WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.440 First of all, I would like to thank you for your prayers. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:20.480 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.159 And one of the things that was very encouraging as I actually was driving up there, and I'm 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:43.159 happy to announce that I didn't get a ticket this time, I have become very, very methodical 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:47.039 about using my cruise control. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:52.240 How many of you understand that, you know, I got my first, some of you don't know me, 00:00:52.240 --> 00:00:58.200 and I got my first ticket in 27 years a couple weeks ago, and I have become scrupulous about 00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:01.060 following the legal limit. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:05.439 And when I asked for people to pray for me last week, because I was going to preach to 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:09.140 pastors out in the country, I suppose some of you decided that you'd go ahead and throw 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:12.540 in a freebie, and that is that I would obey the law. 00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:17.379 Secondly, you did pray that God would help me in preaching the Word of God to men that 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:22.879 have been called by the Spirit of God to be ministers of the gospel. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:31.239 And I am very thankful that, for one, I received a number of notes, texts in Facebook that were 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:32.420 encouragement in advance. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:35.780 And then afterwards, when I came back, a number of you texted me, how did it go? 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:37.659 How did things happen to work out? 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:42.519 And I am very thankful to tell you, without question, that it was a time of blessing both 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:47.399 to me and to men who are my brothers in the Lord Jesus and preachers of righteousness. 00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:53.940 And so, after having thanked you for that, I want you to turn in your Bibles now to Acts 00:01:53.940 --> 00:01:57.480 chapter 6, and I'll share a little story. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:02.240 My wife is in the nursery, so she will not hear this unless you tell her. 00:02:05.860 --> 00:02:12.680 But this morning, as we were having time of prayer together, and if you think I'm a beggar 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:15.879 for prayer here publicly, I want you to know that I'm a beggar at home as well. 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:22.419 And so, we were in the process of praying together, and she said, well, okay, and what's your day 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:22.859 look like? 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.759 I said, well, pray for me because I really need the Holy Spirit's enabling this morning 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:28.479 as I preach. 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:31.120 And she said, well, this is an easy one. 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:35.379 She knew what I was going to preach on, and she said it was an easy one. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:37.599 And I said, oh, no, honey, there's no such thing as an easy one. 00:02:38.859 --> 00:02:44.319 And she said, well, what I mean is that you've actually preached on the importance of deacons 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:44.719 before. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:48.919 And I said, well, that is true, but I would never presuppose that there's such a thing 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:49.819 as an easy sermon. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.159 Sometimes things are easy, but that's only in the flesh. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:58.879 And I am dependent upon the Holy Spirit. 00:02:59.979 --> 00:03:02.000 I am dependent upon the Word of God. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:04.460 And I'm dependent upon your prayers. 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:12.900 And so, when we take this passage, Acts chapter 6, and hold it and study it together, I trust 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:14.780 that you will be multitasking. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:17.400 One of the things you're doing is you're saying, oh, Lord, help him. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:18.340 And I do need that. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:24.159 But then you're also saying, oh, Lord, give me a teachable heart to hear and to allow the 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:26.819 Word of God to make a difference in my life as well. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:33.459 So, having said that publicly, it would be appropriate for us to just remind us again, our own hearts, 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:39.219 we cannot do anything apart from the enabling of the Spirit. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:40.039 Let's pray. 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:49.000 Father, we are so very thankful that as we gather together here as believers, we gather not because of habit 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:55.519 or because that it's our history, but really we gather because of your work in drawing us out of the misery 00:03:55.519 --> 00:04:01.539 and the despicable condition of our sin and making us to be children of the living God. 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:08.719 And you've drawn us together this morning to engage in corporate worship and to sing joyfully and enthusiastically 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:14.719 in the power of the Spirit of God and then to open up the Scriptures and in our opening the Word 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:19.220 to have the Psalms resonating in our soul as we think, 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:23.720 Open thou mine eyes that I might behold wondrous truths of thy law. 00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:27.540 We're beggars and gladly so. 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:34.199 And our request this morning is that your Spirit would enable us who are your children and believers 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:42.079 to hear the things that we need to hear and to also be enabled and encouraged to make the changes that you want us to make. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:47.240 I pray, Father, that as a result of our attention to the Word of God, 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:51.519 there would be a growing passion in the hearts of men in particular 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:58.959 to grow to be men that are qualified to serve in that high and noble office as a deacon. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:09.639 We pray also that wives and mothers would be ambitious to see the men that they are either married to 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:13.819 or the boys that they are in the process of nurturing and encouraging, 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:20.839 that part of their ambition would be to raise up those boys to become men who serve the Bride of Christ 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:25.299 and know the blessing that comes with being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:30.560 And, Father, we do recognize that apart from you we can do nothing, 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:36.800 and so we plead with you this morning to work in our midst that the Word of God would have free course. 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:40.000 That's our prayer. Amen. 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:45.300 Well, in several weeks, actually, it's going to be the second Wednesday in December, 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:49.740 which our Constitution stipulates is when we have our annual meeting. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:53.439 We are going to get together, and one of the things that we're going to do 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:58.199 is we are going to vote on the budget, and we have put the budget out well in advance 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:00.620 so that all of you have an opportunity to look at it. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:03.259 And our standard statement is this. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:07.300 If you have any questions, we want you to feel free to ask one of your pastors 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:12.560 or to ask your deacon, and they will do their very best to help you understand the logic 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:18.120 that went into the process of building the budget that we've presented to you for your consideration. 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:23.740 But actually, the budget is by far the least important of the issues that we deal with. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:27.340 The more important issue is always the matter of choosing leadership. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:33.600 And we recognize that every year we are blessed to be able to come together as body of believers 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:40.079 and carefully think about those who we would appoint to serve as our deacons in this fellowship. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:45.019 And for you who are visiting this morning, we're glad you're here. 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:51.039 For you who are part of our fellowship over many, many years, let me tell you that I would encourage you 00:06:51.039 --> 00:06:56.759 to never take for granted the peaceableness and the equanimity that we have enjoyed in this fellowship. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:57.740 It's not an accident. 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:03.120 First of all, it is the ministry of the grace of God working in the hearts of people. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:08.540 And I think over the years that we have been in communion together as a body of believers 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:13.899 and we mark the way in which this body has stayed together and been blessed 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:17.480 through a number of the little turmoils that God's brought, and he's allowed. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:23.399 I have to tell you that closing the Christian school was not an easy thing for any of us emotionally. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:30.360 I have to tell you that going through the changes in music and small group were things that were a challenge for us. 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.580 For you who this morning kind of arrived here and you see all we're doing, 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:39.220 hey, we didn't get there without some heavy lifting and some careful, prayerful attention. 00:07:40.520 --> 00:07:45.420 I remember, and I've shared this before, I remember when I came home and I'd been praying about this for a while 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:49.000 and I said to my wife, I said, honey, I think we're going to work at changing the music 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.520 and we're also going to go to small group. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:53.180 And you who don't know my wife, she's very on point. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:55.319 She says, why don't we go to another church and start over? 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:59.939 And she was saying, that is going to be quite a lift. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:02.079 And I am so blessed. 00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:08.680 I am richly blessed by the men that you over the years have placed in positions of leadership 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:13.759 because they are the ones that have worked together to maintain the unity of spirit 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.379 and to help us as we've made these changes in progress. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:24.720 And so as we come this morning to think about the matter of voting on men that will serve in this capacity, 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:29.920 it is fitting for me to open up the scriptures and say, here, here's what God says. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:37.399 And remind you that he's not left us comfortless and he's not left us without clear instruction 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:42.820 as to what he looks for in those who would lead the bride of Christ. 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:46.500 So I want you to turn in your Bible to Acts chapter 6. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:55.420 In Acts chapter 6, it tells us there in verse 1, and let me just kind of read it to set the frame for you. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:55.760 It says, 00:08:55.759 --> 00:09:01.899 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:05.879 because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:10.539 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:15.000 It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:21.139 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the spirit and of wisdom, 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:26.240 whom we will appoint to this duty, and we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:29.679 And what they said pleased the whole gathering. 00:09:30.579 --> 00:09:31.599 And they chose Stephen. 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:34.519 And we work our way through the names that are there. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:39.159 And so as we look at this passage, I want us to kind of back up a little bit. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:44.279 And before we actually look at the qualification that the Spirit of God has given to the bride of Christ, 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:50.659 whereby we may make judgments as to those who we would appoint to serve and to be leaders in the body of Christ, 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:54.899 let's take a moment, first of all, to consider that when we think about leadership, 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:57.139 that it's a role that's been prepared by God. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:05.480 The fact that we have in this situation a little difficulty in the church in Jerusalem is not atypical. 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:10.560 I trust that you know when you get more than one person in a canoe, it becomes work. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:16.300 When you are there by yourself paddling the old J-stroke and making reasonable progress 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:20.639 and kind of doing your own thing, thinking whatever you are, it's not so tough. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:24.259 But the more people get involved in something, the more complicated it becomes. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:28.980 And as we see here in this passage in Acts 6, verse 1, it says, 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:33.519 As the church grew, problems developed. 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:41.500 And we understand actually in the passage that what had happened here is that the Gentile widows had been neglected. 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:46.639 I don't know whether it was intentional or not, but the fact of the matter is it did happen. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:54.039 And as a result of that, as you read in the passage, it says here that a complaint arose. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:59.659 Now, I do want you to know that some people are appointed by God, it would seem to be professional complainers. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:03.699 I mean, every church is blessed by them, and I recognize that. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:08.559 And one of the things I've learned is that when they leave here, they go somewhere else and continue their ministry. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:10.100 It's all right. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:11.720 You know, I accept that. 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:12.559 They're a blessing. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:20.059 Honestly, I want you to know that I believe that God uses some people to test my character, and God uses some people to test yours. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:24.319 And so there are some who just kind of, they arrive. 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:28.619 I remember a dear man said to me, I want you to understand that I'm like a battery. 00:11:29.339 --> 00:11:30.879 I'm the negative part of this. 00:11:31.099 --> 00:11:33.759 How many of you understand when you use a battery, there's a positive and a negative? 00:11:34.099 --> 00:11:40.639 And he, with all freedom, told me that his responsibility was to be the negative end of the battery for me, and I thought, God bless you. 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:50.299 So, there are some who have never seen anything that didn't deserve to be complained about. 00:11:50.819 --> 00:12:00.519 But on the other hand, there are times when complaints are profitable and important to the well-being of a body, and things happen that deserve attention. 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:09.600 And in this case, here was a situation that the apostles were missing, and appropriately so, people came and said, hey, we got a problem. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.899 We need to do something about it. 00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:20.980 I really appreciate that the apostles handled it properly and recognizing that this was a concern that people had. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:26.879 They stopped, and without question, we don't know the details of it, but they didn't kind of respond in the flesh and say, hey, be quiet. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.059 Just sit down and let me do this thing. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:30.360 No. 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:41.299 Instead, and I want you to understand what they actually did, was they followed the model that had been set already in the Scriptures back, and you don't want to go back there for the time. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:53.979 But in Exodus chapter 7, remember 17, remember when Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, arrived at camp and found Moses spending morning to night answering people's problems. 00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:59.079 And Jethro said, hey, bub, you're going to wear yourself out, and you're going to ruin these people. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:04.539 And he said, why don't you divide the responsibility and spread it out and choose godly men to help you? 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:13.839 And so in this case, what we see is that the apostles followed that same model and applied the same truths. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:26.740 Now, before we actually look at the characteristics for men that should serve, I want you to recognize there's some things that take place behind the scenes that are important for us to pay attention to. 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:33.240 Actually, I want you to recognize that godly leadership doesn't happen overnight like mushrooms after a warm rain. 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:36.740 Godly leadership is developed over time. 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.379 I want you to lock that into your mind. 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:41.759 Godly leadership is developed over time. 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:46.200 As you look at Acts chapter 6, verse 3, it says, 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:51.159 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute or reputation. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:58.679 The apostles instructed the church to choose individuals that met certain qualifications. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:05.819 And with each of the qualifications, such as a good reputation, being full of the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom, 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:10.519 I want you to recognize that those kind of things are not developed overnight. 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:16.959 No one ever gains a reputation for good behavior in a single instance. 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:22.320 Everybody can be reasonably courteous at the door when it comes time to open up and say, 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.720 Oh, no, you go first. 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:31.660 But afterwards, we discover sometimes the heart that an individual has by some kind of snarky little common negative attitude or something 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:36.700 that completely unhinges the blessing that seemed to be there. 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:43.080 I want you to turn just for a moment as we consider this matter of time over to 1 Timothy chapter 5, verse 22. 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:46.440 1 Timothy chapter 5, verse 22. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:15:01.379 1 Timothy, written to Timothy by the apostle, is full in particular about practical details that are important in the body of Christ. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.900 These are things to pay attention to. 00:15:03.280 --> 00:15:04.700 These are things that are going to help you. 00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:10.860 And these are blessings that are going to be invaluable to the fellowship that you are engaged in leading. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:13.180 And so we look here in verse 22, and it says, 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:22.720 Do not be hasty in laying hands, but take time, nor take part in the sins of others. 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.860 Keep yourself pure. 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:29.820 What he's saying in particular is that don't be quick to appoint individuals to positions of leadership. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.720 Why is that? 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:35.159 If you look in the passage, it goes on and says this, verse 24. 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:42.679 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:50.959 I remember at one point in my youth being overly persuaded of my ability to discern character. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:54.779 And I thought I was a pretty good read of character. 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:57.759 As I've gotten older, I've learned that I'm a horrible read of character. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:04.179 And the only thing that really accommodates that horrible ability is that I rely upon time, time, time, time, time. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.860 What am I saying? 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:08.000 Pay attention over time you figure out what a person's really like. 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.080 Give them time. 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.960 Listen lots. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:16.220 Pay attention to how they respond when things don't go their way. 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:21.580 By the way, find out whether or not they're critical and sarcastic in their home. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:26.879 You can be a prince in the lobby, but you can be an absolute skunk. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:30.019 Moody, unhappy, surly. 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.379 How many of you understand those words? 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.519 Do you follow what I'm saying? 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:33.559 Okay. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.559 You can let it all hang out. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:39.320 By the way, we haven't done this, but it might not be a bad idea. 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:48.139 Ask the wife, would you endorse your husband as an unqualified example of a godly man who handles his tongue well and his attitudes perfectly? 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.460 Oh, okay. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.120 Preach. 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.960 Stay with the text. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:57.160 So here we are. 00:16:59.160 --> 00:17:05.039 The Bible says it takes time, and we recognize that together. 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:12.620 Now, does that mean that in time, any and every man in this congregation is going to become a perfect example of Jesus all the time? 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.259 What's the answer? 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.920 I wish. 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.000 I meant that. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:18.340 I wish, but here's the truth. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.000 It's not going to happen. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:22.559 But what you want to see is two things. 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:28.619 You want to see the incident rate between the mess-ups kind of become longer. 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.119 Do you follow that? 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:32.259 How many of you understand what I mean by incident rates? 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:36.019 I told you I got a speeding ticket, right? 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:42.819 Well, what I am hoping is that the next ticket does not happen until I become room temperature. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:47.639 What's he saying? 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.220 Dead. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.220 Dead. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:52.640 And there's a practical reason for that. 00:17:53.299 --> 00:18:01.079 How many of you understand that if you have a recurring pattern of speeding tickets, there's something that happens to your insurance rate? 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:07.879 So, as you get older, hopefully, the incident rate, fewer and fewer. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:10.079 Now, the other piece. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:21.859 When there is a mistake or a hiccup or a sin, what you hope is an indication of maturity is the narrowing of the gap between the incident and the recovery. 00:18:22.199 --> 00:18:22.899 Do you follow that? 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:29.799 Some of you have said some horrible things this last week at home. 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:36.059 Some of you have just absolutely embarrassed Christ by your behavior at work. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:44.019 Some of you have thought some despicable things in your heart, and even your wife doesn't know it. 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:54.299 The test that I am curious about is how long did it take after that sin took place and you had a repentant and contrite heart? 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.279 You came back to your wife. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:59.159 If you said something to her and said, honey, you need to forgive me, that is so ungodly. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:07.680 And I am convicted that that's not the way that a believer should act, and I have embarrassed myself before you, and I have harmed you. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:09.360 You're the bride that God has given me. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:15.019 And all the women said, that's where an amen could slip in. 00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.420 Don't do it too loud. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.519 But, you know, it's like, yes. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.440 Okay? 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:25.019 Or, you know, you have some problem at work, and you, hey, how many of you understand that? 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:30.379 The incident rate of our failure, our sin, grows longer. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:32.279 We don't have as many over a period of time. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:42.299 But when you do, quickly do you have a repentant and a contrite heart and plead with the Spirit of God to bring about a change. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:49.579 So, anyway, I want you to understand that one of the things that characterizes godly leadership is it developed over time. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:54.779 Number two, godly leadership is characterized by ministry and servanthood. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:58.119 I meant to say this, and I didn't, so I'll say it now. 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:03.680 This Saturday, I understand we have two different families in our church that are going to be moving. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:07.660 Moving is a good thing, sometimes. 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:14.360 In this case, because they're family members of our fellowship, guess what we are going to be doing together doing that? 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.940 We're going to show up, and we're going to help them. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.940 And do you know who's going to be there doing these things? 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.900 I venture to say that you're going to see your deacons there. 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.480 You may see a couple of pastors there. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:25.720 And here's the reason that takes place. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:31.279 It's because we understand that at the heart of spiritual leadership is servanthood. 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.720 Servanthood. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:36.680 I've had some individuals ask me, 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:48.259 Pastor, how is it that Maranatha has maintained the level of peaceableness that we have for so long? 00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:51.140 And we have, I never, you heard the phrase knock on wood? 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.720 So you heard me do it. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:56.700 But I don't take the blessing that we have lightly. 00:20:56.700 --> 00:21:12.140 But I will tell you one of the things that has helped us with the spirit of unity and peaceableness that we have is because all who serve in our fellowship are well known for being servants of the bride. 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:26.100 And those who serve have less tendency of shooting their mouth off or having attitudes that make them a little bit like a porcupine or a skunk that you don't want to poke with a 10-foot stick. 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:33.019 Our leaders serve. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:39.420 And incidentally, when you look at the passage in Acts chapter 6, you understand that's what they were there to do. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:42.420 I love it when I hear a man say, 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:56.220 Well, I'm kind of pondering being a deacon, but I'm just not sure if I want to sacrifice my Saturdays to help other people move or to help with meals or to pass out brochures through the neighborhood or whatever else we're doing. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:59.019 When we put on a spring tea, it's all hands on deck. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:02.420 And nobody signed a contract saying, 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:04.079 That's what you have to do. 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:11.740 It's because they understand by the ministry of the Spirit of God and the prompting of the Spirit that service is part of what they do. 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:17.759 I think this issue of servanthood is pretty important. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.779 By the way, Jesus actually thought that too. 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:24.700 If you think back over to Matthew chapter 20, just take a look at it quickly. 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.640 I'm going to just touch on it. 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:34.019 Matthew chapter 20, verse 25 through 28, you'll have two brothers whose mother came to Jesus and said, 00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:36.059 Hey, by the way, would you do me a big favor? 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.200 What's that? 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:41.380 Well, when you come into your kingdom, I'd like my sons to be number one and number two. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:46.940 I mean, how would you like to be the mother who could advertise publicly, 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.559 My son is not a doctor. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:53.240 My son is number one with Jesus. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:57.200 I mean, you know, heavy lifting if you really wanted to have it said that way. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:23:00.180 And here was the mother who was not asking just for a little minor. 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:05.160 She wanted her sons, both of them, to be in position number one, position number two. 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:09.279 My son is the vice president and blah, blah, blah, whatever. 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:13.460 Anyway, the disciples got an attitude about that. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.740 And Jesus said, Hey, stop. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.579 Let me tell you. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:21.000 Those that are going to be first, those that are going to be most important are servants to all. 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:27.319 And I can tell you because I look over this congregation and I can think in just the last month or so, 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:34.659 the number of different times that I have seen our deacons quietly without fanfare show up and serve. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:37.960 We had one guy that looked like a pirate on last Thursday. 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.619 Was it last Thursday? 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:41.979 I mean, here's a deacon acting like a pirate. 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:45.459 You know, we had other deacons showing up. 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:48.459 And by the way, why do they do that? 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:52.899 They do it because they're examples to the body and they've been appointed to be servants. 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:56.459 I want you to think about another passage, John chapter 13, verse 12 through 17. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:24:01.759 When Jesus, after he had ministered to his disciples there at the Last Supper, you know what he did? 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.600 You know what he did? 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.840 He put on a towel. 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:08.740 He stooped down and he washed everybody's feet. 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:11.539 Listen to me. 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:18.700 Washing other people's feet is not a media event where once a year you go out and do it somewhere publicly 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:21.680 and try to find a couple extra beggars to take care of that problem. 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:26.380 Our deacons wash feet week in and week out. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:29.660 They pay attention to the needs of this fellowship. 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:34.579 They know many times of the heartaches and needs that you have, 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:37.900 and they are there on point to care for you, and they love you. 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:43.640 Well, I want you to understand third is that godly leadership is a matter of stewardship. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:44.940 Stewardship. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:50.299 I want you to turn, if you will, to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:56.000 Remember, we're dealing with background, and we understand that when the apostle said in Acts chapter 6, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:25:03.240 you need to pick these kind of guys out, they were actually speaking in broad terms about some essential characteristics 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:05.119 that we need to remind ourselves of. 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:11.200 Leaders happen over time, and they're developed by the Spirit of God in discipleship. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.200 Leaders are servants, and leaders are stewards. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:19.680 There in 1 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 1, it says, 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:24.759 This is how one should regard us as a servant of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:29.019 Moreover, it's required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:34.759 And I want you to understand that ultimately those who have been prepared by God's grace over time 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:40.660 and who have been matured in the crucible of ministry and appointed to serve the body of Christ 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:46.879 are men who recognize their position is a stewardship to the Lord of hosts. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.940 They're responsible to Him. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.460 And why are they stewards? 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:57.480 For one, because they have been obligated by their salvation and the blessing of God's grace. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:03.099 I remind you of what it says over in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, where it says this, 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:05.420 The love of Christ constrains us. 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:07.680 Why does it put a bind on us? 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:11.160 Or why does it tie us to a certain position or attitude? 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:15.640 Because we know that Jesus died for us. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:18.480 Truth of the matter is, several weeks ago, 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:24.720 Tim Kenoyer, thinking about helping with a move. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:28.740 And I found myself in one of those attitudinal moments. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.740 How many of you understand what an attitudinal moment is? 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.480 It's like I had other things to do. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:40.539 And by the way, I want you to know that my list is just like your list. 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:49.519 My leaves don't get cared for or my lawn taken care of or my honey-do list doesn't happen to just kind of shrink automatically 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:51.920 just because I say, Oh, honey, I'm going to help. 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:52.960 No, it's still there. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:57.539 And I remember a couple weeks ago, I was kind of mulling this over, and I thought, Hold it, Tim. 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.600 Who are you going to serve? 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.620 I'm going to serve Jesus. 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:07.240 And when I got the right attitude, it actually ended up being a very enjoyable move. 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:09.319 And by the way, there are people watching us. 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:13.440 I mean, it's like locusts come out of nowhere when we have a Maranatha move. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:15.259 It's like, whoosh, you know. 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:17.519 And we're bumping into each other. 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.900 We're going, you know, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:23.380 And there's kind of an unwritten rule, go fast, you know. 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:25.420 I mean, we had all that. 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:30.759 We had that truck unpacked in about 40 minutes, and the person who was watching us kind of had their jaw drop. 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:39.259 And said, I wish I had your help to move, okay. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:47.200 I want you to understand that those who serve understand stewardship. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:51.340 There's something else that I want you to understand in relationship to stewardship. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.539 Number one, it's not an accident. 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:57.019 It's the grace of God that saves us. 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:58.380 Number two, it's not an accident. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:28:00.720 It's the work of God that helps us grow in grace. 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.480 Agreed? 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:13.000 By the way, if you're kind of sitting here on the periphery, and you're kind of one of those guys who's unhappy, ill-spirited, self-focused. 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:13.860 Can I tell you something? 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:16.240 It's not fun being you. 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:20.660 How do I know that? 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:23.000 Because I've been there. 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:31.019 When the grace of God got a hold of my life and began a weapon on me to help me change, 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:38.500 I began to find out that it was a whole lot more fun to be who Jesus wanted me to be than who I used to be. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:42.240 I'm not all there yet. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.839 But I'll tell you what. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:59.119 I am obligated to the Lord Jesus who saved me and who has lifted me out of the pit and who has been working to help me change to be willing to serve the bride of Christ. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:06.639 Do you know what stewardship means? 00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:16.399 It means the day is coming when Tim Kenoyer is going to stand before the throne and the rest of you are going to stand before the throne and he is going to say, 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:18.620 And what did you do with what I gave to you? 00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:26.460 Well, I knew you were a hard guy and so I just kind of dug into the ground and hit it. 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:28.500 No. 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:38.900 Folks, I don't know what my future is, but by the grace of God, I want to keep on going up until I go out. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:49.960 Well, having talked about the background, let's take a couple minutes and talk about the fact that it's a role with qualifications set by God. 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:59.600 Now, there are three essential things that the apostles set out as standards for men that you call to serve as deacons. 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:03.440 Number one, a man with a good reputation. 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:08.460 There in 1 Corinthians, go back to 1 Timothy. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.380 A man with a good reputation. 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:25.620 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:31.840 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience and let them be tested first. 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:41.539 And so we understand this, that the reminder that we have here in this passage is that when you appoint a man to serve as a deacon, 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:43.799 he has to be a man who has a good reputation. 00:30:43.959 --> 00:30:49.720 How many of you use something like, well, don't use Consumer Digest anymore, we Google it, right? 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:55.199 And we want to find out whether the product we're going to buy has a certain level of reliability. 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:56.119 How many of you do that? 00:30:57.179 --> 00:30:57.439 Okay. 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.439 And you pay attention. 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:04.400 Do you know how those reliability grades are produced? 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:10.019 In fact, over, it's like, hey, I won't go there. 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:17.320 It's by reputation and people posting things and saying, you know what? 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:19.900 I have this kind of car and it's got the best service. 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:22.299 I've been driving that thing for 350,000 miles. 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:24.000 Haven't even had to change the oil. 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:25.380 And you go, that's what I want. 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.600 Okay. 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:33.200 You see, good reputation is something you earn over time. 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:37.140 By the way, in case you're wondering, you do have to change oil. 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:39.480 Some of you are going to go home and say, Pastor said that and send me an email. 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.160 So I don't want that. 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:40.860 Okay. 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.299 Second thing is follow the Holy Spirit. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:46.059 Hey, this is not really tricky. 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:51.419 This is not really tricky. 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:59.779 This passage in Acts chapter 6 was for everyone in the congregation that was going to choose. 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:07.579 And being full of the Holy Spirit is not something where guys walk around with an aura around their head. 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.460 You know, like a little halo. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.079 It's like, oh, yeah, he's got it. 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:16.180 How do you know somebody who's full of the Holy Spirit? 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.200 Well, a couple things. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:22.960 Number one, we have Galatians passage that talks about the fruit of the Spirit, right? 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:26.000 Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, patience, goodness, temper, et cetera. 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:31.660 Hey, let me tell you something that I've been continuing to work on, and I'm trusting God helps me make progress with it. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.100 Everybody pay attention. 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:40.719 1 Corinthians chapter 13 says, love thinks no evil. 00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:45.659 Everybody smile so you know I'm talking to you. 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:56.939 One of the things that I am working at is that my first thought about other people is loving, not unloving. 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.719 How many of you heard me? 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:02.939 Huh? 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:06.059 First thought, not later. 00:33:06.699 --> 00:33:07.579 First thought. 00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:10.159 That's the Holy Spirit at work. 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:16.059 There's another way in which you really figure out whether a person is filled with the Spirit. 00:33:16.719 --> 00:33:17.719 It's this way. 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:20.199 It's called the full cup. 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:27.159 Whatever's inside, eventually, when you get bumped, comes what? 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.039 Outside. 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.539 Now, most of us try. 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:33.779 How many of you drink coffee when you drive? 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:36.019 Raise your hand so I can kind of see who I'm talking to here. 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:43.119 One of the things that I have done in the past before I got reasonably a little smarter is I used to spill coffee on my shirt. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:46.180 You know, it's very embarrassing to come into the office and you've got all these dribbles down the front. 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.879 It's like, what happened? 00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:53.540 But now I have a coffee cup that has a sippy to it. 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:55.580 You know, it's like a, just get a little teeny weeny thing. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:57.900 It's like, you really draw on that thing. 00:33:57.960 --> 00:34:00.700 But the advantage is if you don't have all these stains on your shirt, right? 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:06.420 Now, we all wish is that when it came to the issues that are inside, we were using sippy cups. 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:08.380 But here's the deal. 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:13.480 When you get bumped, what's inside comes outside. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:21.619 And those who are full of the Holy Spirit, what comes out is going to be a blessing and encouragement. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:32.099 How many of you are slowly learning that it's wiser to pray and plan ahead before you just shoot your mouth off? 00:34:33.779 --> 00:34:44.779 The older I get, the older I get, the more carefully I work to guard my tongue and I can go left of center in a heartbeat. 00:34:44.780 --> 00:34:51.320 Well, a man who is full of wisdom. 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:53.140 Wisdom. 00:34:55.380 --> 00:35:05.140 And in essence, what I understand that to mean is not, you know, why is it that these absolutely dumb ads come to my mind? 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:15.779 I'm thinking about that time that a guy climbs up that mountain and sees this, you know, kind of this, you know, holy man up there at the top. 00:35:15.879 --> 00:35:18.379 And he says, I'm looking for wisdom. 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:20.460 And he says, buy Michelin tires. 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:24.579 You know, it's like, very off page. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:29.000 What does full of wisdom look like? 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.900 Everybody listen. 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:38.099 Full of wisdom means that your heart exudes or brings out the word of God. 00:35:40.820 --> 00:35:44.680 Do you know God is infinitely wise? 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:47.539 We can all say amen to that. 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:51.660 And so how do you know when a person is full of wisdom? 00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:53.340 When he is full of the scriptures. 00:35:53.340 --> 00:36:04.920 Earlier last week, I had a situation where an individual called me, not part of our fellowship, not even living around here, 00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:08.220 called me about a problem in a church, a younger pastor. 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:14.460 And as we were talking, working through a very, very traumatic situation, I remember as we were talking together, 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:24.960 I said, listen, the first thing that you have to do is discipline yourself to think of passages of scripture that bear on this subject. 00:36:29.240 --> 00:36:40.519 Because when you are involved with people's hearts, one of the things I can't guarantee is how it will come out in the short term. 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.019 Let me explain. 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:45.480 When you go to a brother and say, you know what? 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:49.239 That was a really unkind thing you did. 00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:54.300 And you do that with the 2 Timothy 2, verse 24. 00:36:54.480 --> 00:37:00.139 It says that the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle in meekness, instructing those who oppose him. 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:01.539 You know what meekness looks like? 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:02.619 Huh? 00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:06.559 It doesn't look like Mr. Smackdown dealing with a problem. 00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:15.219 And I told him, I said, you can't guarantee how the other person is going to react, but here's what you can do. 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:23.519 You can be certain that if you are following the scriptures, that you will have the smile of the only one who counts when you get home. 00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:24.159 Amen. 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:32.400 And so a man who's full of wisdom is a man who has the word at hand. 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:38.460 I look at our deacons this morning, and I can tell you that on more than one occasion, we've stopped. 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:44.820 And by the way, one of the biggest jokes in our church, at least in the deacon board, is that pastor always gets his way. 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:47.340 Tim Smith, do you remember that? 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:50.440 Tim Smith, relatively new deacon. 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:56.300 And when he walked in there, he kind of thought that urban legend, that might be possibly true, that pastor got his way. 00:37:56.360 --> 00:37:57.740 How many times do I get my way, Tim? 00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:59.820 Not very often. 00:38:00.059 --> 00:38:00.920 Ah, I wish. 00:38:01.400 --> 00:38:04.639 But the truth of the matter is, is most of my ideas are dumb. 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:11.700 Our deacons spare you incredible heartache. 00:38:14.260 --> 00:38:16.360 And they do so with a reasonable kindness. 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:19.579 It's like, pastor, really? 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:20.760 Okay. 00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:28.300 Many times we'll stop, and I'll say, we need to pray. 00:38:29.800 --> 00:38:33.920 And then afterwards I say, and let's kind of share some scriptures that come to mind. 00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:38.880 And different guys around the table will bring out, well, I'm thinking about this one, or I'm thinking about this one. 00:38:39.119 --> 00:38:44.740 And we began to kind of reframe the challenge that we're having with the word of God. 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:47.920 One more thing. 00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:54.099 Being a deacon is a role appointed by God's people. 00:38:55.659 --> 00:39:04.240 You look there at Acts chapter 6, and we see there that the apostles set the standards, and it was the people that did the choosing. 00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:14.619 There's a reason that we're going to have our people vote on our deacons. 00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:19.539 Those who serve the body are reasonably called by the body. 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:27.599 We see in this text that the people made their choice through the guidelines provided by the Holy Spirit, communicated by the apostles. 00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:34.039 And that after he had chosen these individuals, then the apostles took care of arranging the details and seeing how it worked out. 00:39:34.039 --> 00:39:51.320 And so I want you to understand that the reason that I come to open up the word of God and preach to you about the subject of godly leadership in advance is with this understanding that you, informed by the scriptures and prayerfully considering what the Bible has to say, 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:59.380 are going to pray and ask for God's leading as you look to those who will be leaders in this congregation. 00:39:59.380 --> 00:40:07.780 So let's summarize with just a couple practical applications. 00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:18.079 Number one, men, all men, should desire to grow to be fit to serve. 00:40:18.079 --> 00:40:27.159 I can't say that every man should grow to be a pastor. 00:40:27.299 --> 00:40:33.079 Now, the reason for that is I believe that men are called and appointed by God to be preachers of the word of God. 00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:37.380 And so I can't say to every man here, you know, I would love to see you grow. 00:40:37.619 --> 00:40:44.860 Now, in practical terms, I would like to see men grow to be pastors, but I know many are not called to do that. 00:40:44.860 --> 00:41:04.460 But I can also say this, that the scriptures make it clear that the qualifications for men who are suited to lead are the standards that any reasonable wife would hope her husband would aspire to. 00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:06.059 How many of you just heard what I said? 00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:11.880 How many of you would like to have husbands who were qualified to serve as deacons? 00:41:13.180 --> 00:41:14.340 Raise your hands and wave at me. 00:41:14.860 --> 00:41:16.099 Okay. 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:24.960 So, men, yes, it is my ambition. 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:26.740 It is my desire. 00:41:27.140 --> 00:41:34.539 It is what the Spirit of God prompts me to, that I should have a desire to grow to be suited to serve. 00:41:36.700 --> 00:41:40.200 Secondly, godly men should have been prepared by his grace. 00:41:40.579 --> 00:41:44.400 Godly men that have been prepared by his grace should be willing to serve. 00:41:45.860 --> 00:41:52.900 If God has been working in your life over years to suit you for service, listen to me carefully. 00:41:52.900 --> 00:41:58.619 It's a serious thing to say no when he's invested a lot of energy in you. 00:41:58.680 --> 00:41:59.400 Would you agree with that? 00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:01.260 Huh? 00:42:01.260 --> 00:42:04.860 Now, Tim Kenoyer is not the arbiter of your conscience. 00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:06.160 I want to be clear on that. 00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:11.300 But I can tell you this. 00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:14.840 I know where I started. 00:42:14.840 --> 00:42:17.300 God, I know that. 00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:35.079 An unregenerate fool who was delivered by the grace of God from his incredible arrogance and slowly over time beat senseless repeatedly to help me grow marginally reasonable and to help me grow to be a servant of the bride of Christ. 00:42:35.079 --> 00:42:44.079 And when the day comes that I retire from preaching from here publicly, I will continue serving the bride because he called me to do it. 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:55.400 I don't have the right of saying, well, I'm done serving those people. 00:42:57.119 --> 00:42:58.420 Do you understand that? 00:42:58.420 --> 00:43:00.300 I don't have the right. 00:43:01.420 --> 00:43:06.139 He having poured his heart into my life to say no to him. 00:43:11.139 --> 00:43:18.639 Third, God's people should prayerfully choose godly people, godly men. 00:43:19.680 --> 00:43:20.460 Scratch the people. 00:43:21.099 --> 00:43:23.199 This is gender specific in case you're wondering. 00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:28.440 Prayerfully choose godly men. 00:43:30.679 --> 00:43:38.760 Well, today is a wonderful, wonderful day where we have the opportunity of hearing the testimony of people who know Christ, have come by faith, and want to be baptized. 00:43:38.920 --> 00:43:40.780 So I'm going to ask that the candidates come at this time. 00:43:40.860 --> 00:43:42.380 John, we're going to pray. 00:43:42.740 --> 00:43:43.280 You can come up. 00:43:43.340 --> 00:43:44.099 The band can come up. 00:43:44.240 --> 00:43:45.139 I'm not going to be thrown off. 00:43:45.199 --> 00:43:46.240 You guys close your eyes, though. 00:43:47.559 --> 00:43:48.119 Let's pray. 00:43:50.460 --> 00:43:56.880 Holy Father, we are thankful that you have given to us the word that we can rely upon, a clear compass in a confusing day. 00:43:58.699 --> 00:44:08.019 We're thankful that the scriptures make clear what godly leadership is and call us to depend upon your spirit and make wise decisions. 00:44:08.019 --> 00:44:27.059 We thank you for how you have blessed this fellowship over the years with the exemplary leadership of men who have been willing to sacrifice their personal comforts and time to, with humility and tenderness, serve the bride of Christ. 00:44:27.059 --> 00:44:37.460 We pray for those who are here today that do not know Christ as they hear the sweetness of the wisdom that you have in helping the body, that they would say, 00:44:37.579 --> 00:44:50.340 Man, a God that is wise like that and that has shown me love in the Lord Jesus Christ is one that I must bow to and confess my sins, that Christ would be honored. 00:44:50.340 --> 00:44:53.100 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:44:53.360 --> 00:44:53.620 Amen.