Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:  just as He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love.  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,  to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Thou hast struck a heavy blow at my pride,  at the false god of self, and I lie in pieces before thee.

But thou hast given me another Master and Lord, thy Son, Jesus, and now my heart is turned towards holiness, my life speeds as an arrow from a bow. towards complete obedience to thee.

Help me in all my doings to put down sin and to humble pride.

Save me from the love of the world and the pride of life, from everthing that is natural to fallen man,  and let Christ's nature be seen in me day and day.

Grant me grace to bear thy will without repining, and delight to be not only chiselled, squared, or fashioned, but separated from the old rock where I have been enbedded so long, and lifted from the quarry to the upper air, where I may be built in Christ for ever.  

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

Order in the Church: 

Elders: Role Models of Faith

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Part 1 & 2

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way."  - John Maxwell 

The Elder is the one who is to know the faith, walk the faith and teach the faith.  

Therefore what he models in his own life, is to be modelled by all believers.  

Therefore, like Elders ...

1. Believers are called to evangelize and disciple

2. Believers are called to be live lives above reproach

3. Believers are called to be faithful to their spouses

4. Believers are called to exhibit sober mindedness in their lives

5. Believers are called to exhibit self control in their lives 

6. Believers are called to live lives that are respectable.

7. Believers are called to be be ambassadors of hospitality

8. Believers are called to be able to communicate their beliefs

9. Believers are called to lives of sobriety

10. Believes are called to be gentleness not violence 

1 Co 10:31-33  Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;  just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

This week prepare your hearts for Sunday's sermon by reading through this week's text, 1 Timothy 3:1-7