The King's Church in Ilford
The King's Church –24th February 2008
Respect Your Elders
1 Thessalonians 5
12We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
In this passage Paul is giving instruction as to what our attitude should be towards particular people in the Church. He speaks of those who work among them and have authority over them and admonish (urge, advise, warn) them. This description fits church leaders, whom the Bible refers to as elders or overseers.
Introducing our elders – 'Meet the elders' from TKC's website: Robin Hawkins (senior elder), Ben Walker and David Sansum. DSS – My photo urgently needs updating…
Before we look at how we should regard elders so highly, it seems appropriate to look at why. What kind of person is an elder? What are their responsibilities?
Character first – How does an elder behave?
What kind of man should an elder be?
The qualifications for elders / overseers are listed in Titus 1: 5-9 and 1 Timothy 3: 1-7.
Paul teaches that elders should be appointed in every town and that anyone who aspires to eldership desires a good thing.
An elder must be:
· The husband of one wife
· Having children who are godly, believing, submissive and disciplined (if a person cannot lead his own family in a godly way, how can he lead God's family effectively?)…this seems to refer to grown up children.
· Above reproach (people would not easily find fault). Being well thought of by outsiders
· Not arrogant, but humble (and not a recent convert)
· Not quick tempered, but patient
· Not a drunkard, but sober minded
· Not violent, but gentle
· Not greedy for financial gain, but content
· Hospitable (welcoming)
· Holding firm to the trustworthy word as taught (sound teaching)
So we see a very high standard is set. Who matches these criteria exactly? Jesus is the only perfect man to have ever lived. An elder is to show a high standard of godliness, but is not expected to be perfect. Even the apostle Paul spoke of how he had to be kept from arrogance (perhaps understandably in his case).
The first things we look for in elders is not success in ministry, or gifting, but character. Do they conduct their lives in a way that is pleasing before God? Are their relationships godly?
· Ephesians 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
· Ephesians 6: 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
· Ephesians 6: 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,
Going one step further: if an elder neglects his family responsibilities for the sake of his ministry, does he still qualify for eldership? As one church leader once said, 'if I lead thousands to the Lord, but my own children are lost, it would be an unmitigated disaster'. Bill Hybels (leader of Willow Creek) spoke of the toll that their very successful ministry took on family life, to the point that a number of their leaders' marriages broke down as they neglected family for ministry. Tope Koleoso (who leads the cluster of four churches of which we are a part) speaks of our priorities as being God – family – ministry. In this way we please Christ, set a godly example and work from a position of stability.
Ministry (Work) – What does an elder do?
1 Peter 5
1So 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; 3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
The responsibilities of elders include:
· Shepherding – Guiding, feeding and protecting (spiritually)
· Overseeing – Gladly and freely carrying authority, not abusing it for dishonest gain, showing gentleness, not being harsh.
· Setting and Example – Living a godly life for others to see and imitate.
· Teaching and Correcting: Titus 1:9, 1 Thes 5:12, Eph 4:11-16, 2 Tim 4:2 – Laying down sound doctrine (Biblical truth), correcting false teaching, and warning those who might go astray.
Elders have the very great privilege of being charged with the spiritual care of God's people. Like a shepherd we are to care for, instruct, protect, feed and guide those in our care. We (Robin, Ben and I) are in constant need of grace and wisdom in this and value your prayers ('for who can lead this great people of Yours?' 1 Kings 3:9).
We are responsible for laying down sound teaching and correcting those who stray from it. Our church is charismatic (this means 'gifted'), we know that we need power from the Holy Spirit, but the Word and the Spirit work together to achieve God's purposes. Without sound teaching many people, even whole churches have gone astray. We need to be wise about this. The Scriptures are for our good, but they can be 'distorted by the untaught and unstable' (2 Peter 3: 15-16).
Respect and value highly in love
So, how are we to regard elders?
If we highly respect and value our elders then we need to show cooperation, submission and love.
As God's people we have great things in common, but sometimes we will disagree. When we do there needs to be much grace and wisdom so that we can move together in the right course. I am sure that we can all think of instances where we have been able to overcome small differences in love.
The person who claims to submit to Christ should submit to the person who is in authority over them in His Church.
Not that elders should 'Lord it' over the members of the church. Elders urge, advise, warn and teach. That doesn't mean that elders will dictate every minute detail of the lives of church members. Although elders do carry authority in the church, and are charged with correcting those who go astray.
Elders are to carry out their responsibilities in love, with care, grace and patience. We are to respond with love and honour.
Do we have to obey our elders?
No and Yes…
There is always the option to disobey, but what is honouring to Christ? If elders have authority over us in the Church then how does it please God if we disregard their authority?
As it stands I have experienced a great deal of support and encouragement as an elder at TKC. We feel very much 'together on a mission'. We would like to thank you for your love and partnership in Christ.
Questions for application
· Read through the list of qualifications for elders. What are some of the reasons that this standard of lifestyle it is so important in our leaders?
· Read through the list of ministries that elders have responsibility for. Under what circumstances should we refer to an elder before making decisions in the church or in our personal lives?
· If you had a disagreement with an elder, how would you seek to resolve it?
· In what ways can we express honour and love for our elders?
1 Timothy 5
17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the
Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1