WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.960 This week and next, we'll be taking a break from our normal verse-by-verse exposition of John's Gospel. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:09.820 I do promise we will get back to it eventually. 00:00:10.820 --> 00:00:20.559 We believe that normatively, this is the best course of action, verse-by-verse, through a book of the Bible, and it is normally what we do. 00:00:21.119 --> 00:00:33.299 However, from time to time, and for a specific purpose, it can be helpful to take a beat, summarize, at least in some measure, what the Bible teaches on a given topic. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:39.700 And so, we're going to take two weeks to think together about the offices of the church. 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:43.460 Two weeks, because there are two offices. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:50.500 Two weeks, particularly because we really need to think about the office of deacon. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:01:03.000 This office has been neglected in the life of our church, and I want you to hear that I will be the very first to admit that this is to my shame. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:13.540 We should be doing better at this, and I have led the charge in not doing well at raising up and installing deacons. 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:21.120 However, before we get there next week, this morning, I want you to lead you to think about the office of elder, 00:01:21.780 --> 00:01:25.480 and how the office of elder works alongside the congregation. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:31.539 That's going to help us next week as we think about how deacons then assist in all of that work. 00:01:31.540 --> 00:01:39.580 The church of Jesus Christ is precious because it is purchased by his blood. 00:01:40.580 --> 00:01:45.620 His universal church finds its expression in local churches. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:53.100 We exist because of his redeeming life, death, and resurrection. 00:01:53.099 --> 00:02:03.459 He loves us so much that he lived and died, was raised and ascended for us. 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:08.840 He loves us so much that he has not left us alone. 00:02:09.539 --> 00:02:12.259 He sends his helper, the Holy Spirit. 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:17.699 He has given us his word, and he has given us the church. 00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:21.560 He loves local churches. 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:28.399 I'm so glad that Jesus is the head of the church, that he loves us far beyond our comprehension. 00:02:28.679 --> 00:02:32.959 He certainly loves you more than I could possibly love you. 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:33.859 Amen. 00:02:34.259 --> 00:02:35.939 My love will falter and fail. 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:38.500 His never does. 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:48.639 He loves local churches such that he has given us instruction for how we are to govern the local church. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:55.300 The Bible says things about this, and because of his great love for us, we should pay attention to what it says. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:58.860 We call this polity. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:02.900 Every church has a polity. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:06.539 This word is from the Greek word for city. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:09.560 It means simply governance. 00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:14.920 How are we arranged, and how are we to operate together? 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:20.480 There are all sorts of polities out there, the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians. 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:28.900 We are congregationalists, which also breaks out in all different types of polities. 00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:32.219 Some churches will function congregationally. 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:35.819 The congregation is a sort of democracy. 00:03:36.700 --> 00:03:43.319 Everything is brought to a vote, which tends to mean that nothing much happens at all. 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:52.719 Some congregational churches are governed by kind of a corporate board type of model. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:04:01.800 Some have a single pastor, and then they have a deacon board, kind of quasi-elders, 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:08.099 and they're either over that deacon board, or they're integrated within that deacon board. 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:13.219 We don't think any of these models are biblical. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:19.860 We think the Bible model is elder-led congregationalism. 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:22.620 Elder-led congregationalism. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:31.060 I think that the people who hold to these polities are Christ's, and I'm not throwing too much shade at them. 00:04:31.140 --> 00:04:38.800 But it's sometimes important to know that there's some things out there that may not be as biblically faithful as they ought to be 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:43.120 to try to drive us to, well, then what does the Bible say? 00:04:43.260 --> 00:04:46.800 Does it have something to say about this? 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:51.860 And we think that the Bible teaches elder-led congregationalism. 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:58.360 And I want to add, as I think it may help us in these two weeks, we probably won't use this terminology very often, 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:04.879 but I think it may be helpful to us to say elder-led, deacon-assisted congregationalism. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:05.639 Right? 00:05:06.159 --> 00:05:08.420 So, we're going to go to a number of texts today. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.519 We're going to start in Hebrews chapter 13. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:18.079 I'm going to read verse 7, and then ask you to flip to verse 17 and 18. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:21.800 But before I read those, let's pray for God's blessing on our time. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:31.759 Father, we recognize humbly that you have saved us into a local church. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:37.579 And we are glad that we belong here if we are in Christ and we are members of this church 00:05:37.579 --> 00:05:45.019 and that you've given us instruction for how we are to govern for our good and for your glory. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:51.920 We also recognize that we need your help if we're to rightly understand this at all. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:55.659 So, help it to be important to everybody here, 00:05:55.660 --> 00:06:00.620 not just those who are given charge and have to lead, 00:06:00.880 --> 00:06:03.980 but also the entirety of the congregation, 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:09.700 that they would see that they have a part to play in how we're meant to function together. 00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:12.960 And we pray all of this in the name of Christ. 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:14.180 Amen. 00:06:15.140 --> 00:06:17.600 Alright, so Hebrews 13 and verse 7. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:19.460 There the author of Hebrews writes, 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:23.500 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God, 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:28.600 consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:31.540 And then jump to verse 17 and 18. 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:34.300 Obey your leaders and submit to them, 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:37.199 for they are keeping watch over your souls, 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:39.120 as those who will have to give an account. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:42.259 Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:45.839 for that would be of no advantage to you. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:49.920 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:53.120 desiring to act honorably in all things. 00:06:53.500 --> 00:06:56.480 Our church, as I've said, 00:06:56.600 --> 00:07:00.519 believes that the most biblically faithful form of polity 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:03.519 is what is called elder-led, 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:05.819 and I'll insert deacon-assisted, 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:07.759 congregationalism. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:11.959 I will unpack that deacon-assisted part next week, 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:15.379 but you see from the title of this position, 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:17.259 and more importantly from today's text, 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.879 that God intends for there to be 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:22.540 some measure of leadership in the church, 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:25.839 and we will do well to consider the leadership of elders 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:30.000 alongside the responsibilities of the whole congregation. 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:34.339 It brings it into focus to think about it all together at the same time. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.759 So we'll do our best to get through that 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:38.139 in the time we have allotted this morning. 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:44.479 These two passages in Hebrews give us six exhortations toward church leaders, 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:44.860 right? 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:46.879 Your leaders. 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:53.259 Remember, consider, imitate, obey, 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:58.599 submit to them, and pray for them. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:02.620 So who are your leaders? 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:06.620 If you are a member of this church, 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:10.460 then your leaders are those men that you have deemed qualified 00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:14.340 to inhabit the office of elder. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:16.840 If you are not a member of this church, 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:20.660 I hope you are a member of a gospel-preaching church, 00:08:20.820 --> 00:08:25.740 and perhaps this will prod you to think about who your leaders are. 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:29.600 Or, if you're not a member of a gospel-preaching church, 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.560 perhaps you should be considering this. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:35.240 How are these commands relevant to you 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:38.680 if you don't know who your leaders are? 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:43.080 Gifts given to you for your good and for God's glory. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:47.159 Now, these exhortations are fairly self-explanatory, 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:51.279 but two of them need special attention. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:54.960 And for today, this is what we'll spend a little bit of time on. 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:58.759 The first is obey. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:01.360 Obey your leaders. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:08.580 This Greek verb carries the idea of being persuaded by them. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:10.519 Remember verse 7. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:14.340 Remember, your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God, 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:18.500 consider the outcome of their way of life 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:21.200 and imitate their faith. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:24.720 We don't want to read verse 17 apart from verse 7, 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:26.360 because the author of Hebrews is saying, 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:30.240 these are men worth listening to. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:33.920 So not just any old thing that they say, 00:09:34.020 --> 00:09:35.960 but they're a type of person 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:39.920 that we ought to be paying attention to. 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:43.200 There's a type of authority called referent authority, 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:46.200 and that is from every point of reference, 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:48.259 every perspective, 00:09:49.540 --> 00:09:53.160 the person deserves your obedience. 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:56.440 Paul writes in Titus chapter 1, 00:09:56.540 --> 00:09:57.520 verse 7 through 9, 00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:00.200 of this office of elder, 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:02.360 they're here called overseer. 00:10:03.060 --> 00:10:05.460 An overseer, as God's steward, 00:10:06.180 --> 00:10:07.879 must be above reproach. 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:10.400 He must be arrogant, or quick-tempered, 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:13.240 or a drunkard, or violent, or greedy for gain, 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:14.919 but hospitable, 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:16.740 a lover of good, 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.299 self-controlled, upright, 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:21.220 holy, and disciplined. 00:10:22.079 --> 00:10:25.059 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.819 so that he may be able to give instruction 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:27.799 in sound doctrine, 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:31.600 and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 00:10:32.939 --> 00:10:36.139 Will an elder ever be a perfect man? 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:39.419 Not this side of glory, right? 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.879 But when we look at those qualifications, 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:42.879 and Titus, 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:48.480 this is a man worth listening to, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:51.659 being persuaded by, 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:54.279 and that's what's carried in that word. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:57.840 The other exhortation we should note 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:00.799 is to submit to them. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:03.419 This Greek verb is found 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:05.079 only here, 00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:06.259 in the New Testament, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.299 but it's often used 00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:09.899 in extra-biblical Greek literature. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:12.539 It connotes obedience 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:14.439 to a person in a position 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.659 of authority, 00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:16.740 such as, 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:19.120 in some extra-biblical Greek literature, 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:21.019 a colonel taking orders 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.559 from a general. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:24.319 So, in this case, 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.399 here the author is referring to 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:27.919 positional authority, right? 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:29.759 They've been put into this place, 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.319 so both are this referent authority, 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:35.460 they have the quality worth following, 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:36.559 but also, 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.600 they hold the position, 00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:40.519 and have been placed in that position, 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.779 and we believe that the Lord helps us 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.819 put the right people 00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:47.340 into those spots. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:48.919 So why 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:50.659 should you 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:52.039 remember, 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:52.779 consider, 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.240 imitate, 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:53.899 obey, 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:55.299 and submit 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:56.939 to your elders? 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:59.000 Well, first, 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:00.720 they should, 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:01.419 they have, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:03.220 faithful lives 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:04.879 worth imitating. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.000 Not 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.379 perfect lives, 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:08.019 as I've said. 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.799 I think it is appropriate 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:11.659 to think of elders 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.200 as 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:13.620 elder brothers 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.700 who 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.080 lead by example. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.240 Both in holiness, 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.639 out ahead, 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:20.120 right, 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.360 taking up God's word 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.840 and pursuing righteousness, 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.160 and 00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:25.860 when they fail 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:27.480 in repentance. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:31.519 Elders are at their very best 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.800 when their lives 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:33.899 display 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:34.740 the gospel 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.280 of Jesus Christ, 00:12:36.660 --> 00:12:38.220 which means there is no 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:39.639 pretense 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.700 for perfection, 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.620 but a genuine, 00:12:43.300 --> 00:12:44.000 honest, 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:45.460 earnest pursuit 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:46.600 of righteousness, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:46.659 forgiveness, 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.279 and then when there's 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:48.980 failure, 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:50.300 a modeling of what it looks 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:51.779 like to ask for forgiveness. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:53.600 Pick up, 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.680 dust ourselves on, 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.500 and press on 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.800 in Christ, 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:58.220 right? 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.379 Have a confidence 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.500 even before you 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.240 that because 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.320 we're bought 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.560 with such a great price, 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:04.620 we can rest 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.279 in Jesus' 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.980 completed work. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:08.800 Secondly, 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.840 why should you remember, 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.220 consider, 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:10.560 imitate, 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:10.940 obey, 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:11.540 submit 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.960 to your elders? 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:15.460 There in the text, 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:17.460 they are keeping 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.160 watch 00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:20.259 over your souls 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.860 as those 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.860 who have to give 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:24.340 an account. 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:25.759 Well, 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:26.420 I can tell you 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:26.940 that the men 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:27.600 of our church 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.519 that you've installed 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:29.220 as elders, 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.300 I can certainly 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:31.200 speak for myself, 00:13:31.780 --> 00:13:32.440 take this 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:33.240 very, 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:34.960 very seriously. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:37.180 A weighty task, 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:39.440 a grace-imbued 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.180 task. 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:40.900 Jesus is the 00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:41.420 great shepherd, 00:13:41.540 --> 00:13:42.080 we are merely 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:44.139 under shepherds, 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.200 but we all recognize 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:45.840 that we will 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.840 stand before God 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.300 and give an 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:49.140 account for 00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:49.920 your souls. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.640 So we want to 00:13:51.640 --> 00:13:52.200 do this 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.759 with great care. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:54.620 Will we be 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:54.920 perfect? 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:55.580 We will not. 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:56.460 But we really 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.640 want to labor 00:13:57.640 --> 00:13:59.100 to do this, 00:13:59.160 --> 00:13:59.759 which is why 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.920 you should 00:14:00.920 --> 00:14:01.700 remember, 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.160 consider, 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:02.580 imitate, 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.180 obey, 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.920 and submit 00:14:04.920 --> 00:14:06.180 to your elders. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:08.200 Paul, 00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:08.580 when he is 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:09.480 saying goodbye 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.300 to the Ephesian 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:11.200 elders in Acts 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:12.140 chapter 20 00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:13.280 and verse 28, 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.160 says this, 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.319 pay careful 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.159 attention to 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:16.779 yourselves 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.159 and to all 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:18.799 the flock 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:19.459 in which the 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:20.259 Holy Spirit 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:21.519 has made you 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:22.459 overseers, 00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:24.120 to care for 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.740 the church 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.860 of God 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:26.639 which he 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.339 obtained 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:28.539 with his 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.899 own blood. 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:31.519 What a 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.879 charge given 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.879 to lead 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.639 in a congregation. 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:37.799 But to what 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:38.539 extent is the 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.139 author of Hebrews 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.059 expecting his 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.600 hearers to 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.639 obey and submit 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.779 to their 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.600 leaders. 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.779 Certainly not 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.720 in everything. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.580 Certainly not 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.379 outside the 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.379 bounds of the 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:50.720 Bible. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.699 But if he 00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:52.720 only intends 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.240 to have them 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:53.799 obey and 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.179 submit to the 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.500 Bible, 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:57.460 why not just 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.220 say that? 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.240 I think 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:01.799 because there 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:02.360 are matters 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.379 of application 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.199 of the 00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:04.519 Bible, 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.539 gray areas 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.460 that require 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.519 careful 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.519 navigation 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.139 and 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:10.660 decisions 00:15:10.660 --> 00:15:12.180 that must 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:12.700 be made. 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.740 The Bible 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.620 says nothing 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.160 at all 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.320 about our 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:18.720 property. 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:20.440 There's things 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.060 that have to be 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:22.139 carefully thought 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.440 about. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.360 The Bible 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:23.920 says nothing 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.580 at all about 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.100 what the 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.920 appropriate set 00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:27.560 of programs 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.519 might be for 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.500 children at any 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.560 given stage 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.340 in the life 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:31.920 of a church. 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.200 There's decisions 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.639 that need to be 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.460 thought about 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:36.080 and made. 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.240 1 Timothy 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.820 chapter 3 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.600 verses 1 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.259 through 5 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.080 qualifications 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:41.480 here. 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.139 Paul gives 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.660 to Timothy 00:15:42.660 --> 00:15:43.040 the saying 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:43.660 is trustworthy. 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:44.060 If anyone 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:44.620 aspires to 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:44.920 the office 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:45.500 of overseer 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.620 he desires 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:46.980 a noble 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.660 task. 00:15:48.280 --> 00:15:48.460 Therefore 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.120 an overseer 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.480 must be 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.360 above reproach, 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.780 the husband 00:15:50.780 --> 00:15:51.080 of one 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:51.540 wife, 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.460 sober-minded, 00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:53.560 self-controlled, 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.379 respectable, 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.259 hospitable, 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.420 able to 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:56.879 teach, 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:57.759 not a 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.280 drunkard, 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.060 not violent 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.680 but gentle, 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.759 not quarrelsome, 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.360 not a lover 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:01.900 of money. 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:02.980 He must 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.540 manage his 00:16:03.540 --> 00:16:04.220 own household 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.840 well with 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:05.660 all dignity, 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.259 keeping his 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.360 children submissive 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.560 for if someone 00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.019 does not know 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.820 how to manage 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.240 his own 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.759 household, 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:11.879 how will 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.580 he care 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.759 for God's 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.899 church? 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.120 There's lots 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.519 of detailed 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.200 decisions 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.159 that need 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:20.620 to be made. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:21.800 And so I've 00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:22.080 said to you 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.639 before and I'll 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.460 say again, 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.200 I think that 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:24.800 in matters 00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:26.800 of prudence, 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.180 wisdom, 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.480 like taking 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.100 up biblical 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.259 data and 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.680 understanding 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.120 what the 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.060 scripture says 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:33.500 to us, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.019 but then 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.519 thinking about 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.300 how do we 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:35.759 put that 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.799 into action 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.759 in the life 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.139 of our 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.100 church, 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.519 so matters 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.200 of prudence, 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:40.639 wisdom, 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.919 and also 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.500 in matters 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.220 of preference. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:45.960 So we don't 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:46.480 have a members 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:46.960 meeting and 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.000 ask and 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.919 vote on 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.740 what time 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.120 a meeting 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.960 might start. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.080 This would be 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.480 a simple, 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.799 fairly benign 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.759 example. 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.279 But your elders 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:56.840 are thinking 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.460 about what 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.240 would be best 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.539 for the 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.200 congregation. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.700 How do we 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.860 think and 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.679 order us 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:03.239 so that we 00:17:03.239 --> 00:17:03.739 can accomplish 00:17:03.739 --> 00:17:04.279 the goals 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.579 that the 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:04.879 Lord has 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.659 put before 00:17:05.659 --> 00:17:05.940 us? 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.240 So we 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.879 might decide 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.579 on one 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.379 time over 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.059 another because 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.500 we think 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.019 it best. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.700 Prudence, 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.259 preference. 00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:16.099 So elders 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:18.319 have authority, 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.139 a kind of 00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:20.559 authority. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.279 They are to 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:22.679 teach the 00:17:22.679 --> 00:17:23.259 Bible and 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.539 they are to 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.220 make judgments 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.859 in matters 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.500 of gray 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.099 areas of 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.700 application 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.460 according 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.679 to Bible 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:30.139 principles. 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:32.060 elders 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.700 exercise 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.020 an 00:17:33.020 --> 00:17:33.480 authority 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.680 but it 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.280 is not 00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:35.920 a 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:37.340 coercive 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:37.980 authority. 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.740 It's a 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.280 persuasive 00:17:40.280 --> 00:17:41.140 authority. 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.940 Come along 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.580 with us. 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:44.680 We want 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.300 you to go 00:17:45.300 --> 00:17:45.900 where we're 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.440 going. 00:17:46.600 --> 00:17:47.180 We love 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.360 you. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:47.820 We're looking 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.500 out for 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:50.259 your souls. 00:17:51.520 --> 00:17:52.160 Framed 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.759 that way, 00:17:53.040 --> 00:17:53.500 isn't it a 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.140 wonderful thing 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.980 to have 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.340 leaders? 00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:58.980 Let's 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.340 look now 00:17:59.339 --> 00:17:59.799 at another 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.220 text. 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:00.500 So turn 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:00.740 with me, 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:00.939 if you 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.059 will, 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.720 to Ephesians 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.159 chapter 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:02.759 four. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.039 I want 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.240 you to 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.899 see here 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:12.659 leaders 00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:13.019 given to 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.659 the church 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.279 and the 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.019 way that 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.399 the church 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:15.740 is a 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.480 congregation 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.519 is to 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.039 function 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.399 with 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:19.839 leadership. 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:22.819 I'll 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:22.980 begin 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.459 reading in 00:18:23.459 --> 00:18:23.799 verse 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.859 11. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.519 Just 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:26.939 before this, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.359 Paul talked 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.039 about Jesus 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.919 ascending, 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.560 also though 00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:29.900 that he 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.800 descended 00:18:30.800 --> 00:18:31.340 and that 00:18:31.340 --> 00:18:31.900 he gave 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.600 gifts to 00:18:32.600 --> 00:18:32.820 men, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.380 where it 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:33.700 leads us 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:33.960 up to 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.180 verse 11. 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:36.940 And there 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.519 Paul writes, 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.160 and he, 00:18:38.320 --> 00:18:38.580 that's 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:39.400 Jesus Christ, 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.279 gave the 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.700 apostles, 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:41.539 the prophets, 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.640 the evangelists, 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.700 the shepherds, 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.220 and teachers 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.920 to equip the 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.400 saints for 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:46.960 the work of 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.380 ministry, 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.640 for building 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.220 up the body 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:49.779 of Christ 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.220 until we 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.100 all attain 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.440 to the 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.860 unity of 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.300 the faith 00:18:52.300 --> 00:18:52.580 and of 00:18:52.580 --> 00:18:53.140 the knowledge 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:53.519 of the 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.800 Son of 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:54.140 God, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.360 to mature 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:55.900 manhood, 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.300 to the 00:18:56.300 --> 00:18:56.900 measure of 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.640 the stature 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.080 of the 00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:58.360 fullness 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.000 of Christ, 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.040 so that 00:19:00.040 --> 00:19:00.259 we may 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.860 no longer 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:01.500 be children 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.259 tossed to 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.700 and fro 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.060 by the 00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:03.560 waves and 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.080 carried about 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:04.740 by every 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.259 wind of 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:05.700 doctrine, 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:06.720 by human 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.200 cunning, 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.580 by craftiness 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.620 in deceitful 00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.180 schemes. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.720 Rather, 00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:13.019 speaking the 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.380 truth in 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:13.780 love, 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:14.620 we have 00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:14.820 to grow 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:15.000 up in 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.540 every way 00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:16.100 into him 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.440 who is 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:16.980 the head, 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:17.940 into Christ, 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.240 from whom 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.620 the whole 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:19.940 body, 00:19:20.080 --> 00:19:20.480 joined and 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:20.940 held together 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.400 by every 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.840 joint with 00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:22.140 which it 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.600 is equipped, 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.519 when each 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.040 part is 00:19:24.040 --> 00:19:24.900 working properly, 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.840 makes the 00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.500 body grow 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.420 so that it 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.100 builds itself 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:29.380 up in 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.780 love. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.500 A beautiful 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.840 picture of 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.440 the church 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.900 in action. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.660 Now this 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.300 text begins 00:19:37.300 --> 00:19:37.680 with Jesus 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.380 Christ giving 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.740 gifts to 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.140 the church. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.519 You see 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:40.920 these in 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.560 verse 11, 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.340 the apostles, 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.460 the prophets, 00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:46.720 a brief aside 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.240 at this point, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.980 there's a lot 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.580 of disagreement 00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.920 about these 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.380 gifts in 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.200 Christendom. 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.580 I don't 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.019 intend for 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.340 this to be 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:54.980 an exhaustive 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.399 exposition 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:55.799 of this 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.159 passage, 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.879 but an 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.279 aside I 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:57.539 think is 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.079 helpful here. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.339 I believe 00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.639 that the 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.240 apostles and 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.740 prophets that 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.000 Paul is 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.720 referring to 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.939 were modern 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.579 apostles and 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.419 prophets who 00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:04.819 were in the 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.759 process of 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.179 writing the 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.659 New Testament 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.899 and the 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.500 Old Testament 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.959 prophets as 00:20:09.959 --> 00:20:10.459 the books of 00:20:10.459 --> 00:20:10.740 the Old 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.319 Testament were 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.399 referred to 00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:13.699 as the 00:20:13.699 --> 00:20:14.179 prophets. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.259 I think that's 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.439 what he's 00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:17.039 talking about. 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.279 He's talking 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.339 about those 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.720 who were 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.439 writing the 00:20:19.439 --> 00:20:20.099 canon at 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.799 his time 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.279 as well as 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.619 those who 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.579 had already 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.759 written. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.159 If you 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.619 look back 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.139 a bit at 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:26.459 Ephesians 00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:27.259 chapter 2 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.099 verse 19 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.899 and 20, 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.039 there he 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.319 says, 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:30.679 so then you 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:30.939 are no 00:20:30.939 --> 00:20:31.240 longer 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.879 strangers and 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.240 aliens, 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:32.619 but your 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.519 fellow citizens 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.879 with the 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:34.379 saints and 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.980 members of 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.500 the household 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.339 of God, 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.779 built on 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.679 the foundation 00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:39.759 of the 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.699 apostles and 00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:42.240 prophets, 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.699 Christ Jesus 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:45.619 himself being 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.519 the cornerstone. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.940 so I 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:49.339 believe that 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.759 the apostles 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.019 and the 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.559 prophets of 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.099 Ephesians 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.799 4 and 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.400 verse 11 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.420 for us 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.440 are the 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.740 Old and 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.559 New Testaments, 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.700 our 66 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.579 books of 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.339 our canon, 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.619 which we 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.059 ought not 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.920 belittle, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.619 but as I 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.160 believe Paul 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.720 is doing, 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.559 magnify as 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.779 a gift to 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.200 the church. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.059 I think this 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.299 is what he's 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:08.859 communicating in 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.319 verse 11. 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:09.859 As he starts 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.160 out, he 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.940 gave the 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:13.000 apostles, the 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.299 prophets. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.099 We have the 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.940 scripture. 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.600 And then he 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.140 goes on, the 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.960 evangelists, the 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.460 shepherds, and 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.740 teachers. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.600 Many of you 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.100 are using the 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:24.039 same translation 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.080 that I am 00:21:25.080 --> 00:21:25.559 this morning, 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.400 the English 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.120 Standard Version, 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.779 and you may 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.000 note that each 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.660 of these roles 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.660 are separated 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:33.000 by a comma, 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.180 but not 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.660 shepherds, or 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.420 you could insert 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.120 pastors there, 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:38.759 and teachers. 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.000 You notice the 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.340 commas? 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.720 We know that 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.220 ancient Greek 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.920 did not have 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.920 equivalent punctuation 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.380 to our 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.240 English, so 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.279 this was a 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.400 translative 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.100 decision. 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.279 The translators 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.180 decided where to 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.140 put the commas 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.140 in, and they 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.720 did not put a 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.759 comma between 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:56.580 shepherds and 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:56.900 teachers. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.720 Now, I am very 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.600 happy to say that 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.100 the ESV 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:01.060 translators are 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:03.300 not anti-Oxford 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:03.680 comma. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.620 If you know 00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.180 what I'm talking 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.900 about, and you 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.580 disagree with me, 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.340 we can debate 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:09.740 later. 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.700 Oxford comma is 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.560 a good comma, 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.180 and it should 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.060 remain in the 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.800 English language. 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.320 If you don't 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:16.600 know what I'm 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:16.920 talking about, 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.640 that's fine, but 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.500 this is a 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.140 translative 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.279 decision because 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.920 the Greek word 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.700 translated and 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.400 can also be 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.580 translated that 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:28.539 is, or in 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.000 particular. 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:30.360 It can be 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.060 translated various 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:31.480 ways. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.220 So, it could 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.880 read shepherds 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.620 that is teachers, 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.759 or shepherds in 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.500 particular teachers, 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.080 which is a little 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:42.100 clunky, but does 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:42.820 give us a better 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.359 idea of who 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.339 these men are, 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.099 these gifts 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.779 given. 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:48.759 Many simply 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.339 say of this 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.240 role that they 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.359 are shepherd 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.159 teachers, shepherd 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:53.119 dash teachers, or 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.139 pastor dash 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:55.679 teachers, and we 00:22:55.679 --> 00:22:56.939 have further 00:22:56.939 --> 00:22:57.759 evidence that this 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.519 is Paul's meaning 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.439 in 1 Timothy 00:22:59.439 --> 00:23:00.599 chapter 5 and 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.339 verse 17. 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.399 There he says, 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.519 let the elders 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.919 who rule well be 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.619 considered worthy 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.819 of double honor. 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.439 I think in this 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.019 case he's talking 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.799 about both the 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:10.059 honor of respect 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.899 and position, but 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:12.859 also income for 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.359 their living, 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:15.159 especially those 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:16.500 who labor in 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.299 preaching and 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.259 teaching. 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.039 Elders, 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.339 teachers. 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:23.759 So, evangelists 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.480 and elders are 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.339 gifts given to 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.639 the church by 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:28.720 Christ, but for 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.759 what reason? 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:30.599 Why? 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.539 Why are they 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.859 given? 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.899 Verse 12, to 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.000 equip the saints 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.359 for the work of 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.639 ministry, for 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:40.240 building up the 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.000 body of Christ. 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:44.299 Now, notice, once 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.099 again, a 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.899 translator decision 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:47.599 to not put a 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:49.299 comma after the 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:51.059 word saints. 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.599 If you were to 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.259 look at that part 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.399 of verse 12, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.359 that I just read, 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:55.819 to equip the 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.659 saints, what if 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:56.959 it said to 00:23:56.959 --> 00:23:57.439 equip the saints, 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.419 comma, for the 00:23:59.419 --> 00:24:00.119 work of ministry, 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.579 comma, for 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.199 building up the 00:24:02.199 --> 00:24:03.799 body of Christ. 00:24:05.439 --> 00:24:06.240 If they were to 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.059 punctuate it that 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.920 way, one of the 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.940 tasks given to 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.799 these evangelists 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.680 and these pastor 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.620 teachers would be 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.880 the work of 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.180 ministry. 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.960 So, why, why 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.160 can we know, why 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.079 did they make the 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.819 translative decision 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.519 to not put a 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:24.039 comma after saints, 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:26.140 and then we read, 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.960 to equip the 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.420 saints for the 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.160 work of ministry, 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.279 right? 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.700 And then, for 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.220 building up the 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.700 body of Christ 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.839 modifies that. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.579 What is the 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.140 work of ministry? 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.099 It's the building 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.200 up the body of 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.340 Christ. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.720 How can we know 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.519 this just looking 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:40.759 at it? 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.160 Are they just 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.960 arbitrarily putting 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.500 commas where 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.600 commas feel good? 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.720 No. 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.440 No, because 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.400 Paul keeps 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.819 writing. 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.140 We've got to 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.720 look at the 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.600 context of 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.160 what's happening 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.380 here. 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.180 What happens 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.440 beyond this 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.620 in the text, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.220 right? 00:24:56.580 --> 00:24:57.100 There's this 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:58.360 aim, verse 13, 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.559 of attaining 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.340 the unity of 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.039 the faith and 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.240 knowledge of 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.720 the Son of 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.180 God to 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.160 mature manhood, 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.519 to the measure 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.500 of the stature 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.460 of the fullness 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:09.039 of Christ. 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:10.059 That we would 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.420 grow into 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.160 maturity. 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.420 That we would 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.039 be people who 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.799 are not 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.859 children, 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.639 tossed about 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.940 by waves 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.400 and carried 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:18.920 about by 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.779 every doctrine, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.559 human cunning, 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.279 craftiness, 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.879 and deceitful 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.400 schemes. 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.220 Beloved, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.619 do we not 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:27.759 see a world 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.019 of professing 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.660 Christians 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.799 thrown about, 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:33.839 back and 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.299 forth, 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.960 by the waves, 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.460 carried about 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:37.879 by every 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:39.539 wind of 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:39.839 doctrine. 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.240 It's just 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.180 astounding to 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.299 me, the 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.960 things that 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.899 people believe 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.500 as they come 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.019 out of 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.259 Christian leaders' 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.039 mouths. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.899 So anti- 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:50.139 Bible. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.279 Are you 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.599 catching? 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.159 This is 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:54.059 congregational 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.180 work, right? 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.680 We're supposed 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.279 to be speaking 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.879 the truth to 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.259 one another. 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.500 I'm also a 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.139 congregant. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:25:59.720 Speak the 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.299 truth to me. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.359 I don't 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:01.559 want to be 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.079 a child. 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:02.980 I want to 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.419 grow up 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:04.559 into Christ-likeness. 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.639 I want to 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.399 be steady 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.200 in storms 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.659 because I 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:08.099 know the 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.440 truth. 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.500 And Paul's 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.220 saying, we 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.680 do that 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.579 with one 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.299 another. 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.399 Let's not 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:13.720 be this 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.119 immature 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.599 thing, but 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.039 verse 15 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.220 says, 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:15.819 rather, 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.460 speaking the 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.779 truth in 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.379 love, 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.519 we are to 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.899 grow up in 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.559 every way 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:20.940 into him 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.319 who is the 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.480 head, 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.180 into Christ, 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:23.279 from whom 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.700 the whole 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.059 body, 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.519 joined and 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.940 held together 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.440 by every 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:25.839 joint with 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.200 which it is 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.579 equipped, 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.359 when each 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.639 part is 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:27.859 working 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.339 properly, 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.240 makes the 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.819 body grow, 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.559 so that it 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.200 builds itself 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.019 up in 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.139 love. 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:35.539 That is the 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.359 essence of 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.299 congregationalism. 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.679 Us helping 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:39.539 every Christian, 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.200 helping every 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.839 Christian in 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.179 the local 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:42.240 church grow 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.879 in Christ-likeness. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.200 What a 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.099 compelling picture 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:46.839 that should be 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.500 for all of 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:47.799 us. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.319 And I want to 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.240 commend you as a 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.539 church. 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:52.099 You do this 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.279 well. 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.059 Just before we 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.639 met, I had a 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.340 conversation with 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.400 a brother who's 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.320 grieving, another 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.940 brother in 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.820 unrepentant sin, 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.420 and he's asking 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.040 the question, 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.520 is it time for 00:27:02.520 --> 00:27:03.180 me to take a 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.259 next step with 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.840 him, to press 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.600 upon him? 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.840 He said with 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:10.040 tears welling, 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:11.120 I'm not sure 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:11.860 that he's in 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.180 Christ. 00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:12.920 I'm concerned 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.720 for his soul. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.300 What a 00:27:14.300 --> 00:27:14.980 conversation to 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.780 have with a 00:27:15.780 --> 00:27:16.220 congregant. 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.000 A wonderful 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.300 thing to think 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:19.759 and talk and 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.740 pray about next 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.240 steps to happen. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.859 So this is 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.400 the work. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.480 This is the 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.859 work that's 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.180 going on. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.779 It's equipping 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.420 the saints for 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.960 the work of 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.539 ministry, for 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.599 building up 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.980 the body of 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.440 Christ. 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.920 Elders lead by 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:35.460 teaching, in 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.220 word and in 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.380 deed, giving 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.059 theological 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.279 foundation and 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.000 example of 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.380 application so 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:41.900 that the church 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:43.240 as a whole does 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.380 this work of 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.099 ministry, this 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:46.099 building up of 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.539 the body of 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:46.900 Christ. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.559 It bears 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.120 repeating. 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.000 Elders exercise 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.120 in authority, but 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.959 it is not a 00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:54.579 coercive authority, 00:27:54.699 --> 00:27:55.299 it is a 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.879 persuasive 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.779 authority. 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.099 It's an 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.599 authority of 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.119 counsel. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.679 Come to the 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.299 word with us. 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:01.679 We want to 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.479 show you the 00:28:02.479 --> 00:28:03.819 way of God, 00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:04.959 how we should 00:28:04.959 --> 00:28:06.000 pursue, what 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.899 we should say 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:08.299 to one another. 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.559 It also bears 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:12.199 saying that the 00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:13.239 evangelists share 00:28:13.239 --> 00:28:13.859 the gospel, that 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.299 the church would 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.919 increase through 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:15.959 conversion, and 00:28:15.959 --> 00:28:16.659 that the church 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.419 as a whole would 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.059 share the gospel 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.719 for that very 00:28:18.719 --> 00:28:19.759 same end. 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.619 The evangelists 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.819 help equip us 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.639 that we might 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:24.079 share the 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.339 gospel. 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.139 But while 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.879 evangelists are a 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.179 gift to the 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:27.399 church, we do 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.059 not hold that it 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.980 is an office of 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.899 the church, a 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.980 formal position 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.819 found here. 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.220 Evangelistic people 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.399 most certainly are a 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.419 gift to the 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:37.759 church. 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:40.059 Now I hope that I 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.919 have sufficiently 00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:41.919 shown you the 00:28:41.919 --> 00:28:42.939 authority of 00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.559 counsel that an 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.379 elder holds, 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:44.899 right? 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.460 But what about the 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:49.000 authority of the 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.539 congregation? 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:49.639 congregation? 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:50.180 Does the 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.339 congregation hold 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.639 any authority? 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.759 Yes, it does. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.519 The congregation 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:57.079 or the church as 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.740 a whole is doing 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.319 two things in this 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.720 text. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:03.680 Number one, teaching 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.799 the truth, right? 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:06.079 Teaching the truth, 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.899 attaining the unity 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.779 of the faith, the 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.619 knowledge of the 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.700 Son of God, verse 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.079 13. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:14.680 This is a pushback 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.740 against doctrine 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.779 blowing people 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.339 around. 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.419 So the congregation 00:29:18.419 --> 00:29:20.339 is teaching the 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:23.740 truth and applying 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.220 the truth. 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.939 Verse 15, we're 00:29:26.939 --> 00:29:28.399 growing up in every 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:30.339 way into him who 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.059 is the head. 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.059 Then you see all 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.899 this activity in 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.579 verse 16, these 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.899 joints held together 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.619 doing this work. 00:29:37.179 --> 00:29:37.279 Right? 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:37.879 So teaching the 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:39.879 truth and applying 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:41.119 the truth. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:43.519 So the congregation, 00:29:43.739 --> 00:29:44.439 the local church 00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:45.399 as a whole, is 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.879 responsible for 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.699 discipling, 00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:50.500 helping people 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.939 grow in their 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.599 pursuit of 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:54.279 Christ, and 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.979 they're responsible 00:29:54.979 --> 00:29:56.799 for doctrine. 00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.239 What is that 00:29:58.239 --> 00:29:58.639 truth? 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.759 Being led by the 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.299 elders of the 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:03.139 church to 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:04.979 disciple and to 00:30:04.979 --> 00:30:06.139 hold sound 00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:07.299 doctrine. 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.579 the congregation 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.980 has a different 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:12.139 authority from 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:12.599 the elders. 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.339 The local church 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.579 as a whole holds 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:17.299 the authority of 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:21.359 command or, if 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:21.700 you like, 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:24.039 coercion set 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.799 against persuasion. 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.419 I don't love it. 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.359 I like counsel and 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:27.180 command personally, 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.059 but persuasion and 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.700 coercion works. 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:32.799 God delegates 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:34.059 authority, and 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.019 it always has 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.720 limits, and 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.519 it is always 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:38.180 subservient to 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.080 the one who 00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:40.500 delegated it. 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:43.259 Bad authority 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.900 is always bad. 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.799 Most of us 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.480 have had some 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.140 experience with 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.860 bad authority. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.500 If you haven't, 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.720 live a little 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.100 longer. 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.900 You're going to 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.539 see authority 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:56.059 not exercised 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.819 properly, but 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.519 that doesn't mean 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.240 we should throw 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.940 away authority. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.700 authority 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.400 submitted to 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.920 God is 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:05.000 always good. 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:06.539 Always good. 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.600 It's aimed at 00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:08.740 blessing for 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.140 us. 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.120 So, I want 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:13.340 to take you to 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:13.900 some additional 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.720 text to show 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.559 you the two 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.240 areas that the 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.200 congregation holds 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.980 authority in, 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:19.120 our discipling 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.640 and doctrine. 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:20.960 We're going to 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.460 do this at a 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:23.039 clip, because 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.319 I'm really 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:23.620 supposed to be 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.039 talking about 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.600 elders, but I 00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:25.100 want to show 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:25.680 you what are 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.319 elders leading 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:26.900 the congregation 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:28.660 to do together. 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:30.720 discipling. 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.040 Matthew chapter 00:31:32.040 --> 00:31:32.440 28. 00:31:32.580 --> 00:31:32.940 Go ahead and 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.460 join me there. 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:35.900 I'm going to 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.240 get water. 00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:36.540 I've got to 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:37.240 get ready for 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.620 this fast 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.000 reading I'm 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.320 about to 00:31:38.320 --> 00:31:38.460 do. 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:38.980 So, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:55.660 Matthew 28. 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.920 This is the Great Commission. 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.620 Jesus came and said to them, 00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.140 verse 18, 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:01.039 all authority in heaven and on earth 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:02.279 has been given to me. 00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:03.680 There's that ultimate authority. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.079 Go therefore 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:07.400 and make disciples of all nations, 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:09.500 baptizing them in the name of the Father 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.980 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.360 teaching them to observe 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:13.700 all that I have commanded you 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:15.000 and behold, I'm with you always 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:16.560 to the end of the age. 00:32:16.800 --> 00:32:19.080 On the heels of Ephesians chapter 4, 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.759 do you see the church's work 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.720 in the middle of that text? 00:32:21.800 --> 00:32:22.480 I hope you do. 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:26.640 This is a commission given to the church 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.519 and how do we do that 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:29.759 in visible expression? 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:32.440 In local churches. 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.840 So we, as a church, 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:35.640 are meant to go, 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:36.780 make disciples, 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.879 baptize them, 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:39.160 welcoming them into the membership 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:39.779 of the church, 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:41.480 teaching them to observe 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:43.660 all that I have commanded you. 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:43.879 Right? 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:45.660 Grow up into Christ-likeness. 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:47.019 Don't be tossed to and fro 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:50.039 by every wind of doctrine. 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:50.960 Right? 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:53.759 Now, turn with me backwards 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.559 in the book of Matthew 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.839 to chapter 16. 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:04.000 I'll begin reading in verse 13 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:05.619 because the context 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:07.299 has some relevance. 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.259 Now, when Jesus came 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.799 into the district 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.839 of Caesarea Philippi, 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:12.180 he asked his disciples, 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.400 who do people say 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:14.859 that the Son of Man is? 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:16.180 And they said, 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.200 some say John the Baptist, 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:18.079 others say Elijah, 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:19.119 and others Jeremiah, 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.079 or one of the prophets. 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.980 He said to them, 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.400 but who do you say 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.380 that I am? 00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:25.039 Simon Peter replied, 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:27.079 you are the Christ, 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:29.180 the Son of the living God. 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.940 Way to go, Peter. 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.480 Knocked it out of the park. 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:34.299 And Jesus answered him, 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.519 blessed are you, 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.360 Simon Barjona, 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.000 for flesh and blood 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.480 has not revealed this to you. 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:39.640 Right? 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.360 It's by grace 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:41.579 that he gets that answer right. 00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:44.660 But my Father who is in heaven. 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.700 And I tell you, 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.339 you are Peter, 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.620 and on this rock, 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:49.099 that truth that he is the Christ, 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.980 I will build my church. 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.339 And the gates of hell 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:54.460 shall not prevail against it. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.640 Right? 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.720 There's our confidence 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:57.079 for Matthew 28. 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.240 Jesus is with us 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.339 to the end of the age, 00:33:59.360 --> 00:34:00.539 and he has all authority. 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.120 He's building his church, 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:04.739 and so go and do this work. 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:06.239 And then he says, 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.679 in verse 19, 00:34:08.359 --> 00:34:10.019 I will give you the keys 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:11.880 of the kingdom of heaven. 00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:13.779 And whatever you bind on earth 00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.599 shall be bound in heaven, 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.599 and whatever you loose on earth 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.719 shall be loosed in heaven. 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.019 Right? 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.799 This is the symbol 00:34:17.799 --> 00:34:18.480 of the authority 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.139 given to the church. 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.920 But we don't really fully comprehend 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.159 what he's talking about 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.339 at this point. 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.219 Okay? 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.519 We're given keys, 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:27.980 we're binding, 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:29.359 and we're loosing. 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:31.360 We don't have to go far 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.140 to understand. 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.039 Go to Matthew chapter. 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.760 This will feel disjointed 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.680 for just a moment, 00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:39.280 but hear it out. 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.599 Beginning in verse 15. 00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:46.579 If your brother sins against you, 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.440 go and tell him it's fault 00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.559 between you and him alone. 00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:51.640 If he listens to you, 00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.700 you have gained your brother. 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:55.720 Do you see Ephesians 4 in this? 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.620 Speaking the truth 00:34:56.620 --> 00:34:57.640 and love to one another. 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:59.019 Do you see it in there? 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.579 Your brother sins. 00:35:01.379 --> 00:35:02.579 You go show him his sin. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:04.279 We all need help doing this. 00:35:04.359 --> 00:35:05.619 We all have blind spots. 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.079 Like, we're going to do things. 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:08.139 We're going to err. 00:35:08.759 --> 00:35:09.819 We're going to realize it at times. 00:35:09.859 --> 00:35:10.879 We're not going to realize it at times. 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.759 We need to be approached 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.719 that we might repent 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.659 and press on. 00:35:13.839 --> 00:35:13.920 Right? 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.759 This is how we grow 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.819 in Christlikeness. 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.480 Verse 16. 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:20.619 But if he does not listen, 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.819 take one or two others 00:35:22.819 --> 00:35:23.759 along with you 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.679 that every charge 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.319 may be established 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.059 by the evidence 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.780 of two or three witnesses. 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.760 You make it more serious. 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.300 Multiple people come 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:31.700 and they say, 00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:33.600 no, no, we see this issue too. 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:34.860 Right? 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.980 We want to speak the truth 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.720 and love to you 00:35:36.720 --> 00:35:37.640 that you may grow 00:35:37.640 --> 00:35:39.160 in Christ. 00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:40.880 And there's another opportunity 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:42.700 for repentance. 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.380 To listen. 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.680 In verse 17, 00:35:46.679 --> 00:35:48.259 if he refuses to listen 00:35:48.259 --> 00:35:48.919 to them, 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.399 tell it to the church. 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.859 And if he refuses 00:35:53.859 --> 00:35:55.119 to listen even to the church, 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:55.339 right? 00:35:55.359 --> 00:35:56.019 So there's a step here 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.839 where the church now 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.460 as a total 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:59.679 is speaking to this person 00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:00.679 saying, 00:36:00.859 --> 00:36:02.460 this is not the way 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:04.219 of a Christ follower. 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.419 Then the church 00:36:06.419 --> 00:36:08.379 is to let him be to you 00:36:08.379 --> 00:36:09.279 as a Gentile 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:10.839 and a tax collector. 00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:11.299 That is to say, 00:36:11.359 --> 00:36:13.099 to put them outside 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:15.359 of the church. 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:15.880 Right? 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.760 This is the process 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.460 we often call 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.500 church discipline. 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:18.980 Right? 00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:20.880 But I think every step 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:22.500 in this is discipline. 00:36:22.640 --> 00:36:23.720 It's discipling. 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.380 Right? 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.980 We are teaching the truth 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.920 that a person 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:28.519 might faithfully follow Jesus. 00:36:28.700 --> 00:36:29.760 And if we find 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:31.500 that they're not in Christ, 00:36:31.620 --> 00:36:32.620 then the loving thing 00:36:32.620 --> 00:36:33.660 to say to them is, 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.940 we don't believe 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:36.900 you're in Christ. 00:36:38.120 --> 00:36:39.200 Now how does this connect 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:40.940 back to Matthew chapter 16? 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.980 Verse 18 of chapter 18. 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:46.240 Truly I say to you, 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:48.300 whatever you bind on earth 00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:50.000 shall be bound in heaven. 00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:52.380 And whatever you loose on earth 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:54.079 shall be loosed in heaven. 00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:55.920 The exact same phrase. 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:57.840 Keys of the kingdom. 00:36:58.119 --> 00:37:01.599 Doing this careful work. 00:37:03.199 --> 00:37:05.719 So if you didn't hear 00:37:05.719 --> 00:37:06.679 Ephesians chapter 4 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:07.780 through that, 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:09.460 maybe you'll hear it 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:11.420 the other way around. 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.400 Right? 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:13.900 So back in Ephesians 4 verse 11, 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.599 he gave apostles, 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:15.519 prophets, evangelists, 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.200 shepherd teachers 00:37:16.200 --> 00:37:18.119 to equip the saints 00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.900 for the work of ministry 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.680 for building up 00:37:19.680 --> 00:37:20.599 the body of Christ 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:22.380 until we all attain 00:37:22.380 --> 00:37:23.340 to the unity of the faith 00:37:23.340 --> 00:37:23.920 and of the knowledge 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.579 of the Son of God 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.599 to mature manhood 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.220 to the measure 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:26.940 of the stature 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:28.059 of the fullness 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:29.639 of Christ. 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:30.220 Right? 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:31.420 Working us 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:33.119 together, 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:34.800 verse 16, 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.619 the body would grow 00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:37.480 so that it builds 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.659 itself up 00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:40.679 in love. 00:37:41.339 --> 00:37:41.539 Right? 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:44.119 This is the discipling work 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:46.899 given to the congregation, 00:37:46.899 --> 00:37:48.079 all of us, 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:48.879 together. 00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:50.920 William Gurnall, 00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:52.179 a 17th century 00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:53.079 Puritan minister, 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.940 once said this, 00:37:55.719 --> 00:37:57.399 God would not rub so hard 00:37:57.399 --> 00:37:58.099 if it were not 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.579 to fetch out the dirt 00:37:59.579 --> 00:38:00.500 that is ingrained 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.440 in our natures. 00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:03.319 God loves purity 00:38:03.319 --> 00:38:04.539 so well 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.659 that he would rather 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.480 see a hole 00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:07.380 than a spot 00:38:07.380 --> 00:38:09.079 in his child's garments. 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.519 Secondly, 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.400 doctrine. 00:38:13.779 --> 00:38:14.880 The church, 00:38:15.300 --> 00:38:16.360 as a whole, 00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.960 is meant to defend 00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:19.079 doctrine. 00:38:19.880 --> 00:38:20.199 Paul writes 00:38:20.199 --> 00:38:21.420 in Galatians chapter 1 00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:22.900 to the church 00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:23.739 in Galatia, 00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:25.219 but even if we 00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:25.980 or an angel 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.599 from heaven 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:27.380 should preach to you 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:28.559 a gospel contrary 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.460 to the one we preached 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:29.820 to you, 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.960 let him be 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:32.239 accursed. 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.900 As we have said before, 00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:35.220 so now I say again, 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:36.160 if anyone is preaching 00:38:36.160 --> 00:38:36.880 to you a gospel 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:38.460 contrary to the one 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.579 you received, 00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:41.260 let him be 00:38:41.260 --> 00:38:42.780 accursed. 00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:45.000 This would be 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.320 an exercise 00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:48.039 of the keys. 00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:49.740 The truth 00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:51.780 must be 00:38:51.780 --> 00:38:52.840 preserved 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:54.079 and 00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:55.420 defended. 00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:58.340 David Gibson 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.039 in an article 00:38:59.039 --> 00:38:59.680 entitled 00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:01.800 Assumed Evangelicalism, 00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.180 some reflections 00:39:03.179 --> 00:39:04.179 in route 00:39:04.179 --> 00:39:05.019 to denying 00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:06.059 the gospel. 00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:07.399 Quote, 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.980 you may have heard 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.719 the story 00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:10.559 of the Mennonite 00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.399 Brethren movement. 00:39:12.319 --> 00:39:13.199 One particular 00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:13.639 analysis 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.960 goes like this. 00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.779 The first generation 00:39:16.779 --> 00:39:17.579 believed 00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.379 and proclaimed 00:39:18.379 --> 00:39:19.119 the gospel 00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:20.279 and thought 00:39:20.279 --> 00:39:20.779 that there were 00:39:20.779 --> 00:39:22.000 certain social 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:23.219 entailments. 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:25.599 The next generation 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:27.500 assumed the gospel 00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:29.319 and advocated 00:39:29.319 --> 00:39:30.919 the entailments. 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:33.500 the third generation 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:35.300 denied the gospel 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:37.240 and all that were 00:39:37.240 --> 00:39:37.880 left 00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:39.539 were the entailments. 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.579 The practice 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:43.360 but not the gospel 00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:44.860 itself. 00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:47.260 The whole congregation 00:39:47.260 --> 00:39:49.360 defends 00:39:49.360 --> 00:39:50.800 doctrine. 00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:52.900 Again, 00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:54.079 back to Acts chapter 20, 00:39:54.240 --> 00:39:54.980 Paul's farewell 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.940 to the Ephesian elders. 00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:58.400 I read verse 28 00:39:58.400 --> 00:39:58.800 already, 00:39:58.940 --> 00:39:59.659 pay careful attention 00:39:59.659 --> 00:40:00.159 to yourselves 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:01.260 and to all the flock 00:40:01.260 --> 00:40:02.220 in which the Holy Spirit 00:40:02.220 --> 00:40:03.159 has made you overseers 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:04.139 to care for the church 00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:04.579 of God 00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.619 which he obtained 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.780 with his own blood. 00:40:07.740 --> 00:40:08.579 I know, 00:40:08.659 --> 00:40:09.260 he goes on, 00:40:09.320 --> 00:40:10.519 that after my departure 00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:12.240 fierce wolves 00:40:12.240 --> 00:40:13.460 will come in among you 00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:14.980 not sparing 00:40:14.980 --> 00:40:16.139 the flock. 00:40:17.519 --> 00:40:18.059 And, 00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.679 this will make you 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:20.039 shudder, 00:40:20.200 --> 00:40:21.000 from among your 00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:22.440 own selves 00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:22.980 will arise 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:24.079 men speaking 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:25.460 twisted things 00:40:25.460 --> 00:40:27.039 to draw away 00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:27.639 the disciples 00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.980 after them. 00:40:29.860 --> 00:40:30.679 Why did he say 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:31.539 to pay careful 00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:31.980 attention 00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.880 to the flock? 00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:34.259 Because there will be 00:40:34.259 --> 00:40:35.219 people from outside 00:40:35.219 --> 00:40:36.239 and people from 00:40:36.239 --> 00:40:37.159 inside 00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:39.059 that will lead 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:39.460 people 00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:40.799 astray. 00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:43.460 Jude writes 00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:44.360 in verse 3 and 4, 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:44.759 Beloved, 00:40:44.819 --> 00:40:45.559 although I was very eager 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:46.279 to write to you 00:40:46.279 --> 00:40:47.519 about our common salvation, 00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:48.699 I found it necessary 00:40:48.699 --> 00:40:49.659 to write appealing 00:40:49.659 --> 00:40:50.000 to you 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.840 to contend 00:40:50.840 --> 00:40:51.960 for the faith 00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:52.920 that was once 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:53.500 for all 00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.000 delivered 00:40:54.000 --> 00:40:55.240 to the saints. 00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:56.960 For certain people 00:40:56.960 --> 00:40:57.800 have crept in 00:40:57.800 --> 00:40:58.539 unnoticed 00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:59.559 who long ago 00:40:59.559 --> 00:41:00.320 were designated 00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:01.420 for this condemnation, 00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:02.740 ungodly people 00:41:02.740 --> 00:41:03.880 who pervert 00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.980 the grace of our God 00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:06.059 into sensuality 00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:06.800 and deny 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:08.280 our only Master 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:09.079 and Lord, 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:10.700 Jesus Christ. 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.860 So we're 00:41:12.860 --> 00:41:13.700 to defend 00:41:13.700 --> 00:41:15.039 doctrine. 00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:16.079 We've talked 00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:17.579 long, 00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:18.200 too much, 00:41:18.280 --> 00:41:19.120 I'm going to skip it today, 00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:20.059 I've got a whole bunch 00:41:20.059 --> 00:41:20.719 of notes about it, 00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:22.460 about theological triage, 00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:25.119 but let me just sum it 00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:25.519 by saying 00:41:25.519 --> 00:41:26.860 we are confessional people, 00:41:27.199 --> 00:41:27.799 it is important 00:41:27.799 --> 00:41:28.579 for us to take up 00:41:28.579 --> 00:41:29.059 the word, 00:41:29.880 --> 00:41:31.119 understand what it says, 00:41:32.199 --> 00:41:33.239 write documents, 00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:34.599 decide those things 00:41:34.599 --> 00:41:35.599 that are 00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:38.219 worthy of dying for 00:41:38.219 --> 00:41:39.259 and those things 00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:40.179 that can be 00:41:40.179 --> 00:41:41.179 debated. 00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:42.759 We think it's important 00:41:42.759 --> 00:41:43.860 to make truth claims 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.400 concerning what 00:41:44.400 --> 00:41:45.099 the Bible teaches 00:41:45.099 --> 00:41:46.940 on any particular 00:41:46.940 --> 00:41:48.299 topic. 00:41:48.300 --> 00:41:48.440 topic. 00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:50.260 So elders 00:41:50.260 --> 00:41:50.900 are given 00:41:50.900 --> 00:41:52.500 as gifts 00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:53.280 to the church 00:41:53.280 --> 00:41:54.519 to lead 00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:55.280 the congregation 00:41:55.280 --> 00:41:56.240 in the important 00:41:56.240 --> 00:41:58.300 work of discipling 00:41:58.300 --> 00:41:59.519 and defending 00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:01.039 doctrine. 00:42:02.240 --> 00:42:02.920 But, 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:03.480 what does 00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:04.160 elder-led 00:42:04.160 --> 00:42:05.300 congregationalism 00:42:05.300 --> 00:42:06.280 look like 00:42:06.280 --> 00:42:07.500 in action? 00:42:08.360 --> 00:42:08.980 If you're 00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:09.840 totally unfamiliar 00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:10.880 with this polity, 00:42:11.220 --> 00:42:12.400 how might it be 00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:13.660 observed 00:42:13.659 --> 00:42:15.619 and this in closing? 00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.980 You will notice 00:42:17.980 --> 00:42:20.159 sermons preached 00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:21.819 and classes taught, 00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.960 discipling relationships 00:42:23.960 --> 00:42:24.500 where the Bible 00:42:24.500 --> 00:42:25.099 is read 00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:26.119 and studied 00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:27.420 and applied, 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:29.460 earnest prayer 00:42:29.460 --> 00:42:30.279 for one another, 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:32.859 sin confronted 00:42:32.859 --> 00:42:34.039 and corrected, 00:42:35.379 --> 00:42:36.639 discipline processes 00:42:36.639 --> 00:42:37.519 carried out 00:42:37.519 --> 00:42:38.839 when necessary, 00:42:38.840 --> 00:42:40.800 evangelism 00:42:40.800 --> 00:42:42.019 and missions 00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:43.500 to the end 00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.019 of the earth 00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:45.180 to all peoples, 00:42:46.240 --> 00:42:46.760 welcoming 00:42:46.760 --> 00:42:47.960 new members 00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:48.840 through the 00:42:48.840 --> 00:42:49.460 ordinance of 00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:49.980 baptism, 00:42:51.380 --> 00:42:51.820 celebrating 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:52.500 the Lord's 00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:53.300 supper together 00:42:53.300 --> 00:42:53.940 regularly 00:42:53.940 --> 00:42:54.980 with joy, 00:42:56.220 --> 00:42:57.120 confessionalism 00:42:57.120 --> 00:42:57.700 and all 00:42:57.700 --> 00:42:58.260 that is in 00:42:58.260 --> 00:42:59.039 tales, 00:42:59.340 --> 00:42:59.680 all this 00:42:59.680 --> 00:43:00.880 careful work 00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:01.880 of theological 00:43:01.880 --> 00:43:03.300 triage, 00:43:03.420 --> 00:43:04.900 I could go 00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:05.539 on. 00:43:05.539 --> 00:43:06.900 but note 00:43:06.900 --> 00:43:07.440 that you, 00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:08.300 the congregation, 00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:08.900 the church 00:43:08.900 --> 00:43:09.420 as a whole 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:10.559 have a profound 00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:12.119 and precious 00:43:12.119 --> 00:43:13.420 responsibility 00:43:13.420 --> 00:43:14.599 and God 00:43:14.599 --> 00:43:15.039 has given 00:43:15.039 --> 00:43:16.619 to the church 00:43:16.619 --> 00:43:17.440 elders 00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:18.239 to help. 00:43:19.599 --> 00:43:20.539 May we continue 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:21.460 by grace 00:43:21.460 --> 00:43:22.940 under the authority 00:43:22.940 --> 00:43:23.719 of the giver 00:43:23.719 --> 00:43:24.639 of all good things 00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:25.599 to govern ourselves 00:43:25.599 --> 00:43:26.800 according to his word 00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:28.320 for the good of his people 00:43:28.320 --> 00:43:29.159 and for the witness 00:43:29.159 --> 00:43:29.739 of the gospel 00:43:29.739 --> 00:43:31.639 to the glory of Christ. 00:43:32.119 --> 00:43:32.559 Let's pray.