Overseers ~ 20230514 ~ Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org

05/14 Philippians 1:1; Saints and Overseers; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20230514_philippians-overseers.mp3

We are beginning to look at Paul’s letter to the church in the Roman colony of Philippi, a church planted by Paul, and Silas, a leading man from the Jewish Jerusalem church, a prophet, and Timothy, a believer from Lystra in Asia Minor, well spoken of by the brothers, whose mother was Jewish but his father was a Greek, and Luke, the beloved physician who apparently stayed behind in Philippi to help establish the growing church.

Paul begins the letter by identifying who is writing, and to whom he is writing.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

Apostles as Slaves

Last week we looked at Paul the Apostle (the verb ἀποστέλλω means to send out; the noun ἀπόστολος means a messenger, delegate, ambassador, authorized and sent out with authority). Paul was sent out by the resurrected Jesus with his authority to proclaim his message. But Paul and the other Apostles had learned from Jesus that his kind of leadership is servant leadership, so Paul refers to himself along with Timothy simply as ‘slaves of Christ Jesus’.

Today we’ll begin to look at who this letter is addressed to. It is ‘To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons’.

The Saints

Paul names the Jesus followers in this church as ‘saints’. The word ‘saint’ simply means holy or set apart. They are set apart from the world, set apart to God, to belong to him, to be useful to him.

This is no special class of believer; this would include the businesswoman Lydia from Thyatira, whose heart the Lord had opened, the formerly demonized slave girl who was set free, and the callous Roman jailer who came to the end of himself and realized his need for a Savior.

And this is no status achieved by effort or personal godliness. From the moment those three believed in Jesus, they became saints, holy ones, set apart for God. Not because they were holy in and of themselves; they only are saints because they are ‘in Christ Jesus’. They are set apart for God. They have been sanctified; made holy by the blood of Jesus, clothed in his perfect righteousness. Everyone who simply believes, puts his or her trust in Jesus alone, depends on Jesus, is connected with Jesus, is in Jesus, and is therefore called a saint.

Overseers

This letter is addressed to the saints, together with the overseers and deacons. Today we will examine what an ‘overseer’ is, and Lord willing next week we will look at what the Bible says about ‘deacons’.

Overseer is a good translation of the Greek word [ἐπίσκοπος], which is a compound word made up of the prefix [ἐπί] which means over, and the noun [σκοπός] which means a sentry, a watch. An overseer is one who looks to, keeps an eye on, watches over, watches out for those under his care. Bishop was the Old English word used to translate [ἐπίσκοπος] in the King James Bible.

Overseers Equivalent to Elders

The first time this word ‘overseer’ [ἐπίσκοπος] shows up is in Acts 20:28

Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to [προσέχετε] yourselves and to all the flock [ποιμνίῳ], in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [ἐπισκόπους], to care for [ποιμαίνειν] the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Spirit-Appointed

This verse tells us a lot about overseers. First of all, Paul acknowledges that it is the Holy Spirit who appoints overseers in the church. Paul had briefly visited Ephesus on his return from his second journey when the church in Philippi was birthed (Acts 18:19-21) and then for about 3 years (AD52-55) on his third journey, until “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Ac.19:10). It is likely that Paul had at least a part in establishing the leadership of the church in Ephesus as he did in so many others, but he acknowledges that ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who appoints the overseers of the church.

Overseers Shepherd

This passage also says much about what the overseers are to do. They are to shepherd the flock, the blood bought church of God. The word ‘pastor’ comes from the Latin for shepherd or herdsman, which was derived from ‘pascere’; to pasture or feed. We’ll come back to this in a minute.

Watch Out For Wolves

But let’s zoom out to what’s going on in this passage. In Acts 20, returning from Macedonia and Greece, Paul was sailing past Ephesus in order to make it to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. He stopped in the coastal town of Miletus, about 30 miles south of Ephesus.

Acts 20:17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders [πρεσβυτέρους] of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

There’s several things to see here. Paul tells the overseers to shepherd diligently with specific attention to the danger of wolves; false teachers who twist things. That danger can come from outside or in. Even overseers from among themselves who draw disciples after them; to draw a disciple after a prominent leader is to draw that disciple away from Jesus, whom we all ought to follow.

Paul places primary emphasis on the word. He gave them an example, he ‘did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house’ (v.20). His mission was ‘to testify to the gospel of the grace of God’ (v.24). His conscience is clean, because ‘I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God’ (v.27). In verse 32 he says ‘And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.’

Elders are Overseers

Remember who Paul is talking to here. He called for the elders of the church in Ephesus. Addressing the elders, he called them to shepherd with diligence, because the Spirit had made them overseers. So elders are overseers who are called to shepherd God’s church.

Elders Appointed in Every Church

Remember back in Acts 14, when Paul and Barnabas first preached the gospel in Asia Minor,

Acts 14:21 When they had preached the gospel to that city [Derbe] and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders [πρεσβυτερους] for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

They appointed elders in every church. Elders, who would oversee and shepherd the flock of God. We see this word ‘elders’ throughout the gospels and much of Acts referring to the Jewish leadership, the elders, together with the chief priests and the scribes. This goes all the way back to Moses in the Old Testament, establishing elders as leaders of Israel, to share the burden of leading, who according to Exodus 18:21 were to be ‘able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe’; according to Numbers 11:16-17 ‘whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them’; upon whom the LORD put his Spirit; according to Deuteronomy 1:13 ‘wise, understanding, and experienced men’.

Notice, Paul called for the elders (plural) of the church. In Acts 14 they appointed elders (plural) in every church. Paul writes to Titus:

Titus 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Plurality of Elders

Notice it doesn’t say they appointed an elder in every church or town; elders and overseers are always seen as plural, except when describing the qualifications for an elder or overseer.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Paul exampled this himself; he was always taking along a Barnabas, a Silas, John Mark, Timothy, Titus, Luke; co-workers, co-laborers, comrades. When Jesus sent out his apostles, he sent them out in pairs (Mk.6:7; cf. Lk.10:1)

Overseers/Elders are to Steward God’s House

Paul goes on to give Titus specific instructions for appointing elders in every town;

Titus 1:6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer [ἐπίσκοπον], as God's steward [οἰκονόμον], must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Again we see elder and overseer used interchangeably. We see necessity of character, and the priority of the word; holding firm to what he has been taught, giving instruction in sound doctrine, and rebuking wolves.

Paul gives Titus another description, another metaphor for the elder/overseer. An overseer is God’s steward [οἰκονόμος], or household manager. Stewards feature in some of Jesus’ parables;

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Stewards are put over God’s household, to manage it, but they are first servants, who will give account to their Master.

Jesus Gifts the Church with Shepherd/Teachers

When Paul writes in Ephesians 4, he is speaking from the perspective of Jesus giving gifts to men.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Jesus has gifted shepherd/teachers to build up the body, foster unity, deepen our affection for Jesus, guard against false teaching, equip the saints for ministry.

The Chief Shepherd

Peter, who had denied Jesus three times; Peter, when Jesus spoke with him after the resurrection, Jesus said to him “Feed my lambs”; “Tend [or shepherd] my sheep”; “Feed my sheep” (Jn.21:15-17).

When Peter writes to the churches ‘in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1Pet.1:1), he says:

1 Peter 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder [συμπρεσβύτερος] and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you [ποιμάνατε τὸ ἐν ὑμῖν ποίμνιον τοῦ θεοῦ], exercising oversight [ἐπισκοποῦντες], not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge [κλήρων], but being examples to the flock [ποιμνίου]. 4 And when the chief Shepherd [ἀρχιποίμενος] appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders [πρεσβυτέροις]. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Peter exhorts the elders to shepherd the flock of God, exercising oversight, but he reminds us that the chief Shepherd, Jesus is coming back. He said in chapter 2

1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus is the chief Shepherd. Jesus is the Overseer. Every elder who shepherds, oversees, manages the house, is under the chief Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep [τὸν ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν], by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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2023.05.14 Sermon Notes

Saints and Overseers; Philippians 1:1

Saints; holy ones; set apart for God

2 Timothy 2:21; Acts 26:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Overseers [episkopos] - those who watch over

Acts 20:17-38, especially v.28

-Holy Spirit appointed

-overseers shepherd (pastor) the flock

-guard against wolves

-primary emphasis on the word

-elders are overseers

Appoint elders in every church

Acts 14:21-23; Titus 1:5-9

-Elders/overseers are always plural

-overseers steward God’s house

Luke 12:42-48

Jesus gifts the church with shepherds/teachers

Ephesians 4:11-14

-to build up the body in unity

-to guard against false teaching

-to equip the saints for ministry

Jesus is the chief-Shepherd and Overseer

1 Peter 5:1-5; 2:25; Hebrews 13:20-21

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Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org