Do You Qualify to Serve? - 1 Timothy 3:1-15
Do You Qualify to Serve? - 1 Timothy 3:1-15
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 4, 2008 AM
Has anyone ever said to you, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Perhaps that person did not use these exact words, but their life demonstrated the haughty attitude these words reflect. Leaders who demand standards of behavior that they themselves are unwilling to meet discredit their own leadership. This principle, however, also works in reverse. Many followers have demanded standards of their leaders to which the followers themselves are unwilling to adhere. One purpose of high standards in leadership is so that leaders can help their followers develop strong character as well.
Paul’s letter to Timothy encourages leaders to set a strong, positive example of Christian leadership. It also encourages followers to meet those same standards. Paul was addressing some problems Timothy had allowed to continue when he as a pastor should have handled. Women had been teaching the men about being leaders within the church, when Timothy should have been doing so. After encouraging Timothy to face false teachers, Paul turned to the qualifications for leadership in the church. He first listed qualifications for the pastor and then he listed qualifications for a deacon and his wife. He expected to find these same qualities in church members, who should serve as models for new believers. He was asking the tough question: Do you qualify to serve?
READ: 1 Timothy 3:1-15
Paul in his writing Timothy asks…
I. Do You Qualify to Be a Pastor? (1 Tim. 3:1-7)
1. A pastor is called to be a shepherd, not a CEO! For the second time, Paul introduced a trustworthy saying (See 1:15). The KJV incorrectly uses “bishop” where the NIV accurately uses “overseer,” which is a reference to a local pastor and not a church government where one officer presided over elders in various local churches. This is a second century development! The “noble task” of pastor Paul was referring to had certain qualifications. He related that he “must be above reproach” and it is presented in the present tense. Therefore, a pastor should be “the husband of but one wife,” and the literal translation is “a one-woman man,” holds that Paul demanded a pastor who is married is to remain faithful to his wife! A pastor should also be “temperate,” meaning avoids all forms of excesses. He is therefore “self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” A pastor must also “manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” Why? Paul relates that “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?” I agree! Because of Timothy’s age and inexperience Paul warned that a pastor “must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” Added to this the pastor “must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.” The office of pastor requires maturity both spiritually and morally. Satan loves to use a person’s weaknesses to undercut his effectiveness. An effective pastor needs the respect of non-Christians. When a pastor fails to discipline himself or his family, he becomes a disgrace to everyone. Do you qualify to be a pastor?
EXAMPLE: In listing criteria for pastors, Paul included being virtuous and being good family men, maturing in faith, and having good reputations. Too often church members expect these qualifications of their leaders without being willing to live in such a manner themselves. All believers should be the best Christians possible. In our day too many pastors are unapproachable. They see themselves as CEOs of a corporate kingdom rather than shepherds of the flock. A shepherd knows everyone of his sheep, a CEO leaves the management of his company to others who do not care for the individual but only for the “bottom line.” This is why you find so many pastors of larger churches doing and getting away with ungodly behavior. They hold themselves above the fray of the unwashed masses, only coming out into the open to impart words of wisdom once in a while. A pastor who dresses casually to be seen as an everyman, but is inaccessible to his flock is worthless as a shepherd. Same too the pastor who dresses and lives like a king, but refuses to rub elbows with those he is supposed to mentor, is of no use to the kingdom of God. The same is true for the church that does not hold their pastor accountable for his words, actions, and lifestyle. The question Paul asks is drastic in its implications: Do you qualify to be a pastor?
Paul in his letter asks Timothy …
II. Do You Qualify to Be a Deacon? (1 Tim. 3:8-13)
1. A deacon is called to help not hinder! The word deacon literally means “servant.” The qualifications for deacons are “likewise” similar to those for overseers or pastors. Paul stipulated that a deacon should be “worthy of respect.” The NIV inserts “are to be men” but this does not exist in any manuscript but some believe it is implied because of verse 12, however verse 12 is relational in that if the individual is married and does not mean they have to be so. Note that deacons are to be “sincere,” meaning not “double tongued.” They should not be drunks or driven to “dishonest gains.” The best stance for leaders as well as for all Christians is total abstinence not only in alcohol but in gambling or greed. Both impair a person’s spirituality. Paul goes on to write that deacons “must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” In other words they should know Scripture well, especially the gospel and they should practice it! Those who are considered for deacons should be “tested,” or weighed in the balance of their lives in Jesus. And finally, Paul related one extra step concerning a deacon’s wife, if they are married, “are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” Why? Because these leaders are entrusted servants of the church who should be willing to wait on others first, not seeking any gain for themselves. Also, if the deacon is married and/or has children, he “must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well,” just like a married pastor with a family should! Why is this so important for deacons? Those who fulfill their servant roles faithfully gain two things: first, “an excellent standing” before fellow Christians who understand and appreciate the beauty of humble, selfless, Christlike service; and second, “great assurance (confidence, boldness) in their faith in Christ Jesus!” Do you qualify to be a deacon?
EXAMPLE: Joe Stowell writes, “I remember an older gentleman from one of the churches I pastored. He was the epitome of grace toward others; and he was deeply loved by his wife, his daughters, and his sons-in-law. In fact, his sons-in-law kneeled by his bed as he died. Afterward, one of his daughters wrote me a letter. At the end of the note, she concluded with these powerful words: ‘Our world has lost a righteous man, and in this world, that’s no small thing.’” What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind as a believer? The qualities Paul looked for in a deacon should motivate all of us to live deep and fuller lives in Christ. One of the greatest men I ever knew was a deacon in the first church I attended. His life impacted everyone who came in contact with him. Does yours? Do you qualify to be a deacon?
Paul in his writing Timothy asks…
III. Do You Know How to Behave? (1 Tim. 3:14-15)
1. Christians are called to act, not act up! Paul expressed a desire to visit Timothy in Ephesus. The apostle also wrote to encourage Timothy to provide strong pastoral leadership to the Ephesian church which he feared Timothy had not done so. Paul also expressed fear that he might not be able to see Timothy as soon as he hoped. We do not know if Paul ever made this anticipated visit to Ephesus. Paul wrote to instruct the church concerning “how people ought to conduct themselves God’s household.” If he was “delayed,” the importance of his instruction written to Timothy would be vital. Why? Paul saw the church as “God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” As God’s household, it should be acting as such. Therefore the instructions he had given the pastors and deacons in the church applied not only to the leadership but also to the church’s individual members. Timothy, as the shepherd there, needed to get a strong handle on the situation so that it would not get out of hand and bring disgrace to the gospel. Timothy had the task of leading a fledgling church into proper conduct in these areas. The imagery is not that of a building but of a family. The love and respect that characterizes a strong family should characterize the family of God. Paul noted that the church belongs to the living God. The gods worshiped by pagan Ephesians were lifeless and dead. The church, however, belongs to a God who is alive. His people’s behavior should give evidence of that reality! He was literally asking him, “Do you know how to behave?”
EXAMPLE: “Just behave yourselves,” was the warning my mother often gave Ed and me. Of course we would look at her as if she were accusing us of some terrible crime that we would never dare commit let alone think about doing! Us? Misbehave? You have got to be kidding! All to true my mother knew the temperament of little boys left to their own devices. One of the last statements Jesus makes to His disciples, was “You must follow me.” (John 21:22) The context was they were wondering what would happen to John, and Jesus told them to basically “behave.” Paul is relating this to Timothy as well. He was telling Timothy and his church that they ought to know how to conduct themselves in a sin-fallen world. Paul would tell the Corinthian church, “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” (2 Corinthians 12:20) He is telling them to “behave.” Do you know how to behave?
Conclusion:
Pastors should be the best Christians possible—and so should all believers. Deacons and their wives should be the best Christians possible—and so should all believers. The behavior expected of the church’s leadership should be characterized by all the church’s membership. Do you qualify to be a pastor? Do you qualify to be a deacon? Do you know how to behave?
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 4, 2008 AM
Has anyone ever said to you, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Perhaps that person did not use these exact words, but their life demonstrated the haughty attitude these words reflect. Leaders who demand standards of behavior that they themselves are unwilling to meet discredit their own leadership. This principle, however, also works in reverse. Many followers have demanded standards of their leaders to which the followers themselves are unwilling to adhere. One purpose of high standards in leadership is so that leaders can help their followers develop strong character as well.
Paul’s letter to Timothy encourages leaders to set a strong, positive example of Christian leadership. It also encourages followers to meet those same standards. Paul was addressing some problems Timothy had allowed to continue when he as a pastor should have handled. Women had been teaching the men about being leaders within the church, when Timothy should have been doing so. After encouraging Timothy to face false teachers, Paul turned to the qualifications for leadership in the church. He first listed qualifications for the pastor and then he listed qualifications for a deacon and his wife. He expected to find these same qualities in church members, who should serve as models for new believers. He was asking the tough question: Do you qualify to serve?
READ: 1 Timothy 3:1-15
Paul in his writing Timothy asks…
I. Do You Qualify to Be a Pastor? (1 Tim. 3:1-7)
1. A pastor is called to be a shepherd, not a CEO! For the second time, Paul introduced a trustworthy saying (See 1:15). The KJV incorrectly uses “bishop” where the NIV accurately uses “overseer,” which is a reference to a local pastor and not a church government where one officer presided over elders in various local churches. This is a second century development! The “noble task” of pastor Paul was referring to had certain qualifications. He related that he “must be above reproach” and it is presented in the present tense. Therefore, a pastor should be “the husband of but one wife,” and the literal translation is “a one-woman man,” holds that Paul demanded a pastor who is married is to remain faithful to his wife! A pastor should also be “temperate,” meaning avoids all forms of excesses. He is therefore “self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” A pastor must also “manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” Why? Paul relates that “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?” I agree! Because of Timothy’s age and inexperience Paul warned that a pastor “must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” Added to this the pastor “must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.” The office of pastor requires maturity both spiritually and morally. Satan loves to use a person’s weaknesses to undercut his effectiveness. An effective pastor needs the respect of non-Christians. When a pastor fails to discipline himself or his family, he becomes a disgrace to everyone. Do you qualify to be a pastor?
EXAMPLE: In listing criteria for pastors, Paul included being virtuous and being good family men, maturing in faith, and having good reputations. Too often church members expect these qualifications of their leaders without being willing to live in such a manner themselves. All believers should be the best Christians possible. In our day too many pastors are unapproachable. They see themselves as CEOs of a corporate kingdom rather than shepherds of the flock. A shepherd knows everyone of his sheep, a CEO leaves the management of his company to others who do not care for the individual but only for the “bottom line.” This is why you find so many pastors of larger churches doing and getting away with ungodly behavior. They hold themselves above the fray of the unwashed masses, only coming out into the open to impart words of wisdom once in a while. A pastor who dresses casually to be seen as an everyman, but is inaccessible to his flock is worthless as a shepherd. Same too the pastor who dresses and lives like a king, but refuses to rub elbows with those he is supposed to mentor, is of no use to the kingdom of God. The same is true for the church that does not hold their pastor accountable for his words, actions, and lifestyle. The question Paul asks is drastic in its implications: Do you qualify to be a pastor?
Paul in his letter asks Timothy …
II. Do You Qualify to Be a Deacon? (1 Tim. 3:8-13)
1. A deacon is called to help not hinder! The word deacon literally means “servant.” The qualifications for deacons are “likewise” similar to those for overseers or pastors. Paul stipulated that a deacon should be “worthy of respect.” The NIV inserts “are to be men” but this does not exist in any manuscript but some believe it is implied because of verse 12, however verse 12 is relational in that if the individual is married and does not mean they have to be so. Note that deacons are to be “sincere,” meaning not “double tongued.” They should not be drunks or driven to “dishonest gains.” The best stance for leaders as well as for all Christians is total abstinence not only in alcohol but in gambling or greed. Both impair a person’s spirituality. Paul goes on to write that deacons “must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” In other words they should know Scripture well, especially the gospel and they should practice it! Those who are considered for deacons should be “tested,” or weighed in the balance of their lives in Jesus. And finally, Paul related one extra step concerning a deacon’s wife, if they are married, “are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” Why? Because these leaders are entrusted servants of the church who should be willing to wait on others first, not seeking any gain for themselves. Also, if the deacon is married and/or has children, he “must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well,” just like a married pastor with a family should! Why is this so important for deacons? Those who fulfill their servant roles faithfully gain two things: first, “an excellent standing” before fellow Christians who understand and appreciate the beauty of humble, selfless, Christlike service; and second, “great assurance (confidence, boldness) in their faith in Christ Jesus!” Do you qualify to be a deacon?
EXAMPLE: Joe Stowell writes, “I remember an older gentleman from one of the churches I pastored. He was the epitome of grace toward others; and he was deeply loved by his wife, his daughters, and his sons-in-law. In fact, his sons-in-law kneeled by his bed as he died. Afterward, one of his daughters wrote me a letter. At the end of the note, she concluded with these powerful words: ‘Our world has lost a righteous man, and in this world, that’s no small thing.’” What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind as a believer? The qualities Paul looked for in a deacon should motivate all of us to live deep and fuller lives in Christ. One of the greatest men I ever knew was a deacon in the first church I attended. His life impacted everyone who came in contact with him. Does yours? Do you qualify to be a deacon?
Paul in his writing Timothy asks…
III. Do You Know How to Behave? (1 Tim. 3:14-15)
1. Christians are called to act, not act up! Paul expressed a desire to visit Timothy in Ephesus. The apostle also wrote to encourage Timothy to provide strong pastoral leadership to the Ephesian church which he feared Timothy had not done so. Paul also expressed fear that he might not be able to see Timothy as soon as he hoped. We do not know if Paul ever made this anticipated visit to Ephesus. Paul wrote to instruct the church concerning “how people ought to conduct themselves God’s household.” If he was “delayed,” the importance of his instruction written to Timothy would be vital. Why? Paul saw the church as “God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” As God’s household, it should be acting as such. Therefore the instructions he had given the pastors and deacons in the church applied not only to the leadership but also to the church’s individual members. Timothy, as the shepherd there, needed to get a strong handle on the situation so that it would not get out of hand and bring disgrace to the gospel. Timothy had the task of leading a fledgling church into proper conduct in these areas. The imagery is not that of a building but of a family. The love and respect that characterizes a strong family should characterize the family of God. Paul noted that the church belongs to the living God. The gods worshiped by pagan Ephesians were lifeless and dead. The church, however, belongs to a God who is alive. His people’s behavior should give evidence of that reality! He was literally asking him, “Do you know how to behave?”
EXAMPLE: “Just behave yourselves,” was the warning my mother often gave Ed and me. Of course we would look at her as if she were accusing us of some terrible crime that we would never dare commit let alone think about doing! Us? Misbehave? You have got to be kidding! All to true my mother knew the temperament of little boys left to their own devices. One of the last statements Jesus makes to His disciples, was “You must follow me.” (John 21:22) The context was they were wondering what would happen to John, and Jesus told them to basically “behave.” Paul is relating this to Timothy as well. He was telling Timothy and his church that they ought to know how to conduct themselves in a sin-fallen world. Paul would tell the Corinthian church, “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” (2 Corinthians 12:20) He is telling them to “behave.” Do you know how to behave?
Conclusion:
Pastors should be the best Christians possible—and so should all believers. Deacons and their wives should be the best Christians possible—and so should all believers. The behavior expected of the church’s leadership should be characterized by all the church’s membership. Do you qualify to be a pastor? Do you qualify to be a deacon? Do you know how to behave?
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
Comments