06-26-11 PM - How To Rule Like An Elder

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 HOW TO RULE LIKE AN ELDER

1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, (there are differing opinions on what this means) a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.  Can anyone fit into this tall order?
1. A LOOK AT PETER (VS.1)

A. I am an elder-
B. I am an eye-witness to the sufferings of Christ-
C. I witnessed his glory-

2. A LOOK AT ELDERS DUTIES (VSS.2-3)
“Feed the flock of God”

a. Lead willingly not by force:

1Cor. 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 2Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

John 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

1Thes. 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

b. Lead without personal gain as a priority.
- Nor as a profession
- Nor as a means for livelihood
- Nor as a means to serve humanity
- Nor because someone says you have a gift
- Nor because people say you would make a great minister

NEVER to be “the reason” for entering the ministry.

Phil. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

c. Lead without lording but by example.                                         

The King James says don’t Lord over God’s heritage. And the NIV says don’t lord over those entrusted to you.                                                     

Mk. 10:42-44 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

3. A LOOK AT THE REWARD (VS4)

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, “well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Rev. 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.