1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church
Message #8 September 2-3, 2006
Dr. Larry Osborne
The Care & Feeding Of A Spiritual Leader
1 Timothy 5:17-25
Sermon Outline
Note: PowerPoints and Small Group Worksheets
for this sermon are available at www.northcoastchurch.com.
An “Oh My Gosh” passage
We’ve done it all wrong!
Five principles that churches often do exactly the opposite!
No wonder so many are unhealthy
Illustration: Gold Fish
Good intentions, but dead fish!
I didn’t know the rules about changing water!
We flushed a lot of those suckers down the toilet before I bothered to find out why
Context of 1 Timothy: How to do church
1 Tim 3:14-15 ~ Although I hope to come to you soon, I’m writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God…
~ Earlier Chapters: How to pick your leaders
1 Tim 3:1-13 ~ Qualifications for leadership
~ Today’s Passage: How to treat your leaders:
(Care & Feeding)
— Read the passage!
THE PRINCIPLES:
How to Treat a Spiritual Leader
When they do well – pay them well.
1 Timothy 5:17-18/ Leviticus 7:30-35/ 1 Corinthians 9:7-15/ Galatians 6:6/ 1 Timothy 3:3 & 1 Peter 5:2
Lev 7:30-35 ~ Priest’s portion of the sacrifice
1 Cor 9:7-15 ~ Same for NT ministry
Gal 6:6 ~ Share with instructors
~ Who work at: (Lit. Labor to weariness)
~ Double Honor = Merit Pay
For excellent work! Not for filling a position!
Adequate support to all –
Abundant to those who excel
~ The Biblical Balance:
— Not greedy ~ 1 Tim 3:3
— Not FOR Money but eager to serve ~ 1 Pet 5:2
Illustration: Nancy’s Mom:
How will you support her? Image of poor & humble
~ N. Coast Standard:
Our goal is replacement value
~ My Goal:
As generous as we can be
Not as little as we can get by with
Elder: Treat as bad as they treat me at my work!
When they’re criticized – give them the benefit of the doubt.
1 Timothy 5:19/ Deuteronomy 17:6-7 & 19:15-20/ Matthew 18:15-16
~ Two or Three Witnesses
— Two or Three Witnesses
— Accuser Must Throw First Stone!
— False Accuser Gets The Same Punishment!
When someone brings an accusation
Mt 18:15-16
~ Ask, “Have you talked to them about it yet?”
~ Will you go with me and to talk to them?
~ Beware of a Cynical Spirit: Cynicism Kills!
When they mess up – don’t cover up.
1 Timothy 5:20-21/ James 3:1/ Galatians 2:11-15
James 3:1 Stricter judgment!
Gal 2:11-15 Paul rebukes Peter!
2 Chron 26 Uzziah: “Here lies a leper”
~ Rebuke Publicly!
ü Don’t try to protect God’s Reputation!
The Bible hides nothing ~ Warts and all!
ü Exposure equals the circle of influence
~ The Reason: So others may fear!
~ Absolutely No Favoritism!
Doesn’t matter how much “good: they’ve done!
When you choose one – take your time.
1 Timothy 5:22/ 1 Timothy 3:6 & 10
1 Tim 3:6 Not a recent convert
1 Tim 3: 10 Test them first!
~ Covered already in chapter 3
Illustration: Montebello 1st Baptist ignored Beemer’s past: He did it again!
Shares in their sin!
When they’re human – don’t be shocked.
1 Timothy 5:23-25/ 1 Corinthians 12:7-11/ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 7:5-6; 4:7
2 Cor 12:7-10 Paul’s Ego & his thorn in the flesh
2 Cor 7:5-6 Paul’s emotional Exhaustion & Depression!
1 Cor 12:7-11Giftedness is not spirituality
~ Straight lines with crooked sticks!
~ Timothy’s Shortcomings
— Too Young
— Timid
— Sickly (Frequent Ailments)
~ Keep your eyes on God!
— Acts 17:11
We can recite failings of the Biblical heroes without being fazed (we teach them to kids!) But shocked & dismayed when modern-day heroes have feet of clay
THREE TAKE HOME QUESTIONS:
Am I generous or stingy?
Do I believe the best or the worst?
Is my focus on God or man?
Available as a North Coast Church Podcast - www.northcoastchurch.com
Sermon Note Sheet
1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church
Message #8 September 2-3, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne
The Care & Feeding Of A Spiritual Leader
1 Timothy 5:17-25
THE PASSAGE:
1 Timothy 3:14-15/ 1 Timothy 3:1-13
THE PRINCIPLES:
How to Treat a Spiritual Leader
When they do well –___________________________.
1 Timothy 5:17-18/ Leviticus 7:30-35/ 1 Corinthians 9:7-15/ Galatians 6:6/ 1 Timothy 3:3 & 1 Peter 5:2
When they’re criticized – ___________________________.
1 Timothy 5:19/ Deuteronomy 17:6-7 & 19:15-20/ Matthew 18:15-16
When they mess up – ___________________________ .
1 Timothy 5:20-21/ James 3:1/ Galatians 2:11-15
When you choose one – ___________________________.
1 Timothy 5:22/ 1 Timothy 3:6 & 10
When they’re human –___________________________ .
1 Timothy 5:23-25/ 1 Corinthians 12:7-11/ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 7:5-6; 4:7
THREE TAKE HOME QUESTIONS:
Am I _________________ or _________________?
Do I believe _________________ or _________________?
Is my focus on _________________ or _________________?
Available as a North Coast Church Podcast - www.northcoastchurch.com
Food for Thought
For the week of September 3, 2006
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)
This week’s teaching closed with three questions to help us evaluate our personal response to spiritual leadership. Take a look at the questions below and then read the Scriptures to further your healthy response to leaders.
Am I generous or stingy?
God tells us that generosity isn’t dependent on a large bank account, but rather on an accurate perspective of our possessions and the role they play in advancing God’s Kingdom. How do the following passages help us gain the attitude and practice of generosity?
Luke 12:22-34
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Do I tend to believe the best or worst in others?
It’s no secret that seeing the best in others can, at times, be no small challenge. David gives us an amazing example of seeing the best in others as Saul, his King, attempts to take his life. What perspectives can you gain from David to help you see and believe the best in others?
1 Samuel 24:1-7
1 Samuel 26:1-25
How does Romans 13:1-6 add to this perspective of believing the best in those that lead us?
Is my focus on God or man?
Keeping our focus on God is important. Whenever we begin to place our trust and focus on the spiritual leaders instead of God, we’ll eventually be disappointed. Read Acts 17:11 and notice how even the Apostle Paul encouraged people not to blindly follow his leadership.
Have you ever found yourself angry at God for the failings of His servants?
Are you helped by your spiritual leaders or dependent upon them?
