Shepherds of the Flock

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Shepherds of the Flock
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1 Peter 51-3 (NKJV)
 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am
a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of
Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that
will be revealed Shepherd the flock of God which
is among you, serving as overseers, not by
compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain
but eagerly nor as being lords over those
entrusted to you, but being examples to the
flock 
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The Eldership Defined
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The Office of Eldership

• Is a good work (1 Tim. 31)
• Is ordained by God (Acts 1421-23)
• Bears authority from God (Heb. 1317)
• Is limited to the local congregation
• Ordained elders in every church (Acts 1421-23
• Feed the flock which is among you (1 Peter 52)
• Is honored and rewarded by God
• Worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 517)
• Shall receive a crown of glory (1 Peter 54)

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Three Terms - Same Office

• Bishop (episkopos) An overseer
• Acts 2028 1 Tim. 32 Titus 17 Phil. 11
• Elder (presbuteros)- Senior, in age or office
• Acts 20 17Titus 15 1 Tim. 517-20
• Pastor (poimen) Shepherd
• Eph. 411 (Only time pastor used in N.T.)

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Eldership A Scriptural Office

• Office of a bishop(episkope)- 1 Tim. 31
• The only office of administrative authority
• A body of elders (presbuterion) 1 Tim. 414
• The presbytery is a group of elders
• Elders always spoken of in plurality
• The eldership A scriptural term

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The Qualifications of Elders

• 1 Timothy 31-7
• Titus 15-9
• 1 Peter 51-4

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• Desire - 1 Tim. 31 1 Peter 52
• Blameless -1 Tim. 32 Titus 16-7
• Vigilant (Temperate) 1 Tim. 32 Titus 18
• Sober (Prudent) 1 Tim. 32 Titus 18
• Of Good Behavior 1 Tim. 32
• Given to Hospitality 1 Tim. 32 Titus 18
• Husband of One Wife 1 Tim. 32 Titus 16
• Apt to Teach 1 Tim. 32 Titus 19
• Not Given to Wine 1 Tim. 33 Titus 17
• No Striker 1 Tim. 33

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• Not Greedy 1 Tim. 33 Titus 17 1 Pet. 52
• Patient 1 Tim. 33 Titus 17
• Not a Brawler 1 Tim. 33
• Not Covetous 1 Tim. 33
• Rules Well His House - 1 Tim. 34-5 Titus 16
• Not a Novice 1 Tim. 36
• Must Be of Good Report 1 Tim. 37
• Not Self Willed Titus 17
• Lover of Good Men Titus 18
• Just Titus 18
• Holy Titus 18

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Elders Their Duty to the Flock

• 1 Peter 51-4

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• Lead by example (1 Peter 51-3)
• Teach and Exhort (1 Tim. 32 Titus 19)
• Defend Against Error (Titus 19-11)
• Manage the Church (1 Tim. 35 1 Tim. 517)
• Equip Members for Service (Eph. 411-16)
• Administer Discipline (1 Thess. 512-13)
• Nurture the Flock
• Acts 2028 Purchased with Christs blood
• James 514-15 Care for members needs

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The Duty of a Church Toward its Elders

• Hebrews 1317

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• Obey them that have the rule over you, and
  submit yourselves for they watch for your souls,
  as they that must give account, that they may do
  it with joy, and not with grief for that is
  unprofitable for you (Heb. 1317)

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The Duty of a Church Toward Elders

• Christians are told to obey their elders
• Christians are told to submit to their elders
• Christians are to respond to their elders in such
  a way that the elders may shepherd them with joy,
  and not grief
• Christians are to honor their elders
• Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy
  of double honor (1 Tim. 517)

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Are You Gods Man?

• Do you desire the office?
• Are you qualified?
• Will you step up to fulfill Gods plan?

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