Studying About Elders Is Beneficial To Us All
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

Studying About Elders Is Beneficial To Us All

I. Introduction:

A. Anytime you are learning from the word of God you are learning something that is somehow beneficial for you (II Timothy 3:14-17).

  1. Every word of God is beneficial to us (Luke 4:4).
  2. God’s word is a book of enlightenment (Psalms 119:129-130).
B. The Scriptures show us the importance of having elders in every congregation (Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5).

  1. Qualified elders would oversee us, spiritually feed us, and lead us by being godly examples (I Peter 5:1-3).
  2. They would be watchman for our souls (Hebrews 13:17).

II. Body: Let’s Consider How Learning About The Qualifications/Work of Elders Is Beneficial To Us On Many Levels (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9).

A. Most of the qualifications for elders apply to all Christians (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

  1. Doesn’t “good work” apply to us all (Ephesians 2:10)?
  2. Doesn’t being blameless apply to us all (Philippians 2:14-16)?
  3. Doesn’t some teaching ability apply to us all (Hebrews 5:12-14)?
  4. Doesn’t temperance apply to us all (I Corinthians 9:24-27)?
  5. Doesn’t holiness apply to us all (I Peter 1:13-16)?
  6. Doesn’t the subject matter of hospitality apply to us all (I Peter 4:9)?
  7. Doesn’t avoidance of alcoholic beverages apply to us all (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35 and I Thessalonians 5:7-8)?
  8. …And on we could go, but you should see the point!
B. We need to be able to identify qualified/unqualified men (Ephesians 5:6-11).

  1. Elders, even when appointed by the Holy Spirit, aren’t always a “sure thing” (Acts 20:28-31).
  2. Following the wrong kind of leaders ends in destruction (Isaiah 3:12).
  3. If we are ignorant we will be easy prey (Proverbs 22:3, Hosea 4:1-11, II Timothy 3:1-7, and II Peter 3:17).
C. We are working hard to secure this congregation. However, history tells us that hard work can be quickly undone (Judges 2:6-15).

  1. It is my work to teach and protect against error (II Timothy 4:1-5), but I will not live forever.
  2. Look at how Jesus thought about the future (John 21:15-17).

III. Conclusion: Next month, we will begin a study about elders. Don’t wait until then to start thinking about how you might be, help others become, or aid the upbringing of our future leaders (Psalms 78:3-8).