Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, January 14^th, 2007 – 10:30 a.m.

NOT EITHER / OR… BUT …BOTH / AND!!!

Acts 20: 17- 38

I INCLUSIVE

Philippians 1: 1

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, ¶ To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

II INTERCHANGABLE

The word “elder” is presbutos in the Greek ( “presbyter”) and refers to a mature person who has been selected to serve in office ( Acts 14: 23). These same people are called “over-seers” in acts 20: 28, which is episkopos or “bishop”. They were chosen to “feed the church” ( Acts 20: 28), which means “to shepherd”. Paul called the local church

“ a flock, (Acts 20: 28-29), so these men were also pastors. (The word pastor means “shepherd”). Thus in the New Testament churches, the three titles elder, bishop, and pastor were synonymous. The qualifications for this office are given in I Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1: 5-9

III INDIVIDUAL?

James 5: 14 I Peter 5:1 Acts 20: 28 I Timothy 4:14

I Timothy 5: 17 Titus 1:5 Acts 14: 23 Acts 11:30

IV INFLUENTIAL

a. MOTIVE for ministering – vs. 19

The motive for Paul’s ministry is found in the phrase “serving the Lord”

( Acts 20: 19). He was not interested in making money ( Acts 20: 33) or enjoying an easy life ( Acts 20: 34-35), for he was the bondslave of Jesus Christ ( Acts 20: 24; Romans 1:1). Paul was careful to let people know that his motives for ministry were spiritual and not selfish. (I Thessalonians 2: 1-13)

b. MANNER of ministering – vs. 19

· Humility

· Tears

· Trials

c. MESSAGE for ministering

- Declare the whole purpose of God – vs. 20, 27

* Doctrines, duties, privileges, responsibilities of the Christian Life.

* Neither compromising nor going to extremes, but keeping things in

balance.

- Teaching publicly – vs. 20

* Testifying – vs. 21

V INTENTIONAL with INTEGRITY

Never underestimate the great importance of the church. The church is important to God the Father, because His name is on it – “the church of God.” It is important to the Son because He shed his blood for it; and it is important to the Holy Spirit because He is calling and equipping people to minister to the church.

a. There are dangers AROUND us. – vs. 29

REFUTE

b. There are dangers AMONG us – vs. 30

ADMONISH

d. There are dangers WITHIN us – vs. 31-35

EXAMINE

· CARELESSNESS - vs. 31

· SHALLOWNESS - vs. 32

· COVETOUSNESS - vs. 33

· LAZINESS - vs. 34

· SELFISHNESS - vs. 35

VI INTERCESSIONAL - VS. 36

NOTES:

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