Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch …
Continue reading Let Us Continually Offer Up a Sacrifice of Praise | Hebrews 13:15-19
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God Ephesians 2:19 ESV When discussing the nature of the church, it is not uncommon to hear two concepts being proposed. One says that the church is an organization or corporation, and …
Continue reading The Church Isn’t an Organization or a Movement; It’s a Household
This sermon was originally preached in 2016. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might… appoint elders in every town as I directed you. Titus 1:5 ESV Given that appointing elders in every town was Paul's primary directive to Titus, it is troublesome that so few of us understand the biblical …
In the previous study, we observed the responsibilities of elders, namely, that they are commanded to lead (shepherd, oversee, and model) by devoting themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Biblically, prayer and teaching are the two tasks from which elders cannot deviate. We know now what elders do, but how do we …
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4 ESV In 1 Peter 5:2-3, pastors are given three commands which correspond to their three titles: shepherd the flock (pastor), exercise oversight (overseer), and be an example to the flock (elder). Each command is a different aspect of leading …
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not …
Given that appointing elders in every town was Paul's primary directive to Titus (1:5), it is troublesome that so few of us understand the biblical concept of eldership. In fact, thinking about a church's elders likely conjures up either wizened old men or cultish organizations governed ruthlessly by a handful of men. As you may …
Don't Trade Away God's Help Today Prayer is the most basic expression of faith. Faith in future grace purchased by Jesus says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things” we need (Romans 8:32). 3 Warnings …
Continue reading Prayer, Decisions, & Warnings (Dec 30, 2016
It's officially October, which means that 2016 is circling the drain. Time to start thinking about 2017. Why plan for the next year in October? Let's be honest. The Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year season is not very conducive for realistically planning the coming year. The holidays are a blur of busyness, and January ends up catching us …
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. (Titus 1:5 ESV) Given that appointing elders in every town was Paul's primary directive to Titus, it is troublesome that so few of us understand the biblical concept …
Continue reading Biblical, Historical, and Practical Arguments for Elder Plurality
B. C. Newton 