As we gear up for a new year it’s good to reassess and reinforce our commitment to follow certain men as leaders worthy of imitation, and recipients of our diehard voluntary submission. In February 2021, ECPC will invite people to nominate men for the offices of elder and deacon. As you consider which men you want to nominate, I beseech and implore you to thoroughly contemplate the following questions and Scriptures:
- Does this man wholeheartedly invite you to embrace radical exposure and confidence in Christ alone? (John 4:29; Genesis 2:25; Romans 7:24-25)
- Does this man help you to lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, so that you can run with endurance the race that is set before you? (Hebrews 12:1)
- Does this man insist that you fixate on Jesus as the Author and Perfecter of your faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God? (Hebrews 12:2) …or does he have some other hobby horse?
- Does this man resolve to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified? (1 Corinthians 2:2) …or is he typically on some other soap box?
- Does this man actually believe that the most trustworthy saying, deserving of full acceptance, is that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is the foremost? (1 Timothy 1:15) …or is there something else he promotes and publicizes more than this?
- Is this man primarily a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God? (1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 3:9)
- Is this man quarrelsome? (2 Timothy 2:24) Or is this man quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; and manifestly meek and receptive to the implanted Word, which is able to save souls? (James 1:19-21).
- Is this man kind to everyone, able to teach (see 1 Corinthians 2:2; John 4:29; 5:39; 6:29; 15:5), patiently enduring evil, and someone who corrects opponents with gentleness (sincerely hoping that God will perhaps grant his opponents repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will)? (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
- Is this man grumpy or joyful? (James 1:2)
- Is this man committed to working with you for your joy; for you to stand firm in your faith in Christ? (2 Corinthians 1:24)
- Does this man promote good order to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord? (1 Corinthians 7:35)
- Do you want to commit yourself to receiving painful and unpleasant discipline from this man (as seems best to him)? (Hebrews 12:7-11)
- Do you truly want to follow/imitate this man? (John 1:38; Hebrews 13:7)
0 Comments