His Eternal Plan:

Elders and Deacons

Acts 6:1-4

1 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.

2 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.

3 "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;

4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:1-4

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Phil. 1:1

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

• Human Wisdom

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

• Human Wisdom

• Influential men

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

• Human Wisdom

• Influential men

• Successful men

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

• Human Wisdom

• Influential men

• Successful men

• Popular men

Leadership in the ChurchElders and Deacons

• Human Wisdom

• Influential men

• Successful men

• Popular men

• His Divine Wisdom

Four Important Words

Four Important Words

Elders

Four Important Words

Elders

• episkopos – bishop/overseer

Four Important Words

Elders

• episkopos – bishop/overseer

• presbuteros – elder/presbyter

Four Important Words

Elders

• episkopos – bishop/overseer

• presbuteros – elder/presbyter

• poimen – shepherd/pastor

Four Important Words

Elders

• episkopos – bishop/overseer

• presbuteros – elder/presbyter

• poimen – shepherd/pastor

Deacons

Four Important Words

Elders

• episkopos – bishop/overseer

• presbuteros – elder/presbyter

• poimen – shepherd/pastor

Deacons

• diakonos – minister/servant/deacon

Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men

Spiritual Body & Spiritual MenGood

BehaviorOf Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Spiritual Body & Spiritual MenGood

BehaviorOf Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men

Not GivenTo Wine

Able toTeach

Temperate

NotQuarrelsome

NotGreedy

Sober

GoodBehavior

Of Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Not GivenTo Wine

Able toTeach

Temperate

NotQuarrelsome

NotGreedy

Sober

GoodBehavior

Of Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Gentle

Holy

Just

Lover ofGood

Grave

Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

• One Who is Proven

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

• One Who is Proven

• You Can Trust the Work to Him

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

Not GivenTo Wine

Able toTeach

Temperate

NotQuarrelsome

NotGreedy

Sober

GoodBehavior

Of Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Gentle

Holy

Just

Lover ofGood

Grave

What Does a Deacon Look Like?

Not GivenTo Wine

Able toTeach

Temperate

NotQuarrelsome

NotGreedy

Sober

GoodBehavior

Of Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Husband ofHusband ofone wifeone wife

Children in Children in SubjectionSubjection

Rules His Rules His HouseHouse

Wife is notWife is notSlanderousSlanderous

,& ,& temperatetemperate

Wife is Wife is reverent &reverent &faithful in faithful in all thingsall things

Gentle

Holy

Just

Lover ofGood

Grave

What Does an Elder Look Like?

What Does an Elder Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

What Does an Elder Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

What Does an Elder Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

• Shown His Ability (in his family)

What Does an Elder Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

• Shown His Ability (in his family)

• You Can Follow His Example

What Does an Elder Look Like?

• Desires to Work/Serve

• Spiritually Minded

• Shown His Ability (in his family)

• You Can Follow His Example

• You Can Trust Your Soul to Him

What Does an Elder Look Like?

Not GivenTo Wine

Able toTeach

Temperate

NotQuarrelsome

NotGreedy

Sober

GoodBehavior

Of Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Gentle

Holy

Just

Lover ofGood

Grave

What Does an Elder Look Like?

Not GivenTo Wine

Able toTeach

Temperate

NotQuarrelsome

NotGreedy

Sober

GoodBehavior

Of Good Report

NotCovetous

NotViolent

Not Quick-Tempered

Fast toThe Word

Not self-willed

Hospitable

Blameless

Not double-tongued

SelfControlled

Husband ofHusband ofone wifeone wife

Children in Children in SubjectionSubjection

Rules His Rules His HouseHouse

Wives notWives notSlanderousSlanderous

& & temperatetemperate

Wives Wives reverent &reverent &faithful in faithful in all thingsall things

Gentle

Holy

Just

Lover ofGood

GraveBelievingBelievingChildrenChildren

Not aNot aNoviceNovice

Important Matters to Remember

Important Matters to Remember

• Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

Important Matters to Remember

• Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

• Elders are shepherds, not CEO's

Important Matters to Remember

• Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

• Elders are shepherds, not CEO's

• Elders' first flock—his family

Important Matters to Remember

• Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

• Elders are shepherds, not CEO's

• Elders' first flock—his family

• Look at his family and children

Important Matters to Remember

• Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

• Elders are shepherds, not CEO's

• Elders' first flock—his family

• Look at his family and children

• Not a popularity contest

Important Matters to Remember

• Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

• Elders are shepherds, not CEO's

• Elders' first flock—his family

• Look at his family and children

• Not a popularity contest

• Decision will impact church for years

Entering His Spiritual Body

Entering His Spiritual Body

• Believe John 8:24

Entering His Spiritual Body

• Believe John 8:24

• Repent Acts 17:31

Entering His Spiritual Body

• Believe John 8:24

• Repent Acts 17:31

• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32

Entering His Spiritual Body

• Believe John 8:24

• Repent Acts 17:31

• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32

• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

Entering His Spiritual Body

• Believe John 8:24

• Repent Acts 17:31

• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32

• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

Entering His Spiritual Body

• Believe John 8:24

• Repent Acts 17:31

• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32

• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

• Be Faithful Rev. 2:10