Feb update on the Plodinec Fam

This update was written by my wife, Karen Plodinec in South Africa

As I write this I am sitting outside in a hospital courtyard waiting for Timothy to come out of emergency surgery.  It is Friday, February 5^th, about 2:00 in the afternoon.  This is the end of a very trying week, but knowing, and believing, that God is faithful and sovereign and that even this week is His plan for us, that has made all the difference.
On Monday morning it began - we were finally getting a borehole (a well).  City water is very expensive, its quality and purity is getting worse and it isn’t always dependable.  We watch how much we use and last year the water ran out, for the whole town, for two weeks.  Fortunately a friend of ours has a well and Steve was able to fill up some water cans every day for us to use.  So, we need a well, and we live in a part of town where everyone within 10 blocks of us hits water between 25-30 meters.  Our neighbor has a well just 5 meters from ours and he hit water at 30 meters.  At 7 meters, we hit rock.  The gray dust from the rock started to cover the yard and seep through the cracks in windows and doors.  We hit rock at about 8:00am and all day Monday it continued, nothing but rock.  Tuesday around noon we had to stop drilling at 100 meters due to finances (we had planned and saved for a 45 meter well).  Tuesday at 12:00 noon and still no water - only rock.  Now we have one DEEP hole in our yard, no water in the well, and a HUGE mess to clean up both inside and out.  We will probably lose what little grass we do have and some of the plants as well.
Tuesday at lunch the kids and I were talking about the dry well.  Stephen said we should celebrate - I agreed.  God is sovereign and He knew all about this.  Kimberly said we were biblical - our house is built on the rock.  My desire was to “blow off” the rest of the day and spend money we don’t have and get fast food for lunch, even for dinner.  Instead, we did what we should - stick to the budget, make sandwiches, and get on with the major job of cleaning up.  We talked about God’s goodness - food to eat, a roof over our head, clothes to wear, enough water for today, etc.
On Wednesday morning some of the kids and I were heading out on errands and my car window broke - it slid down in the door.  We have a 15 year old mini van and it is starting to show its age.  The passenger side window had done the same thing a few weeks ago and Steve had got it up and taken the handle off so we wouldn’t roll it down, as it will also fall into the door, an interesting feature of 15 year old mini vans.  We headed back home because you never leave a car parked in Africa with the window down, everything would be stolen, and on the way home the passenger side window fell down AGAIN as we pulled into the driveway!
Then, Wednesday afternoon we received the confirmation for our plane tickets to Israel.  God is SO gracious and He provided for all of us to go to the GMI missionaries conference in Israel in June.  The problem was - they had Luke going on the correct flight, and the seven of us going on a different one!  The bottom line is - Swiss Air would charge us about $200 a ticket to change to the correct flight.  Steve decided to switch me to Luke’s flight.  So, we all fly from Johannesburg to Zurich together; three hours later Luke and I continue on to Tel Aviv.  The rest of the family will have a 16 hour layover and arrive in Tel Aviv at 3:30 a.m. the day the conference begins.
Wednesday afternoon we had a major blessing - we found out that God was providing some funds to take care of the oral surgery Stephen needs.  We didn’t know then that we would need some of the funds for other things.
Wednesday night Steve and I were talking about how thankful we were for good health, a roof over our heads and food to eat.
Thursday morning my mom called from the States to tell us that our credit card company called and we needed to call them because of potential fraudulent charges – it turned out to be nothing.
Thursday evening we had some students over for dinner and to watch a soccer match - even though we didn’t feel like it with the week we were having.  With God’s help, we just kept plugging along, and a good time was had by all.
This brings me up to today (Friday).  Everything started out as normal - up with Luke at 6:00, breakfast with Michael at 7:00, etc., when at about 7:45 we heard a big crash and Timothy started calling for help.  I didn’t think too much about it; I thought he dropped something on the floor and it shattered.  He started calling calmly for me, so I handed Luke to Kimberly and walked toward his bedroom.  As I reached the hall, I saw a lot of blood on the floor trailing from his room to the bathroom.  Timothy was fairly calmly asking for help and a towel.
Timothy had been trying to scare a cat outside his bedroom window - he “tapped” the window, and it shattered.  The result was two very bloody hands and forearms.  Blood was flowing everywhere.  He wrapped a towel around his wrist and applied pressure while I drove to the hospital.  When we got there they wrapped both hands and arms up, and we waited for the doctor.  After a LONG time the doctor still had not come and Timothy said he could not feel his right pinky.  The nurse said the doctor was hung up and sent us to a doctor’s office.  The doctor realized Timothy’s tendon was cut on his pinky and he needed surgery – so back to the hospital we went.  The doctor called a surgeon and he met us at the hospital.
At the hospital God graciously put a good friend in our path.  She is a nutritionist and sees patients at the hospital.  She stuck with me for a good portion of this morning - helping expedite things, getting me something to eat, praying with me - God is so good!
Timothy should be out of surgery soon - the doctor said he should make a full recovery - praise God!
We have had a lot of teaching times with the kids this week - what a great God we have!  I am so thankful that I have kids that trust in Him as well.  Timothy’s emotional state is fine, Kimberly is “holding down the fort” at home.  When I called her a few minutes ago Luke was asleep and she was having Bible time outside with Catherine and Michael.
I’m so thankful for His provision, protection, and perfect timing.
Many Christians (especially in Africa) would say we are not in God’s will because of these trials.  They would say He isn’t blessing us this week.  In fact, many Africans would say that when these kinds of things happen a person is being cursed by God.  But, we KNOW, however, that blessings come in all shapes and sizes.  We are thankful to be serving, and to be blessed, right here.
Please continue to pray for His protection and provision for us!
Because of His GREAT love,
Karen
P.S. added by Steve

Timothy was released from the hospital about 9:00 p.m.  He should have a FULL recovery in about six weeks, and he didn’t have to spend the night in the hospital – thank you Lord.  When Karen and Timothy were on the way home from the hospital on Friday night, the mini van had electrical problems and now the fan and headlights don’t work.

It is now a few days later and nothing else has happened, except Catherine now has tonsillitis and Karen has the stomach flu.

Karen & Steve Plodinec

Acts 20:32

Excellent New Book on Preaching

A good friend of mine, Mike Abendroth (yes, THE Mike Abendroth) just wrote a book on preaching.  Due out in the US in February, the title is; “Jesus Christ: The Preacher of Preachers. Learning from the Principles and Methods of Jesus.”

Undoubtedly it will be an excellent book.  It will change your life, whiten your teeth, clear up your skin, make you a more popular and better person, but, it will not help you to preach like Joel Osteen.  Hopefully you don’t want to preach like Joel Osteen.

But, if you trust men like Dr. John MacArthur (he wrote the forward), and Dr. Steven J. Lawson, Dr. Donald Whitney, Dr. Ben Awbrey, James White (they all endorse it) then I am sure you will appreciate Mike’s book and find it useful.

More endorsements for the book are coming from Dr. Al Mohler, Martin Holt, Eric Alexander, Stuart Olyott and Mark Dever.

Yes, I know someone who knows those people, or at least he has met those people, or at least he has heard of those people, which does make me a better person.

The Book is being published by Day One in the US and UK.  The ISBN number is 978-1-84625-108-5.  Certainly it will shoot up to #1 at Amazon within the first week it is available.

Just so you know that this is for real, that I do actually have at least one friend and that he really has written a book, you can visit Mike’s church at http://www.bbcchurch.org.

Through some strange set of circumstances the book is not yet available on Amazon.  An oversight for which someone will lose their job, I am sure.  But, no matter, come February you can visit your local religious trinket store – uh, that is, I mean, Christian book store – and pick up one of the hundreds of copies they will have.  Or at least you can order it.

I am looking forward to receiving from Mike himself a limited, leather bound, first printing, first edition personally inscribed to me, for free.

After you all have read the book a few times we can start an internet discussion group, perhaps even Mike himself will comment once in a while.  No doubt, like me, you are already looking forward to the sequel.

Christmas Family Update - 2007

As you all know, we are missionaries to Africa, which would be the classic missionary locality. When many people think of missionaries they think of some person from North America or Europe sitting in an African hot tub (big black pot with vegetables in it – they exist, I’ve seen them) surrounded by dancing natives in the middle of the jungle. It’s not quite like that. The locals have cell phones, many have cars and some are college educated. But, there are also many who still live much as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. And even here in this continent of vast contrasts and where every religion known to man is practiced, the birth of Jesus is celebrated. The commercialism of the season has made it here as well, though not as bad as in the States. But, I wander. Back to the purpose of this letter, an end of the year update and greetings.

The Lord blessed us this year with – Surprise! – another child – Surprise! Kids are great. His name is Luke Augustine Plodinec. I wanted to name him Luke Danger Plodinec so he could say “Danger is my middle name!” Karen would have none of it. At least I’ll always be able to quote the movie line to him, “Luke, I am your father!” Look, he’s our sixth kid. After that many you don’t worry about bruising their psyche with a little bit of a strange name. Even the name he ended up with, Luke Augustine Plodinec, is more than any kid should have to bear. One of our friends said “That name is like a punch in the mouth.” Thank you Lord that little Luke is healthy.

The rest of the kids are doing well and getting big. Stephen (17) and Timothy (16) are both taller than dad who is 6’4”. Kimberly (14) is 5’9” and Catherine (8) and Michael (6) are growing like weeds. They do grow so fast. Lord willing, Stephen and Timothy will be going off to college in 2009 in the US. Karen and I miss them already. Stephen, Timothy and Kimberly are on the web, they all have blogs and “Facebook” pages. You can see what the latest events in their lives are by visiting them online. Links to their blogs are on our web site, www.plodinec.com.

We are pretty much used to living in Africa. In some ways it is just like living in the US, in other ways it is too different to even try and explain. Safety is always a concern, you just learn to be careful; please continue to pray about it. This is Africa, so political stability is an issue. Also, last summer our whole town ran out of water for two weeks and the power goes off 4-6 times a month, but usually only for a few hours at a time.

Everyone is very involved in our local church. I help share the preaching on Sunday evenings and teach Sunday school once in a while. Stephen and Timothy teach Sunday school to the grade school kids, Kimberly helps with the little kids and babies Sunday morning and evening. This year Karen was pregnant and then has been taking care of baby Luke, along with home schooling the kids, running the home and putting up with Steve, which are four fulltime jobs.

The ministry at seminary is going well. Last year we accepted 25 new students, 21 showed up for the first day of class. This year we accepted 22 new students, over half from countries other than South Africa. We will have around 70-80 full time students, depending on how many of the foreign students are able to get study visas. After being here two years I am more convinced than ever that this is the way to reach other cultures with the gospel. The men we teach are already in ministry and they are their culture. They take what we teach them in class and go right back to their churches and immediately apply it. They are reaching their own people. They are planting churches. They are evangelizing and discipling the next generation of African church leaders, and then they are sending them to us for further training. The school has been in existence for ten years and we are now getting new students that come from churches being pastored by our graduates. This is 2 Timothy 2:2 in action! – “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” A traditional church planting missionary is decades away from that kind of effectiveness, if they ever attain to that level of acceptance.

By the way, you must come and visit us. Yes, it is a long way. Yes, a plane ticket does cost money. But, we can use your help, even if it is just for a week or two. If you can’t make it then send your mature ministry minded high school or college age kids to come and minister for the summer, or for all year. They can stay with us. There are always a few American young people here ministering in the church and with our local church based missions organization. They are leading in the youth group, ministering to the younger kids, working at church, working at the mission, going out on missions trips, doing evangelism and doing all kinds of other ministry. They will be busy and they will love it. It will change their lives.

We hope and pray that you know the One whose birth we celebrate this time of year – Jesus Christ, Lord of all – and that He has changed your life, and continues to do so. Let us know how you are doing. Missionaries love to hear from people back home.

Steve, and Karen, Stephen, Timothy, Kimberly, Catherine, Michael & baby Luke,

Acts 20:32, “I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Can You Handle Ministry?

In ministry, chances are that you . . .

will labor in obscurity for decades,
will be falsely accused,
will be unappreciated,
will be underpaid,
won’t have a big ministry,
won’t produce any profound or lasting works,
will die on the verge of poverty,
be mourned only by your immediate family and a few close friends,
be forgotten within two generations of your death,
and your only reward will be like that of Mr. Valiant-For-Truth in Pilgrim’s Progress, you will carry your marks and scars on into eternity to be a witness that you have fought His battle, and He will be your Rewarder.

Will this be failure for you?

If you can’t handle this then quit seminary, or the pastorate, now – and support a man who is called.

Jesus – Friend of Sinners, and Others

Years ago I was in Monterey California at a little diner on Cannery Row having breakfast with a good friend. We sat at the table next to the big front window and had a great view up and down the street. Our omelets were being delivered to the table when a van pulled up in front of our window and began to disgorge all manner of young people that looked to be between 18 to 26 years old. At first, sharp dressed and well kept beautiful people mingled on the sidewalk, they had been sitting in the front of the van. They were attractive and athletic young men and women.

Then, a different sort of person began to emerge from the van. They were either skinny or overweight and way beyond being nerdy and geeky. Some might call them weirdos. They were socially and personally inept. By dress and mannerism you could tell they did not belong in the front of the van, or even in the same van, with the beautiful people. One guy had the worst bed-head I had ever seen, to which I said, “Couldn’t that guy at least have stuck his head under a faucet this morning?”

After about ten people had spilled out onto the sidewalk I remarked, “Well, this is either a field trip of inmates from the asylum with their handlers, or a van load of Christians.” Just then a buck-toothed mouth-breather with coke-bottle glasses stepped out of the van with an “I Love Jesus” shirt on.

The church also has its share of arrogant, imperious, self-centered jerks. I had the misfortune to have dealt with one such wretch who was the founder and president-for-life of the ‘Future Cult Leaders of America’. Many have aspired to his position, their name is legion. This teenager had the audacity to command me – not ask, command me! – to let him direct me concerning what I should preach about on Sundays! I have not always behaved with good Christian charity toward these kinds of people.

It’s not so hard to be friends with a sinner who is like us, who we naturally would gravitate to in any situation. But, we stay away from weirdos and jerks, even in Church. There are people you don’t want to be seen with on Sunday morning. People who you can say ‘Hi’ to and greet briefly, but you sure don’t want to be seen talking to them for five or ten minutes. You know, the people in church you don’t want first time visitors to meet. This is true of people in all kinds of churches, from traditional to cutting edge emergent and beyond.

I don’t like this. It is wearying. It is particularly loathsome and sinful in church leadership. This is cruel pride, unloving, fear of man posturing and posing.

Much is said about Jesus’ counter cultural message and life and He and His message still are, even to our church cultures. He spent time with people who gave him a bad reputation. He spent time with people others did not want to be seen with, and they loved Him for it, and some came to love His message too.

In the church today it is not so hard to be a friend of sinners. But, an over emphasis on culture and relating to the world has marginalized the personally and socially inept in our churches. I think it is harder than ever for some people to find friends in church. The pressure to be relevant and hip has made it hard to be a friend to those in church that we are embarrassed to be seen with. Jesus, friend of sinners, weirdos and jerks.

ARE ALL ELDERS PASTORS?

To answer this question we will look at the biblical words that refer to church leadership and see how they are used.

THE GREEK NOUNS FOR ‘ELDER’ IN THE BIBLE ARE presbutero, sumpresbutero and presbuteriou. When used in the context of church leadership these Greek words always describe a person - this is a type of person. These words for ‘elder’ are never used as a verb in relation to church leadership. Here are all the instances in the new Testament where these Greek words are used in relation to the person who is a church leader. These words are used in other passages, but not in reference to church leadership: Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:17, 19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1; 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1.

THE GREEK NOUNS FOR ‘OVERSEER/BISHOP’ IN THE BIBLE ARE episkapous and episkapace. When used as a noun in relation to church leadership these Greek words refer to both a person in church leadership and to a thing. The person is a church leader and the thing is an office in the church. Here are all the instances in the new Testament where these Greek words are used in relation to the person who is a church leader. These words are used in other passages, but not in reference to church leadership: Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7. There is only one instance where this Greek word is used - in its noun form - in relation to an office of church leadership, 1 Timothy 3:1.

THE GREEK VERBAL (PARTICIPLE) FOR ‘EXERCISE OVERSIGHT/OVERSEE’ IN THE BIBLE IS episkapountes. As a verb it is an activity and 1 Peter 5:2 is the only place in the NT where this word - in its verb form - is used in relation to the person who is a church leader.

THE GREEK NOUN FOR ‘SHEPHERD/PASTOR’ IN THE BIBLE IS poimain. As a noun it refers to a person and Ephesians 4:11 is the only place in the NT where this word - in its noun form - is used in relation to the person who is a church leader. This word is used in other passages, but not in reference to the person who is a church leader.

THE GREEK VERB FOR ‘SHEPHERD/PASTOR’ IN THE BIBLE IS poimaino. As a verb it is an activity and Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2 are the only places in the NT where this word - in its verb form - is used in relation to the person who is a church leader.

SUMMARY OF THE BIBLICAL DATA

ELDER - In relation to church leadership, the Greek term for Elder (presbutero, sumpresbutero and presbuteriou) is always used as a noun that designates the person.

OVERSEER/BISHOP/EXERCISE OVERSIGHT - The English terms Overseer/Bishop are synonymous translations of the same Greek word. The term is used as a noun (episkapous and episkapace) and a verb (episkapountes) in relation to church leadership.

As a noun, it is used in two ways: first, it refers to a person; second, it refers to a position, an office. When used as a noun in reference to a person the term Overseer is synonymous with the term Elder. The man’s title is ‘Elder’ or ‘Overseer’. When used as a noun in reference to a position it refers to the office that the Elder/Overseer occupies. Thus, it is more appropriate to say that the Elder/Overseer occupies the biblical office of Overseer, rather than the office of Elder. When the term is used as a verb it broadly describes the type of ministry (exercising oversight) that Elder/Overseers are to be engaged in.

PASTOR/SHEPHERD - The English terms Pastor/Shepherd are synonymous translations of the same Greek word. This term is used as a noun (poimain) and a verb (poimaino). As a noun, this term is used to describe a spiritual gift given by God to the church and not a person or an office within the church. As a verb, this term is used in relation to church leadership, along with the term Overseer, to describe the type of ministry (shepherd the flock of God) that Elders/Overseers are to be engaged in.

ANSWER TO THE QUESTION

Are all elders pastors? According to the biblical data the answer is ‘yes’ if the role and duty of an elder is being discussed (used as verb). The answer is ‘no’ if a specific office is the issue (used as a noun).

The biblical question is not; Are all elders pastors?, but instead; Are all elders to pastor? ‘Pastor’ is not an office in the Bible, or in the church, but a gift (a noun) and a charge (a verb). It is a gift that some in the church have and hopefully those who serve in the office of overseer have this gift. But, it is also a charge and a duty that all elders/overseers are to fulfill.

1) The office is properly called the Office of Overseer.

2) The person is properly called Elder or Overseer.

3) The duties of the person in the office are Overseeing and Shepherding/Pastoring.

New Baby & Church Elders

Luke Augustine Plodinec came into the world on Thursday, September 6th, 2007. 9 1/2 pounds, 22 1/2 inches long. He has big feet and hands. He is doing fine and so is his mom. Thank you Lord.

The few posts I have on Church Elders have been very popular.  I have lots and lots of material on this subject.  In my old church we went from congregational to elder rule.  It took 3 1/2 years and I researched and answered every question the congregation had.  At the end, it was bloodless.  We went to elder rule and did not lose anyone in the process.  I’ll be posting more on church elders soon.

Ahem, [tap tap] Is this thing on? Test, 1 - 2 - 3

Brief Update:

Been out of town - went to Mozambique with my two oldest sons to help build a clinic in an area that is 2 days away from the nearest hospital.

Busy teaching at the seminary - I teach Exposition of Romans, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, Hermeneutics II, Expository Preaching, Theo. I, Theo. II, Theo. III and Theo. IV. I don’t teach all of them every semester or at the same time.  These are the cream, baby.  I love them all.

And - my wife Karen is going to give birth to our 6th!! child this week!  Any day now.  Thursday at the latest (c-section) because he is already about 10 pounds!  It’s a boy.  His name will be Luke Augustine Plodinec.  A friend of mine said that name is like a punch in the mouth.

So, as you can see, I have been busy.

I will post something more interesting in a day or two.

What’s Up With Naaman the Leper?

One of the most popular posts on this blog is the one on Naaman the Leper.

Almost every day there are numerous hits on that post.

People out there search for this post specifically.

What is going on with you people? Who are you? Where are you from? What is so interesting about Naaman the Leper?

Is there a Naaman the Leper discussion group out there? Does the “Friends of Naaman the Leper Society” search for the latest info. on their hero?

Will at least one of you leave a comment and tell me what is so compelling about Naaman the Leper? It would help me sleep better.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS – 1 TIMOTHY 3 & TITUS 1

I don’t know what happened to the Greek font on this post.  It worked fine for a few days and now it is not showing on some  browsers.  Sorry about that.  I’m trying to fix it, but the problem remains.  I will keep working on it.  Check a Greek text or a Greek Bible program for the appropriate Greek words until I get it fixed.

One who desires the office – A man must first have a great desire to serve the church as an overseer.

evpiskoph/j ovre,getai 1 Tim. 3:1 – be eager for, long for, desire, aspire to; overseeing

evpiqumei/ (evpiskoph/j) 1 Tim. 3:1 – long for, desire, covet; overseeing

Blameless; above reproach – Accusations against him are baseless and there are no hidden sins.

avnepi,lhmpton 1 Tim. 3:2 – above reproach

avne,gklhtoj Titus 1:6 – beyond reproach, not called to account, irreproachable, blameless

The husband of one wife; a one-woman man – He has single-minded dedication to his wife.

mia/j gunaiko.j a;ndra 1 Tim. 3:2 – a one woman man

mia/j gunaiko.j avnh,r Titus 1:6 – literally, “with one wife husband” i.e., a husband with a wife

Self-controlled, temperate, sober – He has mastered his appetites and desires.

nhfa,lion 1 Tim. 3:2 – temperate, sober

sw,frona Titus 1:8 – self-controlled, master of self

Sensible, sane, of sound mind – He is in his right mind.

sw,frona 1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:8 – sensible, sound mind, sane

Well behaved, orderly, decent – He is known for his good behavior.

ko,smion 1 Tim. 3:2 – well behaved, respectable; modest, orderly, decent

An able teacher – He is teachable and able to teach, exhort and persuade believers and to refute false teaching.

didaktiko,n 1 Tim. 3:2 – able to teach, apt at teaching

dunato.j h=| kai. parakalei/n evn th/| didaskali,a| th/| u`giainou,sh| Titus 1:9 – dunato.j able to, strong, powerful parakalei/n call for, entreat, evoke, urge; encourage, speak words of encouragement; request, ask, appeal, to; console, comfort, cheer up didaskali,a what is taught, teaching, doctrine, instruction u`giainou,sh sound, healthy, correct, well-grounded

kai. tou.j avntile,gontaj evle,gcein Titus 1:9 – avntile,gontaj contradict, object to, oppose, resist evle,gcein show fault/error, convict of fault/error, convince of fault/error; prove guilty, condemn; rebuke, reprove

Given to hospitality – He is hospitable to friends and strangers alike.

filo,xenon 1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:8 – hospitable, loving strangers

Forbearing, considerate, moderate, gentle – He is attentive and understanding with others.

evpieikh/ 1 Tim. 3:3 – gentle, forbearing, considerate, equitable, fair, moderate, seemly

Peaceable; not quick-tempered, inclined to anger, pugnacious nor violent – He seeks peace and is not easily provoked.

a;macon 1 Tim. 3:3 – peaceful, abstaining from fighting, non-combatant, not contentious

mh. plh,kthn 1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7 – not quick-tempered or violent, not a striker, not a brawler

mh. ovrgi,lon Titus 1:7 – not quick-tempered, not inclined to anger

Not a drunkard or given to drink – He is neither a habitual nor excessive drinker of alcohol.

mh. pa,roinon 1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7 – not a drunkard, not given to strong drink

Not greedy or covetous; not a lover of money; not fond of sordid gain – He does not pursue materialistic accumulation of wealth and possessions.

avfila,rguron 1 Tim. 3:3 – not greedy for money, without love of money

mh. aivscrokerdh/ Titus 1:7 – not greedy for material gain

One who rules his own house well and with dignity – His wife is submitted to his leadership and his children are faithful; not accused of rebellion to God or disobedience.

tou/ ivdi,ou oi;kou kalw/j proi?sta,menon 1 Tim. 3:4 – a leader in one’s own house, has authority over, manages, cares for, gives help in one’s own house

te,kna e;conta evn u`potagh/|( meta. pa,shj semno,thtoj 1 Tim. 3:4 – having children in obedience, submission, with all seriousness, gravity, proper conduct, respectability

te,kna e;cwn pista, Titus 1:6 – te,kna e;cwn, having children, pista, faithful, trustworthy, reliable; believing

(te,kna) mh. evn kathgori,a| avswti,aj h’ avnupo,takta Titus 1:6 – te,kna e;cwn having children mh. evn kathgori,a| not accused of avswti,aj dissipation, reckless living, wastefulness avnupo,takta disorderly, disobedient; outside of one’s control, not made subject, not subject to rule, unruly

Not a new convert; not a novice – He has been a Christian long enough for his godly character to be evident to all.

mh. neo,futon 1 Tim. 3:6 – not recently converted, novice

Has a good reputation with those outside the Church – His good character is consistent in every area of life and recognized even by unbelievers.

marturi,an kalh.n e;cein avpo. tw/n e;xwqen 1 Tim. 3:7 – good testimony, witness, evidence, reputation with those outside the church

Not arrogant or self-willed – He is humble and prefers others before himself.

mh. auvqa,dh Titus 1:7 – not arrogant, self-willed, self-pleasing

Loves goodness and what is good – He loves people of good character and things of good quality.

fila,gaqon Titus 1:8 – loving what is good, loving goodness

Just, fair, righteous – He makes fair and impartial judgments based on righteousness.

di,kaion Titus 1:8 – upright, righteous, good; just, right

Holy, devout, pious – He strives to avoid sin and live righteously.

o[sion Titus 1:8 – holy, devout, pious, righteous, religiously right –

One who holds firmly to the faithful word and teaches it – He is loyal to and teaches the word of God and sound theology.

avnteco,menon tou/ kata. th.n didach.n pistou/ lo,gou Titus 1:9 – loyal to the teaching of the faithful word

(ASV) holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching

(KJV) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught

(NASU) holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching

(NIV) He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught

WHO KEEPS TRACK OF THE ELDERS AND KEEPS THEM ACCOUNTABLE?

The answer to this question is in five parts with a summary at the end.

FIRST: If the biblical requirements for the office of elder are applied by the church to prospective elders, and the men in that office meet those requirements, then there is no need for congregational oversight of the elders. This means someone must go through 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and ask the prospective elder, his family, other church members, friends, co-workers and neighbors if he meets these requirements. Few have the courage to do this.

It is vital that the local church implement and follow God’s direction in this matter.  The importance of this cannot be overstated. A man who meets these character qualifications will not harm the church, but instead do his duty of teaching, leading and protecting it. The character of the elders submitted to the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit is the safeguard for the church.

The ‘key’ to elder leadership is the character of the men in the office. No church needs to be concerned about a man with the character qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

SECOND: Acts 20:29-30 is very clear, savage wolves will come in and men will arise who will abuse the flock. Paul was speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus and even from among them - men whom Paul had discipled for three years - even from among them there would be those who abused the flock.

No organizational structure or document will control sin. This is why character qualifications are the issue for those who would be elders.

Leaders in every form of church government have harmed the church. The primary problem is that they do not meet the character qualifications, were not examined closely, and have not been called by God to the ministry of oversight. The important question is, “Which form of church government is the biblical model?” not “Which form of government will keep the church from being ripped off?” No form of church government is a safeguard for the church.  Elder rule is the biblical model, but it is only as good, efficient and God-honoring as the character of the men who serve as elders. The Great Shepherd, the Holy Spirit, God’s Word and His undershepherds are the protection for the flock, not a document, a type of organization nor the flock itself.

THIRD: There is a system of oversight of the elders already in place. First, elders are examined by God and will give a personal account to Him for their ministry, as every believer will, but elders will be judged more strictly for their oversight ministry.  This future examination by God is a good motivator for elders to watch their doctrine and conduct closely. Second, the elders exercise oversight of one another. They are to closely examine their conduct and doctrine and are to be on guard for any evil that might arise among themselves. There is no biblical example or instruction for the congregation or any other group to oversee the elders. Each individual elder can be admonished by any believer according to Matthew 18, but the action to be taken in Matthew 18 is a result of sin and has nothing to do with watching over the elders in the discharge of their ministry.

FOURTH: The church is the Body of Christ. This is the nature of our relationship with one another and how we are to interact with one another. Christ is the Head of the body and individual believers make up its various parts. Each member of the body has been placed there by God and has been given a particular function and ministry in the body and is to serve the other members according to their unique place and giftedness and necessary function.

Part of God’s equipping of the body has been to provide for the ministry of leading and overseeing the church. Certain members of the body have been gifted in leadership and have been given the ministry of leading the church. This is their place, role and function in the body and this is how they are to serve the church. This ministry of leading the church has not been given to each member of the church at large.

When one member or group in the body ceases to minister according to their giftedness and seeks to exercise authority where they have none, the body suffers and does not function the way God intended and the result will be weakness and division.

Congregational rule limits the ministry of those God has specially called and equipped to lead and oversee the body of Christ, thus that ministry suffers. It also places all church members in the position of functioning in a ministry that was not given to them nor intended for them, thus the whole body suffers. The ministry of oversight in the body of Christ is given to individuals who are called to the office of overseer. They are to exercise this oversight amongst themselves and the rest of the congregation.

FIFTH: The nature of an equal plural leadership is itself one safeguard for the elders and the church. Though no outward form will prevent a man from sinning, a plurality of equal leaders is able to quickly confront and check any evil that might arise. There is greater genuine accountability among the leadership with a plurality of equal elders. Human leaders are sinners and they only accomplish the will of God imperfectly. Multiple leaders serve as a check and balance on each other and serve as a safeguard against the human tendency to seek after power. Shared leadership provides close accountability, genuine partnership and peer relationships.

Summary

1)      Men with the character qualities God requires of elders will not abuse the flock nor need to be watched.

2)      No outward structure or document will ever prevent a person from sinning, and that is not to be a goal of church government.

3)      God has already provided for the oversight of the elders through their accountability to God and each other.

4)      The whole church suffers when the ministry of oversight and leadership is taken away from the elders.

5)      There is safety and greater accountability among a group of overseers who are equal in office and function.

Are All Elders to be Paid for Their Work as an Elder?

The relevant biblical passages are; Romans 15:22-27; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:10-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:4-6

Church leaders;

1) may be aided in their ministry by gifts from the congregation, Rom. 15:22-27

2) have the right to live a conventional life comparable with the rest of believers, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

3) have the right to refrain from ’secular’ work, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

4) have the right to be materially supported by the congregation, 1 Cor. 9:1-23, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

5) have the option not to take advantage of their right of material support if taking advantage will limit the gospel ministry, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

6) who proclaim the gospel have the right to make their living by the gospel, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

7) may make limited use of the right of financial support by the congregation, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

8) must do what is best for the furtherance of the gospel and the congregation, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

9) are not wrong in refusing the material support due them, 2 Cor. 11:7-9

10) should not be a material burden on those they minister to, 2 Cor. 11:7-9, 12:13-16, 1 Thess. 2:5-9, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

11) must not be greedy and seek after the material things of the congregation, 2 Cor. 12:13-16

12) must be willing to be expended and expendable, 2 Cor. 12:13-16

13) must be content in whatever financial circumstances they find themselves in, Phil. 4:10-18

14) must not be greedy for what is rightly due them, 1 Thess. 2:5-9

15) may assert their right for material support from the congregation, 1 Thess. 2:5-9

16) must do what is best for the congregation when it comes to material support, 1 Thess. 2:5-9

17) must be an example of how to take care of material things, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

18) who perform their duties well may be materially supported to a greater degree than those leaders who do not serve as well, 1 Tim. 5:17-18

19) who work hard at preaching and teaching are to be considered for greater material support over those who do not preach and teach as well, 1 Tim. 5:17-18

20) are to receive material support for their work, 1 Tim. 5:17-18

21) should be the first to receive material support from the congregation, 2 Tim. 2:4-6

Congregations;

1) are materially indebted to those who minister spiritual things to them, Rom. 15:22-27

2) are obligated to materially support those who minister to them spiritually, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

3) must not limit spiritual ministers by restricting their material support, 1 Cor. 9:1-23

4) are obligated to help needy leaders who minister in other congregations, 2 Cor. 11:7-9

5) are to share all of their good things with those who teach them the Word of God, Gal. 6:6, Phil. 4:10-18

6) must be disciplined in material matters just like the leadership, 2 Thess. 3:7-11

7) must materially support their own leadership before helping others, 2 Tim. 2:4-6

SUMMARY

Congregations are indebted to their leadership and obligated to materially support those who minister to them spiritually. They are to share all things with those who teach them the Word of God. The congregation must not limit spiritual ministers by restricting their material support.

Church leadership has the right to refrain from ’secular’ work and be materially supported by the congregation. Those who proclaim the gospel have the right to make their living by the gospel and receive material support for their work. Those who work hard at preaching and teaching and who perform their duties well may be supported to a greater degree than those leaders who do not serve as well. Not all leaders need to receive the same amount of material support.

Church leaders may assert their right for material support from the congregation, but this is a right, not a command. Each church leader can decide not to take advantage of material support by the congregation, depending on the circumstances. If accepting material support will limit the gospel ministry of the leader or the congregation then the leader must not take it, though they may make limited use of the right. The leadership must do what is best for the gospel and the congregation and they are not wrong in refusing the material support that is their due. The church leadership must not be a material burden on those they minister to.

1) The congregation is obligated to materially support the leadership.

2) The leadership has a right to be materially supported by the congregation.

3) The leadership may assert or decline their right to material support.

4) The leadership must not assert this right if it hinders the gospel or is a burden to the congregation.

5) The leadership may make limited use of material support.

Stand still and act. You are in the right place.

 

Stand still, plant your feet firmly, and act. You are always in the right place at the right time.

 

The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. Daniel 11:32

In whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. 1 Corinthians 7:24

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. Philippians 1:27-28

See also; John 9:4, Romans 12:11, 1 Corinthians 7, 9:20-27, 10:31, 15:10, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 3:17-24, 4:5

Sarcasm, Mockery, Derision, Disdain . . .

Some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’” Luke 13:31-33

A Preperation Process for Expository Sermons

Here is the preparation process for expository sermons I promised a few weeks ago.

This material is copywrited Steve Plodinec. You can link here, but please don’t copy or disseminate this without contacting me first.

Preaching is as much art (probably more) as science. This process is an introduction to the science, the technical aspects, of studying for and putting together a sermon. For the art of preaching – being taught, lead by and empowered by the Holy Spirit along with wise understanding of people and the world and oratory ability – there is no process. For the art, seek God in prayer, get wise council and practice, practice, practice.

PREPARATION

Pray – Pray, pray, pray. Pray throughout the whole process. Say to God, “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things out of thy law” Psalm 119:18.

Determine What You Will Preach On – What do you want to preach on? Something in the Bible must interest you. What have you always wanted to know more about? If something interests you then your enthusiasm for it will make it interesting to the congregation. What do the people need to hear? If you are a good shepherd you will know what will help your people.

If you are preaching exegetically through a book then move on to the next section. One of the benefits of preaching verse by verse through the Bible is that you never need to wonder what you will preach next. If you are preaching a one time message (a hit & run) then make sure the subject is appropriate to the occasion. If you are preaching a topical message then determine the topic and check the topical and thematic indexes in study bibles and other resources. Preach from the one main passage that best illuminates the topic, but incorporate other texts that deal with the same topic. Yes, a topical sermon can be exegetical.

Read the Passage – If you are a preacher then words are your tools, both written and spoken. You need to read a lot, especially from the Bible. For each sermon, read the book your passage is in once. Read the section and chapter of the book it is in at least three more times and read the passage itself at least ten more times. This is still just preparation so don’t do any interpreting and don’t come to any conclusions yet. Start writing down any questions the text brings up and continue to write them down through the whole process.

Meditate on the Passage – Reading is exposure to Scripture, meditation is absorption of Scripture. Read the passage slowly and ponder and consider each word, phrase, sentence, verse and paragraph. Talk about the passage with other people, especially with other preachers and mature Christians. Think about the passage and even memorize it if possible.

Begin to Think About the Main Idea of the Passage – As a child of God who is lead by the Holy Spirit you can understand the general teaching of any passage. Coming to a general conclusion about the main idea of a passage is useful as a starting point for digging deeply into God’s word. But, hold on loosely to your first idea of what a passage is about. Use the following steps to make sure you are on the right track and to expand and deepen your understanding of the text.

Study

Determine the Genre – The genre is the way the passage is written, the form of the information, the literary type. For example, the Psalms are poetry. The information in the Psalms is written in the form of poetry. The book of Romans is not poetry, but is in the form of logical discourse or what is called “didactic” literature. The genre of a passage has a direct influence on how you interpret that passage. You must not interpret – or preach – figurative language in the Psalms the same way you do the direct non-figurative statements in the book of Romans. Many errors have been disseminated by taking figurative language to be literal and literal to be figurative. The different kinds of genre found in the Bible are law, wisdom literature, logical discourse/didactic, narrative, gospels, parables, poetry, prophecy and apocalyptic. Consult any good hermeneutics book to find out the different genres found in Scripture and how to interpret them. Remember to use and apply the hermeneutical principles that are relevant to your passage.

Begin Making R.E.A.L. Observations on the Passage – Your observations should be R.E.A.L.:

Relevant – they must deal with what the passage is about.

Exegetical – they must come right out of, and be based on, only the text.

Applicable – they must be meaningful to life.

Legitimate – they must be an observation of important information.

Do NOT do any interpreting or concluding yet, you are still gathering information. You don’t know enough yet to say what the meaning of the passage is. Along with writing down your questions, continue to make R.E.A.L. observations throughout the whole preparation process.

Understand the Biblical Context – Look at your passage by moving from the big picture of the whole Bible to the focused and specific context of the verses immediately around it. “Context is King” when it comes to understanding the meaning of a passage.

Understand the Cultural and Historical Setting – What other biblical events are taking place at the same time as the events in your passage? Compare I-II Kings with I-II Chronicles, Kings & Chronicles with OT Prophets, Acts with Epistles, a gospel with the others, etc. What social, cultural and religious issues/situations were taking place when the passage was written? Look up the geography in a Bible atlas and the names of people and places in a Bible dictionary. Real life was going on when the Bible was written. What was happening and how did it affect the writer and the recipients of the book? How does the cultural and historical setting affect the interpretation of the passage?

Grammatically Analyze the Passage to Get the Exegetical Outline – Translate the passage from Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek if you know the languages. Make a line or block diagram of the passage, preferably in the original language, but a diagram from your translation is fine too. A line or block diagram is not necessary for most narratives and some gospel passages, parables and apocalyptic passages. The beginning and end of the passage will be made obvious by the diagram which is revealed by the grammatical construction.

For narrative, gospel, parable or apocalyptic passages diagram the flow of the story by following the action and movements of the people and beings in the passage. Check good books on hermeneutics to understand the “chiastic” structure of many Old Testament narratives.

Find the exegetical outline of the passage based on your diagram. If the passage is narrative, from a gospel, a parable or apocalyptic then outline the story by following the flow of the story. Outline other types of passages according to their grammatical construction as revealed by the diagram of the passage. These outlines will look similar to the diagrams. Compare your outline with those in commentaries and other resources. If your outline is significantly different then rework what you think the main idea is. Don’t be an innovator. The exegetical outline should come right out of the text. As much as possible, use the actual words and phrases of the passage for the points of your outline.

Do a Lexical Study of Key Words – Not every word needs a word study. Don’t choke your sermon with extra facts about words that have nothing to do with the point of the sermon.

Identify All Doctrines in the Passage – Look up the doctrines in your theology books and be sure you understand them. Know what they mean and know how they relate to one another. And most importantly, know how they impact life. What does the theology mean for the people? How does it impact their human existence?

Write Down the Exegetical Main Idea Based on the Exegetical Outline – At this point you need to solidify your understanding of what this passage is about. Your general thought of what the main idea is now needs to be either confirmed, changed completely or fine tuned. The exegetical main idea is the main point of the passage. The point of the passage is the point of your sermon – not some other principle or idea. The exegetical main idea should come right out of the text. As much as possible, use the actual words and phrases of the passage to write your main idea. If the point of your sermon is not the exegetical main idea of the passage then you are not preaching the passage, but instead some other idea. To help you find the exegetical main idea use the historical study, the contextual understanding, the grammatical analysis, the word study, the exegetical outline, your observations and the doctrines in the passage

Check Your Work by Consulting Commentaries and Other Resources – If you don’t think you should use commentaries and other resources to help you prepare a sermon then I give you a Charles Spurgeon quote from the introduction to his book Commenting and Commentaries, “Of course you are not such wiseacres as to think or to say that you can expound Scripture without assistance from the field of exposition. … It seems odd that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves should think so little of what He has revealed to others.” If there is significant disagreement between you and other godly biblical interpreters then go back and re-work those sections where the disagreement exists.

Interpret and Understand the Passage – After prayerful, careful, Spirit-lead in-depth study you can now begin to interpret and understand the meaning of your passage. What do you understand and believe this passage to be teaching? Use the following to come to a proper interpretation of the passage; the cultural and historical situation, the context of the passage, the grammatical analysis, the word study, the exegetical outline, the doctrines in the passage, the exegetical main idea, your observations and questions and answers. Check your work by consulting commentaries and other resources.

Identify If There Are Any Truths or Principles Not Plainly Stated in the Passage – Sometimes, but not always, there may be truths and principles that are not overtly and precisely stated in the text. Be careful not to make anything up here or to import some good biblical ideas, or heresies, that are not in your text. Do not depart from the plain teaching or main point of your passage.

If there are any truths and principles not plainly stated in the passage they must be clearly based on the doctrines in the text. Usually the exegetical points of the passage are already stated as a truth or principle. For example, the plain exegetical point from Deuteronomy 5:19 is “Do not steal.” In this instance it is also the only principle in the verse. Not every point or doctrine from the text will have, or need, a truth or principle developed from it.

Leave It for 1-3 Days – Give it a rest. Let all that you have studied roll around in the back of your mind while you go on to other things. When you come back to your work you will find that you often have fresh insight. You will notice some theological and logical errors you previously overlooked. It will be easier to see the big picture and main idea of the passage. You will go at your work with renewed vigor and eagerness. Your sermon will be more crisp, clean and have more of your personality in it.

ComposiTION

Write Down and Fill Out the Main Points of the Sermon – At this point you might want to rework your exegetical outline into a more homiletical outline based on the main point, doctrines, exegetical structure and any truths or principles not clearly stated. Write each point in a short precise sentence. These points should relate to the exegetical main point and what the passage is about.

Prove and support each of your points with information from the following; the historical study, the contextual understanding, the grammatical analysis, the word study, the exegetical outline, your observations, the doctrines in the passage, the exegetical main idea, your questions and answers, commentaries and other resources, your interpretation and understanding of what the passage is about and any principles in the passage.

Show How all This Biblical Information Connects To and Impacts Life – Many preachers fail to do this and so their sermon is just a bunch of theological data unconnected to life. Connect the main idea, doctrines and outline points to life and the human condition. What part of life and the human condition does this point deal with? What part of life and the human condition is this point like? What does this point say about life and the human condition? How does this point affect life and the human condition?

Illustrate – Find one biblical illustration and one real life illustration for each point. It is important that your illustration relates your point to the human condition. Make sure your illustrations are culturally relevant. Make sure the illustrations do not overshadow the point.

Apply the Points – Application is not condemnation, but it is a call to obedience and change. Find one or several applications for each point that relate it to the human condition the point deals with. Make sure the applications are culturally relevant.

Write Transitions Between All the Different Parts of the Sermon – When people check out of a sermon they usually do it at those little gaps between the points of a sermon. Be sure to clearly lead them from one point to the next. Write the transitions out word for word between the introduction and the first point, between each main point, between each sub-point, between each point and its illustration, between each point and its application, between the last point and the conclusion.

Write the Conclusion – Summarize and restate your exegetical main point. It is best to restate your points, truths, principles and how they connect to life. Land the plane! End the sermon! Write your concluding sentence.

Write the Introduction – Talk about how the main point of the passage deals with the human condition. This will gain their interest. Look for a short illustration that pictures both the main point and the human condition it deals with. It can provoke a question or stimulate a thought or paint a picture to be proven or illustrated. You need to relate to and connect with your audience. Make the introduction fairly short. Make sure you write a transition from your introduction to your first point.

Write a Title for the Sermon

Final Form of Your Sermon Notes – At the end of this process you will have your whole sermon written out word for word. I think it would be better if you did not take these notes into the pulpit with you, but this is strictly personal preference. You need to use the kind of notes that work best for you. I suggest the following trimmed down form of sermon notes because I think you will be more free in your delivery with them.

Write down your introduction word for word. Write your exegetical main point and outline on one to three pieces of paper with spaces between each point. Under each point of the outline write a few words or a sentence or two to remind you of the proof and support of the point, how this relates to life and the human condition, any truths or principles from the point, the illustration of the point, the application of the point and the transition to the next point. Write down your conclusion word for word.

© Steve Plodinec