Sermon Central
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Divine Assignment Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on May 31, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: To establish that one of the church’s greatest needs is a sound and faithful leadership. That means the appointing of elders and deacons (along with their families), who are committed to their divine assignment of: lovingly watching over, caring for and shepherding, the children of God.
INTRODUCTION
Outline.
2. The Leadership’s: Divine Assignment
Remarks.
1. Today we will be discussing point two, of the lesson series: “Divine Call to Leadership.” This lesson deals with the leadership’s, divine assignment. Again, one of the church’s greatest needs is sound and faithful leadership. This is not just a calling for men; but it includes their entire families; who are devoted to the work of Christ, and the shepherding of God’s people. Divine leadership is not just the appointment of a man; but, the calling of an entire family to serve the church. There will be times in that service, that the family unit will be challenged; and in some cases, even caused to question their calling. Yet, if accepted, and successful; many will be called and won to Christ; and souls will be saved by their sacrifice and their careful watching, over God’s people.
2. We will discuss in this point, the elders at Ephesus, divine assignment. Paul continued with his discourse with the elders at Miletus: “For I know this that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock... And of your own selves shall men arise... Therefore watch and remember... I cease not to warn every one night and day with tears,” Acts 20:29-31. This is an office of service and devotion to the people of God. The leadership is ever vigilant in its oversight of the church. They must defend her from false doctrines and the wolves that constantly attack it. This will be accomplished with careful watching, prayers unto God often, and many tears being shed for its safety and salvation, as, “they watch for their souls.” Let’s consider first, the urgency of their assignment.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE LEADERSHIP’S: DIVINE ASSIGNMENT
A. Urgency of their assignment: “For I know this after my departure.” This was something that was already working; as the apostles spoke to these leaders on the beach, at Miletus. He knew this as a result of the Holy Spirit’s; empowering him, as an apostle. Notice:
1. First, he notes: “For I know this, that after my departure,” all these things will occur. They shall occur real soon. It was Paul’s presence, vigilance and preaching, in Ephesus; that had kept these wolves at bay. But now, “he goes bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem; and they will see his face no more,” Acts 20:22; Acts 20:25; Acts 20:38.
a. He admonishes these elders, to be on guard for after his departure, these wolves will be entering in among them, Acts 20:29. They were promised first, to come from without. They: “Shall enter in among you.”
b. They will attack the “faith and confidence” of the leadership, and the church.
c. Therefore, they must watch for, and be prepared to deal with, these assaults from evil workers, and false brethren (those of the circumcision), Philippians 3:2; Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:26.
2. Further, the minister’s work is to prepare the leadership, other ministers and the church to stand on the word, whether he is there or absent. He advised the church at Philippi: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that he stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” Philippians 1:27.
a. This was Paul’s ministry, to equip the church to stand against all attacks; from outside as well as those that come, from among his countrymen and false brethren.
b. He warned the Galatians of such a departure, Galatians 1:6-12. He thought it very strange that these “new babies” in Christ, were on the immediate verge of “departing from the grace of God; unto another gospel, which is not another,” Galatians 1:6-7.
c. He asked the Thessalonians to “Pray for him, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith...but the Lord is faithful; who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil,” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3.
3. Next, he warned Timothy of such a departure: “The Spirit speaketh expressly that some shall depart from the faith,” 1Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This will occur in the latter times; in the not so distant future. He doesn’t suggest how far away this departure lurks; he merely states it will come. Paul affirms: “Some shall depart from the faith.” There shall be a, “great apostasy.” Paul in this Letter notes some signs or teachings of this great apostasy. Notice:
a. First, they are giving heed to seducing spirits. The apostle seems to recognize a supernatural element which speaks by false prophets, in false utterances which claims to be from God. These seducing spirits might work through hierarchs, who claimed to speak for God, or through councils which claimed to make infallible utterances. They speak and preach the commandments of men, Matthew 15:7-9.
