THE LOCAL CHURCH IS COMPRISED OF SAINTS, OVERSEERS, AND DEACONS: Philippians 1:1

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THE LOCAL CHURCH IS COMPRISED OF SAINTS, OVERSEERS, AND DEACONS: Philippians 1:1

Philippians 1:1

April 18, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Philippians 1:1

DOCTRINE: Local churches are comprised of saints, deacons, and overseers. Saints are the covenant body, Deacons the appointed servants, and Overseers the entrusted leaders, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Shepherd.

I. CHIRST HIMSELF IS THE CHIEF SHEPHERD OF THE CHURCH (Philippians 1:1a).

II. LOCAL CHURCHES ARE COMPRISED OF SAINTS (Philippians 1:1b)

III. LOCAL CHURCHES HAVE DEACONS (Philippians 1:1d)

DOCTRINE: If disciples are going to be and the saints cared for, local churches must have qualified Deacons, who are appointed to serve the body alongside the Pastors.

6 points on Deacons.

I) The word Deacon means simply means “Servant” (Philippians 1:1, etc.).

II) Every Christian is to be a “servant” but there are some appointed as “Servants” of local churches (Mark 10:42-45).

III) Deacons are not the same thing as Elders, Pastors, Overseers (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

IV) Deacons must meet the qualifications laid out for them in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

V) Churches approve Deacons, and Pastors appoint them (Acts 6:6; Titus 1:5).

VI) The job description of deacons is simply to serve and care for the church in ways that enable the Pastors to care for the church through the Word and prayer (Acts 6:4; Acts 6:7).

IV. LOCAL CHURCHES HAVE OVERSEERS (Philippians 1:1c)

6 points on Overseers.

I) The words overseer, elder, and pastor are used interchangeably in the New Testament (1 Peter 5:1-2).

II) There must be a plurality of pastors (Acts 20:17, etc.).

III) Pastors must train up pastors (2 Timothy 2:2).

IV) Women are not pastors (1 Timothy 2:12).

V) Pastors must meet the God-breathed qualifications and be appointed by the current pastors (selected Scriptures).

VI) Pastors must labor to fulfill their God-breathed duties as laid out in the Scriptures (selected Scriptures).

(I) Prayer and the study of scripture (Acts 6:4). (II) Ruling and leading the church (1 Tim. 5:17). (III) Managing the church (1 Tim. 3:4-5). (IV) Caring for the members of the church (1 Pet. 5:2-5). (V) Living exemplary lives (Heb. 13:7). (VI) Rightly using the authority God has given them (Acts 20:28). (VII) Teaching the Bible correctly (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2). (VIII) Preaching (1 Tim. 5:17). (IX) Praying for the sick (James 5:13-15). (X) Teaching sound doctrine and refuting false teachings (Tit. 1:9). (XI) Working hard (1 Thess. 5:12). (XII) Rightly using money and authority (1 Pet. 5:1-3). (XIII) Protecting the church from false teachers (Acts 20:17-31). (XIV) Overseeing the discipline of unrepentant members (Matt. 18:15-17, Gal. 6:1-5). (XV) Obeying the secular laws as a legal ruling body of a corporation (Rom. 13:1-7). (XVI) Giving account to God for the church (Heb. 13:17). (XVII) Training other leaders and teachers (Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Tim. 2:1-2).

More from Shepherd School Season Three (CHURCH/MAN)

THE LORD WILL BE SANCTIFIED: Leviticus 10:1-3

January 24, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Leviticus 10:1–3

DOCTRINE: If the LORD’s people will not sanctify and glorify Him when they draw near, He will sanctify and glorify Himself upon them. I. WORSHIP OF THE LORD MUST BE OFFERED UP TO HIM ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD (v. 1) II. THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS MORE PRECIOUS TO HIM THAN THE LIVES OF MEN (v. 2) Consider Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16, Uzzah who touched the Ark in 2 Samuel 7, Annanias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit in Acts 5, and Herod who did not give glory to God in Acts 13. I) The glory of the Lord must be more precious to you than the opinions of men (Galatians 1:10). II) The glory of the Lord must be more precious to you than your own glory (Jeremiah 45:5). III. THE PEOPLE OF THE LORD MUST SANCTIFY HIS NAME IN WORSHIP, OR HE WILL SANCTIFY HIS NAME UPON THEM (v. 3) I) The LORD’s people must draw near to Him by faith in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25, 11:6). II) Drawing near to God through faith in Christ, the church then must preach, sing, pray, baptize, feast, give, fellowship, practice discipline, and equip all according to the Word. (I) The Church must preach (and hear) the Word (2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, James 1:21). (II) The Church must must sing the Word (Ephesians 5:19-20). (III) The Church must pray the Word (Matthew 6:9-13, Psalms, examples of prayers by faithful saints recorded in scripture). (IV) The Church must baptize according to the Word (Acts 8:12). (V) The Church must feast according to the Word (1 Corinthians 11:26). (VI) The Church must give according to the Word (Philippians 4:18, 1 Corinthians 16:2). (VII) The Church must fellowship around the Word (Acts 2:42). (VIII) The Church must practice church discipline according to the Word (Matthew 18:15-18). (IX) The Church must equip the saints with the Word (Ephesians 4:11-12).

CORRUPTED WORSHIP: Exodus 32:1-6

January 31, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Exodus 32:1–6

DOCTRINE: Idolatrous people and weak men will result in corrupt worship. I. THE ISRAELITES WERE QUICK TO FORGET THE LORD AND HIS SALVATION (v. 1) II. AARON WAS WILLING TO GIVE THE PEOPLE THEIR DESIRED IDOLS IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM HAPPY (vv. 2-4a) III. THE PEOPLE LIED ABOUT THEIR IDOL AND ATTRIBUTED TO IT THE WORKS OF THE LORD (v. 4b) IV. AARON BUILT UPON THEIR LIE AND SOUGHT TO SYNC UP WORSHIP OF THIS IDOL WITH WORSHIP OF THE LORD (vv. 5-6a) V. THE GROSSLY IDOLATROUS PEOPLE AND PRIEST CONTINUED ON UNAWARE OF THEIR IMPENDING DOOM (v. 6b) APPLICATION 1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” I) Because the Lord’s people are quick to forget their God and His salvation, you must stir them up by way of reminder (2 Peter 1:13). 2 Peter 1:13 “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder…” II) You must never sacrifice even an ounce of truth on the altar of peace (Galatians 1:10). Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” III) If you are not careful, the ways of the world will slide into the worship of the Church (2 Corinthians 6:14). 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” IV) God has put safeguards for purity of worship in His Scriptures and you must adhere to them (Exodus 20:4). Exodus 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” V) It does not matter who you say you are worshiping, if you are offering will-worship it is a substitution for God’s pure worship (Psalm 106:20). Psalm 106:20 “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.” VI) If the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s chosen, does not stand in the breach for you, God’s wrath will not be turned away (1 John 2:1-2). 1 John 2:1-2 “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins…” VII) Though you have a Mediator in Christ Jesus, that does not mean you will be spared from discipline if you do not repent (Proverbs 3:11-12). Proverbs 3:11-12 “11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” VIII) Will-worshippers are likely continuing on unaware of their impending doom or discipline—therefore you should pray and labor, within your sphere of influence, to speak the truth of God to those offering false-worship (Hebrews 12:28-29). Hebrews 12:28-29 “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE: Hebrews 12:28-29

February 14, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Hebrews 12:28–29

DOCTRINE: God’s saints, having in Christ received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, are given the privilege of worshipping Him; and they must do so acceptably, reverently, and awfully, free from idolatry, because God is our jealous God (Hebrews 12:28-29). I. WE WHO ARE IN CHRIST HAVE GREAT REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL TO GOD (Hebrews 12:28a) I) The Kingdom of Christ shall not be shaken because the King cannot be moved (Psalm 2:6-8; Psalm 21:7). II) The Subjects of the Kingdom shall not be shaken because their King cannot be moved (Psalm 46:4-7). II. BECAUSE OF CHRIST, BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE OF OFFERING ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP TO GOD (Hebrews 12:28b) Consider the privilege you have been given in Christ, being chosen by God to worship Him (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 1 Peter 2:9). Think of the privilege of private worship, family worship, and public worship; even that all of life can be lived as worship. I) You and I must worship God acceptably (Hebrews 12:28b) II) You and I must worship God reverently (Hebrews 12:28c) III) You and I must worship God awefully (Hebrews 12:28d) III. WE IN CHRIST MUST OFFER UP THIS ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP TO GOD, FREE FROM IDOLATRY, BECAUSE HE IS OUR JEALOUS GOD (v. 29) CONCLUSION Are you grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken? Are you humbled and overjoyed by being given the privilege, by Christ’s blood, of worshipping God acceptably? Do you aim to worship Him acceptably in private, in your home, in the assembly of the saints? Do you worship the Lord with shamefacedness? Do you worship the Lord in awe? Do you treasure the fact the He is YOUR GOD, and tremble when considering offering Him acceptable worship?