Introduction:

A. The very first earthly king in the nation of Israel (after the kingdom divided) sinned and caused the people to as well: I Kings 14:16 “And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.”

1. His sin was that he feared the people uniting with Judah if they went to worship in Jerusalem, so he introduced idol worship and the people followed his sin (I Kings 12:25-33).

B. We must arrive at some truths from this lesson.

1. Followers are lead into apostasy by their leaders, and that apostasy spreads to generations following.
2. How we can make sure that we do not follow bad leadership.
3. What leadership the church needs and does not need today.

A. The sin of Jeroboam and the results lead people astray long after his death:

1. I Kings 16:1-2 
2. I Kings 22:51-52
3. II Kings 3:1-3
4. II Kings 10:29-32
5. II Kings 13:1-6
6. II Kings 13:10-11
7. II Kings 14:23-24
8. II Kings 15:8-9
9. II Kings 15:17-18
10. II Kings 15:23-24
11. II Kings 15:27-28

a. Notice the comparison of what Jeroboam has done to Israel with what those in apostasy have done to the church!

B. This following of the ways of Jeroboam was the downfall of the people of Israel (II Kings 17:20-23).
C. Notice what the Lord said: Matthew 15:14.

1. Spiritual blindness defined: Acts 28:26-27.
2. Satan will help anyone be blind (II Corinthians 4:3-4). 

D. We can see in the church today those who follow what men who have said and have never studied what the Bible teaches on certain issues.

1. We are to be a Bible quoting people, not doctrines of men holders:

a. I Peter 4:11 
b. Matthew 15:7-9 

2. Nor should brethren divide into sects because they follow men, for this type of division is wrong (I Corinthians 1:10-13).

A. Ask the question: “Are those in the lead following the Lord or their own path?”

1. Notice Paul’s attitude:

a. Follow me he says - I Corinthians 4:16.
b. As long as I follow Christ is his qualifier – I Corinthians 4:17.   Cf. I Corinthians 11:1.

2. A godly leader will never say to those he is leading “follow me even though the Bible does not say this is right” either by statement or implication.  A godly leader will recognize Acts 5:29.  That is the warning God gives, do not follow men that are not following God!

a. Colossians 2:8 
b. I Timothy 4:1-2 

3. Godly leaders show by their actions that they know Christ is the head of the church, not themselves (Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18).

B. To be able to recognize bad leadership we have to know what the Bible teaches about leadership.  EX. Some who knows nothing about apples cannot tell a good one from a bad one. 

1. We must study (John 5:39 and II Timothy 2:15).

a. In studying we must apply what we learn, or our studying is empty and we will be as Paul wrote to Timothy (II Timothy 3:7). 

2.  We must be ready to defend the truth (Jude 3), and to give an answer when asked (I Peter 3:15).

A. The church does not need preachers acting as they have “evangelistic oversight”.  [Preachers are not a replacement for elderships nor should they have sole authority in a church with or without elders].

1. There is no authority for it (Colossians 3:17).
2. It is a dangerous arrangement.

B. The church does not need men who control things like Diotrephes (III John 1-11).
C. The church DOES NEED elders who meet the qualifications outlined in the N.T.

1. The church is to appoint elders (Titus 1:5).
2. The elders are to:

a. Oversee the local flock without lording over them but by being an example (I Peter 5:1-3).
b. Feed and protect (Acts 20:28).
c. Rule well (I Timothy 5:17).
d. Guide the flock (Hebrews 13:7).

3. The elders are to meet the qualifications outlined in Titus 1:6-9 and I Timothy 3:1-7.

a. Just as any other command in the Bible, God does not want us to improvise and put unqualified men in the office of an elder.
b. We infer, since God has allowed, men to lead [WHICH SHOULD BE TEMPORARY] and thus we count on the men of congregations without elders to take care of this business of the church (Acts 6:1-6).
c. If would notice the qualifications of elders, we would not that many of these are things ALL CHRISTIANS should be doing (Galatians 5:55-26 and II Peter 1:4-10).  IS IT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE MANY MEN QUALIFIED TO BE ELDERS, OR IS IT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE MANY MEN QUALIFIED TO BE CHRISTIANS???
d. With elders in place congregations can also seek to put qualified deacons [servants] in place as well (I Timothy 3:8-13).

D. Congregations that do not have elders have various presented problems.

1. Christian men of all ranges of maturity are making decisions.
2. Preachers are put into positions of leadership like the “pastor system” of the Baptist church, that are often uncomfortable for the sound preachers and lead to compromise for those preachers who are not sound.
3. There is a lack of men who meet the qualifications to be examples to younger men, and the protecting of the flock falls onto younger, less able brethren.

A. Christians are to be examples, thus every congregation has leaders in one way or another (Matthew 5:14-16).

1. The Christians who are examples should exemplify truth and good character by walking in the light (Psalms 119:105 and I John 1:7).
2. They should act in humility and never take an overbearing leadership role by becoming a Diotrephes.

B. Congregations need to try and train young men up to be QUALIFIED elders, deacons, and gospel preachers (Acts 14:23). 
C. Brethren need to be aware of the seeds that Satan may sow among the flock.

1. Among you (Matthew 7:15-20).
2. Among you (Acts 20:29-30).
3. Among you (II Peter 2:1-3).

a. We must examine folks who come among us and seek to keep the flock pure…
b. That does not mean that everyone is an enemy.

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.