B1
God’s Undershepherds, His leaders
C1
Jesus is Supreme in the church: Ephesians 1:22-23
WEL He
has put everything under his feet and given him to be the head of
everything in the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him
who fills everything of everything.
C2
Jesus is the supreme teacher and leader: Matthew 23:8-12 WEL But
you are not to be addressed as Rabbi, because one is your Teacher,
the Messiah, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not address anyone as
your “Father” on this earth, because one is your Father, who is
in heaven. 10 “Also do not be addressed as “Teachers,” because
one is your Teacher, the Messiah. 11 “Instead he who is greatest
among you will be your servant. 12 “And whoever will exalt himself
will be humbled, but he who will be humble will be exalted.
C3
Jesus’s rules/commands are supreme: John 14:15 WEL If
you love me, obey my commandments.
C4
Jesus appoints the offices: Ephesians 4:11-12 WEL He
gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers, 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work
of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
C5
Jesus has plurality of elders in every church:
D1
Acts 14:23 WEL After
they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with
fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.
D2
Acts 20:17 WEL At
Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
B2
Pastors, Deacons, and Deaconesses
C1
Qualifications
D1
A true believer (this is different than claiming to be a believer,
for someone might be able to say or teach correct doctrine but their
life is not matching the New Testament character and life of a real
believer. For the characteristics of a true believer, please read 1
John).
D2
The following are what shows in a person’s life after salvation. I
count 18 in the list. Another person may count differently.
E1
First grouping is character traits. These are desire, blameless,
vigilant, self-controlled, good behavior, not quarrelsome, not
greedy, gentle, not contentious, not covetous.
E2
Second is marital status. He is to be a one-woman man. He does not
HAVE to be married, though.
E3
Third is abilities. He is to be hospitable, able to teach, and a good
manager at home.
E4
Fourth is addictions. He is not to be addicted to wine. He is also
not to be addicted to porn, gambling, drugs, sports, work, etc. It is
the addiction that is evil. Addictions affect decisions and judgment.
E5
Fifth is the length of time he has been a Christian.
E6
Sixth is standing in society. He has to have a good reputation in
society, with Christians, non-Christians, government, education, etc.
D3
Even though many might have these qualifications, if the calling of
God is present, the person will show pastor-like desires and actions.
D4
William
Barclay writes on the contrast between a faithful and unfaithful
shepherd:
But,
on the other hand, there was the unfaithful shepherd. The difference
was this. A real shepherd was born to his task. He was sent out with
the flock as soon as he was old enough to go; the sheep became his
friends and his companions; and it became second nature to think of
them before he thought of himself. But the false shepherd came into
the job, not as a calling, but as a means of making money. He was in
it simply and solely for the pay he could get. He might even be a man
who had taken to the hills because the town was too hot to hold him.
He had no sense of the height and the responsibility of his task; he
was only a hireling.
Wolves
were a threat to a flock. Jesus said of his disciples that he was
sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16);
Paul warned the elders of Ephesus that grievous wolves would come,
not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29). If these wolves attacked, the
hireling shepherd forgot everything but the saving of his own life
and ran away. Zechariah marks it as the characteristic of a false
shepherd that he made no attempt to gather together the scattered
sheep (Zechariah 11:16). Carlyle's father once took this imagery
caustically to his speech. In Ecclefechan they were having trouble
with their minister; and it was the worst of all kinds of such
trouble—it was about money. Carlyle's
father rose and said bitingly: "Give the hireling his wages and
let him go."
Jesus'
point is that the man who works only for reward thinks chiefly of the
money; the man who works for love thinks chiefly of the people he is
trying to serve. Jesus was the good shepherd who so loved his sheep
that for their safety he would risk, and one day give, his life.
C2
Responsibilities
D1
Preach the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 1:17
WEL For
Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, not with
wisdom in words lest the cross of Christ be ineffective.
D2
Read, exhort, and teach. The teaching would be teaching the Bible,
doctrine, apologetics,
and
how to live Christian life: 1 Timothy 4:13 WEL Until
I come apply yourself to reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to
teaching.
D3
Teach the doctrines of the faith: 1 Timothy 4:6 WEL If
you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of
Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and good teaching to
which you have carefully followed.
D4
Assist in the congregation’s direction in Christian life and
outreach: 1 Peter 5:2 WEL Feed
the flock of God, which is among you. Take the oversight voluntarily,
not by being forced, not for money's sake but with a willing heart.
D5
Be examples. We have to live the same life we teach others to do: 1
Peter 5:3 WEL Do
not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.
D6
Practice shepherd leadership. This is seen in the example and life of
the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many who say they provide this, but
by their life, words, and actions are controlling. The controlling
pastor is most likely a false convert to Christianity (Read 3 John
about Diotrephes). 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do
not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.
D7
Teach other qualified men: Acts 14:23 WEL After
they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with
fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.
D8
They need to use discernment: 2 John 1:10 WEL If
anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him
into your house, nor greet him.
C3
The qualifications for deacons and deaconesses are similar.
D1
Listed character traits: respectable, not deceitful, not addicted to
substances, and not greedy for money.
D2
Spiritual traits: to know and fully believe the doctrines of the
Christian faith in such a way to be consistent in their words and
lifestyle.
D3
Also, they need to be tested (examined, evaluated) regarding their
spiritual traits.
D4
A blessing from God for faithful service is boldness (to live and
preach the Gospel) and respect from others (reputation).
D5
The example is Stephen in Acts 6-7.
C4
Questions
D1
What are pastors, deacons, and deaconesses?
D2
What are the qualifications?
D3
What is the greatest qualification?
D4
How can we know if one is qualified?
