Proper Order In the House Of God – Leadership Integrity
1 Timothy 3:1-13
INTRODUCTION:
A. We all like order – howbeit, maybe not the same order
1. Take Denise and I for example: if it can be done in more than one way – we will do it differently
a. Making a bed
b. Doing dishes
c. Going to Walmart (had to get that one in)
2. Even those who seem to be disorderly do have order – it is the way we are able to live
3. Many disagreements within marriages, especially younger couples, come from a disruption of order or the conflict brought about by trying to re-order
4. Like I said, even when there seems to be disorder – often it is not: You can look at my desk at times and wonder, yet I have a method to my madness.
B. Some type of order is necessary in all areas of life: governmental, social, personal, church.
1. Today we will continue what we began last week concerning order within the house of God or church.
2. Please remember what we said concerning the term “house of God”
- We are not necessarily speaking about the place of worship but rather the group that worships as God’s church
3. So in chapter three Paul continues this line of thought and speaks of two leaders: Bishops (pastors) and Deacons
C. As a side note, it is important to understand that these are the only two positions (with the exception of elders – depending on how you would define that term) that God ordained as leaders in His church.
1. Nowhere do we find a biblical authority for a enlarged ecclesiastical body including priests (the priesthood ended with Christ), bishops, archbishops, cardinals and pope.
2. I bring this up because if God had intended for these to be in place He would have outlined them in this manner – because He sees the need for order and integrity in these areas.
D. So today we will look at the two groups of leaders in the church:
1. Bishop (which could also be known as a Pastor, Elder or Overseer)
2. And Deacon.
PRAYER
Paul begins with a description of the leadership position of
I. THE BISHOP (of whom I will call PASTOR from this point), 1 Tim. 3:1-7 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
A. First, let’s Clear Up Some Confusion
1. The Greek word used in this text and translated “bishop” would be translated more literally as “Overseer”
a. It has been translated bishop, pastor, elder or Overseer
b. As such he was responsible for the “overseeing” of the church
1) Its members
2) As well as its purpose and mission
2. This portion of Paul’s letter was probably prompted by those false teachers who were striving for leadership positions – for any and all but pure reasons.
3. So lets move on and look at
B. The Desire.
1. This is really the grand starting point of one who would be a pastor
2. The Greek word translated “desire” or “aspires” is in the present indicative middle form
a. The presence tense views the act as more than a passing interest
b. The indicative mood is a statement of fact
c. The middle voice may point to the inward nature of the desire
3. In other words the desire is something that wells up from inside and cannot be suppressed by a simple action or circumstance from outside.
4. Furthermore, Paul stated that this desire is for a good work - a place that is honorable and profitable (not in the monetary sense)
5. But desire is not enough – there has to be more
C. The Qualifications
1. Blameless or above reproach – to this, John MacArthur states, it “means ‘not able to be held.’ The man who is above reproach cannot be arrested and held as if he were a criminal; there is nothing for which to accuse him.”
2. The husband of one wife – hence the term “man” in verse 1.
a. There has been much debate on this in many directions
b. Liberal theologians would have us to believe that this does not eliminate women – though I have read their position papers, it still does not remove what is written – pastors are to be men, remember it is about God’s order of things not our abilities.
c. Another view is that of one woman at a time – making divorcees possible candidates (something I believe is wrong and is further argued against in verse 5 which we will look at in a moment)
d. The classical and, I believe true, rendering is: a man who has one wife, not divorced, not remarried unless his first wife is dead.
3. Then comes a list of positive attributes:
a. Vigilant – the Greek word has also been translated “sober” or “temperate”
- Its original classical meaning dealt with the use of alcohol, but later (1st century) came to be used in a more general sense, that being of self-control, aware of what is going on and responding appropriately
b. Good behavior – sensible
c. Given to hospitality – able to minister to others and do so with joy
d. Apt to teach – that is able to teach others
4. A list of negative phrases
a. Not given to wine – the wine does not control him
b. No striker – quarrelsome
c. Not greedy of filthy lucre – not money hungry
d. Not a brawler – not a fighter
e. Not covetous – not wanting other people’s things
5. Three more significant items
a. Rules his own house well – children under control
1) The question being (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim. 3:5
2) Without trying to be disparaging, I think this speaks to a divorcees situation, as well
b. Is mature, in the faith – not a novice, lest he be prideful and fall in condemnation
c. Finally, he must be of good report of those who are not in the church – so as not to be a stumbling block to the community.
D. So what does all this mean to me?
1. The Life Application Bible Commentary has written in its introduction to chapter 3, “Those who aspire to a church office must realize that living a blameless and pure life requires effort and self-discipline. All believers, even if they never plan to be church leaders, should strive to follow these guidelines because they are consistent with what God says is true and right.”
2. If you are a young Christian, you need to grow in your faith and Christian disciplines before you are put into a position of leadership – concentrate on your relationship with Chris.
3. If you are mature (not perfect) then seek out God’s will for your life and lead out where He gives you direction.
4. Now lets move on to
II. THE DEACON, 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
A. An Understanding of the Position
1. The deacon is a servant – the Greek word is “diakonos,” literally waiter of tables”
2. Whereas the pastor is to give himself to leadership and teaching/preaching, the deacon is to serve the needs of the congregation, especially the needy – he is literally a servant of and to the church
3. Those who serve well as deacons gain a high standing and great boldness in the faith.- which is in Christ Jesus
4. Just as pastors “must be” so the deacons “must be” as well
B. So lets jump into The Qualifications
1. Note the first on the list: grave – He is to be a person who is serious about life, one who is not flippant or casual about their life – the word could also be translated revered, or looked up to.
2. We then come to a list of “not’s”
a. Not double tongued – not to be hypocritical or “two-faced”
b. Not given to much wine – that is not a drunk
c. Not greedy of filthy lucre – not money hungry
3. Additional qualifications:
a. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience – keeping to the knowledge of the gospel & Christ with a pure heart, is another way of saying it
b. Let them (potential deacons) first be proved
1) That is to test, examine, prove, scrutinize
2) We are to do so, so we might know they can be trusted.
c. Their wives must be grave: that is sober, faithful and not slanderers.
d. And the deacons should be the husband of only one wife, as with pastors & ruling their own homes well.
C. So again we ask, what does that have to do with me?
1. Let us remember, that these are qualifications for being a deacon, not an extended list of good items that pertain only to them.
2. It would be good, and biblical, if each person so strived for these goals.
3. If all men and women lived with these as benchmarks for their lives we would be a stronger church.
4. Think about it:
a. If each of us understood the mysteries of our faith – that is the doctrines we say we believe in by accepting the name Christian – there would be less defections to cults such as Mormonism or Jehovah Witness and fewer would revert back to the thinking of the world – we would be stronger in our faith
b. If more of us sought not be slanderers, backbiters, gossips, drunkards, or greedy persons – just think about the difference this would make in our churches and communities!
5. You get the idea! They are good for us as well.
CONCLUSION: As we close
A. I want to leave you with two thoughts:
1. First, when we look for those to place in church leadership positions, these need to be the standards – not feelings or cultural norms
2. Second, it would do us all good to examine these qualifications and then apply them to ourselves and see where we might need to grow.
B. This is the order God has placed within the church, thus it behooves us to follow and live by His words.
C. Let’s seek to have Proper Order In The House Of God
