THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The title of our lesson is:  “The Changing of the Guard.”

1.    This phrase can be used literally (i.e., Buckingham Palace, MWF at 11:00 a.m.).

2.    The phrase can also be used figuratively to describe any transfer or change of leadership.

 

B.   On Monday morning just past midnight, one of OceanSide’s elders, Larry Paulk, transitioned to the unseen realm of the dead.

1.    His death left OceanSide with just one elder, brother Bill Horne.

2.    Last Sunday, Bill announced to the congregation that he would no longer be serving as an elder of OceanSide. 

a.    This was not done out of choice.

b.    This was done out of necessity.

 

C.   Since OceanSide does not have elders, that is, overseers, at this time, there must be a change of the guard.  In this lesson, we want to talk about this transfer of power.

 

I.             THERE MUST BE A PLURALITY OF ELDERS OVERSEEING A CONGREGATION

 

A.   On Paul’s first missionary journey, he established several congregations in the region of Galatia.  As he returned to Antioch, he visited those churches again.  We read about his actions in those churches in Acts 14:22-23.

 

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.  And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

 

1.    NOTE:  A plurality of elders were placed in every church.

2.    There is not one text in the New Testament that reveals that a church was overseen by one elder (pastor).

 

B.   When Paul wrote his epistle to the church in Philippi, he addressed it to “the saints,” and to “the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1).  Again, this one congregation had a plurality of bishops, a word which simply means overseers.

 

II.           CAN A CHURCH SCRIPTURALLY EXIST WITHOUT ELDERS?

 

A.   The churches of Galatia existed for a brief period of time without elders. 

1.    Paul established the church and departed.

2.    It wasn’t until his return that he ordained elders in the churches (Acts 14:21).

 

B.   Paul addressed one of his epistles to a young man by the name of Titus.  That epistle bears that young man’s name in our Bibles. 

1.    Paul often sent men like Titus to take care of various situations in different churches.

2.    In Titus 1:5, we are told why Paul left Titus on the isle of Crete.

 

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.

 

a.    At this time, the churches in the various cities on the island of Crete did not have elders.

b.    Titus was there to ordain elders.

c.    Paul reveals to us that a church that does not have elders is “wanting.”

1)    The word “wanting” means “lacking, destitute, and inferior.”

2)    It can scripturally exist, but its organizational structure is not where God wants it to be.

3)    A perfect, that is, mature congregation will have a plurality of elders overseeing the work.

 

III.         CAN A CHURCH HAVE DEACONS WITH NO ELDERS?

 

A.   Most churches that have elders also have men serving in the office of a deacon.

1.    A deacon is a man who meets the qualifications Paul lays down for the office in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

2.    His role is to serve in various capacities within the church so the elders can carry out their responsibilities given to them.

 

B.   If an eldership no longer exists, can the deacons continue to serve in their roles?

1.    Most will answer, “No,” to this question because the deacons no longer have anyone to hold them accountable in their positions.  These men were overseen by the elders.

2.    Objection:  Some will point to Acts 6 as an example of a church that had no elders but had deacons.

a.    The Grecians murmured that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (Acts 6:1).

b.    The apostles told the brethren to “look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business” (Acts 6:3).

c.    Seven men were chosen and the problem was solved (Acts 6:5-7).

d.    Some believe that these men were the first deacons in the church.

3.    Some considerations:

a.    These men are not called deacons.

b.    We only know of three qualifications given for them to serve. 

1)    Thus, they may not have met the qualifications for “the office” of a deacon.

2)    NOTE:  It is possible for men not qualified to be deacons to assist in serving various aspects of the work of the church (Ex., social media, treasurer, a youth group, etc.).

c.    These men had the apostles physically present to oversee their work.

 

IV.         WHO OVERSEES THE WORK UNTIL ELDERS CAN BE APPOINTED?

 

A.   The Scriptural answer is that the men of the church must take care of the affairs of the congregation.

1.    Paul sets forth a hierarchal structure in 1 Corinthians 11:3.

 

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

 

a.    The order is simple:  God, then, Christ, then man, then the woman.

b.    A church is only composed of men and women. 

c.    If the men are over the women, the men must assume the role of leaders in the congregation.

2.    There are other passages that teach us that the women are not to usurp authority over the men (1 Tim. 2:12).

 

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man but to be in silence.

 

B.   This is not the ultimate will of God for the church.  When men oversee the work, there can be weaknesses in the leadership.

1.    Young men, even novices, might be present (See 1 Tim. 3:6).

2.    Men might be present who are still babes in their knowledge of God’s Word (See Tit. 1:9).

3.    Men might be present whose lives do not manifest faithfulness to the worship and work of the church (See 1 Cor. 4:2).

4.    Men might be in attendance who do not yet have families.  Thus, they have not developed the skills of oversight (See 1 Tim. 3:4-5).

5.    Men might be present who have qualities that would exclude them from being elders:  proud, soon angry, impatient, covetous, self-willed, greedy etc. (See 1 Tim. 3:2-3; Tit. 1:7).

6.    Some men might come to the meeting who have great desire for power and control (1 Pet. 5:3; Mark 10:42-45).

7.    A man might come to the meeting who holds to false doctrine and desire to spread that false doctrine in the church (See Tit. 1:9-10).

 

V.           FOUR IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

 

A.   Men who participate in the leadership of the church need to be faithful men. 

1.    1 Corinthians 4:2

 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

2.    All leaders are expected to be examples to those they are leading.

a.    Paul set himself up as an example (1 Cor. 11:1).

b.    Elders are called upon to be examples (1 Pet. 5:3).

c.    Preachers are to be examples (1 Tim. 4:12).

3.    QUESTION:  We have a man who is not faithful in attendance.  He does not participate in the works of the church.  Yet, he can make every men’s meeting.  Why is he there?  What is his motive? 

 

B.   The men must possess certain qualities when they get together to lead the church. 

1.    The best place to begin is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  Paul lays down sixteen (16) qualities of love. 

2.    Too, Ephesians 4:3, should be constantly practiced.

 

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

C.   There is a lot of information that the men must be aware of:  finances, works, programs, events, vendors, the lives of the members, benevolence, the Bible school, etc.

 

D.   Leading the church calls for those men to be workers in the body of Christ.  No leadership position is simply a figurehead position.  Paul made this perfectly clear to elders in 1 Tim. 3:1.

 

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The guard is changing at OceanSide.

 

B.   This Tuesday night at 6:30, we will be having our first men’s meeting to discuss the work of the church.

 

C.   Some questions all who attend that meeting need to ask and answer honestly.

1.    Am I a faithful Christian?

2.    Why do I want to be in the men’s meeting?  For power?  Or, to serve?

3.    Am I willing to work for the church?  If you answer, “Yes,” understand that this will involve time and sacrifice on your part?

4.    As a leader, will I be a good example to all of the members of the OceanSide congregation?

 

D.   Closing thought:  The success or failure of any church begins first with her leadership.