Preparation #29 (Church Offices)

Sunday, July 31, 1999

Brian Kocourek

 

JEREMIAH 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

 

EPHESIANS 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men…..  11    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;   12    For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:   13    Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:   14    That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;   15    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

 

E-31 SPEAK TO THIS MOUNTAIN  57-1215   The  Bible  said  there's five offices in the  Church  that  is  ordained  of God and put in the Church--office holder.  First  is  apostles, prophet, teachers, evangelists, pastors. They are God's  foreordination,  by predestination, by foreknowledge. He saw  it,  placed it in the Church for every age.

 

E-61 AS THE EAGLE STIRRETH UP HER NEST  59-0815 Now,  God is a good... He sends His Word. If you won't  believe  His  Word,  then He puts in the Church  five  different  offices:  First,  apostle, prophets, teachers, pastors,  evangelists.  They are for the perfecting of the Church.

 

E-3 GOD'S PROVIDED WAY OF HEALING 54-0719.1A   Gifts  and  callings are without repentance. Those  things  are  first given of God. Them offices is set in the church by God. And  in  my  opinion, there's where so many of this day,  has  made  a  mistake.  When we say, "Now, I will go over and seek for  God  to make  me this, that." You cannot do that. See? You are  what  you  are by grace, nothing that you can do within yourself. God gives.  God  has set in the church apostles, teachers, and  prophets.  Is  that  right? God has set in the church for the  perfecting...  So  not  the bishop has them, or the elder has, or someone else,  but  God  has.  And  they--they are... Those offices has  put  in  the  church.

 

E-40 PROPHET LIKE UNTO MOSES 59-112 These gifts aren't called by the church, or so  forth, they are chosen by God. Apostles; second, prophets; third,  (I may not have these lined just right,) third I think is  teachers  and evangelists and pastors. Five spiritual offices  in  the  church to set the church in order. Apostles, prophets,  teachers,  evangelists,  pastors. Those are called offices by God.

 

E-12 JESUS CHRIST THE SAME 61-0205.2E   Then besides that, He's got five ministerial offices. First  is  apostles  or missionaries. The word apostle means "one  sent."  A missionary means "one sent." Secondarily, prophets,  evangelists,  pastors, and so forth. Those are God-given gifts that's set  into  the Church. They're predestinated of God, and set to the  Church.  You can't make yourself a minister. God's got to call you to be a  minister.

 

E-153 TAKE ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD  62-0701  John  14:12,  Jesus said, "He that believeth in me,  the  works  that  I do shall he do also." What is it? It's God in the  church  in  these five predestinated offices, backing up every Word  that  He said with the Holy Spirit, Himself, in there which is the Word  made manifest. Proving His resurrection, proving that He lives.

 

156-2 SMYRNAEAN CHURCH AGE  In every age we have exactly the same pattern. That is why  the  light  comes through some God-given messenger in a certain  area, and then from that messenger there spreads the light through  the ministry of others who have been faithfully taught. But of course  all  those who go out don't always learn how necessary it  is  to speak ONLY what the messenger has spoken. (Remember, Paul  warned  the people to say only what he said, I Corinthians 14:37, "If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him  acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the  COMMANDMENTS  OF THE LORD. What? came the Word of God out from you? or came  it  unto you only?") They add here, or take away there, and soon  the  message is no longer pure, and the revival dies down. How careful  we  must be to hear ONE voice, for the Spirit has but  one  voice  which is the voice of God. Paul warned them to say what he  said,  even  as Peter did likewise. He warned them that EVEN  HE  (PAUL) could not change one word of what he had given by revelation. Oh, how  important it is to hear the voice of God by way of His  messengers,  and  then say what has been given them to  say  to  the churches.

 

 

 

54 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS  64-0823.2E   There  is five offices elected of God. "For God has set in  the  Church  apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists."  God  did that. Man has deacons and so forth, and everything else,  but  you  see,  but God set in the Church for the  perfecting  of  the  Church--can't divide it. … NOTICE, HE SAID THE 5-FOLD ARE NOT VOTED IN… GOD PLACES THEM IN HIS CHURCH… THE DEACONS AND SO FORTH ARE VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE…

 

Deacons

 

I TIMOTHY 3:8     Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;  9    Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  10    And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.  11    Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  12    Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  13    For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

E-52 THIRSTING FOR LIFE  60-0304  And  this  little deer will get out to itself,  away  from  the  herd.  That's the one the wolf works on. And to you, old  man  or woman,  when you separate yourself from believers... People  say,  "I  can  stay at home, be just as good a Christian as  I  can  at  church." You can't.  The  Bible said, "Not forsake our assemble ourselves  together, and that much more as we see the time coming."  If  you're a Christian, you long to go where  other  Christians are,  and  fellowship with other Christians. So you  cannot  stay  away  from church and live the same life. You--you can't  do  it,  because it's like, "I'm hungry, but I will never go to a table. I just... I will never eat. I just--I ain't going to  do."  See? You've got to go and feed on the Word of God, and fellowship  one with another.   We  need one another more now than we ever did need each  other  is  now. When you get yourself singled out from the rest of  them  making yourself just a little different, you don't want to  associate  with  them because they believe this, and  don't  want  to associate  with that, you're getting on dangerous  ground,  right  then, keeping away from church. Find the one of your choice,  and  remain  there, and be a Christian brother to all of them.  That's  the  way to be a real Christian. Then we've got fellowship,  protection; people love you and pray for you.

 

3 IDENTIFICATION  64-0216   If you don't have a church, you must see you'll die  spiritually.  You'll  just dwindle away.

 

HEBREWS CHPTR 7 PT.2 CHURCH ORDER  57-0922

019   And if any persons then has a--a complaint against a deacon, or against the deacon, or somebody in the church, it takes three people. Three people would come and say--witness at the mouth of two or three witnesses. Come tell the pastor that there's a grievance against a deacon. Then if there's a grievance against a deacon, the deacon isn't a just man, a perfect man... He must hold the office of a deacon blameless, and then found blameless. And if that congregation finds out that that deacon's not holding that office, he gets three with him and takes it to the pastor. That deacon's asked to stay home over the night, and then the pastor from--comes and brings the congregation together, gives the grievance. And if the congregation votes for the deacon to continue on, the deacon continues on. If he con--votes for the deacon to be dismissed, they elect a new deacon that very night. See?  020   Therefore, no one person has nothing to do in this; it's the majority of the people. Yes, sir. If twenty votes for him, and twenty-one votes against him, he goes, or vice versa. See? That is, it's the sovereignty of the local church, and then each one of the members has a say-so in the church. Anything goes on wrong, then they can come right around, and the only thing they have to do is to be before God that they are absolutely see that nothing hinders the moving of the church. 021   But the full and complete authority of the church is the pastor. Read that in the Bible; see if that's not Bible order. That's exactly right. There's no one above the elder. I have nothing to do with what Brother Neville does here. That's up to you and Brother Neville. If Brother Neville wanted to preach Jehovah Witness doctrine, that's up to him and you. See? If he wanted to preach anything he wanted to, that's between you and him. That's all. If the congregation votes for him in there to preach that, that's all right. That's up to him.

 

 

 

Placing of Deacons  58-0720E 003 And then while this meeting was going on, and was told by the assistant pastor that we--selecting of the new board of deacons, that these had served their time out and--and resigned, and it was to select some more deacons. Now, the church... The way this is done is the board can appoint deacons, men that they have associated with and found to be honorable and just men. The office of a deacon is a very great office, and a great honor to the Lord to be a deacon in the church. And so in the meeting the other night, certain man was called out to me. And when meeting with the pastor, the following--this last Friday, which was agreed by this man that these were honorable and just men.    004   One young man that they had found, was not exactly qualified (not because that he wasn't the right type of man), one that was suggested by one of the honorable men of our trustee board. But as the pastor and I came together, and I asked the age of the young man, he was in his early twenties: honorable, just, and a real man, but find out that he was a single man. The Bible requires a deacon to be a married man. He must be the husband of one wife. And then another man which was a very honorable man, very qualified for the job and would made a loyal man, as a brother suggested him. Then after investigating the case, that the brother had just recently come into this faith; his wife doesn't believe in it. Then that disqualified the man as the office, because he must have all his family in subjection. They must be also in the faith, because it would be a conflict.

 

PLACING OF DEACONS 58-0720E 356-20   009   At this time I will have Brother Neville, our associate, to read the requirements of the deacon. Brother Neville, if you'll read it from the Word of God. [Brother Neville reads I Timothy 3:8-12--Ed.]: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine and greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

     010   Amen. I would at this time ask these brethren who has been called, if they would just walk forward here to the platform just a moment. And as we bow our heads just a moment for prayer, I want them... And the church knows what this is, that this is electing your deacon board and your treasurer. Lord Jesus, it is with sober, godly thinking that we come to Thee now. We come in respects of Thy most holy Word; we come believing that "Let every man's word be wrong, but God's be true." And we are grateful to Thee for this church which Jesus has purchased with His own precious Blood, and has given us this building to worship in... And as the overseers of this great flock, which the Holy Ghost has ordained us to be, we are trying now to present to this congregation a loyal, righteous bunch of men that we believe to be Spirit-filled and ready for the office. As it is once said concerning the deacon board, "Go, look out yourself among you, men of good reports and with the Holy Spirit, that they might serve in this manner to take care of the widows and orphans, to distribute the money, and to care for the welfare of the church." Later years we have just read the writing of that great, inspired, sainted Paul, who sets forth the declaration of the Scriptures of the requirements of such position. God, honor these men. And now it is the choice, Lord, as a sovereign church, as the body of the Lord Jesus, that they do the electing. And [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... and will direct this portion of the service in a special way, in that righteous and holy Name of Jesus.

      011   Now with our heads bowed, not only our heads but our hearts, and as every member of this church, that comes here regular and supports it with your tithe and offerings, which is considered a member of this church... While, the pastor and I, alone, the--the associate pastor, Brother Neville, and I look on, I would ask if this church finds Brother Taylor to be a just man and eligible, by the best of your thinking to be deacon over this group of people, you will signify the same by raising your hand.

 

TRUSTEES

CHURCH ORDER COD  63-1226  01   The trustees are over the finance and the building, and that's what they are to look after. But the pastor is over the--the supervising of the spiritual part, and this would go to you, Brother Neville.

 

TOTAL DELIVERANCE 59-0712   019   And then I have here also some--something for the bulletin board this morning, about the meeting of the board and their authority. And it'll be on the bulletin board, and I got a copy for Brother Roberson who is the chairman of the--of the trustees. And then I got a copy for Brother Collins, I think, who acts as the chairman of the deacon board. And now, all these offices are set according to the Scripture, and they must have the Scriptural rules of what they must do. Therefore, the trustees has an office of their own. And the deacons has an office of their own. The Sunday school superintendent has an office of his own. And the pastor is the head of the flock. 020   Now, each one of these has things in common. And I think that your meeting should not be together, but it should be as each office, 'cause the deacons has nothing to say to the trustees unless they got some business to present to them. And vice versa, the trustees is over the finance and things of the building; they have nothing with the deacons. The deacons are the policemen of the church, and the assistants to the pastor. And the trustees is the holding of all the property. The trustees has nothing to do with the spiritual end of it, and the deacon has nothing to do with the financial end of it. Therefore, it must be. And the Sunday school superintendent is over his Sunday school. So I've got it all wrote, typed out, to be on the bulletin board.   021   And then we are also going to get in a frame the doctrine that the church stands for, and have it framed in here in the church; what we stand for, the--the principles, the doctrine of the church. Now, to be a church, we got to have a doctrine.

 

CHURCH ORDER COD  63-1226    008   Now, the first one is: 220. How shall the church act towards calls for financial help of--for food and clothing? What--what act, what--what should the church do? Now, we realize that the church is responsible for its own, for our members here of the church; we are totally responsible as far as we have needs to supply them with. We are responsible for our own; that's steady, constant members of the Tabernacle that come here and worship with us. We are duty bound to them, as our brothers and sisters who have proven to be our members of this gathering. Now, we realize that there is millions tonight without food, without clothing, and we would love to be able to help the whole group of them, to do everything we could; but financially we cannot do that; we can't support all the world. But we are duty bound to our own. And I think, in that, and then if we have anything left over that you'd want to contribute to people who are not members here of this church, something that you'd want to give to them, it should be met between the board of the deacons.   009   The deacons is the one that--that has to meet this opposition, or this problem, rather; because that in the Bible when the dispute come up about food, and clothing, and so forth, in the Book of Acts, they called the apostles in about it, and they said, "Go look out for yourself seven men of honest report and full of the Holy Ghost that they might attend to these things, because we will give ourself continually to the Word of God and in prayer." And it isn't the pastor's duty to look out to the--for the food and so forth. That's supposed to be by the deacons. It isn't the trustees; it is the deacons' office to do this. And then this should be... Remember in the Bible they was contributing to their own, the Greeks and the--and the Jewish, where the argument come up that one was getting a little more than the other, but it was people who had sold all their goods and had give it into the church for its support, and then to--to be divided out among them equally. And there was a little dispute come up, and there's where we got our first deacons. And that's one of their duties, is to do that

 

TOTAL DELIVERANCE 59-0712  020   Now, each one of these has things in common. And I think that your meeting should not be together, but it should be as each office, 'cause the deacons has nothing to say to the trustees unless they got some business to present to them. And vice versa, the trustees is over the finance and things of the building; they have nothing with the deacons. The deacons are the policemen of the church, and the assistants to the pastor. And the trustees is the holding of all the property. The trustees has nothing to do with the spiritual end of it, and the deacon has nothing to do with the financial end of it. Therefore, it must be. And the Sunday school superintendent is over his Sunday school. So I've got it all wrote, typed out, to be on the bulletin board.   021   And then we are also going to get in a frame the doctrine that the church stands for, and have it framed in here in the church; what we stand for, the--the principles, the doctrine of the church. Now, to be a church, we got to have a doctrine. We don't draw down any stake and say, "We just go this far." We go out just as far with fellowship with everybody that God will let us go in His Scriptures with the people. And now stick together; be of one accord, one heart, and move on for God. That's the way God wants us to do. Now, let us pray and then open the Word.

 

CHURCH ORDER  COD  63-1226    901-134   068   Now the trustees, only thing, they're under duty by God to watch that finances and take care of that, the things that goes on like that. I told you about them tapes, and--and about other things here that goes on, about the building and repairs, and taking up the finances and things, that's--that's what they're trustee of: the property, finances, and things. The deacons has nothing to do in that. And neither does the--the trustee have anything to do with the deacons' office. Now, if the deacons wants to ask the trustee's help on anything, or the--or the trustees the deacon's, and you're all working together... But that's your duties, is singling out. See? All right.