WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 My topic that I was assigned today to teach on was church leadership. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:06.540 ! 00:00:06.540 --> 00:00:11.620 Specifically, what we believe about church leadership here at Christchurch, 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:11.620 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.500 Father in heaven, we ask you, Lord, that you would be with us now as we look at your word, 00:00:37.500 --> 00:00:38.500 as I teach. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:44.620 I pray, God, that you would be with me as I speak and that we would be built up as a body 00:00:44.620 --> 00:00:48.500 to understand leadership in its true sense as you intended, Lord. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:51.500 I pray this in Jesus' name. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:52.500 Amen. 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:55.159 Okay, so church leadership. 00:00:55.159 --> 00:00:58.700 First of all, leadership is good. 00:00:58.700 --> 00:00:59.799 Leadership is a good thing. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.679 And it is absolutely essential. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:04.680 Why am I saying this? 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:10.239 Because I believe in the Bible, God continually reiterates that leadership is a good thing. 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:12.939 He calls people up to leadership. 00:01:12.939 --> 00:01:16.180 He doesn't call people up to a bad thing or an evil thing. 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:17.180 Right? 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:18.480 So it's good. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:27.599 But because God calls people up to leadership in very specific ways, leadership is also essential. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:28.599 We see that in the Bible. 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:31.280 And we're going to talk about that as we go out. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:35.859 I just like to out of the gate say leadership is a good thing because God says it's a good thing. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:36.359 Okay? 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:47.560 And here at Christ Church, we believe in the role of apostles, specifically the gifting of apostles, 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:49.560 but also the function of apostles. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:59.379 So you might come from more of a cessationist background, which is a fancy word for believing that some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased or all of them. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:00.260 There's a range. 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:19.659 And so apostles, elders, deacons, and lead partners are what I'm going to discuss. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:30.680 But before I do, I think it's important for us to have a frame that we're approaching the Bible with, which is that leadership is good. 00:02:31.079 --> 00:02:31.319 Okay? 00:02:31.519 --> 00:02:33.519 All of us have different experiences of leadership. 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:39.139 If I had to hedge my bet, all of us probably have experienced bad leadership. 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:44.560 If you've somehow managed to escape bad leadership, that's crazy. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:46.519 That's a gift. 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:46.840 Right? 00:02:47.640 --> 00:03:00.080 But because we live in a fallen world and God appoints sinners, you know, to flesh out a good thing, then even that can be abused by those sinners. 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:05.719 So we're all affected by bad leadership, but it's important to note that leadership is still good. 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:06.340 Right? 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:19.800 And I think that that will help us as we examine this topic because a lot of times what we can doctrinally agree with is a good thing. 00:03:20.020 --> 00:03:25.699 Inside our soul, we can maybe subtly say is a bad thing because of our experience. 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:29.500 So, apostles, elders, deacons, and lead partners. 00:03:31.299 --> 00:03:44.000 Speaking of apostles, elders, and deacons, right out of the gate, in the New Testament, Jesus is the perfect and chief example of actually all three of those. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:52.079 In Hebrews 3, verse 1 calls Jesus the apostle and high priest of our confession. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:52.960 Okay? 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:55.180 He's the great sent one of God. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:57.700 The word apostle means sent one. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:06.560 It speaks of someone who goes out from their sender, a type of emissary. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:07.400 Okay? 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:18.540 And Jesus, if you read the Gospel of John, it's impossible to escape without this idea that Jesus was sent. 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:31.280 Jesus says over and over, speaking of his own father, he says, you sent me, he sent me, and the father who sent me has himself testified about me in John 5, John 6. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:36.540 We're told to believe in the one whom he has sent. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:37.180 Okay? 00:04:37.400 --> 00:04:43.960 This type of sending is characteristic of Jesus' ultimate apostleship. 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:44.519 Okay? 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:46.939 Again, the word apostle really just means sent one. 00:04:48.099 --> 00:04:51.539 And Jesus is the ultimate example. 00:04:51.719 --> 00:04:55.039 Jesus also is the ultimate example of an elder. 00:04:55.579 --> 00:04:55.919 Okay? 00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:59.399 We believe that an elder is a shepherd or overseer. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:04.740 These words are in the scripture, and I believe in context are interchangeable. 00:05:04.740 --> 00:05:14.480 In 1 Peter 2, 25, it says, it calls Jesus the shepherd and overseer of our souls. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:15.319 Okay? 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:19.300 So he's the chief elder and the overseer and the shepherd. 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:22.139 John 10 speaks of him as the great shepherd. 00:05:24.340 --> 00:05:25.340 What about a deacon? 00:05:25.460 --> 00:05:27.139 How is Jesus a deacon? 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:34.379 Well, Jesus didn't hold the office of deacon as we hold it, but deacon really just means servant. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:42.800 Diakonos in the Greek means servant and has a little bit more of an orvid meaning there. 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:46.379 But Jesus was a servant. 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:48.120 He embodied servitude. 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:54.899 In Philippians 2, Paul writes about Jesus that he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. 00:05:54.899 --> 00:05:55.859 Okay? 00:05:56.759 --> 00:06:04.159 In Mark 10, 45, it says, for even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:05.259 Okay? 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:08.120 That was his ultimate mission. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:13.179 That's why he came, Mark 10, 45 says, was servitude. 00:06:14.239 --> 00:06:17.639 So if we have Jesus as the ultimate example, right? 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:17.680 Right? 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:24.620 So like I said in the beginning, all of us have flawed or have experienced flawed leadership. 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:26.159 I've experienced bad leadership. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:34.000 Well, if we have Jesus as an example, we can't say that we've experienced Jesus as flawed leadership. 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:34.699 Right? 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:40.060 We can't look at his life and say, yeah, I've experienced that hard thing with Jesus as well. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:40.420 Right? 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:45.319 If we were his disciples, maybe we would try to charge him with that. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:45.639 Right? 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:48.860 But in fact, it would be an ill charge. 00:06:50.159 --> 00:06:54.039 Jesus is perfect and sinless in all of his life and ministry. 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:56.100 In all three of these categories. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:07:01.020 In his apostleship, in his eldership, and in his servanthood. 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:08.520 And so if we keep Jesus in mind, I think we could stay on the right path here. 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:30.859 So, God has chosen in his word to appoint different men in different roles throughout the church to carry out this ultimate example in Jesus through flawed people, through sinners. 00:07:31.359 --> 00:07:31.500 Right? 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:38.879 He's chosen these roles that he embodied as a sinless person to be embodied in sinful people. 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:41.420 Now, that might feel like a mistake. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:45.439 That might be like, whoa, Lord, are you sure you want to do this? 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:51.379 Like, I'm not sure if we can all get what you're getting after if you're going to use these sinful vessels. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:08:04.939 But obviously, I think you guys will know right away that devoid of the gospel, devoid of the saving work of Jesus in people's life, in sinners, this would be a fool's errand. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:05.259 Right? 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:08.500 But the power of God is actually manifested through people. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.459 And we can trust God to do that. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:24.539 And so, Jesus is not only the ultimate example of the perfect function of these roles, but he commissions us to embody him in the life of his church in these specific ways. 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:32.399 And so, Jesus left the earth and sent his spirit and actually said it was better that he leaves. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:42.939 He says, it's better that I go and send you the spirit to accomplish through the church what Ephesians call the manifest wisdom of God. 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:44.079 Okay? 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:45.699 And these roles are a part of that. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:48.500 These leadership roles are a part of him doing that. 00:08:49.459 --> 00:08:53.399 And so, before we jump in, grab some water here. 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:53.699 Sorry. 00:08:54.699 --> 00:08:54.819 Yeah. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:57.860 Is that better? 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:58.259 Yeah. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.079 You guys can read back there? 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:00.500 Cool. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:00.740 Sorry. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:14.159 Before we jump into each of these roles and explaining them from the Bible, what is your relationship to leadership in the church or leadership period? 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:15.340 How do you think about leadership? 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:20.340 Do you have a disdain for leaders? 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:25.480 Do you have an indifference towards leaders? 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:30.299 Or do you have a love for leadership? 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:32.440 A love for leaders? 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:41.220 Or a love for, a love that basically says, if God says leadership is good, that you love that it's good. 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:41.659 Right? 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:45.360 What is your relationship towards leadership? 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:48.919 What is your relationship towards authority figures? 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:51.879 You know, we all have, like I said, bad examples. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:53.220 We could have a bad father. 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:58.419 Maybe you have had a bad husband or a bad boss. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:04.659 You know, different leadership roles in your life could inform your view of leadership. 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:09.500 What is your relationship towards leadership? 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:21.559 And all of us need to take this into account because a lot of times what we can do is project our experience onto church leaders. 00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:29.759 And I think God wants us to have, in the same way that we are being redeemed, a redeemed mind towards leadership. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:36.179 And it's important to ask ourselves, how do I view leadership? 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:37.939 Am I a little jaded? 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:41.840 You know, do I feel the need to apologize and qualify? 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:56.680 What I mean by that is a lot of times when someone brings up the topic of leadership, there's this need to, like, make a bunch of apologies about a bunch of different things or maybe qualify it and say, well, this and this and this and this and this. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:11:02.340 Because there's already this disposition that leadership is generally bad. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:07.840 Or maybe not bad, no one would say that, but it's generally fleshed out in the wrong way. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:16.220 So we need to add all these things and clear up the muddy water to where we can get to the little tiny nugget of gold in there if there's any. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:16.879 You know? 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.780 And that's understandable. 00:11:21.180 --> 00:11:22.660 You know, we all can understand that. 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:29.220 Like, being hurt and not understanding or not having the full picture is difficult. 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:42.899 But we would never say about an objectively good thing, probably, we would never qualify or apologize about an objectively good thing as much as we do when we're jaded. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:43.720 Okay? 00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:48.920 I think most of you would agree that marriage is an objectively good thing. 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.259 Right? 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.879 At least I hope all of us would agree that. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:59.340 But, you know, you could make many arguments about how many marriages have been bad. 00:11:59.700 --> 00:11:59.879 Right? 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:05.080 The divorces, the betrayal, the heartbreak, you know, you name it. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.299 Right? 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:08.259 So you could talk about marriage that way. 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:10.299 You could qualify and apologize with that. 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:12.299 But it's still a good thing. 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:12.519 Right? 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:14.700 You could talk about families that way. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:14.960 Right? 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:19.940 There's been many dysfunctional, cratered families out there. 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.180 Right? 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:28.259 And many people, it feels like in this age, want to break down the family and reduce it to something that's not good. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:39.800 But we would never talk about some categories that are objectively good in this way of apologizing and qualifying as much as we do when we're jaded or hurt. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:40.820 Okay? 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:48.520 And so I would just ask this to consider, do we, are we jaded and hurt in some ways? 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:52.240 And the Lord needs to redeem our mind if we are. 00:12:53.340 --> 00:13:02.040 And the only way that we, you know, the only way that we know that something is good and right is because God says it. 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:02.520 Okay? 00:13:02.520 --> 00:13:02.600 Okay? 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:17.000 And so God says in his word that these leadership roles are for the good and building up of his church. 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:17.300 Okay? 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.040 And so apostles. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.480 We'll talk for a minute about apostles. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:22.639 Apostles. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:33.200 We believe in Christ's church here that apostles are chosen men from God, that apostles are male. 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:46.980 That the, that we see that not only with Jesus, 12 apostles, but also that his, his delegates down through the New Testament are male as well in leadership. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:47.600 Okay? 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.460 Apostles. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:48.460 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:55.300 Um, apostolic authority, which is that authority used in leadership is reserved for men. 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:59.440 We see that in 1 Timothy 2, 5 and elsewhere in the New Testament. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:18.340 There is one exception which scholars have debated about, which is the question of whether or not a person named Junia in Romans 16 is a man or a woman, which is referred to as prominent among the apostles. 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:43.120 But I think a wide consensus would say that basically she or he, it's either a man, and there's a difference in the wording there, or if it is a woman, it's talking about a relationship to the apostles, not necessarily calling her an apostle herself. 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:48.080 So that's one caveat in case someone would like to bring that up. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:52.080 But what are apostles? 00:14:53.340 --> 00:15:03.980 We believe that in Ephesians 4.11 it says that God gave gifts to the church, and these gifts are men with specific roles. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:15.440 And it says there that he gave the apostles, the prophets, the teachers, the evangelists, for the building up of the church, for the work of ministry, to equip the saints. 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:22.080 So we have no reason to believe that the function of that apostle that he gave has ceased. 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:26.400 And so that's what we're offering off of here at Christ Church. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:29.620 And so we have to know what an apostle is. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:39.539 So five things that an apostle is, and then I'm going to go over what an apostle does, and we'll work through the scripture. 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:39.860 Okay. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:42.480 Number one, an apostle is a father. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:49.940 This is coming from 1 Corinthians 4, verse 15, where Paul says, 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:56.620 For I became a father to you in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:15:57.660 --> 00:15:57.940 All right. 00:15:59.140 --> 00:16:03.160 He also speaks to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2. 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:04.980 He says, 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:12.620 For you know how like a father with his children we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you. 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:14.820 Those are like pretty fatherly things. 00:16:15.260 --> 00:16:17.300 Exhortation, encouragement, charging, right? 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.579 But he says like a father. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:23.000 You know, like I treated you like my own children, he says. 00:16:25.099 --> 00:16:35.379 So an apostle embodies a father's heart, cares for his children, so to speak, the people that he's sent to, 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:41.439 the people that he is caring for. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.919 He does it like a father. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.399 Okay. 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:51.199 An apostle is somebody who, actually I didn't even give a definition. 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.799 Did I say sent one? 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:55.479 Yeah. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.360 Yeah. 00:16:56.539 --> 00:17:02.099 So we believe that an apostle is not only a sent one, but sent to do a very specific thing, 00:17:02.719 --> 00:17:05.460 which is the planning and nurturing of churches. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:10.220 So as I'm talking about, I realize I probably should swap these categories. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:16.420 As I'm talking about what an apostle is, this is in the context of church planting, building churches. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:16.900 Okay. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.740 So think, think that way. 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:24.839 So an apostle is a father. 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.440 An apostle is a pioneer. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.079 Okay. 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:33.079 In Romans 15, 20, it says, and thus I make it, Paul says, and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.759 not where Christ has already been named. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:35.839 Okay. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:41.940 So he has this pioneer spirit, meaning he's going out to where Christ hasn't been named, 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:44.440 to where there's lack, to where there's nothing. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.160 Right. 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:47.560 And he's going to that place. 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:49.820 He's going into the darkness, into the unknown. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.200 Right. 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:53.160 That's the pioneer of an apostle. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:56.580 And apostle is a master builder. 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:57.840 Okay. 00:17:57.940 --> 00:18:02.519 First Corinthians three, Paul speaks of himself as a master builder. 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:05.180 He says, like a skilled master builder. 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:08.100 Some other translations say like a wise master builder. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:12.600 I laid a foundation and other people are building upon it. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.599 Apostles. 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:15.639 Apostles. 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:15.759 Apostles. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.559 Mindset is to build. 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:21.659 It's to understand how to construct a church. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:24.939 Understands how the parts of the church, right? 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:27.059 All the different giftings fit together. 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:37.319 When you are, I work in construction and part of the role of the general contractor is to bring all of the parts, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:44.460 all of the types of trades together and make them work so that the job goes well, 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:47.579 so that the building is built well, all these things, right? 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:50.919 You can kind of think of an apostle along those lines. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:57.839 He's trying to find the plumbers, the electricians, the carpenters, and schedule them and have them all work together, right? 00:18:57.899 --> 00:19:00.359 Well, the church has different gifts that God has given. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:03.379 Each one of you has been blessed with a gift from God. 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:10.520 And part of recognizing the parts of the body, namely apostle, we believe in apostle as a part of the body, 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:20.600 part of recognizing the apostolic gift is saying, okay, his job is to help me and my gift fit into this thing 00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:24.580 so that this building called the church is built up, right? 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:28.720 You can think of an apostle that way, particularly in the master builder mindset. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:31.160 So an apostle is a master builder. 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:38.339 An apostle is also utterly self-sacrificial, okay? 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:45.839 If there is such a thing as an apostle today that doesn't, you know, get in there and do any work, 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:50.380 or just kind of is a, you know, maybe green room pastor, as they say, 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:57.839 but kind of sits back and lets everyone do everything, we don't see that in the New Testament, right? 00:19:57.839 --> 00:20:05.419 Apostles are front and center, giving their life out for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of God's people. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:12.279 I think in another place, Paul even says, we apostles are considered as the least of all, right? 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:20.319 That's not saying that he has a self-esteem problem, but he's saying, like, our role is to pour ourselves out. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:22.559 You know, that's what we're supposed to do. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:28.019 Lastly, apostles are stewards or servants. 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:32.159 1 Corinthians 4.1 says, this is how you should regard us. 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:37.879 Paul is speaking directly about himself as an apostle and his delegates. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:45.019 He says, this is how you should regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:56.039 Now, I don't know about you, but regarding someone as a servant, but also as a steward of the mysteries of God, 00:20:56.180 --> 00:21:04.299 that's pretty awesome that God would provide somebody to, as a vehicle, to display to us the mysteries of God. 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:06.119 Isn't that awesome, right? 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:11.239 So, on that basis, we don't want to reject, like, apostolic gifting. 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:19.779 If Paul is saying that we're here to serve you, to deliver to you the mysteries of God, right? 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:25.500 We want to not reject that, because it would be of no benefit to us. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:28.759 Okay, so those are some things. 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.779 This is only a sampling. 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:31.779 You guys can go home and extract more. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:34.079 But of what an apostle is. 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:36.460 So, what does an apostle do? 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:42.420 I already mentioned it, but an apostle is a sent one of God, a type of emissary of God, 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:52.500 to go and plant churches for their upbuilding, for their nurturing, for the glory of God. 00:21:52.500 --> 00:22:01.819 An apostle also functions to appoint elders and or leaves his delegates to appoint elders. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.599 We see this in Titus 1. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:06.380 He directly says to Timothy, 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:11.140 This is why I left you in Crete, to appoint elders, right? 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:21.120 So, apostles can have little underlings or under-apostles to do his work of appointing elders. 00:22:21.800 --> 00:22:21.940 Okay? 00:22:22.520 --> 00:22:26.480 So, an apostle appoints elders, or leaves his delegates to do so. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.980 What else does he do? 00:22:28.020 --> 00:22:30.320 An apostle imparts his way of life and tradition. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:36.779 We see Paul constantly talking about his letters that he's writing to the churches. 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:43.659 He refers to his letters in a very specific way. 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:46.839 Almost like an instruction like, 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:50.339 Hey, take heed to what I'm saying to you in my letters. 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:53.960 Pay attention to what I'm saying, and don't be distracted. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:23:03.400 He wants them to obey his ways in the churches. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.319 Okay? 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:10.660 There's other verses that speak of Paul's way of life and his tradition. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:16.500 And so, an apostle has a way of life and a tradition that he imparts. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:22.059 An apostle also equips the saints for the work of ministry. 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:24.039 You can see that in Ephesians 4.11. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:27.059 An apostle is translocal. 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:33.059 Or, more specifically, someone who is ministering beyond their immediate locality. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:34.799 All right? 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:39.000 So, they're going, we see in the Acts narrative that they go from church to church. 00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:42.200 Strengthening the churches. 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.000 Right? 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:47.059 Paul has returned many times to different churches that he has planted. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:54.599 And so, an apostle is not a pastor who stays in one church forever. 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:55.799 Right? 00:23:57.419 --> 00:24:02.059 Paul stayed in certain churches for a period of time for a specific purpose. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:17.059 But, his sent gifting, his apostleship, informed him to be moving on into the building and to be returning as a type of nurturing. 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:21.059 And so, an apostle is translocal. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:28.480 An apostle is always forward-looking, a visionary, an emissary type. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:32.759 And his desire is to see the gospel spread. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:35.399 An apostle has an evangelistic bent. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:38.019 He wants to see the name of God proclaimed. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:44.059 Not just among one people, but gone out from that people. 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:44.740 That people. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.000 Okay? 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.819 There's much more that can be said about apostles. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:52.079 But, for the sake of time, we're not going to get into that. 00:24:56.659 --> 00:25:00.179 I would say, probably, among most leadership roles in the church, 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:06.919 this is probably because of the rise of cessationism long ago at this point. 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:16.980 But, this role of apostle has been largely rejected and misinterpreted and misconstrued. 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.400 And, it's essential. 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.920 It's essential in building a church. 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:23.420 And, I could say much more about that. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:28.800 But, these core things, what an apostle is and what an apostle does, we have to know. 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.460 Especially in this church. 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:34.980 Because, we have an apostolic gifting working. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:37.140 We have an apostolic authority working. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:41.420 And, regarding that as the way God would have us is crucial. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:41.940 Okay? 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.319 Okay. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.960 Elders. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.519 Alright? 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.360 Elders. 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:52.460 The Bible teaches that an elder is a man appointed by the Holy Spirit. 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:55.039 And, or a team of elders. 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:58.039 Or, apostle or apostles. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:58.680 Plural. 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:01.200 For the purpose of shepherding the church. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:03.599 As well as directing the affairs of the church. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:05.439 So that the body is built up into maturity. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.779 And, is equipped to do the ministry. 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:12.719 And, ultimately is prepared for the Lord and his coming. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:23.939 The scripture teaches about how these men are to be before they go into the office. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:26.779 These are the qualifications for an elder. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:29.220 You can see that in 1st Timothy chapter 3. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.099 As well as Titus chapter 1. 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:36.759 And, Judah is actually going to do a sermon on the qualifications fairly soon. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:40.099 So, I'll try not to get into it too much. 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:47.399 But, it's really important that we regard what the scripture says about qualifications for elders. 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:52.560 Because, there are so many unqualified elders out there. 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.800 Maybe I should just say leaders. 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.740 Because, they're not elders. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.060 According to the New Testament. 00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:57.740 Right? 00:26:58.540 --> 00:27:04.180 And, in the scripture it says that an elder is appointed by the Holy Spirit. 00:27:04.820 --> 00:27:06.560 But, also through the laying on of hands. 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.220 Okay? 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:11.559 And, their role is to shepherd the flock of God. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:13.640 Peter says in 1st Peter 5. 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.480 To the overseers. 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.440 To the elders. 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.559 Care for the flock of God. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.900 Shepherd the flock of God. 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:26.140 This idea of shepherding isn't just like a lead and teach occasionally. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:26.700 Right? 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.500 Be responsible for the meetings. 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:31.680 Show up as the point man. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.339 Right? 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:34.839 He speaks of this idea of shepherding. 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:40.500 Which, if any of you know what it takes to be a shepherd and to care for sheep. 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:41.720 It's a lot of work. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.980 It's a lot of care. 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:46.039 You have to be delicate with them. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.439 Okay? 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:57.740 He calls this role with the elders a shepherding role. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.139 He says care for the flock. 00:27:59.139 --> 00:28:00.799 He speaks of the church as a flock. 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:03.879 And so, if any man aspires to eldership. 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:07.399 He's going to not only just embrace being the point man. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:09.480 Or the guy who gives instruction here and there. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:13.779 But, he actually takes on the responsibility to pour out his life for the sheep. 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:16.500 In a shepherding way. 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:21.579 And, there's much that could be said on that. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:28.319 But, the sad thing is many, many, many leaders are not shepherds. 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:35.319 We have many leaders and many people who are the point man. 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.599 And, could give a sermon. 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:37.639 And, could give a teaching. 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:40.179 But, their life is not in the people. 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:43.099 And, the people's life is not for the man. 00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:44.439 It's reciprocation. 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:49.620 And, so, what is an elder then? 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:52.259 If all of us have mixed views of eldership. 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:55.100 I would hope that today we could get from the Bible. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.320 From God's very mouth. 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.120 A clear view. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.180 And, so, what is an elder? 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:03.960 Eight things an elder is. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.460 Okay? 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.500 An elder is a teacher. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:09.460 We see that in 1 Timothy 5. 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:16.460 Elders are given as a labor to preaching and to teaching. 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:17.299 Okay? 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.640 So, an elder has to teach. 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:24.059 And, then one of the qualifications is 1 Timothy 3 is able to teach. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:28.640 It doesn't say he has to be like an immaculate teacher or the best around, right? 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:30.859 But, he's got to be able to teach. 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.400 An elder is a shepherd. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.119 I just said that. 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.339 That's from 1 Peter 5. 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:37.279 An elder is a leader. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:39.839 From 1 Timothy 5.17. 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.839 Paul is saying to Timothy, 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:45.559 Let the elders who rule well. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:50.759 This rule can also be understood as leading. 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.559 So, an elder is a leader. 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.539 Ephesians 4.11. 00:29:56.439 --> 00:29:57.099 These gifts. 00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.259 The pastors. 00:29:58.439 --> 00:30:01.000 The gift of pastor is to equip the saints. 00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:03.959 Side note. 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:11.799 If the body is not equipped to do the work of ministry, right? 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:14.779 And, the pastor is the only one. 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:18.480 Or, the elder is the only one who is doing the work of ministry in a church. 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:21.939 Then, there's something wrong with the eldership. 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.699 Something wrong with the elder. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:26.859 It exists to equip the saints. 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.719 Okay? 00:30:27.719 --> 00:30:34.399 So, if you are under someone's leadership, and there's no equipping, then something's off there. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.159 Right? 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:38.319 An elder, one of the things an elder is, is an equipper. 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:42.819 What else is an elder? 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:44.899 I said this about apostles. 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:48.019 But, I think it bleeds in, it's in both. 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:49.419 But, an elder is a father. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:50.839 Okay? 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:54.480 In 1 Corinthians 4.15. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:56.759 Paul says, 00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:59.259 You have countless guides in Christ. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:03.440 And, you do not have many fathers. 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.460 There's kind of an indictment there. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.140 Right? 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:10.720 Man, I feel like that is so pervasive. 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:14.900 Like, if Paul had a word, he would probably just say the same thing he said at Corinth today. 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:19.900 To the church in our demographic and in America. 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:22.920 I feel like you would be like, you have so many podcasters. 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:24.400 You have so many instructors. 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.519 You have so many guides. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:32.740 You have so many people who give you even choice wisdom, you know, at times. 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:35.080 But, where are the fathers? 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:35.700 Right? 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:42.160 And, I think one of the aspects that we should understand is, what does a father do? 00:31:42.280 --> 00:31:42.880 A good father. 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.240 He never leaves. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:44.880 Right? 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:53.500 So, if there's this disposition towards, that an elder has, or any person that says, 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:54.700 Let me just dispense the wisdom. 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.000 Let me give the instruction. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.160 And, then I'm out. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.180 You know? 00:31:58.280 --> 00:31:58.960 Here's this. 00:31:59.040 --> 00:32:00.440 You guys go run by yourself. 00:32:00.800 --> 00:32:02.040 Any of us could do that. 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.960 We might as well stay at home and watch YouTube. 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.080 Right? 00:32:05.080 --> 00:32:06.180 Because, we can get that. 00:32:06.300 --> 00:32:07.980 We can get wisdom from many places. 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:11.580 But, we can't get the gift of God through a man. 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.700 Okay? 00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:13.460 As a father. 00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:15.960 That's unavoidable. 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:19.140 So, and Paul wants that. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:21.920 He says, you have many guides, but not many fathers. 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:24.079 Then, he actually says about himself. 00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:28.140 He says, I became a father to you in Christ Jesus. 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:31.520 We need more people who embrace that role. 00:32:31.520 --> 00:32:35.560 We need more people who love that role. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:42.440 Like, I'm a young man, and I had to be taught to love that role of a father in other men. 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:45.240 And, to regard other men as such. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:49.580 Because, I didn't want to actually miss the gift of God in that. 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.360 But, an elder is a father. 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:53.279 An elder is a laborer. 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.840 I already mentioned that. 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:58.080 He labors in preaching and teaching, specifically. 00:32:58.320 --> 00:32:59.860 But, he pours out his life for the sheep. 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:03.840 An elder is a steward. 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:09.740 Titus 1 speaks of elders as, or Titus as God's steward. 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.939 Or, Paul speaking to Titus about them. 00:33:15.959 --> 00:33:17.959 An elder is an exemplar. 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.099 Okay? 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:22.079 Or, an example. 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:25.839 1 Peter 3 says, being examples to the flock. 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:27.879 Okay, there's that flock language. 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:30.779 That shepherd sheep language. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:33.079 He says, be examples to the flock. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:37.619 Is there anyone in your life that you've known, as an elder figure maybe, 00:33:38.379 --> 00:33:42.099 for the pure and simple fact that they're just a really good example. 00:33:42.919 --> 00:33:45.159 Their life is worth emulating. 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.000 Right? 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:51.839 If the men in your church that are leading, if the elders who are leading, 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:54.779 are not worth being examples of. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.119 Right? 00:33:55.839 --> 00:34:01.859 If there's not that respect that comes from being an exemplar, 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.899 then something might be off there. 00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:04.399 Right? 00:34:05.199 --> 00:34:10.480 An elder is an example to the flock, 1 Peter 5 says. 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:12.159 An exemplar. 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:14.779 An exemplar in marriage. 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.139 An exemplar in family. 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:20.199 You know, it would be weird. 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:24.420 It would be very weird for an elder and his wife to do marriage counseling, 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:28.920 you know, and let's say a couple separated or something. 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:32.880 And they're trying to dispense all this wisdom. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:37.320 And then the next week they're like, you know, my wife and I are having a hard time. 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:38.640 We're actually separated right now. 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:44.420 It's kind of like, I'm not sure we should be getting counsel from you. 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:51.320 You know, I think we need to get counsel for someone who actually has a healthy marriage. 00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:52.380 You know. 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:56.480 And an elder is someone, at least according to Peter, 00:34:56.480 --> 00:35:01.679 and if we regard Peter as speaking the very words of God, 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.119 an elder is somebody who's an example to the flock. 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.340 Right? 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.840 That's just one example. 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.840 There are many. 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:11.960 So an elder is those eight things. 00:35:12.100 --> 00:35:18.300 Teacher, shepherd, leader, equipper, father, laborer, steward, and exemplar. 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:27.840 You guys can dive into more of those, but usually those are a good thing to look at and say, 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:31.079 can I see these things in the leaders in my life? 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:35.100 Can I see those things in the elders that exist? 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:35.779 Okay. 00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:39.679 Deacons. 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:44.779 Man, I feel like each one of these you could have a sermon on. 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:46.339 I'm just cruising straight along. 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.039 Deacon. 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.860 What is a deacon? 00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:59.019 Deacon, I mentioned earlier, the very word deacon denotes service or to serve, diaconess. 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:02.299 And it is just that. 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:12.280 It's an appointed servant in the church to take care of specific tasks, to care for the church of God, 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:19.480 so that the elders don't have to do the serving for those specific tasks. 00:36:20.140 --> 00:36:25.080 That way it would free them up to actually do the tasks that are most important for elders. 00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:31.900 Namely, it says in Acts 6, the preaching and the teaching, the proclamation of God's word. 00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:39.059 The word deacon is first introduced in Acts 6, when the twelve are all summoned. 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:45.779 And the disciples said, it is not right that we should give up the preaching of the word of God to serve tables. 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:48.320 To serve tables is that introduction. 00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:55.159 And, you know, you might dispute about that being the first moment that deacons are introduced, 00:36:55.500 --> 00:37:01.380 but I think it's important to note that they were appointed in Acts 6. 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:06.519 That it was actually a specific role for them so that the elders were freed up. 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:08.759 So deacons are servants. 00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:17.340 Deacons are not elders, but they do have qualifications. 00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:25.360 We see that right after the qualifications for the elders in 1 Timothy 3. 00:37:26.360 --> 00:37:30.259 And that's also not for nothing, right? 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:34.380 So deacons can be in a leading role. 00:37:34.620 --> 00:37:35.760 They're leading in their service. 00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:37.920 They're leading in all these tasks, right? 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:44.820 Let's say, you know, someone is assigned to taking care of the finances or taking care of the food. 00:37:45.040 --> 00:37:46.020 You know, all these things. 00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:47.840 Well, someone has to lead that, right? 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:49.020 There has to be a leader there. 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:55.340 And so there's specific people appointed to do these things. 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:59.500 And they have to be somewhat qualified, the Bible says, right? 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:04.239 Because they're also exemplars in one sense of this service. 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:09.059 And so although there's qualifications, deacons are not elders. 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:14.500 I know in some churches, the deacons are treated maybe kind of at the same level, if not higher. 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:20.420 And I think it's good to keep them in their own categories as far as a scriptural witness. 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:23.940 And call them what they are, which is servants. 00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:30.099 Deacons are a means of grace to the body. 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:35.500 I know at Bellicose, the church we were sent out of, I totally see that. 00:38:35.659 --> 00:38:45.860 It's like how many things would be on the mind of the elders that would just be impossible to take care of if there were no deacons, right? 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:47.779 There were no people appointed to those tasks. 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:50.019 And it's a grace to the church. 00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:51.019 People are built up. 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.059 We all feel it, right? 00:38:52.839 --> 00:38:55.319 And it's awesome. 00:38:55.320 --> 00:39:04.059 And so there's more that can be said on deacons, but that's how you can think of them, as servants to the church. 00:39:06.700 --> 00:39:07.820 All right, last one. 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:08.559 Lead partners. 00:39:10.080 --> 00:39:11.960 You might say, lead partners, what? 00:39:12.039 --> 00:39:12.820 That's not in the Bible. 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.580 Which is true. 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:15.280 It's not. 00:39:17.000 --> 00:39:18.280 So tread lightly, Sam. 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:25.260 Although lead partners are not in the Bible, 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:33.920 we believe that lead partners or someone who leads a missional community or leads in disciple making in that context 00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:41.920 is a means for the elders or, in this case, apostle or apostles 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:47.340 to flesh out the building up of the body in a specific context. 00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:48.019 Okay? 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:50.640 So lead partners are not in the Bible, 00:39:50.639 --> 00:39:53.659 but the gift of leadership is 00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:57.359 Paul exhorts the Romans in Romans 12. 00:39:57.359 --> 00:39:58.000 He says, 00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.239 To the one who leads, 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:00.739 let him lead with zeal. 00:40:01.539 --> 00:40:03.779 So there seems to be a way 00:40:03.779 --> 00:40:06.079 for, or at least a charge, 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:07.019 from Paul to say, 00:40:07.079 --> 00:40:07.279 Hey, 00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:08.839 this gift of leadership, 00:40:09.319 --> 00:40:09.460 like, 00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.500 let the one who leads, 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:11.819 leads with zeal. 00:40:12.239 --> 00:40:12.420 Okay? 00:40:12.679 --> 00:40:14.039 Let's flesh that out. 00:40:14.039 --> 00:40:16.860 And so lead partners in our church, 00:40:17.619 --> 00:40:18.539 if you're a partner, 00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:21.259 it's, 00:40:21.259 --> 00:40:23.699 it's a role of leading a missional community. 00:40:23.699 --> 00:40:24.400 Like I said, 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.639 leading in disciple making 00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:27.900 to do this thing, 00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:29.420 which is the building up of the body. 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.059 Right? 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:32.219 A way to flesh out the leadership role, 00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:33.699 but the one who leads, 00:40:33.779 --> 00:40:34.420 lead with zeal. 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.380 Um, 00:40:36.280 --> 00:40:36.700 and, 00:40:36.820 --> 00:40:37.740 and that helps, 00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:39.559 kind of like deacons in one sense, 00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:42.760 it helps the elders and apostles, 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:43.920 uh, 00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:46.139 basically care for the church. 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:46.639 Right? 00:40:47.300 --> 00:40:48.840 The role of lead partners exists 00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:49.320 as a, 00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:50.099 as a method, 00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:51.420 uh, 00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:52.820 for the elders or apostles 00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:55.639 to see fit to do 1 Peter 5, 00:40:55.720 --> 00:40:57.360 which is to care for the flock of God. 00:40:57.860 --> 00:40:58.300 So, 00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:59.599 it's a, 00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:01.059 it's a subcategory, 00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:01.680 right? 00:41:02.139 --> 00:41:03.940 But for a very specific purpose. 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:05.619 Our church is structured 00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.820 into smaller groups 00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:07.900 called missional communities, 00:41:08.159 --> 00:41:09.720 which are led by lead partners. 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:10.800 Uh, 00:41:11.119 --> 00:41:11.559 why? 00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:14.380 So that the body's best built up. 00:41:14.780 --> 00:41:15.440 So that, 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.559 that life can happen 00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:17.480 on a smaller level, 00:41:17.680 --> 00:41:19.159 can happen on an intentional level, 00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:21.840 and won't be a free for all. 00:41:22.019 --> 00:41:22.180 Right? 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.400 There's some leadership there. 00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:24.659 And so, 00:41:25.300 --> 00:41:25.659 um, 00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:27.300 I think it's important to mention 00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:28.200 that category 00:41:28.200 --> 00:41:29.280 when we're talking about leadership, 00:41:29.659 --> 00:41:30.280 not, 00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:31.320 not just because, 00:41:31.680 --> 00:41:31.980 uh, 00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:33.420 we want to deviate from 00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:34.700 any biblical witness, 00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.639 but because this is how 00:41:36.639 --> 00:41:37.599 our church is organized. 00:41:37.820 --> 00:41:38.440 So you guys know. 00:41:39.579 --> 00:41:39.900 So, 00:41:40.380 --> 00:41:41.260 um, 00:41:41.360 --> 00:41:44.260 that's about all I got 00:41:44.260 --> 00:41:44.900 for lead partners. 00:41:45.099 --> 00:41:45.280 But, 00:41:45.619 --> 00:41:46.400 and thinking about 00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:47.360 church leadership, 00:41:47.800 --> 00:41:48.800 like I said in the beginning, 00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:50.300 it's easy to, 00:41:51.659 --> 00:41:51.920 you know, 00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:52.460 I don't know, 00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:53.900 all of us have different experiences. 00:41:54.059 --> 00:41:55.039 Some of us have had 00:41:55.039 --> 00:41:56.480 maybe a lot worse 00:41:56.480 --> 00:41:57.180 of an experience 00:41:57.180 --> 00:41:57.700 than others 00:41:57.699 --> 00:41:58.980 with leadership. 00:41:58.980 --> 00:41:59.500 And, 00:42:00.119 --> 00:42:00.539 um, 00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:02.159 that really informs 00:42:02.159 --> 00:42:02.839 our view. 00:42:03.739 --> 00:42:04.139 And so, 00:42:04.299 --> 00:42:05.179 I would encourage 00:42:05.179 --> 00:42:06.019 all of us 00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:07.239 to say in our hearts, 00:42:07.239 --> 00:42:08.359 uh, 00:42:08.359 --> 00:42:09.379 and agree with God, 00:42:09.639 --> 00:42:10.559 and agree with His Word, 00:42:10.659 --> 00:42:11.939 that leadership is good. 00:42:12.299 --> 00:42:13.059 And that, 00:42:13.119 --> 00:42:13.439 actually, 00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:15.079 God wants to set us free 00:42:15.079 --> 00:42:16.259 from any areas 00:42:16.259 --> 00:42:17.599 that leadership 00:42:17.599 --> 00:42:18.419 has become 00:42:18.419 --> 00:42:19.579 bad to us. 00:42:20.339 --> 00:42:21.059 That's that, 00:42:21.179 --> 00:42:21.939 that when we hear 00:42:21.939 --> 00:42:22.919 that word leadership, 00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:23.659 that there's that 00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:24.480 sinking feeling 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:25.019 of like, 00:42:25.019 --> 00:42:26.539 oh no, 00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:28.480 my experience 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:29.019 of leaders 00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:30.239 is so terrible, 00:42:30.360 --> 00:42:31.079 like I don't even know 00:42:31.079 --> 00:42:31.519 if I can, 00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:32.820 uh, 00:42:33.099 --> 00:42:33.440 you know, 00:42:33.559 --> 00:42:33.880 it's, 00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:35.019 it's a triggering thing, 00:42:35.059 --> 00:42:35.320 right? 00:42:35.960 --> 00:42:36.440 Uh, 00:42:37.119 --> 00:42:38.199 but it shouldn't be. 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:39.360 God should set us free 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:39.840 from that, 00:42:39.900 --> 00:42:40.119 right? 00:42:40.239 --> 00:42:40.940 We should be able 00:42:40.940 --> 00:42:41.739 to call sin, 00:42:41.840 --> 00:42:42.159 sin, 00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:43.320 100%, 00:42:43.320 --> 00:42:43.679 right? 00:42:44.179 --> 00:42:44.900 You were hurt, 00:42:45.099 --> 00:42:46.099 or it was wrong, 00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:46.380 right? 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.900 But then we should say, 00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:48.380 you know what, 00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:48.639 Lord, 00:42:48.780 --> 00:42:50.199 you are a redeeming God, 00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:51.679 you're a redeeming Savior, 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:52.639 and you're going 00:42:52.639 --> 00:42:53.780 to redeem my mind 00:42:53.780 --> 00:42:54.880 and inform me 00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:55.640 of how to, 00:42:56.039 --> 00:42:56.880 uh, 00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:57.500 essentially, 00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:58.740 uh, 00:42:59.140 --> 00:43:01.200 know what it is 00:43:01.200 --> 00:43:01.960 you're talking about 00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:03.079 in the most fruitful 00:43:03.079 --> 00:43:03.539 and right, 00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.420 righteous way. 00:43:05.460 --> 00:43:05.820 And so, 00:43:06.280 --> 00:43:06.680 Jesus, 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:07.940 um, 00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:09.840 Jesus is the ultimate 00:43:09.840 --> 00:43:10.800 example of this, 00:43:11.059 --> 00:43:11.880 and ultimately 00:43:11.880 --> 00:43:13.180 we're calling each other up, 00:43:13.260 --> 00:43:14.180 every leader is calling 00:43:14.180 --> 00:43:14.820 each other up 00:43:14.820 --> 00:43:15.260 to this, 00:43:15.380 --> 00:43:16.440 this example. 00:43:17.280 --> 00:43:17.599 Um, 00:43:18.380 --> 00:43:19.320 Jesus is the, 00:43:19.320 --> 00:43:20.280 the chief shepherd, 00:43:20.900 --> 00:43:21.660 um, 00:43:21.659 --> 00:43:23.619 but we have to 00:43:23.619 --> 00:43:25.579 agree with Jesus 00:43:25.579 --> 00:43:26.619 that he has 00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:27.159 appointed 00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:28.319 under shepherds. 00:43:28.699 --> 00:43:29.819 He's the chief one, 00:43:30.339 --> 00:43:30.899 but then there's 00:43:30.899 --> 00:43:31.819 the under shepherds. 00:43:32.319 --> 00:43:33.119 And if, 00:43:33.239 --> 00:43:34.480 if you are, 00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:35.960 if you're so jaded 00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:36.420 to the point 00:43:36.420 --> 00:43:36.940 where you're saying, 00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:37.420 you know what, 00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:39.099 I'll take the chief shepherd, 00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:40.859 but all the under shepherds, 00:43:41.299 --> 00:43:42.420 I'm not doing that. 00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:43.899 Um, 00:43:43.900 --> 00:43:46.380 that's a really dangerous thing 00:43:46.380 --> 00:43:47.760 because you're actually 00:43:47.760 --> 00:43:48.780 going to miss 00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:49.760 Jesus 00:43:49.760 --> 00:43:52.980 because Jesus has said 00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:54.019 he's going to build 00:43:54.019 --> 00:43:54.660 his church 00:43:54.660 --> 00:43:55.820 and he said he's going 00:43:55.820 --> 00:43:57.000 to build it in a specific way 00:43:57.000 --> 00:43:57.780 and he laid out 00:43:57.780 --> 00:43:58.980 how he wants that done. 00:43:59.300 --> 00:43:59.840 And so, 00:43:59.920 --> 00:44:00.360 if we say, 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:00.760 you know what, 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:02.059 I'll just have Jesus alone, 00:44:02.559 --> 00:44:03.619 what we end up doing 00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:04.820 is cutting him into pieces. 00:44:05.220 --> 00:44:05.700 We say, 00:44:05.740 --> 00:44:06.660 I like this portion, 00:44:06.840 --> 00:44:07.980 but not the rest. 00:44:08.639 --> 00:44:08.800 You know, 00:44:08.860 --> 00:44:09.139 again, 00:44:09.960 --> 00:44:10.860 the sin is real 00:44:10.860 --> 00:44:11.220 and, 00:44:11.220 --> 00:44:12.700 and church hurt is real 00:44:12.699 --> 00:44:14.319 and bad leaders are real, 00:44:14.519 --> 00:44:16.539 but we have to also say, 00:44:16.679 --> 00:44:17.879 I will miss Jesus 00:44:17.879 --> 00:44:19.539 if I throw this out. 00:44:19.919 --> 00:44:20.379 Okay? 00:44:20.879 --> 00:44:21.439 And so, 00:44:22.099 --> 00:44:22.519 uh, 00:44:22.699 --> 00:44:25.039 that's important to note 00:44:25.039 --> 00:44:25.759 because 00:44:25.759 --> 00:44:27.039 I would, 00:44:27.319 --> 00:44:27.960 hedge my bet, 00:44:28.019 --> 00:44:29.000 none of us want to miss 00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:29.679 Jesus, 00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:30.239 right? 00:44:30.659 --> 00:44:32.199 And he's manifesting now 00:44:32.199 --> 00:44:32.659 in the world 00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:33.399 through his gifts 00:44:33.399 --> 00:44:34.419 and we could, 00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:34.980 we could, 00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:35.319 uh, 00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:37.539 we could actually quench 00:44:37.539 --> 00:44:38.659 the spirit of God 00:44:38.659 --> 00:44:40.579 by rejecting 00:44:40.579 --> 00:44:41.519 in our hearts 00:44:41.519 --> 00:44:42.679 the leaders of God. 00:44:42.679 --> 00:44:43.500 that God has appointed. 00:44:44.919 --> 00:44:45.239 Um, 00:44:45.519 --> 00:44:47.539 so how do we do that? 00:44:47.919 --> 00:44:48.379 How do we, 00:44:48.559 --> 00:44:49.440 how do we move on? 00:44:49.500 --> 00:44:50.019 If you're hurt 00:44:50.019 --> 00:44:50.539 or if you're, 00:44:50.759 --> 00:44:50.940 maybe, 00:44:51.059 --> 00:44:51.919 maybe just confused, 00:44:52.019 --> 00:44:52.739 maybe you're not hurt. 00:44:52.980 --> 00:44:53.519 Maybe you're just like, 00:44:53.539 --> 00:44:54.139 I don't even know 00:44:54.139 --> 00:44:54.919 what to think about it. 00:44:55.559 --> 00:44:55.919 Well, 00:44:55.919 --> 00:44:56.799 you got to go to the Bible. 00:44:57.239 --> 00:44:57.619 You got to, 00:44:57.739 --> 00:44:59.299 you got to hear from God 00:44:59.299 --> 00:45:00.799 about leaders 00:45:00.799 --> 00:45:03.019 and good leadership 00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:04.179 is meant 00:45:04.179 --> 00:45:05.179 for the building up. 00:45:05.659 --> 00:45:06.419 I'll say that again. 00:45:06.500 --> 00:45:07.099 Good leadership 00:45:07.099 --> 00:45:07.559 is meant 00:45:07.559 --> 00:45:08.399 for the building up. 00:45:08.659 --> 00:45:09.500 Maybe your experiences, 00:45:10.299 --> 00:45:11.039 leadership is meant 00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:11.739 for tearing down. 00:45:11.739 --> 00:45:12.919 Well, 00:45:13.079 --> 00:45:13.679 that's, 00:45:13.679 --> 00:45:14.500 that's unbiblical, 00:45:15.019 --> 00:45:15.359 right? 00:45:15.819 --> 00:45:16.799 Leadership is meant 00:45:16.799 --> 00:45:17.899 for building up. 00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:18.739 Every good leader 00:45:18.739 --> 00:45:19.719 is enjoyable 00:45:19.719 --> 00:45:20.399 to be under, 00:45:20.559 --> 00:45:21.019 periods, 00:45:21.559 --> 00:45:21.839 right? 00:45:22.559 --> 00:45:22.959 Uh, 00:45:23.000 --> 00:45:23.439 leadership 00:45:23.439 --> 00:45:24.579 or good authority 00:45:24.579 --> 00:45:26.019 is for those 00:45:26.019 --> 00:45:26.979 who are underneath it. 00:45:27.199 --> 00:45:28.099 When good leaders 00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:28.539 exist 00:45:28.539 --> 00:45:29.139 and good authority 00:45:29.139 --> 00:45:29.659 exists, 00:45:30.159 --> 00:45:30.959 everyone underneath 00:45:30.959 --> 00:45:31.559 that authority 00:45:31.559 --> 00:45:32.199 flourishes. 00:45:32.199 --> 00:45:34.519 you can see this 00:45:34.519 --> 00:45:35.639 on almost any level. 00:45:35.759 --> 00:45:36.839 On the national level, 00:45:37.059 --> 00:45:37.779 when there's good leaders 00:45:37.779 --> 00:45:38.419 in the country, 00:45:38.619 --> 00:45:39.480 the country's blessed, 00:45:40.219 --> 00:45:40.439 right? 00:45:40.939 --> 00:45:41.859 You can see this 00:45:41.859 --> 00:45:42.299 all the way down 00:45:42.299 --> 00:45:42.859 to the family. 00:45:42.980 --> 00:45:43.779 When there's a good husband 00:45:43.779 --> 00:45:44.460 and good father, 00:45:44.659 --> 00:45:45.480 the family's blessed, 00:45:45.919 --> 00:45:46.219 right? 00:45:46.980 --> 00:45:47.379 So, 00:45:47.460 --> 00:45:48.099 we have to say 00:45:48.099 --> 00:45:48.779 that leadership 00:45:48.779 --> 00:45:50.019 is for the up building 00:45:50.019 --> 00:45:51.239 and it's for you, 00:45:52.039 --> 00:45:52.539 right? 00:45:53.199 --> 00:45:53.659 Um, 00:45:53.739 --> 00:45:55.759 that's really important. 00:45:55.760 --> 00:45:56.980 And I think, 00:45:57.080 --> 00:45:57.300 uh, 00:45:57.480 --> 00:45:58.820 the question is, 00:45:58.920 --> 00:45:59.420 are you, 00:45:59.640 --> 00:46:00.280 are you, 00:46:00.440 --> 00:46:01.460 do you have the biblical, 00:46:02.140 --> 00:46:03.160 do you have the spirit 00:46:03.160 --> 00:46:03.780 that says, 00:46:03.880 --> 00:46:05.220 I'm eager for that? 00:46:05.580 --> 00:46:06.720 I'm eager for that 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:07.300 flourishing, 00:46:07.680 --> 00:46:07.980 right? 00:46:08.840 --> 00:46:09.320 Um, 00:46:09.880 --> 00:46:12.580 one other footnote 00:46:12.580 --> 00:46:14.340 on this is 00:46:14.340 --> 00:46:16.060 in Hebrews chapter 13, 00:46:16.960 --> 00:46:17.460 um, 00:46:18.660 --> 00:46:19.440 it says, 00:46:19.880 --> 00:46:20.680 obey your leaders 00:46:20.680 --> 00:46:22.200 and submit to them 00:46:22.200 --> 00:46:23.920 for they are keeping 00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:25.020 watch over your souls. 00:46:25.019 --> 00:46:26.420 As those who are 00:46:26.420 --> 00:46:27.199 to give an account. 00:46:28.219 --> 00:46:28.559 Let them, 00:46:28.599 --> 00:46:29.039 then it says, 00:46:29.159 --> 00:46:30.179 let them do this 00:46:30.179 --> 00:46:30.759 with joy 00:46:30.759 --> 00:46:32.320 and not with groaning. 00:46:32.900 --> 00:46:33.739 For that will be 00:46:33.739 --> 00:46:35.039 of no advantage to you. 00:46:35.940 --> 00:46:36.380 Okay, 00:46:36.500 --> 00:46:36.780 so, 00:46:37.000 --> 00:46:37.440 real quick. 00:46:38.559 --> 00:46:38.860 This, 00:46:38.940 --> 00:46:39.759 this verse exists 00:46:39.759 --> 00:46:40.280 in the Bible. 00:46:40.960 --> 00:46:42.019 This is God's word. 00:46:42.139 --> 00:46:42.280 So, 00:46:42.400 --> 00:46:42.659 you know, 00:46:43.119 --> 00:46:43.380 I, 00:46:43.400 --> 00:46:44.400 I get this temptation 00:46:44.400 --> 00:46:45.119 but sometimes 00:46:45.119 --> 00:46:46.300 I look at certain verses 00:46:46.300 --> 00:46:46.759 and I'm like, 00:46:46.860 --> 00:46:47.079 Lord, 00:46:47.639 --> 00:46:48.599 is that your word? 00:46:49.000 --> 00:46:50.019 Is this you saying that? 00:46:50.440 --> 00:46:50.699 You know, 00:46:50.759 --> 00:46:51.000 like, 00:46:51.420 --> 00:46:52.360 sometimes if I'm honest 00:46:52.360 --> 00:46:53.199 like I have unbelief 00:46:53.199 --> 00:46:54.019 around the word of God. 00:46:54.440 --> 00:46:54.980 I don't really want 00:46:54.980 --> 00:46:55.659 to receive things 00:46:55.659 --> 00:46:57.260 but we got to look at it 00:46:57.260 --> 00:46:57.480 and say, 00:46:57.559 --> 00:46:57.880 you know what? 00:46:57.880 --> 00:46:58.820 This is the Lord speaking. 00:46:59.460 --> 00:46:59.800 He says, 00:46:59.920 --> 00:47:00.659 obey your leaders 00:47:00.659 --> 00:47:01.659 and submit to them 00:47:01.659 --> 00:47:02.880 for they are keeping 00:47:02.880 --> 00:47:04.199 watch for your souls. 00:47:04.559 --> 00:47:04.699 Okay, 00:47:04.740 --> 00:47:05.500 there's a prophet. 00:47:06.440 --> 00:47:07.300 They're keeping watch 00:47:07.300 --> 00:47:08.079 for your souls. 00:47:08.260 --> 00:47:09.119 You guys believe that? 00:47:10.179 --> 00:47:10.800 And then it says, 00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:12.099 let them do this 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:13.579 with joy 00:47:13.579 --> 00:47:14.440 and not with groaning 00:47:14.440 --> 00:47:15.440 for that will be 00:47:15.440 --> 00:47:16.619 of no advantage to you. 00:47:16.960 --> 00:47:17.199 Okay, 00:47:17.740 --> 00:47:18.159 how many, 00:47:18.159 --> 00:47:19.159 how many times 00:47:19.159 --> 00:47:20.920 do we relate to leaders 00:47:20.920 --> 00:47:21.519 as, 00:47:22.380 --> 00:47:22.719 guys, 00:47:22.719 --> 00:47:24.059 make it easy for me? 00:47:24.980 --> 00:47:26.319 Just make it easy for me. 00:47:26.739 --> 00:47:26.859 Okay? 00:47:27.379 --> 00:47:27.599 Like, 00:47:27.819 --> 00:47:28.019 like, 00:47:28.139 --> 00:47:28.399 I, 00:47:28.919 --> 00:47:29.500 you know, 00:47:30.119 --> 00:47:30.859 in one sense 00:47:30.859 --> 00:47:31.099 it's, 00:47:31.239 --> 00:47:31.959 there's something true 00:47:31.959 --> 00:47:32.500 about that. 00:47:32.659 --> 00:47:33.259 Like I said earlier, 00:47:33.439 --> 00:47:34.019 good leaders 00:47:34.019 --> 00:47:35.279 make it easy for people. 00:47:35.619 --> 00:47:36.259 People flourish, 00:47:36.359 --> 00:47:36.559 right? 00:47:36.799 --> 00:47:37.799 But how often 00:47:37.799 --> 00:47:38.599 is it maybe 00:47:38.599 --> 00:47:40.039 kind of consumeristic 00:47:40.039 --> 00:47:40.480 or a little, 00:47:40.599 --> 00:47:40.859 like, 00:47:41.879 --> 00:47:42.079 like, 00:47:42.139 --> 00:47:43.039 make it easy for me. 00:47:43.639 --> 00:47:43.939 Well, 00:47:44.059 --> 00:47:45.199 what about this verse? 00:47:45.879 --> 00:47:46.480 This says, 00:47:47.139 --> 00:47:48.079 let the leaders, 00:47:48.299 --> 00:47:49.099 let them do this 00:47:49.099 --> 00:47:49.839 with joy 00:47:49.839 --> 00:47:51.819 and not with groaning 00:47:51.819 --> 00:47:53.420 for that will be 00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:54.119 of no advantage 00:47:54.119 --> 00:47:54.880 to you. 00:47:57.039 --> 00:47:57.880 No one's ever 00:47:57.880 --> 00:47:58.759 standing up saying, 00:47:59.199 --> 00:47:59.819 the leaders aren't saying, 00:47:59.920 --> 00:48:00.239 hey guys, 00:48:00.360 --> 00:48:01.719 make this easy for me. 00:48:02.199 --> 00:48:02.819 You know? 00:48:03.279 --> 00:48:04.219 And it seems like 00:48:04.219 --> 00:48:04.960 that's what this verse 00:48:04.960 --> 00:48:05.839 is getting at is, 00:48:06.059 --> 00:48:06.599 is hey, 00:48:07.139 --> 00:48:07.440 yes, 00:48:07.460 --> 00:48:08.699 there's this reciprocating, 00:48:08.799 --> 00:48:09.039 like, 00:48:09.099 --> 00:48:09.579 let's, 00:48:09.659 --> 00:48:10.679 let's serve each other 00:48:10.679 --> 00:48:11.219 with joy. 00:48:11.799 --> 00:48:12.199 But, 00:48:12.360 --> 00:48:13.559 the truth is, 00:48:13.599 --> 00:48:14.799 you actually miss out. 00:48:15.799 --> 00:48:16.179 It says, 00:48:16.219 --> 00:48:16.599 this will be 00:48:16.599 --> 00:48:17.420 of no advantage 00:48:17.420 --> 00:48:17.840 to you. 00:48:18.800 --> 00:48:19.400 There's a type 00:48:19.400 --> 00:48:20.000 of blessing 00:48:20.000 --> 00:48:21.159 that you'll receive 00:48:21.159 --> 00:48:22.280 from good leadership 00:48:22.280 --> 00:48:24.320 that you won't get 00:48:24.320 --> 00:48:25.300 if it's only 00:48:25.300 --> 00:48:26.740 brute submission. 00:48:27.280 --> 00:48:27.440 Right? 00:48:27.480 --> 00:48:28.000 You might obey 00:48:28.000 --> 00:48:28.680 the first part 00:48:28.680 --> 00:48:29.260 that says, 00:48:29.539 --> 00:48:29.760 okay, 00:48:29.800 --> 00:48:30.820 I'll obey the leaders, 00:48:31.460 --> 00:48:33.119 but begrudgingly 00:48:33.119 --> 00:48:35.740 and without joy. 00:48:36.260 --> 00:48:36.860 And then, 00:48:36.940 --> 00:48:37.720 the second half says, 00:48:37.820 --> 00:48:37.940 well, 00:48:37.960 --> 00:48:38.700 it's actually not going 00:48:38.700 --> 00:48:39.159 to be valuable 00:48:39.159 --> 00:48:39.760 at all to you. 00:48:40.360 --> 00:48:41.340 You won't get anything 00:48:41.340 --> 00:48:41.840 from it. 00:48:42.119 --> 00:48:43.200 And it's going to make it 00:48:43.200 --> 00:48:44.280 difficult on the leaders. 00:48:44.480 --> 00:48:44.599 Right? 00:48:45.360 --> 00:48:46.000 And so, 00:48:46.000 --> 00:48:48.699 the way 00:48:48.699 --> 00:48:49.679 that you 00:48:49.679 --> 00:48:51.380 do it with joy 00:48:51.380 --> 00:48:52.920 is by having 00:48:52.920 --> 00:48:53.760 a bigger vision 00:48:53.760 --> 00:48:55.260 from the chief shepherd 00:48:55.260 --> 00:48:56.360 and the chief leader 00:48:56.360 --> 00:48:58.340 from the king. 00:48:59.099 --> 00:48:59.360 Right? 00:49:00.139 --> 00:49:00.539 And, 00:49:00.780 --> 00:49:02.219 that's really important 00:49:02.219 --> 00:49:02.579 to do 00:49:02.579 --> 00:49:03.039 because 00:49:03.039 --> 00:49:04.920 if we don't come 00:49:04.920 --> 00:49:05.360 to the Lord 00:49:05.360 --> 00:49:05.699 and we say, 00:49:05.800 --> 00:49:06.019 Lord, 00:49:06.119 --> 00:49:06.699 you're the king, 00:49:07.199 --> 00:49:08.219 you're the chief shepherd, 00:49:09.380 --> 00:49:10.619 renew me, 00:49:11.380 --> 00:49:12.760 make me eager 00:49:12.760 --> 00:49:13.679 and excited 00:49:13.679 --> 00:49:15.599 about the leaders 00:49:15.599 --> 00:49:16.639 that you've appointed, 00:49:16.940 --> 00:49:17.759 about the gifts 00:49:17.759 --> 00:49:18.559 that you've given. 00:49:19.359 --> 00:49:20.339 I want to be eager. 00:49:21.339 --> 00:49:22.239 If we don't come 00:49:22.239 --> 00:49:22.579 to the Lord 00:49:22.579 --> 00:49:23.119 in that way, 00:49:23.199 --> 00:49:23.739 then we're just going 00:49:23.739 --> 00:49:24.659 to be doing this circle. 00:49:25.199 --> 00:49:25.359 Right? 00:49:25.539 --> 00:49:26.099 We're going to be 00:49:26.099 --> 00:49:27.639 back here next time. 00:49:28.919 --> 00:49:29.339 And, 00:49:29.419 --> 00:49:30.500 all these roles 00:49:30.500 --> 00:49:31.299 are 00:49:31.299 --> 00:49:32.639 so that 00:49:32.639 --> 00:49:33.139 all of us 00:49:33.139 --> 00:49:33.899 can be built up 00:49:33.899 --> 00:49:34.519 into the head, 00:49:34.799 --> 00:49:35.719 into Christ. 00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:37.279 And so, 00:49:38.359 --> 00:49:40.319 in closing, 00:49:42.480 --> 00:49:45.039 have a right regard 00:49:45.039 --> 00:49:45.599 for leadership. 00:49:45.939 --> 00:49:46.899 Don't quench the spirit 00:49:46.899 --> 00:49:47.659 in how you think 00:49:47.659 --> 00:49:48.099 and feel 00:49:48.099 --> 00:49:48.839 about leadership. 00:49:49.559 --> 00:49:49.759 But, 00:49:49.839 --> 00:49:50.459 agree with the Lord 00:49:50.459 --> 00:49:51.559 and in His word 00:49:51.559 --> 00:49:52.259 what He says. 00:49:56.179 --> 00:49:57.980 Just three little exhortations. 00:49:58.500 --> 00:49:59.239 If any of this 00:49:59.239 --> 00:49:59.879 struck you, 00:50:00.299 --> 00:50:01.219 I would encourage you 00:50:01.219 --> 00:50:03.019 to examine yourself 00:50:03.019 --> 00:50:04.119 and ask yourself, 00:50:04.219 --> 00:50:05.179 do I need to repent? 00:50:05.719 --> 00:50:08.819 for maybe 00:50:08.819 --> 00:50:09.599 in my heart 00:50:09.599 --> 00:50:10.639 calling what God 00:50:10.639 --> 00:50:11.299 calls good, 00:50:11.419 --> 00:50:11.779 bad. 00:50:12.919 --> 00:50:13.199 You know? 00:50:13.359 --> 00:50:13.939 A lot of stuff 00:50:13.939 --> 00:50:15.099 we never say out loud. 00:50:15.759 --> 00:50:15.959 But, 00:50:16.019 --> 00:50:16.119 like, 00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:16.879 maybe in our hearts 00:50:16.879 --> 00:50:17.379 we're like, 00:50:17.500 --> 00:50:17.719 oh, 00:50:17.739 --> 00:50:18.259 this is bad. 00:50:18.500 --> 00:50:19.159 This is bad. 00:50:19.959 --> 00:50:20.699 And the Lord's like, 00:50:20.739 --> 00:50:20.879 no, 00:50:20.919 --> 00:50:21.459 it's good. 00:50:22.179 --> 00:50:23.199 There's just things 00:50:23.199 --> 00:50:24.239 to work through, 00:50:24.299 --> 00:50:24.500 right? 00:50:24.799 --> 00:50:26.159 You have to understand 00:50:26.159 --> 00:50:28.619 how God is doing it. 00:50:28.679 --> 00:50:29.519 How God is saving. 00:50:29.659 --> 00:50:30.639 How God is redeeming. 00:50:31.619 --> 00:50:31.959 But, 00:50:32.039 --> 00:50:33.779 consider if that seed 00:50:33.779 --> 00:50:35.000 has gotten inside of you. 00:50:35.719 --> 00:50:39.059 also consider 00:50:39.059 --> 00:50:40.239 how to stir yourself up 00:50:40.239 --> 00:50:42.599 to excited submission. 00:50:43.279 --> 00:50:43.459 Right? 00:50:44.059 --> 00:50:44.980 Everybody hates, 00:50:45.099 --> 00:50:45.359 you know, 00:50:45.399 --> 00:50:45.859 the submission 00:50:45.859 --> 00:50:46.980 that doesn't have 00:50:46.980 --> 00:50:48.000 excitement behind it. 00:50:48.359 --> 00:50:48.619 You know, 00:50:48.659 --> 00:50:48.799 like, 00:50:48.859 --> 00:50:50.480 if I tell my son, 00:50:50.559 --> 00:50:50.679 like, 00:50:50.719 --> 00:50:51.119 hey son, 00:50:51.519 --> 00:50:51.919 can you go 00:50:51.919 --> 00:50:52.500 wash the car, 00:50:52.599 --> 00:50:52.879 please? 00:50:53.379 --> 00:50:54.239 And he says, 00:50:54.579 --> 00:50:55.119 yes! 00:50:55.919 --> 00:50:56.719 And he just 00:50:56.719 --> 00:50:57.480 walks out there 00:50:57.480 --> 00:50:58.399 and starts watching, 00:50:59.079 --> 00:50:59.319 you know, 00:50:59.319 --> 00:50:59.879 looking at him 00:50:59.879 --> 00:51:00.359 through the window. 00:51:00.360 --> 00:51:02.700 Like, 00:51:02.800 --> 00:51:03.700 I would probably 00:51:03.700 --> 00:51:04.160 be like, 00:51:04.400 --> 00:51:05.079 I don't know 00:51:05.079 --> 00:51:05.860 if this is 00:51:05.860 --> 00:51:06.760 actually good submission. 00:51:07.539 --> 00:51:07.780 Like, 00:51:07.840 --> 00:51:08.220 it's like, 00:51:08.260 --> 00:51:08.400 yeah, 00:51:08.440 --> 00:51:09.000 you did it, 00:51:09.059 --> 00:51:09.559 but like, 00:51:10.660 --> 00:51:10.960 like, 00:51:11.860 --> 00:51:12.400 I feel like we need 00:51:12.400 --> 00:51:13.260 to talk now, 00:51:13.539 --> 00:51:13.940 you know? 00:51:15.980 --> 00:51:16.380 Like, 00:51:16.539 --> 00:51:17.559 consider how you can 00:51:17.559 --> 00:51:18.660 stir up your own heart 00:51:18.660 --> 00:51:19.320 to being like, 00:51:19.380 --> 00:51:19.559 Lord, 00:51:19.680 --> 00:51:20.420 change my heart. 00:51:20.680 --> 00:51:21.620 Make me excited. 00:51:21.619 --> 00:51:23.920 Because this is his ways, 00:51:24.000 --> 00:51:24.199 right? 00:51:26.480 --> 00:51:27.359 And then lastly, 00:51:27.480 --> 00:51:28.440 a call to trust 00:51:28.440 --> 00:51:29.559 in the chief shepherd, 00:51:30.179 --> 00:51:31.139 the chief apostle, 00:51:31.559 --> 00:51:32.679 and the chief servant. 00:51:33.440 --> 00:51:33.659 Okay? 00:51:34.119 --> 00:51:35.159 Jesus is that. 00:51:35.559 --> 00:51:36.940 He doesn't change 00:51:36.940 --> 00:51:38.059 like our leaders do. 00:51:38.400 --> 00:51:40.279 He doesn't screw things up. 00:51:40.559 --> 00:51:41.659 He's building his church 00:51:41.659 --> 00:51:42.500 and the gates of hell 00:51:42.500 --> 00:51:43.359 won't prevail. 00:51:44.019 --> 00:51:44.519 Not, 00:51:44.579 --> 00:51:45.779 not they might not prevail, 00:51:45.900 --> 00:51:46.500 they won't. 00:51:47.000 --> 00:51:47.400 And so, 00:51:47.500 --> 00:51:48.500 you have to trust him. 00:51:48.519 --> 00:51:49.559 If you don't trust Jesus 00:51:49.559 --> 00:51:51.599 as the chief expression 00:51:51.599 --> 00:51:52.360 of those roles 00:51:52.360 --> 00:51:53.639 and the one currently 00:51:53.639 --> 00:51:55.119 fleshing himself out 00:51:55.119 --> 00:51:55.679 in his body, 00:51:56.019 --> 00:51:57.739 then it's not going 00:51:57.739 --> 00:51:58.279 to go well. 00:51:58.860 --> 00:51:59.099 You know, 00:51:59.139 --> 00:51:59.980 you're going to be ashamed 00:51:59.980 --> 00:52:00.920 of him when he comes. 00:52:02.440 --> 00:52:02.699 Okay? 00:52:03.279 --> 00:52:04.000 Blessed is the one 00:52:04.000 --> 00:52:04.980 who is not ashamed, 00:52:05.480 --> 00:52:06.059 he says. 00:52:06.500 --> 00:52:06.779 Right? 00:52:07.679 --> 00:52:09.059 But God can save us. 00:52:09.400 --> 00:52:10.119 He can do it. 00:52:10.219 --> 00:52:10.420 Right? 00:52:10.719 --> 00:52:12.119 He is saving us presently 00:52:12.119 --> 00:52:12.739 by his spirit. 00:52:13.559 --> 00:52:13.719 So, 00:52:13.799 --> 00:52:14.559 in all these things, 00:52:15.579 --> 00:52:18.079 let's go after God 00:52:18.079 --> 00:52:19.960 and what he says 00:52:19.960 --> 00:52:20.699 on these roles. 00:52:20.699 --> 00:52:21.739 There's much more 00:52:21.739 --> 00:52:22.439 that can be said. 00:52:23.039 --> 00:52:23.179 I mean, 00:52:23.219 --> 00:52:23.679 this is a, 00:52:23.819 --> 00:52:24.019 you know, 00:52:24.059 --> 00:52:24.659 there's a lot 00:52:24.659 --> 00:52:25.519 of other conversations, 00:52:25.679 --> 00:52:26.339 but I would encourage 00:52:26.339 --> 00:52:26.779 you guys 00:52:26.779 --> 00:52:28.839 to flesh these out 00:52:28.839 --> 00:52:30.299 on a smaller scale, 00:52:30.539 --> 00:52:30.839 you know, 00:52:31.480 --> 00:52:33.159 because the Lord 00:52:33.159 --> 00:52:33.579 is jealous 00:52:33.579 --> 00:52:35.000 for the purity 00:52:35.000 --> 00:52:35.619 of his church. 00:52:36.239 --> 00:52:36.460 Amen? 00:52:36.460 --> 00:52:36.579 Amen? 00:52:36.579 --> 00:52:36.639 Amen. 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:36.639 00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:38.639 Amen.