Taking care of God’s church

Ephesians 2:20 She is built on Jesus, 1 Cor 3:9-11 We are God’s building/fellow workers. If we get the foundation wrong everything will be wrong. ||| Eph 2:21-22, Eph 4:11-12 We are given Pastor-Teachers to equip the saints for building up the body of Christ. Going back to the foundation that was laid, to see what the apostles taught about PASTOR-TEACHERS, we must go to the Bible, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Tim 3:1-7 ||| WHY THEY ARE GIVEN Eph 4:13, 1 Tim 3:5 To care for the church, under God. Acts 20:18 & 28 To care for the church and build her up, to teach, Heb 13:17 they will give account to God for their service to the souls of the flock. ||| HOW DO THEY COME INTO THIS OFFICE Titus 1:5 Acts 14:21-23, 2 Cor 8:18-19 They are appointed (by the stretching out of the hand by vote), identified by the church and then appointed. ||| WHAT QUALIFICATIONS THEY MUST HAVE 1 Tim 3:1-7 Aspire (deep inner conviction that God is calling him to this role), The words “must be” is repeated in this passage. [1] Look at the man’s personal life and behaviour. (Above reproach, not be drunkard, not violent, quarrelsome, not lover of money) [2] Look at their marriage and see him to be a one-woman man. [3] Look at his family life (managing his family well, keeping his children in submission)
[4] What those outside of the church think of him (good reputation) [5] Spiritual age (not recent convert, one who has walked.with God for a number of years). [6] Spiritual gift and calling (able to teach). ||| The Chief Shepherd loves the church so much that He has gone into great detail to make sure that she is equipped and cared for in love by men who are qualified and walk with God.