The Need for Leadership

The Need for Leadership

January 24, 2010

Introduction

This morning, we are studying leadership. Being a leader and being a boss or dictator are two entirely different things. This morning, we are studying leadership in the church. The New Testament example of leadership is that of the shepherd. Sheep are led, not driven.

We’ve titled our thoughts “The Need for Leadership.” There is indeed, a Need for Leadership. In the early church, it was a need that called for the appointment of seven “deacons” and later elders were appointed in the churches.

Body

I. There was a need for leadership and administration to solve a problem.

(Acts 6:1 NKJV) Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

There is a right and wrong way to solve a problem.

(Acts 6:2 NKJV) Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

We need the help of the congregation in solving the problem.

(Acts 6:3 NKJV) "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

1. These are the only examples we know of of deacons in the early church.

2. They were given the responsibility of dividing up the food as it was needed by the widows.

We need division of labor to do the most good.

(Acts 6:4 NKJV) "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

II. The Deacons and their work.

Appointing the deacons.

(Acts 6:5- NKJV) And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, {6} whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

The Results of their decision.

(Acts 6:7 NKJV) Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

III. The elders and their qualifications.

A. An elder must desire the position.

(1 Tim 3:1 NKJV) This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

1. A man must want the office of an elder before he can qualify for the position.

2. The position is more than a position, it involves work.

(1 Tim 3:2 NKJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

3. “Not given to wine, not violent, . . . gentle, not quarrelsome”

(1 Tim 3:3 NKJV) not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

4. Two more related thoughts: Not greedy for money, not covetous.

5. He must have submissive children.

(1 Tim 3:4-5 NKJV) one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence {5} (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

6. He must be a mature Christian with a good report.

{6} not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. {7} Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

IV. Deacons and their qualifications

The qualification of deacons is very similar to that of the elders.

(1 Tim 3:8-13 NKJV) Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, {9} holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. {10} But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. {11} Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. {12} Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. {13} For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

So what is the difference in the qualifications of elders and deacons?

1. The qualification of their children is different.

(1 Tim 3:12) Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well

Of elders: (Titus 1:6 NKJV) if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

2. Elders have a requirement to be able to teach.

(1 Tim 3:2 NKJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

a. He must be able to defend the truth.

(Titus 1:9-11 NKJV) holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. {10} For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, {11} whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

3. Some want to make a difference in the amount of wine elders and deacons can drink.

(1 Tim 3:2-3 NKJV) A bishop then must be blameless, . . . {3} not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

(1 Tim 3:8 NKJV) Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

Conclusion

I. So we are at the point of looking for leaders.

(Acts 6:3 NKJV) "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

A. We are looking for elders or deacons.

B. We are not looking for a fixed number such as seven.

II. As we conclude, we always want to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to become a Christian or make something right in a public way.

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