Biblical Concepts of Elder Care Ministries

Phil 2:19-21

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

Deacons minister in horizontal, earthly ways. Elders are to minister in vertical, spiritual ways. Do you want your Elders to care for you? Do you want God to care for you? Today we’ll look at how Elders are to minister care to the brethren.

Timothy was a son of a Jewish believing mother (and grandmother) and a Greek father (Acts 16:1). He was a disciple of Paul and a fellow minister with Paul (Rom 16:21). Oftentimes, he was commissioned by Paul as an “interim” Pastor to various Churches. Timothy was a Church stabilizer (as was Titus) rather than a Church planter (like Paul).

In today’s reading, Paul mentions Timothy’s care. Care is defined as looking out for, being concerned for, promoting one’s Spiritual welfare.

Here are 6 elements of Elder’s care we learn from this scripture;

 Elders are to care for the flock of God (vs 20) – 1 Tim 3:5
 Elder’s care must be sincere (vs 20)
...Sincerity must be natural, genuine, real and actual
...Just because a man is an elder and carries out a ministry, it does not mean the care is sincere. Please pray for your elders; that they minister with a heart of sincerity.
 Elder care is a selfless ministry (vs 21)
...Timothy was selfless, compared to other elders mentioned in 1 Tim 2:3,4
...Elder’s care is not for them, it is for YOU!
 Elder care is Christ-focused (vs 21)
...When Elders call on you, it is to minister Christ to you
 Elder care is God-given (2 Cor 8:16)
...God is the one caring for you through the Elders.
...Elder’s care may be superficial, conditional, inconsistent, and inferior (of the flesh).
...God’s care is real, unconditional, constant, and superior (of the Spirit)
...That is why you want God’s care, not the Elder’s personal care.
...We are to be vessels of God’s care.
...In 1 Sam 16,17 David was so enthusiastic to carry out the known will of God he RAN to carry it out. Pray for the Elders to have enthusiasm to serve God by caring as He calls them. When Elders care for you with God’s care they enter the ministry with enthusiasm (Phil 2:17).
 Elder care ministry purpose 1 Cor 10:31
...All to the Glory of God
...Edify the Saints (Rom 15:2)
...Encourage the Saints (1 Thes 3:1-2) in the Word of God; to teach, preach, and instruct.
...Exhort (encourage & admonish) the Saints (2 Tim 3:15,16;2 Tim 4:2)

Practical ways the Elders will minister to your needs
• Periodic phone calls, notes in the mail, a brief visit
• Praying with you, instructing you in God’s Word, and encouraging you in your Christian walk.

Elders are to be examples of care to the Church of God, so you will care for others as well. 1 Cor 12:25

~RSBC

Attributes of God in the Book of Nahum

Nahum 1 - 3

Jonah prophesied about the city of Nineveh in the Book of Jonah. At that time, the city repented and turned to God. 150 years have passed at the time of the writing of the Book of Nahum. Nahum’s prophecy will be fulfilled 50 years later. God uses the Medes and the Babylonians to bring judgment on Sennacherib, King of Assyria (2 Kings 18:13-19,37).

Nineveh was an enemy of Israel. The purpose of Nineveh’s siege on Judah is God’s discipline (vs 1:12). Heb 12:10-11 shows us God disciplines His children for their own profit.

Let’s study the attributes of God as displayed in the Book of Nahum.

The Emotion of God
o Jealous vs 2 Jealousy is an emotion derived from the lack of desired attention and devotion. God being jealous is always in reference to His relationship to Israel in the Old Testament. Jealousy unchecked leads to fury.
o Furious vs 2
o Angry
 The cause of God’s anger (3:1-4)
o Vs 1 The bloody city (the Ninevites killed many people), lies, and robbery (they rob because they were not content with what they had).
o Vs 4 Harlotries and sorceries
Jealousy lead to fury, which lead to wrath. Wrath is the expression of inward anger. God judged Nineveh because of their unholiness.

NOTE: Gen 12:3 says God will bless those who bless His chosen people (Israel) and curse those who curse them. As America stands with Israel, she is blessed.

The Justice of God
o Avenges (vs 2)
o Vengeance
o Wrath (vs 8)
There are 2 categories of people in God’s eyes, spiritually speaking;
o Vs 2 adversaries (the unsaved)
o Vs 7 those that trust God (the saved)
Who can stand God’s judgment? Nahum 1:6, Rev 6:17
For the saved, Rom 5:9;1 Thes 5:9 we will escape the wrath of God
The extent of God’s wrath;
o Vs 1:8 utter end; vs 10 devoured, vs 12 cut down, vs14,15 devour, cut off, eat up, vs 19 no healing, wound is severe.
The 4 most feared words of Scripture. “I am against you” vs 2:13;3:5

God will not acquit the wicked (vs 1:3). Sinners will not go unpunished (Rom 2:11). God showed the Ninevites what happened to the nearby city of No Amon (vs 3:8-14), a city the Assyrians themselves conquered. God is telling the Ninevites as they destroyed No Amon they will be destroyed.

But those who trust in Him will not be punished (vs 1:7). God is just in that He is a stronghold to those who trust in Him (Rom 2:11).
The Power of God
He is omniscient. Great in power (vs 1:3). Gen 17:1 “I am almighty God”, translates “the Almighty Almighty” or “God God”. Nineveh is helpless against the almighty God (vs 3:12). This promise is fortified by the “I will” of God. Vs 1:12,14, 2:13, 3:5,6.

God always does what He says He will do. He is faithful to His Word. This is bad news to the unsaved but GOOD NEWS to the saved! He says He afflicted Israel because of their disobedience, but the affliction will end.(vs 1:12).

As Christians, we will never be afflicted or judged by God because Jesus paid the price. When you put confidence in God, He is your stronghold (vs 1:7).

~RSBC

Hope for the Hopeless

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

The Invitation of Jesus vs 28
“Come”, the invitation of Jesus, is;
 Personal – it was Jesus who was speaking
 Universal – it applies to ALL (Acts 2:21, 2 Cor 5:15)
 Necessary – we NEED Him because;
o We now labor – which means to have a sense of fatigue, work to the extent of exhaustion, can’t work any longer
o We’re heavily laden – with what?
 The weight of sin
 The weight of suffering (to the Jewish readers, the Roman rule)
 The weight of the “Law” (613 written Old Testament laws, 6,000+ oral laws)
• Torah – the first 5 books of the Old Testament
• Talmud – additional instructions added by Rabbis over time
• See Matt 23:2-4;15:12;Acts 15:10;Jam 2:10
Some do not see a false pursuit of personal righteousness as burdensome but rather having obtained favor with God (Luke 18:11,12).

Those that “come” are those who realize that what they have been trusting in for salvation doesn’t work. Your efforts apart from the Holy Spirit don’t cut it.

The Promise of Jesus vs 28
“I will give you rest” is in the causative active voice in the Greek; that is, you can’t “come” to Jesus and NOT find rest! All who sincerely come to Christ will be forgiven of their sin. No one will be turned away!
 Means of rest – Keeping the Law will not and can not give rest (Rom 8:3) but Jesus can. He is the only means of rest (John 14:6,Acts 4:12).
 Cost of rest – He gave. This rest cost you nothing but cost Jesus His life
 Place of rest (vs 29) – The soul, the invisible eternal you. You body experiences heavy burdens, but not the soul.

The Commission of Jesus vs 29
“Take My yoke upon you” A yoke was a means of bringing comfort to the beast of burden, preventing sores on the neck and shoulders. The burden is meant here as a picture of authority, slavery, submission, and service. Jesus’ yoke is “come to me”. It is a spiritual yoke of grace, love, mercy, and faith in Christ’s labor. Lev 26:13 shows how the Israelites were slaves in Egypt and how God freed them from the yoke of slavery.

Jesus’ yoke is;
 Desirable – The “Law” appeared to be a ruthless, never satisfied taskmaster. God meant it for good but it became a burden. Jesus is gentle and humble, which is more desirable than the law.
 Attainable vs 30 – His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
o Easy – kindly, good, serviceable
o Light – not overbearing, not impossible

Faith in Christ saves the soul. The question is, do YOU believe?

Christ’s yoke and burden is like feathers to a bird, not an undesirable weight to carry but rather a means of survival.

There is hope for the hopeless, and that hope is Jesus Christ!

~RSBC

Various Ministries in the Church

1 Sam 30:21-24

21 Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.”
23 But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the LORD has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. 24 For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.”

The purpose of this message is to gain insight into how to deal with various ministries and ministers within the Church body. What is the purpose of the Church body? Phil 1:27 to strive together for the faith of the Gospel.

As we continue in 1 Sam 30, we see David and his men were successful getting back their wives and children, and got spoils. Let’s look at what happens when they got back.

Common Mission
David and the 600 men had the same mission (rescue their families). 200 men had to stay behind and watch the stuff because they were wearied and sorrowed. 400 warriors went with David to battle.

Application – In the Church, we may not have the same ministry, but we have the same goal (Phil 1:27 to strive together for the faith of the Gospel).

Jesus picked US, we did not pick each other. We are to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying the Saints.

We may differ in;
Philosophies (contemporary, traditional, etc.)
Strategies
Emphasis (children, counseling, widows, evangelism, discipleship, etc.)

Various Ministries
 David’s Ministry
o Receive God’s direction vs 8
o Lead the men into battle vs 17
o Encouragement vs 21 (Notice how concerned David was for the men that had to be left behind because they were weak. He asked, “How are you doing?”)
 400 Warrior’s Ministry
o Go with David and fight in the battle vs 10
 200 Guard’s Ministry
o Watch the stuff vs 24 because they could not follow vs 21

Rom 12:4 says we are many members of one body, but we don’t all have the same function (1 Cor 3:6). (see Ex 17:11-12 – Moses held the rod up in his hands, Aaron and Hur supported his hands).

If you are doing what God wants you to do, you are in the right, and highest, place for you.

Divided Ministers
Pride – The warriors did not want to share with the guards when they got back because they thought they deserved the spoils and the non-fighting guards did not. Pride in ministry causes division. You are in pride when you think your ministry is more important that another’s ministry.
Pray for humility for your Pastor and Elders

Humility – David reminded the men it was God who gave them the victory vs 23. Rom 12:3 tells us not to think more highly than we aught.
Phil 4:13 tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and John 15:15 that apart from Him we can do nothing.

Unity in the Church is vital! Ps 133:1, Matt 12:25).

Your success is not measured by fruit in the ministry, rather by faithfulness to what you are called to do. Not sure what that is? Ask God! Also ask someone who knows you well. Often others see what we are gifted at better than we can. But everyone has a ministry! Be blessed as you discover it and faithfully serve.

~RSBC

How to Handle Distress

1 Sam 30:1-6

1 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Everyone has, or will experience, distress in this world. How does the Bible tell us to handle distress? Let’s look at a distressful experience David had, as told in 1 Samuel 30.

David’s Distress
Think about what you love the most on this earth. After God, you will probably name your family. The enemy had captured the wives and children of David and his men.

->Extent of David’s Distress
 Overwhelming – vs 6 David experienced an abundance of distress. His problem was not a simple thing to solve.
 Personal Loss – vs 3 His wives were captured in addition to the wives and children of his men.
 Possible Death – vs 6 David was in fear of his life as his men threatened stoning him. They blamed him for their loss and expected him to do something.
 Loneliness – vs 6 All his men were grieved (bitter) and there was no one to comfort him. The opposite was true in 1 Sam 23:16 where Jonathan strengthened David during distress.

->Effect of David’s Distress
 Emotional Drain – vs 4 David wept.
 Physical Drain – vs 4 David and his men wept so hard they were drained of strength.
David could not get any lower emotionally and physically.

David’s Dependence
What options do we have (and often take) in this world when distressed? Some turn to chocolate, drugs, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, shopping, a hot bath… We can’t choose the cause of distress in our lives but we do choose how we are going to get through them.

David strengthened himself in the Lord (vs 6). The root of the word “strengthened” means to fasten upon, to grab a hold of. This is the same word translated “courage” in Joshua 1:7.

Why did David seek the Lord for strength? Humility! He acknowledged he could not handle this on his own, but God could.

What about God gave him strength?
 God’s Promises – vs 8
 God’s Power – vs 23 He was confident in God’s power to provide the strength to go on.
 God’s Providential Care – vs 23 God keeps is safe. In the book of Esther, God is never mentioned, but His providential care is evident throughout.

What does it take to depend on God when distressed? Faith in God built on personal experience (1 Sam 17:34).

Ps 27:14, 31:24 Wait upon the Lord and He will strengthen you!

~RSBC