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A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership

ASPIRING TO THE. ASPIRING TO THE. ASPIRING TO THE. SHEPHERD'S WORK. SHEPHERD'S WORK. SHEPHERD'S WORK. A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership. The Prospective Shepherd

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A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership

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  1. ASPIRING TO THE ASPIRING TO THE ASPIRING TO THE SHEPHERD'S WORK SHEPHERD'S WORK SHEPHERD'S WORK A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership

  2. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His workÙ will he be able to do such a work?

  3. Work The Prospective Shepherd • We must not forget the admonition found early in 1 Tim 3:1 • He who “aspires” to be a shepherd desires a “good work” • Men who are shepherds are most likely the busiest disciples found in a local N.T. church

  4. Work The Prospective Shepherd • It is this aspect (his work) where those of us who have never served as an elder probably do not grasp just how weighty a task it is to shepherd the Lord’s N.T. church • Not said to discourage, but to give cause for thought & sincere appreciation for those who do serve as overseers 1 Thess 5:12-13

  5. Work The Prospective Shepherd • Most of what we discuss re: his work will be found or described in the passages that also list his qualifications 1 Tim 3 Titus 1 • Additional aspects will be discussed in other familiar N.T. texts

  6. Work The Prospective Shepherd • The work is described by the Holy Spirit’s use of 3 different N.T. Greek words, translated into 6 different English words • Each Greek word emphasizes a different aspect of this work

  7. Work The Prospective Shepherd • Presbuteros • “Elders” Titus 1:5 • “Presbytery” 1 Tim 4:14 • Episkopos • “Overseers” Acts 20:28 • “Bishops” Phil 1:1 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:7

  8. Work The Prospective Shepherd • Poimen • “Shepherd” Jn 10:2, 11-12, 14, 16 • Verb form in Acts 20:28 & 1 Pet 5:2 • “Pastors” Eph 4:11

  9. Work The Prospective Shepherd • Presbuteros (elders/presbytery) suggests men who are mature in age and in spiritual development • Episkopos (overseers/bishops) suggests men who have demonstrated the ability to rule

  10. Work The Prospective Shepherd • Poimen (shepherds/pastors) suggests men who understand the care and watchfulness to be given to the flock

  11. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot be a “novice” 1 Tim 3:6 • Other translations have “not a new convert” • This is not to malign new converts…everyone is at one time a “new convert” or a “spiritual baby” • Rather, it speaks to the seriousness of the work

  12. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot be a “novice” 1 Tim 3:6 • The shepherd must be a spiritually mature man • He has had the time to develop into a seasoned, spiritual man of God • There are just some things the “spiritually young” are not able to do

  13. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot be a “novice” 1 Tim 3:6 • The Holy Spirit also provides the reason why – • “Lest he become conceited (proud) and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil” • An unreferenced incident re: Satan’s condemnation • Pride always leads to destruction Prov 16:18

  14. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot be a “novice” 1 Tim 3:6 • The Holy Spirit also provides the reason why – • A novice would soon become “conceited” at having risen to such a position at a young age • However, he would be placed in situations he would not be able to handle, know what to do “Biting off more than you can chew!”

  15. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot be a “novice” 1 Tim 3:6 • The Holy Spirit also provides the reason why – • Just imagine how disastrous it would be to place a young, inexperienced man (both in life as well as in the faith) in the position to oversee the church, watch for souls

  16. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot be a “novice” 1 Tim 3:6 • We must not appoint men who will hopefully grow into the “work of the eldership” • Will elders still “grow?” YES2 Pet 3:18 • However, he must be immediately available and able to “…hit the ground running”

  17. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot act like a “lord” 1 Pet 5:3a • The rule in a local church is not dictatorial, imperial cp. Mt 28:18 • Elders do not have legislative authority • Elders govern, rule in matters of judgment • Christ has all authority in matters of doctrine

  18. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He cannot act like a “lord” 1 Pet 5:3a • Elders are… • …commended to God, word of His grace Acts 20:32 • …to exercise oversight according to the will of God 1 Pet 5:2 • …to hold fast to the faithful wordTitus 1:9

  19. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must “hold fast the word” Titus 1:9 • He has been taught…he is a student • Literally, this means “to keep one’s self directly opposite to any one (else); to hold to him firmly; to cleave” [Thayer]cp. Mt 6:24 Prov 3:13-18[Septuagint]

  20. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must “hold fast the word” Titus 1:9 • With such a disposition, he is demonstrating where his loyalty lies…with Christ, His word • He does so because “the word” is… • …“faithful” (true; that which can be relied upon)

  21. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must “hold fast the word” Titus 1:9 • With such a disposition, he is demonstrating where his loyalty lies…with Christ, His word • He does so because “the word” is… • …“sound doctrine” (healthy) cp. 2 Tim 2:14-18

  22. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must “hold fast the word” Titus 1:9 • This also helps stabilize elder/preacher relations • While the local preacher is a member of the church like any other disciple, there is an aspect to his work that no one controls…not even the eldership • In preaching, he is only amenable to God 2 Tim 4:2 • Not even elders can “chain” the word 2 Tim 2:9

  23. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must “hold fast the word” Titus 1:9 • This also helps stabilize elder/preacher relations • It may, at times, become necessary to rebuke an elder or an entire eldership 1 Tim 5:19-20 • A “faithful” shepherd will demand that only truth be taught because he “holds fast” to truth…he wants souls he oversees to likewise “hold fast” to truth

  24. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must “hold fast the word” Titus 1:9 • This attitude enables him to do the following works as a shepherd in the Lord’s church

  25. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must be a “apt” teacher 1 Tim 3:2 • Other translations have “able” teacher • Old joke or saying…“Some elders are apt to teach anything” [Too sad & true to be funny] • It literally means “one who is skillful in teaching”

  26. Work Same Word The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must be a “apt” teacher 1 Tim 3:2 • Primary reasons why he must possess this skill • Exhort believersTitus 1:9a • The sheep are always in need of encouraging words that bring comfort cp. 1 Thess 4:18 • It is only natural they look to their shepherds

  27. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must be a “apt” teacher 1 Tim 3:2 • Primary reasons why he must possess this skill • Convict or refute false teachersTitus 1:9b-11 • Those who rebel, deceive, are insubordinate will influence “whole houses” by their words • Elders must be ready to counter error with truth cp. Ezek 22:25-30

  28. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He must be a “apt” teacher 1 Tim 3:2 • He shows he is one who is “skilled in the word” • He has spent time in the Scripture, and is veryable to impart what it teaches to others…more than just “the basics” cp. Heb 5:12 – 6:3

  29. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He “feeds the flock” Acts 20:28 1 Pet 5:2 • Other translations have “shepherd” [verb] • He knows where the “good pasture land” is and leads his flock there for nourishment cp. Psa 23:1-2

  30. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He “watches” or “protects” the flock • “To watch; give strict attention; to be cautious; to take heed less through indolence (laziness) some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.”[Thayer]cp. Acts 20:29-31

  31. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He “watches” or “protects” the flock • “To be sleepless; to keep watch; to be awake, attentive, ready; to exercise constant vigilance over something.”[Thayer]cp. Heb 13:17

  32. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He “watches” or “protects” the flock • Great patience is necessary • Not dealing with inanimate objects, raw materials in a process, or facts & figures [secular concerns] • The shepherd deals with people…eternalsouls • The shepherd will act gently, yet with resolve

  33. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He “watches” or “protects” the flock • No doubt, the shepherd will at times suffer some “sleeplessness” cp. 2 Cor 11:27-28 • Especially when one or more of the sheep go astray • Yet, imagine the rejoicing when lost sheep that are loved are found cp. Lk 15:4-6

  34. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He leads by example 1 Pet 5:3b Heb 13:7 • Great spiritual leaders understand others look to them, imitate their behavior cp. 1 Cor 11:1 • Shepherds do not have a “cattle prod” and do not lead a local church like driving a herd from behind

  35. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He leads by example 1 Pet 5:3b Heb 13:7 • Great spiritual leaders understand others look to them, imitate their behavior cp. 1 Cor 11:1 • Shepherds have a “staff” and lead their flock from out in front • He leads his flock to paths he has himself trod

  36. Work The Prospective Shepherd • What is the “work” of the shepherd? • He leads by example 1 Pet 5:3b Heb 13:7 • Great spiritual leaders understand others look to them, imitate their behavior cp. 1 Cor 11:1 • The elder is an example of fatherhood, as a husband, a neighbor, a teacher, in recreation, in employment…most of all, as a disciple

  37. Point A Where You Are Now (Training to be an Elder) Point B Where You Want To Be (Serving as an Elder) Some Closing Comments… What do you need to do get from Point A to Point B?

  38. Some Closing Comments… • Our studies have been aimed at creating a “desire” within us to “aspire” to the shepherd’s work 1 Tim 3:1 • Like discipleship, it cannot be forced or coerced upon anyone • It must be this way cp. 1 Pet 5:2

  39. Some Closing Comments… • If the “hindrance” is me… • What if I am not in control of my temperament? • What if I have a problem with covetousness? • What if I am not blameless before others? • I need to examine myself in view of the required character and make adjustments

  40. Some Closing Comments… • If the “hindrance” is me… • What if I am not in control of my temperament? • What if I have a problem with covetousness? • What if I am not blameless before others? • Adjustments necessary to save my soul… not just allow me to serve as an elder!!

  41. Some Closing Comments… • If the “hindrance” is my wife… • What if my wife is not in subjection? • What about the “Consummate Husband?”

  42. “Consummate” Complete in every detail; perfect; of the highest degree. Webster

  43. Some Closing Comments… • If the “hindrance” is my wife… • What if my wife is not in subjection? • What about the “Consummate Husband?” • How would He improve His wife? Eph 5:25-29 • His wife is improved by His sacrificial leadership & love

  44. Some Closing Comments… • If the “hindrance” is my children… • What if my children are not obedient, unruly? • What about the “Consummate Father?” • How would He improve His children? Ex 4:21-22 Deut 8:2-20 Mt 6:25-33 7:7-11 • He provided, nurtured, taught, disciplined

  45. Some Closing Comments… • How can I be the shepherd God desires? • What about the “Consummate Shepherd?” • How does He lead? Jn 10:1-15 • He provides pasture, nourishment • He provides care, shelter, protection • He has an intimate relationship Ù“My voice” • He sacrifices for the sheep

  46. Some Closing Comments… • May each of us be able to truthfully say… “I don’t want the local church of the Lord where I worship to be ‘lacking’ because I did not prepare myself, did not ‘aspire’ to be a shepherd of God’s people.” “I plan to start preparing myself…NOW”

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