Introduction:

Blatant sin among Pastor’s and Christian leaders is a sign that something is critically wrong within the church today. Recently I read an article about the 10 most horrific cases of fallen pastors and televangelist. In nearly every case the sin of immorality was not taken seriously nor the Biblical mandate applied. One article was about a pastor who had made national news by confessing to an adulterous affair. After little more than a year of “counseling and rehabilitation,” this man was returning to public ministry with his church’s blessing. I believe in restoration and rehabilitation however as it were when plan A is ruin God has a plan B and it never counteracts His words of instruction.

Dr. John Macarthur remarked in relationship to these kinds of situations, “This is happening everywhere. Restoration teams — equipped with manuals to instruct the church on how to reinstate their fallen pastor — they wait like tow-truck drivers on the side of the highway, anticipating the next leadership “accident”. Where did we get the idea that a year’s leave of absence and some counseling can restore integrity to someone and make him a “one women man again. You can’t undo that, it is history and unlike the world we live in today, God still applies consequences for various sins. If you don’t believe that ask Moses. Adultery disqualifies a man from Pastoral leadership since he permanently forfeits a blameless reputation and as a one-woman man. This morning we continue in this section about honor to elders. Elders are to be respected, remunerated and honor but they are also to be…

II. Protecting Elders (5:19)

1. There is always someone eager to falsely accuse the man of God. They may resent his calling, reject his teaching, or resist biblical authority. Then there are those that overlook the seriousness of sin in leadership and tend to let it fester like a cancer. Paul addressed both.

2. We know men of God like Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, the apostle Paul and of course Jesus Christ all suffered from false accusations. Many false accusations came against Jesus; accusations that He spent all of His time with drunks, prostitutes, and wicked people. That was an attempt to accuse Him of these things. They said He was a glutton and a wine-bibber, and they said He was possessed with a demon. This is what Satan does, he accuses us before God. I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Rev.12:10

3. Paul gives Timothy instructions on how to deal with accusations against elders. Unsubstantiated charges are to be rejected. They are not to be investigated they are to be ignore. Some folks are too eager to listen and not to follow the Biblical protocol. The simple act of turning a deaf ear to them is one of the best ways of protecting elders, the pastor of your church. Unfortunately too many folks join the band wagon against the man of God.
—Dr. Ironside- pg.125b

There must be 2 or 3 witnesses. The accusation might yet prove false, but if there is 2 or 3 witnesses – then and only then warrants investigation. This is not meant to exempt elders from any accusation, but those that are illegitimate accusation. Now the intent of two or three witnesses is all about confirmation. It follows the principles in Deuteronomy 19:15 where no accusation against a person is to be upheld apart from two or three confirming credible and non-bias witnesses. We are never to receive any accusation against an Elder not even to entertain it or to investigate it or to look into it unless it has been confirmed by two or three significant and credible witnesses. Galatians 6:1- Sad to say this is not upheld in many churches.

To attack someone in authority is a very serious matter. One needs to have their facts straight and witnesses. Psalms 105:15 “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” God has given these leaders for the good of the church so beware! Proverbs 17:13 “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

III. Rebuking Elders (5:20-21)

1. Elders must be protected from false accusations but they are not to receive immunity from real and honest accusations. Those who sin are to be rebuked. The Greek is the present participle which means they sin continually. He doesn’t mention any specific kind of sin. Any sin that caused an elder to violate the qualifications in chapter 3:2-7 would be grounds for public rebuke, the word “rebuke” means to expose, to bring to open conviction, to correct, to reprove.

2. The sins of a man in leadership are more serious and are to be punished more seriously. James 3:1. When an accusation has been made and it’s been confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses and investigated, if it is indeed proven to be true, he is to be publicly rebuked. The word rebuke means to expose, to bring to open conviction, to correct, to reprove. And the idea is public, before all. There’s no contextual base for limiting it to just the elders. The church needs to be informed and of course this would be believers who are members of the church.

3. The ministry is a two-edged sword. Those who serve faithfully are to be honored and protected those who sins are to be removed and publicly rebuked. One of the purposes for the public rebuke is “so that others may take warning”. If leaders are in sin, it must be addressed directly with public rebuke, to promote a fear of sin among the leadership and the church. This is not being done today. Too many churches just look the other way…

Conclusion:

This strong statement I charge the before God…in verse 21 reflects the seriousness of the job of leaders in the church. Many churches have had great trouble because sin in the leadership was not directly dealt with. It’s important that everyone understand that leadership in the church does not shield one from accountability, it makes one even more accountable.

In the middle Ages, the church protected its corrupt bishops against accusation by demanding that 72 witnesses be brought forth to confirm any accusation against a bishop. We must confront sin especially among leadership. We know what happened under Joshua because Acken lie and stole. It affected the whole camp.

Communion

The Lord’s Supper became the normal celebration of the early church. Remember it began with Jesus at the Passover but by the time the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth they too had departed from the principles and truths of Communion. Today is the time to hit the reset button of your heart. Jesus taught us to seek forgiveness without delay. This is especially true when dealing with an offense. God’s forgiveness should lead us to fear Him, worship and adore God, for his grace and forgiveness.

If you listen to Sound of Life 93.7 in the
Newburgh/Beacon area, unfortunately
we’ll be off the air on 93.7 FM for a time.

The arrangement we had with the
landlord there has ended & sadly,
we’ll no longer be able to broadcast
from Mt. Beacon. We’re working on
a new lease with another company.

When the righteous are in authority,
the people rejoice: but when the
wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
— Proverbs 29:2