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Acts 20:28-32. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

1. The meaning of Elder.

-presbuterous. episcopos. poiman. All used interchangeably.

Strong’s number: 4245 presbteros properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder.

Strong’s Number: 1985 episcopos an overseer; a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church.

Strong’s Number: 4166 poiman. a herdsman, esp. a shepherd in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow metaph. the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church of the overseers of the Christian assemblies of kings and princes

1 Peter 5:1-2. So I exhort the elders (4245) among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 1Pe 5:2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Titus 1:5. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders (4245) in every town as I directed you–

Acts 20:28. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (1985), to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Verses where Elders in a local context are referred to in the plural.

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders (4245) in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (1985) and deacons:

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders (4245) of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

2. The character of an Elder.

Be able to teach. More than a Deacon. Deacon is to serve. Elder to serve, lead and teach.

3. The role of an Elder.

A. Doctrine. Must be able to teach.

1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

ELLIOT’S COMMENTARY:
Apt to teach. The elder should possess something more than a willingness, or glad readiness, to teach the less instructed the mysteries of the faith. He ought also to have the far rarer qualification of a power to impart knowledge to others. Zeal is not by any means the only, or even the principal, qualification to be sought for in a minister of the Word.

BENSON COMMENTARY: Apt, or fit, to teach By having a thorough knowledge of the things he is to teach, a clear manner of expressing his thoughts, and an earnest desire to instruct the ignorant; or one that is himself well instructed in the things of the kingdom of God, and is communicative of what he knows; is both able and willing to impart to others the knowledge which God hath given him.

BARNES’ NOTES ON THE BIBLE: Apt to teach – Greek, “Didactic;” that is, capable of instructing, or qualified for the office of a teacher of religion. As the principal business of a preacher of the gospel is to “teach,” or to communicate to his fellow-men the knowledge of the truth, the necessity of this qualification is obvious. No one should be allowed to enter the ministry who is not qualified to impart “instruction” to others on the doctrines and duties of religion; and no one should feel that he ought to continue in the ministry, who has not industry, and self-denial, and the love of study enough to lead him constantly to endeavor to “increase” in knowledge, that he may be qualified to teach others. A man who would “teach” a people, must himself keep in advance of them on the subjects on which he would instruct them.

B. Discipline.
C. Direction. They lead.
D. Distinction. A Godly example to others.

Last edit 05.10.25

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The Key to Sanctification

Before we look at these verses, let me ask a question: what is the purpose of food? Is it given to enjoy or to impart life? It is a necessity. Without it we waste away literally and wither and die. Now listen to Jesus:

John 4:31-34 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”
33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”

To Jesus, doing God’s will and being in subjection to it completely was his life’s necessity. It gave him life so to speak. It was his life! That’s why he was willing to go to the cross and bear the wrath of God, not just the nails.

So when we read the scriptures or are instructed in what they say, and you are tempted to rebel against what God has revealed or commanded in them, ask yourself, is obedience and submission to God’s will your very “food of life”? If it’s not, why not?

This isn’t something we can do. People can’t do this on their own power, only through grace. When we are “saved” we are Justified through grace. I think all evangelicals understand this fairly well and can quote Ephesians 2:8-9. But then we want to go on the performance treadmill and sanctify ourselves by our own hand instead of what the bible says, which is to be sanctified by grace as well through the working of the Spirit of Christ. The miracle of grace and mercy is a wonderful thing because it is totally alien to us. We can’t merit sanctification anymore than justification. It must be a work done in us, from outside of us.

Pray that God would sanctify you so that the Spirit of Jesus (total obedience and submission) would be evident and powerful in your life. And if someone asks you why you do what you do or why you are such a submissive spirit, answer: because God had mercy on me.

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Note from Adam Osborne, Jr. Here are 2 of my father’s sermons. For those who are young and have never heard an “Old Time” gospel preacher before, a “tent revival” type of preaching, you might be caught a little off guard with this form of preaching. But, back in the 60’s and 70’s this type of preaching was common….Adam Jr…..

1. What Will Thou That I Will Do Lord?

2. Come, For All Things Are Now Ready!

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We Are To:

Jas 5:16 Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

Col 3:13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Tit 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Rom 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Rom 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Eph 5:21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1Pe 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Col 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Col 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Jas 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

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Small excerpt taken from “Saved Without A Doubt” by John MacArthur. Published by David C. Cook. Used with permission as per Introduction instructions….

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A Triumphant Faith

Rev. Adam Polk

Habakkuk 2:5 – 3:19 2.24.2013

5 “Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.”

Woe to the Chaldeans

6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say,

“Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own– for how long?– and loads himself with pledges!” 7 Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.

“Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm! 10 You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. 11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond.

12 “Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity! 13 Behold, is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? 14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

15 “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink– you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! 16 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the Lord’s right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory! 17 The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.

18 “What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! 19 Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. 20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.

2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. 3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Selah 4 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. 5 Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels. 6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord ? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation? 9 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear. 12 You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger. 13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah 14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. 15 You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters.

16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.

Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

What do we do when God’s ways seem strange and his providence mysterious?

In Habakkuk we can peal open Habakkuk’s heart and see how he responds to God’s judgment of His people. God does not change, Habakkuk changes his heart so that he can see God’s plan for His people.

How can we be confident and hopeful when God plan is discouraging? When all things are tough.

1. Remember His Justice (2:5-20)

God is now addressing the Babylonians, because they are a wicked people. God uses even the wicked to discipline His people. God did not make them wicked, they were already wicked. But now, God is talking about how He is going to discipline the wicked people he used to discipline His people.

There are “5” woes that God calls out concerning the Babylonians sins: (a) their greed (b) their injustice (c) violence (d) seduction (e) idolatry.

God disciplines His own people, but he brings judgment and wrath upon the Babylonians.

The word (CUP) here means God’s wrath. The cup of God’s wrath is now coming full circle, and now it is coming upon the Babylonians.

God has the FINAL word. Even when things don’t make sense, not Judea, not the Babylonians, but GOD has the final word. God is in charge. God is a good judge, and he will NOT allow evil to have the final word.

2. Request His Mercy (3:1-2)

Habukkuk is still scared. He requests God’s mercy because he is afraid of what is about to happen. He hears God, but he is still concerned, still scared. Habukkuk had the benefit of knowing God’s plan, but yet, he is still asking for mercy.

In the midst of God’s wrath, remember you can ask for His mercy. It is necessary sometimes.

3. Reflect on His Power (3:3-16)

Habukkuk is recalling God’s past. This is the same God of his past, of his presence, and his future. He is declaring that God has a real claim upon his people. Even when God’s hand of discipline seems heavy, you must remember the power and faithfulness of God’s power. God has NOTHING but your GOOD in mind, and His glory. God’s power is actively on display. Habukkuk is proclaiming that God has the power to fulfill his promises.

Don’t forget the faithfulness of God. It would do us good to go back and think about how faithful and how powerful God is. God has began a good work in you, and He will bring it to completion in the future.

Look to the one who orders the universe. Look to the one you can always trust. We are talking about having confidence, hope, and joy. But that does not mean that you can just fake feeling good, and that all things will be good. This “feel good” religion of the world is not true. But wait on God to complete His work. Reflecting upon the power of God does not mean that you will not quiver, or fear, or be scared when you find out bad things. But, it does mean you can count on God to deliver you.

4. Rejoice in His Salvation (3:17-18)

Your ultimate joy is Christ, your ultimate treasure. Even in the midst of pain, struggle, confusion, you can still worship. God is our comfort and our hope. Remember Paul’s struggles! Paul even had a thorn, but he still says “therefore I will boast all the more about my weaknesses so that the power of The Lord may rest upon me”…. 2Cor5:9.

Job said “though He slay me, I will still hope in The Lord”. In the midst of pain you can rejoice because Christ is your all!

If life has robbed you of joy, it is because you have taken your eyes off The Lord. It’s just that simple. You have misplaced your hope. You have taken your eyes of Jesus and put them on circumstances. It is because you are placing your hope in something other than God. NOTHING can rob you of your hope and joy because you have VICTORY in Jesus.

Look to The Lord like Habakkuk looked to The Lord.

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Last edit 05.10.25