I. INTRODUCTION
A.God knew in order for His church to prosper it needed the best possible leadership organized in the best possible way. Throughout the Bible the difference between success and failure for God's people usually has come down to its leaders.
B. God gives us the scriptural pattern for the organization of His church in the New Testament. It is the purpose of this lesson to set forth the structure and function of church leadership as defined by the scripture. We will consider the evangelist, the elder and the deacon.
II.THE EVANGELIST
A.The work of an evangelist includes at least four activities.
1.He must preach the word of God (II Timothy 4:2, 2:2, and I Timothy 4:1, I Corinthians 9:16, 1:18-25, 2:1-5, Acts 20:20, 27).
2.He must guard against any departure of the church from the New Testament Pattern (I Timothy 1:3, 4:1-3, and II Timothy 1:13, 4:1-5, Acts 20:29-31).
3.He must evangelize the lost (Acts 5:42, 6:2-4, 8:12-13, 16:13-15, and I Corinthians 9:19-23).
4.He must lead the church (Titus 1: 5, Hebrews 13:7, 17).
B.The qualities of the evangelist are spiritual in nature.
1.He must be a worthy example (I Timothy 4:12, 16, 5:22, 6:11, II Timothy 2:2, Philippians 4:9).
2.He must love people (I Thessalonians 2:7-12, II Timothy 1:3-4, Acts 20:25, 31, 36-38).
3.He must love the truth (Galatians 1:6-9,
I Timothy 1:3, 4:16).
4. He must be studious and prayerful (Acts 6:4,
I Timothy 4:13).
III. THE PASTOR
A.The work of a pastor involves three separate areas.
1.He must minister to the spiritual needs of the people (Acts 20:28, I Peter 5:1-2, Titus 1:9, James 5:14-15).
2.He must guard against any departure of the church from the New Testament pattern (Titus 1:9, Acts 20:28-32).
3.He must lead the church (I Timothy 5:17, I Peter 5:3).
B.The qualities of an elder are listed in I Timothy 3: 1-7, Titus 1:6-9, I Peter 5:1-4. They are as follows:
1.Desire.
2.Above reproach (blameless).
3.Husband of one wife.
4.Temperate.
5.Self-controlled
6.Respectable
7.Hospitable
8.Able to teach
9.Not given to much wine.
10.Not violent
11.Gentle
12.Not quarrelsome
13.Not a lover of money
14.An orderly, well-managed household
15.Children that are respectful, obedient and Christian
16.Not a recent convert
17.A good reputation among non-Christians
18.Not overbearing.
19.Not quick tempered.
20.Not pursuing dishonest gain.
21.Holds firmly to the gospel message.
22.Not greedy
23.Eager to serve
24.Worthy example
IV.THE DEACON
A.The work of a deacon involves two areas
1.He must serve the needs of the church (Acts 6:1-7, I Timothy 3:13).
2.He must participate in evangelism (Acts 6:7, 8:5, 12, 13, 26-40, Acts 7:1-60).
B.The qualities of a deacon are listed in Acts 6:3 and
Timothy 3:8-13.
1.Full of wisdom
2.Full of the Holy Spirit
3. Worthy of respect
4. Sincere
5. Not indulging in much wine
6. Not pursuing dishonest gain
7. Holds to the Gospel message
8. A clear conscience
9. First tested and proved faithful
10. Husband of one wife
11. A well-managed and orderly household
12. A faithful wife
V. CONCLUSION
A.The ministries of leadership are worth goals of every child of God. Christian parents should bring up their children to respect these offices and to admire the men who occupy them. Every young man ought to have his sights set on serving God some day as an evangelist, elder, or deacon. Every young woman ought to have her heart set on marrying a young man who ultimately will serve God in one of these capacities. All Christians should strive to embody the spiritual qualities given for evangelist, shepherds and deacons.
B.God's church must have spiritual leadership. Let each person dedicate himself to become a spiritual leader.
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