DUTIES OF THE CHURCH TO THE ELDERS (BISHOPS)

                                                                      I Thessalonians 5:12-13

  Introduction:

        A.  The members are to listen to the Holy Spirit and submit themselves to the eldership.

    I.  Let’s consider the duties of the church to the elders.

        A.   We must know the elders.  I Thess. 5:12

        B.   We must esteem them highly in love.  I Thess. 5:13

        C.   We must be submissive to the elders.  I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17

        D.   We must obey them.  Hebrews 13:17

        E.   We are not to rebuke an elder, but entreat him as a father.  I Timothy 5:1

        F.  We are not to receive an accusation against an elder except there are two or three

              witnesses..  I Timothy 5:18; Deut. 19:15

        G.   We are to imitate them.  Hebrews 13:7

        H.   We are to call them when we need them.  James  5:14

Conclusion:

        A.  We have considered the qualifications of elders (bishops), the duties of the elders to

              the church, and the duties of the church to the elders.

        B.   If we follow these principles, we will be pleasing to God---because it is His design for

               the church.