Sermon
The Genius of Presbyterian Church Government: Part 3
Publisher transcript
Transcript
-
Now, our Bible reading this morning is from 1st, Timothy
-
Chapter 3. And we're reading through versus
-
127. 1st Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 to 7.
-
Let's hear the word of God. Reading, of course, from the
-
authorized version. 1st Timothy 3 verse 1 to 7. this is a true
-
saying, If a mom desire, the office of a bishop he desireth a
-
good work. A bishop, then must be
-
blameless. The husband of one wife Vigilant
-
sober of good behavior. Given to hospitality.
-
Up to teach. Not given Duane no Striker.
-
Not greedy of filthy lucre. But patient.
-
Not a brawler, not Covetous one that ruleth well, his own house.
-
Having his children in subjection with all gravity for
-
if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take
-
care of the Church of God? Not a novice lest being lifted
-
up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
-
moreover he must have a good report of them which are worth,
-
I'd lest they fall into reproach and the snare of the devil now,
-
chapter 5. I want to read there. five,
-
versus 1st Peter chapter 5 would read from verse 1.
-
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 an
-
examples to the flock, and when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
-
ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth, not away a
-
measurement of the Lord will stamp with his own approval and
-
blessing, this reading of his own precious and infallible word
-
My tax today has really taken from 1st Timothy chapter 3
-
verses 1 through 2 Sava we could also think about Titus Chapter 1
-
verses 5 to 7 and First Peter chapter 5, verses 1 to 4.
-
You see my theme today although not the most thrilling of
-
subjects as I've said and prayer, it's an important
-
subject and my theme is this the office and the Of an elder.
-
Now, this is the third message and this series of messages,
-
pending our election, in the 8th of March, to do with the genius
-
of the Presbyterian form of church government.
-
You see when even children, young people hear the word
-
government. They think of somebody being in
-
charge. So if I was to ask the question,
-
well, who's in, charge of carried of FPC, you made all
-
look up in the pulpit and say oh the minister is Well, I'll tell
-
you, you're wrong, The Minister's not in charge of this
-
congregation. Now, of course he has been
-
gifted a charge He has taken a charge upon himself before God
-
to look after this congregation. But there's the world of
-
difference of thinking of one man being in charge You see The
-
Minister's not the boss of the church.
-
I say this respectfully is not the Pope in Roman Catholicism,
-
the pope as the top dog, he is the man in charge of all who are
-
found within the communion of Roman Catholicism in the
-
Anglican communion, if we asked who's in charge of the Anglican
-
Church, where the answer would be the Archbishop.
-
Justin Welby, not that he's doing a great job. but the
-
minister of say that's church or the pastor of the local Baptist
-
Church, He's not in charge and not sense.
-
And if he's not in charge, then you see you have a right to ask
-
well who he is. And here's the real answer, they
-
listen to me carefully, here's in charge of carried off, FPC,
-
and here's the answer. Jesus Christ, because Jesus
-
Christ. Exercises headship over his
-
church, he's the head of the church, which is the body and
-
I'm on their Christ and then submission to him.
-
The height is he exercised headship.
-
Here's the answer through church recognized spiritually, mature
-
Elders, man, who are see of by the grace of God, and man, who
-
are spiritually minded and spiritually gifted, and they on
-
their Christ, the Good Shepherd. Take charge of shepherding has
-
flock, you see in every local church, according to the New
-
Testament. It's made up of I read for
-
Olympians chapter 12, you Paul, and timotheus.
-
The Servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus,
-
which are at Philippi. With the Bishops and the
-
deacons, the church is made up of since those you've gathered
-
out of love for the Lord to worship Him and the Church, of
-
course, mates, not only as a seriously body but they meet
-
with the best ships and the elders, the word Bishop of the
-
Episcopal is, there's two aspects.
-
There's a teaching Elder and there's a ruling out of the word
-
bishop and pressed butter. Elder is used interchangeably in
-
the New Testament as a weird, a scene.
-
So you've got to think of a Congregation of cience and
-
they're there with the best ships, the elders, the teaching
-
out of the ruling Elder pound the deacons, and I want to make
-
it clear that no man has any right to form a different form
-
of government for the local church.
-
This is how Jesus Christ has constituted his church.
-
Now, let me say this. This this morning respectfully
-
I'm a free Presbyterian Pig by convection I believe in the
-
Presbyterian form of church government as the general rule
-
for church. Government has set forth in the
-
scriptures and in Acts chapter 15.
Acts 15 chapter mention
-
If you want to turn there this morning Acts chapter 15, we read
Acts 15 chapter mention
-
in verse 5, there's a problem in the church.
-
It says what? There Rose up certain of the
-
sect of the Pharisees was believe saying that it was
-
needful to circumcise them until command them to keep Moses law.
-
So here's a problem in the church, right?
-
And what was this problem? How to be sieved, how to be a
-
Christian? Judas was a spiritual problem
-
that arose in the Church of Jerusalem and this matter was
-
fundamental and to, the flock of God, and how did they resolve?
-
It acts 15 Verse 6 and the apostles and Elders came
-
together for to consider this matter.
-
You see, it was no longer a local church.
-
Modern Jerusalem. There was much disputing about
-
this matter, a man from each of the local churches and around
-
Jerusalem and Beyond they came together, the apostles all 12 of
-
them, I'm the elders from these different churches and they
-
decided and settled the matter. You see that's a system of
-
interdependence Not independency.
-
Every local church to a certain degree is autonomous.
-
It can decide and do its own thing, but there's not fool
-
independency because here's this matter that was spiritual in
-
nature and it was taken in Hand by the first local church press
-
poetry made up of the Apostles and the elders.
-
And I'm not suggesting and we're not suggesting this morning that
-
every precise detail of church policy is set forth and Babel,
-
there are broad principle set down other details have to be
-
settled according to the general rule of scripture and also what
-
we call scriptural leg e and Common Sense.
-
However, let me stress this no system of church government.
-
And I mean this, listen to me carefully as better than the man
-
who run the church. No system of church, government
-
is better than the man who run the church.
-
Because remember, they run the church under Christ.
-
He's the chief Shepherd, the great Shepherd, the Good
-
Shepherd, and they're running at for Christ.
-
You see some Churches even run along Presbyterian guidelines.
-
There's man and office in the Pulpit.
-
You're not see it, bailing the elders and the Pew.
-
You're not see it on converted. And to me that's on public 'l.
-
We have man here, religious, and respectable.
-
But not regenerative, not not born again and some churches
-
that are totally independent of any other churches are around.
-
Almost like a like a zillion and Anything Goes.
-
I'm waiting. That's true.
-
The local church will not be any better.
-
Then the man that run it and each local church, we should
-
Endeavor to have a faithful preacher of the word of God.
-
Who see of Dan loves Jesus Christ and accompanying that
-
faithful Pastor as a body of faithful man who will help him
-
as under Shepherds look after the flock of God, But you can
-
have a fearful pastor. And you can have faithful
-
elders. And he could work hard, and he
-
could have a bound. The faithful praying people are
-
riding them. And yet that local church will
-
never grow. Never be established will never
-
be strengthened anymore than the spirituality and the strength of
-
the man that God has raised up to be the teaching and the
-
ruling Elders of the church. If manner of per character of
-
man, haven't a good public testimony of man.
-
Have have no ability to lead the flock.
-
If man make bad decisions. Then that church will be a pure
-
church. Maybe not even in riches or
-
finances, but it will be /, spiritually and week before God.
-
So once good man come to the fore.
-
Man of God man to lead and the bare room then I believe others
-
will rise up and follow. Now I want to say this, I thank
-
the Lord for this congregation. I thank the Lord for gifting you
-
to me, Thank the Lord for this church and you knew that but
-
this is not my church. You understand that?
-
It's the Lord's church and I'm going to tell you something
-
else. It's not even your church.
-
It's the Lord's. You can be a foundation member.
-
And you could be a prayer member, and you can give
-
generously to support the work and serve the Lord faithfully
-
and have done over many years. And yet, as far as ownership is
-
concerned, It's not your church in that sense of ownership, it
-
is Christchurch. He's the head of the church.
-
He purchased the church with his own blood acts 20:28.
-
That's the nature of the church. It's very essence demands and
-
NASA TV. It's the spirits Ministry at the
-
heart of a church government, why?
-
Because the church was purchased by Christ, it says particular
-
possession. It's a, it's an institution
-
that's precious to Christ. In the sight and the eye of the
-
Lord. If I could put it this way, the
-
Church of Jesus Christ belongs to Jesus Christ.
-
He's the head of the body. He's the king over his people.
-
And the function of church government as to follow Christ.
-
In the exercise of his headship over his church.
-
You see the question of this election that's coming up as not
-
to me. What's the mind of the members
-
who do the members want to be elected?
-
The chief should be. What is the mind of Christ?
-
He's the real true lord of the church and I believe the mind of
-
Christ has given to us in his word and that's why it's
-
necessary just like we eat bread that we've got to read and study
-
the word of God to assert in the mind of the Lord.
-
And if you're in submission to Christ as the lord of the church
-
and you want to obey his word and you want him to take care of
-
the church business. So when we come together to take
-
care of that church business, we will set aside or Prejudice.
-
We set aside our whims or Notions are found sees who will
-
deny, our sales and will reverently, pray over the
-
scriptures and will cast her mind in light of the scriptures
-
for the man who qualify and later the scriptures.
-
So that's really the introduction and I'm sorry it's
-
taken me so long to say that but that's what was on my heart.
-
Three things. Let's try and wrap this up in 15
-
minutes or so, think about the, the confidence for the office of
-
Elder. You see, when I study the
-
various qualifications for this office, it's interesting.
-
If you turn there to First Timothy chapter 3, what Paul
1 Timothy 3 chapter mention
-
didn't actually say notice he says, in 1st Timothy 3:1.
-
This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop.
-
He desireth a good work, a bishop then must be on, will
-
pause there. See notice what he doesn't say.
-
He doesn't mention his prayer life, why?
-
Surely? That's important.
-
If I mom doesn't come to the prayer meeting, don't elect that
-
mount to be an elder. But why does Paul not mentioned?
-
Because I believe he assumes that if a man desire the office
-
of a bishop That Bishop not Elder will be a praying man.
-
He says, he desireth a good work of Bishop, van the word they,
-
and means therefore a bishop the end.
-
And in light of this work is required of him.
-
And what is meant? The end is certain standards
-
that are required of this individual.
-
He must be a man who's fit for this kind of work set forth in
-
the scriptures. You see this work involves a
-
Sacred stewardship. If you turn over there to tight
-
us just after second Timothy and Titus Chapter 1 and verse 7.
Titus 1 chapter mention
-
It says for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of
-
God, the word stirred denotes a servant.
-
So think of a servant who's been commissioned by his master Do
-
you administer the Affairs of his master's house?
-
He doesn't all in the name of his master.
-
He does it for his master according to the will of his
-
master and you see Elders are Christ's servants.
-
They are see if man born again washed in the blood of Jesus
-
Christ, if a testimony to receiving and keeping power, and
-
they recognize that they are, but the Servants of Jesus
-
Christ, they recognize their sleeves of Jesus Christ.
-
East. And you see the Elder most
-
recognized? That they have been called to an
-
office of service. They're not a lord over God's
-
Heritage, they're not a poop like figure, they're not an
-
Archbishop like figure, they're not to abuse The Authority,
-
they've been given, they're not to be arrogant, man there to
-
live in late of that one day that they will give an account
-
of their stewardship to the Lord.
-
For every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.
-
And as a servant, the exercise, Spiritual Authority in the
-
church. You see the highest office of
-
Christchurch? Is the office of the Elder, the
-
office of the bishop, it's an exalted office, the office of a
-
bishop and an elders, just wanted to see him in Pesco.
-
Pause-press beauty, rose in the Greek is the same office.
-
They're used interchangeably, these words.
-
Even in heaven, Revelation 20:4, what does it mansion?
-
It mentions the church being represented by 24 Elders.
-
You see the the elders, they've entered into a secret
-
stewardship but the elders act with the authority of Christ
-
among the elders. Meet we, we call it the Curt
-
session meeting. We make a decision,
-
collectively, according to the will of God.
-
That's an authoritative decision and we have to make those
-
decisions and later Eternity for the welfare of all the flock.
-
Tell you something else, the elders Works involved to
-
spiritual oversight. He said the word Bishop their
-
first Timothy chapter 1 verse 3, it means and overseer.
-
That's interesting. One who sees over the work of
-
God. That's his job.
-
He comes to see and inspect. Hehe investigate things that
-
need to be investigated. He gives instruction, he makes
-
an injunction. He's not a man who has his eyes
-
closed. He's a man who sees things hear
-
things knows things. His heart is open to the needs
-
of the church. God's flock.
-
What does God is? Flock Nate and we need man who
-
have that burden on their heart. What does curried of FPC need
-
going forward and one? Of the things that they
-
emphasized and Wednesday night was we need the blessing of God.
-
God's presence. God's power God's profession.
-
1st Peter, 5 and 2 talked about not taking the oversight.
-
You see, Elders are responsible for taking the oversight.
-
Every Elder involves Shepherd and Christ's flock see, Christ's
-
flock. Ehrlich sheep.
-
I told the children thus morning she / Wayward, there are
-
creatures your wonder if you've ever heard of tree and sheep.
-
I told to tell you heard of tree and dogs, training, Lions
-
training, elephants and the surface.
-
I even told them they were training, pegs, you know, butt
-
sniffer, pegs and Australia, various airports there to sniff
-
out drugs. what shape are not three and We are all like sheep
-
going astray. Peter says, first Peter 225 as I
-
have 53 verse 6. We all like sheep have gone
-
astray as here about natural tendency to wander off to wander
-
away from God. Follow the world, follow her own
-
bias and sin. Why are we doing this?
-
Why are we doing that? So and so well were prone to go
-
astray cheaper, wavered she per week creatures.
-
Flock of sheep. There's not much defense against
-
a wolf, or a bear. A donkey could kick.
-
A horse could run. A dog could bait but she'd are
-
weak creatures. They're not able to fight for
-
themselves and need to protect it and that's why God has put
-
them into your flock. The flock of God feed the flock
-
of God, Peter said and if your sea of the love Jesus Christ as
-
Lord and Savior then it's God's. Will that you belong to your
-
flock? It's God's will that you gather
-
with other sheep and you put yourself under Shepherds and
-
we're all under the grid, Chief Shepherd of the sheep CeCe,
-
without that sheep can wander off, they can fierstein jurors,
-
they they're prone to trouble. There's a weakness.
-
But they're also worthwhile creatures, you know sheep are
-
very valuable speaking, the amount just yesterday, from
-
Western Australia, we talked about sheep, 20,000 of them and
-
some Rams cost 20,000 Australian dollars some sheep here.
-
Cost 20,000 pounds, cheaper, clean animals, she provide wool
-
and meat. Sheep Revival and sheep are
-
worthwhile creatures in the eyes of the Lord.
-
I wonder do, you know the Lord? Are you one of his own sheep?
-
You know, that he lived for you? He died for you.
-
He see if Jay your head as you can say.
-
Now, I belong to Jesus. Jesus belongs to me, not for the
-
years of time alone. But for eternity, she put you
-
and your flock to protect you. And those that protect you are
-
act like the Good Samaritan, they take care of you.
-
They're there to help that they're tender hearted.
-
They sacrifice themselves because their fetid, for this
-
task, I was part of their job. They are willing to discipline
-
the flock, like the shepherd, with the crook and the staff.
-
They paid diligent attention to rule, the flock that they
-
defend. The flock, they're fearful man.
-
They can feed the Just Like a Shepherd can all that's needed
-
for the flock, their heart and mind, and souls involved the
-
competency to the surface quickly, the calling to this
-
office. If there's a true saying, Peter
-
Paul says of amount desire, the office of a bishop, he desireth
-
a good work. Thing is a calling of an elder
-
is the mound suited to this office.
-
Let me tell you what he must have.
-
He must have a Father's Heart. First Timothy 3 and 4 says one
-
that ruleth well his own house. Having his children in
-
subjection with all gravity. What does that mean?
-
Not necessarily a married, man. Although that has helped a
-
single noun can be an elder but even as a single man that Elder
-
must have a Father's Heart for the family of God.
-
There's a rule for a father-like figure in the Church of Christ.
-
And the reference to Children Here is not a reference to
-
adults. It's a reference to children who
-
are under that age of responsibility. the Bible tells
-
us here in verse 6 of First Timothy 3, not a novice And the
-
Church of Scotland, they have a rule that no man under 21 is
-
allowed to become an elder. It's not a reference, I believe
-
to physical years. I believe it's a reference me
-
and lead to spiritual maturity, just suppose amount of 70 years,
-
of age, got saved and come into the church.
-
And after a year, there was an election for officers.
-
That man's name, potentially could be on the list for the
-
office of Elder. But it was only see if the few
-
months or up to a year, then it would be my mind that he should
-
willingly exclude himself. From the office of an elder
-
because the Bible says, not enough of us, not not something,
-
he's just spiritually Born Again of the spirit and added to the
-
church at no, no reference to his age, it has to do with
-
spiritual maturity. The man must not only have a
-
Father's Heart. He must have a Shepherd heart.
-
We already ran from 1st Peter 5, feed the flock of God.
-
And that means he'll do all that's necessary to look after
-
Christ's flock. He'd have a Shepherd's Heart.
-
See many are manner, academically minded, they know
-
Greek and they knew Hebrew, they have great power of our tree.
-
They have tremendous ability but have the heart for the people of
-
God. Sadly.
-
I know many Elders of the heart for the people of God, I know
-
some pastors. You have no heart for the people
-
of God. And if you know that, somebody
-
has no heart for the people of God and they're cold and
-
callous, then they're not called to be an elder.
-
An elder must have a care and concern for all the Sheep.
-
I need doesn't make decisions out of self.
-
Well, he's not a self-centered individual, but he makes
-
decisions about what is best for all the flock.
-
He is an eye to them. Die.
-
He's and I to them next week, and next month, and next year,
-
and into the future, the man must also have a leaders heart
-
because he stabs before the people someone that the people
-
can look up to. He's there to guide, by example,
-
he's there to give extra Tatian encouragement.
-
Now I'm suggesting that man would have all the spiritual
-
virtues are necessary. Not suggesting that but of a
-
mild hasn't got any spiritual virtues, a Father's Heart of
-
shepherds harder, our leaders heart.
-
If he's not an attendance at Old, the church meetings, the
-
prayer meetings of the church that he's not taking a lead and
-
commit it. Then that's not the type of man
-
that you want. As an elder, let me just say in
-
closing still about a few minutes.
-
I want you to think of the conduct of the office of the
-
Elder. Look with me at first, Timothy
-
chapter 3 and we'll read through this list together and I try an
-
experiment. A bishop then must be blameless.
-
What does that mean that that's a reference to his character?
-
His conduct his conversation? Not saying he's perfect, not
-
saying he's sinless, but it means that that man is beyond
-
reproach. He is a personal testimony.
-
See the age of the church are upon but the eyes of the world
-
are upon them. They must be no accusation that
-
someone inside the church or right side the church, that's
-
true. That could be put upon him.
-
That could be put into the hands of his enemies to accuse him so
-
his private life has public life.
-
His business life of his, a business person is scrutinized
-
by the people, is he honest, is he a man of his word Is there an
-
accusation against seat? Eight US 17 says there must be
-
no accusation against. He must be above and beyond
-
reproach. He is not giving a reason to the
-
enemies to blaspheme the Lord, and the Lord's work.
-
Haven't? We heard it so often.
-
Good Lovin 411. The man's not a liar.
-
He's not a thief. He's not a rascal.
-
There's no irresponsible Behavior or speech.
-
He's not going to give a handle to someone to lay, hold off to
-
to bring a charge against them. You think of a rock children.
-
And you want to move a big Stone you.
-
We get a long board along steel pole and you would put under the
-
Rock and and you could move it. It talks about Leverage No.
-
Leave her to the ungodly. That's really what it means.
-
Let me tell you something else here.
-
It mentions. The husband of one wife, big
-
discussion. We could have on that subject
-
alone. What does that mean?
-
Over there in Titus 1 and verse 6.
-
It says something similar, if any be blameless, the husband of
-
one wife, If I can put it this way we in the free pass to in
-
church do not believe a divorced man should hold office in the
-
church, no matter the circumstance.
-
Although I am very much in favor of the man who's the innocent
-
party in a divorce but this is the mind of the Presbytery.
-
At this moment, I'm divorced man.
-
Can't hold office in the church so we can't be a minister.
-
He can't be an elder, it can't be a deacon.
-
In Paul's day, the husband of one wife was because people were
-
just see of date of heathenism, some of them had more than one
-
wave. Some of the material, three
-
waves. You'd wonder why he was dealing
-
with things like homosexuality and incest, and adultery and
-
fornication. And there was very little
-
marriage Fidelity. There was very little moral
-
Fidelity and Paul wanted the man who are Elders to be faithful to
-
one wife, the husband of one One wife and there's to be no
-
Scandal and public office. If there's a question mark over
-
a man's morality Or or, or a man's moral Purity, that man is
-
not to be allowed to stand for office.
-
Notice the other word Vigilant, that means he watches for Souls.
-
Super. That means he's of a sane mind.
-
He has control over his passions.
-
He, he looks at things in a very sensible seeing way, as he
-
administers rule, he's of good behavior.
-
That, that means that he is has a well-managed orderly life.
-
He's modest and his behavior. He's not out of control.
-
He given to hospitality that. That means he's Got an open
-
heart, he's got an open home, good man or invaded.
-
And he's a lover of good man. He's a lover of the stranger.
-
He receives them. Well, he treats them.
-
Well, he receives them and his home was if he's receiving
-
Christ himself. That's very important notice.
-
This also is out to teach, I'm not suggesting that the ruling
-
Elders are called to preach, but they should be man.
-
That can lead a service. Take a meeting, bring a wee word
-
over there again and Titus and Titus 1 and verse 9.
-
If we do a contrast holding fast the faithful word as he hath
-
been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort
-
and to convince the gainsayers. Yes, he must love the Bible
-
live, by the Bible, be loyal at to the Bible.
-
He must have learned the Bible. He should be able to read a
-
portion and explain it to all that would ask young and old.
-
If we go back to Timothy, he says here not given to Wayne.
-
That means not a drunkard. He lives a life free from the
-
effects and contamination of alcohol, definitely couldn't be
-
an alcoholic. Man who developed a drink
-
problem and the church should automatically Stand Down from
-
Office. That's why we hold the fact that
-
Elders should be teetotalers. Notice also here not a striker.
-
No Striker. Not a fighter, not a contentious
-
man. Not Sunday WHo sails to the
-
individual. I don't get mad.
-
I get even sadly. Some Elders.
-
Love a good fate that they love to quarrel.
-
Some are not happy unless they're fighting and arguing
-
with someone else. He's not a striker, not greedy
-
of filthy lucre, but what does that mean?
-
That means you don't have a love for money.
-
How does an elder or a deacon? Make decisions about money as he
-
tamed and generous of the open heart if a man is greedy for
-
money and not generous. Then that's contrary to what
-
Paul says, not greedy of filthy lucre.
-
And hope somebody has a love for money more than a love for God
-
or a love for gold, more than a love for God.
-
It mentions here. Patient, that means gentle,
-
remember he's got a shepherd's. Father's leaders heart, he is
-
patient with the Sheep because the Super Wave or their week,
-
but they're worth while creatures.
-
Remember that it's not a brawler, it's interesting, the
-
includes this. What does that mean?
-
Not someone who flies India need rage.
-
Not someone who is unstable and not someone who would chew you
-
up and spit you out a or someone who would hold a grudge against
-
you, I'll fix ya. I'd sort you hate not a
-
Covetous, man. That that means not allow his
-
heart and his head. To be ruled by.
-
I want this, and I want that. I'm going to get it at all
-
course. One that ruleth well, his own
-
house. He has the respect of the
-
children, the grandchildren. Remember, it's those who are
-
underage, it's not the daring to, with adults.
-
Adults, children should have the respect to Mom and Dad.
-
But remember, they're responsible for their own
-
behavior because they're now over the age of 18 or over the
-
age of 21 that, you know, John Wesley was married to an unsaved
-
woman, a carnal woman, he hit it all.
-
He didn't stood for me, this life of misery but John Wesley,
-
never uttered, a bad word against his wife.
-
He bore it all with a spurred of Greece and a spirit of Christ.
-
Houses children living a life of obedience.
-
Before them, the taters talks about having faithful children,
-
not not children accused of Riot as Behavior or unruly Behavior.
-
A good report of those that are without is a good testimony,
-
what does the the church that give him?
-
What does the world? Think some men have a rotten
-
testimony, I'd say to chance. And that's bad for the church
-
because when Outreach and missions are on that, then they
-
won't come. Not someone who's self weld.
-
If you read Tate us, I have to finish.
-
It says there for a bishop must be blameless.
-
As the steward of God, not self-willed, not soon, angry,
-
not given to Wine, no Striker, not guilty of filthy lucre.
-
In other words, he's not in the office to please himself.
-
He's not trying to be a dictator.
-
He's Not the Killing to the other, man, how they should
-
decide and, and what they should do, he respects the views of
-
others, he puts himself in their shoes.
-
First, he tries to see the knife from their perspective, how can
-
I help my brother? How can I help my sister?
-
How can I help the church? And that's where wisdom comes
-
in. A lover of good man holding as
-
we've said and Titus to the faithful word amount of sound
-
Doctrine. The money knows the gospel, he
-
knows what he believes, and why he believes it amount of
-
conviction. This is all the character that's
-
involved in this, man for the office.
-
And what I want you to do, I'm going to finish as I want you to
-
pray over first, Timothy chapter 3, I want you to study Titus
-
Chapter 1, verses 5 to 7, pray over that.
-
And then make your decision in light of what the Bible says.
-
Because remember, this is Christchurch and you belong to
-
Christ. You're one of his sheep.
-
Our time is gone. I'm just going to close will not
-
sing. The last hem.
-
We'll just have a word of prayer.
-
Father. Take, what has been of thyself
-
this morning. We've only scratched the surface
-
and thus creates subject but we pray, you'll take these few
-
stumbling stammering words, write them and all our hearts,
-
write them in the hearts and Minds, even of the young people
-
growing up, and we pray that the love of Christ and the fear of
-
God will be upon us especially as we go forward into this
-
election. Process.
-
We commend ourselves to the nie. We pray that the grace of the
-
Lord Jesus Christ, the love of myself, and the commune of the
-
holy spirit will be upon us both now and Evermore and Jesus name.
-
Amen. Amen.
-
Again I apologize for the time this morning.
-
Process. We commend ourselves to the nie.
-
We pray that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of
-
myself, and the commune of the holy spirit will be upon us both
-
now and Evermore and Jesus name. Amen.
-
Amen. Again I apologize for the time
-
this morning.