Sermon Central
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The Husband Of One Wife Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 10, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: To investigate the meaning of the Christian characteristic: “the husband of one wife,” as outlined in Paul’s Pastoral Epistles to Timothy and Titus, as a prerequisite for any man “desiring the office of a bishop (elder) or deacon,” in the Lord’s church.
INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Husband of One Wife
Introductory Remarks.
1. Today's lesson will discuss the theme: “The husband of one wife.” This is the fifteenth lesson in the sermon series: "Re-digging in Old Wells." There will be many others bearing this title. We are re-digging in old wells to receive what Isaiah promised: "With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation," Isaiah 12:3. There are times we must re-dig in old wells to obtain the joy found in the "waters of salvation." This sermon type is called: "textual preaching.” This lesson's goal will be: "to dig a little deeper" in the Text of emphasis. We will allow the writer, the characters in the verses, and the words of the Master, to shed new meaning to His words of eternal life, John 6:63; John 6:67-69.
2. We will answer this question: "What does the husband of one wife" mean in the context of the other prerequisites for those "desiring the office of a bishop?" By this, does it mean the man can only be married once? Or, he cannot be a divorcee or remarried? We will re-dig in old wells to find a biblical answer. Ulysses Shields called this kind of teaching: "digging a little deeper" into the word of truth --he was my grandfather in Christ. We will use as a foundational text for this sermon series: "And Isaac re-dug the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham...for the Philistines had stopped them (closed them up) after Abraham's death," Genesis 26:18. The Philistines: "Stopped them, and filled them with earth," because they envied Isaac's possessions, Genesis 26:14-15.
3. Our scripture of emphasis reads: "This is a true saying: If a man desires 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 behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine…moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he falls into the condemnation of the devil," 1 Timothy 3:1-7. [Text shortened for brevity]. I believe there is an answer to this question in the Bible. We will confine our discussion and investigation to: "The husband of one wife." This sentence has denied and prohibited good men and their families from serving as an elder or deacons in the Lord's church for centuries. It's high time we find a biblical answer.
4. Paul's instruction to Timothy and Titus was given to him by the inspiration of God. We will search for the real meaning of this phrase in the Greek Language by consulting several translations that directly correlate to the word or words in the English Language. We will search for the meaning of this phrase in different Interlinear and the writings from faithful brothers in Christ. Ultimately, we will consider the meaning of this sentence with others that appear in Paul's Letters to Timothy, Titus, and the churches. We will allow the scriptures to shed new light on this old subject. With God's help, I pray we will see it together while drawing: "New water from old wells." With this Introduction, let's consider this topic carefully, with our Bibles and hearts opened unto God.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE
A. Background investigation. We must conduct an in-depth background investigation before embarking on a subject like this one. This phrase has been preached, studied, debated, and argued by many of our brethren over the history of my preaching of the word of God. I have preached its meaning and taught leadership workshops to affirm this phrase and other Christian characteristics that all believers in Christ should possess. However, we will focus on the sentence: "the husband of one wife" in this lesson. We have singled out this characteristic,
1. Merely because it has incited the most debate and has hindered the Lord's church from appointing elders and deacons in many of our faithful assemblies. I don't propose or report myself as having all the answers. But I believe the answer to any Bible teaching can be found in an honest investigation and study of the Holy Scriptures.
a. I know that many who hear me now and read this lesson later will indeed find fault in our conclusions. That is understandable but cannot be a standard for discovering the truth in any biblical teaching.
b. The man or woman of God must be open to learning “the way of God more perfectly,” Acts 18:24-28. The hearts of the believers must be "ever learning, and able to come to the knowledge of the truth," 2 Timothy 3:7. Having a desire to: “Grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," 2 Peter 3:18.
