Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Title: Character of Godly Leaders, Date/Place: WHBC, 4.15.18, AM
A. Opening illustration: Jerome was biblical scholar and bible translator whose translation of the bible into Latin was a watershed moment in Christian history. In 394 AD he sent a letter to Nepotian rebuking churches of those days for their hypocrisy in showing more concern for their buildings than for the careful selection of their church leaders. He stated: “Many build churches nowadays; their walls and pillars of glowing marble, their ceilings of glittering gold, their altars with jewels. Yet to the choice of Christ’s ministers no heed is paid.” Fred: “who is worthy” for these things.
B. Background to passage: The requirements here were not uniquely Christian but included in various lists of character requirements. These are requirements that are exemplified by these men who lead. However, we should not feel compelled to add to their burden. Thus, the umbrella, list-leading qualifications of above reproach—explain. And include with this thought “good reputation” and “well-thought of by outsiders.” One thing that we should note up front. The character traits mentioned here are not uniquely Christian. The Greeks and some Americans believe these requirements are good for all. They are taught in other places in scripture, therefore as we think about them as prerequisites for elders, they should be applied across the board as instruction.
C. Main thought: In the text we will see the “must have’s” for a biblical elder, as well as standards meted out to
II. BODY
A. He must have an exemplary home life (v. 2, 4-5)
1. First, Paul deals with marital fidelity (assuming, but not requiring that most elders would be married). Explain the Gr. behind “husband of one wife” and its meaning. If he is married, his marriage should not only be pure, but an example marriage to pattern others upon. He should be a good husband, and dwell with his wife according to knowledge. He is to be a loving leader who is willing to lay down his life for their needs. He is to maintain the goal and practices to disciple his wife and children. Paul also is clear that the children of an elder (again assuming, but not requiring) would be reverent submission to the authority of their father. This does not deal the adult grown children, who are beyond the household authority of their father. Explain the need for hospitable pastors in the first century.
2. 1 Pet 3:7, Titus 1:6,
3. Illustration: The Puritans viewed the home as a “little church” and a place to examine whether or not a man had the ability to lead God’s church. In his book called Solving Marriage Problems, Jay Adams, the father of Biblical counseling says, “It seems there is no end of self-appointed marriage counselors in the church. It is time for the church to discourage the blind from misguiding the blind. Too many marriages have ended in the ditch because their advice was followed.” A pastor by the name of Arden Taylor was prepared to resign his church because his daughter was found to be pregnant out of wedlock. I know of a prominent pastor who went through a divorce, and never even took time off to mend his marriage. Pastors have the third highest divorce rate by occupation, behind doctors and policemen.
4. We must ask the question of sexual purity and all around marital faithfulness in our day of rampant sexual sin, and the increasing ability to be elusive and secretive in sexual sin online. We must seek for faithfulness on more levels than just sexual. A man is disqualified if he is not pure in mind and body toward his wife. How about husbands and wives in general? Deal with the present nature of the pattern of life, as opposed to all past sins. If a man is divorced, we must inquire into the circumstances of this divorce. Was it biblical? When did it occur in relation to conversion? Was it primarily due to the lack of leadership of the man? Does the family of an elder demonstrate followership of Christ? If not, this is in part due to his failure to lead. Do the children of an elder strike fear in the heart of the church? Are they reverent and respectful to others? What would their teachers say about them? Do they run the house? A man is disqualified from eldership if he cannot manage (oversee, supervise) his own home to the glory of God. This also includes financial management within the home (not that he must be the accountant, but that he must oversee that his home is stewarding the resources God has provided it.) This also includes being hospitable as mentioned in v. 2. Does he welcome others into his life for fellowship. How about all believers? Food and recreation would be involved in our day, as well as other inroads of relationship development.
B. He must be level-headed (v. 2-3)
1. Several words are given as qualifications that deal with the personality and self-control of the elder, and we will lump them all together. “Sober-minded” means not intoxicated, or figuratively alert and watchful, also carries the meaning that he is not given to extremes of behavior. “Self-controlled” means not ruled by passions or desires. “Respectable” means orderly or to be appropriate in various situations. The perception of a man related to alcohol will also disqualify him from eldership. Timothy is an example wanting to avoid causing others to stumble in a society severely affected by alcohol. An elder also must “gentle” and not “violent” or “quarrelsome.” This shows his typical ability and stability to handle relationships and lead people well. All these put together describe a well-rounded man who is not quick to jump into things but is not lazy or inattentive to important things. He would be a man that you would trust to receive advice from. Does he structure his life around biblical principles?
2. 2 Tim 2:24, Tit 1:8,
3. Illustration: MacArthur says, “A church will seldom rise above its leadership.” The guy who shot two officers in Atlanta over a traffic stop. Jonathon Edwards days, even diet was scheduled so that he would be the most productive and helpful as a pastor. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break—talk about people like Martha.
4. An elder must be one who is not distracted by other things and alert to the things of the kingdom of God. He must be a man who is deeply concerned about spiritual things, and able to focus that concern. How about all of us? An elder should be one who is able to control himself—his passions, his anger, his speech, his impulses, and his priorities. Do ours? He should not be one who acts rashly before thought. How about all of us? How does he handle adversity, disappointment, or changes in schedule? He must not be one given to excesses. An elder must be one who can structure his life to get everything done that is necessary and be content when God interrupts his plans. This means balancing ministry and family, recreation and work, discerning between important things and really important things. Doesn’t this apply? Being self-disciplined and a good steward of time. Even in correction, an elder must be a man of restraint and wisdom as he does this duty. Are ours? We must all be willing to be corrected as well. An elder must not be one who is not beginning arguments all the time. Do these men here exemplify these characteristics? They must, we all should.
C. He must be mature in the faith (v. 2-3, 6)
1. Paul specifically mentions that an elder not be a new convert, so that elders would not be immature in the faith. There must be indications that an elder is mature in the faith. He must have a good grasp on scripture and be able to teach (the only skill mentioned other than managing his household). He must be firm in his commitment to scripture and be able to use it to defend the faith. He must have a good understanding of his own gifts and resources, as well as a firm conviction about from where they came, and to what end they have been given. He must be humble. He must be motivationally pure (v. 1).
2. 2 Tim 2:24
3. Illustration: A good test of leadership and maturity is to give them a ministry project and see how they follow through with it. When the cults come to their house, does he share Christ with them and defend the biblical faith? The guy who joined the church and immediate began to inform the pastor that he was the chairmen of the deacon board at the last church?
4. Are there indications in his life of spiritual maturity? How about ours? Can he handle spiritual responsibility? If he is given a task, can he complete it? Does his life bear the fruit of the spirit? How about ours? Is he able to teach, articulate, and defend the faith with a sufficient biblical knowledge? Can we? Is he a person that thinks he has it all together and has arrived spiritually? Major indication of a lack of spiritual maturity is pride. Is he one who is out for power, money, or perks? Indicates motive.
A. Closing illustration: The story of John Knox found in the MacArthur Commentary, p. 44
