1. Why Help the Pig?
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3
Two men were riding their horses down a country road, discussing the question of motivation. One believed we're capable of pure motives, even without Christ. The other disagreed. They came to a ditch where a pig had gotten tangled up in fencing and was struggling to free himself. The latter gentlemen got down in the mud and managed to free the animal, though he ruined his clothing. Resuming their trip, the first man said, "There! That was a selfless act of kindness." But his friend replied, "No, it was pure selfishness. The only reason I helped that pig was to save myself from the guilt and torment of worrying about him all day."
Without Christ, it seems impossible to operate from true love and godly motivations. As we grow in Him, our motives gradually improve and we're increasingly compelled by His love, 14 For the love of Christ controls us, (2 Corinthians 5.14a). Not in ourselves but only in Christ can we exhibit lowliness of mind and be motivated by biblical love.
Love is a command that we're to obey, and love is at the core of all the works that we may ever do. David Jeremiah
2. We struggle with our motivations, even (and maybe especially) in ministry scenarios. Sometimes:
a. We serve out of Guilt
b. We serve out of Obligation
c. We serve out of Selfishness
d. We serve out of Loving Sincerity
3. 1 Timothy 3.1
a. Elder Selection Process
b. Based on a Sincere Desire
I. Serving as a Shepherd is a Noble Task
A. The Role of Elder is Not:
1. A Political Position within the Church
* Politicians are not looked upon as noble today -- A little girl asked her father, "Do all fairy tales begin with Once upon a time?" The father replied, "No, some begin with - If I'm elected."
* When Teddy Roosevelt decided to run for his first political office, his family asked him why he would want to be a politician when he could just buy one. We may have the idea of selecting a man to be elder in order to push my agenda -- not in God's church!
* John Q. Adams -- lived his entire life in service to his country -- actually went back in to the US Congress after his Presidency; died in the Speaker's office as an old man. NOBLE
2. A Power Position within the Church -- 3 John 9
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.
[Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a large church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, "Dear friends, I am only the little servant of an illustrious Master." Now that's being noble!
B. The Tasks of An Elder -- Acts 20.28-32**
1. "Office of Bishop" -- Oversee/Watchman to warn and protect his people (Ezekiel 3 and 33)
2. Take heed -- to self and church -- a shepherd's role in caring for the congregation -- John 21.15-17
"Feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep"
C. The Priorities of Elders -- Acts 6.4 (Ministry of the word and prayer)
1. Shepherds interceding for sheep
2. Remember, all Satan has to do is get us from best to good and he can derail us
II. Serving as a Shepherd Requires a Noble Ambition
* My daughter and I have a compulsion. Whenever we see a WWII veteran, we make sure we speak to and thank them for their service. One day recently she did that. He replied to her, "I did it for your boy" (i.e., my grandson).
* George Washington served his country for no salary, only expenses from the War for Independence -- NOBLE
* Preamble to the Constitution -- We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
A. Achieving Aspirations
1. Observations:
* This word translated in the NAS as "aspires" (or some translations say "desire" or "sets his heart on") is only found three times in the New Testament. Here, in 1 Tim 6:10 and in Hebrews 11:16.
* Different people are motivated by different things. In 1 Tim 6:10 money is the motivation. In Hebrews 11:16 heaven is the motivation. So what is the motivation behind the desire for the office of overseer? He doesn't tell us directly here. It just says that it is a noble task or fine work that he is motivated to do.
* In the context of the entire book we see the motives of love for God and for his church as central. In fact, in 1:5, the goal of gospel instruction is this: love from a pure heart, and a good conscience and a sincere faith. A heart shaped by the gospel in this way would see the need of God's people for leadership and be motivated by God's heart for God's people. But leadership must be motivated.
2. Why do so few aspire/set his heart on serving as an Elder?
a. Serious Responsibility -- giving account regarding the congregation
b. Reworking of Priorities -- Time Commitment and modern busy-ness
c. Lack of respect for Leaders -- Remember and obey leaders (Hebrews 13.7, 17)
On April 12th, 1945, Harry Truman was summoned to the White House. Ushered into Eleanor Roosevelt's sitting room, the vice president was gently informed that President Roosevelt had died.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Truman asked after a moment's reflection. "Is there anything we can do for you?" Eleanor replied. "You're the one in trouble now!" That's probably how an elder feels.
* "Fix-It Man" -- to my specifications
* Expected Doormat
* Herding Cats
President Clinton once said running a country is a lot like running a cemetery; you've got a lot of people under you and nobody's listening. That may also be how elders feel. I know that's often how elders feel. Nobody's listening.
B. Affirming Aspirations -- "Should I Be an Elder?"
1. Study what an elder is/does
2. Pray and ask if God is calling me to this role (congregation -- pray and ask God to raise up men for this role)
[How do you know if God is calling? If you can keep from it, He has not called you.
3. Ask family and friends for input
4. Young men -- Begin NOW to prepare for church leadership roles -- a leadership role is not to develop maturity, it is because of maturity -- we don't make a man a deacon so he will grow up as a Christian, but because he has grown up; same with elders
1. Generally, elders are not motivated by the thought of reward for service -- it is just who they are
2. We know God does reward "those who diligently seek him." 24 Elders in Heaven; Acts of service in Matthew 25
3. Yes You May, Desires of Your Heart
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Dr. Joseph Sizoo was a Washington D.C. pastor whose parishioners included Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of Abraham Lincoln. One day Sizoo was allowed to handle the late president's Bible. It was the Bible from which Lincoln's mother read to him and was the only possession he carried with him from childhood. "Book in my hand," recalled Sizoo, "I wondered where it would fall open. It opened to a page which was thumb marked and which he must have read many times. It was the thirty-seventh Psalm."
How wonderful if our Bibles would turn automatically to Psalm 37. This passage tells us not to fret nor be envious. Rather trust in the Lord and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Is this true? Absolutely. But remember--delighting in the Lord changes our desires. When we delight in Him, we begin desiring what He desires for us. And having planted those desires in our hearts, the Lord is then only too happy to fulfill them.
4. What desires do you have that God will grant you?
