Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/89

Contributor - Tom Meyer

Title - "By Divine Appointment"

Topic - Consistory

'Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God which he obtained with the blood of His own Son.'

This fall, in many of our churches, it will be our privilege to witness the induction into office of elders and deacons. Those elected by the congregation will affirm that they feel in their hearts that they are lawfully called by God's Church, and therefore by God Himself, to these holy offices. As a congregation we will promise to receive them as duly elected and ordained officers of Christ in His Church. A very important question that I would consider with you has to do with the matter of authority: By whose authority do these officers now exercise their sacred office?

The word authority comes from the word 'author'. The author creates the office and holds the person or persons accountable for this authority. For example, in our democratic society, we the people, elect our representatives. We give them authority to act for us in government, and they must give an account to us in their exercise of this authority.

But the Church is not a democratic society. The Church is ruled by King Jesus, which makes the Church a theocratic organization. The scepter of King Jesus is His inspired Word. His agents - minister, elders, and deacons, are chosen and ordained according to the guidelines of the Word of God Christ is the head of the Church and minister, elders and deacons have their authority from Him.

The exercise of this authority is effective only when carried out in conformity -with the Word of God. Christ holds these officers accountable to Himself in the faithful discharge of their office. We, as a congregation, have elected them to office, but only as an instrument in the hands of the Holy Spirit--Christ Himself has called and appointed them to their office in His Church! Our text is very clear on the fact that the officers in the Church exercise their sacred office by divine appointment. Listen:

'Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God which be obtained with the blood of His own Son.-

The Church is an institution, not of men, but of God. In Matthew 16:18, we hear Jesus say: "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH!" Christ rules His Church through His office bearers. Just as through the preaching of the Word God chooses to draw people to Himself, so through the elders and deacons working together with the minister, God chooses to watch over the well-being of His people.

I submit to you that what I have said so far has serious implications both for the officers and for the congregation. First and foremost I want to address the officers who are being installed as well as those who win continue to keep in mind and on your heart, and -before your conscience! Think of it, you are called and appointed by Christ Himself to fulfil this holy-office in His Church. And Christ Himself will call on you to give an account of your stewardship of this office!

The church in which you carry out your sacred duties is the Church of God, for which He dearly paid with the blood of His own 8 -on! Is it any wonder that you are exhorted t -o 'take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, and to care for the Church of God? You are entrusted with something that is very precious in the sight of God - you are to care for His people, whom He refers to in the O.T. as "the apple of His eye!"

You are charged with guarding, feeding, and disciplining the people for whom Christ shed His blood on the cross! Not just when they sit in church on Sunday - you are to watch over their whole life. You are to see to it that they live the Word which they hear from the pulpit! While -elders and deacons differ in their responsibilities, they are together with the minister responsible for this caring ministry in the congregation.

You may well cry out with the apostle Paul: "Lord, who is sufficient for these things?" We know that no one is sufficient of himself for such responsibility. Praise God for the comfort of our text, when it suggests that: if Christ by His Holy Spirit has called you and appointed you to this office, and since this is His Church and His people, you may confidently expect Christ by His Holy Spirit to qualify and to help you in the discharge of your responsibilities.

Still our text says: "Take heed to yourselves...' You are a responsible agent. You are accountable to Christ for all that you do or fail to do, therefore, you must do all in your power to "show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed!"

"Take heed to yourselves..." First to consider is your personal walk with the Lord. You know that spiritual strength and vitality is not something that just happens. You must cultivate your own spiritual life. You must feed yourself with the Word of God. 'Study yourself to be approved unto God!" said the apostle Paul to Timothy.

'Be Filled with the Spirit," told the Ephesians. That can only happen if you give yourself diligently to the business of Bible study and prayer. How do you expect to speak to others about the power of God, unless you know that power in your own life? And deacons, don't think that this applies only to elders. In Acts 6:3, the qualifications of deacons are described as "men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom."

"Take heed to yourselves...' YOU must discipline yourselves to lead a life that is worthy of your holy calling as officers 'in God's Church. The importance of your example before the congregation simply cannot be overstated! Your example is the most powerful influence you can have. In fact, the quality of your example will determine the direction- of the Church.

'Take heed...' to your example! As a leader 'in God's Church you will either lead or mislead-the flock under your care. Read again the qualifications of elders and deacons in I Tim. 3 and Titus 1, and order your lives accordingly. This is your holy obligation as those who must give leadership in the Church!

It has been said: "As the minister goes, so goes the Church", but the three offices in the Church belong together and the responsibility is shared with the elders and the deacons. If you do not live a godly life before the congregation, if you are not faithful in your attendance at worship and in your support of the church's programs, then you should not expect the members to be faithful and supportive. Then what does it mean to be a leader? Then how can you point others to their responsibilities? A leader who does not lead is a hindrance! Therefore, take heed to yourselves, then and only then can you take heed over all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers!

"Take heed ... to all the flock..to care for the Church of GOD which He obtained with the blood of His own Son.'

The flock is the congregation -- they are God's people who He has purchased at-infinite cost -God has entrusted them to your care! Take heed -- just as you are to watch over your personal life and conduct, so you are to look out for the well-being of the congregation. In love and patience, in kindness and compassion, speaking the truth in love, you are to zealously watch over, feed and nourish, you are to do everything ' n your power to assure the wellbeing of the members and their families.

"Take heed ... to all the flock!" This means not only to watch over then-4 but also to be on the watch for them. Warn and admonish them when they go astray. This will not win you any popularity contests, but you must do it for the Gospel's sake! See to it that they receive sound instruction in the Word of God. Protect them for false teaching and from those who would lead them astray and cause division in the congregation. Seek and promote those things that make for peace and unity in the Church of Christ.

'Take heed... to all the flock!" This also means that you do not misuse your authority in the Church. The apostle Peter says: "...not as domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." Encourage them and let your lifestyle be an encouragement to them!

Finally, or perhaps in summary, love them for the sake of Christ. This may not always include liking every member. You yourself are not always likeable either, but you must love them for Christ's sake! Jesus said: "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you." This is a difficult assignment- for all of us, but it is especially crucial in your role as leaders in the congregation.

Your faithfulness and your diligence in carrying out your sacred duties as officers in Christ's Church will serve to build up and strengthen the congregation until at last she will stand before the throne of Christ without spot or wrinkle, and you yourselves will receive a crown of glory that does not fade away!

"Take heed to yourselves and to an the Bock, in which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.'

I would like to encourage you with the words of a well-known hymn, entitled: RISE UP, 0 MEN OF GOD!" The words of this hymn apply to all of us but they are especially challenging for elders and deacons:

"Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength To serve the King of Kings. Rise up, O men of God!

'The Church for you doth wait, Her strength unequal to her task; Rise up, and make her great! Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where His feet have trod; As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God.

Now I want to also say something to you the congregation. I would not want you to think that this message is strictly for the elders and deacons. Our text also speaks to us a congregation. This is God's Church. Christ as Lord of His Church has ordained the offices and through His Holy Spirit He has ordered the election and induction of these officers, and appointed them to rule in His name. We as God's people ought to receive them as servants of God, and should give them proper honour and recognition for the sake of their office.

When the elders visit us, speak to us, admonish us, discipline us in the name of Christ, they do this by the authority which they have from Christ Himself. In patience and humility and for the sake of our spiritual well-being, we should receive their counsel as from Christ Himself. To resist their counsel is to resist Christ who appointed them for our good.

Just as in a family it is important that parents have authority over their-children, so it is in the Church, which is the family of God. God-ordained officers must be allowed to exercise their authority! Our humble submission to their authority will greatly help them in their difficult task, and encourage them in their service for Christ's sake.

By all means let us thank God for the officers in our church. Let us appreciate their selfless service for the well-being of our congregation. Let us remember above all that God has given us these officers "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

For our spiritual wellbeing and for the upbuilding of the Church may all of us take these word to heart, and to His name be glory for ever and ever.

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