1. Majority Rules
A rabbi was at odds with his congregation. The president of the synagogue said, "Rabbi, we must have a conference to settle this dispute once and for all." So the rabbi, the president and the ten elders met together to discuss the issue -- but the rabbi soon discovered that he was the sole dissenting opinion. After some discussion, the president of the synagogue announced, "Let us now vote and let the majority rule." When the votes were collected, the president said, "Rabbi, you are outvoted eleven to one, we have the majority."
The rabbi rose to his feet, "So you think you are right and I am wrong because of a vote. Well, think again, for I will call on the Holy One of Israel to give us a sign that I am right and you are wrong." Immediately, a deafening clap of thunder sounded, accompanied by a brilliant flash. The mahogany table they were gathered around was cracked in two. The room was filled with smoke and the president and the elders were thrown to the floor, but the rabbi remained standing -- untouched and triumphant.
The president synagogue slowly rose from underneath the table. His hair was singed, his glasses where hanging from one ear and his clothes were in great disarray. Finally, after some time, he responded saying, "Alright, alright, so it is eleven to two. But we still have the majority!"
2. This is often the perception we have of church direction -- the majority rules; as a result there are missteps in our walk with God
a. Biblical authority can be neglected
b. Worldly authority can be embraced
3. God's way of leadership often goes against the grain of our worldly thinking
a. Serving, Sacrificial Leadership -- Mark 10.42-45: 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
b. An unexpected principle -- Genesis 25.19-28 (especially verse 23 -- the elder to serve the younger)
1) Two Nations
2) God's determination to work through Jacob (God does the unexpected)
3) Esau was an independent, frontier man -- shrewd in worldly ways
4) Jacob was a man of the tent/community
5) Worldly-wise men may not make the best elders; the best elders learn by sitting at the feet of the Father
4. Consider the role of Elders as they sacrificially serve the Younger:
I. The Elder Shall Serve the Younger Because He is Qualified
A. By Experience
1. Not a recent convert -- 1 Timothy 3.6
2. A successful family leader (church is a family, not a business enterprise or a military fortress) -- 3.4-5
3. He has a good report within the community -- 3.7
4. He is aware of the times in which we live -- (3.7)
B. By Character (Fruit of the Spirit)
Character
In the 17th Century, there was a young man named Paul Gerhardt. Because of the patronage of a German Duke he became a powerful influence on the church of his day. Gerhardt's family was very poor. And he helped out by being a shepherd for a small flock of sheep and goats on the edge of the forest.
One day a hunter came out from among the trees and asked the lad how far it was to the nearest village.
"Six miles, sire," he replied, "but the road is only a sheep track and can easily be missed."
"I've lost my way and I am very tired," returned the hunter. "Leave your sheep and show me the way. I will pay you well."
"No, Sire" said Gerhardt. "I cannot do that for they would stray into the forest and be stolen or eaten by the wolves."
"Never mind; your master would never miss one or two and I would pay you more than the price of one or two sheep."
"But, sire, my master trusts me with these sheep, and I have promised not to leave them."
"Well," said the hunter, "Let me take care of the sheep while you fetch me food from the village and a guide."
"The sheep do not know your voice and would not obey you, sir."
"Can you not trust me? Do I not look like an honest man?" asked the hunter with a frown.
"Sir," said the boy slowly, "You tried to make me false to my trust, and break my word to my master. How do I know that you will keep your word to me?"
The hunter could not help laughing.
"I see you are an honest lad, and I will not forget you," said the hunter. "Which is the path? I must find my way for myself."
But Gerhardt would not let the man depart hungry, so he gave him the humble contents of his scrip. Just at the moment several men came hurrying through the forest uttering shouts of delight as they caught sight of the two of them. Gerhardt had been talking to the Grand Duke and these were his attendants who had been much alarmed at his disappearance.
This was the beginning of Gerhardt's future charter of honor and success. Pleased with the lad's honesty, the Duke had him well educated and thus guided the path of his life so that he eventually was in a position to make a difference in the church.
That's what God desires to do for Elders who take their responsibility seriously.
And Eldership is so critical to the ongoing strength and security of His church that He wants other men to desire, not only to be like these other men, but to one day step up and become Elders themselves.
1. Blameless/Above Reproach/Good Behavior/Not Greedy -- Titus 1.6; 1 Timothy 3.2, 3
Above Reproach
A friend told Plato of a terrible charge that had been leveled against the famous philosopher. Knowing it was not true, his friend said, "What are we going to do?" Plato replied, "We must simply live in such a way that all people will know it is false." Paul said that an elder is to be above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2). He told all Christians to abstain from every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
2. Not arrogant or easily angered -- Titus 1.7
3. Just and fair -- 1.8
4. Holy lives of Self-Control/Sober-Minded -- 1.8; 1 Timothy 3.2-3; Titus 1.7
5. Supports the Good -- 1.8
6. Patient; Gentle; Not violent -- 1 Timothy 3.3
II. The Elder Shall Serve the Younger Because He is Sanctified
A. Called by God
1. God chose Jacob over Esau in the womb (and descendants)
2. (Also Jeremiah -- before the womb; Moses in Wilderness; Abram in idolatry)
3. God chooses spiritual gifts for his people, including leadership/shepherding -- Ephesians 4.11ff
B. Set Apart to Serve
1. Teaching -- 1 Timothy 3.2; Titus 1.9
2. Hospitality -- 1 Timothy 3.2; Titus 1.8
3. Oversee the flock -- Titus 1.7; Acts 20.28; Hebrews 13.17 -- Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
4. Lead -- 1 Timothy 5.17; Hebrews 13.17
5. Examples -- 1 Peter 5.3
Example
Tony Campolo "Who Switched The Price Tags?
A few years ago I was asked to be a speaker at a very affluent and very formal Presbyterian church located just outside Washington, D.C. The worship service that Sunday proceeded with all the dignity that expresses Presbyterianism at its best. The magnificent sanctuary, the stately music, and the properly attired congregation blended together to give the impression that all things were being done "decently and in order."
Quite unexpectedly, the decorum of the church was disrupted by a barefooted young man who was spaced-out on drug and dressed in rags. This disreputable-looking creature stumbled down the main aisle of the church all the way to the front of the sanctuary. The entire congregation was taken aback by the intruder. I watched with much anxiety as he stood and stared at the preacher. Then, suddenly, he squatted on the floor just to the right of the pulpit.
The pastor tried to ignore him and did his best to keep the service moving along, but he was obviously upset. Then a tall, elderly gentleman, dressed in establishment attire, got up from his pew and walked deliberately down the aisle toward the strange visitor. The old man carried a brass-capped cane, and some feared that he was going to use it to drive the hippie intruder out of the sanctuary. But instead, something remarkable happened. The old man paused beside that dirty and ragged young man, sat down, and put his arm around his shoulder. Those unlikely partners sat arm in arm for the rest of the service. They provided the congregation of that church with the real sermon of the morning.
1. Team Effort [Lucy and Charlie Brown vs. John Brodie
Lucy always moved the ball when Charlie Brown would try to kick it, even if she promised not to. This made her look good and Charlie Brown foolish.
Several years back, John Brodie, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, was used by his team to hold the ball for field goals and extra points after the touchdown.
A reporter once asked why a million-dollar player like him would have to do such a menial task.
"Well," said Brodie, "if I didn't, it would fall over."
2. Shepherds, as the older, serve the younger by lifestyle and leadership.
