WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 Alright, so we are going to be speaking, or I'm going to be speaking on the qualification of elders this morning. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:22.800 ! And one of the things that is especially pertinent to us as a church plant is we are still in a position of needing to appoint elders. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:31.039 Josh is the church planter, he planted this church, he's the apostolic church planter, but at this point we still have yet to appoint elders. 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:41.799 And even though that's a very rare thing by way of congregations in this day and age, some of the passages, as you guys will see, is this is a very common thing in the New Testament. 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:52.799 Both of the main passages we're going to be reading from, one to Timothy, disciple of Paul, another one to Titus, disciple of Paul, 00:00:52.799 --> 00:01:03.799 are both instructions so as to clarify to them who were the men that they should be appointing in these many different flocks and congregations that still needed elders in them. 00:01:03.799 --> 00:01:18.799 When the word of God went forth after Jesus died and was raised from the dead in Pentecost, there were many, many converts, and there were just a massive need for the appointing of shepherds and elders over these flocks. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:26.799 So one of the things that benefit to us is we have very specific passages that really, really pertain to exactly a need we have right now. 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:32.799 You know, there's many different passages in scriptures that refer to many different struggles we may have in life. Some are ultra specific. 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:35.799 Fortunately, these are ultra specific to us. 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:45.799 It's especially important in the day and age that we live in, where there are many ways that a person can acquire the title of pastor. 00:01:45.799 --> 00:02:03.799 And there's a great degree to which very few, I would say that one of the big needs in the church more broadly, is to have more reference towards what the Lord considers a qualified person, rather than the methods of men. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:13.800 We even have the title of pastor. It has been set up as something that is entirely a career path. 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:22.800 You can go to school for it, graduate school, and as a result of a diploma, you now you make yourself eligible to be hired. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:32.800 Which is, I would say, an exact example, as we'll get to, of what the Lord condemns and says not to do. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:33.800 Okay. 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:36.800 We are not talking about hired hands. 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:40.800 We are talking about men who shepherd the flock of God. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:51.800 I think by way of analogy, you can even think of this as there's a massive difference between a mother and her relationship to her kids, and a nanny and her relationship to those kids. 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:55.800 One of them is hired, and only there because they're being compensated. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:59.800 And the other one, this is their very children. This is their very life. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:08.800 And there's an extent to which the relationship with an elder or pastor in the flock is something of a familial relationship. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:25.800 And so, if we get it wrong, it can feel like a hired hand. It can feel and be like a stepparent, like not an actual legitimate relationship of pure ownership, where you are mine and I am yours. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:29.800 And you get this right. It's actually a very, very powerful role. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:34.800 One of the things my father-in-law said one time that really stuck with me is he said, 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:41.800 Fathers and pastors have an ability to wound people incomparable to other roles. 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:57.800 And I think part of that is because there's a little bit of a mystery and that the Lord, there is something about the character of the Lord that can be demonstrated through fathers and subsequently be demonstrated to the fatherly role of the pastor. 00:03:57.800 --> 00:04:11.800 And so, one of the great edifiers, builders up, sanctifiers of the church is when we get it right in terms of appointing men who are actually qualified for the Lord, 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:19.800 rather than going the Lord's way on this, rather than going maybe some of the other ways in which these things are done in this day and age. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:30.819 With that said, there's a big distinction between people who have a title versus people who have been appointed by God. 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:41.939 And what my hope is, by the end of this, we will really be built up in how the Lord views these things and maybe even dispel. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:45.800 One of the things that was really powerful for me in my mid-20s, I was really disillusioned by the church 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:52.939 because of a lot of the church leadership I'd been under, I would say, more of like step-parent vibes rather than legitimate parent vibes. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.040 Like a lot of wounding. 00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:57.660 One of the things that was really helpful for me is when I dug into the qualification of elders, 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:01.660 I realized that a lot of those people were actually just never qualified in the first place. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:03.860 Like a bunch of people gave them that title. 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:05.480 They were actually never qualified for the Lord. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:11.040 And it freed me up actually how we have more forgiveness towards them because it was like they were never a legitimate parent anyway. 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:11.900 You know what I mean? 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:17.060 I was expecting something from them that the Lord, the Lord hadn't appointed them to that position. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:19.179 A bunch of people just didn't type. 00:05:19.599 --> 00:05:20.799 They freed me up. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:25.819 But with that said, on the flip side, it's a really good thing for us to get right. 00:05:26.539 --> 00:05:29.019 And I think that there are also, there's also another ditch. 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:34.000 There's one ditch which is using a way of qualifying people that isn't pertaining to scripture. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:42.300 But on the flip side of things, this is a very high bar and we are still appointing real people, real men. 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:43.199 You know what I mean? 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:49.779 And there's an extent to which we can pendulum swing from maybe some of the ways in which a, 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:57.259 there's almost like a worldly way in which we can qualify elders just like, you know, men who went to seminary, things like this. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:07.120 But also you can pendulum swing and be so perfectionistic in your examination of people that no one's like you would never approve anyone. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:07.740 You know what I mean? 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:13.180 And the reality is Jesus is our chief shepherd. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:14.740 Jesus is the good shepherd. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:19.720 And real men are shepherds of real flocks. 00:06:20.100 --> 00:06:20.400 You know what I mean? 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:21.360 Real broken men. 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:26.639 And so we're going to go through these passages and hopefully be built up. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:38.659 And hopefully, yeah, hopefully this will make a deep imprint on all of us so as to be able to do these things in a way that is the Lord's way and not man's way. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:41.019 Even as you were talking about sacred versus secular. 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:41.719 You know what I mean? 00:06:42.099 --> 00:06:46.060 So I'm going to try to say, you know what I mean? 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:46.719 Less. 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:47.160 Less. 00:06:51.520 --> 00:06:56.820 I usually, I'm usually about 20 times, about like once every other kind of guy. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:58.640 I'm trying to read it in. 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:00.420 All right. 00:07:00.520 --> 00:07:01.980 I'm going to start in John 10. 00:07:03.260 --> 00:07:04.820 This is Jesus talking about the good shepherd. 00:07:06.080 --> 00:07:08.280 John 10, starting in verse 1. 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:16.600 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in another way, 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:18.780 that man is a thief and robber. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:23.480 So there's a way to be in proximity to the sheep that is the right way. 00:07:23.700 --> 00:07:26.120 There's another way that is skirting over the right way. 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:30.660 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:33.680 To him, the gatekeeper opens. 00:07:33.880 --> 00:07:40.900 There's a gatekeeper for the right way to be in the fold that a shepherd takes. 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:48.500 The sheep hear his voice. 00:07:49.179 --> 00:07:54.079 And he calls his own sheep by name and leaves them out. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:57.620 So he has a familiarity with them. 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:05.620 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them and the sheep follow him. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:08.199 They know his voice. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:15.799 One of the things that happens when a mother first gives birth to a child is that child already has one skill in their tool belt. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.579 They already recognize their voice. 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:19.319 There is a nearness. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.800 There is an appropriate pastoral nearness that sheep should have. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:24.039 They should know his voice. 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:25.919 Again, intimacy. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:26.560 This is near. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:28.639 This is a man who is near. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:33.080 A stranger they will not follow. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:35.580 This is a person that is not a stranger, though. 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:37.460 A stranger they will not follow. 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:39.139 But they will flee from him. 00:08:39.699 --> 00:08:42.379 For they do not know the voice of strangers. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:47.240 This figure of speech Jesus used with them. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.580 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:52.059 So Jesus again said to them, 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:58.019 Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.139 All who come before me are thieves and robbers. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:02.799 Are thieves and robbers. 00:09:03.199 --> 00:09:05.000 But the sheep do not listen to them. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:06.019 I am the door. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:09.159 If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:12.100 And will go in and out and find pasture. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:16.559 The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. 00:09:17.199 --> 00:09:19.980 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.399 I am the good shepherd. 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:29.600 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:31.480 I want that to be crystallized in our mind. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:34.199 In the manner of speaking, this is the definition of a shepherd. 00:09:34.459 --> 00:09:39.199 It is he who lays down his life for the sheep. 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:43.379 This is actually extremely masculine. 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:47.800 This is very, very similar to the commandments to husbands to lay down their life for their wife. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:54.640 This role, this role of being a shepherd, and in many ways, obviously exemplified by Jesus, 00:09:55.400 --> 00:10:00.200 is a call to willingly and selflessly lay down your life. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:05.820 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:12.379 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:16.560 sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. 00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:19.640 The wolf snatches them and scatters them. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:24.680 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:28.120 I am the good shepherd. 00:10:28.739 --> 00:10:31.099 I know my own, and my own know me. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:33.639 Just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:37.079 I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:10:38.579 --> 00:10:42.799 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:10:43.099 --> 00:10:44.139 I must bring them also. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:46.319 And they will listen to my voice. 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:49.019 So there will be one flock and one shepherd. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:54.600 For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 00:10:55.539 --> 00:11:00.460 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:05.639 I want you guys to remember this, because it's going to come up again in multiple other passages. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:08.240 But there is a willingness. 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:11.399 Jesus displays a willingness to lay down his life. 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:13.000 He is not being coerced into this. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:17.699 He willingly and eagerly pours out his life for the sheep. 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:20.440 He willingly lays down his life for the sheep. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:27.680 The Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 00:11:28.020 --> 00:11:31.320 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:35.640 I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:38.800 This charge I have received from my Father. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:46.679 So this is something of a prophecy and a definition of good shepherd that comes from Jesus. 00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:54.139 And the reason I read this passage is it, to some extent, actually captures what Jesus is talking about when he's talking about shepherd. 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:57.919 It kind of defines the role of a shepherd over a flock. 00:11:57.919 --> 00:12:07.620 And it also is a prophecy, not only about the good shepherd lays down his life, but it's also a prophecy that he will lay down his life and take it back up again. 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:11.879 What happens is Jesus actually goes to the cross. 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:15.860 Right before he goes to the cross, though, he reiterates the same point. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:19.680 Peter says, surely you're not going to die, Lord. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:21.120 The Lord corrects him. 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:25.800 And then also, Jesus tells Peter that he's going to deny him. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.600 Because Jesus, again, gives another prophecy. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.240 He strikes the shepherd, and all the sheep will scatter. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.800 Peter's like, of course I wouldn't. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:40.080 But then Jesus tells him, before the rooster crows, you have denied him three times. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.259 Peter's like, of course, then. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.460 What happens? 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.080 Jesus goes to be crucified. 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:49.240 And Peter does, in fact, deny him three times. 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:56.340 So now I'm going to hop down to, this might be all over a surprising passage, but I think it ties into the whole theme of shepherding. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:13:00.279 This is John 21, starting in verse 15. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:03.300 This is after Jesus has risen from the dead, and he's appearing to the disciples. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.980 This is his appearing to Peter. 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:08.680 John 21, starting in verse 15. 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:12.899 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:16.539 Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.600 He said, yes, Lord. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:18.919 You know that I love you. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.480 And he said to him, feed my lambs. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:23.959 He said to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.279 He said to him, yes, Lord. 00:13:25.699 --> 00:13:27.000 You know that I love you. 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.879 And he said to him, tend my sheep. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:33.419 Then he said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:13:34.079 --> 00:13:36.979 Peter was grieved because he said to him a third time, do you love me? 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:39.699 And he said to him, Lord, you know everything. 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:41.120 And you know that I love you. 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:43.419 Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:48.500 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:55.500 But when you were old, you will stretch out your hand, and another will dress you and carry you where you will not want to go. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:14:00.539 So this was said to show what kind of death he would glorify God in. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:04.299 And after saying this, he said to him, follow me. 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:12.200 So one of the things that happens here is Jesus, to some extent, is inquiring, do you love me? 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:14.220 And Peter's answering sincerely. 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:20.639 And his response is an interesting response because he's wanting him to actually care for his sheep. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.519 Demonstrate your love for me in that I want you to tend the sheep. 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.860 I want you to feed the sheep. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:29.860 There's something of a pastoral mantle that's being given to Peter. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:34.179 One of the things that's interesting about Peter, of the apostles who write New Testament books, 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:40.919 he identifies himself multiple times, not by using the term apostle, though he was, but actually the term elder. 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:46.399 He had a strong identity as an elder and as a shepherd. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:15:00.000 And the reason I bring this up is Jesus is pointing out, or Jesus is emphasizing to Peter, even as Peter is receiving this pastoral mantle, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:11.139 that the reason, the genesis of this mantle and calling to Peter is because Peter actually does love the Lord. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:18.879 I think that one of the things that needs to be in place is that a lot of the heart of laying down your life for the flock 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:22.460 needs to first come from your genuine love for the Lord. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:25.320 That is who the Lord is calling. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.900 Those who actually love him. 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:29.379 Right? 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:37.259 Now turning to 1 Peter chapter 5, starting in verse 1. 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:41.000 I'm doing all of the passages that are not the normal passages on this first. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.700 Then we're going to get to the ones you guys all know. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.220 Ten to three times. 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:47.879 Okay, so 1 Peter chapter 5, starting in verse 1. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:16:01.080 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:05.039 as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.139 Speaking to elders. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:11.059 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you. 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:15.360 So he is tying in here the term elder and the term shepherd. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:18.340 Shepherd these terms are used synonymously in the New Testament. 00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:25.120 And before I continue with this passage, the term elder is not only used in the New Testament, 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.580 it's also used in the Old Testament. 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.919 In the Old Testament the term elder means beard. 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:31.879 Which is another way of saying a mature man. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.039 That's the way the term is used in the Old Testament. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:37.919 In the New Testament the term elder is used as well. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:45.080 In the New Testament the term itself means senior or mature or veteran. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:56.440 The term elder that then Peter is tying in here to shepherd is by definition people who are mature in the faith. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:17:02.659 One of the things that Paul says to Timothy, who is an elder, 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:07.480 Paul says to Timothy, don't let people despise you for your youth. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:10.879 The term elder is a reference to maturity. 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:13.500 It's not necessarily a reference to age. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.720 It's very associated with age. 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:22.599 But it's distinctly referencing a mature believer rather than an immature believer. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:25.960 It's distinctly referencing a veteran of the faith. 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:29.480 Someone who is a senior, not a junior. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:32.119 An elder, not a younger. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:40.879 Also, even as the term means beard or man, mature man, 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:44.859 Jesus' definition, what is a good shepherd? 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:47.639 He who lays down his life for the sheep. 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:54.219 There is something distinctly masculine about the definition of good shepherd 00:17:54.219 --> 00:17:58.539 that is also tied in with the definition of being an elder. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:06.259 There is an aspect of masculinity when it matures that is able to willingly lay down its life. 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:09.639 That's why husbands are called to lay down their life. 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:17.559 And shepherds are defined as those who lay down their life for the sheep. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:23.779 Almost all of the qualifications we're going to go over, actually I would say basically all of them, 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:28.379 are either qualifications that pertain to sin issues or maturity. 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:33.900 And I think this should be an encouragement to any of you who aspire to this. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.660 That's really good news. 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:40.140 Because it means that both of those things we can trust the Lord for. 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:45.160 We can trust the Lord to mature us and we can trust the Lord to sanctify us and set us free from sin. 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:48.860 None of these things are unachievable qualifications. 00:18:49.560 --> 00:18:49.700 Right? 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:52.580 None of these things are you have to have blue eyes. 00:18:53.320 --> 00:18:53.480 Right? 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:59.800 None of these things are things that like, unless the Lord endow you with some unique attribute, 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:02.480 none of these are you have to be thus and so tall. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.500 It's all sin or immaturity. 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:10.419 And I also would say that even if you don't aspire to be an elder, 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:19.599 this list of definitions and qualifications really pertains to the maturity of all men. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:24.960 I think all husbands and all fathers, it is a good thing to examine yourself 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:29.099 by way of defining what it means to be mature in accordance with the faith. 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:34.399 Even if you don't want to, even if you do not have eagerness towards the call of being a shepherd, 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:36.759 you are still called to shepherd your wife. 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:38.480 You are still called to shepherd your children. 00:19:39.219 --> 00:19:39.359 Okay? 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:40.699 All right. 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:47.159 As well as partakers of the glory that is to be revealed. 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:50.639 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you. 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:55.039 Exercising oversight, not under compulsion. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:58.299 This is exactly, this is the same exact idea that Jesus talked about. 00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:00.059 No one was forcing him to lay down his life. 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.799 He did it willingly. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:06.740 Not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you. 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.879 Not for shameful gain. 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:11.059 Again, this is going to come up multiple times here. 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:15.259 There are ulterior motives for why we would be in this position. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:23.539 There are ulterior motives that have driven many people to acquire the office of eldership without the qualification of eldership. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:29.500 Because there is like many, many people want to be the guy who's recognized on stage. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.579 Many people want the prestige. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.000 They actually did a survey. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:35.140 Actually, I meant to look this up before I'm pretty sure. 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:36.860 But they just did a survey. 00:20:37.060 --> 00:20:41.460 There's like some psychological survey of behavioral disorders in career paths. 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:43.880 And they did a survey of narcissists. 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:51.920 And they found that being American pastors is one of the most highly, the likeliest career paths that a narcissist would take. 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.600 Why is that? 00:20:54.780 --> 00:20:55.860 It's for the glory. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:21:00.959 There is very selfish reasons why people can acquire these positions. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.199 I've seen this. 00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:03.000 I've seen this. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.459 It's called shameful gain. 00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:07.619 Not for shameful gain. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.279 But eagerly. 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:12.079 Not domineering over those who are charged. 00:21:12.719 --> 00:21:14.079 But being examples to the flock. 00:21:14.459 --> 00:21:19.059 Peter is defining the primary mode of influence shepherd to flock. 00:21:19.699 --> 00:21:22.319 It's not using your office to lord it over people. 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:24.759 It's by being an example to the flock. 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.299 Okay. 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:31.539 This is why it's so important, these character qualifications. 00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:36.839 Because even in our own lives, isn't it more persuasive when someone just is an example of something? 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:41.599 Rather than someone who's constantly giving us maybe even true counsel. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:44.759 But actually not having the character displayed in their own life. 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:50.139 Being an example to the flock. 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:53.500 And when the chief shepherd appears. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.399 Okay. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:56.259 I like that term chief shepherd. 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:59.160 And when the chief shepherd appears. 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:02.960 You will receive the unfading crown of glory. 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:07.440 Likewise, you who are younger. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:09.000 So this is the contrast here. 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:11.680 Be subject to the elders. 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:18.120 So there's a contrast here between people who are young in the faith and people who are more mature in the faith. 00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:23.799 And it's saying specifically, those who are younger or more immature be subject to the elders. 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:27.700 You might ask the question, wait, shouldn't everybody be subject to the elders? 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:33.920 There is a manner of speaking that we are commanded to submit to our elders, obviously. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:37.500 but you do not need to babysit an adult. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.940 We do need to know where we are in the faith 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.480 and there is a place where we need to, 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:44.900 even as Paul says, follow me as I follow Christ. 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:46.680 There is stages of faith. 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:50.279 There is a need for discipleship 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:52.880 for those who are weaker and more immature 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:56.720 and there is a way in which they need to distinctly 00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:00.019 be, what is it, how does it say it? 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:02.720 Be subject to the elders. 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:06.819 We want to exalt those by way of example 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.980 who are more mature 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:10.860 and we want those who are more immature 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:13.920 to be looking to those people more specifically, right? 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.900 It's a beautiful thing. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.720 This is how the body is built up and matured. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:22.579 Close yourselves, all of you, 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:24.779 with humility towards one another. 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:28.279 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:33.539 All right, now we're going to go over to 1 Timothy 3, 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:36.720 starting in verse 1. 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:42.680 This is a trustworthy saying. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:46.839 If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:49.319 he desires a noble task. 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:52.940 The term overseer and elder is used interchangeably here. 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:57.200 Therefore, actually, and one thing to note here, 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:00.680 it is a noble thing to aspire to eldership. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.539 It is a good thing. 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:03.080 For anyone who does aspire to it, 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.360 you need to hear that. 00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.920 It's actually really a good thing. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:08.180 I think one of the things that can happen sometimes 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:10.600 when we read through these qualifications 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.219 is there can be a level of discouragement. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:16.159 I actually would say to you men who do aspire to these things, 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.279 it is a noble thing to aspire to, 00:24:18.459 --> 00:24:21.599 and it's actually a really powerful thing for us 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:24.359 to examine our lives with humility before the Lord 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.299 that the Lord would build us up, 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:27.859 even irregardless of if we are qualified 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.459 and appointed as elders, 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:33.019 just for our own maturity and sanctification in the Lord. 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:36.779 It's a noble and good thing to aspire to be an elder. 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:39.279 And I would just encourage you guys 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:44.160 who are feeling that eagerness to rise to the occasion, 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:46.259 to embrace it as a challenge. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.619 All right. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:52.759 Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:56.599 This term is used both in Paul's letter to Timothy 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:59.059 as well as in his letter to Titus. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:03.279 Above reproach can sound like he must be perfect. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.940 What that's specifically referring to, 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.440 another translation is, 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:10.580 he is without legitimate charge. 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.900 This is a catch-all for Christian sin. 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:16.340 If we have ongoing sin in our life, 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:18.360 if we have skeletons in the closet, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.740 we are disqualified as an elder. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:25.340 This does not mean no one ever has anything bad against you 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:27.180 or no issue against you, period. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:30.220 It's that there's no legitimate charge again of, 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:34.759 there's no legitimate charge of persistent sin in your life. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:38.640 There's no charge of broken relationships in your life. 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:41.319 This is a catch-all for just Christian expectation. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:45.799 You know, there's no area where you distinctly are needing to, 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:48.500 like you have bondage of and you need to be free of, 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.440 distinctly, right? 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:52.539 There's no legitimate charge that can be brought against you. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:55.860 Now, I will say that it is almost entirely the case 00:25:55.860 --> 00:26:00.320 that perhaps anyone who is brought before the church as an elder, 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:02.059 there will be people that just don't like them 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.539 or have things they don't like about them. 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:05.820 That's why in the definition of this term, 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.779 there's no legitimate charge. 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:09.940 It's not to say there aren't people who don't like you. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:12.640 Probably if there's no one who doesn't like you, 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:14.180 you're probably just a massive people pleaser, 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.700 which is probably also disqualifying. 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:21.140 The reality is you can be in a position of being above reproach. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:24.000 There's no legitimate charge that can be brought against you. 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:26.660 The husband of one wife. 00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.180 Duh. 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:34.600 Some of these I'm just going to go through, guys. 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.400 All right. 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.920 Sober-minded. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:40.080 So, yeah, being someone who's not tossed around in their mind. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:43.580 Someone who has a groundedness in the way that they think about things. 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.899 Who's so reminded. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.119 Who's self-controlled. 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:48.899 I actually love the term self-control. 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:51.159 One of the things that on the more reformed side of things, 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.099 you'll hear people say is people talk about being, 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:55.919 have not have self-control, but have God control. 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:57.139 But it's interesting. 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:59.240 The fruit of the Spirit actually says self-control. 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.699 It doesn't say God control. 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:04.000 The Lord actually has made us and fashioned us in such a way 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:06.679 that our hearts can actually be purified and be so much like Him 00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:09.559 that actually it's part of His character displayed 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:11.279 that we actually have self-control. 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:15.539 Also, that mature aspect of the Holy Spirit 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:21.720 is something that is a qualifier of being an elder. 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.779 Not only is it an attribute of the Holy Spirit, 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:26.039 self-control doesn't say God control, it says self-control. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.539 But also, it's a qualifier. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:30.740 We need to be self-controlled in order to be qualified as an elder. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.859 Respectable. 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:36.719 And then, this is one of my favorites. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:39.939 There's a handful of things that are stereotypes of pastors 00:27:39.939 --> 00:27:41.259 that are actually disqualifying. 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.819 And this is one of them. 00:27:43.419 --> 00:27:45.359 It uses the term hospitable. 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.119 Okay, so when we say hospitable, 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:50.059 a lot of times what we think is southern hospitality 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.119 and the ability to host. 00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:52.979 What this word means, 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:56.359 and actually hospitality essentially exclusively in Scripture means, 00:27:56.359 --> 00:28:00.359 is being a lover of strangers. 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.459 That's what it means. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:05.559 This is entirely talking about your relationship to strangers. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:09.519 There's a stereotype of American pastors, 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.339 ivory tower pastors, 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:13.159 there are men who are inaccessible, 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:16.000 except for those who are like in the in crowd. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.839 Okay, that is disqualifying. 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:20.839 Okay, you should be a lover of strangers. 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:24.500 This is a good question for us even who do aspire to ask ourselves. 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:27.500 For the strangers in our life, 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.759 how would they describe us? 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:31.200 Would they describe us as someone who loves strangers? 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.240 Right? 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.700 It's a good challenge. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.279 Spiritual hospitality, 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.859 the kind of hospitality the Lord calls us to, 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:39.279 is something that takes strangers 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:41.339 and welcomes them into the family of God. 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.220 Okay? 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.880 It isn't just, 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.119 it's not, 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:47.679 it's not that small town mentality 00:28:47.679 --> 00:28:48.739 that's like stranger danger. 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:50.099 I care about all the people 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:51.959 that I've spent a lot of time with 00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:53.159 in this small town that I know, 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:54.839 but like, 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.259 you know, 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.159 stay away from a stranger. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:58.039 That's disqualifying. 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.299 Okay? 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:00.519 Hospitality. 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.859 Able to teach. 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:02.500 I feel like, 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.119 again, 00:29:03.219 --> 00:29:04.579 this is one of those ones where 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:08.359 it's probably the most emphasized attribute 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.779 in American pastors. 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.439 This is actually one of the things I think 00:29:11.439 --> 00:29:13.459 that really failed in the Acts 29 movement, 00:29:13.959 --> 00:29:15.059 like Mark Driscoll's movement, 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:17.079 is they put such emphasis on having 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:18.879 what they call a strong pulpit. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.539 They just really found men 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.479 who were just really compelling speakers 00:29:22.479 --> 00:29:24.959 and ignored all the other qualifications. 00:29:25.479 --> 00:29:26.239 And the reality is, 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.839 the scripture actually doesn't say 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:31.139 be excellent in teaching. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.839 It doesn't say being, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.739 you know, 00:29:33.739 --> 00:29:36.939 this person who is uniquely gifted in teaching. 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:38.439 It just says able to teach. 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.080 And I think there's something 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:42.880 that's also achievable about this. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:45.519 I think virtually any man, 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.160 maybe not any man, 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.820 but the vast majority of men 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:50.519 can actually acquire the skill 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.720 of being able to teach. 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:53.980 And as husbands and as fathers, 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:55.279 we're already called to teach. 00:29:55.840 --> 00:29:56.140 Now, 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.920 there are some people 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.860 that are such poor communicators 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.559 that they just, 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.019 it's like, 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:00.519 oh man, 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.420 I just, 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.620 I never understand. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.980 I want so much to learn from you, 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:05.560 but you know, 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.519 and you know what? 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:08.360 We should be able to teach, 00:30:08.560 --> 00:30:10.300 but it actually is not giving 00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:11.120 a super high standard 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:11.840 in this qualification. 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.279 It's just saying able to teach. 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:13.980 It's like, 00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:15.400 are you able to drive? 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:17.920 So my daughter is not able to drive. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.240 But Sam, 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:19.000 are you able to drive? 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:19.880 Yes, 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.539 you're able to drive. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:20.759 Okay. 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.360 It's not saying, 00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:22.039 you know what I mean? 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:22.900 You don't need to be qualified 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.700 as a NASCAR driver. 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.880 You're able to. 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:27.920 Hopefully, 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.519 hopefully safe. 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:31.019 Hopefully, 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.259 safely able to drive. 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.039 All right. 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.480 Not a drunkard. 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.120 Also, 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.400 duh. 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.880 Some of these are maturity issues 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.840 and some of these are sin issues. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:45.059 Not violent, 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.100 but gentle. 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.000 I think this is also 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.059 a really powerful attribute. 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.860 There is, 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:55.000 maybe not a full-on stereotype, 00:30:55.459 --> 00:30:56.519 but there is an association 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.099 with men and authority 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:59.439 and not being gentle. 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:02.159 This office requires gentleness. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.379 This office requires gentleness. 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.740 Again, 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.439 I think this office 00:31:07.439 --> 00:31:08.399 is very fatherly. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.399 A lot of these descriptors 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:10.259 are very fatherly. 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.019 You know what I mean? 00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:12.339 You might not want 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.799 a general in the military 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:16.099 to be distinctly gentle, 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.899 but a father does need to be gentle. 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.240 A husband does need to be gentle. 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:20.899 A pastor does need to be gentle. 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.600 Not violent, 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.140 but gentle. 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.140 Not quarrelsome. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.340 Again, 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.519 I think that there is 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:30.580 such a fatherly role here 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.800 in not creating 00:31:31.800 --> 00:31:33.180 this contentious atmosphere. 00:31:33.580 --> 00:31:34.740 Not this quarrelsome atmosphere. 00:31:35.040 --> 00:31:36.019 Someone who's able to 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.280 speak the truth in love. 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:38.040 Someone who's able to 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:39.080 deal with issues, 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:41.040 but not create additional issues. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.460 There's a quarrelsomeness 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:45.860 and a not gentleness 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:47.839 that actually creates 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:49.259 a lot of tension, right? 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:50.839 This is even a good question 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.599 for us in our homes. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.979 How are we in our homes? 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:55.240 Is our home full of 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:56.519 tension and strife? 00:31:56.979 --> 00:31:58.719 Or is it our home full of peace? 00:31:58.979 --> 00:32:00.799 Are we able to facilitate 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.399 an atmosphere 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:03.479 where issues are dealt with gently? 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.880 Right? 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.799 And then also, 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.819 it says not quarrelsome 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:12.579 and not a lover of money. 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.640 I feel like this goes into 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.860 the whole hired hand thing. 00:32:17.859 --> 00:32:21.399 The church I went to 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.139 in high school 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:24.759 was a bunch of career pastors 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:26.459 that were very well paid. 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.039 Well, actually, 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.699 no, not all of them. 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.599 But a lot of them were. 00:32:28.719 --> 00:32:29.719 And a lot of them were on 00:32:29.719 --> 00:32:30.319 like a, 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.759 there is a whole career path 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.939 that's associated with, 00:32:34.379 --> 00:32:34.519 you know, 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.119 first you started out 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:36.000 as a youth pastor, 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:36.959 you know, 00:32:36.979 --> 00:32:37.939 you have a seminary. 00:32:38.179 --> 00:32:39.159 And then you climb 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:40.979 the megachurch ladder. 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:41.859 You know what I mean? 00:32:41.979 --> 00:32:43.899 And a lot of these megachurches 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:45.179 are actually driven by money. 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:45.879 They're much, 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:47.079 they're much more similar 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:48.019 to a business. 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.379 And how the Lord 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:50.139 describes a church now, 00:32:50.199 --> 00:32:51.179 it's not a dog on everybody. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:51.899 You know what I mean? 00:32:51.939 --> 00:32:52.899 That's not always the case. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.019 And that's not even a dog 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.599 on having a larger congregation. 00:32:57.199 --> 00:32:57.779 But it's very, 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.179 the scripture is covering 00:32:59.179 --> 00:32:59.659 these things 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.799 because they're very easy 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.699 things to get into. 00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:02.599 Right? 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.399 Not a lover of money. 00:33:09.679 --> 00:33:11.000 He must manage 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:13.039 his own household well 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:15.119 with all dignity, 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:16.599 keeping his children 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.319 submissive. 00:33:18.219 --> 00:33:18.740 For if someone 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.559 does not know 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.119 how to manage 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:20.980 his own household, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.740 how will he care 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.859 for God's church? 00:33:24.219 --> 00:33:25.139 So there's an extent 00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.000 to which we're even 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.539 defining 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:28.839 good authority here. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.459 You're someone 00:33:30.459 --> 00:33:30.899 who distinctly 00:33:31.639 --> 00:33:32.399 is leading 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:33.240 and having charge 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.819 of your home 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:35.099 and your home 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.919 is orderly 00:33:35.919 --> 00:33:36.919 and your children 00:33:36.919 --> 00:33:38.279 are under your authority. 00:33:39.219 --> 00:33:40.119 This is again 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:40.939 one of those ones 00:33:40.939 --> 00:33:41.879 where it is a stereotype 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.699 of pastors 00:33:42.699 --> 00:33:44.079 for their kids 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.699 to be crazy. 00:33:45.359 --> 00:33:45.579 Right? 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:47.119 That's one of the stereotypes 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:48.220 of American pastors. 00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:49.740 The PK, 00:33:49.919 --> 00:33:50.759 the PK stereotype 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:52.059 is kids who are crazy. 00:33:52.439 --> 00:33:53.399 That is men 00:33:53.399 --> 00:33:54.240 who are disqualified. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.220 I wonder how, 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.379 I would love to see 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:56.879 how different 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.460 the stereotypes 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.039 were 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:59.000 if like 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.559 the Lord 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.500 just divinely 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.539 removed 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:05.159 the title 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:06.560 of every single person 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:08.000 who's disqualified 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.860 across the United States 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:10.039 and how different 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.059 the stereotypes would be 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.720 because the reality 00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.440 is so much 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.119 of the stereotype 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:14.019 is actually 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.800 just disqualifying. 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.440 It's just revealing 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:15.860 that these men 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.760 are not actually qualified. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.360 And the reasoning here 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.900 is so good. 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:22.500 If he cannot manage 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.619 his own household, 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.639 how will he care 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.720 for God's church? 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.420 Which is a giant 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:28.960 no-brainer. 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.800 It's obvious. 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:31.159 Very, very obvious here. 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:33.159 If you aren't able 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.940 to do this well 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:35.059 in your own home, 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.679 how can you do that 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:37.300 for the church? 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:37.940 Right? 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.539 He who is faithful 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:40.840 in little 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.940 will be faithful in much. 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:43.179 It's very tempting 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:44.000 for us to just 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:45.240 hop over things. 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:48.440 It's really easy 00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.840 because I would say 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:51.280 the honor and nobility 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.039 of some of these 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.820 titles and roles 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:54.240 to do the thing 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:54.579 where 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.980 you're interviewing 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:56.700 for the job 00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:57.500 and you're trying 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.119 to get away with 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.920 as much as possible 00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.639 so you can just 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.420 land the gig. 00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:02.539 This is before the Lord. 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.860 You can fool men 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.240 that way 00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:04.860 and many men 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.480 do fool men 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:05.800 that way 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.260 but you're never 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:07.000 fooling God. 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:07.500 Right? 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.780 And I think that this 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.380 is one of those 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:10.380 categories of things 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:11.200 where we need to 00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:11.920 actually do this 00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:12.640 before God. 00:35:13.120 --> 00:35:13.360 Right? 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.280 He must not be 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:19.160 a recent convert. 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:19.579 Again, 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:20.460 a reference to 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:20.900 immaturity. 00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:21.680 He must be 00:35:21.680 --> 00:35:22.260 an elder, 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.059 not a younger. 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.559 He must not be 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:25.380 a recent convert 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:26.300 or he may become 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:27.400 puffed up with conceit 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.019 and fall into 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.640 the condemnation 00:35:28.640 --> 00:35:29.140 of the devil. 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.699 Moreover, 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:32.440 he must be 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.159 well thought of 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:33.900 by outsiders. 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:34.819 This is a really 00:35:34.819 --> 00:35:35.539 interesting one 00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:36.359 because it's really 00:35:36.359 --> 00:35:38.159 easy in church culture 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.759 especially when 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.359 really tight 00:35:39.359 --> 00:35:40.339 to have that 00:35:40.339 --> 00:35:41.259 small town mentality 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:42.139 and not only have 00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:42.960 like a little bit 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.679 of like the stranger 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.039 danger 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:45.559 but also 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:47.079 to care a lot 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:48.000 about the relationships 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:49.019 in your bubble 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.059 and care nothing 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:50.739 about the relationships 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.639 outside of your bubble. 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.859 And so the people 00:35:52.859 --> 00:35:53.859 who know you at work 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:54.880 you do not have 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.480 a good reputation 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:55.820 for. 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:56.480 Right? 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.800 Because you care 00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:58.300 a lot about 00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:58.940 your reputation 00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.840 and care a lot 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.519 about your relationships 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.079 with people 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:02.099 in your bubble 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:03.200 in your friend group 00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:04.860 but outside of that 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:06.140 who cares? 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:07.640 This is disqualifying. 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.720 This is disqualifying. 00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:09.800 We should have 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.039 a good, 00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:10.660 not only that 00:36:10.660 --> 00:36:11.120 we also, 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:12.079 I should say this as well, 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.200 we also should have 00:36:13.200 --> 00:36:13.820 a relationship 00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:14.320 with people 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.079 who are outsiders. 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:15.559 Right? 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.099 We should actually, 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:18.260 this is also assuming 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.300 that we aren't 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.900 in such a bubble. 00:36:20.420 --> 00:36:21.039 We're not like 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:21.320 you know 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:22.220 some homeschool kid 00:36:22.220 --> 00:36:23.220 who's never had friends 00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:23.840 outside of 00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:24.140 you know 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.800 family members. 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:25.120 Right? 00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:26.800 We 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:28.820 who aspire 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:30.800 should have 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.180 a relationship 00:36:31.180 --> 00:36:31.740 with outsiders 00:36:31.740 --> 00:36:32.700 and it should be 00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:33.120 a good one. 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:35.620 So that he may 00:36:35.620 --> 00:36:36.360 not fall into 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:36.960 disgrace 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.960 into a snare 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.740 of the devil. 00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.500 Okay, I'm going to 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.480 skip over to Titus now. 00:36:46.720 --> 00:36:47.760 I was going to read 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:48.800 the end of Timothy. 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:49.720 One thing it does say 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.380 at the end of Timothy 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:51.820 is it says 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.220 to not be hasty 00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:54.399 in the laying on of hands. 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:56.339 It's really important 00:36:56.339 --> 00:36:58.039 that we do this right 00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:59.179 and it's really important 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.559 to not be in a hurry 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.319 because 00:37:01.319 --> 00:37:04.139 when we do this right 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:06.719 it's so glorifying 00:37:06.719 --> 00:37:07.179 to God 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:08.779 and there is 00:37:08.779 --> 00:37:09.759 an extent to which 00:37:09.759 --> 00:37:10.559 it can be tempting 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:11.759 to just be hasty 00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:12.879 and kind of get people 00:37:12.879 --> 00:37:13.599 into the position. 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:14.839 One of the protections 00:37:14.839 --> 00:37:15.559 for elders 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.279 as it says 00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:17.559 at the end of Timothy 00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:19.179 is to not be hasty 00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:20.059 in the laying on of hands 00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:21.480 and that's in context 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:21.920 to 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:25.139 Paul says to Timothy 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:26.000 that you should 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:27.199 rebuke an elder 00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:27.779 openly 00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.759 before the entire 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.440 congregation 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.519 that they may fear 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:32.400 but it requires 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.380 upon the testimony 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.380 of two or three witnesses. 00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:35.880 So there's a high standard 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:37.079 for bringing an accusation 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:37.840 against an elder. 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.079 One of the reasons 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:40.299 we need to be 00:37:40.299 --> 00:37:41.960 not hasty 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.880 in the laying on of hands 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:44.000 is that when we call 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:44.779 a qualified man 00:37:44.779 --> 00:37:45.440 he would actually 00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.039 be qualified 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.980 because once he's 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.659 in that position 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.359 there's actually 00:37:48.359 --> 00:37:49.219 a pretty high burden 00:37:49.219 --> 00:37:49.719 of proof 00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:51.099 he's in this 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:51.940 until proven guilty 00:37:51.940 --> 00:37:52.920 and we're not just 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.899 going to yank this person 00:37:53.899 --> 00:37:54.559 out of that position 00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:55.500 just because some people 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.219 don't like him. 00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:56.779 You know what I'm saying? 00:37:57.099 --> 00:37:58.480 Anyway, I just did it. 00:37:59.059 --> 00:37:59.399 I just said 00:37:59.399 --> 00:38:00.179 you know what I'm saying. 00:38:01.399 --> 00:38:02.179 Shame on me. 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.299 That might have been 00:38:04.299 --> 00:38:06.139 the only time I've said it. 00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:08.699 That's improvement. 00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:12.179 You guys can't see 00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:12.759 you can mature. 00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:16.000 All right. 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:18.059 So our last passage. 00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:20.199 Titus 1 00:38:20.199 --> 00:38:21.760 starting in verse 5. 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:24.000 This is why I left you 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.380 in Crete 00:38:24.380 --> 00:38:25.719 so that you might put 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:27.159 what remained in order 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:28.360 and appoint elders 00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:29.039 in every town 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.900 as I directed you. 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.440 So again 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.800 very similar here. 00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:33.760 There's a bunch of churches 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:35.199 in these different towns 00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:36.599 that don't have elders 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:38.500 and he has instruction 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.400 of how to interpret 00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:40.199 and find these men 00:38:40.199 --> 00:38:40.980 and appoint them. 00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:41.460 Okay? 00:38:41.780 --> 00:38:43.239 This very much pertains to us 00:38:43.239 --> 00:38:45.019 in every town 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.780 as I directed you. 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:48.559 If anyone is above reproach 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:50.059 notice he says the same thing 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:51.019 first in both of them. 00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:54.039 First and foremost 00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:56.739 where are you with sin 00:38:56.739 --> 00:38:57.480 as a believer? 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.880 Are you persisting in sin? 00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:02.699 Are there any charges 00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:03.719 that can be brought against you? 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.500 Do you have skeletons 00:39:04.500 --> 00:39:05.039 in the closet? 00:39:05.199 --> 00:39:06.000 First and foremost 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:07.920 where are you with sin 00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:08.420 as a believer? 00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:09.519 Are you someone 00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:11.400 who continues in sin 00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:12.099 or are you someone 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:12.880 who repents of sin? 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:15.440 If anyone is above reproach 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:17.039 the husband of one wife 00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:17.579 yet again 00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.980 one wife guys 00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:22.420 and his children 00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:23.320 are believers 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:25.420 and not open 00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:26.119 to the charge 00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:26.800 of debauchery 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:27.680 or insubordination 00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:28.339 again 00:39:28.339 --> 00:39:29.559 are your children 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:30.119 in order? 00:39:30.319 --> 00:39:30.940 Is your household 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:31.500 in order? 00:39:31.819 --> 00:39:32.299 There's something 00:39:32.299 --> 00:39:33.359 about the sincere 00:39:33.359 --> 00:39:34.419 faith of a parent 00:39:34.419 --> 00:39:35.739 demonstrating 00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:37.139 its authority 00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:37.919 and influence 00:39:37.919 --> 00:39:39.480 and being seen 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.500 in the lives 00:39:40.500 --> 00:39:41.379 of the children. 00:39:41.819 --> 00:39:42.339 We want to see 00:39:42.339 --> 00:39:43.000 healthy children. 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:43.699 We don't want to see 00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:45.319 insubordinate children. 00:39:45.739 --> 00:39:46.079 Again, 00:39:46.239 --> 00:39:47.559 stares up to the pastor's kid. 00:39:48.359 --> 00:39:49.559 This is disqualifying. 00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:51.139 We want to see kids 00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:51.960 who's... 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.599 I think this is even 00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:53.000 one of the things 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.460 that can happen. 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:53.699 Again, 00:39:53.760 --> 00:39:54.239 this is kind of 00:39:54.239 --> 00:39:55.360 reference to the narcissism. 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:57.000 The pastoral role 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:59.099 oftentimes is so image focused 00:39:59.099 --> 00:39:59.900 that the kids 00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:00.940 grow up 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:01.619 feeling like 00:40:01.619 --> 00:40:02.639 their whole identity 00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:03.679 is their image. 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.380 This is not 00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:06.219 a healthy atmosphere 00:40:06.219 --> 00:40:07.019 for acquiring 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:07.800 sincere faith 00:40:07.800 --> 00:40:08.500 where everything's 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.880 just cleaning 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.619 the outside of the cup. 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:10.980 Is your faith 00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:11.559 cleaning the inside 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:11.900 of the cup 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:12.599 or is your faith 00:40:12.599 --> 00:40:13.320 cleaning the outside 00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:13.719 of the cup? 00:40:13.980 --> 00:40:14.380 Because that will 00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:15.039 reproduce itself 00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:15.599 in your children. 00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:17.179 Are you being 00:40:17.179 --> 00:40:18.300 an example to the flock 00:40:18.300 --> 00:40:19.239 of sincere faith 00:40:19.239 --> 00:40:20.559 or are you being 00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:21.920 an example of insincerity 00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:22.380 where you're just 00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:22.860 cleaning the outside 00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:23.599 of the cup 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.180 and just caring 00:40:24.180 --> 00:40:24.760 what people think 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:25.220 all the time 00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:26.300 and trying to acquire 00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:27.800 the fame of the role 00:40:27.800 --> 00:40:28.860 rather than being 00:40:28.860 --> 00:40:29.740 someone who lays down 00:40:29.740 --> 00:40:30.440 his life in the sheet. 00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:30.980 These are very, 00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.720 very different things. 00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:32.960 Shows up in your children 00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:35.880 and not over to the charge 00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:36.620 of debauchery 00:40:36.620 --> 00:40:37.740 or insubordination. 00:40:39.220 --> 00:40:40.220 For an overseer 00:40:40.220 --> 00:40:41.740 as God's steward 00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:43.320 must be above reproach. 00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:44.640 This is the third time 00:40:44.640 --> 00:40:45.380 Paul has brought up 00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:46.519 being above reproach. 00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:48.700 He must not be arrogant 00:40:48.700 --> 00:40:51.140 or quick-tempered. 00:40:51.720 --> 00:40:52.079 Again, 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:53.179 the quick-tempered 00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:55.860 a drunkard 00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:58.719 or violent 00:40:58.719 --> 00:41:00.920 or greedy for gain. 00:41:01.059 --> 00:41:02.559 So this is another reference 00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:03.940 to like selfish ambition 00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:05.819 or shameful gain. 00:41:06.819 --> 00:41:08.179 It is so easy. 00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:09.420 Why are people 00:41:09.420 --> 00:41:10.159 in these positions 00:41:10.159 --> 00:41:10.840 that aren't qualifying? 00:41:11.239 --> 00:41:12.279 Because of these things. 00:41:13.079 --> 00:41:14.480 They have an ulterior motive. 00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:15.679 They have an ulterior motive 00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.679 for why they're in it. 00:41:16.819 --> 00:41:16.920 Right? 00:41:17.299 --> 00:41:18.219 Greedy for gain. 00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:19.179 This is about them. 00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:20.239 This isn't about laying down 00:41:20.239 --> 00:41:20.639 in their life. 00:41:21.099 --> 00:41:21.639 This is about something 00:41:21.639 --> 00:41:22.339 they could gain. 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.379 They would not be so. 00:41:25.699 --> 00:41:26.500 But hospitable. 00:41:26.879 --> 00:41:27.319 Once again, 00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.459 you're in this chip to strangers. 00:41:29.159 --> 00:41:31.059 A lover of good. 00:41:32.459 --> 00:41:33.559 Self-controlled. 00:41:33.559 --> 00:41:35.559 upright. 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:35.639 Upright. 00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:37.519 Holy. 00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:38.799 And disciplined. 00:41:40.799 --> 00:41:42.199 And this is really cool too. 00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:43.820 He must hold firm 00:41:43.820 --> 00:41:46.559 to the trustworthy word 00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:47.719 as taught. 00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:49.099 I think this, 00:41:49.179 --> 00:41:50.000 I really like this. 00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:51.399 Hold firm 00:41:51.399 --> 00:41:52.619 to the trustworthy word. 00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:55.599 This also is a marker 00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.239 of maturity. 00:41:57.179 --> 00:41:57.980 You can see people 00:41:57.980 --> 00:41:58.939 who are young in the faith 00:41:58.939 --> 00:42:00.739 and they don't have, 00:42:01.359 --> 00:42:02.339 they are not able 00:42:02.339 --> 00:42:03.480 to hold firmly 00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:04.179 to the word. 00:42:04.579 --> 00:42:05.719 They're still in the phase 00:42:05.719 --> 00:42:07.239 where they are learning 00:42:07.239 --> 00:42:07.859 from others. 00:42:08.559 --> 00:42:09.679 There's also an extent 00:42:09.679 --> 00:42:10.419 to which you can get 00:42:10.419 --> 00:42:10.899 to a place 00:42:10.899 --> 00:42:11.579 where you're not just 00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:12.319 parroting what mom 00:42:12.319 --> 00:42:12.959 and dad are saying. 00:42:13.299 --> 00:42:13.839 You actually know 00:42:13.839 --> 00:42:14.859 what the word of God says. 00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:15.459 You know what God 00:42:15.459 --> 00:42:16.119 himself says. 00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:17.380 And you're in a mature place 00:42:17.380 --> 00:42:18.039 where you don't need 00:42:18.039 --> 00:42:18.900 to be fed milk. 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.599 You're on the meat. 00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:21.839 You're on the meat. 00:42:22.759 --> 00:42:24.599 And there is a trust. 00:42:24.980 --> 00:42:26.019 He holds firmly 00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:27.420 to the trustworthy word. 00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.219 We, 00:42:29.819 --> 00:42:31.960 a sign of maturity 00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:32.960 in the faith 00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:34.839 is when you are holding, 00:42:35.159 --> 00:42:36.480 you are holding firmly 00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:37.519 to the trustworthy word. 00:42:38.159 --> 00:42:38.779 May we be there. 00:42:38.980 --> 00:42:39.779 Now here's the thing. 00:42:40.420 --> 00:42:41.219 With the qualification 00:42:41.219 --> 00:42:41.859 of elders, 00:42:42.299 --> 00:42:43.400 there is a contrast here. 00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:44.500 There are people 00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:45.619 who are young in the faith. 00:42:46.119 --> 00:42:47.219 And they're not there yet. 00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:48.319 That's appropriate. 00:42:48.880 --> 00:42:49.440 That's appropriate. 00:42:49.599 --> 00:42:50.219 You don't need to be 00:42:50.219 --> 00:42:51.079 somewhere where you're not. 00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:53.000 But when we're discriminating here, 00:42:53.159 --> 00:42:53.779 we are looking 00:42:53.779 --> 00:42:54.579 for these attributes. 00:42:55.900 --> 00:42:57.079 Holding firmly 00:42:57.079 --> 00:42:58.440 to the trustworthy word 00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:58.960 as taught 00:42:58.960 --> 00:43:01.299 so that he may be able 00:43:01.299 --> 00:43:02.359 to give instruction 00:43:02.359 --> 00:43:03.400 in sound doctrine 00:43:03.400 --> 00:43:04.759 and also rebuke 00:43:04.759 --> 00:43:05.859 those who contradict it. 00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:07.259 This is someone 00:43:07.259 --> 00:43:08.119 who is not parroting 00:43:08.119 --> 00:43:08.619 other people. 00:43:08.839 --> 00:43:09.440 This is someone 00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:10.679 who is advocating 00:43:10.679 --> 00:43:11.759 on behalf of the Lord. 00:43:11.760 --> 00:43:12.880 And even one 00:43:12.880 --> 00:43:13.640 of the interesting ones 00:43:13.640 --> 00:43:15.480 is you have Paul 00:43:15.480 --> 00:43:17.080 who is an apostle 00:43:17.080 --> 00:43:18.960 but he's much less known 00:43:18.960 --> 00:43:19.900 than the apostles 00:43:19.900 --> 00:43:20.980 in Jerusalem. 00:43:21.300 --> 00:43:22.020 And he returns 00:43:22.020 --> 00:43:22.660 to Jerusalem. 00:43:23.040 --> 00:43:23.940 There's a controversy 00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:24.880 around circumcision 00:43:24.880 --> 00:43:26.180 and Peter 00:43:26.180 --> 00:43:27.000 was separating himself 00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:27.800 and Paul had 00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:28.640 so much confidence 00:43:28.640 --> 00:43:29.440 before the Lord 00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:31.980 that he rebuked Peter 00:43:31.980 --> 00:43:33.260 who is perhaps 00:43:33.260 --> 00:43:34.260 the most influential 00:43:34.260 --> 00:43:35.480 of all the apostles 00:43:35.480 --> 00:43:36.960 in the entire world. 00:43:37.320 --> 00:43:38.040 He had the confidence 00:43:38.040 --> 00:43:38.560 before God 00:43:38.560 --> 00:43:38.980 because he knew 00:43:38.980 --> 00:43:39.900 how to hold firmly 00:43:39.900 --> 00:43:41.000 to the trustworthy word. 00:43:41.740 --> 00:43:43.420 God is ultimately 00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:44.920 who he was able 00:43:44.920 --> 00:43:45.920 to hold firmly 00:43:45.920 --> 00:43:46.539 to in those moments 00:43:46.539 --> 00:43:47.659 and Peter humbled himself. 00:43:48.119 --> 00:43:48.579 He was right. 00:43:49.420 --> 00:43:50.360 There is a place 00:43:50.360 --> 00:43:51.519 where someone 00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:52.800 who is maturing faith 00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:55.159 is accountable to God. 00:43:56.019 --> 00:43:57.019 They're accountable to God 00:43:57.019 --> 00:43:57.500 and they're able 00:43:57.500 --> 00:43:58.159 to hold others 00:43:58.159 --> 00:43:58.960 accountable to God. 00:43:59.260 --> 00:44:00.139 They're able to 00:44:00.139 --> 00:44:01.420 give instruction 00:44:01.420 --> 00:44:03.019 in sound doctrine. 00:44:03.699 --> 00:44:04.039 They're able to 00:44:04.039 --> 00:44:05.119 advocate for sound doctrine 00:44:05.119 --> 00:44:06.360 and also rebuke 00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:07.400 those who contradict it. 00:44:07.880 --> 00:44:08.519 These are markers 00:44:08.519 --> 00:44:09.519 of maturity. 00:44:10.940 --> 00:44:11.679 And so with all this 00:44:11.679 --> 00:44:12.119 to say, 00:44:12.679 --> 00:44:14.400 we are obviously 00:44:14.400 --> 00:44:15.039 a church plant 00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.619 and we're wanting 00:44:15.619 --> 00:44:16.559 to appoint elders. 00:44:17.199 --> 00:44:18.059 I would say 00:44:18.059 --> 00:44:18.960 for you guys, 00:44:19.219 --> 00:44:19.900 it's really good 00:44:19.900 --> 00:44:21.340 for us to have 00:44:21.340 --> 00:44:22.380 conviction around 00:44:22.380 --> 00:44:22.860 what the scripture 00:44:22.860 --> 00:44:23.820 says on these matters 00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:25.420 and also have 00:44:25.420 --> 00:44:26.400 a good enough 00:44:26.400 --> 00:44:27.639 definition of 00:44:27.639 --> 00:44:28.300 what the scripture 00:44:28.300 --> 00:44:29.199 is saying here 00:44:29.199 --> 00:44:30.159 that we actually 00:44:30.159 --> 00:44:31.300 can be interpreters. 00:44:31.780 --> 00:44:31.920 Okay? 00:44:32.139 --> 00:44:32.599 When the scripture 00:44:32.599 --> 00:44:33.639 says that a person 00:44:33.639 --> 00:44:34.619 should be above approached, 00:44:35.340 --> 00:44:36.539 you're one of the people 00:44:36.539 --> 00:44:37.340 that needs to 00:44:37.340 --> 00:44:37.980 raise your hand. 00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:39.320 A lot of times 00:44:39.320 --> 00:44:40.139 when these things happen, 00:44:40.320 --> 00:44:41.000 there are people 00:44:41.000 --> 00:44:42.280 that don't raise their hand. 00:44:42.679 --> 00:44:43.380 That actually 00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:44.559 is one of the things 00:44:44.559 --> 00:44:45.360 that perpetuates 00:44:45.360 --> 00:44:45.900 some of this 00:44:45.900 --> 00:44:47.059 unhealth in the church. 00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:48.400 We as a church 00:44:48.400 --> 00:44:49.099 have an ability 00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:50.559 to peer into these things, 00:44:50.639 --> 00:44:51.159 have convictions 00:44:51.159 --> 00:44:51.740 about these things 00:44:51.740 --> 00:44:52.480 before the Lord 00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.760 and actually be a part 00:44:53.760 --> 00:44:55.639 of what Jesus said, 00:44:56.320 --> 00:44:57.079 the gatekeepers 00:44:57.079 --> 00:44:57.880 that allow 00:44:57.880 --> 00:44:58.659 the good shepherd 00:44:58.659 --> 00:44:59.260 to come in 00:44:59.260 --> 00:45:00.099 and be part of the flock. 00:45:00.179 --> 00:45:00.619 That's what we want. 00:45:00.699 --> 00:45:01.320 Isn't that what we want? 00:45:01.440 --> 00:45:01.559 Right? 00:45:02.420 --> 00:45:02.860 Also, 00:45:02.940 --> 00:45:03.320 I'll say 00:45:03.320 --> 00:45:04.820 this is really good 00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:06.099 for us to have convictions on 00:45:06.099 --> 00:45:07.739 by way of rising 00:45:07.739 --> 00:45:08.420 to the challenge 00:45:08.420 --> 00:45:09.519 and rising to the occasion 00:45:09.519 --> 00:45:12.179 and actually having that 00:45:12.179 --> 00:45:15.279 acknowledging the calling 00:45:15.279 --> 00:45:15.920 of an elder 00:45:15.920 --> 00:45:17.639 as being a noble calling. 00:45:17.900 --> 00:45:19.299 It is a noble calling. 00:45:19.579 --> 00:45:20.480 We need to have convictions 00:45:20.480 --> 00:45:21.659 about what the scripture 00:45:21.659 --> 00:45:22.659 is even talking about 00:45:22.659 --> 00:45:23.619 when it references that. 00:45:23.779 --> 00:45:24.500 It's a good thing. 00:45:24.619 --> 00:45:25.239 It's a good thing 00:45:25.239 --> 00:45:26.099 for people to aspire 00:45:26.099 --> 00:45:26.719 to eldership. 00:45:26.719 --> 00:45:27.959 It's also something 00:45:27.959 --> 00:45:28.839 that oftentimes, 00:45:29.419 --> 00:45:30.099 most of the time, 00:45:30.419 --> 00:45:31.099 there needs to be 00:45:31.099 --> 00:45:31.779 a lot of maturing 00:45:31.779 --> 00:45:32.579 and sanctification. 00:45:32.879 --> 00:45:33.419 There needs to be 00:45:33.419 --> 00:45:34.059 a lot of repentance. 00:45:35.119 --> 00:45:37.339 I believe that 00:45:37.339 --> 00:45:39.699 one of the biggest gaps 00:45:39.699 --> 00:45:40.639 in the church 00:45:40.639 --> 00:45:42.679 is good shepherding. 00:45:44.099 --> 00:45:45.759 I also believe 00:45:45.759 --> 00:45:48.500 that people way underestimate 00:45:48.500 --> 00:45:50.000 how much the Lord 00:45:50.000 --> 00:45:50.659 can sanctify 00:45:50.659 --> 00:45:51.639 and set people free 00:45:51.639 --> 00:45:53.959 and actually fill that gap 00:45:53.959 --> 00:45:55.639 in good shepherding. 00:45:55.639 --> 00:45:59.099 And my hope is 00:45:59.099 --> 00:46:00.000 that some of this 00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:00.960 will inspire you guys, 00:46:01.079 --> 00:46:02.559 but also that you will have 00:46:02.559 --> 00:46:03.659 belief in your heart 00:46:03.659 --> 00:46:04.859 and confidence in your heart 00:46:04.859 --> 00:46:05.679 that the Lord 00:46:05.679 --> 00:46:06.859 not only can appoint these 00:46:06.859 --> 00:46:07.579 in our midst, 00:46:07.900 --> 00:46:09.019 but also can sanctify 00:46:09.019 --> 00:46:09.839 for those of you 00:46:09.839 --> 00:46:10.599 who are eager 00:46:10.599 --> 00:46:12.159 and sanctify your hearts 00:46:12.159 --> 00:46:13.000 unto these things. 00:46:13.139 --> 00:46:14.139 There actually is hope 00:46:14.139 --> 00:46:15.259 for being qualified. 00:46:15.639 --> 00:46:16.779 This is not such a high standard 00:46:16.779 --> 00:46:17.519 that it's unachievable 00:46:17.519 --> 00:46:18.099 for the Lord. 00:46:18.299 --> 00:46:18.779 It is actually 00:46:18.779 --> 00:46:19.460 an achievable standard. 00:46:19.920 --> 00:46:21.460 This is an achievable standard. 00:46:21.639 --> 00:46:23.239 It's a high standard, 00:46:23.420 --> 00:46:24.599 but it is an achievable standard. 00:46:25.639 --> 00:46:27.279 So I'm just going to 00:46:27.279 --> 00:46:28.400 go ahead and close 00:46:28.400 --> 00:46:28.699 and pour. 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:28.859 00:46:28.859 --> 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