
they bring
before you
so
Christ
family
church
then
is
God
ordained
Christ
ruled
spirit
led
elder
guided
deacon
served
we don't
want to
forget about
our
deacons
our precious
deacons
and I
think
that our
deacons
would
actually
prefer
that we
forget
about
them
these
are the
kind of
people
that want
to serve
quietly
the kind
of people
that if
they're doing
everything
well we never
notice it
never notice
just quite how
clean the
building is
or how
perfectly the
sound goes
no one ever
really notices
when the words
are right on
the screen
but we
definitely
notice when
they're wrong
on the screen
right
these are
the people
who want
to fly
under the
radar
and receive
no praise
in Acts
chapter 6
we see the
very first
appointing
of deacons
and an
issue had
arisen
the
hellenistic
jews
weren't
being
served
in the
serving
of
meals
and so
a complaint
arises
and it
makes its
way to
the apostles
who were
teaching
and they
say it's
not fitting
for us
to serve
tables
and you
recall
this
record
right
not because
it was
below them
but because
they had
other things
that were
more pressing
for them
to be
working on
right
the other
things were
important
the serving
of the
tables
mattered
but just
not for
the
apostles
and we
see
they
elect
deacons
to serve
and to
make sure
these things
are taking
place
and we
can gather
from this
three
general
job
descriptions
for deacons
they're to
serve the
physical needs
of the church
they actually
went and
physically
fed
they took
the bread
around
and fed
the people
they're to
quell
or put
down
grumbling
which is
what was
happening
right
rightly
there was
appropriate
grumbling
happened
but their
job was
to come
in and
intervene
in that
situation
and to
insulate
the apostles
from all the
grumbling
about the
little
things
and they
were to
protect
the job
of
the
apostles
which
later are
the elders
as they
work out
ministry
Peter
as we
just read
refers to
himself
as an
elder
in
1 Peter
chapter 5
these are the
three general
job descriptions
of deacons
and they must
also possess
outstanding
character
1 Timothy
chapter 3
verses 8
through 12
is where you
can read
about that
now let me
make a case
to you
for
female
deacons
this is a
highly
contended
issue
in a lot
of churches
we
believe
that
it's
okay
for
women
to
serve
in
this
role
now
in
some
churches
particularly
southern
baptist
churches
deacons
are not
as
scripturally
prescribed
as they
should be
they're
really
more like
elders
they're
kind of
quasi
elder
deacons
they sit
on a
board
they make
spiritual
decisions
for the
church
they often
give
oversight
to the
pastor
they
do
spiritual
things
in the
church
right
we're
not
talking
about
!
that type
of deacon
we're
talking
about
those
who
serve
in
purely
physical
ways
not
in
spiritual
ways
at
all
1st
Timothy
chapter
3
verse
11
in
your
ESV
if you're
following
along
with me
reads
their
wives
likewise
must be
dignified
not
slanders
but
sober
minded
it's
in
this
list
of
things
that
must
be
true
of
a
deacon
sober
minded
faithful
in
all
things
I
don't
care
for
the
way
the
ESV
renders
this
NASB
renders
it
women
likewise
the
term
here
used
that's
translated
in
ESV
their
wives
was a
very
general
term
the
word
guna
is the
Greek
word
and it's
just a
general
term
for a
woman
of
any
age
I
think
it's
more
properly
rendered
women
here
you
see
some
interpretive
difficulty
what
really
clears
it
up
for
me
is
when
we
see
this
word
diakonos
servants
where we
get our
word
deacon
from
we
see
it
attached
to
a
woman
in
Romans
chapter
16
verse
1
it's
the
example
of
Phoebe
who
said
was
a
servant
of
the
church
at
Kincrae
she
was
actually
sent
on
a
physical
task
to
bring
aid
to
Paul
right
and
she's
yes
if you
would
like
of
the
church
at
Kincrae
and that
helps
I believe
clear up
for us
what is
meant
in
1 Timothy
chapter
3
verse
11
now we
have to be
really careful
at this
point
because we
can't
always
lean on
our
experience
right
hear me
we can't
always lean
on our
experience
but our
experience
does
confirm
the
truths
of
scripture
and I
found
for our
church
the
female
deacons
that we
have
have served
very
well
and caused
no
problems
it's been
and so
it
therefore
affirms
that
at least
in my
own
mind
we
also
looked
as we
were
making
this
decision
at
church
history
I
often
lean
on
men
that I
know
are
wiser
than
myself
just
like
you
might
call
a
relative
you
know
who's
a little
smarter
than
you
if
you
have
uncles
maybe
that are
a little
bit
wiser
most
people's
uncles
are
not
but
if
you
have
an
uncle
that's
a little
little
ahead
and
again
many
of
the
very
healthy
church
movements
had
female
deacons
our
deacons
that are
currently
serving
for us
now
are
tasked
up
they
have
got
a lot
going
on
Liz
Shelnut
she's
here
sitting
next
to
Wes
can you
raise
your
hand
Liz
is
handling
all
the
administration
for our
church
as well
as
the
communication
efforts
trying
to get
information
out
to you
guys
in a
timely
manner
She
helps
me
cut
checks
and
balance
books
and
all
those
joyful
things
that
I
actually
hope
none
of
you
ever
really
know
go on
it's
the
underbelly
of
church
work
Liz
helps
me
with
that
Barbara
Hitchcock
you
probably
all
know
Barbara
because
she's
in
touch
with
you
a lot
about
hospitality
and
cleaning
Barbara
is
the
one
that
makes
sure
a lot
of
people
get
in
there
and
get
involved
and
thank
you
to
everyone
who
sure
that
this
building
stays
up
again
a
thing
that
we
don't
really
realize
until
it's
bad
right
she
does
a
lot
of
work
to
organize
and
get
those
things
done
all
that
coffee
that
you
guys
drink
gallons
and
gallons
of
coffee
Barbara
makes
sure
that
that's
made
when
we
have
meals
like
tonight
we're
having
our
dessert
together
Barbara
helps
organize
and
plan
those
types
of
things
John
Cheatham
is
making
sure
we
have
volunteers
and
people
like
that
to
make
sure
these
mics
are
running
and
we
record
the
sermons
and
the
websites
up
and
going
and
all
of
that
stuff
when
you
click
on
the
Christ
family
church
website
and
it's
working
you
never
think
man
so
thankful
for
John
making
sure
that
this
website
works
all
the
time
you
should
do
that
you
should
be
thankful
for
him
and
the
work
he
does
behind
the
scenes
my
dear
mother
Julie
Rainer
does
all
things
what
we
call
project
grow
all
things
kid
oriented
so
all
the
volunteers
and
we
have
Sunday
school
and
the
teachers
for
that
she
arranges
for
those
teachers
to
be
here
make
sure
that
we
got
that
covered
tonight
we'll
have
childcare
provided
my
mom
hustled
around
and
found
volunteers
to
make
that
happen
she
planned
games
for
them
and
gotten
all
those
types
of
things
together
and
where's
Daniel
Swanson
there
he is
good
ma'am
Daniel
Swanson
is the
deacon
of our
outreach
so
those
efforts
those
things
we've
been
doing
this
past
year
those
volunteer
things
going
to
work
with
the
care
center
we've
been
trying
to
connect
with
that
free
it
hasn't
worked
out
but
all
those
things
Daniel
has
been
in
charge
of
feet
on
the
!
So
we've
identified
some
roles
distinguished
some
people
right
we're
not
better
people
than
the
rest
of
you
it's
not
like
we
have
some
special
status
we've
climbed
to
a
certain
point
on
a
ladder
we've
just
been
gifted
differently
maybe
even
the
same
we
just
happen
to
be
the
best
person
to
fill
the
role
at
the
time
right
so
I
want
you
to
hear
that
all
of
you
are
incredibly
important
to
the
life
of
this
church
you
matter
every
single
one
of
you
in
more
ways
than
you
can
possibly
imagine
right
but
I
want
you
to
hear
this
morning
this
last
part
of
our
phrase
that
we
are
congregation
or
congregationally
governed
this
is
distinct
about
us
we're
not
an
elder
rule
church
many
Presbyterian
churches
!
are
this
way
a
couple
of
really
great
churches
in
the
area
one
just
down
on
400
a
pastor
that
I
really
love
they
get
together
they
have
meetings
like
we're
going
to
have
tonight
and
they
get
together
and
they
tell
the
church
what
they're
going
to
do
in
the
hopes
that
everybody
likes
it
and
I
want
your
input
this
is
our
own
form
our
biblically
prescribed
form
of
checks
and
balances
in
this
process
you
all
have
the
spirit
of
God
living
within
you
as
well
I'm
not
special
not
like
God
is
using
me
as
his
mouthpiece
and
none
of
you
get
it
because
I
got
a
direct
line
to
God
you
better
come
through
me
to
get
to
him
right
we're
all
part
of
scriptures
like
1st
Peter
chapter
2
verse
9
Peter
says
you're
a
chosen
race
a
royal
priesthood
a
holy
nation
a
people
for
his
own
possession
you
remember
that
in
Judaism
there
were
always
men
that
were
sent
to
serve
and
intervene
they
stood
between
right
the
high
priest
went
in
made
sacrifice
on
behalf
of
the
nation
of
Israel
this
is
no
longer
the
case
the
temple
curtain
has
been
all
part
of
the
priesthood
now
it's
a
beautiful
picture
of
the
church
it
causes
a
lot
of
messes
as
well
but
God
is
working
grace
in
us
we
might
maintain
the
unity
of
the
spirit
Revelation
chapter
5
verse
9
and
10
we
see
the
24
elders
and
the
four
living
creatures
cry
out
to
the
lamb
who
was
slain
were
there
you
to
take
the
!
scroll
and
open
its
seals
for
you
were
slain
and
by
your
blood
you
ransomed
people
for
God
from
every
tribe
and
language
and
people
and
nation
and
you
have
made
them
a
kingdom
and
priests
to
our
God
and
they
shall
reign
on
the
earth
this
is
that
picture
and
it
helps
us
understand
how
it
is
that
there's
not
this
clergy
laity
distinction
that
there's
five
of us
who
are
special
chosen
set
aside
we
guide
that
process
and
I
don't
think
any
of
you
have
spent
the
last
couple
of
months
praying
about
how
it
is
we
should
be
directed
next
year
praying
about
and
working
through
a
budget
a
calendar
right
we've
taken
that
responsibility
on
to
narrow
it
down
to
fine
tune
and
to
bring
it
to
you
but
it's
your
responsibility
to
approve
such
things
let me
just
show
you
some
examples
of
the
way
in
which
a
congregation
is
supposed
to
be
involved
in
the
governance
of
a
church
discipline
Matthew
chapter
18
verse
15
through
20
Jesus
says
if your
brother
sins
against
you
go
and
tell
him
his
fault
between
him
and
him
alone
if
he
listens
to
you
have
gained
your
brother
but
if
he
does
not
listen
take
one
or
two
others
!
that
every
charge
may
be
established
by
the
evidence
of
two
or
three
witnesses
church
discipline
process
verse
17
if
you
refuse
to
listen
to
them
tell
it
to
the
church
the
congregation
and
if
you
refuse
to
listen
even
to
the
church
to
all
those
saints
let
him
be
to
you
as
a
Gentile
and
a
tax
collector
one
who's
cast
out
one
who's
not
part
of
the
church
one
who's
a
sinner
is
what
Jesus
communicating
here
verse
7
18
truly
I
say
to
you
whatever
you
bind
on earth
shall
be
bound
in
heaven
and
whatever
you
loose
on
earth
shall
be
loosed
in
heaven
again
I
say
to
you
if
two
of
you
agree
on
earth
about
anything
they
ask
will
be
done
for
them
by
my
father
in
heaven
for
two
or
three
gathered
in
my
name
there
am
I
among
them
this
is
one
of
the
important
jobs
of
the
church
is
to
judge
those
who
say
they're
part
of
the
church
not
with
evil
condemnation
but
with
love
people
who
come
into
our
fellowship
and
say
they're
believers
and
they're
not
all
of
us
can
look
at
their
lives
and
go
no
you're
not
sin
is
serious
you
can't
think
you're
a
believer
and
live
this
way
you
need
to
come
to
faith
in
Christ
this
is
what
we're
saying
when
we
administer
church
discipline
and
that
responsibility
lays
on
all
of
our
shoulders
1
Corinthians
5
12
and
13
says
for
what
have
I
to
do
with
judging
outsiders
is
it
not
those
inside
the
church
whom
you
are
to
judge
God
judges
those
outside
purge
the
evil
person
from
among
you
the
church
is
meant
to
be
involved
in
this
process
they're
also
meant
to
preserve
!
listen to
this
correction
that Paul
brings
to the
church
remember
the
letter
was
written
to
the
church
of
Galatia
he
says
I'm
astonished
that you're
so quickly
deserting
him who
called you
in the
grace of
Christ
and are
turning
to a
different
gospel
not that
there is
another
one
but there
are
some
who
trouble
you
and
want
to
distort
the
gospel
of
Christ
but
even
if
we
or
an
angel
from
heaven
should
preach
to
you
a
gospel
contrary
to
the
one
we
preached
to
you
let
him
be
accursed
or
cast
out
as
we
have
said
before
so
now
I
say
again
if
anyone
is
preaching
to
you
a
gospel
contrary
to
the
one
you
received
let
him
be
accursed
here
he's
saying
to
them
he's
saying
to
the
congregation
judge
the
message
being
brought
to
you
this
is
your
responsibility
you
are
responsible
I
am
asking
for
you
to
hold
me
theologically
accountable
to
the
message
that
God
has
given
us
I
need
to
know
if
I'm
erring
in
any
way
if
anyone
ever
gets
up
on
the
stage
and
errs
and
is
inconsistent
with
the
gospel
of
Christ
we
need
to
bring
correction
in
that
we're
a
religion
of
words
God
gets
to
our
hearts
through
our
minds
we
have
to
be
careful
about
what
we're
teaching
and
this
kind
of
criticism
and
critique
who
isn't
humble
in
this
way
as
Paul
is
to
say
look
if
it's
different
than
the
gospel
we
brought
you
before
the
gospel
of
scripture
cast
me
out
do
that
please
if
I
err
I
have
no
place
here
or
Aaron
I'm
not
willing
to
correct
my
error
let me
say
it
that
way
right
so
the
church
is
that
responsibility
!
again
is
laid
on
their
shoulders
we
even
see
an
example
of
selection
of
leadership
again
back
in
Acts
chapter
6
when
we
see
the
selection
of
deacons
it
wasn't
the
apostles
that
selected
the
deacons
it was
the
congregation
you read
carefully
those
first
six
verses
it was
actually
the
congregation
that
went
and
brought
those
men
to
the
apostles
to
be
appointed
as
deacons
congregation
itself
selected
them
so
how do
we
work
all
!
this
is
nuts
and
bolts
practical
for
us
how do
we
work
all
this
out
so
as
we're
elder
guided
and I
mentioned
to you
we spend
months
praying
about
spend
some
time
fasting
about
what
it is
we
ought
to
be
doing
next
year
together
as
a
church
it's
constantly
occupying
my
mind
the
other
men
have
other
jobs
and
things
that
occupy
theirs
but
I'm
constantly
thinking
about
what
we
should
be
doing
the
next
10
years
and
20
years
from
now
we
want
to
lay
before
you
plans
and
visions
and
we
want
you
to
see
the
exciting
stuff
that
God
can
accomplish
with
us
so
we
take
that
responsibility
to present
something
to
you
but
we
ask
in
return
that
you
buy
in
not
blindly
but
you
prayerfully
consider
you
critique
this
has
always
been
a
beautifully
smooth
process
for
our
church
I
think
I've
told
this
we
clarified
a few
things
it
was
a lot
of
work
we
labored
over
that
and
when
we
presented
the
document
it
was
like
yeah
we
approve
it
looks
so
easy
so
beautifully
easy
really
in
retrospect
on the way
home
Sam
said
hey
are you
excited
that
went
great
I
said
yeah
so
what's
the
matter
I
said
I
don't
know
it
just
seemed
!
really
anticlimactic
it
was
just
all
that
work
and
everybody
just
approved
it
was
so
easy
and
she
said
did
you
expect
applause
well
I
guess
I
didn't
expect
it
but
it
would
have
been
nice
we
pulled
it
off
we
approved
the
statement
of
faith
it
has
always
been
a
beautiful
process
for us
but
we
invite
the
critique
we
want
to
know
if
we're
missing
something
please
help
us
see
what
we're
missing
!
we
want
this
church
to
be
right
in
the
center
of
what
God
would
have
us
do
next
year
we
want
to
be
there
we
also
want
you
to
see
it
and
know
what's
happening
so
you
can
participate
in
it
too
you
say
yes
let's
do
this
next
year
not
that
you
go
all right
Nathan
great
plan
go
get
it
done
I
can't
do
!
the
work
of
this
!
by
myself
it's
impossible
absolutely
impossible
we
have
to
group
together
we
have
to
be
doing
this
if
we're
going
to
reach
this
dark
world
it's
going
to
take
every
single
one
of
us
to
do
that
so
we
want
you
to
see
what
we're
doing
so
we
can
cooperate
together
to
do
these
things
so
we
can
get
out
there
and
be
effective
in
the
kingdom
for
the
glory
of
God
so
that's
make
sense
you
guys
would
absolutely
hate
me
for
that
because
we'd
have
a
business
meeting
every
single
Sunday
there'd
be
something
we'd
have
to
accomplish
we're
out
of
coffee
again
you
guys
want
to
order
the
coffee
but
we
have
to
have
a
meeting
for it
so
we
put
together
a
budget
and
you
say
go
stay
within
those
parameters
and
go
at
it
think
of
them
as
banks
on
a
river
we're
allowed
to
flow
in
that
and
if
we
need
to
make
some
major
changes
that's
when
we
come
back
together
and
do
those
things
and
this
is
the way
we
work
this
out
it
frees
us
up
to
accomplish
those
things
that
we
think
God
wants
us
to
do
next
year
so
we
all
play
distinct
roles
in
this
process
and
they
differ
to
be
sure
but
we're
all
called
to
be
part
of
the
organization
of
our
church
your
job
is
not
just
to
come
and
consume
but
to
participate
you
have
a
part
to
play
in
this
effort
together
so
Christ
family
church
is
God
ordained
Christ
ruled
spirit
led
elder
guided
deacon
served
and
congregation
governed
but
to
what
end
so
great
to
what
end
draw
your
attention
to
our
vision
mission
statement
I
really
hope
that
this
is
getting
programmed
in
your
head
I
can
rattle
it
off
can
you
I
hope
you
can
you
see
it
every
Sunday
Christ
family
church
exists
to
glorify
God
by
experiencing
proclaiming
and displaying
the supremacy
of Jesus
Christ
in all
things
to
all
peoples
meditate
roll that
over
in your
mind
this
is
the
work
that
we're
about
this
is
the
filter
by
which
we
run
all
of
our
activity
to
this
is
why
we
exist
let's
pray
together