0:00:01.029,0:00:08.233 If you'll open in your [br]Bibles to 1 Timothy 3. 0:00:08.233,0:00:13.231 1 Timothy 3. 0:00:13.231,0:00:16.270 I'm going to pray again 0:00:16.270,0:00:22.006 just asking God for His help. 0:00:22.006,0:00:27.074 Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, 0:00:27.074,0:00:30.218 Lord, just that - help us. 0:00:30.218,0:00:34.465 Help me. 0:00:34.465,0:00:36.223 God, You've ordained all things 0:00:36.223,0:00:41.297 and You've ordained [br]the means of all things. 0:00:41.297,0:00:42.732 Help us to look to You 0:00:42.732,0:00:47.116 and then walk in obedience to those means. 0:00:47.116,0:00:49.767 God, as our brother said, 0:00:49.767,0:00:53.442 every blessing in Christ is ours, 0:00:53.442,0:00:56.335 but You've ordained that they come to us 0:00:56.335,0:00:58.844 through the means of things like prayer 0:00:58.844,0:01:00.707 and obedience. 0:01:00.707,0:01:03.412 So help us to walk in these manners, 0:01:03.412,0:01:06.754 to obey You, to honor You, to look to You. 0:01:06.754,0:01:09.263 So come now and meet with us. 0:01:09.263,0:01:10.693 Be with us. 0:01:10.693,0:01:11.992 God accomplish something - 0:01:11.992,0:01:13.434 not just here in this sermon, 0:01:13.434,0:01:15.353 but in this conference. 0:01:15.353,0:01:17.757 God, that You would get the credit alone; 0:01:17.757,0:01:22.308 that it could not be given [br]to the power of man; 0:01:22.308,0:01:24.347 it could not be something that we've done, 0:01:24.347,0:01:27.030 but something that You've done[br]where You would get glory, 0:01:27.030,0:01:32.904 You would get credit, God, in each of us. 0:01:32.904,0:01:35.384 Thank You for Christ our Savior. 0:01:35.384,0:01:41.986 In His name we pray, amen. 0:01:41.986,0:01:46.047 1 Timothy 3 - 0:01:46.047,0:01:47.628 a text we looked at yesterday. 0:01:47.628,0:01:50.182 I'm going to read again to begin us here. 0:01:50.182,0:01:54.854 Starting in v. 14. 0:01:54.854,0:01:57.544 "I hope to come to you soon, 0:01:57.544,0:02:00.186 but I'm writing these things to you 0:02:00.186,0:02:02.256 so that if I delay, 0:02:02.256,0:02:05.172 you may know how one ought to behave 0:02:05.172,0:02:07.482 in the household of God, 0:02:07.482,0:02:09.330 which is the church of the living God, 0:02:09.330,0:02:13.003 a pillar and buttress of truth." 0:02:13.003,0:02:14.619 We looked at that text yesterday 0:02:14.619,0:02:16.509 and we recognized this, 0:02:16.509,0:02:19.832 that Scripture does give us 0:02:19.832,0:02:24.846 direction pointedly on how [br]we are to behave 0:02:24.846,0:02:26.693 in the church - 0:02:26.693,0:02:28.143 what our roles are, 0:02:28.143,0:02:30.894 what our responsibilities are, 0:02:30.894,0:02:35.106 and how we are to relate to one another. 0:02:35.106,0:02:37.307 If you were with us last night, 0:02:37.307,0:02:40.082 we looked at the role and responsibility 0:02:40.082,0:02:43.518 of pastors, of elders. 0:02:43.518,0:02:47.513 We noted first that for the church 0:02:47.513,0:02:50.587 to be functioning in order, 0:02:50.587,0:02:52.632 it's necessary that they have 0:02:52.632,0:02:54.838 pastors and elders. 0:02:54.838,0:02:56.280 And so we should be praying 0:02:56.280,0:02:59.194 and working towards that. 0:02:59.194,0:03:01.050 We noted yesterday too 0:03:01.050,0:03:05.495 that the elder, the overseer, the pastor 0:03:05.495,0:03:08.812 is describing the same office. 0:03:08.812,0:03:11.985 It is elder, overseer, pastor 0:03:11.985,0:03:13.377 in the same office there. 0:03:13.377,0:03:15.535 It is describing one person 0:03:15.535,0:03:19.379 which there are to be a plurality of. 0:03:19.379,0:03:22.008 We saw also yesterday that elders 0:03:22.008,0:03:25.479 are to be biblically qualified men, 0:03:25.479,0:03:28.011 and they are to remain qualified. 0:03:28.011,0:03:29.991 It's not just that they're qualified 0:03:29.991,0:03:32.958 as they enter into or are [br]considered for that role, 0:03:32.958,0:03:35.677 but they are to remain qualified 0:03:35.677,0:03:38.832 by having careful watch over themselves. 0:03:38.832,0:03:41.309 We noted yesterday too that elders 0:03:41.309,0:03:45.430 are made overseers by the Holy Spirit. 0:03:45.430,0:03:49.793 They oversee the affairs of the church. 0:03:49.793,0:03:52.043 We saw also that they are called 0:03:52.043,0:03:55.025 to collectively in the plurality of elders 0:03:55.025,0:03:58.337 to shepherd or pastor the flock of God 0:03:58.337,0:04:01.045 that is before them. 0:04:01.045,0:04:03.974 And we saw that they pastor 0:04:03.974,0:04:06.200 by knowing the sheep - 0:04:06.200,0:04:08.070 knowing who these people are 0:04:08.070,0:04:10.855 that God has entrusted to them. 0:04:10.855,0:04:13.310 We also saw that they [br]are to lead the sheep. 0:04:13.310,0:04:15.228 They are to lead by example. 0:04:15.228,0:04:19.703 They are to be an example to the sheep 0:04:19.703,0:04:23.107 in conduct, love, faith, and purity. 0:04:23.107,0:04:27.930 We saw too that they [br]are to feed the sheep. 0:04:27.930,0:04:31.056 They feed them the whole [br]counsel of God's Word. 0:04:31.056,0:04:34.718 And we saw that they [br]are to protect the sheep. 0:04:34.718,0:04:36.017 And we noted yesterday, 0:04:36.017,0:04:38.503 yes, to protect the sheep [br]from the outside influence 0:04:38.503,0:04:40.077 of the world coming in, 0:04:40.077,0:04:42.633 but to protect the sheep from wolves 0:04:42.633,0:04:47.453 that have crept in unnoticed among us. 0:04:47.453,0:04:50.911 We noted something about [br]those wolves yesterday - 0:04:50.911,0:04:55.596 that they seek to draw away [br]disciples after themselves. 0:04:55.596,0:04:58.305 They have contagious personalities, 0:04:58.305,0:05:00.194 a contagious zeal, 0:05:00.194,0:05:03.212 but they begin to speak twisted things 0:05:03.212,0:05:06.454 to draw disciples away from the flock 0:05:06.454,0:05:10.670 unto themselves. 0:05:10.670,0:05:12.187 Well, today we're going to look 0:05:12.187,0:05:13.642 at what Scripture has to say 0:05:13.642,0:05:15.721 regarding the responsibility 0:05:15.721,0:05:19.821 of the congregation to their pastors. 0:05:19.821,0:05:22.217 We'll be in a few different [br]portions of Scripture, 0:05:22.217,0:05:24.375 but I'm going to have [br]you turn over one page 0:05:24.375,0:05:27.397 to 1 Timothy 5. 0:05:27.397,0:05:33.564 1 Timothy 5. 0:05:33.564,0:05:36.665 In chapter 5, Paul is giving instruction 0:05:36.665,0:05:38.899 to the church. 0:05:38.899,0:05:40.542 Again, how we ought to behave 0:05:40.542,0:05:42.904 in regards to our relationships 0:05:42.904,0:05:44.067 to one another. 0:05:44.067,0:05:45.674 At the beginning of the chapter, 0:05:45.674,0:05:47.794 he speaks about how young men 0:05:47.794,0:05:51.993 are to relate to older men in the church; 0:05:51.993,0:05:55.607 how they're to relate to other [br]young men in the church; 0:05:55.609,0:05:58.666 how they are to relate to [br]the sisters in the church; 0:05:58.666,0:06:01.244 how they are to relate to older women 0:06:01.244,0:06:02.807 in the church. 0:06:02.807,0:06:05.399 In v. 3-16, he instructs us how 0:06:05.399,0:06:09.960 we are to relate to widows in the church. 0:06:09.960,0:06:11.918 And then in v. 17, 0:06:11.918,0:06:14.084 Paul gives instruction for Timothy 0:06:14.084,0:06:19.868 regarding elders, pastors, overseers. 0:06:19.868,0:06:22.929 Beloved, this will not [br]be an exhaustive look 0:06:22.929,0:06:26.606 at the congregation's responsibility 0:06:26.606,0:06:29.209 to the elders. 0:06:29.209,0:06:31.302 So, there will be more that can be said, 0:06:31.302,0:06:33.866 but hopefully it will [br]give us some direction 0:06:33.866,0:06:35.444 in regards to these things 0:06:35.444,0:06:37.172 and maybe quite possibly 0:06:37.172,0:06:41.755 some correction in [br]regards to these things. 0:06:41.755,0:06:45.682 Let's look at v. 17. 0:06:45.682,0:06:48.152 Paul writes to Timothy, 0:06:48.152,0:06:52.053 "Let the elders who rule well 0:06:52.053,0:06:56.283 be considered worthy of double honor, 0:06:56.283,0:06:58.918 especially those who labor 0:06:58.918,0:07:01.591 in the preaching and teaching. 0:07:01.591,0:07:03.376 For the Scripture says, 0:07:03.376,0:07:05.596 'you shall not muzzle an ox 0:07:05.596,0:07:07.611 when it treads out the grain;' 0:07:07.611,0:07:10.831 and 'the laborer deserves his wages.' 0:07:10.831,0:07:13.518 Do not admit a charge against an elder 0:07:13.518,0:07:19.376 except on the evidence [br]of two or three witnesses. 0:07:19.376,0:07:22.511 As for those who persist in sin, 0:07:22.511,0:07:25.001 rebuke them in the presence of all 0:07:25.001,0:07:30.391 so the rest may stand in fear." 0:07:30.391,0:07:32.796 First, notice again here that Paul 0:07:32.796,0:07:35.007 uses the plural. 0:07:35.007,0:07:37.157 Let the "elders..." 0:07:37.157,0:07:39.249 We mentioned this yesterday. 0:07:39.249,0:07:41.285 That God's design for the church 0:07:41.285,0:07:43.433 is to have a plurality of elders - 0:07:43.433,0:07:46.229 more than one. 0:07:46.229,0:07:49.463 And again, I know we live in [br]the providence of God here. 0:07:49.463,0:07:51.143 But we should be working towards 0:07:51.143,0:07:53.266 the raising up of more men 0:07:53.266,0:07:55.255 that there would be more than one elder 0:07:55.255,0:07:57.738 in the churches. 0:07:57.738,0:07:59.316 And he continues here: 0:07:59.316,0:08:03.884 "Let the elders who rule well..." 0:08:03.884,0:08:06.614 I want to stop there for a moment. 0:08:06.614,0:08:09.046 Pay attention to these words. 0:08:09.046,0:08:12.714 What is it that the elders are to do? 0:08:12.714,0:08:15.465 They are to rule. 0:08:15.465,0:08:17.528 They are to lead. 0:08:17.528,0:08:21.010 They are set over and [br]preside over the church, 0:08:21.010,0:08:25.204 and again, the affairs of the church. 0:08:25.204,0:08:28.427 Saints, this is what Scripture teaches. 0:08:28.427,0:08:32.662 There is authority given here. 0:08:32.662,0:08:35.103 There is order. 0:08:35.103,0:08:36.863 Without authority, 0:08:36.863,0:08:41.336 without order there's chaos. 0:08:41.336,0:08:44.243 I know in all of us at some level, 0:08:44.243,0:08:45.903 whether it's at home - 0:08:45.903,0:08:47.802 maybe wives with husbands - 0:08:47.802,0:08:50.290 maybe it's in your workplace with a boss; 0:08:50.290,0:08:52.231 maybe it's in a church that you've had 0:08:52.231,0:08:55.391 an experience where you've experienced 0:08:55.391,0:09:02.071 an abuse or a misuse of authority. 0:09:02.071,0:09:04.540 And that can be very difficult 0:09:04.540,0:09:07.491 to come in and then [br]hear that God has given 0:09:07.491,0:09:11.980 authority in the church to men. 0:09:11.980,0:09:14.452 But here's something important. 0:09:14.452,0:09:18.667 We cannot allow our bad experience 0:09:18.667,0:09:20.965 of abuse or misuse of authority, 0:09:20.965,0:09:24.156 or even the potential danger 0:09:24.156,0:09:25.966 of misuse of authority 0:09:25.966,0:09:29.223 to remove or soften what Scripture teaches 0:09:29.223,0:09:38.722 regarding the role of pastors and elders. 0:09:38.722,0:09:40.913 Beloved, this is why we have to be careful 0:09:40.913,0:09:43.506 who is an elder. 0:09:43.506,0:09:46.114 This is why there are qualifications given 0:09:46.114,0:09:50.127 when we're considering who [br]should become an elder 0:09:50.127,0:09:54.496 because there is authority given here. 0:09:54.496,0:09:57.838 As I thought about this struggle 0:09:57.838,0:10:01.036 of the reality that God [br]has given authority 0:10:01.036,0:10:03.313 to elders and pastors in the church 0:10:03.313,0:10:04.741 and it's a struggle for us - 0:10:04.741,0:10:07.565 I just began to think through 0:10:07.565,0:10:10.600 what are the struggles that we have 0:10:10.600,0:10:14.223 with authority? 0:10:14.223,0:10:16.087 I thought of a couple things. 0:10:16.087,0:10:17.551 One I mentioned - 0:10:17.551,0:10:19.190 some of us have experienced 0:10:19.190,0:10:21.500 an misuse or abuse of authority. 0:10:21.500,0:10:24.743 It makes us skeptical to authority; 0:10:24.743,0:10:28.222 to the idea of having someone over us. 0:10:28.222,0:10:30.877 Second maybe, I know that we 0:10:30.877,0:10:32.161 who are in the church 0:10:32.161,0:10:34.277 are new creations in Christ - 0:10:34.277,0:10:36.464 we're no longer slaves to sin, 0:10:36.464,0:10:38.695 but we live in this suit of flesh. 0:10:38.695,0:10:41.930 And there are desires in the flesh. 0:10:41.930,0:10:45.203 And the desire of the [br]flesh is one of autonomy. 0:10:45.203,0:10:47.878 It's one of self-rule. 0:10:47.878,0:10:50.635 It's one of pride. 0:10:50.635,0:10:53.588 So the temptation of [br]self-governing and pride 0:10:53.588,0:10:56.030 can lead us to believe at times: 0:10:56.030,0:11:00.250 I don't need anyone over me. 0:11:00.250,0:11:03.165 I think being an American 0:11:03.165,0:11:05.283 does not help in this area. 0:11:05.283,0:11:09.206 The notion of America [br]is one of self-governing. 0:11:09.206,0:11:11.374 And as it pertains in relation to 0:11:11.374,0:11:13.235 the government in our lives, 0:11:13.235,0:11:14.958 there is some good about the concept 0:11:14.958,0:11:18.856 of "we the people" - self-governing. 0:11:18.856,0:11:20.614 But you can't take the notion 0:11:20.614,0:11:23.983 of American thought and way and culture 0:11:23.983,0:11:25.521 in regards to government 0:11:25.521,0:11:27.665 and then allow that to have you 0:11:27.665,0:11:29.430 be resistant within the church 0:11:29.430,0:11:36.894 to those who God has given to be over you. 0:11:36.894,0:11:41.149 In addition to that, 0:11:41.149,0:11:45.313 you remember maybe 20 some odd years ago, 0:11:45.313,0:11:47.637 there was a major shift when some men 0:11:47.637,0:11:51.887 who hold the title of elder or pastor 0:11:51.887,0:11:53.788 decided that they needed to think 0:11:53.788,0:11:55.454 of new and innovative ways 0:11:55.454,0:11:58.036 how to grow the church. 0:11:58.036,0:12:00.625 So what they did is they went to 0:12:00.625,0:12:04.514 secular marketing business gurus. 0:12:04.514,0:12:05.944 And they said how can we grow 0:12:05.944,0:12:07.865 the number of people? 0:12:07.865,0:12:11.916 And they got secular marketing plans. 0:12:11.916,0:12:18.231 And they brought them into their churches. 0:12:18.231,0:12:19.752 And they came up with the notion 0:12:19.752,0:12:21.618 what many have referred to 0:12:21.618,0:12:24.786 as the seeker-friendly movement. 0:12:24.786,0:12:26.893 An attempt through carnal means 0:12:26.893,0:12:28.282 to put people in the seats 0:12:28.282,0:12:32.025 and get the machine rolling. 0:12:32.025,0:12:34.833 And I know us sitting here - I imagine, 0:12:34.833,0:12:36.889 most of you if not all of you, 0:12:36.889,0:12:38.553 we looked at that and we stand 0:12:38.553,0:12:39.903 in resistance to that. 0:12:39.903,0:12:41.369 We know that's not God's means 0:12:41.369,0:12:42.517 of growing the church. 0:12:42.517,0:12:44.526 He grows the church supernaturally 0:12:44.526,0:12:46.486 through the proclamation of the Gospel, 0:12:46.486,0:12:48.548 regenerating people and drawing them 0:12:48.548,0:12:49.602 into the church. 0:12:49.602,0:12:51.613 And that's how God grows the church, 0:12:51.613,0:12:53.607 but we have to be honest as well 0:12:53.607,0:12:55.586 that this notion - maybe many of you 0:12:55.586,0:12:57.549 were in some of these churches. 0:12:57.549,0:12:59.788 A lot of the people [br]in our church in Dallas 0:12:59.788,0:13:01.952 came out of those churches 0:13:01.952,0:13:04.220 and there's residue that's left on them 0:13:04.220,0:13:05.922 from coming out of those churches 0:13:05.922,0:13:08.165 that has to be undone. 0:13:08.165,0:13:09.887 What happened during that time 0:13:09.887,0:13:11.716 is we had what's called maybe 0:13:11.716,0:13:15.324 a consumer mentality to the local church, 0:13:15.324,0:13:17.607 where the church was marketed to people; 0:13:17.607,0:13:19.885 where people went out and asked people: 0:13:19.885,0:13:22.220 Hey, what is it that you are looking for? 0:13:22.220,0:13:23.755 And they asked unbelievers, 0:13:23.755,0:13:26.256 what is it that you would [br]like to see in the church? 0:13:26.256,0:13:28.256 And then they began to create those things 0:13:28.256,0:13:30.847 and draw people in through [br]those carnal means 0:13:30.847,0:13:32.115 and then they realized, 0:13:32.115,0:13:34.165 we have to continue in those carnal means 0:13:34.165,0:13:36.469 in order to keep these [br]unregenerate people here 0:13:36.469,0:13:38.377 so we can keep the machine running. 0:13:38.377,0:13:41.015 But what happened in all of that 0:13:41.015,0:13:44.607 and bled maybe into some [br]of our churches unknowingly 0:13:44.607,0:13:48.510 is this consumer mentality of the church 0:13:48.510,0:13:50.915 where the church is here for me. 0:13:50.915,0:13:52.352 It's to meet my needs. 0:13:52.352,0:13:53.997 And the moment that the church 0:13:53.997,0:13:55.430 doesn't meet my needs 0:13:55.430,0:13:57.097 or do it the way I want, 0:13:57.097,0:14:00.711 well, I'll just go to the next [br]church down the street. 0:14:00.711,0:14:02.111 And so people, you can hear 0:14:02.111,0:14:03.740 even how they talk when they come 0:14:03.740,0:14:05.206 into the churches sometimes 0:14:05.206,0:14:06.807 and you begin to talk with them, 0:14:06.807,0:14:10.248 and they talk about using shopping terms 0:14:10.248,0:14:12.579 when they're looking for the church. 0:14:12.579,0:14:14.364 And that's what people do today. 0:14:14.364,0:14:17.102 They shop for churches. 0:14:17.102,0:14:19.868 Well, who's going to best meet my needs? 0:14:19.868,0:14:21.175 And we need to be honest, 0:14:21.175,0:14:23.162 if we've come out of that environment, 0:14:23.162,0:14:26.725 some of that has stayed with us. 0:14:26.725,0:14:28.633 And it can make us resistant, 0:14:28.633,0:14:30.415 because if I come to you and say 0:14:30.415,0:14:33.187 I'm going to market this to you, 0:14:33.187,0:14:37.206 and then I don't do [br]things the way you want, 0:14:37.206,0:14:40.548 you just say fine, we'll leave [br]and go somewhere else. 0:14:40.548,0:14:44.675 And I see that as bled into [br]many of our churches. 0:14:44.675,0:14:46.904 And it's impacting our understanding 0:14:46.904,0:14:49.529 of how we're to relate to one another 0:14:49.529,0:14:52.512 because maybe for some of you for so long, 0:14:52.512,0:14:54.862 the "pastors" that you sat under 0:14:54.862,0:14:58.127 just marketed to you to meet your needs. 0:14:58.127,0:14:59.516 And then when you come under 0:14:59.516,0:15:01.728 a biblical eldership, 0:15:01.728,0:15:05.402 who's mindful of the people, 0:15:05.402,0:15:08.450 but they're looking to the Word, 0:15:08.450,0:15:10.528 and they strive to be faithful and govern 0:15:10.528,0:15:12.445 according to the Word, 0:15:12.445,0:15:14.482 and you may disagree, 0:15:14.482,0:15:16.423 but they don't change their mind 0:15:16.423,0:15:19.790 just to meet your needs [br]or your preferences. 0:15:19.790,0:15:22.073 And if you have a consumer mentality 0:15:22.073,0:15:24.264 regarding the church, 0:15:24.264,0:15:30.584 I'll just go to the next one then. 0:15:30.584,0:15:36.153 Another reason that this [br]could be hard for us. 0:15:36.153,0:15:39.882 We just need to be honest here. 0:15:39.882,0:15:43.709 Pastors are imperfect people. 0:15:43.709,0:15:47.617 They make bad decisions sometimes. 0:15:47.617,0:15:49.230 And we're going to get into this 0:15:49.230,0:15:50.482 a little bit more in depth 0:15:50.482,0:15:54.027 and try to flesh this out [br]as we go through this. 0:15:54.027,0:15:58.700 Because if they are called to rule, 0:15:58.700,0:16:01.885 govern the church, 0:16:01.885,0:16:04.225 there will be times when you disagree 0:16:04.225,0:16:05.512 with your pastors 0:16:05.512,0:16:08.017 and the decisions that they've made. 0:16:08.017,0:16:09.942 And I want to ask Scripture, 0:16:09.942,0:16:11.625 what are we to do about that? 0:16:11.625,0:16:12.883 What are we supposed to do 0:16:12.883,0:16:14.845 when they don't do things the way I think 0:16:14.845,0:16:16.526 they should be done? 0:16:16.526,0:16:18.449 So hopefully we can find 0:16:18.449,0:16:23.013 how the Scriptures speak to us. 0:16:23.013,0:16:25.612 Let's continue in v. 17. 0:16:25.612,0:16:29.270 "Let the elders who rule well 0:16:29.270,0:16:33.356 be considered worthy of double honor, 0:16:33.356,0:16:35.322 especially those who labor 0:16:35.322,0:16:37.267 in preaching and teaching. 0:16:37.267,0:16:38.977 For the Scripture says, 0:16:38.977,0:16:41.282 'you shall not muzzle an ox 0:16:41.282,0:16:42.987 when it treads out the grain;' 0:16:42.987,0:16:46.824 and, 'the laborer deserves his wages.'" 0:16:46.824,0:16:49.536 What does Paul mean when he says here: 0:16:49.536,0:16:53.656 "be considered worthy of double honor"? 0:16:53.656,0:16:56.646 I think he has at least [br]two things in mind. 0:16:56.646,0:16:59.536 One is the valuing, 0:16:59.536,0:17:02.456 the esteeming of elders. 0:17:02.456,0:17:06.516 Holding them in high regard. 0:17:06.516,0:17:11.992 And the second is dealing with [br]financially supporting them. 0:17:11.992,0:17:13.877 Let's talk about this first one. 0:17:13.877,0:17:18.949 The honoring of elders by [br]holding them in high regard. 0:17:18.949,0:17:21.691 Paul says something very similar 0:17:21.691,0:17:24.295 to the church in Thessalonica. 0:17:24.295,0:17:28.912 Let me read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 0:17:28.912,0:17:31.050 and you see if you hear a parallel 0:17:31.050,0:17:35.199 to this call to honoring. 0:17:35.199,0:17:37.912 He writes, "We ask you, brothers, 0:17:37.912,0:17:41.373 to respect those who labor among you 0:17:41.373,0:17:44.898 and are over you in the Lord 0:17:44.898,0:17:48.912 and admonish you, 0:17:48.912,0:17:53.637 and to esteem them very highly in love 0:17:53.637,0:17:58.006 because of their work." 0:17:58.006,0:18:00.058 Did you notice the reason 0:18:00.058,0:18:03.175 that you are to honor your pastors? 0:18:03.175,0:18:04.770 Did you notice the reason you are 0:18:04.770,0:18:07.193 to respect them? To esteem them? 0:18:07.193,0:18:08.305 And look at the words: 0:18:08.305,0:18:11.442 "very highly in love." 0:18:11.442,0:18:13.383 Is it because you agree with them 0:18:13.383,0:18:16.328 at every step and turn they make? 0:18:16.328,0:18:18.039 No. 0:18:18.039,0:18:20.902 Why does Paul tell you here to show honor, 0:18:20.902,0:18:23.824 to respect, to esteem your pastors? 0:18:23.824,0:18:27.587 Because of their work. That's why. 0:18:27.587,0:18:30.134 Paul holds the work, the role, 0:18:30.134,0:18:33.013 and the responsibility that pastors have 0:18:33.013,0:18:35.076 as a high regard; 0:18:35.076,0:18:37.606 as a very vital and essential aspect 0:18:37.606,0:18:38.973 to the church. 0:18:38.973,0:18:41.185 And because of that work, 0:18:41.185,0:18:44.035 he says I want you to honor [br]them and esteem them. 0:18:44.035,0:18:46.893 Not because you agree [br]at every turn they make. 0:18:46.893,0:18:52.052 Just because of the work that they do. 0:18:52.052,0:18:54.751 Let me tell you what Paul's not saying. 0:18:54.751,0:18:56.395 Paul is not saying that you 0:18:56.395,0:18:58.207 as the individual church member 0:18:58.207,0:19:01.682 get to decide how well you [br]think your pastors are doing 0:19:01.682,0:19:05.342 in their ruling, in their being over you, 0:19:05.342,0:19:07.234 and then if you don't agree with them, 0:19:07.234,0:19:10.165 you don't have to show them honor. 0:19:10.165,0:19:12.722 That's not what he's calling you to. 0:19:12.722,0:19:14.937 He's stating a fact that they are called 0:19:14.937,0:19:16.658 to rule, to oversee. 0:19:16.658,0:19:18.823 And he says I want you to honor them 0:19:18.823,0:19:20.619 and I want you to respect them 0:19:20.619,0:19:24.734 because of the work that they do. 0:19:24.734,0:19:26.798 Paul is telling Timothy 0:19:26.798,0:19:28.687 and the churches to recognize 0:19:28.687,0:19:31.969 that God has put these men over you 0:19:31.969,0:19:33.443 in the Lord. 0:19:33.443,0:19:37.400 And notice I didn't say [br]"in between" you and the Lord. 0:19:37.400,0:19:39.174 This is not a mediator. 0:19:39.174,0:19:42.054 This is not the Catholic church notion. 0:19:42.054,0:19:45.304 Okay? God in His love and His kindness 0:19:45.304,0:19:47.650 has put men over the church - 0:19:47.650,0:19:48.945 under-shepherds. 0:19:48.945,0:19:50.726 Not in between you and the Lord. 0:19:50.726,0:19:54.138 You don't go through your [br]pastor to get to God - none of that. 0:19:54.138,0:19:57.076 But over you in the church. 0:19:57.076,0:19:59.427 There is one Mediator in the church. 0:19:59.427,0:20:04.778 It's the Lord Jesus Christ. 0:20:04.778,0:20:08.146 So what do we do when [br]these men are imperfect? 0:20:08.146,0:20:09.383 They have faults. 0:20:09.383,0:20:11.190 They have weaknesses. 0:20:11.190,0:20:13.849 And we don't always agree [br]with their decisions 0:20:13.849,0:20:16.953 or their rule. 0:20:16.953,0:20:19.329 Typically I hear the argument 0:20:19.329,0:20:21.814 in this area of this: 0:20:21.814,0:20:29.314 Are you asking us to just [br]blindly follow these men then? 0:20:29.314,0:20:33.275 Are you asking us just to [br]blindly follow these men? 0:20:33.275,0:20:35.876 And Paul would say to you: No. 0:20:35.876,0:20:41.451 And I am in no way telling [br]you to blindly follow men. 0:20:41.451,0:20:43.904 But we do need to see the role 0:20:43.904,0:20:46.827 that they have of ruling; 0:20:46.827,0:20:57.407 of being over you in [br]the affairs of the church. 0:20:57.407,0:21:00.586 I'll tell you this, 0:21:00.586,0:21:02.334 you may be looking at me right now 0:21:02.334,0:21:05.843 and saying, we'll, you're a pastor. 0:21:05.843,0:21:10.064 Maybe it sounds like I'm [br]making a power grab. 0:21:10.064,0:21:12.926 But I can say this for one time, 0:21:12.926,0:21:15.005 thankfully none of you are in the church 0:21:15.005,0:21:17.466 that I pastor. 0:21:17.466,0:21:20.553 Not one person here is in [br]the church that I pastor. 0:21:20.553,0:21:22.306 So in regards to you, 0:21:22.306,0:21:25.434 I have no personal gain 0:21:25.434,0:21:28.047 in sharing these things with you. 0:21:28.047,0:21:29.671 I don't get anything. 0:21:29.671,0:21:32.834 If you say, okay, we're going [br]to honor our pastors - 0:21:32.834,0:21:34.880 personally it doesn't impact me 0:21:34.880,0:21:38.738 in the church that I pastor in Dallas. 0:21:38.738,0:21:40.909 But I want you to know this, 0:21:40.909,0:21:43.484 as a pastor and of the pastors here, 0:21:43.484,0:21:45.730 you need to put these things 0:21:45.730,0:21:49.674 before your people in your church. 0:21:49.674,0:21:54.465 Because who else is going [br]to teach them these things? 0:21:54.465,0:21:57.701 Not many people will get up [br]and teach these things. 0:21:57.701,0:21:59.969 Preaching these things in your own church 0:21:59.969,0:22:02.433 does sound self-motivated, 0:22:02.433,0:22:04.686 but I will not apologize for what it is, 0:22:04.686,0:22:07.621 because we're looking at God's Word. 0:22:07.621,0:22:10.094 We're looking at multiple [br]places in Scripture - 0:22:10.094,0:22:15.846 not an obscure passage. 0:22:15.846,0:22:17.692 Multiple places in Scripture 0:22:17.692,0:22:19.127 that speak to the role, 0:22:19.127,0:22:21.172 the authority, and the rule 0:22:21.172,0:22:23.847 of elders within the church. 0:22:23.847,0:22:25.517 I'm sharing these things with you 0:22:25.517,0:22:27.073 because this is God's Word 0:22:27.073,0:22:29.011 and because as you obey these things 0:22:29.011,0:22:31.487 and submit to these truths, 0:22:31.487,0:22:33.954 it goes well for you in your church. 0:22:33.954,0:22:35.640 I'm speaking these things to you 0:22:35.640,0:22:37.868 for your edification and for the health 0:22:37.868,0:22:39.261 of your local church, 0:22:39.261,0:22:49.032 and ultimately then for the glory of God. 0:22:49.032,0:22:51.028 So we'll speak more about what do we do 0:22:51.028,0:22:54.339 when we disagree here [br]in just a few moments. 0:22:54.339,0:22:56.992 Pastors, let me share [br]this with you though. 0:22:56.992,0:22:58.931 If you have any fear about getting up 0:22:58.931,0:23:00.824 in front of your church 0:23:00.824,0:23:03.993 and sharing these truths with them, 0:23:03.993,0:23:05.820 I want you to know this. 0:23:05.820,0:23:08.172 They will gladly receive them 0:23:08.172,0:23:11.715 because they see that you love them. 0:23:11.715,0:23:14.285 It's through our serving the saints 0:23:14.285,0:23:16.377 that they may be tempted in a moment 0:23:16.377,0:23:20.211 to think this is self-serving;[br]this is a power grab of our pastor, 0:23:20.211,0:23:22.673 but when you are sitting [br]there laboring with them, 0:23:22.673,0:23:23.931 praying with them, 0:23:23.931,0:23:25.713 sitting across tables with them, 0:23:25.713,0:23:27.874 demonstrating your love with them, 0:23:27.874,0:23:30.067 they'll humble themselves in these moments 0:23:30.067,0:23:33.245 and they won't perceive it as a power grab 0:23:33.245,0:23:35.963 as you teach them God's Word. 0:23:35.963,0:23:39.353 Well, Paul goes on in regards to honor. 0:23:39.353,0:23:41.206 And he said not only should this mean 0:23:41.206,0:23:43.582 respect for the role that they have, 0:23:43.582,0:23:45.340 the job that they do, 0:23:45.340,0:23:49.641 but he is speaking also [br]of financial support. 0:23:49.641,0:23:51.387 And you notice here that he says: 0:23:51.387,0:23:53.889 "especially those who labor 0:23:53.889,0:23:57.764 in the preaching and [br]teaching of the Word." 0:23:57.764,0:24:00.527 Paul's argument for [br]financially supporting 0:24:00.527,0:24:03.767 the pastors is tied to [br]Old Testament texts. 0:24:03.767,0:24:05.898 It's tied to Deuteronomy 25 0:24:05.898,0:24:07.475 and Leviticus 19. 0:24:07.475,0:24:10.384 "You shall not muzzle the ox [br]when it treads out the grain." 0:24:10.384,0:24:14.206 And "the laborer deserves his wages." 0:24:14.206,0:24:16.637 Paul fleshes this out if you [br]want to study it more 0:24:16.637,0:24:19.958 in 1 Corinthians 9. 0:24:19.958,0:24:23.808 But Paul so values the role of pastors 0:24:23.808,0:24:25.841 and particularly within the eldership 0:24:25.841,0:24:28.245 or the plurality, those who are given 0:24:28.245,0:24:31.190 to the preaching and teaching of the Word 0:24:31.190,0:24:33.750 that he says whenever it's possible, 0:24:33.750,0:24:35.406 working towards this end, 0:24:35.406,0:24:37.899 that you should set that person apart 0:24:37.899,0:24:41.459 for the ministry of the Word and prayer. 0:24:41.459,0:24:43.077 Beloved, let me ask you this: 0:24:43.077,0:24:47.916 Do you think about [br]that when you're giving? 0:24:47.916,0:24:51.155 This is of value for you. 0:24:51.155,0:24:55.520 I know that sometimes that's [br]not a possibility in the moment. 0:24:55.520,0:24:57.817 And I think most of us [br]here who are pastoring 0:24:57.817,0:25:03.264 probably were bi-vocational. 0:25:03.264,0:25:07.633 I worked bi-vocationally for 8 years. 0:25:07.633,0:25:09.898 And I want you to know it was so hard 0:25:09.898,0:25:12.717 on me and my family. 0:25:12.717,0:25:17.043 But it also wasn't good for the church. 0:25:17.043,0:25:19.512 And again, we live in the [br]providence of God, 0:25:19.512,0:25:21.596 but to the degree that we're able, 0:25:21.596,0:25:23.156 we should be giving so we can 0:25:23.156,0:25:27.560 set these men apart - [br]especially those who labor 0:25:27.560,0:25:29.612 in the preaching and teaching of the Word. 0:25:29.612,0:25:31.334 Set them apart so they can be 0:25:31.334,0:25:33.948 fully devoted to these things 0:25:33.948,0:25:41.036 for the building up of the church. 0:25:41.036,0:25:42.879 What you'll see very often 0:25:42.879,0:25:44.765 when he differentiates here 0:25:44.765,0:25:46.763 among the plurality, 0:25:46.763,0:25:50.618 that you will see within the plurality, 0:25:50.618,0:25:52.619 all of them need to be able to teach, 0:25:52.619,0:25:54.961 but you'll see very often [br]where there will be 0:25:54.961,0:25:57.597 one or two of those elders just set apart 0:25:57.597,0:26:00.918 for the preaching and [br]teaching of the Word. 0:26:00.918,0:26:02.642 And when you recognize that, 0:26:02.642,0:26:05.758 strive to set those people apart 0:26:05.758,0:26:09.021 by supporting them financially 0:26:09.021,0:26:11.773 so they can fulfill this call. 0:26:11.773,0:26:13.306 Even the ones who are set apart, 0:26:13.306,0:26:15.496 remember this, within the plurality though 0:26:15.496,0:26:18.419 it's a co-equal shepherding. 0:26:18.419,0:26:19.710 Just because one is given 0:26:19.710,0:26:21.811 to the preaching and teaching of the Word, 0:26:21.811,0:26:25.619 it does not mean that [br]he's a senior pastor. 0:26:25.619,0:26:27.667 There are pastors. 0:26:27.667,0:26:29.671 There's no levels here. 0:26:29.671,0:26:31.009 They're co-equals. 0:26:31.009,0:26:33.344 They shepherd collectively together. 0:26:33.344,0:26:35.773 And some of them within the co-equal 0:26:35.773,0:26:43.420 are given to the preaching [br]and teaching of the Word. 0:26:43.420,0:26:48.430 So far we've seen that [br]elders are called to rule; 0:26:48.430,0:26:50.834 to preside over the church. 0:26:50.834,0:26:53.413 The congregation is to see that 0:26:53.413,0:26:55.193 and to honor that. 0:26:55.193,0:26:56.822 They're to respect the elders 0:26:56.822,0:26:58.835 and to esteem them highly in love 0:26:58.835,0:27:01.149 because of their role. 0:27:01.149,0:27:04.553 They're to provide for [br]the elders in the church 0:27:04.553,0:27:08.278 material as they feed you spiritual. 0:27:08.278,0:27:11.292 Especially those who are given 0:27:11.292,0:27:15.542 to the preaching and teaching of the Word. 0:27:15.542,0:27:19.153 Beloved, any true pastor is not in this 0:27:19.153,0:27:22.417 for greedy gain. 0:27:22.417,0:27:33.759 Peter warns about that in 1 Peter 5. 0:27:33.759,0:27:36.898 Let me share this too though. 0:27:36.898,0:27:38.903 I've heard this notion - again, 0:27:38.903,0:27:41.062 you aren't in the church I pastor, 0:27:41.062,0:27:48.087 so remember, I don't have [br]a motive for you here personally. 0:27:48.087,0:27:53.935 Keeping your pastor poor is not holy. 0:27:53.935,0:27:57.909 There's this notion: if we pay our pastor 0:27:57.909,0:28:00.598 this much money, he'll be [br]in it for the money. 0:28:00.598,0:28:06.002 If he's in it for the money, [br]he's disqualified. 0:28:06.002,0:28:08.658 No one's going into this calling 0:28:08.658,0:28:10.403 for material gain, 0:28:10.403,0:28:12.215 but don't go into it with 0:28:12.215,0:28:15.723 a monastic mentality. 0:28:15.723,0:28:19.646 Just keep them poor. [br]It will keep them holy. 0:28:19.646,0:28:23.084 I'm not advocating to [br]make him rich either. 0:28:23.084,0:28:24.732 But don't ask this man 0:28:24.732,0:28:26.636 what's the least amount of money 0:28:26.636,0:28:29.428 you could possibly humanly survive on? 0:28:29.428,0:28:31.908 And then give him that amount. 0:28:31.908,0:28:33.693 You don't treat anyone else like that 0:28:33.693,0:28:35.940 and you don't treat yourself like that. 0:28:35.940,0:28:37.838 Be mindful of your pastor. 0:28:37.838,0:28:39.856 Give him enough money 0:28:39.856,0:28:44.179 that he can be an example [br]in his own giving. 0:28:44.179,0:28:45.646 That's a good rule. 0:28:45.646,0:28:47.042 He needs to lead in all ways. 0:28:47.042,0:28:49.081 He should be an example to the church 0:28:49.081,0:28:51.696 in his own giving to the church 0:28:51.696,0:28:54.743 and to missions. 0:28:54.743,0:28:56.163 But if you've said, well, 0:28:56.163,0:28:58.446 this is the least amount you can live by. 0:28:58.446,0:29:00.231 We'll give him $10 over that. 0:29:00.231,0:29:03.278 How is he to lead then [br]in the example of giving? 0:29:03.278,0:29:08.949 Be mindful of your pastor in these ways. 0:29:08.949,0:29:12.970 Let's look at v. 19. 0:29:12.970,0:29:15.124 This might be one of [br]the most important parts 0:29:15.124,0:29:20.838 about your relationship to your pastors. 0:29:20.838,0:29:24.246 Paul tells Timothy in v. 19, 0:29:24.246,0:29:28.329 "Do not admit a charge against an elder 0:29:28.329,0:29:29.996 except on the evidence 0:29:29.996,0:29:33.049 of two or three witnesses." 0:29:33.049,0:29:34.965 The NASB renders it, 0:29:34.965,0:29:38.401 "Do not receive an accusation..." 0:29:38.401,0:29:42.794 The NIV says, "Do not even entertain 0:29:42.794,0:29:45.529 an accusation except on the account 0:29:45.529,0:29:51.640 of two or three witnesses." 0:29:51.640,0:29:54.965 Paul seems to understand something. 0:29:54.965,0:29:58.176 As people struggle with this idea 0:29:58.176,0:30:01.098 of elders being over the church 0:30:01.098,0:30:03.488 and the resistance to that 0:30:03.488,0:30:06.326 that is often within the church, 0:30:06.326,0:30:08.945 Paul recognizes that one of the ways 0:30:08.945,0:30:11.172 some people might try to deal 0:30:11.172,0:30:14.402 with an elder's decision they don't like 0:30:14.402,0:30:18.271 is by lobbing an accusation against them. 0:30:18.271,0:30:19.897 And Paul's telling Timothy here - 0:30:19.897,0:30:21.984 remember Timothy is acting as an elder 0:30:21.984,0:30:23.860 in this church right now. 0:30:23.860,0:30:25.080 And he's telling Timothy, 0:30:25.080,0:30:26.565 hey, when you're in there 0:30:26.565,0:30:28.363 and you have these elders with you, 0:30:28.363,0:30:30.344 don't receive; don't even entertain 0:30:30.344,0:30:32.553 an accusation against the elders 0:30:32.553,0:30:36.611 unless it's on the account of [br]two or three witnesses. 0:30:36.611,0:30:44.932 Paul's trying to protect the elders. 0:30:44.932,0:30:48.207 Not because elders don't [br]need accountability. 0:30:48.207,0:30:49.851 They do. 0:30:49.851,0:30:53.672 There again's another [br]reason for the plurality. 0:30:53.672,0:30:57.368 And not because they're [br]not capable of sin. 0:30:57.368,0:30:58.780 They are. 0:30:58.780,0:31:00.633 In fact, we'll see in the next verse 0:31:00.633,0:31:03.976 how he deals with elders who are in sin. 0:31:03.976,0:31:05.545 But Paul seems to recognize 0:31:05.545,0:31:07.803 that there will be many accusations 0:31:07.803,0:31:11.117 made against elders or an elder 0:31:11.117,0:31:12.443 in the church. 0:31:12.443,0:31:16.479 And he's telling Timothy [br]how to handle this. 0:31:16.479,0:31:18.021 How to handle it when people 0:31:18.021,0:31:20.230 don't agree with the elders 0:31:20.230,0:31:24.055 and then begin to make [br]accusations against them. 0:31:24.055,0:31:27.504 Paul is not saying that if [br]you have an accusation - 0:31:27.504,0:31:31.223 you become aware of sin against an elder, 0:31:31.223,0:31:33.021 that you shouldn't do anything. 0:31:33.021,0:31:34.747 He's not saying that. 0:31:34.747,0:31:38.811 Remember again, Paul's [br]functioning as an elder. 0:31:38.811,0:31:40.850 So if someone in the church there 0:31:40.850,0:31:42.590 saw or heard of something 0:31:42.590,0:31:44.748 in regards to an elder being in sin, 0:31:44.748,0:31:46.211 they're to go to Paul 0:31:46.211,0:31:49.602 and bring that accusation [br]to the other elder. 0:31:49.602,0:31:51.958 But what Paul is telling Timothy here 0:31:51.958,0:31:54.485 is but do not entertain it; 0:31:54.485,0:31:58.740 don't consider it until there's [br]two or three witnesses. 0:31:58.740,0:32:01.314 Let me tell you what that does not mean. 0:32:01.314,0:32:04.017 That does not mean that if someone 0:32:04.017,0:32:06.099 has an accusation against an elder, 0:32:06.099,0:32:07.695 that they are to go out then 0:32:07.695,0:32:09.772 and find other church members 0:32:09.772,0:32:13.247 and share with them their understanding 0:32:13.247,0:32:15.366 of the issue they have with the elder 0:32:15.366,0:32:17.843 so they can get two or three witnesses 0:32:17.843,0:32:19.592 and then they can go in and present 0:32:19.592,0:32:21.302 their case against the elder. 0:32:21.302,0:32:23.426 That's not what it means. 0:32:23.426,0:32:25.903 What he means here is that 0:32:25.903,0:32:29.644 when sin becomes public to someone, 0:32:29.644,0:32:33.028 they go to an elder in the church, 0:32:33.028,0:32:35.430 and that elder hears it. He listens. 0:32:35.430,0:32:37.072 He begins to pray. 0:32:37.072,0:32:38.717 And then when somebody else - 0:32:38.717,0:32:40.780 not because they've come together 0:32:40.780,0:32:42.288 in some plan - 0:32:42.288,0:32:43.452 but when someone else, 0:32:43.452,0:32:45.383 God brings that sin to the surface, 0:32:45.383,0:32:46.813 they become aware of it, 0:32:46.813,0:32:48.575 they go to the elder as well. 0:32:48.575,0:32:50.383 And now we have two people coming 0:32:50.383,0:32:53.381 as witnesses in regards to an accusation. 0:32:53.381,0:32:55.182 And Paul says in the next verse, 0:32:55.182,0:32:56.832 you deal with that swiftly 0:32:56.832,0:33:04.531 and you deal with that publicly then. 0:33:04.531,0:33:10.882 And there's a principle [br]here for all of us. 0:33:10.882,0:33:13.403 If Timothy is not to entertain or admit 0:33:13.403,0:33:15.173 a charge against an elder, 0:33:15.173,0:33:19.741 except on the evidence [br]of two or three witnesses, 0:33:19.741,0:33:23.586 do you think there's a [br]principle for us in there? 0:33:23.586,0:33:25.382 Let me tell you the principle I think 0:33:25.382,0:33:28.996 is in there for us. 0:33:28.996,0:33:31.917 When someone begins to disagree 0:33:31.917,0:33:38.911 with an elder or decisions [br]that the elders have made, 0:33:38.911,0:33:42.585 they may not run around and claim 0:33:42.585,0:33:46.021 sin against the elder upright. 0:33:46.021,0:33:48.077 But very often, what we see happening 0:33:48.077,0:33:51.723 is that they do begin [br]to go to other members 0:33:51.723,0:33:53.507 in the church 0:33:53.507,0:33:56.271 and subtly begin to make accusations 0:33:56.271,0:33:59.930 against the elder or the elders 0:33:59.930,0:34:02.595 because they disagree. 0:34:02.595,0:34:06.224 Now if Paul tells Timothy 0:34:06.224,0:34:09.086 do not entertain an accusation 0:34:09.086,0:34:11.228 against the elders except on the evidence 0:34:11.228,0:34:14.819 of two or three witnesses, 0:34:14.819,0:34:18.994 what should that look like for you? 0:34:18.994,0:34:21.879 When someone in the church comes to you 0:34:21.879,0:34:28.332 and inevitably they present this to you 0:34:28.332,0:34:31.783 as great concern they [br]have for the church - 0:34:31.783,0:34:34.627 I've got great concern [br]for the church right now 0:34:34.627,0:34:35.910 and I want to come to you 0:34:35.910,0:34:38.412 regarding this elder and this decisions 0:34:38.412,0:34:39.920 or the elders and the decision, 0:34:39.920,0:34:43.261 and the elders are what they're saying. 0:34:43.261,0:34:45.663 Are you not in that moment entertaining 0:34:45.663,0:34:50.488 an accusation against the elders? 0:34:50.488,0:34:53.663 Think of what that means: to entertain. 0:34:53.663,0:34:57.055 To consider the accusations. 0:34:57.055,0:34:59.564 We disagree with the elders in this area 0:34:59.564,0:35:01.808 and here's why. 0:35:01.808,0:35:03.981 Is that a church member's responsibility 0:35:03.981,0:35:07.147 to other church members? 0:35:07.147,0:35:09.253 No. 0:35:09.253,0:35:11.641 That's not a church [br]member's responsibility 0:35:11.641,0:35:13.434 to other church members. 0:35:13.434,0:35:15.086 It's not to go and present 0:35:15.086,0:35:17.036 your disagreements with the elders 0:35:17.036,0:35:20.015 to other church members to gather a coup. 0:35:20.015,0:35:21.964 That's not your role. 0:35:21.964,0:35:24.448 And I would guess many [br]of you are not doing that - 0:35:24.448,0:35:26.078 hopefully none of you are, 0:35:26.078,0:35:28.852 but one thing I want to [br]warn you to be careful of: 0:35:28.852,0:35:32.629 are you on the receiving [br]end of that though? 0:35:32.629,0:35:36.269 Are you on the entertaining end of that? 0:35:36.269,0:35:38.729 Where someone in the [br]church has a disagreement 0:35:38.729,0:35:41.287 with the elders and they come to you 0:35:41.287,0:35:43.315 and they say, 0:35:43.315,0:35:47.490 "Well, I don't know if I agree with [br]the elders in this area then." 0:35:47.490,0:35:52.367 And you sit down and you [br]begin to entertain these things? 0:35:52.367,0:35:56.131 Can I tell you what's [br]happening when you do that? 0:35:56.131,0:35:58.042 You're allowing an undermining - 0:35:58.042,0:36:01.008 a seed to be planted in [br]you regarding the elders - 0:36:01.008,0:36:02.818 and it will create a lens for you 0:36:02.818,0:36:05.229 through which you will [br]begin to look at everything 0:36:05.229,0:36:09.133 your elders do in light of that. 0:36:09.133,0:36:11.989 It creates division in the church. 0:36:11.989,0:36:21.044 Entertaining accusations [br]against the elders. 0:36:21.044,0:36:24.004 Now, when you begin to talk like this, 0:36:24.004,0:36:26.603 people get concerned because they say 0:36:26.603,0:36:29.883 what if the pastors are asking us 0:36:29.883,0:36:33.231 to clearly go against Scripture? 0:36:33.231,0:36:35.323 Are we just supposed to sit quietly by 0:36:35.323,0:36:37.498 and do nothing? 0:36:37.498,0:36:39.798 No. 0:36:39.798,0:36:43.845 But I want to be honest with us. 0:36:43.845,0:36:46.803 In these scenarios, 0:36:46.803,0:36:49.976 for the most part, 0:36:49.976,0:36:52.775 the issues that are brought up 0:36:52.775,0:36:54.727 are not when a pastor or pastors 0:36:54.727,0:36:59.303 are asking you to disregard Scripture. 0:36:59.303,0:37:01.318 They're most likely not telling you 0:37:01.318,0:37:03.138 there are other paths 0:37:03.138,0:37:05.856 to forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 0:37:05.856,0:37:07.407 They're usually not dealing with 0:37:07.407,0:37:11.640 the person or the nature of Jesus Christ. 0:37:11.640,0:37:13.683 Usually when these things arise 0:37:13.683,0:37:17.166 we're dealing in other matters. 0:37:17.166,0:37:20.601 Usually it's in areas [br]where we may disagree 0:37:20.601,0:37:23.775 with the ways that pastors [br]have made a decision. 0:37:23.775,0:37:26.337 Or it's another what we might call 0:37:26.337,0:37:28.812 a secondary issue. 0:37:28.812,0:37:31.230 A non-salvific issue. 0:37:31.230,0:37:34.118 Where you hold to a [br]different understanding. 0:37:34.118,0:37:37.414 Or even more likely - a preference. 0:37:37.414,0:37:39.327 How we do things in the church 0:37:39.327,0:37:41.771 that we disagree with. 0:37:41.771,0:37:45.010 And saints, I want you [br]to have healthy churches. 0:37:45.010,0:37:47.731 And it's usually in these areas 0:37:47.731,0:37:50.179 that I find people going [br]around and saying: 0:37:50.179,0:37:52.180 You know, I really need to share with you 0:37:52.180,0:37:54.576 where I disagree with [br]the elders in this area, 0:37:54.576,0:37:56.550 and why I think they're [br]doing this wrong, 0:37:56.550,0:37:58.603 and why I think they're wrong. 0:37:58.603,0:38:05.258 And we sit very often and begin [br]to entertain these things. 0:38:05.258,0:38:07.217 If you have an issue where you believe 0:38:07.217,0:38:08.507 your pastor is leading you 0:38:08.507,0:38:10.059 or your pastors are leading you 0:38:10.059,0:38:11.707 contrary to the Word of God, 0:38:11.707,0:38:13.962 you need to go to your pastors. 0:38:13.962,0:38:17.550 You need to do it in a spirit of humility 0:38:17.550,0:38:20.318 because they are over you in the Lord. 0:38:20.318,0:38:21.856 And you need to share with them 0:38:21.856,0:38:24.434 why you disagree with them. 0:38:24.434,0:38:28.469 But again, most of what I [br]see happening out there 0:38:28.469,0:38:31.944 is not in regards to a pastor telling you 0:38:31.944,0:38:35.723 to disregard Scripture, 0:38:35.723,0:38:39.241 or to forsake something [br]God's told you to do. 0:38:39.241,0:38:41.989 Most of the time it's in regards to: 0:38:41.989,0:38:48.681 I just disagree with the elders here. 0:38:48.681,0:38:53.111 Are the elders not accountable then? 0:38:53.111,0:38:56.782 What do we do if an [br]elder does persist in sin? 0:38:56.782,0:38:59.351 Look at v. 20. 0:38:59.351,0:39:02.343 "As those who persist in sin, 0:39:02.343,0:39:05.243 rebuke them in the presence of all 0:39:05.243,0:39:11.093 so that the rest may stand in fear." 0:39:11.093,0:39:14.832 Listen, when elders and pastors are in sin 0:39:14.832,0:39:17.468 they are dealt with very quickly 0:39:17.468,0:39:20.602 and they're dealt with publicly. 0:39:20.602,0:39:23.373 When elders are in sin and presiding 0:39:23.373,0:39:24.997 and continuing in sin, 0:39:24.997,0:39:27.873 it goes before the church. 0:39:27.873,0:39:29.600 God uses it redemptively 0:39:29.600,0:39:31.494 to bring fear into the church 0:39:31.494,0:39:34.345 of how serious sin is 0:39:34.345,0:39:36.931 in regards to these things. 0:39:36.931,0:39:38.720 Elders are under accountability. 0:39:38.720,0:39:40.031 They're accountable to God. 0:39:40.031,0:39:41.875 They're accountable to the Scriptures. 0:39:41.875,0:39:43.757 And in that sense, they are accountable 0:39:43.757,0:39:45.018 to the congregation. 0:39:45.018,0:39:48.445 They're accountable to [br]the other elders there. 0:39:48.445,0:39:50.338 God's not allowing pastors 0:39:50.338,0:39:54.174 to not be under accountability here. 0:39:54.174,0:40:00.240 He deals with sin in pastors very quickly. 0:40:00.240,0:40:03.766 I want to turn to one [br]other portion of Scripture. 0:40:03.766,0:40:05.324 That's in the book of Hebrews. 0:40:05.324,0:40:08.420 We looked at this verse yesterday. 0:40:08.420,0:40:12.360 Hebrews 13:17. 0:40:12.360,0:40:17.549 If you'll turn there with me. 0:40:17.549,0:40:25.667 One more verse. 0:40:25.667,0:40:29.877 The writer says here, 0:40:29.877,0:40:32.276 "Obey your leaders 0:40:32.276,0:40:34.480 and submit to them, 0:40:34.480,0:40:36.821 for (here's the reason) 0:40:36.821,0:40:41.073 they're keeping watch over your souls 0:40:41.073,0:40:45.364 as those who will give an account. 0:40:45.364,0:40:47.489 Let them do this with joy 0:40:47.489,0:40:49.225 and not with groaning, 0:40:49.225,0:40:55.689 for that would be of no advantage to you." 0:40:55.689,0:40:58.577 Obey your elders. Obey your leaders 0:40:58.577,0:41:02.482 and submit to them. 0:41:02.482,0:41:05.682 That's clear. 0:41:05.682,0:41:09.137 Obey them and submit to them. 0:41:09.137,0:41:11.105 Why? 0:41:11.105,0:41:12.916 They're keeping watch over your soul 0:41:12.916,0:41:17.353 and they're going to give an account. 0:41:17.353,0:41:22.420 The author is not calling [br]you to blind obedience. 0:41:22.420,0:41:27.357 If an elder calls you [br]to disregard Scripture, 0:41:27.357,0:41:33.413 you should obey God rather than man. 0:41:33.413,0:41:35.480 But again, when we're dealing with 0:41:35.480,0:41:38.043 differences of preference; 0:41:38.043,0:41:41.779 when we're dealing with [br]a different understanding 0:41:41.779,0:41:46.714 of maybe a portion of Scripture, 0:41:46.714,0:41:55.381 what are you to do? 0:41:55.381,0:41:58.088 What do I do when the [br]elders make a decision 0:41:58.088,0:42:00.675 I disagree with? 0:42:00.675,0:42:02.816 When if I'm being honest, [br]they're not asking 0:42:02.816,0:42:06.004 me to disregard Scripture, [br]but I just see it a different way. 0:42:06.004,0:42:09.459 How we should live this out. 0:42:09.459,0:42:13.150 What does he call us to? 0:42:13.150,0:42:15.802 Submission. 0:42:15.802,0:42:17.526 It doesn't mean you fully agree 0:42:17.526,0:42:21.352 with what the elders have decided. 0:42:21.352,0:42:23.287 It means you recognize the place 0:42:23.287,0:42:26.715 that God has given them [br]in their local church. 0:42:26.715,0:42:29.447 And as they're striving to pastor 0:42:29.447,0:42:31.878 in accordance with Scripture, 0:42:31.878,0:42:34.598 you may disagree with something. 0:42:34.598,0:42:37.423 What do I do when I disagree? 0:42:37.423,0:42:45.673 You submit. 0:42:45.673,0:42:50.686 Let me share something [br]that is kind of hard for us. 0:42:50.686,0:42:58.616 Submission is not [br]demonstrated when you agree. 0:42:58.616,0:43:10.939 Submission is most [br]demonstrated when you disagree. 0:43:10.939,0:43:14.414 When God calls you to submit to Him, 0:43:14.414,0:43:16.546 Paul seems to think one of the ways 0:43:16.546,0:43:19.595 that you demonstrate [br]your submission to God 0:43:19.595,0:43:21.890 is by demonstrating your submission 0:43:21.890,0:43:27.411 to the authority that [br]He's put in your life. 0:43:27.411,0:43:28.697 In the book of Ephesians, 0:43:28.697,0:43:30.958 he seems to say something like this: 0:43:30.958,0:43:33.296 Are you submitted to God? 0:43:33.296,0:43:34.723 Well, yes, I am. 0:43:34.723,0:43:36.969 Well, then, wives, show that submission 0:43:36.969,0:43:38.512 as you submit to your husband 0:43:38.512,0:43:41.910 who I've put over you. 0:43:41.910,0:43:45.367 What if I don't agree with my husband? 0:43:45.367,0:43:49.360 You submit. 0:43:49.360,0:43:51.380 Yes, if your husband asks you 0:43:51.380,0:43:52.706 to forsake the Bible, 0:43:52.706,0:43:54.298 you obey God rather than man. 0:43:54.298,0:43:57.112 We've dealt with that.[br]This isn't blind submission. 0:43:57.112,0:43:59.222 But let's be honest, most of our struggles 0:43:59.222,0:44:03.025 with submission is not [br]because our parents, 0:44:03.025,0:44:05.045 our husbands, our governing authorities 0:44:05.045,0:44:08.308 are telling us to turn away [br]and forsake Scripture. 0:44:08.308,0:44:10.872 It's because we've come [br]to a place of disagreement. 0:44:10.872,0:44:12.047 And what does that mean? 0:44:12.047,0:44:14.307 That when there's a place of disagreement, 0:44:14.307,0:44:16.659 we recognize the order, the structure 0:44:16.659,0:44:20.812 that God has put into place. 0:44:20.812,0:44:25.004 God, I'm submitted to You,[br]I just can't submit to my husband. 0:44:25.004,0:44:26.678 What does 1 Peter 3 say? 0:44:26.678,0:44:30.159 Even when some don't obey the Word. 0:44:30.159,0:44:32.146 God, I'm submitted to You, 0:44:32.146,0:44:35.170 but my parents... [br]I just disagree with them. 0:44:35.170,0:44:37.888 I won't submit. 0:44:37.888,0:44:41.934 Children, you demonstrate [br]your submission to God 0:44:41.934,0:44:46.560 in your submission to your parents. 0:44:46.560,0:44:48.918 One brother working through this idea 0:44:48.918,0:44:52.535 of submission in regards to your pastors 0:44:52.535,0:44:57.876 gave an illustration I found very helpful. 0:44:57.876,0:45:03.185 He said something to this effect: 0:45:03.185,0:45:06.035 In your struggle to submit [br]to imperfect elders 0:45:06.035,0:45:09.279 because you don't always agree, 0:45:09.279,0:45:14.535 if I was your pastor, [br]let me ask you a question. 0:45:14.535,0:45:16.094 What do you want me to tell 0:45:16.094,0:45:17.693 your rebellious teenager 0:45:17.693,0:45:20.301 when they come sit down with me? 0:45:20.301,0:45:21.809 And they say to me: 0:45:21.809,0:45:28.675 Pastor, I don't agree with my parents. 0:45:28.675,0:45:32.515 Do I have to submit to them? 0:45:32.515,0:45:34.800 What do you want your pastor 0:45:34.800,0:45:38.505 telling your teenager 0:45:38.505,0:45:40.166 when they don't agree with you? 0:45:40.166,0:45:42.085 Should they submit? 0:45:42.085,0:45:45.310 I think a good pastor would [br]say to that teenager this: 0:45:45.310,0:45:49.351 If your parents ask you to [br]disregard clear Scripture, 0:45:49.351,0:45:52.851 you obey God rather than man. 0:45:52.851,0:45:57.208 But if you come to a [br]place of disagreement, 0:45:57.208,0:46:00.084 you submit and demonstrate [br]your submission to God 0:46:00.084,0:46:04.168 as you submit to your parents. 0:46:04.168,0:46:07.020 You don't want a pastor [br]telling your teenager: 0:46:07.020,0:46:09.315 hey, only submit to your parents 0:46:09.315,0:46:12.655 when you agree with them. 0:46:12.655,0:46:15.639 Otherwise, you're free to do [br]whatever you want to do. 0:46:15.639,0:46:18.355 That's not the idea of an order. 0:46:18.355,0:46:21.729 And that's the notion [br]given here in Hebrews. 0:46:21.729,0:46:24.149 Submit to them. 0:46:24.149,0:46:33.527 Submit to them. 0:46:33.527,0:46:37.425 The writer then says this at the end: 0:46:37.425,0:46:38.906 "Let those who watch over you 0:46:38.906,0:46:41.933 do this with joy and not with groaning, 0:46:41.933,0:46:47.265 for that would be of no advantage to you." 0:46:47.265,0:46:50.675 Do you see how he reasons with us? 0:46:50.675,0:46:54.431 Don't you realize that when you disagree 0:46:54.431,0:46:56.191 with someone that God has placed 0:46:56.191,0:46:59.123 in authority over you and you refuse 0:46:59.123,0:47:01.385 to obey and submit to them, 0:47:01.385,0:47:10.623 that you're actually making [br]it harder on yourself? 0:47:10.623,0:47:13.470 When pastors are having to deal 0:47:13.470,0:47:17.315 with people who refuse to submit to them, 0:47:17.315,0:47:19.118 they're often taken away 0:47:19.118,0:47:21.757 from the ministry of the Word and prayer 0:47:21.757,0:47:24.965 that could be of benefit [br]to that very person 0:47:24.965,0:47:26.540 who refuses to acknowledge 0:47:26.540,0:47:28.783 the order that God has given. 0:47:28.783,0:47:31.475 It distracts from the church. 0:47:31.475,0:47:34.422 It takes away from the church. 0:47:34.422,0:47:37.999 It takes away from the joy of pastoring. 0:47:37.999,0:47:39.769 And we as pastors, this is something 0:47:39.769,0:47:41.279 we have to go through. 0:47:41.279,0:47:43.505 We understand that. 0:47:43.505,0:47:45.938 And so we lay our lives [br]down for these things. 0:47:45.938,0:47:49.501 But the writer here [br]wants to reason with you. 0:47:49.501,0:47:51.761 When you don't acknowledge God's order, 0:47:51.761,0:47:55.247 it goes worse for you. 0:47:55.247,0:47:57.349 You're not going to agree with everything 0:47:57.349,0:47:59.955 your pastors do. 0:47:59.955,0:48:01.979 So in summary, if they're asking you 0:48:01.979,0:48:04.631 to disobey and disregard 0:48:04.631,0:48:06.991 clear teachings in Scripture, 0:48:06.991,0:48:10.182 you obey God rather than man. 0:48:10.182,0:48:11.866 But when they make decisions, 0:48:11.866,0:48:13.761 arrive at different conclusions 0:48:13.761,0:48:15.728 than you do in Scripture, 0:48:15.728,0:48:18.774 it is not your job to go around the church 0:48:18.774,0:48:20.426 and try to persuade others 0:48:20.426,0:48:22.709 why your pastors are wrong 0:48:22.709,0:48:24.458 and why you're right. 0:48:24.458,0:48:26.966 And you're not to be on the receiving end 0:48:26.966,0:48:28.684 of those conversations 0:48:28.684,0:48:31.066 in the principle we learned 0:48:31.066,0:48:34.234 of entertaining those things. 0:48:34.234,0:48:36.587 Saints, there's an order [br]that God has given us 0:48:36.587,0:48:38.162 in our churches. 0:48:38.162,0:48:40.335 It's for our good. 0:48:40.335,0:48:44.189 Pray for your pastors as [br]they make these decisions. 0:48:44.189,0:48:48.205 When you disagree, it's [br]okay to go talk with them. 0:48:48.205,0:48:49.972 But it's not okay to say, 0:48:49.972,0:48:52.051 well, I'm not going to submit. 0:48:52.051,0:48:54.976 That's not your role. 0:48:54.976,0:48:57.359 Your role is one of submission. 0:48:57.359,0:48:59.323 And I want what's best for you. 0:48:59.323,0:49:01.070 So I won't apologize 0:49:01.070,0:49:04.156 for the clear teachings [br]in Scripture in this area. 0:49:04.156,0:49:07.570 And I'm going to exhort [br]the pastors here again 0:49:07.570,0:49:09.505 before we close. 0:49:09.505,0:49:11.500 We need to be putting these things 0:49:11.500,0:49:14.751 before our people regularly. 0:49:14.751,0:49:17.626 It's regularly in Scripture. 0:49:17.626,0:49:19.921 And it's uncomfortable in your own church 0:49:19.921,0:49:21.964 to preach and teach these things. 0:49:21.964,0:49:24.608 But let's not be men that apologize 0:49:24.608,0:49:26.770 for the Word of God. 0:49:26.770,0:49:35.588 Let's pray. 0:49:35.588,0:49:40.820 Father, we come in the [br]name of Jesus Christ. 0:49:40.820,0:49:45.142 Father, we want to honor Your Word. 0:49:45.142,0:49:47.373 Father, we want to fulfill our roles 0:49:47.373,0:49:49.717 and our call. 0:49:49.717,0:49:52.388 We want to be faithful 0:49:52.388,0:49:54.279 in how we relate to one another 0:49:54.279,0:49:57.615 because You've given [br]these things for our good. 0:49:57.615,0:49:59.823 God, help pastors to be faithful. 0:49:59.823,0:50:01.854 Help them to be men of the Word. 0:50:01.854,0:50:03.930 Help them to not be domineering 0:50:03.930,0:50:07.424 and lording over people. 0:50:07.424,0:50:12.325 But help them also not [br]to shy away from leading, 0:50:12.325,0:50:15.714 which involves making hard decisions. 0:50:15.714,0:50:17.692 Help Your people then, God, to honor 0:50:17.692,0:50:20.728 the role that You've given them 0:50:20.728,0:50:26.545 to submit even in some [br]areas of disagreement, God. 0:50:26.545,0:50:28.570 To honor You as they submit to those 0:50:28.570,0:50:31.067 You've put over them. 0:50:31.067,0:50:33.940 Help us to demonstrate [br]our love and honor to You 0:50:33.940,0:50:36.086 as we demonstrate our submission to those 0:50:36.086,0:50:37.949 You've put over us. 0:50:37.949,0:50:40.024 For the good of the church. 0:50:40.024,0:50:42.621 For the edification of the church. 0:50:42.621,0:50:45.070 And for the glory of Your name 0:50:45.070,0:50:47.004 in these places. 0:50:47.004,0:50:49.408 We ask these things in [br]the name of Jesus Christ. 0:50:49.408,0:50:51.056 Amen.