WEBVTT

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 Last week we looked at Paul's gospel-rich beginning here in his letter to Titus and to the churches in Crete.

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 And after that beginning, he moves directly into the main body of his letter

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 by addressing first the task that he had given to his young colleague.

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 Titus's purpose in Crete was very practical.

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 He was responsible for setting things in order so that the churches there would move forward,

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 strengthened in gospel doctrine, and faithful in godly living.

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 That's the practical nature of what he's doing. That's the big picture.

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 He is to set things in order that were lacking in the churches in Crete

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 so that moving forward, after he and Paul and the other apostles have moved on,

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 the churches would then, in great strength by the power of God's word and God's spirit,

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 be able to move forward with gospel fidelity and as fruitful Christians that reflect the kingdom of God.

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 And crucial to this particular task was the establishment of faithful pastors

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 who would shepherd their particular congregation.

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 Bill Mounts describes it this way,

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 Titus's job was twofold,

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 to complete the organization of the church in Crete

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 and preserve it from doctrinal contamination.

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 The former being the first step to the latter.

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 And that's helpful for us.

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 The main objective here that Paul is giving to Titus

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 is make sure the churches are faithful to the gospel,

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 that they're sound in doctrine,

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 that they are refuting heresies that will inevitably begin to creep their way in

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 and turn people away from Christ.

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 But the first step in being able to do that

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 was the organization of the church,

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 particularly as it related to its leadership.

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 So Titus's task was practical.

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 It's also necessary for us to know that Titus's task was temporary.

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 It was temporary.

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 Now, contrary to what some Christian traditions have supposed,

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 Titus did not fill a permanent office as a bishop

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 who would be responsible for overseeing groups of churches

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 or cities or regions of churches.

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 That's not what Titus was doing.

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 In fact, nothing in the New Testament teaches that style of episcopate

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 or that order of church government.

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 It's just not there.

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 Titus was better understood as an apostolic delegate.

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 That is what the term that scholars would most often use for he and Timothy.

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 He was an extension of the apostle Paul.

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 He was acting temporarily on behalf of the apostle Paul in Crete.

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 And his duty to establish elders in the churches there

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 reflects the transitory nature of his role.

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 It was never meant for him to be the bishop of Crete

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 where he would then fill an office.

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 And then after his death,

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 someone else would then be elevated from one of the churches

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 to then serve as bishop of Crete or bishop of whatever region.

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 That's not what Titus is doing.

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 That's not what he was meant to do.

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 His role was temporary.

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 The age of the apostles,

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 we have mentioned this many times through our study in Titus already,

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 the age of the apostles was coming to an end.

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 Paul's going to be martyred very soon.

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 Many of the apostles have already been martyred at this point in church history.

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 Eventually, John would be the last one.

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 And what we would call apostolic succession or what would follow the apostles,

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 the succession did not come in the form of their office,

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 but in their doctrine.

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 It's important for us to understand as we think about church government,

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 how is the church actually supposed to be structured?

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 This is a significant difference between a Protestant church and a Roman Catholic church.

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 is the apostolic succession does not come in the form of an office that someone like a pope would feel.

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 Apostolic succession came in the form of doctrine.

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 And that doctrine was then passed on to these churches.

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 And those churches had leaders.

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 So that's what Titus is doing.

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 That's why he's doing it.

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 What eventually led to the development of the papacy

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 or the hierarchical episcopate of the Roman Catholic church,

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 was vastly different than what Paul actually called for in these New Testament letters.

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 In the centuries that followed the completion of the New Testament,

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 the place of Christ and his word was slowly diminished.

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 And the place of man and man's authority was slowly exalted.

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 So that the church really historically entered a very dark time,

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 even along with the dark ages, culturally speaking,

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 the church went through a very dark age as well,

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 where human authority was put on the level of,

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 or even supreme to,

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 the authority of the Bible.

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 Which is why Alistair Begg says,

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 that is why the responsibility of the church throughout history

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 is to be reformed and reforming.

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 Constantly taking note of who it is,

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 and what it's made up of,

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 and what it's doing,

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 and why it's doing it.

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 And every local church needs to be careful in this respect as well.

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 Because it didn't take very long for the early church to get this wrong.

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 And as they veered away from what Paul was actually teaching,

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 that introduced all kinds of problems.

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 Into the churches themselves.

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 And what they needed, ultimately,

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 was a reformation.

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 A reformation that would return the thoughts of the people

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 to the word of God

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 as the supreme authority of their lives.

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 Well, that's our responsibility as well.

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 That in each age,

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 it's our responsibility as a church

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 to continually come back to the word

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 and say,

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 what does the word actually say?

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 What is it that God in his authority

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 has actually told us to do?

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 What is the patterns that he has given us?

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 And we need to make sure that

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 whatever human element we bring to that

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 is subservient to what the Bible actually teaches.

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 So my aim for this morning

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 is to examine the role of elders.

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 Next week, we'll get into

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 the qualification of elders.

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 But today, we'll look at the necessity of them in the church.

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 Why was Paul so concerned

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 that Titus fulfilled this task?

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 And what does this task have to do

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 with Lakeside Bible Church?

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 So we'll look at the necessity

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 of elders and pastors today.

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 Next week, we'll look more practically at

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 what are we supposed to be looking for

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 when it comes to recognizing elders

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 even in our own congregation here?

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 Even as small as it is,

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 what is it that we're supposed,

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 what's our guide for that?

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 And Paul gives that to us here.

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 And in other places, the New Testament.

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 That's how we're going to spend

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 the next two weeks of our study, okay?

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 Let me point this first out to you.

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 Point number one,

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 let's see the presence of elders in the church.

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 The presence of elders in the church.

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 Look back again with me at verse five.

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 Paul says in the first phrase,

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 this is why I left you in Crete.

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 This is why, Paul writes.

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 Now, Paul and Titus' visit to Crete

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 probably came between Paul's first imprisonment

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 and his final imprisonment.

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 No doubt they had had

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 an itinerant preaching ministry on Crete.

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 Certainly, they probably established

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 maybe a few churches,

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 fledgling churches in the process of doing that.

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 But as I mentioned a few weeks ago

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 in our introduction,

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 Acts chapter two says that

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 there were some Jews from Crete

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 in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

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 That day that Peter preached that great sermon

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 and the apostles were speaking in tongues

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 and the people were hearing

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 the gospel preached in their own language.

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 And it wouldn't be out of place

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 for us to assume that some of the Cretans

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 that were there heard that gospel message,

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 were converted to Jesus Christ,

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 probably lingered at least for a time

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 there in Jerusalem,

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 learning at least the basics of gospel doctrine

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 from the apostles as they met together

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 day by day in the temple,

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 and eventually went back to Crete

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 and established churches in their hometowns.

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 This seems actually very plausible

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 as we understand the history of the church in Crete.

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 So rather than assuming that

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 Paul is giving Titus instructions here

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 about overseeing Paul's church plants,

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 it's very likely that upon visiting Crete,

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 Paul just discovered many struggling churches.

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 And they were struggling,

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 not because they did not have the gospel,

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 but because they did not have strong leadership.

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 They didn't have leaders who were discipled

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 in sound doctrine.

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 They were beginning to be influenced

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 by the worldly culture of Crete.

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 They were faithful to the truth of Jesus,

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 but they were not very strong churches.

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 They were struggling.

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 And Paul knew that congregations

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 without faithful shepherds were doomed to fail.

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 So his pattern in the New Testament

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 was to establish elders or pastors

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 to lead the churches that he established

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 and the churches that he had influence over.

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 And let me show you that in the scripture

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 and other places.

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 Acts chapter 14 is one place.

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 I think this is on the screen for you.

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 Acts chapter 14, verse 21.

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 This is Paul and Barnabas together.

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 When they had preached the gospel to that city

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 and had made many disciples,

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 they returned to Lystra and to Iconium

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 and to Antioch,

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 strengthening the souls of the disciples,

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 encouraging them to continue in the faith

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 and saying that through many tribulations,

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 we must enter the kingdom.

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 Now, here's the point I want you to see.

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 And when they had appointed elders for them

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 in every church with prayer and fasting,

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 they committed them to the Lord

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 in whom they had believed.

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 So this is not a singular instance

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 that's unfolding here.

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 This is a pattern that Paul has,

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 not just for Titus,

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 but he's now at least in Acts done it in Lystra,

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 he's done it in Iconium,

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 and he's done it in Antioch

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 and probably in all the other places as well.

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 He has come in,

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 he's encouraged the Christians there,

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 he's discipled a few men

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 that could serve as faithful shepherds.

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 And then once through prayer and fasting,

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 he had established those elders,

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 he moved on to his other mission endeavors

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 and the churches were encouraged for it and by it.

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 And we see in Philippians chapter one,

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 just in the greeting,

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 Paul and Timothy,

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 servants of Christ Jesus

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 to all the saints in Christ Jesus

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 who are at Philippi

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 with the overseers and the deacons.

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 Philippi was one of Paul's church plants.

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 You'll remember when he began that

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 and he and Silas spent the night

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 in the Philippian jail

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 singing praises to the Lord.

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 That was the beginnings of the Philippian church.

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 Paul eventually established his elders in that church.

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 And he writes back to them,

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 emphasizing these overseers.

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 He does the same thing in Colossians.

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 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus

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 by the will of God,

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 Timothy, our brother,

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 to the saints

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 and the faithful brothers

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 in Christ at Colossae.

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 Now, faithful brothers and saints

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 are not the same thing.

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 Faithful brothers must be

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 a nod toward the leadership

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 that Paul had helped to establish

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 in the church at Colossae.

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 So we see this as a pattern.

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 But if we're going to understand

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 the presence of elders

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 and the necessity of them

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 to the life and health of the church,

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 we need to understand exactly what they are.

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 What are elders?

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 elders.

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 Well, there's three words

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 the New Testament uses.

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 The first one is presbyteros.

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 That is what is typically translated as elder.

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 Okay.

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 Sixty-six times in the New Testament,

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 this word is used for church leadership

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 and we translate it as elder

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 or elders in the plural.

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 The second one is episkopos.

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 This is overseer.

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 Overseer.

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 This is used five times

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 in the New Testament

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 referring to pastors in the church.

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 The third word is poimen.

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 Poimen, this is translated typically

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 as pastor or shepherd

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 or some form or tense of that word.

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 Eleven times this one is used

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 in the New Testament.

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 Okay.

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 Presbyteros, elder, episkopos, overseer,

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 poimen, pastor, shepherd.

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 Now here's the point that I want

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 to bring to the surface here.

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 It doesn't matter if you remember those words.

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 Okay.

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 Here's what I want to say about it.

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 These three terms are used interchangeably

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 in the New Testament.

00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:06.120
 They do not refer to three different types of people.

00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:09.519
 The reason that we're using elders so much

00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.340
 even in the language of our own church

00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:13.100
 is because the New Testament uses it

00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:15.320
 so much more than the other words.

00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.960
 We use pastor more than anything.

00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.920
 Culturally speaking,

00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:20.460
 the New Testament uses elders 66 times.

00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:21.940
 It only uses pastor 11.

00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:24.160
 So there's a huge difference here

00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:25.139
 and it doesn't matter what you call it,

00:14:25.300 --> 00:14:25.879
 but that's the point.

00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.139
 That's why we're using this term.

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:29.500
 But these terms are interchangeable.

00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:32.200
 They don't refer to different offices in the church.

00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:34.440
 They refer to different functions

00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:36.800
 of the same office.

00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:43.080
 So elder recognizes the spiritual example of the pastor.

00:14:43.760 --> 00:14:46.600
 Spiritual maturity is the indication there.

00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:53.200
 Overseer recognizes the spiritual authority of the pastor.

00:14:53.980 --> 00:15:00.140
 And shepherd recognizes the spiritual care of the pastor.

00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:05.439
 Same person, same function, or same office,

00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.539
 but three different functions

00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:09.899
 that are fulfilled through that office.

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:10.919
 Okay?

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:16.240
 Spiritual leadership, spiritual care, spiritual example.

00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:19.139
 Now, let me just show you this in a couple of places

00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:20.840
 where these terms are used interchangeably

00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.480
 so you don't think I made that up, okay?

00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:24.879
 Because there's some denominations

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.360
 that are gonna separate all those words out.

00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.439
 I want you to understand

00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:29.640
 why we don't separate those words out, okay?

00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:32.000
 Titus chapter one, you're right there in your Bible.

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.780
 Verse number five that we just read,

00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:38.200
 Paul says, appoint elders, presbyteros,

00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.060
 appoint elders in every town as I directed you.

00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:43.480
 Now, I want your eye to go down to verse seven.

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.960
 This is where Paul is describing

00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:49.880
 what the elders are to be in character.

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:52.080
 But he doesn't use presbyteros.

00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:57.340
 He says, overseer, for an overseer, episkopos,

00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.000
 so even right here in Titus,

00:15:59.060 --> 00:16:02.200
 we see an interchanging of these terms.

00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.800
 It's not referring to two different people.

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:06.580
 It's referring to the same office, different function.

00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.740
 Let me show you a better one.

00:16:08.020 --> 00:16:10.700
 First Peter chapter five, you can flip there if you want.

00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:12.020
 I think it's on the screen, actually,

00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:12.880
 if you want to see it there.

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:15.060
 First Peter chapter five, verse one,

00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:18.160
 Peter says, I exhort the elders,

00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:21.820
 presbyteros, among you as a fellow elder

00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:24.220
 and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:26.519
 as well as a partaker in the glory

00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.620
 that is going to be revealed.

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:30.860
 Shepherd, poimen, okay?

00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:34.300
 Shepherd, the flock of God that is among you,

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:38.399
 exercising oversight, episkopos,

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:41.139
 not under compulsion, but willingly.

00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.519
 And so on he goes in Peter's letter.

00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.740
 Just another example.

00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:47.420
 Peter understood these three terms interchangeably.

00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:50.580
 Paul understood these three terms interchangeably.

00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:53.800
 So we're not looking for multiple offices in the church.

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:55.400
 We're just looking for elders.

00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.900
 So let's define it then.

00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:59.520
 What is an elder according to the scriptures?

00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.820
 Here it is.

00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:06.120
 An elder is a pastor who is responsible

00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:11.259
 for the spiritual care and oversight of a local church.

00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:15.759
 An elder is a pastor who is responsible

00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:21.900
 for the spiritual care and oversight of a local church.

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:27.420
 Two important emphases in that description I just gave you.

00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:29.140
 First is responsible.

00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:33.559
 There is a burden of responsibility

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:37.960
 in which those who shepherd God's church

00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:41.619
 are responsible to Jesus Christ

00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:45.179
 for the way that they care for your souls.

00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.599
 This is not a position

00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:51.759
 in which you sit around a boardroom table

00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:54.000
 and you make decisions

00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:56.539
 so that you can kind of manipulate

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.019
 the direction of the organization.

00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.159
 That is not what an elder is.

00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:04.000
 It's not the mindset that an elder is to have.

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:07.179
 An elder carries the responsibility

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:10.420
 of the souls of the congregation.

00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:13.740
 That's a weighty responsibility.

00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:17.360
 The second emphasis in my definition

00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:19.279
 is local church.

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:23.740
 I am a pastor at Lakeside Bible Church,

00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:25.620
 not any other church.

00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:28.580
 I'm not responsible for people

00:18:28.580 --> 00:18:29.820
 outside of this congregation.

00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:32.580
 And if you belong to this congregation,

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:36.460
 you're not responsible to any other pastor.

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:41.860
 There is a working through the local church

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:44.340
 that is emphasized all throughout the New Testament

00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:45.560
 that we cannot ignore.

00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:48.240
 I have a responsibility for you.

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:52.000
 You have a responsibility for me.

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.519
 And it's a mutual soul care

00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.740
 that we have for one another.

00:18:56.740 --> 00:19:01.039
 Titus' task for the long-term health

00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.140
 of the churches in Crete

00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:04.180
 was to appoint men

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.160
 who would faithfully lead them.

00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:09.560
 That's what Paul had left them in Crete to do.

00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.080
 Before we move on,

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:14.500
 let me just mention

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:17.440
 the conspicuous absence

00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:19.460
 of any mention of deacons here.

00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.220
 Paul doesn't say anything

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.860
 about establishing deacons.

00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.620
 His first and primary concern

00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:28.980
 was for the establishment of pastors.

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.380
 elders.

00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:31.660
 Now, that's not to diminish

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.140
 the role of deacons in the church.

00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.400
 It was to emphasize,

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.039
 rather,

00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:36.660
 the utter necessity

00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:39.620
 of elders in the church

00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:41.099
 from the very beginning.

00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.539
 And we must first be concerned

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:46.180
 with our spiritual needs

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:48.140
 before we are concerned

00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:50.079
 with our physical needs.

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.559
 Something that I'm afraid

00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.339
 a lot of churches

00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.599
 have upside down.

00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:56.639
 How many churches do you know of?

00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:57.799
 How many friends that you have

00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.399
 when they're going through

00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.619
 a pastoral search

00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.799
 are more concerned

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.399
 about who will serve them

00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:04.119
 than who will shepherd them?

00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:06.299
 Who will teach them?

00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.740
 Who will lead them?

00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.219
 Okay?

00:20:10.219 --> 00:20:11.079
 A lot of churches

00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.279
 get this upside down.

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.639
 We gotta make sure

00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.079
 that we get it right side up.

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.879
 Bill Mounts again says,

00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.019
 in the young churches,

00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:19.379
 Paul appointed only elders.

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.780
 Perhaps the assumption

00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:23.000
 was that as the churches grew

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:25.060
 and the workload increased,

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.360
 deacons would be appointed to help.

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:29.040
 A process paralleling

00:20:29.040 --> 00:20:30.960
 the growth of the Jerusalem church

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.000
 in Acts chapter 6.

00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:32.920
 And that makes sense there,

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.280
 doesn't it?

00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.840
 A young church can get along

00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:35.620
 for a little while

00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.460
 without deacons,

00:20:36.560 --> 00:20:37.720
 but it won't get very far

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.560
 without the presence

00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:39.600
 of faithful pastors.

00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.480
 Paul and Titus

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.820
 understood this to be true,

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.900
 and it was something

00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:45.280
 that we need not overlook

00:20:45.280 --> 00:20:47.300
 as a young church ourselves.

00:20:47.760 --> 00:20:47.940
 Okay?

00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:49.200
 The presence of elders

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.840
 in the church.

00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.799
 Okay, I know you've had

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.320
 enough of that.

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.259
 Let's move on.

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.039
 Number two,

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.440
 the purpose of elders

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.080
 in the church.

00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.620
 The purpose of elders.

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.660
 Look back at verse 5.

00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.700
 This is why I left you in Crete,

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:01.420
 so that you might put

00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:04.160
 what remained into order.

00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.700
 Now, Paul doesn't describe

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.059
 what things remained

00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.299
 to be put in order,

00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:11.279
 but the letter clarifies it for us

00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.019
 as we go through.

00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.460
 Clearly, what he had in view

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.680
 was structures

00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:17.039
 to promote gospel fidelity,

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.420
 sound doctrine,

00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.799
 and godly living.

00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.119
 But setting those things

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.379
 in order began

00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:25.279
 with appointing elders

00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:27.639
 who would continue that work

00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:29.539
 after Titus leaves Crete

00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.899
 because Titus isn't going

00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.559
 to stay there.

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.519
 We get to the end

00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.220
 of chapter 3,

00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.460
 and Paul's already telling him,

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.299
 I'm going to send

00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.059
 some folks to you,

00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:36.899
 and when they come to you,

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.500
 I want you to come

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.279
 to where I am.

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.259
 And then we get

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.960
 to 2 Timothy,

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.700
 and we see that

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.980
 Paul sends Titus

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.319
 on to Dalmatia.

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:45.179
 And who's left behind

00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:45.619
 in Crete?

00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:47.439
 The faithful elders

00:21:47.439 --> 00:21:48.259
 that he appoints

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.240
 in the churches there.

00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.480
 That was the purpose.

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.899
 They were to continue

00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:53.139
 this work

00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:54.679
 of setting things in order.

00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.439
 This was as much

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.639
 a succession plan

00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:59.159
 as it was anything else,

00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.039
 and the purpose

00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.899
 that these men

00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.659
 had in the church

00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:03.099
 was the same purpose

00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:03.679
 carried out

00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:04.519
 by the apostles

00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:06.159
 from the very beginning.

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.939
 But let's take a moment

00:22:07.939 --> 00:22:08.779
 to dig a little deeper.

00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.579
 What does a pastor

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.419
 actually do?

00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.620
 What is he responsible

00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.620
 for under God

00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.360
 in the church?

00:22:14.300 --> 00:22:15.380
 Generally speaking,

00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:17.300
 elders are to oversee

00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:18.140
 the church

00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:19.380
 by providing

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.539
 a godly example,

00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:23.519
 teaching sound doctrine,

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.820
 and confronting heresy.

00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.980
 It's an office

00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.980
 of the word

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.920
 executed by men

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:32.200
 who faithfully live

00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:34.240
 according to the word.

00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.100
 And we see this

00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.440
 right here

00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.420
 in Titus chapter 1.

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.519
 Look at verse 6.

00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:39.320
 If anyone is above reproach,

00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.839
 the husband of one wife,

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.339
 his children are believers.

00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.439
 He's not open

00:22:43.439 --> 00:22:44.720
 to the charge of debauchery

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.799
 or insubordination.

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:48.399
 He is above reproach.

00:22:48.419 --> 00:22:49.379
 He must not be arrogant,

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.119
 quick-tempered,

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.859
 or drunkard,

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.319
 or violent,

00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.759
 and so on.

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.519
 It continues on.

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.700
 Look at verse 9.

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.859
 He must hold firm

00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.259
 to the trustworthy word.

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:57.480
 He needs to know his Bible.

00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.200
 And he needs to be able

00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.439
 to communicate the Bible

00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:01.599
 so that he may be able

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.779
 to give instruction

00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.899
 in sound doctrine

00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:05.679
 and rebuke those

00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:06.639
 who contradict

00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.819
 the sound doctrine.

00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:09.639
 Generally speaking,

00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.139
 a pastor serves

00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:12.019
 as an example

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.960
 to the congregation

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.039
 and he teaches

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.839
 the congregation

00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.579
 sound doctrine

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.980
 and he confronts

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.700
 the heresies

00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.659
 that may inevitably

00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.720
 creep their way

00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:21.079
 into the church as well.

00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.139
 But I want to give you

00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:24.460
 four specific responsibilities

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:26.000
 that the scriptures give us

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.279
 for biblical elders.

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.539
 Here's what they do.

00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.500
 Number one,

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:32.099
 elders lead the church.

00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.859
 They lead the church.

00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:38.939
 eldership in a local church

00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:40.679
 does not allow

00:23:40.679 --> 00:23:42.079
 for passivity

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:44.059
 or lethargy.

00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:47.259
 It requires

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.199
 that an individual

00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:49.079
 carefully

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:51.079
 and passionately

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.959
 exercise

00:23:52.959 --> 00:23:54.179
 biblical leadership

00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:55.819
 among God's people.

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.639
 You shouldn't have to

00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.899
 talk somebody into this.

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.279
 That's what I mean.

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.359
 There is a

00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:05.079
 God-ordained passion

00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:07.039
 to not only love

00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.399
 the Lord

00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.440
 but to love his people

00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.160
 and to help them

00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.059
 and to edify them

00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.819
 and encourage them

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:12.399
 and to lead them.

00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:14.200
 And just as God

00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.559
 calls a man

00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.279
 to actively

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.319
 lead his family,

00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.160
 so does God

00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:20.180
 require elders

00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.720
 to actively

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.319
 oversee

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.980
 the members

00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.519
 and ministries

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.019
 of the church.

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.859
 It's a stewardship

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:31.079
 for which each elder

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.859
 gives an account

00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.779
 to the Lord Jesus.

00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:35.099
 It's a responsibility

00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:37.159
 that must not

00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:38.019
 be taken lightly

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:40.240
 by those who are called

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.419
 to fulfill it.

00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.599
 Let me show you this

00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.119
 in the scriptures.

00:24:43.959 --> 00:24:44.899
 In Acts chapter 20

00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.599
 and verse 28,

00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.559
 this will be on the screen

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.179
 for you so you don't

00:24:47.179 --> 00:24:47.679
 have to turn

00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.539
 unless you just want to.

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.379
 Paul tells the elders

00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.019
 in Ephesus,

00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:54.299
 pay careful attention

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:56.019
 to yourselves

00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.559
 and to all the flock

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:59.660
 in which the Holy Spirit

00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:02.500
 has made you overseers

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.660
 to care for the church

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.220
 of God

00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.639
 which he obtained

00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.559
 with his own blood.

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.799
 What's he telling the elders?

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.900
 Be faithful to lead

00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:13.799
 because the Spirit of God

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:15.519
 has called you

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:17.500
 and has enabled you

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.579
 to this end.

00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:20.400
 So fulfill it.

00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.079
 First,

00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:23.579
 taking careful watch

00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.599
 of your own life

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:26.019
 and then of the lives

00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.559
 of the people

00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.879
 to which you have been

00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.819
 given responsibility.

00:25:29.219 --> 00:25:30.079
 Lead the church.

00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:33.099
 How about 1 Peter chapter 5?

00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:34.000
 We read it a minute ago.

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.199
 Let's slow down on it

00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.619
 this time.

00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.159
 Peter says,

00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:39.059
 shepherd the flock.

00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:40.779
 That's among you.

00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:43.519
 Exercising oversight.

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:46.019
 There's authority there.

00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.740
 Not under compulsion.

00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.459
 You shouldn't have to be

00:25:49.459 --> 00:25:50.659
 strong-armed into this

00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:51.779
 but do it willingly

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.639
 as God would have you.

00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:55.740
 Not for shameful gain.

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.220
 Don't do it for money.

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.840
 Don't do it for prestige.

00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.660
 Don't do it for honor.

00:26:01.060 --> 00:26:02.240
 But do it eagerly.

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.580
 Not domineering

00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:05.320
 over those in your charge

00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:07.800
 but being examples

00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:09.520
 to the flock.

00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.620
 There is authority here.

00:26:12.320 --> 00:26:14.100
 It is not the kind of authority

00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.940
 that domineers

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.040
 over the people of God.

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.860
 It is the kind of authority

00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:19.600
 given by God

00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:21.560
 to serve the word of God

00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:23.579
 to the people of God.

00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.000
 What do elders do?

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.839
 They lead the church.

00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:27.279
 Exercise oversight.

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:27.839
 Number two,

00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.759
 they teach the church.

00:26:30.179 --> 00:26:31.399
 They teach the church.

00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.859
 So oversight of the church

00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.819
 is not for the sake

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.919
 of a man's preferences

00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:37.639
 or his ego.

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:41.259
 The way that elders

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.119
 lead the church

00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.259
 is by faithfully

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:45.359
 teaching the Bible.

00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.939
 In fact,

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.619
 the only gifting

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:50.299
 required for an elder

00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.819
 is an ability to teach.

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.379
 Every other qualification

00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.699
 given in Titus

00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:57.279
 and given in 1 Timothy 3

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:59.319
 are all character based.

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.939
 It's all about who he is

00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:01.799
 as a believer,

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.079
 not about his gifting

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.219
 except for the fact

00:27:04.219 --> 00:27:05.479
 that he has to be able

00:27:05.479 --> 00:27:06.839
 to teach the word.

00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.299
 Now that doesn't mean

00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.539
 that he has to be

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:11.219
 particularly suited

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:13.740
 for regularly delivering

00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.660
 the main sermon

00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.600
 on a Sunday morning.

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.900
 But at the very least,

00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.779
 he needs to be able

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:19.039
 to sit down at a table

00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.059
 at a coffee shop

00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.140
 or in somebody's kitchen

00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.480
 and be able to open up

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.120
 his Bible

00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.539
 and help them understand

00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.440
 what it says

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.200
 for their life.

00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.600
 Counsel them according

00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.480
 to the word of God.

00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:30.160
 Constantly point them back

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.240
 to the gospel of Jesus.

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.160
 Constantly refute the errors

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.420
 that may be coming in

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.819
 to their life.

00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.079
 He has to at least

00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.500
 be able to do that.

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.700
 It's a gifting

00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.620
 and an empowerment

00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.219
 that comes by God

00:27:42.219 --> 00:27:44.039
 for a man to serve

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.119
 the church.

00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.000
 Ephesians chapter 4,

00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.359
 we talk about this passage

00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.099
 all the time.

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.539
 And he gave the apostles,

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.539
 the prophets,

00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:53.719
 the evangelists,

00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.099
 the shepherds,

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.639
 shepherds and teachers

00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:59.259
 to equip the saints

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.839
 for the work of the ministry,

00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.039
 for building up

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.019
 the body of Christ.

00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.399
 How are elders

00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:05.679
 to equip the saints

00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:07.439
 with the word of God?

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.859
 You gotta be able to teach.

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.619
 On some level,

00:28:12.219 --> 00:28:13.539
 they gotta know the Bible.

00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:14.979
 They gotta be able

00:28:14.979 --> 00:28:15.839
 to communicate

00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:17.259
 biblical truth.

00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:19.219
 1 Timothy 5, 17,

00:28:19.219 --> 00:28:20.239
 Let the elders

00:28:20.239 --> 00:28:21.000
 who rule well

00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.039
 be considered worthy

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.879
 of double honor,

00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.659
 especially those

00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.459
 who labor

00:28:25.459 --> 00:28:27.059
 in preaching

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.639
 and teaching.

00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.579
 2 Timothy 4,

00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:32.959
 preach the word,

00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:33.500
 Timothy.

00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:36.019
 Be ready in season,

00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:37.099
 out of season.

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:38.019
 reprove,

00:28:38.179 --> 00:28:38.639
 rebuke,

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.240
 exhort

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.259
 with patience

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.980
 and teaching.

00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.559
 What does an elder do?

00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.699
 He leads the church,

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.279
 teaches the church.

00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.819
 And through teaching

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.480
 is ultimately

00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.779
 the way that he exercises

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.500
 his leadership

00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.119
 and oversight.

00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.919
 Thirdly,

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.039
 an elder

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.399
 protects the church.

00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:56.199
 Lead the church,

00:28:56.959 --> 00:28:57.699
 teach the church,

00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:59.359
 protects the church.

00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:01.899
 So just like a father

00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:03.319
 has the responsibility

00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.759
 of protecting his family

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:06.099
 against dangerous people

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:07.500
 and behaviors,

00:29:08.199 --> 00:29:09.939
 so an elder

00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:11.619
 has the first responsibility

00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:13.399
 of protecting

00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.299
 the congregation

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:16.879
 against dangerous doctrines

00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:18.279
 and practices.

00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:21.440
 which is precisely

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.879
 why a church

00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:24.139
 must only recognize

00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:24.599
 elders

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:26.139
 who are clearly

00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:27.460
 knowledgeable of the Bible

00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:29.799
 because they need

00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.740
 to be able to spot

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.259
 error

00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.000
 that is easily missed

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.920
 by most people.

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.339
 There's a reason

00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:36.440
 Jesus said

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.519
 that the grieving

00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.339
 of wolves

00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.740
 look like sheep

00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:42.519
 because they're deceptive.

00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:44.059
 Their doctrines

00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.940
 are deceptive.

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:47.079
 And if we're not ready,

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.980
 we'll miss them.

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.940
 And we need to at least

00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.460
 make sure

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.379
 that our shepherds

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.160
 are equipped

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.920
 and suited for

00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:55.599
 spotting the wolves

00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:57.160
 to protect the church.

00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.879
 Here in Titus chapter 1,

00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.839
 just look at verse 9.

00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.359
 He must hold firm

00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.480
 to the trustworthy word

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.960
 as taught

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:06.319
 so that he may be able

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.240
 to give instruction

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:09.480
 and also to rebuke

00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:11.480
 those who contradict it.

00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:11.759
 You say,

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.779
 well, that's not very nice.

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.160
 Well, it doesn't matter

00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.960
 if it's very nice.

00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.720
 It doesn't matter.

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:20.860
 Because the elder

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.740
 has a responsibility

00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.839
 for your soul.

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.839
 And if he's going to

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.180
 shortchange his responsibility

00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:28.519
 to confront error,

00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.740
 he's shortchanging

00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.519
 his responsibility

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.819
 to truly exercise

00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:33.019
 love for the congregation.

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.400
 I know I quote him

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:35.759
 all the time,

00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:37.180
 but Alistair told his church,

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.160
 he tells him all the time,

00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.460
 he says,

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.000
 you'll know that

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.900
 I've stopped loving you

00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.700
 when I stopped caring

00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:42.039
 about giving you the truth.

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:44.799
 It's a responsibility.

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:48.519
 What does he continue on with?

00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.279
 Verse 10,

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.639
 for there are many

00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:52.720
 who are insubordinate,

00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.420
 they're empty talkers,

00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.659
 they're deceivers,

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.240
 especially those

00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.720
 of the circumcision party,

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.259
 the Jews.

00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:01.220
 They must be silenced

00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:03.339
 since they're upsetting

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.240
 whole families

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:06.039
 by teaching for shameful game

00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.480
 what they ought not to teach.

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:09.819
 What does the burden

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.420
 of responsibility fall on?

00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:13.259
 The shoulders of the elders.

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.400
 Not them alone,

00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:16.819
 but them first.

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.599
 Back to Acts chapter 20,

00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:21.279
 speaking to the Ephesian elders,

00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:21.779
 Paul says,

00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:23.120
 I know after my departure,

00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.579
 fierce wolves

00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.599
 will come in among you.

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.500
 But then he says,

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.400
 they won't spare the flock,

00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.039
 but then he says,

00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:30.039
 even among your own selves

00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:32.059
 will arise men

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:34.200
 speaking twisted things

00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:35.579
 to draw away

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.000
 the disciples after them.

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:38.819
 You say,

00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:38.960
 well,

00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.640
 what kind of elders

00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.279
 do we need?

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.620
 We need elders

00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.700
 that can spot error

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.740
 outside the church

00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:47.519
 and elders that can spot error

00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:49.360
 inside the church as well.

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:52.059
 Even amongst themselves

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.240
 as elders,

00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:55.259
 they need to be able

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.319
 to spot the error,

00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:57.980
 confront it,

00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:59.279
 protect the church,

00:32:00.360 --> 00:32:00.960
 lead the church,

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.599
 teach the church,

00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.299
 protect the church.

00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.039
 Fourthly,

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.519
 they care for the church.

00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:07.039
 They care for the church.

00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:08.720
 Now,

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.299
 an elder may be

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.440
 a gifted overseer

00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.920
 who knows their Bible well,

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:14.980
 but if they don't display

00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.380
 a genuine love

00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:17.480
 and concern

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.799
 for the people of God,

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.759
 they're not fulfilling

00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.640
 their responsibility

00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.460
 to the church.

00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:26.160
 I've known pastors

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.140
 that you would think

00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:28.799
 after having lunch with them

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:30.019
 that the last thing

00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.799
 that they want to spend

00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.620
 their lives doing

00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:33.039
 is shepherding people

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.599
 in a church,

00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:35.079
 and yet it's their vocation.

00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:37.159
 That's not right.

00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.779
 If a man doesn't seem

00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.919
 to love God's people,

00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:43.559
 how's he going to care

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:43.919
 for them?

00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.379
 There's a reason

00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.019
 that I have

00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.619
 a unique care

00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:51.279
 for the life

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.519
 that Ashlyn and Harper

00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:52.980
 live

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:54.480
 because I have

00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.159
 a unique love

00:32:55.159 --> 00:32:55.639
 for them.

00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.500
 And in the same way,

00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.059
 an elder will have

00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:01.079
 a unique care

00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.359
 for the people of God

00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:04.859
 because of a unique love

00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.519
 that God puts

00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:05.980
 in his heart

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.579
 for them.

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.099
 When recognizing

00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:11.039
 potential elders

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.720
 in the church,

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.720
 we need to be sure

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:15.220
 that we don't ignore

00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.619
 a lack of care

00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.640
 for people.

00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.259
 In fact,

00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:19.660
 when the day comes

00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:21.059
 for us to recognize

00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:22.140
 more elders

00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:22.980
 in our church,

00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:24.599
 we need to be able

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.579
 to spot the people

00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.460
 who are already

00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:28.099
 doing eldering work.

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.740
 They're already

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.940
 shepherding people.

00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.059
 They're already

00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:33.279
 doing these things

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.519
 and it's made evident

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.220
 in their life.

00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.559
 And part of that

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.039
 is that they just love

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:39.500
 the people of God.

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.360
 They care

00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:41.920
 to serve them.

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.539
 An elder is to be

00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.599
 a faithful counselor,

00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:48.120
 a prayer warrior

00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:49.000
 who rejoices

00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.720
 with the joyful

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.279
 and weeps

00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.220
 with the discouraged.

00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:53.200
 He must be willing

00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.600
 to sacrifice time

00:33:54.600 --> 00:33:55.600
 and energy

00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.339
 for the people

00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:57.000
 He's been called

00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.940
 to lead.

00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.759
 Shepherds smell

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.779
 like sheep.

00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.140
 And there may be

00:34:03.140 --> 00:34:04.200
 a man in our church

00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.220
 who is gifted

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:05.839
 in the Word,

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:08.199
 qualified in His character,

00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.539
 but if He doesn't

00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.440
 smell like sheep,

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:13.599
 if He doesn't smell

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.179
 like sheep,

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.880
 you should be concerned.

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:21.380
 James 5.14

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.500
 is a pretty good

00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.220
 example of this,

00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:23.680
 isn't it?

00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.340
 Is anyone sick

00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:26.860
 among you,

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.579
 James writes?

00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.539
 Let Him call

00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.079
 for the elders

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.740
 of the church.

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.700
 Let them pray

00:34:32.700 --> 00:34:33.220
 over Him,

00:34:34.180 --> 00:34:34.640
 anointing Him

00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:35.140
 with oil

00:34:35.140 --> 00:34:35.619
 in the name

00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.039
 of the Lord.

00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:37.280
 Why would they

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.820
 call the elders?

00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.380
 Why couldn't they

00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.380
 just call other people

00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:39.800
 in the church?

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.440
 Well, they could.

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:42.539
 But why would He

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.460
 call the elders first?

00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.320
 Because they care

00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:46.059
 for the church.

00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.900
 Care for the church.

00:34:49.620 --> 00:34:50.420
 The responsibilities

00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:51.340
 of elders are

00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.019
 a serious

00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.960
 and weighty matter.

00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.880
 And lest,

00:34:55.220 --> 00:34:56.220
 we'll talk about

00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:56.980
 this more next week,

00:34:57.080 --> 00:34:58.800
 but we shouldn't

00:34:58.800 --> 00:35:00.500
 hold expectations

00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.800
 that are,

00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:05.480
 that any human

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.220
 is incapable

00:35:06.220 --> 00:35:07.539
 to actually fulfill

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:07.840
 either.

00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:09.420
 We're not looking

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.220
 for perfect men.

00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.559
 We're just looking

00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.200
 for men who will

00:35:12.200 --> 00:35:12.820
 be faithful.

00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:12.900
 faithful.

00:35:14.620 --> 00:35:15.240
 Church needs

00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:15.620
 to guard

00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:16.240
 against those

00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:16.860
 who desire

00:35:16.860 --> 00:35:18.440
 authority of the office

00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:18.980
 but not the

00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:20.200
 responsibility of it,

00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:22.740
 which is the reason

00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:23.840
 Paul instructed

00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.920
 Timothy not to be

00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:25.640
 too quick

00:35:25.640 --> 00:35:27.920
 to recognize elders.

00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:29.900
 He needs to prove

00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.900
 that he has the

00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.480
 call of God

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:31.980
 on his life

00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.740
 because ultimately

00:35:32.740 --> 00:35:33.240
 the church

00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:33.740
 doesn't call

00:35:33.740 --> 00:35:34.140
 the elder.

00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:35.360
 God does.

00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.200
 The church

00:35:36.200 --> 00:35:36.980
 just recognizes

00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.620
 the call

00:35:37.620 --> 00:35:38.700
 through the way

00:35:38.700 --> 00:35:39.100
 that the Lord

00:35:39.100 --> 00:35:39.820
 is using him.

00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:40.600
 Okay?

00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:41.200
 So we see

00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:41.600
 the presence

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:41.980
 of elders.

00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.480
 We see

00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:42.980
 the purpose

00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.719
 of elders.

00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.360
 Thirdly,

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:44.920
 we'll be finished.

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.519
 We see

00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.659
 the plurality

00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:47.779
 of elders

00:35:47.779 --> 00:35:48.420
 in the church.

00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.819
 The plurality

00:35:49.819 --> 00:35:50.579
 of elders

00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.739
 in the church.

00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.500
 Verse 5,

00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:54.839
 this is why

00:35:54.839 --> 00:35:55.299
 I left you

00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:56.159
 in Crete.

00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.420
 You might put

00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:57.880
 what remain

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.400
 into order

00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:58.839
 and appoint

00:35:58.839 --> 00:35:59.360
 elders

00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.839
 in every town

00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:02.819
 as I directed you.

00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:03.319
 So two things

00:36:03.319 --> 00:36:03.819
 to point out

00:36:03.819 --> 00:36:04.360
 in the language

00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:04.679
 here.

00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.739
 The plural

00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:07.819
 use of elders

00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:09.599
 with the singular

00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:11.239
 use of town

00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.940
 suggests that

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.839
 Paul's vision

00:36:13.839 --> 00:36:15.139
 was for multiple

00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:15.619
 leaders

00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.739
 in each

00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:17.719
 church.

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.960
 So he's not

00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.759
 referring to a

00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.639
 group of elders

00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.360
 that he's then

00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.539
 going to disperse

00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.539
 among the churches.

00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:24.839
 He's talking about

00:36:24.839 --> 00:36:25.980
 groups of elders

00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:27.980
 within each

00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:29.079
 church.

00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.659
 Brian Chappell

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.460
 says this about it.

00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:32.159
 The plurality

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:32.500
 of elders

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:33.319
 in each place

00:36:33.319 --> 00:36:34.360
 alerts us

00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:35.319
 to the need

00:36:35.319 --> 00:36:36.699
 for multiple

00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.679
 persons in our

00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:38.039
 churches

00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:39.359
 who will assume

00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:40.279
 responsibility

00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:41.759
 for the

00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:42.759
 spiritual care

00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:43.879
 of others.

00:36:44.379 --> 00:36:44.899
 And before I go

00:36:44.899 --> 00:36:45.399
 much further

00:36:45.399 --> 00:36:46.379
 it needs to be

00:36:46.379 --> 00:36:46.819
 acknowledged

00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.859
 that the Bible

00:36:47.859 --> 00:36:49.419
 doesn't prohibit

00:36:49.419 --> 00:36:50.460
 a singular

00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:51.519
 pastor in a church.

00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:54.000
 It's also true

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.819
 that there's

00:36:54.819 --> 00:36:55.759
 no example

00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:57.319
 of a singular

00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.480
 pastor in the

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:58.980
 New Testament

00:36:58.980 --> 00:36:59.379
 either.

00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:01.699
 The New Testament

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.619
 references to

00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.339
 church leadership

00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:04.319
 are almost

00:37:04.319 --> 00:37:05.419
 exclusively

00:37:05.419 --> 00:37:06.719
 plural.

00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:09.119
 The fact

00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:09.619
 is that the

00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.139
 Bible just

00:37:10.139 --> 00:37:10.659
 doesn't know

00:37:10.659 --> 00:37:11.159
 a form of

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.559
 a church

00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:12.039
 leadership

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:13.239
 that doesn't

00:37:13.239 --> 00:37:14.579
 exist in

00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.359
 some type

00:37:15.359 --> 00:37:16.460
 of plurality

00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.339
 multiple

00:37:17.339 --> 00:37:17.919
 leadership.

00:37:18.859 --> 00:37:20.399
 Now let's

00:37:20.399 --> 00:37:20.940
 address the

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.599
 elephant in the

00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:22.199
 room on that.

00:37:23.419 --> 00:37:23.960
 That doesn't

00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:24.480
 mean our church

00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.159
 is in sin.

00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:26.000
 I truly believe

00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:26.319
 that.

00:37:26.879 --> 00:37:27.440
 There are unique

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:28.399
 settings in church

00:37:28.399 --> 00:37:29.139
 planning where

00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:30.579
 it takes time

00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:32.359
 to recognize

00:37:32.359 --> 00:37:33.679
 the people that

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.399
 God is raising

00:37:34.399 --> 00:37:35.199
 up and training

00:37:35.199 --> 00:37:36.059
 and fashioning

00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.919
 into this.

00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.539
 I don't think

00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.119
 we're in sin

00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:39.019
 but it does

00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:39.920
 mean that we

00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:40.500
 need to be

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:42.139
 consciously moving

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:44.440
 toward multiple

00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:44.860
 leadership.

00:37:45.700 --> 00:37:46.559
 We need to be

00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.360
 thinking about it.

00:37:47.840 --> 00:37:48.800
 I hope you pray

00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:49.340
 about it.

00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:51.320
 That you pray for

00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:52.200
 God to raise up

00:37:52.200 --> 00:37:52.920
 men in our church

00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.579
 that will come

00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:54.680
 alongside us and

00:37:54.680 --> 00:37:55.440
 help serve the

00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.099
 church and lead

00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:56.539
 it well.

00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:58.680
 Let me give you

00:37:58.680 --> 00:37:59.220
 a few reasons

00:37:59.220 --> 00:37:59.659
 why.

00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:02.659
 Plurality guards

00:38:02.659 --> 00:38:04.780
 against pride and

00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.740
 an abuse of power.

00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:08.139
 guards against pride

00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.439
 which we are all

00:38:09.439 --> 00:38:11.539
 prone to and the

00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.399
 abuse of power

00:38:12.399 --> 00:38:14.039
 which we are all

00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:15.719
 also prone to.

00:38:17.339 --> 00:38:18.679
 John Murray said

00:38:18.679 --> 00:38:18.939
 this,

00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.419
 Plurality is a

00:38:20.419 --> 00:38:21.759
 safeguard against

00:38:21.759 --> 00:38:22.479
 the arrogance

00:38:22.479 --> 00:38:25.599
 and tyranny to

00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.659
 which man has the

00:38:26.659 --> 00:38:27.699
 most characteristic

00:38:27.699 --> 00:38:28.659
 proclivity.

00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:30.299
 Now let me

00:38:30.299 --> 00:38:31.079
 interpret that with

00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:31.779
 Alistair Begg's

00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:32.000
 words.

00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:34.099
 The New Testament

00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:35.360
 provides all the

00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.639
 safeguards necessary

00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:38.179
 to prevent the

00:38:38.179 --> 00:38:39.199
 kind of tyranny

00:38:39.199 --> 00:38:40.400
 that is easily

00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:41.420
 exercised in a

00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:42.139
 local church

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:43.679
 where one man

00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:45.079
 with a fat head

00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:46.440
 and a big mouth

00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.860
 runs the operation.

00:38:49.139 --> 00:38:50.340
 That was a

00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:54.679
 less special way

00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:55.699
 to say what John

00:38:55.699 --> 00:38:56.340
 Murray said.

00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.480
 And it's true,

00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:57.780
 isn't it?

00:38:57.800 --> 00:38:58.500
 We know this.

00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.219
 We've experienced

00:38:59.219 --> 00:39:00.260
 these things before

00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:02.900
 where a godly man

00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:04.420
 is rightly

00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:05.760
 exercising leadership

00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:06.480
 in the church

00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:07.460
 but because there

00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:07.920
 aren't the right

00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:09.139
 safeguards that God

00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:09.719
 has provided

00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:10.820
 around him

00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:12.239
 over time

00:39:12.239 --> 00:39:13.800
 through temptation

00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:15.300
 and pride

00:39:15.300 --> 00:39:16.519
 he can get a

00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:17.280
 fat head

00:39:17.280 --> 00:39:18.500
 and a big mouth

00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.139
 and think he's

00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:20.039
 responsible to run

00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:20.880
 everybody's life

00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.659
 and what he says

00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:22.019
 goes.

00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:24.780
 And that's not

00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:25.400
 the picture that

00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:25.980
 we see in the

00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.579
 New Testament.

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.420
 I'm not saying

00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:30.219
 that our disposition

00:39:30.219 --> 00:39:31.199
 toward leaders

00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:32.119
 should be

00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.659
 suspicious.

00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:33.239
 In fact,

00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.139
 I don't think

00:39:34.139 --> 00:39:34.679
 it should be.

00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:36.039
 If you don't

00:39:36.039 --> 00:39:36.800
 trust someone,

00:39:37.179 --> 00:39:37.940
 don't appoint

00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:38.199
 them.

00:39:38.739 --> 00:39:39.400
 So we shouldn't

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.280
 constantly just

00:39:40.280 --> 00:39:41.780
 evaluate to see

00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:42.940
 what is this guy

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.619
 doing wrong

00:39:43.619 --> 00:39:44.340
 and how can we

00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:44.900
 fix him.

00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:45.960
 That's not the

00:39:45.960 --> 00:39:46.900
 disposition that we

00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.199
 have.

00:39:47.340 --> 00:39:48.320
 But we should care

00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:49.079
 to put the Bible

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:50.480
 safeguards in place

00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:51.760
 to prevent the

00:39:51.760 --> 00:39:52.500
 church from having

00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.320
 to deal with a

00:39:53.320 --> 00:39:54.159
 huge mess down

00:39:54.159 --> 00:39:54.619
 the road.

00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:56.460
 And plurality is

00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.199
 the first step

00:39:57.199 --> 00:39:57.820
 in this kind of

00:39:57.820 --> 00:39:58.320
 protection.

00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:00.820
 Number two,

00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:02.740
 plurality provides

00:40:02.740 --> 00:40:03.619
 consistent,

00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:05.360
 long-term

00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:06.360
 leadership.

00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:08.500
 Let me just ask

00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.780
 you a very

00:40:08.780 --> 00:40:09.619
 practical question.

00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:12.219
 What happens

00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:13.059
 to a church

00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:15.320
 that is served

00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:16.079
 by a singular

00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:16.599
 pastor

00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:18.480
 and then loses

00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:19.280
 that pastor?

00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:21.300
 What happens?

00:40:22.519 --> 00:40:23.179
 You've been in

00:40:23.179 --> 00:40:23.780
 churches like this.

00:40:23.820 --> 00:40:24.199
 You know what

00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:24.599
 happens.

00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:26.960
 Unfortunately,

00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.420
 the burden of

00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:29.440
 responsibility falls

00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:30.019
 on a group of

00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:30.860
 men who are

00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.420
 well-meaning

00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.079
 and love the

00:40:32.079 --> 00:40:32.740
 Lord and love

00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.360
 their church.

00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:34.980
 And now the

00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:36.920
 weight of

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:37.460
 choosing a

00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:38.119
 pastor falls

00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:39.679
 on them and

00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:40.059
 they don't have

00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:40.599
 pastoral

00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:41.340
 responsibilities

00:40:41.340 --> 00:40:42.000
 themselves.

00:40:43.300 --> 00:40:43.900
 But they're

00:40:43.900 --> 00:40:44.360
 supposed to

00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:44.880
 choose the next

00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:45.159
 guy.

00:40:45.260 --> 00:40:45.699
 So they do it

00:40:45.699 --> 00:40:46.159
 the best way

00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:46.659
 that they can

00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.079
 and the best

00:40:47.079 --> 00:40:47.480
 way that they

00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:48.059
 can is with

00:40:48.059 --> 00:40:48.519
 the mindset

00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:49.400
 of the

00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:49.759
 business

00:40:49.759 --> 00:40:50.159
 framework

00:40:50.159 --> 00:40:50.559
 that they're

00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:50.960
 used to.

00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:52.400
 So they have

00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:52.699
 a search

00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:53.199
 committee and

00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:53.500
 they sit

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.019
 around a room

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.460
 and they ask

00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:54.960
 guys to come

00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:55.320
 in and they

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:55.719
 look at their

00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.360
 resumes and

00:40:56.360 --> 00:40:56.940
 they see,

00:40:57.119 --> 00:40:58.219
 does this guy

00:40:58.219 --> 00:40:59.500
 have some

00:40:59.500 --> 00:40:59.960
 skills?

00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:01.360
 Like, is he

00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:02.420
 capable of

00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.119
 doing things?

00:41:03.739 --> 00:41:04.079
 And let me

00:41:04.079 --> 00:41:04.699
 tell you something,

00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:06.340
 it's pretty easy

00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:07.079
 to convince somebody

00:41:07.079 --> 00:41:07.679
 that you got the

00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:08.179
 skills when you

00:41:08.179 --> 00:41:08.579
 don't have the

00:41:08.579 --> 00:41:08.840
 skills.

00:41:09.239 --> 00:41:09.759
 It's not that

00:41:09.759 --> 00:41:10.199
 hard to do.

00:41:11.199 --> 00:41:11.820
 Every preacher

00:41:11.820 --> 00:41:12.460
 has one good

00:41:12.460 --> 00:41:13.699
 sermon and if

00:41:13.699 --> 00:41:13.940
 you're going to

00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:14.519
 let him preach

00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:15.320
 on one Sunday,

00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:16.460
 he's going to

00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:17.000
 preach that one

00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:17.519
 good sermon,

00:41:17.659 --> 00:41:17.940
 isn't he,

00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:18.139
 Terry?

00:41:18.500 --> 00:41:18.760
 You know

00:41:18.760 --> 00:41:19.039
 what it's

00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:19.380
 like?

00:41:20.300 --> 00:41:20.920
 And then you're

00:41:20.920 --> 00:41:21.280
 going to invite

00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:21.679
 him to come

00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:21.940
 be your

00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:22.340
 pastor and

00:41:22.340 --> 00:41:22.500
 you're going

00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:22.800
 to realize

00:41:22.800 --> 00:41:23.380
 he only had

00:41:23.380 --> 00:41:23.740
 one good

00:41:23.740 --> 00:41:24.019
 sermon.

00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:26.000
 Well, what

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:26.380
 happens to

00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:27.039
 the church?

00:41:29.700 --> 00:41:30.240
 They have to

00:41:30.240 --> 00:41:30.579
 go on an

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.539
 extensive church

00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:31.980
 for a new

00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.500
 pastor who

00:41:32.500 --> 00:41:32.900
 undoubtedly

00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:33.360
 will come

00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:33.800
 in with his

00:41:33.800 --> 00:41:34.800
 own agenda

00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:36.059
 that may or

00:41:36.059 --> 00:41:37.579
 may not be

00:41:37.579 --> 00:41:38.280
 consistent with

00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:38.760
 the church's

00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:39.179
 mind and

00:41:39.179 --> 00:41:39.440
 mission.

00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:45.320
 But if a

00:41:45.320 --> 00:41:46.200
 congregation is

00:41:46.200 --> 00:41:46.820
 led by a

00:41:46.820 --> 00:41:47.900
 healthy plurality,

00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:49.860
 it will

00:41:49.860 --> 00:41:50.760
 surely be

00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:51.740
 consistently

00:41:51.740 --> 00:41:53.099
 shepherded

00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:54.200
 for many,

00:41:54.300 --> 00:41:54.740
 many years.

00:41:56.039 --> 00:41:56.960
 If we have a

00:41:56.960 --> 00:41:57.679
 plurality of

00:41:57.679 --> 00:41:58.360
 faithful pastors

00:41:58.360 --> 00:41:58.980
 in our church

00:41:58.980 --> 00:41:59.780
 and something

00:41:59.780 --> 00:42:00.400
 happens to

00:42:00.400 --> 00:42:01.119
 Jared, who

00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:01.480
 do you turn

00:42:01.480 --> 00:42:01.700
 to?

00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:03.579
 The other

00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.079
 pastors in

00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:04.500
 the church.

00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:06.599
 The other

00:42:06.599 --> 00:42:07.019
 men who are

00:42:07.019 --> 00:42:07.920
 already shepherding

00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:08.139
 you.

00:42:09.659 --> 00:42:10.639
 Your spiritual

00:42:10.639 --> 00:42:11.380
 life doesn't

00:42:11.380 --> 00:42:12.179
 rely on me.

00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:13.519
 and if I

00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:13.960
 leave this

00:42:13.960 --> 00:42:15.319
 church to

00:42:15.319 --> 00:42:15.739
 where you're

00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:16.319
 dependent on

00:42:16.319 --> 00:42:18.139
 me instead

00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:18.619
 of the Lord

00:42:18.619 --> 00:42:19.759
 Jesus and

00:42:19.759 --> 00:42:20.319
 the gifts that

00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:20.960
 he gives in

00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:21.739
 multiple leadership,

00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:22.699
 then I have

00:42:22.699 --> 00:42:24.099
 failed in doing

00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:24.719
 what I should

00:42:24.719 --> 00:42:25.619
 do to lead

00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.039
 you according

00:42:26.039 --> 00:42:26.579
 to the Bible.

00:42:28.579 --> 00:42:29.139
 Something

00:42:29.139 --> 00:42:30.039
 happens to me

00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:30.960
 or if you

00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:32.039
 find me to

00:42:32.039 --> 00:42:32.839
 be in sin,

00:42:33.839 --> 00:42:34.759
 who's going to

00:42:34.759 --> 00:42:35.359
 point it out?

00:42:35.360 --> 00:42:38.380
 Who's going

00:42:38.380 --> 00:42:38.780
 to have that

00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.380
 kind of access

00:42:39.380 --> 00:42:40.240
 to my life

00:42:40.240 --> 00:42:41.039
 as a senior

00:42:41.039 --> 00:42:41.460
 pastor?

00:42:42.660 --> 00:42:43.059
 Well,

00:42:43.120 --> 00:42:43.400
 ultimately,

00:42:43.559 --> 00:42:43.800
 it's going to

00:42:43.800 --> 00:42:44.500
 be my wife

00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:46.280
 and it's going

00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:46.599
 to be the

00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.099
 elders of the

00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:47.460
 church.

00:42:49.059 --> 00:42:49.579
 And when

00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:50.240
 something happens

00:42:50.240 --> 00:42:50.640
 to me,

00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:51.480
 you just turn

00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:51.920
 to the other

00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:53.380
 elders who are

00:42:53.380 --> 00:42:53.820
 going to shepherd

00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:54.480
 you faithfully.

00:42:54.820 --> 00:42:55.599
 And it may be

00:42:55.599 --> 00:42:56.880
 that one of

00:42:56.880 --> 00:42:58.340
 them are now

00:42:58.340 --> 00:42:59.440
 suited to take

00:42:59.440 --> 00:42:59.940
 the place of

00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.620
 senior pastor.

00:43:01.680 --> 00:43:02.340
 But at the

00:43:02.340 --> 00:43:03.059
 very least,

00:43:03.420 --> 00:43:03.760
 they'll be

00:43:03.760 --> 00:43:05.240
 pastors who

00:43:05.239 --> 00:43:05.759
 can rightly

00:43:05.759 --> 00:43:06.819
 evaluate another

00:43:06.819 --> 00:43:07.899
 potential pastor.

00:43:09.259 --> 00:43:09.739
 Consistent,

00:43:10.399 --> 00:43:10.899
 long-term

00:43:10.899 --> 00:43:11.319
 leadership.

00:43:11.979 --> 00:43:12.379
 Number three,

00:43:12.819 --> 00:43:13.659
 plurality helps

00:43:13.659 --> 00:43:14.359
 to exercise

00:43:14.359 --> 00:43:14.959
 prudence.

00:43:15.519 --> 00:43:16.099
 We could point

00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:16.659
 out a hundred

00:43:16.659 --> 00:43:17.279
 different things

00:43:17.279 --> 00:43:17.879
 that it does

00:43:17.879 --> 00:43:19.259
 this with just

00:43:19.259 --> 00:43:19.939
 out of basic

00:43:19.939 --> 00:43:21.019
 wisdom that we

00:43:21.019 --> 00:43:21.579
 see all throughout

00:43:21.579 --> 00:43:22.019
 the scripture.

00:43:22.199 --> 00:43:22.659
 We won't do

00:43:22.659 --> 00:43:23.299
 that this morning,

00:43:23.439 --> 00:43:25.259
 but let me

00:43:25.259 --> 00:43:25.739
 just say it

00:43:25.739 --> 00:43:26.099
 from this

00:43:26.099 --> 00:43:26.559
 perspective.

00:43:27.639 --> 00:43:28.319
 A plurality

00:43:28.319 --> 00:43:29.219
 of elders doesn't

00:43:29.219 --> 00:43:29.919
 mean that every

00:43:29.919 --> 00:43:30.639
 pastor is

00:43:30.639 --> 00:43:31.319
 vocational.

00:43:32.579 --> 00:43:33.279
 It doesn't

00:43:33.279 --> 00:43:33.779
 mean that every

00:43:33.779 --> 00:43:35.059
 pastor relates

00:43:35.059 --> 00:43:35.860
 relies on the

00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:36.259
 church to

00:43:36.259 --> 00:43:36.739
 provide their

00:43:36.739 --> 00:43:37.079
 living.

00:43:37.880 --> 00:43:38.380
 In fact,

00:43:38.940 --> 00:43:39.920
 I think it's

00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:40.380
 actually very

00:43:40.380 --> 00:43:42.299
 prudent to

00:43:42.299 --> 00:43:43.119
 have multiple

00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:44.299
 lay elders,

00:43:44.420 --> 00:43:44.779
 what we would

00:43:44.779 --> 00:43:45.500
 call lay elders,

00:43:46.219 --> 00:43:47.199
 whose leadership

00:43:47.199 --> 00:43:49.320
 and judgment

00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:50.199
 isn't

00:43:50.199 --> 00:43:51.840
 potentially clouded

00:43:51.840 --> 00:43:53.420
 by the fact

00:43:53.420 --> 00:43:54.659
 that their

00:43:54.659 --> 00:43:55.199
 living is

00:43:55.199 --> 00:43:56.159
 directly tied to

00:43:56.159 --> 00:43:56.739
 the people that

00:43:56.739 --> 00:43:57.139
 they lead.

00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:59.079
 Again,

00:43:59.259 --> 00:43:59.719
 that doesn't

00:43:59.719 --> 00:44:00.299
 mean that we

00:44:00.299 --> 00:44:01.000
 are to approach

00:44:01.000 --> 00:44:01.699
 our pastors with

00:44:01.699 --> 00:44:02.119
 suspicion.

00:44:02.279 --> 00:44:02.659
 I hope you're

00:44:02.659 --> 00:44:03.480
 not suspicious of

00:44:03.480 --> 00:44:03.880
 me in the

00:44:03.880 --> 00:44:04.460
 hope I'm

00:44:04.460 --> 00:44:05.119
 accountable to

00:44:05.119 --> 00:44:05.659
 you in a

00:44:05.659 --> 00:44:06.320
 faithful way

00:44:06.320 --> 00:44:07.440
 and in a

00:44:07.440 --> 00:44:08.159
 righteous way.

00:44:09.780 --> 00:44:10.360
 But when

00:44:10.360 --> 00:44:10.719
 there's other

00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:11.240
 men sitting

00:44:11.240 --> 00:44:11.820
 around me and

00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:12.199
 we're making

00:44:12.199 --> 00:44:12.840
 real decisions

00:44:12.840 --> 00:44:13.280
 about the

00:44:13.280 --> 00:44:13.699
 church that

00:44:13.699 --> 00:44:14.940
 maybe have

00:44:14.940 --> 00:44:15.659
 strong opinions

00:44:15.659 --> 00:44:16.159
 on different

00:44:16.159 --> 00:44:16.699
 sides of the

00:44:16.699 --> 00:44:17.240
 aisle in our

00:44:17.240 --> 00:44:17.599
 church,

00:44:18.159 --> 00:44:19.659
 our church

00:44:19.659 --> 00:44:20.320
 will be helped

00:44:20.320 --> 00:44:21.480
 when I'm not

00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:21.940
 the only one

00:44:21.940 --> 00:44:22.400
 making that

00:44:22.400 --> 00:44:22.760
 decision.

00:44:23.860 --> 00:44:24.539
 Our church

00:44:24.539 --> 00:44:25.240
 will be helped

00:44:25.240 --> 00:44:26.559
 to have men

00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:27.099
 who won't be

00:44:27.099 --> 00:44:27.760
 tempted by the

00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:29.800
 fact that if

00:44:29.800 --> 00:44:30.440
 the good givers

00:44:30.440 --> 00:44:31.099
 in the church

00:44:31.099 --> 00:44:31.940
 don't like

00:44:31.940 --> 00:44:32.639
 what I say,

00:44:33.639 --> 00:44:35.740
 there goes my

00:44:35.740 --> 00:44:36.340
 paycheck for

00:44:36.340 --> 00:44:36.780
 the month or

00:44:36.780 --> 00:44:37.240
 whatever it is.

00:44:37.300 --> 00:44:37.519
 You know what I

00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:37.659
 mean?

00:44:38.000 --> 00:44:38.480
 There's just some

00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:39.240
 prudence in that.

00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:40.300
 There's a lot of

00:44:40.300 --> 00:44:40.860
 different ways that

00:44:40.860 --> 00:44:41.320
 we could talk

00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:41.700
 about that.

00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:42.280
 That's a helpful

00:44:42.280 --> 00:44:42.880
 way, I think.

00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:43.720
 Fourthly and

00:44:43.720 --> 00:44:45.000
 finally, plurality

00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:46.099
 encourages what we

00:44:46.099 --> 00:44:47.039
 would call parity.

00:44:47.720 --> 00:44:48.119
 Parity.

00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:50.200
 Alexander Strzok said

00:44:50.200 --> 00:44:50.780
 that healthy

00:44:50.780 --> 00:44:51.940
 elderships involve

00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:54.019
 equality with

00:44:54.019 --> 00:44:54.659
 diversity.

00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:56.179
 Equality with

00:44:56.179 --> 00:44:57.059
 diversity among

00:44:57.059 --> 00:44:57.579
 its leadership.

00:44:58.099 --> 00:44:58.440
 And here's what

00:44:58.440 --> 00:44:58.900
 that means.

00:44:59.280 --> 00:45:00.000
 It doesn't

00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:01.940
 preclude the

00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:03.740
 need or role

00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:04.599
 of a senior

00:45:04.599 --> 00:45:05.280
 pastor or

00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:05.960
 someone that

00:45:05.960 --> 00:45:06.940
 is to be a

00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:07.420
 leader among

00:45:07.420 --> 00:45:08.400
 the leaders and

00:45:08.400 --> 00:45:09.960
 will carry the

00:45:09.960 --> 00:45:11.380
 load of the

00:45:11.380 --> 00:45:12.139
 regular preaching

00:45:12.139 --> 00:45:12.700
 in the church.

00:45:12.780 --> 00:45:13.059
 It doesn't

00:45:13.059 --> 00:45:13.860
 preclude that.

00:45:15.079 --> 00:45:16.220
 But a plurality

00:45:16.220 --> 00:45:17.039
 of elders does

00:45:17.039 --> 00:45:18.320
 allow for

00:45:18.320 --> 00:45:19.360
 differing gifts

00:45:19.360 --> 00:45:20.840
 and experiences

00:45:20.840 --> 00:45:22.519
 to be fruitfully

00:45:22.519 --> 00:45:23.480
 used by God

00:45:23.480 --> 00:45:23.900
 for the good

00:45:23.900 --> 00:45:24.440
 of his church.

00:45:26.200 --> 00:45:27.340
 My gift may

00:45:27.340 --> 00:45:28.260
 have to do

00:45:28.260 --> 00:45:28.720
 with preaching

00:45:28.720 --> 00:45:29.180
 a sermon

00:45:29.180 --> 00:45:29.800
 on a Sunday.

00:45:30.320 --> 00:45:30.760
 But there will

00:45:30.760 --> 00:45:31.260
 be other men

00:45:31.260 --> 00:45:31.900
 in our church

00:45:31.900 --> 00:45:32.660
 who are gifted

00:45:32.660 --> 00:45:33.160
 in ways that

00:45:33.160 --> 00:45:33.800
 I am not.

00:45:35.240 --> 00:45:36.080
 They may have

00:45:36.080 --> 00:45:36.820
 a unique

00:45:36.820 --> 00:45:39.060
 sense of

00:45:39.060 --> 00:45:40.140
 compassion

00:45:40.140 --> 00:45:41.400
 and sympathy

00:45:41.400 --> 00:45:41.960
 and they'll be

00:45:41.960 --> 00:45:42.920
 able to shepherd

00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:43.560
 our church

00:45:43.560 --> 00:45:44.180
 in the role

00:45:44.180 --> 00:45:44.960
 and the function

00:45:44.960 --> 00:45:45.720
 of care

00:45:45.720 --> 00:45:47.100
 in a way that

00:45:47.100 --> 00:45:48.140
 I'm not as good

00:45:48.140 --> 00:45:48.600
 at doing.

00:45:49.220 --> 00:45:49.780
 Whatever it may

00:45:49.780 --> 00:45:50.120
 be.

00:45:51.360 --> 00:45:51.800
 Parity.

00:45:52.500 --> 00:45:52.940
 Equality.

00:45:53.880 --> 00:45:54.500
 Not hierarchy.

00:45:54.640 --> 00:45:55.260
 Not inferior

00:45:55.260 --> 00:45:57.160
 elders and superior

00:45:57.160 --> 00:45:57.400
 elders.

00:45:57.520 --> 00:45:58.120
 Not that at all.

00:45:58.460 --> 00:45:59.020
 Diversity.

00:45:59.920 --> 00:46:00.680
 Differing gifts

00:46:00.680 --> 00:46:01.800
 all fulfilling

00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:02.500
 the same role.

00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:03.880
 So a healthy

00:46:03.880 --> 00:46:04.600
 plurality then

00:46:04.600 --> 00:46:05.180
 is not only good

00:46:05.180 --> 00:46:05.720
 for the church.

00:46:05.880 --> 00:46:06.600
 It's good for

00:46:06.600 --> 00:46:07.040
 the elders.

00:46:08.720 --> 00:46:09.800
 It provides

00:46:09.800 --> 00:46:10.580
 camaraderie.

00:46:11.260 --> 00:46:12.820
 Unity of purpose.

00:46:13.820 --> 00:46:14.820
 It will help

00:46:14.820 --> 00:46:16.300
 avoid decision

00:46:16.300 --> 00:46:17.240
 fatigue for a

00:46:17.240 --> 00:46:18.000
 senior pastor.

00:46:19.000 --> 00:46:20.200
 It protects

00:46:20.200 --> 00:46:21.660
 any one leader

00:46:21.660 --> 00:46:22.640
 from unnecessary

00:46:22.640 --> 00:46:23.620
 or unhelpful

00:46:23.620 --> 00:46:24.360
 accusations.

00:46:24.360 --> 00:46:24.480
 Christians.

00:46:26.039 --> 00:46:26.880
 I believe it's

00:46:26.880 --> 00:46:27.440
 God's plan

00:46:27.440 --> 00:46:28.280
 for his church

00:46:28.280 --> 00:46:29.360
 and that in

00:46:29.360 --> 00:46:30.340
 itself is enough

00:46:30.340 --> 00:46:31.120
 for us to care

00:46:31.120 --> 00:46:31.599
 about it.

00:46:32.940 --> 00:46:33.720
 And I think

00:46:33.720 --> 00:46:34.620
 there's hints

00:46:34.620 --> 00:46:35.000
 of it

00:46:35.000 --> 00:46:36.260
 for sure

00:46:36.260 --> 00:46:37.620
 in verse 5.

00:46:38.240 --> 00:46:38.599
 And we could

00:46:38.599 --> 00:46:39.039
 go to a lot

00:46:39.039 --> 00:46:39.480
 of places

00:46:39.480 --> 00:46:40.000
 in the New

00:46:40.000 --> 00:46:40.700
 Testament to see

00:46:40.700 --> 00:46:41.320
 that fleshed out.

00:46:41.539 --> 00:46:41.860
 Let me just

00:46:41.860 --> 00:46:42.320
 bring it to a

00:46:42.320 --> 00:46:42.960
 close this way.

00:46:45.039 --> 00:46:45.740
 When it comes

00:46:45.740 --> 00:46:46.260
 to the issue

00:46:46.260 --> 00:46:46.640
 of church

00:46:46.640 --> 00:46:47.099
 leadership,

00:46:48.099 --> 00:46:49.280
 remember the

00:46:49.280 --> 00:46:50.400
 structure itself

00:46:50.400 --> 00:46:51.360
 isn't the goal.

00:46:52.780 --> 00:46:53.380
 The structure

00:46:53.380 --> 00:46:53.840
 itself isn't

00:46:53.840 --> 00:46:54.180
 the goal.

00:46:54.920 --> 00:46:55.680
 Remember Titus'

00:46:55.800 --> 00:46:56.840
 primary task

00:46:56.840 --> 00:46:57.780
 is to make sure

00:46:57.780 --> 00:46:58.360
 that the churches

00:46:58.360 --> 00:46:59.059
 are faithful

00:46:59.059 --> 00:46:59.700
 to the gospel,

00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:00.460
 that they're

00:47:00.460 --> 00:47:01.099
 committed to

00:47:01.099 --> 00:47:01.840
 sound doctrine,

00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:02.539
 that they're

00:47:02.539 --> 00:47:03.220
 living godly

00:47:03.220 --> 00:47:04.400
 lives that show

00:47:04.400 --> 00:47:04.980
 the glory of

00:47:04.980 --> 00:47:05.380
 God.

00:47:06.700 --> 00:47:07.440
 That's the

00:47:07.440 --> 00:47:08.400
 greater end

00:47:08.400 --> 00:47:09.260
 to which

00:47:09.260 --> 00:47:10.280
 the lesser

00:47:10.280 --> 00:47:12.119
 goal of

00:47:12.119 --> 00:47:12.860
 plurality of

00:47:12.860 --> 00:47:13.519
 eldership

00:47:13.519 --> 00:47:15.019
 actually achieves.

00:47:15.680 --> 00:47:16.460
 So that's what

00:47:16.460 --> 00:47:17.320
 we're looking for.

00:47:17.680 --> 00:47:18.180
 Without faithful

00:47:18.180 --> 00:47:18.920
 elders, our church

00:47:18.920 --> 00:47:19.480
 will eventually

00:47:19.480 --> 00:47:20.280
 fall into

00:47:20.280 --> 00:47:21.260
 dysfunction,

00:47:21.760 --> 00:47:22.200
 it'll fall

00:47:22.200 --> 00:47:22.900
 into error,

00:47:23.060 --> 00:47:23.400
 it'll be

00:47:23.400 --> 00:47:24.060
 subject to it

00:47:24.060 --> 00:47:24.560
 at least.

00:47:25.500 --> 00:47:25.960
 Let me give

00:47:25.960 --> 00:47:26.820
 two specific

00:47:26.820 --> 00:47:27.700
 applications as

00:47:27.700 --> 00:47:28.200
 we finish.

00:47:28.940 --> 00:47:30.700
 One, the

00:47:30.700 --> 00:47:31.700
 congregation is

00:47:31.700 --> 00:47:33.019
 at least in

00:47:33.019 --> 00:47:34.560
 part responsible

00:47:34.560 --> 00:47:35.220
 for this.

00:47:37.120 --> 00:47:38.940
 In 2 Timothy

00:47:38.940 --> 00:47:40.040
 chapter 4 or

00:47:40.040 --> 00:47:40.860
 chapter 3,

00:47:41.900 --> 00:47:42.660
 Paul tells

00:47:42.660 --> 00:47:43.820
 Timothy that

00:47:43.820 --> 00:47:44.560
 eventually there's

00:47:44.560 --> 00:47:45.100
 going to come,

00:47:45.900 --> 00:47:46.580
 there's going to

00:47:46.580 --> 00:47:47.300
 be congregations

00:47:47.300 --> 00:47:47.700
 with itching

00:47:47.700 --> 00:47:49.560
 ears and they're

00:47:49.560 --> 00:47:50.080
 going to heap

00:47:50.079 --> 00:47:50.679
 to themselves

00:47:50.679 --> 00:47:52.099
 teachers who

00:47:52.099 --> 00:47:52.639
 will tell them

00:47:52.639 --> 00:47:53.159
 whatever it is

00:47:53.159 --> 00:47:53.599
 that they want

00:47:53.599 --> 00:47:53.980
 to hear.

00:47:55.480 --> 00:47:56.739
 Meaning that

00:47:56.739 --> 00:47:57.539
 the congregation

00:47:57.539 --> 00:47:58.420
 bears some

00:47:58.420 --> 00:47:59.619
 responsibility in

00:47:59.619 --> 00:48:00.719
 this, at least

00:48:00.719 --> 00:48:01.319
 in part.

00:48:02.500 --> 00:48:03.199
 You're responsible

00:48:03.199 --> 00:48:03.699
 for your

00:48:03.699 --> 00:48:04.079
 leadership.

00:48:06.139 --> 00:48:06.940
 And what we

00:48:06.940 --> 00:48:07.559
 need to do as a

00:48:07.559 --> 00:48:08.619
 church is care

00:48:08.619 --> 00:48:09.599
 deeply about this.

00:48:10.000 --> 00:48:10.759
 I know for most

00:48:10.759 --> 00:48:11.500
 people, talking

00:48:11.500 --> 00:48:12.039
 about church

00:48:12.039 --> 00:48:13.380
 polity will send

00:48:13.380 --> 00:48:14.039
 you into the

00:48:14.039 --> 00:48:15.059
 deeper stages

00:48:15.059 --> 00:48:18.239
 of sleep for

00:48:18.239 --> 00:48:18.779
 sure in your

00:48:18.779 --> 00:48:19.340
 REM cycle.

00:48:20.460 --> 00:48:21.000
 But it's at

00:48:21.000 --> 00:48:21.579
 least something

00:48:21.579 --> 00:48:22.019
 that you need

00:48:22.019 --> 00:48:22.739
 to care about

00:48:22.739 --> 00:48:24.759
 because you

00:48:24.759 --> 00:48:25.059
 love your

00:48:25.059 --> 00:48:25.500
 church.

00:48:26.940 --> 00:48:27.500
 So as a

00:48:27.500 --> 00:48:28.079
 congregation we

00:48:28.079 --> 00:48:28.480
 need to care

00:48:28.480 --> 00:48:29.420
 about it and to

00:48:29.420 --> 00:48:29.960
 pray about it, we

00:48:29.960 --> 00:48:30.380
 need to think

00:48:30.380 --> 00:48:30.739
 about it.

00:48:30.960 --> 00:48:31.699
 But let me give

00:48:31.699 --> 00:48:32.360
 you this final

00:48:32.360 --> 00:48:32.900
 application.

00:48:34.340 --> 00:48:35.219
 Paul said that

00:48:35.219 --> 00:48:36.199
 those who desire

00:48:36.199 --> 00:48:37.139
 to shepherd a

00:48:37.139 --> 00:48:38.860
 church desire a

00:48:38.860 --> 00:48:39.420
 noble thing.

00:48:39.420 --> 00:48:42.579
 and we need

00:48:42.579 --> 00:48:44.360
 men who will

00:48:44.360 --> 00:48:45.980
 desire the

00:48:45.980 --> 00:48:46.300
 work.

00:48:47.559 --> 00:48:48.519
 Who will desire

00:48:48.519 --> 00:48:48.840
 the work.

00:48:48.940 --> 00:48:49.519
 Now understand

00:48:49.519 --> 00:48:50.659
 that the Lord

00:48:50.659 --> 00:48:51.380
 does this,

00:48:51.579 --> 00:48:52.260
 understand that.

00:48:54.059 --> 00:48:54.800
 But we need

00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:55.300
 men who will

00:48:55.300 --> 00:48:56.659
 desire to love

00:48:56.659 --> 00:48:57.079
 and to lead

00:48:57.079 --> 00:48:57.619
 his church.

00:48:59.059 --> 00:48:59.599
 Doesn't

00:48:59.599 --> 00:49:00.139
 automatically

00:49:00.139 --> 00:49:01.079
 qualify a man

00:49:01.079 --> 00:49:02.119
 to lead, but

00:49:02.119 --> 00:49:02.960
 no man will be

00:49:02.960 --> 00:49:03.680
 willing or able

00:49:03.680 --> 00:49:04.360
 to shepherd a

00:49:04.360 --> 00:49:05.599
 church without a

00:49:05.599 --> 00:49:06.460
 God-given desire

00:49:06.460 --> 00:49:07.139
 to do so.

00:49:09.420 --> 00:49:09.800
 And when's the

00:49:09.800 --> 00:49:10.579
 last time that

00:49:10.579 --> 00:49:11.900
 in your time with

00:49:11.900 --> 00:49:12.360
 the Lord you

00:49:12.360 --> 00:49:12.900
 prayed and you

00:49:12.900 --> 00:49:14.039
 said, Lord, if

00:49:14.039 --> 00:49:14.680
 you were to ever

00:49:14.680 --> 00:49:15.480
 want me to serve

00:49:15.480 --> 00:49:16.159
 in this way, I

00:49:16.159 --> 00:49:16.619
 would be willing

00:49:16.619 --> 00:49:17.340
 to do it because

00:49:17.340 --> 00:49:18.039
 I love you and I

00:49:18.039 --> 00:49:18.659
 love your church.

00:49:21.980 --> 00:49:22.880
 Can I also say

00:49:22.880 --> 00:49:23.360
 that we need

00:49:23.360 --> 00:49:25.519
 wives who will

00:49:25.519 --> 00:49:26.559
 encourage this in

00:49:26.559 --> 00:49:27.079
 their husbands?

00:49:29.220 --> 00:49:30.099
 If not for any

00:49:30.099 --> 00:49:31.820
 other thing, to

00:49:31.820 --> 00:49:32.200
 look at the

00:49:32.200 --> 00:49:33.340
 qualifications of a

00:49:33.340 --> 00:49:34.940
 godly man, Titus

00:49:34.940 --> 00:49:36.159
 1 and 1 Timothy

00:49:36.159 --> 00:49:37.780
 3, and say, I

00:49:37.780 --> 00:49:38.280
 want you to be

00:49:38.280 --> 00:49:38.920
 that man in our

00:49:38.920 --> 00:49:39.180
 home.

00:49:39.420 --> 00:49:41.260
 And if the

00:49:41.260 --> 00:49:42.220
 Lord uses it to

00:49:42.220 --> 00:49:42.700
 put you in a

00:49:42.700 --> 00:49:43.639
 place of leadership

00:49:43.639 --> 00:49:44.460
 in our church, I'm

00:49:44.460 --> 00:49:44.960
 not going to stand

00:49:44.960 --> 00:49:45.440
 in the way of

00:49:45.440 --> 00:49:45.680
 that.

00:49:46.400 --> 00:49:47.019
 And I'm going to

00:49:47.019 --> 00:49:47.700
 encourage you in

00:49:47.700 --> 00:49:47.940
 that.

00:49:48.579 --> 00:49:48.940
 And I'm going to

00:49:48.940 --> 00:49:49.500
 help you in

00:49:49.500 --> 00:49:49.760
 that.

00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:52.039
 A wife won't

00:49:52.039 --> 00:49:52.519
 make your

00:49:52.519 --> 00:49:54.000
 ministry, but a

00:49:54.000 --> 00:49:54.860
 wife can certainly

00:49:54.860 --> 00:49:55.920
 break it.

00:49:57.400 --> 00:49:58.240
 And maybe some

00:49:58.240 --> 00:49:58.880
 of you as wives

00:49:58.880 --> 00:49:59.440
 would pray, you

00:49:59.440 --> 00:50:01.300
 know, if the

00:50:01.300 --> 00:50:01.900
 Lord were to ever

00:50:01.900 --> 00:50:02.559
 do this in my

00:50:02.559 --> 00:50:03.200
 husband's life, I

00:50:03.200 --> 00:50:03.760
 just want to be

00:50:03.760 --> 00:50:04.639
 pliable to the

00:50:04.639 --> 00:50:05.240
 Lord's will.

00:50:06.440 --> 00:50:06.980
 And I'm going to

00:50:06.980 --> 00:50:07.659
 support it and

00:50:07.659 --> 00:50:08.039
 help.

00:50:08.720 --> 00:50:09.200
 Courage and

00:50:09.199 --> 00:50:09.739
 whatever way I

00:50:09.739 --> 00:50:10.000
 can.

00:50:11.399 --> 00:50:12.079
 And maybe we

00:50:12.079 --> 00:50:12.699
 can all pray for

00:50:12.699 --> 00:50:14.359
 one another to

00:50:14.359 --> 00:50:14.759
 that end.

00:50:14.760 --> 00:50:15.280
 take care for