Sermon Central
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Divine Assurance 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.
3. The Leadership’s: Divine Assurance
Remarks.
1. Today we will be discussing point three, of the lesson series: “Divine Call to Leadership.” This lesson deals with the leadership’s, divine assurance. As mention before, 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 investigate the elders at Ephesus, divine assurance. Paul concludes with a divine assurance: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified,” Acts 20:32. The beloved apostle now encourages them and grants unto them a divine assurance: an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. What a tremendous reminder of these men’s divine call to leadership. The Holy Ghost not only called them; but, now assures them that God will by His grace build them up, and will grant unto them “an inheritance” with all the saints. Truly, their “labor will not be in vain in the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 15:58. With this brief introduction, let’s consider our first point.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE LEADERSHIP’S: DIVINE ASSURANCE
A. Paul’s commendation: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God.” There were no more capable hands; the apostle could have placed these loving elders. He knew to commend them unto God. In their awesome responsibility he commends them to God. He knew the burden of leadership; and he knew whose hands he also was committed. Consider...
1. Paul wrote: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day,” 2 Timothy 1:12.
2. Peter wrote: “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator,” 1 Peter 4:19.
3. Jesus said: “I am with you always, even unto the end of the ages,” Matthew 28:20.
4. The Hebrew writer penned: “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me,” Hebrews 13:5-6. Notice:
a. We need not fear what man can do unto us, Psalms 56:4; Psalms 118:6.
b. If God is for us:
1) No one can be against us, Romans 8:31-32.
2) No one can accuse us, Romans 8:33-34.
3) No one can alienate us, Romans 8:35-39.
c. To understand these promises more fully, obtain the lesson below.
NOTE: Download our lesson: “If God be for us,” at SermonCentral.com.
B. His source: “And to the word of His grace.” He now commits their trust in God and in the word of his grace. The word will be their guide in all their difficulties and is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all the sanctified. If it is followed, they cannot stray or fail, in their work and oversight of the church. Notice:
1. Paul commends them to God, to provide for them, to take care of them, and to supply all their needs, and encourages them to cast all their care upon him, with an assurance that he cared for them, 1 Peter 4:6-7. Consider....
a. First, Matthew Henry wrote: “Whatever you want, go to God, let your eye be ever towards him, and your dependence upon him, in all your straits and difficulties; and let this be your comfort, that you have a God to go to, a God all sufficient,” Page 469.
b. Further, He continues: “I commend you to God, that is, to his providence, and to the protection and care of that. It is enough that, from whomsoever we are separated, still we have God nigh unto us,” Page 469.
c. Finally, James wrote: “Draw night to God, and He will draw night to you,” James 4:8. God has taken the first step in reconciling us unto Himself, he sent Jesus. It was His love which caused this gift, of grace, John 3:16; Romans 5:8-10. Notice:
1) The love of Christ constraineth us, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.
2) God has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
