Messages to Church Elders

The central message is that the greatest spiritual achievement is not miraculous power, but rather following Jesus' example by enduring the cross. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires laying aside all encumbrances and enduring, mirroring Jesus' humility in being baptized and submitting to others. This submission is necessary to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which is presented as more valuable than worldly accolades or spiritual gifts.

The speaker emphasizes that a solid Christian life, family, and church are built by diligently practicing the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7). He warns that many churches are shaky because they preach an incomplete picture of Christ's full counsel. True righteousness, which qualifies one for the kingdom of heaven, must surpass mere adherence to the letter of the law, exemplified by moving from 'do not kill' to 'do not get angry.'

The speaker emphasizes that true submission to authority, whether in life, work, or home, is vital, contrasting this with the casual acceptance of things like ice cream. He draws heavily from Paul's ministry in Ephesus, warning that churches can become doctrinally accurate but lose their fervent love for Christ, leading the Lord to 'remove the lampstand' (de-recognize them). The ultimate call is to return to the first love and remain in the presence of the Lord, even if it means leaving the established institution.

Elders are accountable to the Lord for how they shepherd the church, which requires focusing on an inner circle of committed believers rather than trying to manage the entire growing congregation. True eldership is characterized by humble service, viewing the role as more like that of a servant or caretaker than an honor. Furthermore, elders must cultivate self-judgment daily and exercise supernatural discernment to help others, remembering that judging others is not their role.

The speaker emphasizes that the New Covenant church is defined by living under Jesus Christ through the Bible, not by following old covenant practices or the teachings of men. He stresses that the church is the people, not a building, and that leadership in the New Covenant is communal, requiring multiple appointed elders rather than a single pastor. The qualifications for an elder include having a good testimony, being a man of one wife, and having children who love the Lord.

The speaker emphasizes that claiming to be a 'new covenant church' requires understanding its core implication: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which was unprecedented under the old covenant. He warns against counterfeits, such as those taught in some charismatic circles, and stresses that true assurance of salvation and the Spirit's work must come from a personal, undeniable witness from God. Furthermore, he distinguishes between the initial filling, continuous experience, and the lifelong process of growing into Christ's likeness, urging leaders to maintain a constant dependence on God.

Effective ministry, particularly preaching the Word, must stem from a genuine burden, likened to a mother carrying a baby. Preaching without this burden is considered empty talk, and speakers should be careful not to overextend their message once the core point is made. Ultimately, ministry should be done in humility, recognizing that God builds the church, not the individual speaker.

The central message is the necessity of continuous, daily surrender to Christ, which is the antidote to spiritual backsliding. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires loving Jesus above all else and constantly taking up the cross by dying to one's own preferences and self. This daily process allows the life of Jesus to be manifested in our actions, relationships, and attitudes.

The message emphasizes returning to God's original plan for the church, warning against misinterpreting scripture or allowing cultural trends to dictate doctrine. The speaker stresses that true leadership requires constant vigilance, prioritizing the glory of God above human opinion, and maintaining a pure focus on Christ's teachings. He uses the analogy of a ship's constant course correction to illustrate the need for leaders to continually guide the church back to its intended direction.

The central message emphasizes that Christians must strive for perfection, specifically by loving enemies, doing good to those who hate them, and praying for persecutors, as commanded by Jesus. This requires a clear conscience, as unforgiveness prevents one from being forgiven and hearing God's word. The speaker stresses that forgiveness is a deliberate exercise of the will, not merely a feeling, drawing parallels to Jesus' forgiveness on the cross.

The speaker emphasizes that Christian life is a continuous race requiring constant effort, warning against the danger of complacency after initial conversion or milestones like baptism. He stresses that believers must remain fervent, living out a hidden life of Christ's example until the end. The service concluded with prayers for the newly appointed elders, asking God to fill them with the Holy Spirit, grace, and wisdom to lead the church in godliness and to discern truth.

The speaker emphasizes that true church growth and ministry must be founded on divine revelation concerning the identity of Christ, rather than mere academic knowledge or perceived need. He argues that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is based on Christ's authority, not geographical need, citing Jesus' ministry primarily within Israel as evidence. The central message is to seek revelation from the Holy Spirit to build a church that adheres strictly to God's standards.

The central message emphasizes that ministry requires embodying the 'tongue of a disciple,' meaning one who listens and obeys God rather than merely speaking from knowledge. Preachers must teach and *do*, modeling Jesus' example. True ministry sustains weary people with God's word, which requires daily discipline of listening to the Lord and avoiding the temptation to generate human excitement or 'kindle one's own fire.'

The speaker discusses the 'fear of the Lord' as a profound reverence, citing Isaiah 11:2, which describes Jesus delighting in this reverence. He emphasizes that this reverence is the beginning of wisdom, distinguishing true wisdom from mere knowledge. Furthermore, he advises believers to avoid judging others based solely on what they see or hear, instead promoting investigation and caution, and stresses the importance of recognizing one's limitations and allowing others to balance one's ministry.