Who Will Replace Them? NORTHWOOD

I. Who Will Replace Them?

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16

II. Introduction: This is a sobering lesson for me to preach and for you to hear; but it is something important that we must consider. It may go a little long, but I trust that if we apply what is taught here then a little extra time will be well worth it.

III. Transitions in leadership

A. Moses and Joshua

B. Moses led the people from the land of Egypt through the wilderness and to the edge of the Promised Land. Because of his sin, Moses could not lead the people into the Promised Land. Numbers 27:12-23 – The changing leadership

C. Joshua had been training for over forty years

D. Joshua led the assault against the Amelekites who attacked their rear ranks when going through the wilderness (Exodus 17).Joshua was Moses’ assistant when he went to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law, Exodus 24:12-13. Joshua did not depart from the tabernacle. He drew close to God when Israel drew away from God, Exodus 33:10-11. Joshua was one of the spies sent to evaluate the land of Canaan and one of the two who said they could take the land (Numbers 13-14).Deuteronomy 34:9-12 – Comparison of Joshua and Moses When Moses died, Joshua was ready to lead the people on the conquest of the Promised Land.

E. Elijah and Elisha

F. Elijah was a powerful prophet and diligent servant of God.

G. He confronted wicked kings and queens such as Ahab and Jezebel. His own people sometimes treated him as an enemy. He had great victories such as the contest on Mt. Carmel where God proved that He alone is God, 1 Kings 18.

H. Israel recognized him as the greatest prophet of Israel, the standard to measure all other prophets.

I. He was the pattern for John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. He was with Jesus and Moses at Jesus’ transfiguration.

J. When his time of service concluded, he appointed Elisha to be a prophet in his place.

K. 1 Kings 19:15-19 – Elisha anointed2 Kings 2:9-15 – Transition of office to Elisha

L. Elisha continued the work of Elijah in trying to turn Israel back to God and confronting wicked kings.

M. Jesus and the Apostles

N. Jesus came to preach about the new kingdom, died to save men, rose from the dead to conquer death, and returned to the Father to reign over the kingdom.

O. Jesus spent much time preparing his apostles to carry on His work after His death.

P. Mark 16:15-16 – “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Q. Jesus intended His great work to continue from generation to generation.

R. He could not continue the work Himself so entrusted it to others to carry it out with His help.2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

IV. God’s people need leadership, Ephesians 4:11-16

A. God gave us elders (pastors in Ephesians 4)

B. They are to lead the church as a shepherd leads a flock. They are to feed and protect the flock; Titus 1:9-11; 1 Peter 5:1-5

C. God gave us preachers (evangelists in Ephesians 4)

D. Proclaim the word of truth, Romans 10:14-15. Teach when it is unpopular, 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

E. God gave us teachers

F. Teachers instruct in the word and build up students in righteousness. James 3:1 – “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

G. Each member has a role in the Lord’s body.

H. Each person diligently doing what he can do causes the church to grow.

I. Ephesians 4:16 – Each part does it’s share for growth Gideon’s army (Judges 7) stood in their place as God instructed and the Lord brought about a victory.

J. Everyone needs to work.

K. Church growth is not the product of the efforts of a few. Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We must learn the skills to work effectively.

L. At Northwood, God has blessed us with good elders, hardworking deacons, effective Bible class teachers, a preacher, and other active members.

M. Our current situation is good though we can always improve. However, I want us to ask ourselves what will our future look like.

V. Future considerations

A. Elders

B. We have fine elders but could lose the eldership due to:

C. Incapacitation – can no longer lead as they should Death – Cannot have one man ruling as an elder Death of a spouse The church works more effectively with good elders—it reflects God’s wisdom in giving them to us.

D. What will the situation be 20 or 40 years from now?

E. Young men must prepare now to lead God’s people.

F. They must learn the truth thoroughly so they can exhort and defend the church. They must begin to work with their brethren and learn how to help in a time of need. They must make good marriage choices and raise their children to be faithful in God. Women must prepare to be effective in supporting their husbands when they become elders. They must live righteously not only for righteousness’ sake but to have a good reputation with those on the outside. Young men, we need you to prepare yourselves to lead the Lord’s church wherever you live.

G. Preachers

H. Think of a preacher that has really influenced your life.

I. They probably taught clearly and you learned something from them. They probably seemed genuinely concerned about your soul.

J. They taught against error no matter how difficult it was to do so at the time.

K. During the divisions over instrumental music and institutionalism, some preachers got into the pulpits knowing that after their sermon they would likely be told to find another place to preach.

L. Church members have ignored or made malicious comments about preachers because of things they have taught or personality differences.

M. As a result, some men become discouraged, give up preaching, and return to secular work. Some have quit preaching because their families were held up to standards that no other family in the church was held to; their wives became emotionally sick and the preachers quit for the happiness of their wives.

N. Many preachers are having to retire due to the effects of old age; some preachers have already left this world to go to their reward.

O. Who will take their place?

P. There are often men willing to preach when they can find no other occupation. “I can’t work, at least I can preach.” Where are the men who must preach the gospel no matter the cost? Many front line soldiers are dying in battle or have been honorably discharged. Who will pick up the sword and face the enemy in their place?

Q. Teachers

R. We have many good teachers who have spent countless hours developing effective classes to teach students. Most of us can remember a special Bible class teacher that taught us well and made a difference in our lives. Many teachers that influenced my life can no longer teach, or teach as often, because of declining health; others are teaching but will not be able to do so 20 or 30 years from now.

S. Who will take their place?

T. A teacher who loves students and who will sacrifice time to develop good lessons (not whip something up a couple of hours before class) is rare. We need young people learning now to teach future generations. You can be the teacher that some future student reflects upon and is thankful that you directed his life in the right way.

U. Effective members

V. Men and women who are leaders in the community and hardworking church members are priceless. We need

W. Deans and teachers who stand for truth in an environment often hostile to belief in God and high moral values Owners of companies who stand by godly principles in business environments where “white” lies, filthy language, and accounting deception is ignored or approved Distinguished scholars who realize that Biblical scholarship and exhorting brethren is of infinitely greater value Those who have become leaders in their field but would not sacrifice integrity or hide their Christianity Who will take their place, leading by conviction and not sacrificing the Lord’s work for worldly endeavors? We need such people to be lights in the community.

X. We have leaders among our college students who help other students grow spiritually and build strong bonds among the students here.

Y. They are going to graduate and move away. College students, which of you will rise and provide a positive example, confident Christianity, and involvement with the church here and lead your fellow students to higher service instead of allowing them to drown in the waste that is often a part of college life?

VI. Considerations

A. Just as Moses trained Joshua, Elijah trained Elisha, and Jesus trained the apostles, the older people today need to train the younger people to be tomorrow’s leaders.

B. The young must seek the knowledge and skills to grow spiritually so they will be useful for service. We need to know how to be effective workers and begin making decisions now that will prepare us for tomorrow.

C. After Joshua died, Israel was without leadership.

D. After Joshua died, a faithless generation arose that did not know God and did not serve Him.

E. They did not serve God, Judges 2:7-12

F. They had ineffective leadership and the people continued to get worse.

G. Jeremiah 5:30-31 – “An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” Eventually, God punished them severely for their wickedness.

H. We must not let this happen at Northwood or any church to which we belong.

I. Isaiah 6:8 – “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’.” Who will say, “Here am I!” and work so that it does not happen?

VII. Passing the baton

A. I used to run a 440-yard relay in school.

B. Each team would have four people who would each run 110 yards. As you approached the other runner, you would extend the baton and the other runner would slowly begin to run with his hand extended, ready to receive the baton.

C. After the baton was passed, the previous runner would stop.

D. No matter how hard or how well the first runner ran, he could only directly affect the segment he was assigned to run. His quick run might give the next runner a head start, but it was up to each runner to run quickly in his segment to continue the progress. If any runner did not give his best, the whole team would suffer. No matter how well the first runner may have raced, if any of the other runners on the team gave up, they would lose the race.

E. We have a baton given by those who started the work here at Northwood.

F. The baton was given by Christ so that we would do the work in this area.

G. We have run far and accomplished much, yet there is always more work to do.

H. Each generation must face false teaching within and without. Each generation must face challenges of members undergoing weakness or great trials and tribulation. Each generation will have new groups of lost people to teach in the community. Each generation will have the responsibility to train the generation that will follow; that will take the baton and continue the race.

I. Future leadership

J. Twenty years from now, some who are active now will be deceased, incapacitated, or no longer living in the area. Thirty or forty years from now, even more will no longer be active due to reasons beyond their control.

K. Who will carry the baton when these are ready to pass it on?

L. No matter how well our generation runs, the next generation—you who are our college students, junior high and high school students, elementary school students—must run as fast or faster to continue the work, or we will “lose the race” here in Northport.

M. The work will not progress if the next generation fails. Our generation will have no control over it except as training them as best we can.

N. Where are the great churches of the Bible: Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Ephesus, Philippi, and Corinth?

O. Did they think that since Paul and Peter and other apostles started their churches or preached from there that they would continue indefinitely? Did their name in the Bible insure a permanent existence? Did the last few members talk about what great things happened in the past with their church as they faded from the scene?

P. Where are the large churches started by the phenomenal growth in America during the 1800’s? Did they think that since great preachers stood in their pulpits or founded their works that they would continue forever?

Q. Some fell in love with the idea of being big or respectable in a denominational world and joined in that movement. Some likely rested on their past successes and failed to plan for the future.

R. Where will the church in Northport be if we, or future generations, cease to run quickly, or worse, quit?

S. An old, dead congregation (Revelation 3:1 (Sardis) ““I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” No church of the Lord’s people at all

T. Moses trained Joshua, Elijah trained Elisha, and Jesus trained the apostles; are you training someone to take your place?

U. Young people, are you setting goals and making decisions that will position you as a fast runner when we hand you the baton?

V. Only you can prepare yourself though you can ask others to help. We are counting on you, the Lord is counting on you; please do not fail. Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

VIII. Who Will Take Their Place? By Rhodes Davis