Can We Serve Church “Cafeteria Style”?Can We Serve Church “Cafeteria Style”?

Lesson 7:

Who’s in Charge Here?Leadership in the New Testament Church

I.I. IntroductionIntroductionA. Barnacles on our boatB. Our approach in this lesson

1. Doctrinal foundation for church leadershipa. The priesthood of all believersb. The headship of Christ

2. The crucial New Testament text: Matthew 23:1-12

3. Principles, commands, and apostolic example4. Conclusion and Application: What New

Testament leadership looks like at CBC

II.II. Doctrinal FoundationDoctrinal FoundationA. The priesthood of all believers

1. Exodus 19:4-62. Deuteronomy 5:1-53. Deuteronomy 5:22-334. Revelation 1:5-65. Revelation 5:6-14 (especially vss. 9-10)6. 1 Peter 2:4-10 (especially v. 9)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

B. The Headship of Christ1. Exodus 20:3-62. Isaiah 42:6-8 (see Acts 12:20-23)3. Ephesians 1:18-234. Colossians 2:9-105. Colossians 1:15-20

He is the head of the body, the church, as well as thebeginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so thathe himself may become first in all things (Colossians1:18, NET Bible).

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is thebeginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all thingsHe may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18, NKJ).

III.III. Christ’s Teaching in Matthew 23Christ’s Teaching in Matthew 23A. The scribes and Pharisees are not good

leadersB. Nevertheless, submit to their teachingDon’t

follow their exampleC. Their evils exposed:

1. They are hypocrites2. They are a burden, not a blessing (cp. Gal.

6:1-3)3. They seek status, rather than service

E. Lessons in leadership – Jesus style (vss. 8-12)1. Don’t be called Rabbi – One is your teacher, and

you are all brothers2. Don’t be called father, for God is your Father3. Don’t be called teacher, for Christ is your

Teacher4. Godly leadership is about humility and service

IV.IV. New Testament commands, principles, New Testament commands, principles, and practicesand practicesA. Commands

1. Matthew 23:8-122. Titus 1:53. 1 Peter 5:1-24. Acts 20:28-31

B. General principles1. You are all brothers (Matthew 23:8)2. Body life (1 Corinthians 12, 14; Ephesians

4 etc.)3. Spiritual gifts (including teaching and

leading)

C. Principles on how to lead1. Not like the scribes and Pharisees

(Matthew 23:1-12) 2. Not like the Gentiles (Matthew 20:20-28)3. Not like the “false apostles” (2 Corinthians

11:20) 4. But like Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30; 12:17-

21; Philippians 2:1-11)5. And like Paul (Acts 20:17-35; 1

Thessalonians 2:1-12)6. And like Peter learned (1 Peter 5:1-5)

D. New Testament practice (plurality of leaders)1. Acts 6:1-62. Acts 13:1-43. Acts 14:234. Acts 155. Acts 20:17-35

V.V. Conclusion: Where the Rubber Meets Conclusion: Where the Rubber Meets the Roadthe RoadA. No laity-clergy distinctionB. Two offices: elders and deacons (no office

of pastor)C. What does this look like. . .

1. In our worship meeting2. In our teaching3. In our elders meetings

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 7 in the series, Can We Serve Church Cafeteria Style?, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for March 16, 2008. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.