Sermon Cloud

“Structure, Leadership, Followership and the Church”
Colossians 1:24-29

Key Verse: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of  the word of God.” Colossians 1:24-25 (NAS)

“If the local church is to act out its God-appointed role, it must first fulfill four conditions.  It must understand itself (the theology of the church), organize itself (the structure of the church), express itself (the message of the church), and be itself (the life of the church).  John R.W. Stott

1. The Great and Chief Shepherd is Jesus, Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4; John 10:10-11.

2. The Great Shepherd has promised to build His church and none can prevail against that plan, Matthew 16:18.

3. The Chief Shepherd calls gifted, willing men to serve as under-shepherds, 1 Timothy 3; 4:14; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6; Titus 1:5.

The EFCA and Congregational Rule
A. Annual budget
B. Calling the senior pastor
C. Buying and selling of property
D. Constitution and by-laws
E. Choosing elders

4. Undershepherds/leaders are called to follow the Savior and sacrifice, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Philippians 2:29-30; Colossians 1:24-29.

5. Leaders should equip the church for serving and appoint other leaders, Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 1:3; 3:10; 4:6; 5:22; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:10-11; 3:10-11; 1 Peter 5:5.

 A. Guiding, training.

 B. Releasing, enabling: leaders should free-up other leaders for sacrificing, cf. 1 Corinthians 12-14.

6. Leaders should guard the flock and themselves, protect the ministry, and guard the teaching/doctrine of the church, Acts 20:18-32.

7. The church should follow the Savior and the example of its leaders and sacrificially serve, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Philippians 2:29-30; 4:9; Colossians 1:24-29; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Timothy 4:12.

8. The church should: appreciate, hold in high regard, and esteem very highly in love its leaders, Philippians 2:29-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

9. The church should obey its leaders, Hebrews 13:17.