The Lord’s Church – Saved Sinners• Precious souls – saved by Precious blood.

1 Pet. 1:16• Christ’s body is not made of perfect people –

but people being made into a perfect body. Eph. 4:11-13

• The result is that we – the saved – are a work in progress. Phil. 3:12-16

The Church – Filled With Immaturity• Immorality. Cp. 2 Cor. 12:21• Tossed to and fro with every wind of

doctrine. Eph. 4:14• Quarrels among Christians. 1 Cor. 1:10f

The Great Shepherd’s Wisdom• To have the church lead by godly

mature men. Eph. 4:11– To teach (equip) the body of believers.– To nourish (build up) the body of believers.– To protect (from being tossed to and fro)

the body of believers.

We Have Shepherds – We Need More• God has blessed our congregation with

five shepherds (“elders”).• Reality: these men will not live forever;

or have the health to effectively lead.• At some point one (or more) may no

longer desire burden of shepherding.

Our Shepherds’ Wisdom• Continuously have the church look at

men:– Who desire the office of a bishop (“elders”)– Who is mature: morally, biblically, in

handling relationships• For teaching on this matter to bring

it to the forefront of our minds.

Next Week

1 Timothy 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9Looking at the qualities necessary

for men who desire the office