Empowering the Church: The Role of Elders in Missions
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the mission that God has given to His church, focusing on the role of elders in fueling and equipping the church for this mission. We delved into Acts 13 and 14, examining Paul's first missionary journey and the intentionality behind missions and church planting. The local church is both the means and the end of missions, central to the Great Commission. Elders play a crucial role in starting and strengthening local churches, which are essential for making disciples and spreading the gospel.
We discussed the importance of the local church in God's plan, emphasizing that the church is not just a building or an event but a family on a mission together. The church is God's authoritative agent on earth, displaying His manifold wisdom and glory. The nature of the church demands that it be at the heart of the Great Commission, and the pattern of the New Testament shows that missions and church planting are done with intentionality.
We also highlighted the significance of prayer, sensitivity to the Spirit, and the sacrificial nature of sending out missionaries. The local church plays a key role in this process, as seen in the church at Antioch, which set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work of missions. The proclamation of the Word and the appointing of elders are central to this mission, ensuring that disciples are made and churches are established and sustained.
Finally, we reflected on the future glory of the church, as described in Revelation 21, and the role of pastors and elders in equipping the church for that final day. Despite some modern missiological trends that downplay the role of the local church, we affirmed that the church is both the goal and the means of God's mission, made so by Christ Himself.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Local Church as the Means and End of Missions: The local church is central to the Great Commission, serving as both the means through which God accomplishes His purposes and the end goal of His mission. The church is not just a building or an event but a family on a mission together, displaying God's glory and wisdom to the world. [27:34]
2. The Role of Elders in Church Planting and Strengthening: Elders play a crucial role in starting and strengthening local churches. They are responsible for leading, guiding, and equipping the church, ensuring that disciples are made and sustained. Their leadership is vital for the health and growth of the church, both locally and globally. [30:05]
3. The Importance of Prayer and Sensitivity to the Spirit: Prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit are foundational to the mission of the church. The church at Antioch exemplified this by setting apart Paul and Barnabas for missions through prayer and fasting. This reliance on the Spirit ensures that the church's mission aligns with God's will and purposes. [48:52]
4. The Sacrificial Nature of Sending: Sending out missionaries requires sacrifice, as it often involves sending the best and most gifted leaders. The church must be willing to make these sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, trusting that God will use their efforts to advance His kingdom. This sacrificial sending is a reflection of the costliness of Christ's own mission. [50:35]
5. The Future Glory of the Church: The church, in all its current imperfections, points us toward a future day of glory and beauty. Revelation 21 describes the church as a bride adorned for her husband, a most rare jewel. Pastors and elders have the weighty responsibility of equipping the church for this final day, ensuring that it is built up and prepared for the return of Christ. [01:05:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:37] - Introduction to Acts 13 and 14
[27:34] - The Local Church as the Means and End of Missions
[28:39] - Misunderstandings in Modern Missiology
[29:23] - The Importance of the Local Church
[30:05] - The Role of Elders in Missions
[31:37] - The Church at Antioch
[32:33] - Paul's First Missionary Journey
[33:24] - The Hunger Games Analogy
[34:18] - The Church as a Band of Rebels
[36:10] - The Ordinary Means of Grace
[37:46] - Consistency with the Whole Story of Scripture
[38:33] - The Great Commission and God's People
[40:21] - The Nature of the Church
[41:39] - The Unique Glory of the Gathering
[42:24] - Life Together as the Church
[43:13] - The Beauty of the Church
[44:07] - The Pattern of the New Testament
[45:06] - The Role of the Word in Missions
[47:04] - The Shift in Acts 13
[48:00] - The Role of the Spirit and the Local Church
[48:52] - Prayer and Sensitivity to the Spirit
[50:35] - The Sacrificial Nature of Sending
[52:04] - The Key Role of the Local Church
[53:27] - The Proclamation of the Word and Appointing of Elders
[54:53] - Preaching for Salvation and Sanctification
[56:08] - The Message of Salvation
[57:21] - Strengthening the Souls of Disciples
[58:38] - The Role of Elders in the Church
[01:00:10] - The Weighty Task of Elders
[01:01:21] - The Need for Godly Leaders
[01:02:44] - The Preciousness of the Church
[01:04:20] - The Future Glory of the Church
[01:05:43] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 13:1-3
2. Acts 14:21-23
3. Revelation 21:2-4
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions did the church at Antioch take before sending out Paul and Barnabas? ([31:37])
2. How did Paul and Barnabas strengthen the souls of the disciples in Acts 14? ([32:33])
3. What imagery is used in Revelation 21 to describe the future glory of the church? ([01:05:43])
4. What role did prayer and fasting play in the mission of the church at Antioch? ([48:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the local church described as both the means and the end of missions? How does this align with the Great Commission? ([27:34])
2. How does the role of elders in church planting and strengthening reflect the intentionality behind missions in the New Testament? ([30:05])
3. What does the sacrificial nature of sending out missionaries teach us about the cost of following Christ? ([50:35])
4. How does the future glory of the church, as described in Revelation 21, motivate the current mission and work of the church? ([01:05:43])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the role of prayer and sensitivity to the Spirit in the church at Antioch, how can you incorporate more intentional prayer and fasting into your own life to align with God's mission? ([48:52])
2. Considering the sacrificial nature of sending out missionaries, what are some ways you can support missions in your local church, even if it involves personal sacrifice? ([50:35])
3. How can you actively participate in the life of your local church to help it fulfill its role in the Great Commission? Think of specific actions you can take this week. ([27:34])
4. Elders play a crucial role in the health and growth of the church. How can you support and pray for the elders and leaders in your church? ([30:05])
5. The church is described as a family on a mission together. How can you foster a sense of family and community within your small group or church? ([42:24])
6. Reflect on the future glory of the church as a motivation for your current involvement. How does this vision impact your commitment to church activities and missions? ([01:05:43])
7. How can you help ensure that your church remains focused on the intentionality of missions and church planting, as seen in Acts 13 and 14? ([48:00])
Devotional
Day 1: The Local Church as the Means and End of Missions
The local church is central to the Great Commission, serving as both the means through which God accomplishes His purposes and the end goal of His mission. The church is not just a building or an event but a family on a mission together, displaying God's glory and wisdom to the world. This understanding shifts our perspective from seeing church as a mere weekly gathering to recognizing it as a dynamic, mission-oriented community. The church is God's authoritative agent on earth, tasked with making disciples and spreading the gospel. This mission is not optional but integral to the identity and purpose of the church.
In Acts 13 and 14, we see the intentionality behind missions and church planting, with Paul and Barnabas being set apart by the church at Antioch for the work of missions. This example underscores the importance of the local church in God's plan, emphasizing that the church is both the means and the end of missions. The church's role in the Great Commission is not just to send out missionaries but to be a living, breathing example of God's kingdom on earth. [27:34]
Acts 13:2-3 (ESV): "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."
Reflection: How can you contribute to your local church's mission to make disciples and spread the gospel? What specific steps can you take this week to be more involved in this mission?
Day 2: The Role of Elders in Church Planting and Strengthening
Elders play a crucial role in starting and strengthening local churches. They are responsible for leading, guiding, and equipping the church, ensuring that disciples are made and sustained. Their leadership is vital for the health and growth of the church, both locally and globally. Elders are tasked with the weighty responsibility of shepherding the flock, teaching sound doctrine, and protecting the church from false teachings. Their role is not just administrative but deeply spiritual, requiring a heart for God's people and a commitment to His Word.
In the New Testament, we see that Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church they planted, ensuring that these new communities had strong, godly leadership. This pattern highlights the importance of having qualified, spiritually mature leaders who can guide the church in fulfilling its mission. Elders are not just leaders but shepherds who care for the spiritual well-being of the congregation, making sure that the church remains faithful to its calling. [30:05]
Titus 1:5 (ESV): "This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you."
Reflection: Who are the elders or spiritual leaders in your life? How can you support and encourage them in their role of leading and equipping the church?
Day 3: The Importance of Prayer and Sensitivity to the Spirit
Prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit are foundational to the mission of the church. The church at Antioch exemplified this by setting apart Paul and Barnabas for missions through prayer and fasting. This reliance on the Spirit ensures that the church's mission aligns with God's will and purposes. Prayer is not just a ritual but a vital communication line with God, seeking His guidance and empowerment for the mission ahead. Sensitivity to the Spirit involves being attuned to His leading, ready to respond to His promptings, and willing to follow His direction, even when it requires sacrifice.
The example of the church at Antioch shows us that missions and church planting are not just human endeavors but Spirit-led initiatives. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding the church's mission, and it is through prayer and fasting that the church discerns His will. This practice of seeking God's direction through prayer and being sensitive to the Spirit's leading is essential for any church that desires to fulfill the Great Commission effectively. [48:52]
Acts 13:2 (ESV): "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What specific times can you set aside this week for focused prayer and seeking God's guidance?
Day 4: The Sacrificial Nature of Sending
Sending out missionaries requires sacrifice, as it often involves sending the best and most gifted leaders. The church must be willing to make these sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, trusting that God will use their efforts to advance His kingdom. This sacrificial sending is a reflection of the costliness of Christ's own mission. Just as Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to earth and accomplish our salvation, the church is called to send out its members to spread the gospel, even when it means significant personal and communal sacrifice.
The church at Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas, two of their most capable leaders, for the work of missions. This act of sending was not done lightly but with prayer, fasting, and the laying on of hands. It was a costly decision, but one that bore much fruit for the kingdom of God. This example challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel and how we can support those who are sent out. [50:35]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel? How can you support those in your church who are being sent out for missions?
Day 5: The Future Glory of the Church
The church, in all its current imperfections, points us toward a future day of glory and beauty. Revelation 21 describes the church as a bride adorned for her husband, a most rare jewel. Pastors and elders have the weighty responsibility of equipping the church for this final day, ensuring that it is built up and prepared for the return of Christ. Despite some modern missiological trends that downplay the role of the local church, we affirm that the church is both the goal and the means of God's mission, made so by Christ Himself.
This future glory of the church gives us hope and motivation to persevere in our mission. It reminds us that our labor is not in vain and that God is working through His church to accomplish His purposes. As we look forward to the day when the church will be presented in splendor, without spot or wrinkle, we are encouraged to remain faithful in our calling and to invest in the spiritual growth and health of the church. [01:05:43]
Revelation 21:2 (ESV): "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Reflection: How does the future glory of the church motivate you to invest in its present mission? What specific actions can you take to contribute to the spiritual growth and health of your local church?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God has always had a people he reveals his glory to in order that he might reveal his glory through. Again, my concerns with some of these trends and missions is that some of them, and I think even unintentionally, minimize their view of the church." [29:23] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The church, not the ideal one, but the local one, the ones that we find ourselves in, the church in the New Testament is pictured as this band of rebels, as this band of elect exiles who are pushing back. They're pushing back against an evil world order under the sway of the wicked one." [35:05] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God has shown you grace so that you through him can now be a conduit for his grace. And that leads us to the second reason. I would say the church is central to what is taking place in the great commission is the nature of the church demands it." [40:21] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The church is not something you do. And the church is not a building. The church is something that you are. This building could, could, could collapse tomorrow and Bethesda Baptist church would be just fine. Now, if you're all in here, when it collapses, you won't be just fine. But other than that, now buildings are helpful to the mission of God, but they're not what make us the people." [40:59] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The reason we want to establish something like a church, like what we have here, is so that there will be a lighthouse for the gospel that for generation after generation is making disciples, and the role of elders in sustaining that work is incalculable." [45:06] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God has always had a people he reveals his glory to in order that he might reveal his glory through. We see this from the very, very beginning. Consider what Moses wrote in Genesis chapter 1 when he talks about Adam's family, this family that is formed out of the ground by his word." [38:33] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The need of the moment, brothers and sisters, in the American church at least, is that we would have leading our churches mature, authentic, humble, godly men who possess integrity, who are saturated in the scriptures, who are theologically sound, and who are given the power to lead." [01:01:21] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The reason that we're trying to not just see converts made, but see churches established is that healthy churches established, not just missionary teams sent out to evangelize, but healthy churches established. Like this one. Like this one, ensure that disciples will not be made just in that generation, but in generation after generation." [45:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The church possesses the keys of the kingdom. She is God's authoritative agent on earth. Ephesians 3 tells us the church displays the manifold wisdom of God. It displays the glory of God. Notice the kingdom language in Ephesians 3. It does this to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." [44:07] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The church is his bride, Ephesians 5, his body, 1 Corinthians 2, his family, Ephesians 2, the temple, Ephesians 2, his household, 1 Timothy 3, which is a pillar of God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth. These staggering images the apostles paint for us as to the nature of the church should lead us to see her central role alone in the mission of God, and thus the necessity of the starting and strengthening of churches and the Great Commission." [44:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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