Hateful

• Proverbs 6:16-19

• We need to hate sin as much as God does.

Division/unity

• Proverbs 6:16-19

• Luke 11:17

• Jude 1:16-19

• II Timothy 2:14-19 – To be united, we must all handle God’s word correctly.

• II John 1:9-11 – Those who do not abide in God’s word do not have God.

• I John 1:5-8 – To have fellowship with God and be unified, we must walk in the light.

• Philippians 1:27-2:5

• We are never going to agree with someone else on absolutely everything.

• I Corinthians 11:17-19

• Ephesians 4:1-6 – We should be eager to maintain unity.

• Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction

• Elders are spiritual leaders, not just bosses or business managers.

• I Timothy 3:5

Hold fast the faithful word, exhort and convince the gainsayer – Titus 1:9

Shepherd, feed, tend the flock among them – I Peter 5:2

• Acts 20:28

• I Peter 5:4 – Jesus is the chief shepherd

Watch for the souls of the flock – Ezekiel 3:17; 34:1-10; Zechariah 11:17; Hebrews 13:17

Oversee the flock – Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-3

Be examples to the flock – I Peter 5:3

• No matter what qualifications a man may have, if his life is not a good example, he is not qualified to be an elder.

Introduction

• Acts 13:2

• Paul’s missionary journeys

  • 1st: Acts 13:1 - 14:28

  • 2nd: Acts 15:36 - 18:22

  • 3rd: Acts 18:23 – 21:17

Religious people set in their ways put up a fight.

• Acts 19:24-28

• Acts 17:18

• Acts 14:2, 19; 17:5; 20:19

• We have to overcome our biases and think clearly.

  • Acts 17:11

Paul spent lots of time teaching and re-teaching.

• Acts 14:3, 21, 23; 15:36; 16:5; 18:11; 19:8 – Paul spent years with some of these Christians!

• We must commit to a lifetime of spiritual growth.

  • I Thessalonians 4:1-2, 9-10 – Excel still more!

The gospel is powerful!

• Acts 18:4-5, 6-10 – Paul wasn’t powerful – it was the word of God!

• Acts 13:4-5, 16, 49; 16:14, 32; 19:10; 20:7, 32

• Let’s appreciate the treasure of God’s word!

  • Think about how many suffered and died to spread the gospel.

  • II Timothy 4:16

Paul needed a great attitude and lots of perseverance.

• Acts 14:19-20; 16:24-25; 20:22; 21:13

• We need to soldier on when living like Christ gets us in trouble.

Humility

• Pride goes before destruction

  • Proverbs 6:16-19; 11:2; 15:25, 33; 16:5, 18-19; 18:12; 21:4, 24; 22:4; 29:23

  • Genesis 3:6; Revelation 3:17 – Pride is consistently rebuked all through the Bible.

• Let another praise you, and not your own mouth

  • Proverbs 12:15; 25:14, 6-7, 27; 27:2

  • Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14; 14:7-11 – Jesus often warned about praising yourself.

• Do not be wise in your own eyes

  • Proverbs 21:2; 16:2; 3:7; 26:12, 16

  • Examples of people who were wise in their own eyes

    • Diotrephes – III John 1:9-10

    • Scribes and Pharisees – Matthew 23:2

    • Korah – Numbers 16:1-ff

• He who hates reproof will die

  • Proverbs 10:17; 13:10, 13; 15:10, 32; 28:26

Service

• James 2:14-18 – We have to act and do good to others, not just wish them well. Our faith is dead if we don’t act!

• Mark 9:35

• Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

• I Peter 4:8-11 – We have a cornucopia of gifts we can share with others, including time, money, and acts of service.

• Mark 10:43-45

• Ephesians 6:5-9 – Render service with a good will.

• Galatians 5:13-15

• I John 3:15-20

• Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to share what you have!