SERMON OUTLINE

Definition: Christ has given every local church binding authority and responsibility as a congregation to guard the gospel, affirm believers, grow disciples, and enact church discipline, under the Lordship of Christ himself and the leadership of the congregation’s elders. In other words, under Christ’s Lordship, and the elders’ leadership, the gathered congregation is in charge of the “what” and “who” of the gospel, i.e., the church’s doctrine, membership, and discipline.

The Congregation’s Authority:

1. The congregation must guard the church’s doctrine (Gal 1:8–9; Rev 2:13–16)
2. The congregation must guard the church’s membership (Matt 18:18; 28:18–20)
3. The congregation must guard the church’s discipline (Matt 18:15–20; 1 Cor 5:1–13)

The Elders’ Authority:

1. The elders train the congregation by teaching the Bible (Eph 4:11–16).
2. The elders lead the congregation by exemplifying the Bible (1 Tim 4:12; Titus 2:7–8; 1 Pet 5:3)
3. The elders oversee the congregation in obedience to the Bible (1 Pet 5:1–4; Heb 13:17).

Your Responsibilities as a Church Member¹

1. Attend church regularly.
2. Preserve the gospel.
3. Affirm gospel citizens.
4. Attend members’ meetings.
5. Disciple other church members.
6. Share the gospel with outsiders.
7. Follow your leaders.

¹  Adapted from Jonathan Leeman, Understanding the Congregation’s Authority (Nashville: B&H, 2016), 53–57.