78a) Basic Theology of the Eldership, Parts 2

Driving home: Strictly speaking, there can be no plurality if there is not parity. For if one is in the least degree above the others, then in respect of that hegemony, there is no longer plurality.

Martin, speaking as a Presbyterian, uses the example of his own ecclesiastical associations to illustrate how the principle of parity can be eclipsed by granting preeminence to the minister of the word.

The elders exercise government in unison and on a parity with one another. Now, speaking as a very convinced Presbyterian, he makes some very pointed criticisms of his own ecclesiastical associations. This principle has often suffered eclipse within the Presbyterian fold. It's come to expression within Presbyterian churches by the entertaining of the notion that to the minister of the word belongs priority or preeminence in the government of the Church.

0:31 - 1:01 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And so I am asserting that there is evidence in the scriptures and in general revelation that there ought to be realistic and harmonious functional diversity.

The analogy of a team is used to explain functional diversity, where each member is part of the team but has a different function, applying this to eldership.

As the members of a team, each is part of that team, but each does not have the same function. And we go back again. To the 1 Timothy 5.17 text, I'll not labor that point, but other significant passages are Romans 12.6-8

2:53 - 3:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize and allow a brother with peculiar facility for leading to chair meetings without violating parity.

The analogy of Quakers waiting for the Spirit to move them is used to highlight the practical necessity of someone leading a meeting, even among equals, to avoid chaos or mock humility.

Grace enhances nature. It doesn't fight against nature. And in any group situation, somebody's got to stand and chair the meeting. And it's not just the church.

6:25 - 6:35 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of an over-scrupulous legalism in applying the biblical standard for the office of elder.

Martin uses the examples of Jesus and Paul to demonstrate the ludicrousness of an over-scrupulous legalism that would disqualify single men from eldership based on the 'one-woman man' qualification.

Therefore, no single man under any circumstances is competent to be an elder. And you rule out the Lord Jesus. the apostle paul if singleness in and of itself disqualifies for the eldership because it says must be a one-woman man then our lord jesus and the apostle paul that's ludicrous this is what i mean by an over scrupulous legalism having his children in subjection with all gravity therefore he must not only be married but have children a man entrusted with childlessness

10:02 - 10:42 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If the adversary cannot keep us from making the standard normative, he will then drive us beyond it and make it unattainable.

A story of a man threatened with removal from office because his teenage daughter left the faith illustrates the danger of an over-scrupulous legalism in applying the 'children in subjection' qualification.

legalism ruling his own children well some read that to mean having secure grace in the hearts of his children i had to deal with that just this week where a man is being threatened with being put out of his office because he's got a teenage daughter who has thrown over her profession has left the whole and some are ready to put him out of his office where he has two other children who are living commendation obvious godly rule in his home at all of us could do this legalistic application some think the requirement apt to teach an act

12:00 - 12:42 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If the adversary cannot keep us from making the standard normative, he will then drive us beyond it and make it unattainable.

The analogy of machine part specifications is used to argue against a rigid, overly precise application of elder qualifications, emphasizing that they are not exact measurements but broad strokes of character and giftedness.

this is what I mean by this admonition. To beware of an over-scrupulous legalism in applying the non-negotiable standard for an elder. If the adversary cannot keep us from making the standard normative, he will then drive us beyond it and make it unattainable. The very fact that the list of qualifications in Timothy and Titus is different at certain points should underscore for us, these are not like the specifications for a machine part where every part must be within three ten-thousands of an inch of the

13:24 - 14:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of a precipitous pragmatism in seeking to attain the norm of plurality, avoiding appointing unqualified men.

Martin shares his personal experience of being 'disemboweled' and having his prostate removed to illustrate that an abnormality is not necessarily sinful, applying this to a single elder situation.

To be the only recognized elder in a given situation is indeed an abnormality. However, an abnormality is not necessarily sinful. I stand before you as an abnormal man. I've been disemboweled and had my prostate gland removed.

14:59 - 15:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of an incipient brethrenism that attempts to prove parity through artificial public displays in church services.

A caricature of a church service where different elders perform various minor public roles (announcements, hymns) is used to illustrate 'incipient brethrenism' and an artificial attempt to prove parity.

seeking to attain this norm of plurality. But then thirdly, beware, and this has to do more with warnings once an eldership is established, beware of an incipient brethrenism in attempting to express true parity of office. Some men are so determined that they're going to prove to a visitor within the first two minutes of coming into an assembly, we have plurality and we have parity. So Elder Jones gives the first announcement, and Elder Smith the second, and Elder so-and-so gives out the first hymn, and Elder so-and-so the second hymn.

19:49 - 20:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of a hierarchical clericalism in the actual functions of the eldership.

The Roman Catholic notion of the 'holy man doing the holy thing' is used as a negative example to explain how hierarchical clericalism can perpetuate sacralism, particularly regarding sacrament administration.

Now, if all the elders are overseers and shepherds, then as much as possible let this reality be manifested without falling into this artificial, wooden attempt to prove parity. I want to speak particularly in an area where I believe clericalism can most particularly send out its insidious roots, or to change the imagery, can exude its corrupting leaven. You know in Romanism it's the holy man doing the holy thing that is essential to your salvation. And this notion that only the minister of the word can administer the sacraments, I believe, helps perpetuate sacralism, sacerdotalism.

22:51 - 23:35 Read in full sermon

The point: Press upon yourselves and your people the need for the ministry and present enablement of the Spirit of God to navigate the pressures of intimate fellowship and remaining sin.

Martin shares a personal anecdote about how marriage revealed his own carnality, illustrating how intimate relationships bring remaining sin to the surface, which applies to the close fellowship of elders.

more potential for the manifestation of remaining sin is present. That's why some of you never realized how carnal you were until you got married. Then you discovered what a beast you were. You really thought you were making pretty good progress as a Christian man until you got married. And you say, what in the

33:17 - 33:34 Read in full sermon