1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:05,200 Now, our Bible reading this morning is from 1st, Timothy 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:10,100 Chapter 3. And we're reading through versus 3 00:00:10,100 --> 00:00:20,100 127. 1st Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 to 7. 4 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:33,800 Let's hear the word of God. Reading, of course, from the 5 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:44,400 authorized version. 1st Timothy 3 verse 1 to 7. this is a true 6 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:51,900 saying, If a mom desire, the office of a bishop he desireth a 7 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:55,700 good work. A bishop, then must be 8 00:00:55,700 --> 00:01:01,200 blameless. The husband of one wife Vigilant 9 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:07,800 sober of good behavior. Given to hospitality. 10 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:15,500 Up to teach. Not given Duane no Striker. 11 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:19,800 Not greedy of filthy lucre. But patient. 12 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:26,900 Not a brawler, not Covetous one that ruleth well, his own house. 13 00:01:27,300 --> 00:01:32,000 Having his children in subjection with all gravity for 14 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:37,300 if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take 15 00:01:37,300 --> 00:01:42,700 care of the Church of God? Not a novice lest being lifted 16 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:46,200 up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 17 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,800 moreover he must have a good report of them which are worth, 18 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:58,300 I'd lest they fall into reproach and the snare of the devil now, 19 00:01:58,300 --> 00:02:04,200 if you turn with me to First Peter chapter 5, First Peter 20 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:11,000 chapter 5. I want to read there. five, 21 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:17,300 versus 1st Peter chapter 5 would read from verse 1. 22 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:28,500 The elders which are among you I exhort who am also an elder and 23 00:02:28,500 --> 00:02:33,400 a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of 24 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:38,300 the glory that shall be revealed. feed the flock of God, 25 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:42,600 which is among you taking the oversight thereof, not by 26 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:48,400 constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready 27 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:53,300 mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage, but being an 28 00:02:53,300 --> 00:02:58,000 examples to the flock, and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, 29 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:04,100 ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth, not away a 30 00:03:04,100 --> 00:03:06,500 measurement of the Lord will stamp with his own approval and 31 00:03:06,500 --> 00:03:11,200 blessing, this reading of his own precious and infallible word 32 00:03:13,300 --> 00:03:17,600 My tax today has really taken from 1st Timothy chapter 3 33 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:25,000 verses 1 through 2 Sava we could also think about Titus Chapter 1 34 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:30,900 verses 5 to 7 and First Peter chapter 5, verses 1 to 4. 35 00:03:30,900 --> 00:03:35,500 You see my theme today although not the most thrilling of 36 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:38,600 subjects as I've said and prayer, it's an important 37 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:44,400 subject and my theme is this the office and the Of an elder. 38 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:48,600 Now, this is the third message and this series of messages, 39 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:54,900 pending our election, in the 8th of March, to do with the genius 40 00:03:55,100 --> 00:03:59,300 of the Presbyterian form of church government. 41 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,700 You see when even children, young people hear the word 42 00:04:02,700 --> 00:04:06,500 government. They think of somebody being in 43 00:04:06,500 --> 00:04:09,800 charge. So if I was to ask the question, 44 00:04:10,300 --> 00:04:14,000 well, who's in, charge of carried of FPC, you made all 45 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:19,399 look up in the pulpit and say oh the minister is Well, I'll tell 46 00:04:19,399 --> 00:04:23,600 you, you're wrong, The Minister's not in charge of this 47 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:29,200 congregation. Now, of course he has been 48 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:37,200 gifted a charge He has taken a charge upon himself before God 49 00:04:37,500 --> 00:04:42,300 to look after this congregation. But there's the world of 50 00:04:42,300 --> 00:04:48,600 difference of thinking of one man being in charge You see The 51 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,000 Minister's not the boss of the church. 52 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:57,500 I say this respectfully is not the Pope in Roman Catholicism, 53 00:04:57,500 --> 00:05:02,800 the pope as the top dog, he is the man in charge of all who are 54 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,500 found within the communion of Roman Catholicism in the 55 00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:10,100 Anglican communion, if we asked who's in charge of the Anglican 56 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:12,900 Church, where the answer would be the Archbishop. 57 00:05:13,100 --> 00:05:17,600 Justin Welby, not that he's doing a great job. but the 58 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:22,800 minister of say that's church or the pastor of the local Baptist 59 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:29,400 Church, He's not in charge and not sense. 60 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,300 And if he's not in charge, then you see you have a right to ask 61 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:40,000 well who he is. And here's the real answer, they 62 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:44,500 listen to me carefully, here's in charge of carried off, FPC, 63 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:50,300 and here's the answer. Jesus Christ, because Jesus 64 00:05:50,300 --> 00:05:53,800 Christ. Exercises headship over his 65 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:58,600 church, he's the head of the church, which is the body and 66 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,000 I'm on their Christ and then submission to him. 67 00:06:01,900 --> 00:06:04,800 The height is he exercised headship. 68 00:06:06,100 --> 00:06:11,700 Here's the answer through church recognized spiritually, mature 69 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:16,500 Elders, man, who are see of by the grace of God, and man, who 70 00:06:16,500 --> 00:06:21,100 are spiritually minded and spiritually gifted, and they on 71 00:06:21,100 --> 00:06:27,300 their Christ, the Good Shepherd. Take charge of shepherding has 72 00:06:27,500 --> 00:06:32,300 flock, you see in every local church, according to the New 73 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:35,300 Testament. It's made up of I read for 74 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,800 Olympians chapter 12, you Paul, and timotheus. 75 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:43,400 The Servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, 76 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:50,200 which are at Philippi. With the Bishops and the 77 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:54,600 deacons, the church is made up of since those you've gathered 78 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:58,600 out of love for the Lord to worship Him and the Church, of 79 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,800 course, mates, not only as a seriously body but they meet 80 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:07,100 with the best ships and the elders, the word Bishop of the 81 00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:10,800 Episcopal is, there's two aspects. 82 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,000 There's a teaching Elder and there's a ruling out of the word 83 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:18,800 bishop and pressed butter. Elder is used interchangeably in 84 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,800 the New Testament as a weird, a scene. 85 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,500 So you've got to think of a Congregation of cience and 86 00:07:23,500 --> 00:07:26,200 they're there with the best ships, the elders, the teaching 87 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,500 out of the ruling Elder pound the deacons, and I want to make 88 00:07:29,500 --> 00:07:36,200 it clear that no man has any right to form a different form 89 00:07:36,300 --> 00:07:39,500 of government for the local church. 90 00:07:39,500 --> 00:07:44,900 This is how Jesus Christ has constituted his church. 91 00:07:44,900 --> 00:07:47,900 Now, let me say this. This this morning respectfully 92 00:07:48,500 --> 00:07:52,400 I'm a free Presbyterian Pig by convection I believe in the 93 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:58,100 Presbyterian form of church government as the general rule 94 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,400 for church. Government has set forth in the 95 00:08:00,407 --> 00:08:05,700 scriptures and in Acts chapter 15. 96 00:08:05,700 --> 00:08:10,600 If you want to turn there this morning Acts chapter 15, we read 97 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,600 in verse 5, there's a problem in the church. 98 00:08:14,700 --> 00:08:16,500 It says what? There Rose up certain of the 99 00:08:16,500 --> 00:08:19,600 sect of the Pharisees was believe saying that it was 100 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:24,200 needful to circumcise them until command them to keep Moses law. 101 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,800 So here's a problem in the church, right? 102 00:08:27,700 --> 00:08:31,000 And what was this problem? How to be sieved, how to be a 103 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:35,200 Christian? Judas was a spiritual problem 104 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:39,299 that arose in the Church of Jerusalem and this matter was 105 00:08:39,299 --> 00:08:43,500 fundamental and to, the flock of God, and how did they resolve? 106 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:48,800 It acts 15 Verse 6 and the apostles and Elders came 107 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:52,200 together for to consider this matter. 108 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:55,700 You see, it was no longer a local church. 109 00:08:55,700 --> 00:09:00,700 Modern Jerusalem. There was much disputing about 110 00:09:00,700 --> 00:09:05,200 this matter, a man from each of the local churches and around 111 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:10,900 Jerusalem and Beyond they came together, the apostles all 12 of 112 00:09:10,900 --> 00:09:15,000 them, I'm the elders from these different churches and they 113 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,800 decided and settled the matter. You see that's a system of 114 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:22,900 interdependence Not independency. 115 00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:27,600 Every local church to a certain degree is autonomous. 116 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:33,700 It can decide and do its own thing, but there's not fool 117 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:38,500 independency because here's this matter that was spiritual in 118 00:09:38,500 --> 00:09:43,500 nature and it was taken in Hand by the first local church press 119 00:09:43,500 --> 00:09:46,500 poetry made up of the Apostles and the elders. 120 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,200 And I'm not suggesting and we're not suggesting this morning that 121 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:54,600 every precise detail of church policy is set forth and Babel, 122 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,200 there are broad principle set down other details have to be 123 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:02,700 settled according to the general rule of scripture and also what 124 00:10:02,700 --> 00:10:07,900 we call scriptural leg e and Common Sense. 125 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:13,900 However, let me stress this no system of church government. 126 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:19,500 And I mean this, listen to me carefully as better than the man 127 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:25,600 who run the church. No system of church, government 128 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,100 is better than the man who run the church. 129 00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:31,600 Because remember, they run the church under Christ. 130 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,700 He's the chief Shepherd, the great Shepherd, the Good 131 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:38,200 Shepherd, and they're running at for Christ. 132 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:42,500 You see some Churches even run along Presbyterian guidelines. 133 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:44,600 There's man and office in the Pulpit. 134 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:47,800 You're not see it, bailing the elders and the Pew. 135 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,900 You're not see it on converted. And to me that's on public 'l. 136 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,200 We have man here, religious, and respectable. 137 00:10:55,500 --> 00:11:01,300 But not regenerative, not not born again and some churches 138 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:05,900 that are totally independent of any other churches are around. 139 00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:09,100 Almost like a like a zillion and Anything Goes. 140 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:11,800 I'm waiting. That's true. 141 00:11:13,100 --> 00:11:15,800 The local church will not be any better. 142 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:21,300 Then the man that run it and each local church, we should 143 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:23,900 Endeavor to have a faithful preacher of the word of God. 144 00:11:23,900 --> 00:11:28,200 Who see of Dan loves Jesus Christ and accompanying that 145 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:33,200 faithful Pastor as a body of faithful man who will help him 146 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:38,500 as under Shepherds look after the flock of God, But you can 147 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:42,500 have a fearful pastor. And you can have faithful 148 00:11:42,500 --> 00:11:46,200 elders. And he could work hard, and he 149 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:48,900 could have a bound. The faithful praying people are 150 00:11:48,900 --> 00:11:52,300 riding them. And yet that local church will 151 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:54,700 never grow. Never be established will never 152 00:11:54,700 --> 00:12:01,000 be strengthened anymore than the spirituality and the strength of 153 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:04,700 the man that God has raised up to be the teaching and the 154 00:12:04,700 --> 00:12:09,100 ruling Elders of the church. If manner of per character of 155 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:12,600 man, haven't a good public testimony of man. 156 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,700 Have have no ability to lead the flock. 157 00:12:16,300 --> 00:12:23,800 If man make bad decisions. Then that church will be a pure 158 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,200 church. Maybe not even in riches or 159 00:12:26,208 --> 00:12:31,000 finances, but it will be /, spiritually and week before God. 160 00:12:31,300 --> 00:12:33,700 So once good man come to the fore. 161 00:12:34,500 --> 00:12:39,400 Man of God man to lead and the bare room then I believe others 162 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,900 will rise up and follow. Now I want to say this, I thank 163 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:47,200 the Lord for this congregation. I thank the Lord for gifting you 164 00:12:47,300 --> 00:12:51,800 to me, Thank the Lord for this church and you knew that but 165 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:56,700 this is not my church. You understand that? 166 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:00,400 It's the Lord's church and I'm going to tell you something 167 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:03,200 else. It's not even your church. 168 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:10,200 It's the Lord's. You can be a foundation member. 169 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,300 And you could be a prayer member, and you can give 170 00:13:15,300 --> 00:13:19,000 generously to support the work and serve the Lord faithfully 171 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:23,300 and have done over many years. And yet, as far as ownership is 172 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:29,000 concerned, It's not your church in that sense of ownership, it 173 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:33,600 is Christchurch. He's the head of the church. 174 00:13:33,900 --> 00:13:37,800 He purchased the church with his own blood acts 20:28. 175 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:42,500 That's the nature of the church. It's very essence demands and 176 00:13:42,500 --> 00:13:45,300 NASA TV. It's the spirits Ministry at the 177 00:13:45,300 --> 00:13:49,200 heart of a church government, why? 178 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:53,500 Because the church was purchased by Christ, it says particular 179 00:13:53,500 --> 00:13:57,400 possession. It's a, it's an institution 180 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:04,600 that's precious to Christ. In the sight and the eye of the 181 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:08,400 Lord. If I could put it this way, the 182 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,400 Church of Jesus Christ belongs to Jesus Christ. 183 00:14:11,700 --> 00:14:15,400 He's the head of the body. He's the king over his people. 184 00:14:16,700 --> 00:14:22,500 And the function of church government as to follow Christ. 185 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:28,000 In the exercise of his headship over his church. 186 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,500 You see the question of this election that's coming up as not 187 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,800 to me. What's the mind of the members 188 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:37,500 who do the members want to be elected? 189 00:14:39,300 --> 00:14:42,900 The chief should be. What is the mind of Christ? 190 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:50,700 He's the real true lord of the church and I believe the mind of 191 00:14:50,700 --> 00:14:53,600 Christ has given to us in his word and that's why it's 192 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:58,000 necessary just like we eat bread that we've got to read and study 193 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,500 the word of God to assert in the mind of the Lord. 194 00:15:02,300 --> 00:15:07,800 And if you're in submission to Christ as the lord of the church 195 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:12,800 and you want to obey his word and you want him to take care of 196 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:16,500 the church business. So when we come together to take 197 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:19,600 care of that church business, we will set aside or Prejudice. 198 00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:22,700 We set aside our whims or Notions are found sees who will 199 00:15:22,700 --> 00:15:25,400 deny, our sales and will reverently, pray over the 200 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:29,000 scriptures and will cast her mind in light of the scriptures 201 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,300 for the man who qualify and later the scriptures. 202 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,200 So that's really the introduction and I'm sorry it's 203 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:39,000 taken me so long to say that but that's what was on my heart. 204 00:15:39,700 --> 00:15:43,400 Three things. Let's try and wrap this up in 15 205 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:47,700 minutes or so, think about the, the confidence for the office of 206 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:50,000 Elder. You see, when I study the 207 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,700 various qualifications for this office, it's interesting. 208 00:15:53,700 --> 00:15:57,200 If you turn there to First Timothy chapter 3, what Paul 209 00:15:57,500 --> 00:16:02,100 didn't actually say notice he says, in 1st Timothy 3:1. 210 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,600 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop. 211 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,300 He desireth a good work, a bishop then must be on, will 212 00:16:09,300 --> 00:16:11,900 pause there. See notice what he doesn't say. 213 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:16,600 He doesn't mention his prayer life, why? 214 00:16:17,300 --> 00:16:18,800 Surely? That's important. 215 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:22,500 If I mom doesn't come to the prayer meeting, don't elect that 216 00:16:22,500 --> 00:16:27,100 mount to be an elder. But why does Paul not mentioned? 217 00:16:27,900 --> 00:16:32,300 Because I believe he assumes that if a man desire the office 218 00:16:32,300 --> 00:16:37,600 of a bishop That Bishop not Elder will be a praying man. 219 00:16:37,700 --> 00:16:43,300 He says, he desireth a good work of Bishop, van the word they, 220 00:16:43,300 --> 00:16:46,200 and means therefore a bishop the end. 221 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,100 And in light of this work is required of him. 222 00:16:49,900 --> 00:16:53,800 And what is meant? The end is certain standards 223 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:56,800 that are required of this individual. 224 00:16:57,100 --> 00:17:00,800 He must be a man who's fit for this kind of work set forth in 225 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:03,800 the scriptures. You see this work involves a 226 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,800 Sacred stewardship. If you turn over there to tight 227 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:12,500 us just after second Timothy and Titus Chapter 1 and verse 7. 228 00:17:12,700 --> 00:17:16,800 It says for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of 229 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,400 God, the word stirred denotes a servant. 230 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:25,599 So think of a servant who's been commissioned by his master Do 231 00:17:25,599 --> 00:17:28,900 you administer the Affairs of his master's house? 232 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,800 He doesn't all in the name of his master. 233 00:17:32,300 --> 00:17:36,100 He does it for his master according to the will of his 234 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:40,600 master and you see Elders are Christ's servants. 235 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,800 They are see if man born again washed in the blood of Jesus 236 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,700 Christ, if a testimony to receiving and keeping power, and 237 00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:51,800 they recognize that they are, but the Servants of Jesus 238 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,900 Christ, they recognize their sleeves of Jesus Christ. 239 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,900 East. And you see the Elder most 240 00:17:57,900 --> 00:18:01,600 recognized? That they have been called to an 241 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:05,100 office of service. They're not a lord over God's 242 00:18:05,100 --> 00:18:08,300 Heritage, they're not a poop like figure, they're not an 243 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:12,300 Archbishop like figure, they're not to abuse The Authority, 244 00:18:12,300 --> 00:18:16,100 they've been given, they're not to be arrogant, man there to 245 00:18:16,100 --> 00:18:20,000 live in late of that one day that they will give an account 246 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,600 of their stewardship to the Lord. 247 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:25,100 For every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. 248 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:31,000 And as a servant, the exercise, Spiritual Authority in the 249 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,200 church. You see the highest office of 250 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:37,300 Christchurch? Is the office of the Elder, the 251 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:41,300 office of the bishop, it's an exalted office, the office of a 252 00:18:41,300 --> 00:18:43,600 bishop and an elders, just wanted to see him in Pesco. 253 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,500 Pause-press beauty, rose in the Greek is the same office. 254 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:48,500 They're used interchangeably, these words. 255 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:55,400 Even in heaven, Revelation 20:4, what does it mansion? 256 00:18:56,500 --> 00:19:00,600 It mentions the church being represented by 24 Elders. 257 00:19:01,500 --> 00:19:04,700 You see the the elders, they've entered into a secret 258 00:19:04,700 --> 00:19:10,400 stewardship but the elders act with the authority of Christ 259 00:19:10,700 --> 00:19:12,900 among the elders. Meet we, we call it the Curt 260 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,300 session meeting. We make a decision, 261 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:18,800 collectively, according to the will of God. 262 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:22,900 That's an authoritative decision and we have to make those 263 00:19:22,900 --> 00:19:26,400 decisions and later Eternity for the welfare of all the flock. 264 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:30,800 Tell you something else, the elders Works involved to 265 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:35,000 spiritual oversight. He said the word Bishop their 266 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:40,700 first Timothy chapter 1 verse 3, it means and overseer. 267 00:19:42,900 --> 00:19:46,000 That's interesting. One who sees over the work of 268 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,400 God. That's his job. 269 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:52,600 He comes to see and inspect. Hehe investigate things that 270 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:57,100 need to be investigated. He gives instruction, he makes 271 00:19:57,100 --> 00:20:00,400 an injunction. He's not a man who has his eyes 272 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,000 closed. He's a man who sees things hear 273 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:06,600 things knows things. His heart is open to the needs 274 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,100 of the church. God's flock. 275 00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:13,900 What does God is? Flock Nate and we need man who 276 00:20:13,900 --> 00:20:18,600 have that burden on their heart. What does curried of FPC need 277 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:20,500 going forward and one? Of the things that they 278 00:20:20,500 --> 00:20:23,400 emphasized and Wednesday night was we need the blessing of God. 279 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,400 God's presence. God's power God's profession. 280 00:20:27,700 --> 00:20:31,800 1st Peter, 5 and 2 talked about not taking the oversight. 281 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:40,000 You see, Elders are responsible for taking the oversight. 282 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:48,400 Every Elder involves Shepherd and Christ's flock see, Christ's 283 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:49,200 flock. Ehrlich sheep. 284 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:53,900 I told the children thus morning she / Wayward, there are 285 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:56,300 creatures your wonder if you've ever heard of tree and sheep. 286 00:20:56,300 --> 00:21:00,200 I told to tell you heard of tree and dogs, training, Lions 287 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:01,600 training, elephants and the surface. 288 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:03,400 I even told them they were training, pegs, you know, butt 289 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:07,700 sniffer, pegs and Australia, various airports there to sniff 290 00:21:07,700 --> 00:21:14,200 out drugs. what shape are not three and We are all like sheep 291 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,500 going astray. Peter says, first Peter 225 as I 292 00:21:17,508 --> 00:21:20,100 have 53 verse 6. We all like sheep have gone 293 00:21:20,100 --> 00:21:23,700 astray as here about natural tendency to wander off to wander 294 00:21:23,700 --> 00:21:27,900 away from God. Follow the world, follow her own 295 00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:31,900 bias and sin. Why are we doing this? 296 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:36,100 Why are we doing that? So and so well were prone to go 297 00:21:36,100 --> 00:21:38,900 astray cheaper, wavered she per week creatures. 298 00:21:40,700 --> 00:21:42,800 Flock of sheep. There's not much defense against 299 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,400 a wolf, or a bear. A donkey could kick. 300 00:21:47,700 --> 00:21:50,800 A horse could run. A dog could bait but she'd are 301 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:52,600 weak creatures. They're not able to fight for 302 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:55,200 themselves and need to protect it and that's why God has put 303 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:59,100 them into your flock. The flock of God feed the flock 304 00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:04,900 of God, Peter said and if your sea of the love Jesus Christ as 305 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:07,900 Lord and Savior then it's God's. Will that you belong to your 306 00:22:07,900 --> 00:22:11,500 flock? It's God's will that you gather 307 00:22:11,500 --> 00:22:17,800 with other sheep and you put yourself under Shepherds and 308 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:21,300 we're all under the grid, Chief Shepherd of the sheep CeCe, 309 00:22:21,300 --> 00:22:24,300 without that sheep can wander off, they can fierstein jurors, 310 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:28,100 they they're prone to trouble. There's a weakness. 311 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,200 But they're also worthwhile creatures, you know sheep are 312 00:22:31,208 --> 00:22:34,300 very valuable speaking, the amount just yesterday, from 313 00:22:34,300 --> 00:22:38,100 Western Australia, we talked about sheep, 20,000 of them and 314 00:22:38,100 --> 00:22:42,700 some Rams cost 20,000 Australian dollars some sheep here. 315 00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:48,500 Cost 20,000 pounds, cheaper, clean animals, she provide wool 316 00:22:48,500 --> 00:22:53,600 and meat. Sheep Revival and sheep are 317 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,100 worthwhile creatures in the eyes of the Lord. 318 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:01,200 I wonder do, you know the Lord? Are you one of his own sheep? 319 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,200 You know, that he lived for you? He died for you. 320 00:23:03,300 --> 00:23:05,700 He see if Jay your head as you can say. 321 00:23:05,700 --> 00:23:08,900 Now, I belong to Jesus. Jesus belongs to me, not for the 322 00:23:08,900 --> 00:23:12,200 years of time alone. But for eternity, she put you 323 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:17,700 and your flock to protect you. And those that protect you are 324 00:23:17,700 --> 00:23:21,300 act like the Good Samaritan, they take care of you. 325 00:23:21,300 --> 00:23:23,700 They're there to help that they're tender hearted. 326 00:23:23,700 --> 00:23:27,200 They sacrifice themselves because their fetid, for this 327 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:31,200 task, I was part of their job. They are willing to discipline 328 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:34,000 the flock, like the shepherd, with the crook and the staff. 329 00:23:34,500 --> 00:23:41,200 They paid diligent attention to rule, the flock that they 330 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:43,900 defend. The flock, they're fearful man. 331 00:23:43,900 --> 00:23:50,000 They can feed the Just Like a Shepherd can all that's needed 332 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:55,100 for the flock, their heart and mind, and souls involved the 333 00:23:55,100 --> 00:23:59,100 competency to the surface quickly, the calling to this 334 00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:03,300 office. If there's a true saying, Peter 335 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:06,100 Paul says of amount desire, the office of a bishop, he desireth 336 00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:10,700 a good work. Thing is a calling of an elder 337 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:14,100 is the mound suited to this office. 338 00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:15,500 Let me tell you what he must have. 339 00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:19,300 He must have a Father's Heart. First Timothy 3 and 4 says one 340 00:24:19,300 --> 00:24:21,300 that ruleth well his own house. Having his children in 341 00:24:21,300 --> 00:24:24,600 subjection with all gravity. What does that mean? 342 00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:33,200 Not necessarily a married, man. Although that has helped a 343 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:38,900 single noun can be an elder but even as a single man that Elder 344 00:24:38,900 --> 00:24:41,700 must have a Father's Heart for the family of God. 345 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:48,000 There's a rule for a father-like figure in the Church of Christ. 346 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,200 And the reference to Children Here is not a reference to 347 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:57,600 adults. It's a reference to children who 348 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:03,200 are under that age of responsibility. the Bible tells 349 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:08,900 us here in verse 6 of First Timothy 3, not a novice And the 350 00:25:08,900 --> 00:25:12,700 Church of Scotland, they have a rule that no man under 21 is 351 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:18,600 allowed to become an elder. It's not a reference, I believe 352 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:24,000 to physical years. I believe it's a reference me 353 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:27,400 and lead to spiritual maturity, just suppose amount of 70 years, 354 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:29,600 of age, got saved and come into the church. 355 00:25:29,900 --> 00:25:33,400 And after a year, there was an election for officers. 356 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:40,100 That man's name, potentially could be on the list for the 357 00:25:40,100 --> 00:25:43,900 office of Elder. But it was only see if the few 358 00:25:43,900 --> 00:25:48,800 months or up to a year, then it would be my mind that he should 359 00:25:49,100 --> 00:25:53,400 willingly exclude himself. From the office of an elder 360 00:25:54,100 --> 00:25:57,800 because the Bible says, not enough of us, not not something, 361 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:01,600 he's just spiritually Born Again of the spirit and added to the 362 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:06,500 church at no, no reference to his age, it has to do with 363 00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:09,100 spiritual maturity. The man must not only have a 364 00:26:09,100 --> 00:26:10,900 Father's Heart. He must have a Shepherd heart. 365 00:26:11,900 --> 00:26:15,300 We already ran from 1st Peter 5, feed the flock of God. 366 00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:18,600 And that means he'll do all that's necessary to look after 367 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:21,800 Christ's flock. He'd have a Shepherd's Heart. 368 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,900 See many are manner, academically minded, they know 369 00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:29,000 Greek and they knew Hebrew, they have great power of our tree. 370 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:32,900 They have tremendous ability but have the heart for the people of 371 00:26:32,900 --> 00:26:35,200 God. Sadly. 372 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:39,000 I know many Elders of the heart for the people of God, I know 373 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,000 some pastors. You have no heart for the people 374 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:45,300 of God. And if you know that, somebody 375 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:48,100 has no heart for the people of God and they're cold and 376 00:26:48,100 --> 00:26:51,400 callous, then they're not called to be an elder. 377 00:26:52,900 --> 00:26:56,100 An elder must have a care and concern for all the Sheep. 378 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:00,800 I need doesn't make decisions out of self. 379 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:04,000 Well, he's not a self-centered individual, but he makes 380 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,700 decisions about what is best for all the flock. 381 00:27:06,700 --> 00:27:08,300 He is an eye to them. Die. 382 00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:11,800 He's and I to them next week, and next month, and next year, 383 00:27:11,900 --> 00:27:16,600 and into the future, the man must also have a leaders heart 384 00:27:17,300 --> 00:27:21,000 because he stabs before the people someone that the people 385 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:26,500 can look up to. He's there to guide, by example, 386 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,600 he's there to give extra Tatian encouragement. 387 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:34,700 Now I'm suggesting that man would have all the spiritual 388 00:27:34,700 --> 00:27:40,700 virtues are necessary. Not suggesting that but of a 389 00:27:40,700 --> 00:27:44,700 mild hasn't got any spiritual virtues, a Father's Heart of 390 00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:46,800 shepherds harder, our leaders heart. 391 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:50,200 If he's not an attendance at Old, the church meetings, the 392 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,400 prayer meetings of the church that he's not taking a lead and 393 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:58,000 commit it. Then that's not the type of man 394 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:02,500 that you want. As an elder, let me just say in 395 00:28:02,500 --> 00:28:04,700 closing still about a few minutes. 396 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:08,700 I want you to think of the conduct of the office of the 397 00:28:08,700 --> 00:28:10,600 Elder. Look with me at first, Timothy 398 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:13,400 chapter 3 and we'll read through this list together and I try an 399 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:20,100 experiment. A bishop then must be blameless. 400 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,000 What does that mean that that's a reference to his character? 401 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:26,600 His conduct his conversation? Not saying he's perfect, not 402 00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:29,700 saying he's sinless, but it means that that man is beyond 403 00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:32,100 reproach. He is a personal testimony. 404 00:28:33,100 --> 00:28:36,900 See the age of the church are upon but the eyes of the world 405 00:28:36,900 --> 00:28:40,400 are upon them. They must be no accusation that 406 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:44,000 someone inside the church or right side the church, that's 407 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:47,200 true. That could be put upon him. 408 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:52,400 That could be put into the hands of his enemies to accuse him so 409 00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:55,800 his private life has public life. 410 00:28:55,900 --> 00:28:59,500 His business life of his, a business person is scrutinized 411 00:28:59,500 --> 00:29:05,100 by the people, is he honest, is he a man of his word Is there an 412 00:29:05,100 --> 00:29:09,700 accusation against seat? Eight US 17 says there must be 413 00:29:09,700 --> 00:29:13,800 no accusation against. He must be above and beyond 414 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:17,000 reproach. He is not giving a reason to the 415 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:20,300 enemies to blaspheme the Lord, and the Lord's work. 416 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:21,800 Haven't? We heard it so often. 417 00:29:21,900 --> 00:29:25,700 Good Lovin 411. The man's not a liar. 418 00:29:25,700 --> 00:29:27,900 He's not a thief. He's not a rascal. 419 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:31,000 There's no irresponsible Behavior or speech. 420 00:29:31,900 --> 00:29:38,400 He's not going to give a handle to someone to lay, hold off to 421 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:42,000 to bring a charge against them. You think of a rock children. 422 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:43,400 And you want to move a big Stone you. 423 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:47,500 We get a long board along steel pole and you would put under the 424 00:29:47,500 --> 00:29:51,600 Rock and and you could move it. It talks about Leverage No. 425 00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:55,900 Leave her to the ungodly. That's really what it means. 426 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:58,300 Let me tell you something else here. 427 00:29:58,300 --> 00:30:01,400 It mentions. The husband of one wife, big 428 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:03,400 discussion. We could have on that subject 429 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:05,600 alone. What does that mean? 430 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:09,600 Over there in Titus 1 and verse 6. 431 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:13,200 It says something similar, if any be blameless, the husband of 432 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:18,200 one wife, If I can put it this way we in the free pass to in 433 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:22,300 church do not believe a divorced man should hold office in the 434 00:30:22,300 --> 00:30:25,000 church, no matter the circumstance. 435 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:31,100 Although I am very much in favor of the man who's the innocent 436 00:30:31,100 --> 00:30:35,700 party in a divorce but this is the mind of the Presbytery. 437 00:30:35,700 --> 00:30:38,100 At this moment, I'm divorced man. 438 00:30:38,100 --> 00:30:41,700 Can't hold office in the church so we can't be a minister. 439 00:30:41,700 --> 00:30:45,100 He can't be an elder, it can't be a deacon. 440 00:30:45,500 --> 00:30:49,900 In Paul's day, the husband of one wife was because people were 441 00:30:49,900 --> 00:30:53,400 just see of date of heathenism, some of them had more than one 442 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:54,700 wave. Some of the material, three 443 00:30:54,700 --> 00:30:57,600 waves. You'd wonder why he was dealing 444 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:01,200 with things like homosexuality and incest, and adultery and 445 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,300 fornication. And there was very little 446 00:31:03,300 --> 00:31:06,800 marriage Fidelity. There was very little moral 447 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:12,300 Fidelity and Paul wanted the man who are Elders to be faithful to 448 00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:18,800 one wife, the husband of one One wife and there's to be no 449 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:22,400 Scandal and public office. If there's a question mark over 450 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:29,900 a man's morality Or or, or a man's moral Purity, that man is 451 00:31:29,900 --> 00:31:32,400 not to be allowed to stand for office. 452 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:38,700 Notice the other word Vigilant, that means he watches for Souls. 453 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:43,700 Super. That means he's of a sane mind. 454 00:31:44,100 --> 00:31:47,100 He has control over his passions. 455 00:31:47,700 --> 00:31:52,400 He, he looks at things in a very sensible seeing way, as he 456 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:55,200 administers rule, he's of good behavior. 457 00:31:56,100 --> 00:32:02,300 That, that means that he is has a well-managed orderly life. 458 00:32:02,300 --> 00:32:06,000 He's modest and his behavior. He's not out of control. 459 00:32:06,700 --> 00:32:10,400 He given to hospitality that. That means he's Got an open 460 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:14,600 heart, he's got an open home, good man or invaded. 461 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:18,000 And he's a lover of good man. He's a lover of the stranger. 462 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,300 He receives them. Well, he treats them. 463 00:32:20,300 --> 00:32:22,900 Well, he receives them and his home was if he's receiving 464 00:32:22,900 --> 00:32:27,600 Christ himself. That's very important notice. 465 00:32:27,600 --> 00:32:32,100 This also is out to teach, I'm not suggesting that the ruling 466 00:32:32,100 --> 00:32:35,100 Elders are called to preach, but they should be man. 467 00:32:35,100 --> 00:32:38,800 That can lead a service. Take a meeting, bring a wee word 468 00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:44,400 over there again and Titus and Titus 1 and verse 9. 469 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:48,500 If we do a contrast holding fast the faithful word as he hath 470 00:32:48,500 --> 00:32:52,800 been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort 471 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:57,900 and to convince the gainsayers. Yes, he must love the Bible 472 00:32:58,300 --> 00:33:01,700 live, by the Bible, be loyal at to the Bible. 473 00:33:01,700 --> 00:33:04,900 He must have learned the Bible. He should be able to read a 474 00:33:04,900 --> 00:33:10,400 portion and explain it to all that would ask young and old. 475 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:16,300 If we go back to Timothy, he says here not given to Wayne. 476 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:21,400 That means not a drunkard. He lives a life free from the 477 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:26,500 effects and contamination of alcohol, definitely couldn't be 478 00:33:26,500 --> 00:33:30,000 an alcoholic. Man who developed a drink 479 00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:33,200 problem and the church should automatically Stand Down from 480 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:36,100 Office. That's why we hold the fact that 481 00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:41,400 Elders should be teetotalers. Notice also here not a striker. 482 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:45,700 No Striker. Not a fighter, not a contentious 483 00:33:45,700 --> 00:33:50,200 man. Not Sunday WHo sails to the 484 00:33:50,200 --> 00:33:54,300 individual. I don't get mad. 485 00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:56,600 I get even sadly. Some Elders. 486 00:33:56,600 --> 00:33:59,300 Love a good fate that they love to quarrel. 487 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:02,100 Some are not happy unless they're fighting and arguing 488 00:34:02,100 --> 00:34:07,500 with someone else. He's not a striker, not greedy 489 00:34:07,500 --> 00:34:09,900 of filthy lucre, but what does that mean? 490 00:34:10,199 --> 00:34:12,000 That means you don't have a love for money. 491 00:34:13,199 --> 00:34:17,699 How does an elder or a deacon? Make decisions about money as he 492 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:22,600 tamed and generous of the open heart if a man is greedy for 493 00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:25,500 money and not generous. Then that's contrary to what 494 00:34:25,500 --> 00:34:27,900 Paul says, not greedy of filthy lucre. 495 00:34:28,900 --> 00:34:32,500 And hope somebody has a love for money more than a love for God 496 00:34:32,699 --> 00:34:35,600 or a love for gold, more than a love for God. 497 00:34:36,900 --> 00:34:41,699 It mentions here. Patient, that means gentle, 498 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:46,600 remember he's got a shepherd's. Father's leaders heart, he is 499 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:50,500 patient with the Sheep because the Super Wave or their week, 500 00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:52,800 but they're worth while creatures. 501 00:34:52,900 --> 00:34:56,800 Remember that it's not a brawler, it's interesting, the 502 00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:59,800 includes this. What does that mean? 503 00:35:01,000 --> 00:35:03,400 Not someone who flies India need rage. 504 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:08,100 Not someone who is unstable and not someone who would chew you 505 00:35:08,100 --> 00:35:11,500 up and spit you out a or someone who would hold a grudge against 506 00:35:11,500 --> 00:35:15,700 you, I'll fix ya. I'd sort you hate not a 507 00:35:15,700 --> 00:35:19,300 Covetous, man. That that means not allow his 508 00:35:19,300 --> 00:35:23,900 heart and his head. To be ruled by. 509 00:35:23,900 --> 00:35:29,500 I want this, and I want that. I'm going to get it at all 510 00:35:29,500 --> 00:35:33,900 course. One that ruleth well, his own 511 00:35:33,900 --> 00:35:37,200 house. He has the respect of the 512 00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:40,700 children, the grandchildren. Remember, it's those who are 513 00:35:40,700 --> 00:35:43,700 underage, it's not the daring to, with adults. 514 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:48,500 Adults, children should have the respect to Mom and Dad. 515 00:35:49,900 --> 00:35:52,500 But remember, they're responsible for their own 516 00:35:52,500 --> 00:35:55,800 behavior because they're now over the age of 18 or over the 517 00:35:55,800 --> 00:35:58,700 age of 21 that, you know, John Wesley was married to an unsaved 518 00:35:58,700 --> 00:36:00,400 woman, a carnal woman, he hit it all. 519 00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:04,500 He didn't stood for me, this life of misery but John Wesley, 520 00:36:04,500 --> 00:36:06,700 never uttered, a bad word against his wife. 521 00:36:07,500 --> 00:36:11,500 He bore it all with a spurred of Greece and a spirit of Christ. 522 00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:19,500 Houses children living a life of obedience. 523 00:36:20,700 --> 00:36:24,800 Before them, the taters talks about having faithful children, 524 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:30,100 not not children accused of Riot as Behavior or unruly Behavior. 525 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:33,700 A good report of those that are without is a good testimony, 526 00:36:33,700 --> 00:36:35,600 what does the the church that give him? 527 00:36:35,600 --> 00:36:38,200 What does the world? Think some men have a rotten 528 00:36:38,200 --> 00:36:43,700 testimony, I'd say to chance. And that's bad for the church 529 00:36:43,700 --> 00:36:46,400 because when Outreach and missions are on that, then they 530 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:50,100 won't come. Not someone who's self weld. 531 00:36:50,100 --> 00:36:52,300 If you read Tate us, I have to finish. 532 00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:55,900 It says there for a bishop must be blameless. 533 00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,200 As the steward of God, not self-willed, not soon, angry, 534 00:36:58,200 --> 00:37:01,900 not given to Wine, no Striker, not guilty of filthy lucre. 535 00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:05,900 In other words, he's not in the office to please himself. 536 00:37:06,900 --> 00:37:08,800 He's not trying to be a dictator. 537 00:37:09,500 --> 00:37:12,600 He's Not the Killing to the other, man, how they should 538 00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:16,600 decide and, and what they should do, he respects the views of 539 00:37:16,600 --> 00:37:18,800 others, he puts himself in their shoes. 540 00:37:18,900 --> 00:37:23,300 First, he tries to see the knife from their perspective, how can 541 00:37:23,300 --> 00:37:25,600 I help my brother? How can I help my sister? 542 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,200 How can I help the church? And that's where wisdom comes 543 00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:34,600 in. A lover of good man holding as 544 00:37:34,600 --> 00:37:38,100 we've said and Titus to the faithful word amount of sound 545 00:37:38,100 --> 00:37:40,200 Doctrine. The money knows the gospel, he 546 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:42,700 knows what he believes, and why he believes it amount of 547 00:37:42,700 --> 00:37:47,100 conviction. This is all the character that's 548 00:37:47,100 --> 00:37:50,000 involved in this, man for the office. 549 00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:53,000 And what I want you to do, I'm going to finish as I want you to 550 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:58,400 pray over first, Timothy chapter 3, I want you to study Titus 551 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:01,700 Chapter 1, verses 5 to 7, pray over that. 552 00:38:01,900 --> 00:38:05,900 And then make your decision in light of what the Bible says. 553 00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:10,200 Because remember, this is Christchurch and you belong to 554 00:38:10,200 --> 00:38:11,700 Christ. You're one of his sheep. 555 00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:16,400 Our time is gone. I'm just going to close will not 556 00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:18,000 sing. The last hem. 557 00:38:18,700 --> 00:38:20,100 We'll just have a word of prayer. 558 00:38:20,100 --> 00:38:21,900 Father. Take, what has been of thyself 559 00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:24,800 this morning. We've only scratched the surface 560 00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:27,800 and thus creates subject but we pray, you'll take these few 561 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:31,000 stumbling stammering words, write them and all our hearts, 562 00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:33,600 write them in the hearts and Minds, even of the young people 563 00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:37,000 growing up, and we pray that the love of Christ and the fear of 564 00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:41,500 God will be upon us especially as we go forward into this 565 00:38:41,700 --> 00:38:43,000 election. Process. 566 00:38:43,700 --> 00:38:47,000 We commend ourselves to the nie. We pray that the grace of the 567 00:38:47,000 --> 00:38:50,200 Lord Jesus Christ, the love of myself, and the commune of the 568 00:38:50,207 --> 00:38:55,100 holy spirit will be upon us both now and Evermore and Jesus name. 569 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:58,200 Amen. Amen. 570 00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:01,200 Again I apologize for the time this morning. 571 00:38:42,300 --> 00:38:45,500 Process. We commend ourselves to the nie. 572 00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:48,600 We pray that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of 573 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:52,400 myself, and the commune of the holy spirit will be upon us both 574 00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:56,500 now and Evermore and Jesus name. Amen. 575 00:38:57,700 --> 00:39:00,500 Amen. Again I apologize for the time 576 00:39:00,500 --> 00:39:01,200 this morning.