Sunday, November 17
Welcome to our Order of Service page! Each week, a team of pastors and staff get together to collaborate on the liturgy, or order of service, for Sunday. Every element is prayerfully and carefully crafted so that the Gospel, God’s redemptive story to save a people for Himself in and through His Son Jesus Christ, would be clear and compelling. We hope you’ll enjoy following along with us as we present and rehearse the Gospel again this morning.
Order of Service
WELCOME, CALL TO CORPORATE WORSHIP & PASTORAL PRAYER
Senior Pastor: David W. Hegg
ADORATION
Sing!
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
In Christ Alone (with Solid Rock)
RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE READING
Pastor of Corporate Worship: Ryan Foglesong
Ps. 27:1; 1 Cor. 3:11; Ps. 31:14-15a; Lam. 3:22-23; Heb. 13:8
TRUST & DEVOTION
All of Our Tomorrows
SPECIAL HONOR & PRAYER FOR THE OFFERING
Pastor of Worship Life: Peter Beers
Pastor of Corporate Worship: Ryan Foglesong
OFFERTORY
Do I Not Love Thee, O My Lord
PROCLAMATION: INSTRUCTION FROM GOD’S WORD
The Book of Matthew: The King & His Kingdom
Jesus Walks on Water
Matt. 14:22-36
Pastor of Equipping: Aaron Miller
ANNOUNCEMENTS & BENEDICTION
Pastor of Worship Life: Peter Beers
“Jesus demonstrates his power and proves he is trustworthy in the face of fear.”
Why do we have elders?
At Grace Baptist Church, we value the biblical model of leadership, which places the role of elders at the forefront of spiritual oversight and care. The structure and responsibilities of elders are rooted in Scripture and affirmed throughout church history. Here’s why:
1. The Biblical Pattern of Eldership
The New Testament clearly outlines a model of church leadership centered on the office of elders. In the early church, elders were appointed to provide spiritual oversight, teach sound doctrine, shepherd the flock, and protect the congregation from false teachings. Several passages highlight the importance and function of elders:
• Acts 14:23 – “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Here, we see Paul and Barnabas appointing elders in each church they planted, demonstrating a consistent practice of establishing spiritual leadership.
• Titus 1:5 – Paul instructs Titus: “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.” The necessity of elders for church order is evident in Paul’s command.
From these verses, it’s clear that elders are a non-negotiable aspect of a healthy church. The apostolic example set in the early church is still relevant and instructive for our church today.
2. The Role of Elders
Elders are tasked with multiple responsibilities that involve spiritual care and guidance for the church. They are called to lead by example and to teach sound doctrine. Consider these scriptures:
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7 – Paul lists the qualifications for an elder, emphasizing the importance of character, ability to teach, and a proven track record of managing one’s household well. Elders are to be “above reproach,” highlighting the high standard of moral and spiritual integrity required.
• 1 Peter 5:1-3 – Peter exhorts elders: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” Elders are shepherds who care for the spiritual well-being of the congregation.
The primary functions of elders include:
1. Teaching and Preaching – Elders ensure the congregation is fed spiritually through faithful and sound biblical teaching. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
2. Shepherding the Flock – Elders provide pastoral care, guiding and protecting the congregation. Hebrews 13:17 reminds believers to “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”
3. Guarding Against False Doctrine – Elders must protect the church from false teaching. In Titus 1:9, elders are to “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.”
3. Plurality of Elders
An important biblical principle is the plurality of elders, meaning a church should not be governed by a single individual but by a group of qualified men. This model reflects the wisdom of shared leadership and accountability, as seen in passages like:
• Acts 20:17 – Paul calls “the elders of the church” in Ephesus to come to him, indicating a collective group of leaders.
• Philippians 1:1 – Paul addresses the church in Philippi “with the overseers and deacons,” again pointing to multiple overseers.
A plurality of elders ensures balanced leadership, protects the church from authoritarian rule, and fosters a spirit of mutual accountability and collaboration.
4. Elders and Congregational Involvement
While elders are given spiritual authority, the New Testament also emphasizes congregational involvement in certain decisions. The relationship between elders and the congregation is one of mutual submission and respect. The elders lead and serve the body, while the congregation supports and trusts the leadership.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – Paul urges believers to “respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.”
• Hebrews 13:7 – “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Having elders is not simply a matter of tradition; it is a biblical mandate that ensures our church is shepherded well and remains faithful to God’s Word. Elders serve as examples of godliness, teachers of truth, protectors of the flock, and overseers of the church’s spiritual health. As a church family here at Grace Baptist, we are grateful for the elders God has appointed and remain committed to this scriptural model for the glory of Christ and the good of His church.