Transcript Appointing Leaders (Acts 14:21-28) Quick Review Ups and downs in Lystra: • Crippled man healed • Look it’s Zeus and Hermes! • “We’re just men.

Appointing Leaders
(Acts 14:21-28)
Quick Review
Ups and downs in Lystra:
• Crippled man healed
• Look it’s Zeus and Hermes!
• “We’re just men like you!”
• They had difficulty keeping the crowd from
•
•
sacrificing to them
Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and
won the crowd over
They stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city,
left him for dead
(Acts 14:21-28)
Strengthening disciples
1)
vs. 22 They encouraged them to
remain true to the faith. “We must
go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God.”
oThe word “many” (pollon) expresses
not merely quantity or number but
variety.
Strengthening disciples
1)
vs. 22 They encouraged them to
remain true to the faith. “We must
go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God.”
John 16:33 (NLT) “I have told you all this
so that you may have peace in me. Here
on earth you will have many trials and
sorrows. But take heart, because I have
overcome the world.”
Strengthening disciples
1)
vs. 22 They encouraged them to
remain true to the faith. “We must
go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) Dear friends, do not be
surprised at the painful trial you are
suffering, as though something strange
were happening to you.
Strengthening disciples
1)
vs. 22 They encouraged them to
remain true to the faith. “We must
go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God.”
James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my
brothers, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of
your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature
and complete, not lacking anything.
Strengthening disciples
2)
vs. 23 They appointed elders for
them in each church.
oThe appointing of leaders had a direct
correlation to strengthening the
disciples, getting through hardships,
and remaining true to the faith.
Strengthening disciples
2)
vs. 23 They appointed elders for
them in each church.
Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) Obey your leaders
and submit to them, for they keep
watch over your souls as those who will
give an account. Let them do this with
joy and not with grief, for this would be
unprofitable for you.
Biblical Functions of Elders
1 Peter 5:1-3 1 So I exhort the elders
among you, as a fellow elder and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well
as a partaker in the glory that is going to
be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God
that is among you, exercising oversight,
not under compulsion, but willingly, as
God would have you; not for shameful
gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over
those in your charge, but being examples
to the flock.
Biblical Functions of Elders
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule
well be considered worthy of double
honor, especially those who labor in
preaching and teaching.
oprotect the church from false teachers
(Acts 20:17, 28-31), contend for the
faith, refuting and rebuking false
teachers (Titus 1:9-16)
Biblical Functions of Elders
oexhort and admonish the saints in sound
doctrine; which combines
encouragement, comfort, persuasion,
counseling, teaching, rebuking, etc.
(1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 3:13-17; Titus 1:9)
opray for the sick (James 5:14)
ojudge doctrinal issues and behaviors
(Acts 15:1-22)
oChurch discipline
(Matt 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-13)
Specific Functions of Elders for
Church at Whistling Pines
o A desire and calling to shepherd the
congregation as a whole (may or may not
include the special ability to do so with
individuals as well)
o Be an example to the flock
 Strive to hit the mark in every respect of
Biblical elder qualifications
 Active member of a life group
 Faithfully tithe
o Serve in areas of strength and giftedness
 Oversee specific area of ministry and/or team
Specific Functions of Elders for
Church at Whistling Pines
o Spiritual oversight and governing authority:
 Consistent prayer for members, ministries, etc
 Be involved with judging doctrinal issues,
Church correction and discipline
 Provide protection
 Sharing in development of forward direction
for CWP
 Provide counsel in determining executive
decisions. Elders cannot be saddled with
making every decision or carrying out every
practical matter of the church [Acts 6:4]
Selection
oAn elder is selected by the other
serving elders as the candidate has
proven themselves to have the
character, maturity, and giftedness for
the role. This determination occurs
through observation of the individual
within the church as well as preparation
and training. We give a title to someone
who is already functioning and bearing
fruit in that given role.
Selection
oOrdination to Christian ministry is a
process of recognizing, examining, and
credentialing one whose life’s work is to
serve in vocational ministry.
oA designation is given to someone who
is already functioning and bearing fruit.
Commission
oHeaded to New Zealand June 17th
oYouth with a Mission Family Ministries
oLeading outreach teams to the South
Pacific Islands
oSpring 2015 traveling to work with
Jose & Ivannia Roman in China
Commission
oA commissioning gives our church the
opportunity to say a resounding "YES"
to the Elmatti’s commitment to bring
the gospel to a lost world.
oIt cements an accountability relationship
oIt gives church members a chance to
affirm not only their missionaries’ call,
but their commitment as senders to
pray for them and over them.