Introduction:
A. How many of you have enjoyed the Disney film, “The Lion King?”
1. You remember, then, that Mufasa was the king of the Pride Lands.
2. He had a son named Simba, and an evil brother named Scar.
3. Scar usurped the throne by murdering his brother, and driving Simba, the king’s son and rightful heir, out of the land.
4. Scar gave free reign to the bitter enemies of Mufasa - the hyenas - allowing these scavengers to roam and ravage the countryside - that was their reward for helping Scar kill the king.
5. Scar’s leadership caused death and destruction to creep over the land.
6. Though Scar had the title of king, he didn’t qualify for the position.
7. He used the throne to feed his appetite for power and position rather than to care for his kingdom.
B. Abusive and irresponsible leadership exists in the real world too, not just in the movies.
1. A quick scan of history reveals a whole list of people who were just like Scar, including: Jezebel, Herod, Nero, Hitler, Castro and Hussein, just to mention a few.
2. These were people who had power, but did not have noble character.
3. Instead of caring for the people of their kingdoms, they used their kingdoms and power to serve themselves.
C. Unfortunately, the secular world is not the only place with leadership problems.
1. The body of Christ has had its share too.
2. Insecure and manipulative preachers, elders and other leaders, have ravaged congregations and split churches.
3. Some leaders have trouble controlling their own passions, and so, they can’t lead themselves, much less others.
D. The apostle Paul understood the importance of good leadership.
1. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul instructed Timothy to organize the church with the right positions, and to fill those positions with qualified men.
2. The New Testament pattern for leadership was, and still is, quite simple: it includes evangelists, deacons and elders.
3. There are three words used interchangeably for the role of Elder.
a. There is the word “bishop” which means “overseer”
b. There is the word “elder” which simply means “an older man”
c. And there is the word “pastor” which simply means “shepherd.”
d. From these three terms and other instruction in the NT, we understand that the role of elders is one in which spiritually mature men, filled with wisdom and experience, lead and care for the family of God.
3. As we take a look what 1 Timothy 3:1-7 says about elders, let’s notice three important facts.
a. First, we must understand that this list applies to male candidates for the role of elder.
1. It’s not that women don’t or shouldn’t demonstrate many of the same qualities, but scripture limits the office of elder to men.
2. The verses we studied last week come just before these verses, and as we saw, the verses prohibited a women from teaching or having authority over a man, which would not allow her to be an elder.
3. Also, the references to being the “husband of one wife” (3:2) and a manager of “his own household”(3:4) indicates that Paul has men in mind for the role of elders.
b. Second, we must understand that these qualifications are essential, not optional.
1. Note the imperative, “An overseer…must” have these qualities (v. 2, 4 and 7).
2. This passage presents an overall profile of a leader, not a pool of qualities from which to pick and choose, like a cafeteria line.
3. To qualify to be an elder, an individual must meet all the criteria.
4. Third, the role of elder is a noble task with heavy responsibility.
a. Every man aspiring to the role needs to be sure that such a desire is not an expression of carnal pride or a need for power, but rather a deep dedication to the work of the church.
b. The role of an elder is indeed an honorable position and a noble task, but it is a heavy responsibility because this is God’s church and God holds elders accountable.
5. With all this in mind let’s look at the qualifications for elders.
a. The qualifications fall nicely into four categories.
I. Category 1: The Personal Life of the Man
A. First, an elder must be above reproach.
1. This doesn’t mean he must be perfect, but that he must have no flaw in his conduct that would be grounds for any kind of accusation.
2. The word literally means “nothing to take hold upon.
3. This is a man who has a good reputation among believers.
B. Second, an elder must be the husband of one wife.
1. The text literally reads, “a man of one woman”, or a “one-woman man.”
2. This has been one of the most sticky of the qualifications, because it is an interpretive challenge.
3. Virtually all commentators agree that this phrase prohibits both polygamy and promiscuity, which are unthinkable for spiritual leaders.
4. But does this passage refer to a man who has been married only once, and therefore those who have been divorced are disqualified?
5. The reasoning behind this view is usually that divorce represents a failure in the home, so that even though a man may be forgiven for any sin involved, he remains permanently disqualified for the role of elder or deacon.
6. I can’t help but wonder if the real intent of the text is deeper than just “he can’t be divorced.”
7. If that was God’s intent, I think Paul could have said that very simply and clearly in the Greek.
8. I believe the quality we should be looking for is a man whose affections are centered exclusively on his wife – he is a faithful husband.
a. That might exclude some who are divorced because they were promiscuous or non-attentive to their spouse.
b. But I wonder about the non-Christian man who married young, and whose wife left almost immediately for whatever reason.
c. Perhaps the man married again, became a Christian and over the course of thirty years became a spiritual leader with a wonderful marriage.
d. Was God’s intent in what Paul wrote to disqualify a man like him from being an elder? I don’t think so.
8. Nevertheless, however you interpret the passage, we can all agree that he must be a man of unquestioned morality, one who is entirely true and faithful to his wife.
C. Third, an elder must be self-disciplined.
1. The next three qualifications in verse 2 have to do with an elder’s self-discipline.
2. The first two words are synonyms and both relate to being self-controlled.
3. If you look at different translations you will see that some of them translate the first word as self-controlled and some translate the second word as “self-controlled.”
4. This kind of self-discipline or self-control includes a temperance, soberness or clarity of mind.
a. In other words, an overseer is free from emotional extremism; he is balanced, not rash.
5. This kind of self-discipline or self-control also includes prudence, or sensibleness.
a. This suggests that the man possesses wisdom and discretion.
D. The next qualification is respectable.
1. This quality completes the idea of being self-disciplined and the word means “well-ordered, well-mannered, balanced, honorable.”
2. Greek professor, J. W. Roberts, concluded that “a man who is never on time, behind with his payments, disorganized in his family and life is not qualified to direct the church.”
E. Let’s move along to the next qualification: if a man loves to preach and teach, but doesn’t really like working with people, then they will have trouble with this qualification: an elder must be hospitable.
1. He must have an open heart and an open home.
2. Church leaders, and members, are to be hospitable, because the church is a family.
3. We need to open our doors and hearts to share the joys and the sorrows of others.
4. Sometimes a struggling family needs shelter, or a pregnant teenager needs a safe environment, or others just need encouragement.
5. What the church doesn’t need are leaders who are aloof, unapproachable and cold.
F. An elder must be able to teach.
1. This does not mean that every elder must be an “up-front” type of teacher or someone who likes to preach sermons.
2. Rather an elder must have the ability to handle the scriptures.
3. He must be able both to understand and to communicate the truth to others, as well as to refute those who mishandle it.
4. Elders should be equipped to teach the Bible in a variety of contexts, especially one-on-one in discipleship and counseling, or in home study groups.
G. An elder must not be given to drunkenness, not an excessive drinker.
1. The Greek word describes the person who sits long with the cup and thus drinks to excess.
2. An elder, therefore, must not be under the control of alcohol. Why?
a. Because excessive drinking clouds the mind and blunts the senses.
b. God wants all of us to be clear-thinking, alert and discerning individuals - especially elders.
c. Excessive drinking also suggests that there may be some underlying problems that the man is either trying to cover up, or he is using the wrong solution for the problem.
3. Drunkenness violates God’s standard, not just for leaders, but for all Christians.
4. As wise as it might be for an elder to not drink at all, notice that this qualification does not state that he must never drink alcohol at all.
5. In New Testament times, people had to drink some alcohol just to ensure that what they were drinking was safe to drink, because they didn’t have the purification systems we have today.
6. For elders today, drinking alcohol is not necessary, but neither is it forbidden.
H. An elder must not be violent but gentle.
1. I like the way the Christian Standard Bible translated the phrase as “not a bully but gentle.”
2. This phrase in Greek literally means “not a striker.”
3. Paul is warning us away from someone who is quick with the blows, physical or verbal.
4. This does not mean that a leader can’t get angry, but as Charles Swindoll said it, “they know how to take the heat without spreading the flames.”
5. In contrast to this violent streak is gentleness.
6. The gentle leader’s words and actions are seasoned with grace, forgiveness and kindness.
7. The gentle leader doesn’t demand his own way, or feel threatened and lash out when others don’t agree with him.
8. But on the other hand, he doesn’t let people walk all over him; if he did he wouldn’t be a leader.
I. An elder must not be quarrelsome.
1. I think it is fitting that this quality comes right after the last one about not being a bully.
2. The word literally means “abstaining from fighting” or “noncombatant.”
3. Barclay says that some people are “trigger-happy” -they are quick on the draw, and are itching for a good argument.
4. But a godly leader keeps his “gun holstered” until he needs it for the real enemy in a real battle.
5. He tries to be a peacemaker rather than a trouble maker.
6. When he must disagree, he does so without being disagreeable.
J. The final qualification for an elder’s personal life is that he must not be greedy or a lover of money.
1. A godly leader loves God and uses money, not the other way around.
2. Positions of spiritual leadership should never be used to gain wealth, and the spiritual leader should be responsible with his money and yet have a healthy detachment from it.
3. Such a leader can model a life of generosity and simplicity.
II. Category #2 - The Home Life of the Man
A. Paul wrote: He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) (2 Tim. 3:4-5)
B. It is significant that Paul’s only reference to management in this passage concerns the home, not the business world.
C. Leading the church certainly involves management, but Paul’s focus is on the home and family.
D. Why is that? Because the church is a family, not a business.
1. We have a heavenly Father, not a chairman of the board.
2. We are brothers and sisters, not employees or stockholders.
E. But let’s understand this: It doesn’t matter if a man succeeds at everything else in life, if he’s not leading his family well, then he’s disqualified from leading the church.
1. Paul makes the logical point, if one cannot manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s family?
F. But here’s a word of caution: nobody’s home is going to be perfect.
1. So, what we need to look for is the general tenor of the home.
2. Are the kids respectful? Is the home well-ordered? Are the parents attentive, involved and supportive of each other and the children?
3. Is an atmosphere of spiritual development being fostered? How is the communication?
G. A man who is leading his family well in these ways will be a church leader worth following.
III. Category #3 - The Spiritual Life of the Man
A. We have already covered a number of the personal items that might also fall into the spiritual life category; like some of the character qualities, and certainly being able to teach God’s Word.
B. But Paul adds another thing in verse 6: He must not be a new convert.
1. The Greek word literally means not “newly planted.”
C. The role of an elder calls for roots.
1. It calls for spiritual perception, experience and wisdom.
2. A new covert, who is even older in years, does not possess these spiritual qualities.
D. Paul added another reason for not making a new covert an elder: or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.
1. It is generally understood that Satan is a fallen arch-angel, and that the cause of his fall was pride.
2. All proud people are subject to the same judgment as he is.
3. A new covert thrust into this position of leadership may become puffed up with pride, and as the proverb says, “Pride goes before the fall.”
IV. Category #4: - The Public Life of the Man
A. The last qualification of an elder is that he must have a good reputation among outsiders.
1. Are you surprised to find this qualification on the list? After all, what does the surrounding community have to do with choosing leaders in the church?
2. Well, the world observes the candidate’s lifestyle too, and they see him in situations that the church might not.
3. So we might ask questions like this about a potential elder:
a. Is he friendly?
b. How does he treat his neighbors…and their kids when they hit a ball through his window?
c. How does he treat the grocery clerk and the people at his office?
4. Paul says that the elder should have this good reputation so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
a. The devil would just love to have church leaders who are men of little character so that when someone visits from the community and discovers who the leaders are they will not return.
b. The leader in the church who has a bad reputation in the community often brings irreparable damage to the local congregation and to the entire cause of Christ.
Conclusion:
A. So these qualifications are extensive, aren’t they? Yes they are.
1. Are they unreasonable qualifications? Absolutely not.
2. They tell us that God takes leadership seriously.
3. They tell us that the Good Shepherd loves His sheep too much to leave them unprotected.
B. Let’s finish with three questions and a few comments as we consider our present leadership and as we look for more leadership in the future.
1. First, personally, do the potential elder’s internals square up with his externals?
a. Does his inner character match up to his outward appearance?
2. Second, domestically, would his family vote for him if there were an election?
a. How would a candidate’s wife and kids respond if asked if he should be an elder?
3. Third, publicly, will the community be surprised or affirming?
a. Would people in his workplace nod at the news of his nomination for the eldership, or would they look puzzled and ask, “Are we talking about the same guy?”
C. When we are choosing elders let’s be sure we select them for the right reasons. There are at least four wrong reasons for selecting someone as an elder.
1. First, Popularity: A man shouldn’t be selected because he is popular – the eldership isn’t a popularity contest.
2. Second, Their Past:
a. The fact a man’s father and was an elder, doesn’t mean that he should be one too.
b. The fact that he was really spiritual or really a rebel in the past isn’t the important question.
c. The important question is how is he doing spiritually right now?
3. A third wrong reason for selecting someone is Politics: In politics it’s not what you know or who you are, but who you know and how you play the game. Not so in God’s family.
4. A final wrong reason for selecting someone is the Pocketbook - Money can’t buy everything, but in some churches it can buy a place in leadership.
a. Often people assume that just because someone has a lot of money or give a lot of money that they qualify for leadership.
b. But more important than financial success are character qualities such as humility and self-control, hospitality and Bible understanding.
D. I know this was a lot of material to cover today, but it is very important. Moving forward:
1. Let’s be prayerful and careful in selecting leaders.
2. Let’s be realistic in expectations: No one’s perfect, yet we need men of utmost character.
3. Let’s be observant and encouraging: Keep your eyes open for prospective leaders and encourage their development, and encourage the present leaders and hold them up in prayer.
Resources:
• 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, Commentary by David Roper, Truth For Today Commentary
• “Qualified For A Noble Task” Sermon by David Owens
• Charles Swindoll’s “Insights For Living” Radio Program Study Guide on 1 Timothy
