It's a pretty mighty statement that you just sang.
For I know that His glory is my good.
I want to encourage you to turn there with me if you would, please.
1 Timothy chapter 3.
If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 992.
This morning we're going to be talking about spiritual leaders
and God's design for the spiritual leaders of this church.
Isn't it great that God has put together instructions
on how the church is supposed to work?
And those instructions are for our protection.
Those instructions are for our good as well as God's glory for our good.
Those instructions are meant to help us know how to please God
and know how to operate in the realm that God has directed.
It's a good thing.
The challenge of a passage like this morning,
when we're talking about spiritual leaders,
is to say, well, I'm not a spiritual leader.
I guess I can just check out.
And I guess I can just leave.
I wonder what's happening in the world today.
But that's not really, I think, what's going to be beneficial for us
as we move our way through this passage
because we know that the direction that God gave to Timothy
through the Apostle Paul is direction that is good for us,
not only in terms of spiritual leaders,
but it's good for us as a church
to know how God intends for you to relate to your leaders.
And as we read through this,
as we study through this this morning,
I hope you'll be encouraged to know
that this isn't just about God's direction for spiritual leaders,
but especially God's direction for His church.
This is God's design for us.
And we'll talk about that more as we move our way through the passage today.
Every Monday morning, I get an email in my inbox.
It's from a guy who hosts a ministry called the Practical Shepherding.
And at the beginning of this email,
it always begins the Monday email with this salutation.
It says,
Pastor, remember, it's just Monday.
Don't resign.
And in a recent email that he sent,
along with that he said,
Instead, drink some coffee,
get some sun,
take a walk,
pray with honesty,
lift something heavy,
talk to a safe friend.
Another pastor who is also involved in seeking to encourage other pastors in the ministry,
has a ministry called the Authentic Pastor.
And this was his prayer for pastors,
the pastors in his email distribution list for this past week.
He says,
My heart aches for pastors, Andrew.
I understand the weight you carry,
both publicly and privately.
I know the long hours,
the invisible struggles,
in the moments when you wonder if anyone truly sees what you're going through.
But more than that,
I know that there are areas of your life,
deep, unspoken places,
where you may feel stuck,
unsure,
or even distant from the healing you desperately need.
You may not have had the words for it,
but the Lord knows.
I know because I've been there too.
These pastors recognize the unrelenting struggle,
the consistent, heavy burden of ministry.
They have carried that burden for themselves,
and they recognize the significance of that burden on pastors,
and the challenge that pastors face from day to day,
from week to week.
Recently, there was a study from Barna
that suggested that 42% of pastors in evangelical churches
across this country,
42% of pastors in ministry this year
have wondered whether or not they should check out of ministry altogether.
42%.
Almost half of pastors in America
have wondered whether or not they should give up ministry that year.
Now, some of the pressures that they're facing,
some of the reasons why they're considering this are as follows.
The stress of the job itself,
feeling lonely and isolated,
unhappy with the effect that the role has on their family,
lack of optimism regarding the future of the church,
a church that has steadily declined,
not being satisfied with the job.
I think this sentiment is the same sentiment we find in the Apostle Paul,
the burdens and labors and challenges of ministry
that he describes in 2 Corinthians 11,
verses 24 to 29, when he says,
five times I received at the hands of the Jews
the 40 lashes less one.
Three times I was beaten with rods.
Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked.
A night and a day I was adrift at sea
on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers,
dangers from robbers,
dangers from my own people,
dangers from Gentiles,
dangers in the city,
dangers in the wilderness,
dangers at sea,
dangers from false brothers,
in toil and hardship,
through many a sleepless night,
in hunger and thirst,
often without food,
in cold and exposure.
And apart from other things,
there is the daily pressure on me
of my anxiety for all the churches.
Who is weak and I'm not weak?
Who is made to fall?
And I am not indignant.
The Apostle Paul,
in recounting the challenges of ministry,
and then climaxed at the very end
by the fact that all of these
horrendous things that happened in ministry
don't even begin to compare
with the challenge and struggle
and burden that he has for the churches.
A burden for souls.
A burden for lostness.
A burden for the spiritual awakening
of God's people.
And all of that burden
in light of the fact
that the Apostle Paul
has understood
and come to grips
with his own fallenness.
He knows his own weakness.
He knows who is susceptible
in his own life
to failure
and to failing.
And yet,
through all of that,
there is a pressing on
and a moving forward.
With all of this,
one might wonder,
who would ever imagine
or want to move
into the ministry?
And with all of this in mind,
how can we,
how can you,
as a member of Maranatha,
be part of the long-term strategy
of helping to support
and encourage
and to ensure
that your spiritual leaders
were able to go the distance?
This morning,
my goal is twofold.
While we'll be moving through
this passage
that really deals extensively
with the qualifications of elders,
I want to target
two groups of individuals
here this morning.
The first group of individuals
that I intend to target
and I want to encourage
are those of you
young men
or even older men
who God may be
working on
through the course
of this message
to inspire you
to want to do
the hard work of ministry.
It's a good work of ministry.
We're going to talk about this
a little bit more
as we go along,
but I believe
that there are men
here today.
I believe that there are men
that God is choosing out,
selecting out,
and drawing into
the significant work,
the labors
of the mission field,
as it were,
this eternal work
and harvest of souls,
that God,
regardless of the struggles,
regardless of the loneliness
and the pressures
of leadership
and the criticism
that might come,
God, perhaps,
is calling many,
several of you,
perhaps,
to consider
the possibility
of heading into
this heart work
of the ministry.
The second
is that this message
is for you.
The congregation
at Maranatha,
those who would call
themselves believers
and followers
of Jesus Christ,
this message is for you
because the qualification
that we're going
to work through
this morning
are not just qualifications
for a pastor,
a spiritual leader,
that person
who's up front,
that person
who's leading
the various ministries
of the church.
These qualifications
are meant
to be the walk
of life,
the way of life
for every believer
in the church.
I love the way
that D.A. Carson
put this,
and I'll expound
on this quote
a little later,
but he talks about
how remarkable
the qualifications
are in how
unremarkable they are.
And what he means
by that is
that these qualifications
for elders
are no different
from the kinds
of standards
that God has set
before God's people.
And that God
has put leaders
in front of you
to demonstrate
what a walk
with God
really looks like,
to welcome
and invite God's people
to participate
and to wear
the same kinds
of habits
and the same kinds
of characteristics.
So if you're
there with me
in 1 Timothy 3,
I'm going to read
through our passage
this morning
as we begin
our time together.
1 Timothy 3,
beginning in verse 1.
The saying is trustworthy.
If anyone aspires
to the office
of overseer,
he desires
a noble task.
Therefore,
an overseer
must be above reproach,
the husband
of one wife,
sober-minded,
self-controlled,
respectable,
hospitable,
able to teach,
not a drunkard,
not violent,
but gentle,
not quarrelsome,
not a lover of money.
He must manage
his own household well,
with all dignity,
keeping his children
submissive.
For if someone
does not know
how to manage
his own household,
how will he care
for God's church?
He must not be
a recent convert,
or he may become
puffed up with conceit
and fall into
the condemnation
of the devil.
Moreover,
he must be well thought
of by outsiders
so that he may not
fall into disgrace,
into a snare
of the devil.
I want to break
this message up
into two parts
and we're going
to spend some time
just building out
the first verse
and talking about
the work
of spiritual leadership.
The work
of spiritual leadership
and then we're going
to follow it up
later on
with the life
of a spiritual leader
from verses 2
to 7.
But beginning now
with the work
of spiritual leadership.
What is this work
that we find here
in verse 1?
There's a number
of ways to describe
this work
and I want to move
from the end
of the verse
towards the beginning
of the verse
to kind of fill this
out for us
and I think there
are several characteristics
of this work
we see even
in verse 1.
First, it's a good work.
It's a good work.
Paul describes this
as a noble task.
Literally,
it is a good work.
Those looking
for an easy time
in leadership,
those who are
maybe gunning
for places
of authority
need to understand
at the very outset
this is a work
that Paul is calling
these leaders
in the church
to do.
In another place
in Thessalonians
the Apostle Paul
will not just call
this work
he'll call this labor.
He'll call this
the kind of labor
that expends him
that tuckers him out
that expends him
to his very end.
But I like how Paul
opens up this chapter.
He begins
this is a trustworthy saying
as he's talking
about this work.
Each time
the Apostle Paul
uses this phrase.
He uses it five times
throughout 1st and 2nd Timothy
and also in Titus.
And it's meant
to explain
or to draw out
the kind of truth
that Timothy
should know
is reliable.
This trustworthy saying.
This statement
that should be
a matter of fact
kind of statement.
Now why would
the Apostle Paul
begin this chapter
this way?
This is a trustworthy
statement.
Much like what he did
in 1st Timothy
chapter 1 verse 15.
The saying is trustworthy
and deserving
of full acceptance
he says
that Christ Jesus
came into the world
to save sinners
of whom I am
the foremost.
Timothy,
if there's any doubt
remember this
reliable statement
that's coming from me.
Recognize the truthfulness.
Recognize the reliability
of it.
Likely as Timothy
has just finished
reading the instructions
of 1st Timothy
chapter 1 and 2.
I'm imagining
in my mind's eye
that Timothy
is reading
these instructions
in chapter 1
and in chapter 2
and beginning to wonder
is this really
the kind of work
that I want
to be involved in?
After all
in 1st Timothy
chapter 1
the kind of
confrontation
that is required
this command
this charge
that Timothy
is supposed to give
to these
divergent teachers.
This is not
the kind
of climate
or the culture
in this church
that's going to be
really happy
and it's going to be
full of now
some conflict
and consternation
and criticism
and strange relationships.
Who wants
to go through that?
Timothy
in the latter parts
of 1st Timothy
chapter 1
he is called
by the apostle Paul
to wage
the good warfare.
Those aren't
the kinds
of terms
that you would use
in a peaceful
climate
and here Timothy
is as a spiritual
leader now
in this church
having to lead
the charge
as it were
in this area
and then
in chapter 2
to define
the roles
of biblical
manhood
and womanhood
and how that
plays out
in the church.
Who wants
to be on the
front lines
of that kind
of conversation?
But these were
the things
that were necessary.
These were the
things that were
essential
to have
a church
that would
become
and be
the pillar
and buttress
of truth
in order for it
to be a safe
haven for truth.
Truth needed
to be conveyed.
If Timothy
was going to
carry out
this good work
then bold
proclamation
and gracious
proclamation
of truth
needed to be
done.
Timothy
no doubt
did not want
conflict
but he understood
that truth
was the most
important thing
in order for
this church
to enjoy
the fruit
of this
good work
that he had
been called
to.
Second
it was a
desirable work
a desirable
work.
Notice
the saying
is trustworthy
if anyone
aspires
to the office
of overseer.
He desires
a noble task.
Two words
that kind of
fill out
this desire
that shows up
on the outside.
This aspiration
this stretching
out
this moving
forward
that happens
on the outside
that's driven
by an internal
desire.
This epithumia
which sometimes
in the New Testament
is a sinful
kind of desire
but here
it's used
in a way
to speak
of a desire
that is
this passionate
craving
and longing
for something
good.
The desires
that are
meant to drive
and compel
an individual
towards ministry.
I love how
one commentator
puts it
he says
Christ grabs
his pastors
by the heart
he doesn't
twist them
by the arm.
He wants
men
with holy
ambition
for the office.
Men
with holy
dreams
about feeding
and leading
the flock.
Men
willing
and eager
to stretch
themselves
and to do
what the
calling
requires.
Pastoring
drops you
into a
surging
rapid
of emotion
and spiritual
hazards.
A man
should become
a pastor
only if
he has
a sober
informed
eagerness
for the work.
God
doesn't
compel
one
to
ministry
as much
as inspires
him
and gives
him an
affection
and a
desire
to see
what the
ministry
is meant
to accomplish
in terms
of pointing
to the
glory
of God.
This is
exactly
what Peter
describes
in 1 Peter
chapter 5
verses 2
and 3
when he
says
shepherd
the flock
of God
that is
among you
exercising
oversight
not under
compulsion
but willingly
as God
would have
you not
for shameful
gain
but eagerly
not domineering
over those
in your
charge
but being
examples
to the
flock
two words
that Peter
uses
for these
shepherds
these leaders
there
spread across
the known
world
serve in a
way that
it is
willing
serve in a
way that
is eager
demonstrate
the inner
drive that
God has
given to
you for
this good
work that
you've been
called to
third
we find
that it's
a vital
work
it's a
vital
work
if anyone
aspires to
the office
of overseer
he desires
a noble
task
and then
an overseer
must be
and we fill
out the
remaining list
in verses
2 to 7
this office
of overseer
is used
four times
in the
new testament
it's
the word
that describes
the act
of being
visited
or the
office
as a
church
leader
some
have
suggested
that this
word
derives
its sense
from a
city
administrator
an inspector
or financial
manager
but it
probably
harkens
back
to the
Qumran
community
those
as seen
Jews
in that
Qumran
community
who were
instructed
and given
the task
of preaching
and teaching
and presiding
over this
group
this community
of individuals
this word
for overseer
that we find
at the very
beginning
of verse 2
is a guardian
a supervisor
a keeper
a watchman
a superintendent
this is one
of the three
words used
throughout the
new testament
to describe
this office
of leader
and overseer
spiritual
leader
of the
church
the other
two
are elder
which is
presbyteros
and pastor
which is also
the word
for shepherd
all three
of these
words show
up in
1 Peter
chapter 5
we saw
this verse
just a moment
ago
but I want
to now
draw out
some of
these words
so you can
see them
all kind
of put
together
for us
in this
passage
I exhort
the elders
Peter says
among you
as a fellow
elder
and a
witness
of the
sufferings
of Christ
as well
as a
partaker
in the
glory
that is
going
to be
revealed
shepherd
this is
the verbal
form
of
pastor
shepherd
the flock
of God
that is
among you
exercising
oversight
this is
the verbal
form
of the
overseer
we found
in our
passage
not under
compulsion
but willingly
as God
would have
you
and when
the chief
shepherd
appears
you will
receive
the unfading
crown of
glory
the motivation
for all
of our
leadership
is
the glory
of God
the motivation
for our
leadership
is to
serve
under
the chief
shepherd
to follow
the directives
that he's
given
to manage
and care
for the
flock
of God
as he
has called
us
so what
are the
responsibilities
of this
overseer
we could
spend
the rest
of our
time
spelling
out
those
tasks
but let
me just
give them
to you
briefly
first
they are
to rule
we find
that in
first
Timothy
517
of course
they are
to preach
and to
teach
they are
to pray
for the
sick
we find
that in
James
chapter 5
they are
to care
for the
church
we find
that in
this passage
here in
first
Peter
chapter 5
they are
to be
examples
to follow
to set
church
policy
we find
from
Acts
chapter 20
that they are
to help
safeguard the
flock
from wolves
they are
to guard
the flock
from error
to equip
the saints
for ministry
there in
Ephesians
chapter 4
they are
to counsel
they are
to encourage
they are
to spend
themselves
for the
advancement
and encouragement
of God's
people
essentially
they are
to represent
Christ
in a really
tangible
and practical
way
in pointing
people to
Christ
in showing
the example
of Christ
before God's
people
in spending
themselves
in a way
that represents
the costly
sacrifice
of our
Savior
for us
as a
pastor's
work
it is
vital
for the
health
of the
body
and he
does it
because
he understands
that it
points to
God
and that
brings
joy
finally
in this
section
it's a
team
work
it's a
team
work
this
role
of
eldering
shepherding
pasturing
overseeing
is always
described
throughout
the New
Testament
as being
done
in teams
being done
with others
these words
are always
used
together
in a
team
kind
of way
every
place
we find
them
throughout
the New
Testament
this word
is plural
by the way
there is
safety
in the
multiple
of leaders
there is
longevity
in the
multiplicity
of leaders
as they're
working
together
and pulling
the weight
together
there is
wisdom
in the
plurality
of leaders
Solomon
says in
Ecclesiastes
chapter 4
in describing
the benefit
of
multiplicity
he says
there
two are
better than
one
because they
have a good
reward for
their toil
for if they
fall
one will
lift up
his fellow
but woe
to him
who is
alone
wherein
he falls
and has
not another
to lift
him up
the value
and the
importance
and significance
of leading
God's church
together
and so let me
just point you
to a few
passages
just briefly
that would
reflect the
fact that
the elders
are serving
together
in Acts
chapter 14
verse 23
we see this
and when they
had appointed
elders
this is speaking
of Paul
and Barnabas
they're heading
back from their
first missionary
journey
and those
churches
that they
have just
established
they're working
their way
back to
Antioch
and what's
happening
here
is when
they go
back to
those churches
it says
they appoint
elders for
them
in every
church
with prayer
and fasting
they committed
them to
the Lord
in whom
they had
believed
in Acts
chapter 20
on the
end of
Paul's
third
missionary
journey
again he's
heading back
to Jerusalem
and it says
this
now from
Miletus
he sent
to Ephesus
and called
the elders
of the church
to come
to him
and then
in Titus
chapter 1
verse 5
the instructions
that Paul
will give
to Titus
in terms
of appointing
elders
is this
this is why
I left
you in
Crete
so that
you might
put
what remained
into order
and appoint
elders
in every
town
as I
directed
you
then to
the church
of Philippi
he says
Paul and
Timothy
servants
of Christ
Jesus
to all
the saints
in Christ
Jesus
who are
in
Philippi
with the
overseers
and deacons
and then
1 Peter
chapter 5
verse 1
we've seen
this several
times
but just
to continue
to fill
it out
so I
exhorted
the elders
among you
this
wisdom
and
interest
in
plurality
of leaders
in the
church
that strengthens
them for
the work
maybe you'd
be asking
so what
about
smaller
churches
what
about
churches
that can't
afford
to have
multiple
pastors
how
will they
be able
to carry
out
this
function
and the
simple
answer
is that
they would
continue
to carry
out
this
function
the same
way
the apostle
Paul carried
this
function
out
in the
churches
that he
served
and by
the way
that churches
are carrying
out this
function
and have
been carrying
out this
function
around the
world
since the
first century
and that
is
pastors
who are
committed
to
bivocational
kinds
of
ministry
or
committed
to
full-time
work
and
part-time
ministry
for the
sake
of
loving
and
serving
God's
church
this is
what the
apostle
Paul did
in
supporting
his
team
in
working
as a
tent
maker
this
is
what
I
have
been
able
to
witness
around
the
world
pastors
who
are
devoted
to
the
church
but
have
to
support
themselves
in
their
family
with
a
job
that
is
unrelated
to
ministry
this
is a
way
for
them
to
demonstrate
to
their
church
the
hard
work
and
diligence
of
faithful
service
in
the
world
but
also
demonstrate
their
care
for
those
that
God
has
entrusted
to
them
what
a
blessing
it
is
in
the
places
that
I've
been
to
see
men
who
are
committed
to
this
kind
of
service
now
as
we've
seen
the
work
of
spiritual
leaders
now
let's
turn our
attention
to the
life
of a
spiritual
leader
the
life
of a
spiritual
leader
in
verses
2-7
now
just at
the very
beginning
of this
I want
you to
know
there's
no way
we can
cover
all of
these
character
qualities
in one
sitting
together
and so
next week
we're gonna
have a chance
since there's
some correlation
and similarities
between the
deacon
and the
elder
to be
able to
to build
this out
a little bit
more in
our time
next week
but let me
just
read
this passage
again
for us
remind us
of what's
going on
here
and then
spend some
time
working
through
it says
in verse
2
therefore
an overseer
must be
above reproach
the husband
of one wife
sober minded
self-controlled
respectable
hospitable
able to
teach
not a
drunkard
not violent
but gentle
not quarrelsome
not a lover
of money
he must
manage his
household
well
with all
dignity
keeping his
children
submissive
for if
someone does
not know
how to
manage
his own
household
how will
he care
for God's
church
he must
not be
a recent
convert
or he
may become
puffed up
with conceit
and fall
into the
condemnation
of the
devil
moreover
he must
be well
thought of
by outsiders
so that
he may
not fall
into disgrace
into the
snare
of the
devil
we see
right at
the outset
there are
two words
that begin
to shape
the rest
of our
passage
we see
them right
there in
verse 2
the word
must be
and the
word above
reproach
those two
words
help to
provide some
definition
for the
qualities
of this
pastor's
life
that we'll
see throughout
the rest
of our
passage
when we
find this
word
must be
it's the
word for
it is
necessary
and this
word
will govern
the next
eleven
characteristics
that we
find
throughout
the
remaining
part
of this
passage
grammatically
they're
dependent
upon
this
word
it is
necessary
and then
this word
above
reproach
it speaks
of exemplary
character
obviously
this isn't
a pastor
who is
perfect
this is a
pastor
who has
demonstrated
a steady
consistent
faithful
pattern
of life
that through
the long
haul
demonstrates
that he
is someone
to whom
there is
no blame
no one
can properly
bring against
him a charge
of unfitness
for office
this exemplary
life sets
the example
for the church
and that's
why I used
this term
I used
this term
exemplary
to help
you understand
that he
in doing
this
will be
an example
an exemplary
kind
of character
that's why
the apostle
Paul is able
to say
imitate me
as I
imitate
the Lord
Jesus
that's why
Paul could
say to the
church of
Philippi
in Philippians
chapter 4
verse 9
he says
what you
have learned
and received
and heard
and seen
in me
practice
these things
and the
God of
peace
will be
with you
you see
the qualifications
that we see
here for
elders
is not
a qualification
that is
only for
them
but they
are setting
the example
they are
calling the
church
to the same
kind of
life
and by the
way
it's the
kind of
life
that like
Paul says
in chapter
1
where he
calls himself
the chief
of sinners
and because
of the
mercy
that God
has
demonstrated
to him
then he's
able to
move
and those
that he's
sharing the
gospel with
will say
well if
God
can do
a work
in Paul's
life
then I
suppose
he can
do a
work
in my
life
too
that's
really
the thrust
of this
exemplary
life
the life
of one
who you
know
is broken
as you
look at
your
pastor
you look
at your
spiritual
leaders
and you
recognize
there's
brokenness
in that
man
I
see
flashes
of
the
flesh
coming
through
that
man
and yet
there's
hope
at the
same
time
because
as God
is transforming
me
into the
image of
Christ
from one
degree
of glory
to the
other
I trust
that through
that process
it encourages
your heart
if God
can work
through
Andrew
then God
can work
through me
too
I trust
that that
is
the
case
as we
begin
to
compare
the
qualifications
that we
find
there in
1st
Timothy
chapter
3
and set
them
against
the
backdrop
of the
qualifications
in
Titus
chapter
1
we
begin
to
understand
why
this
is a
must
be
kind
of
statement
and
so
I
just
want
to
shine
a
couple
of
these
tables
up
before
you
to
set
those
qualifications
side
by
side
and
so
this
is
the
first
set
of
qualifications
and
you
can
see
a
correlation
with
that
which
is
in
Titus
chapter
1
and
then
this
next
slide
will
show
you
the
next
set
of
qualifications
and
their
correlation
to
Titus
chapter
1
do we
have
that
next
slide
Larry
there
we
go
and
as
we're
working
through
our
list
you
continue
to
see
that
the
things
that
are
represented
as
those
things
which
must
be
true
of
the
character
of
this
spiritual
leader
are
also
reflected
in
the
same
qualifications
for
Titus
chapter
1
and
then
our
final
slide
which
shows
you
the
remainder
of
that
list
and
here
finally
we
have
some
areas
where
there
doesn't
seem
to be
perfect
alignment
but
you
can
understand
there
is
plenty
of
similarities
throughout
the
rest
of
this
list
but
the
whole
point
of
the
qualifications
for
elders
is
not
just
that
they
would
be
spiritual
leaders
who
show
what
Christ
like
obedience
and
humility
looks
like
but
especially
so
that
God
would work
in
his
people
and
that's
really
why
I
want
to
turn
to
this
next
slide
next
couple
of
slides
to
demonstrate
that
the
things
that
God
has
called
elders
to do
and to
be
those
qualifications
those
characteristics
that God
has
called
your
spiritual
leaders
to
have
are
the
same
kinds
of
patterns
and
behaviors
and
attitudes
that
should
be
represented
in
and
among
his
people
and
this
next
slide
gives
you
the
remainder
of
that
list
again
I
appreciate
that
D.A.
Carson
has said
this
he said
if I can
find it
I can't
find it
basically
it's
remarkable
that the
qualifications
for elder
are so
unremarkable
and in
other
words
the
fact
that
God
has
called
his
leaders
his
pastors
to
look
this
way
and
then
provides
a
correlating
work
and
a
reminder
that
an
obedient
life
will
also
look
the
same
way
is
a
demonstration
of the
fact
that
we're
all
growing
together
in
likeness
to
Christ
that
is
the
goal
the
goal
is
Christ
the
goal
is
oneness
in
our
relationship
with
God
so
that
we
would
look
like
him
in
this
world
so
we've
looked
at
his
exemplary
life
and
now
I
want
to
briefly
turn
to
his
personal
life
and
also
his
public
life
his
personal
life
and
his
public
life
now
again
we
don't
have
time
to
work
through
every
single
one
of
these
qualifications
but
I
want
to
address
a
couple
of
the
ones
that
provide
maybe
some
of
the
most
confusion
and
hopefully
I
can
provide
some
help
in
understanding
what
they
mean
first
here
on the
list
is
husband
of
one
wife
now
what
does
this
mean
what
is
going
on
here
what
does
husband
of
one
wife
mean
well
commentaries
and
commentators
will
work
through
this
and
they
will
come
up
with
one
of
several
different
options
is
Paul
suggesting
or
prohibiting
polygamy
not having
more than
one
wife
which
by the
way
was
common
practice
in
first
century
Ephesus
is
Paul
requiring
that a
man be
married
he
must
have
one
wife
is
the
apostle
Paul
preventing
a man
from
remarrying
once
he
his
wife
has
either
died
or
he
has
been
divorced
or
is
the
apostle
Paul
prohibiting
divorce
altogether
of course
all of
these
are
a
possibility
but
how
are
we
to
know
the
answer
well
I
think
there
are
some
clues
that
are
provided
for
us
in
the
text
and
some
clues
that
we
can
see
throughout
the
scripture
to
help
us
draw
an
understanding
of
what
Paul
means
but
not
definitively
or
emphatically
first
I
think
it's
important
for us
to
remember
that
Paul
is
laying
out
a set
of
character
qualities
he's
not
just
trying
to
say
married
or
unmarried
just
this
principle
of
status
and
identity
no
Paul
is
really
aiming
at
the
heart
what
is
it
about
this
quality
that
points
to
their
character
second
it would
have been
easy
for Paul
to have
said
that
this
man
must
be
married
he
could
have
used
the
word
married
in
this
text
in
this
passage
and
he
uses
the
word
married
several
times
throughout
first
timothy
three
times
in
fact
but
he
doesn't
use
the
word
marriage
in
this
passage
been
easy
for him
to have
done
that
third
several
of
these
prohibitions
would seem
to contradict
some
statements
that are
made
throughout
the
new
testament
related
to
these
things
for
example
Paul
commends
remarriage
for
younger
widows
we're
going to
see that
in
chapter
five
next
we're
going to
see
that
Paul
commends
singleness
that's
in
first
corinthians
chapter
seven
so it
would
seem
strange
that
Paul
would
commend
singleness
for
young men
and young
women
and commend
that in a
way that
would say
this is
going to
help set
you apart
to be
more faithful
in ministry
and yet
they would be
cut off
from being
able to
serve
in this
way
fourth
Paul and
Barnabas
and likely
Timothy
were also
single
leaders
in the
church
exercising
pastoral
authority
prohibiting
something
that was
true
of them
might
seem
a bit
inconsistent
but
of course
our desire
is to
allow the
text to
speak
for itself
and to
be faithful
for the
way that
God has
convicted
our hearts
regarding
it
to make
a modern
day
correlation
I think
what the
apostle Paul
is saying
here is
a man
must be
loyal to
his wife
he's a
one
woman
man
that's
the
literal
translation
of this
text
does he
only have
an eye
for her
for his
wife
is he
careful
with his
interactions
with the
opposite
sex
does he
keep himself
from being
flirtatious
is his
heart
his eye
his mind
devoted
to her
is his
life
a reflection
of loyalty
to his
partner
husband
of one
wife
we could
talk about
sober mindedness
and the
significance
of being
clear
thinking
clear
headed
in
terms
of
discernment
and helping
to exercise
the right
kind
of spiritual
leadership
in the
church
we could
talk about
being
self
controlled
those
who are
unable
to control
their own
impulses
certainly
should not
be in a
place
of
leadership
I think
it's important
for us
to address
just briefly
the
issue
of
hospitality
this is a
word
throughout
the
New
Testament
that is
used
and it's
a compound
word
that means
to love
the stranger
does
this
leader
have a
love
for
those
who are
part of
the church
but not
necessarily
from his
city
those
who are
traveling
through
those
who are
unfamiliar
to him
does he
have a
posture
of
willingness
to help
the least
of these
those
who are
in need
is he
willing to
open up
his house
to extend
kindness
to the
Lord
to trust
in God
to provide
for his
needs
is he
one who's
aware
and willing
to serve
his ability
to teach
of course
that makes
sense
and that
of course
is the
one quality
that really
differentiates
itself
from
deacons
and other
spiritual
leaders
when we
think of
ability
to teach
we think
of somebody
who is
skilled
to actually
bring the
word to
bear
on others
able to
explain
and provide
the
complex
breakdown
the complex
parts of
the word
of God
and to
make them
clear and
accessible
for God's
people
and that
of course
is certainly
a factor
here
but I think
the appeal
to be able
to teach
also demands
what one
commentator
says is a
competence
and skill
not only
in communicating
Christian
truth
but an
ability
to know
the truth
for himself
to be able
to differentiate
as Timothy
would differentiate
in 1 Timothy
chapter 1
between that
divergent
doctrine
those doctrines
that were
superficial
and tangential
to the faith
and being able
to zero in
on the things
that were
essential
and squaring
his focus
on those
things
and helping
to work
through
some of the
complexities
of doctrine
and to allow
the church
to know
what God's
word says
focusing on
the things
that matter
he's not a
drunkard
we see
he's not
violent
but gentle
and that's
important
as we
consider
a man
who is
marked out
by the fruits
of the spirit
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
and self
control
it will be
as gentleness
that will
stand out
as one
who is
who is moved
by the Holy
Spirit
empowered
by the Spirit
in his work
he's not
quarrelsome
he's not
one who is
warring
with his words
he's not
defensive
he's not
argumentative
he's not
the kind
of person
that has
to always
win
an argument
the Apostle
Paul will
use this
word a couple
more times
in his second
letter
to Timothy
he says
in 2 Timothy
chapter 2
verse 14
remind them
of these
things
and charge
them before
God
not to
quarrel
about words
which does
no good
but only
ruins
the hearers
and then in
verses 24
to 26
he says
and the Lord's
servant
must not
be quarrelsome
but kind
to everyone
able to teach
patiently
enduring
correcting
his opponents
with gentleness
God may
perhaps grant
them repentance
leading to a
knowledge of the
truth
and they may
come to their
senses and
escape
from the snare
of the devil
after being
captured by him
to do his
will
you see
this spirit
of a leader
who is
his posture
is gentleness
his posture
is kindness
his posture
isn't to
use or
leverage
his
authority
over others
but there
is a
submission
of this
man to
the Lord
in a
trusting of
God to
do the
work
in that
individual's
life
so he
doesn't have
to be
quarrelsome
he can be
kind
because he's
trusting
in God
to do
the spiritual
work in
this
individual's
life
not a
lover of
money
we find
in verse
4
he must
manage
his house
well
with all
dignity
keeping
his
children
submissive
for if
someone
does not
know
how to
manage
his own
household
how will
he care
for God's
church
one of the
greatest ways
that we can
come to
know
the quality
of your
spiritual
leaders
by looking
at their
home
by looking
especially
at the
children
who are
living
within
their
household
are they
the kinds
of
individuals
the kinds
of
children
who are
responsive
to
authority
are they
the kinds
of children
who demonstrate
a behavior
that is
reflective
of self
control
and obedience
to their
parents
are the
kinds
of kids
that
demonstrate
a respect
for father
and mother
and for
leaders
and authorities
in their
life
we can
tell a lot
about the
ability
of a
leader
to manage
a church
by looking
especially
at the
proving grounds
of family
is he
managing
his house
well
he's not
a recent
convert
he's not
somebody
who's just
come to
faith
and all
of the
pressures
and complexities
that come
into that
position
he's the
kind of
person
who's been
tested
the kind
of person
whose life
has proved
itself
out
and finally
in verse
7
we look
at his
public
life
his public
life
so his
personal
life
is now
counterbalanced
by his
public
life
notice
moreover
he must
be well
thought of
by outsiders
so that
he may
not fall
into
disgrace
into
a snare
of the
devil
this is
quite
surprising
actually
when we're
considering
the kinds
of spiritual
leaders
that we
would
set
over
ourselves
we
often
think
about
well
how do
they
relate
to
other
believers
how do
they relate
to their
family
how do
they
relate
to
those
who are
already
in their
sphere
but here
the apostle
Paul
wants
the church
to recognize
that they
are also
going to
have
a reputation
and a
testimony
within the
community
and that
testimony
will also
help
to reflect
the true
nature
of who
they are
I'm not
sure
if any
of you
have been
around
certain
individuals
who
look a
certain
way
in the
church
but look
another
way
in the
community
the way
they
relate
to
the
grocery
store
worker
the
impatience
that they
demonstrate
in other
different
venues
but this
is the
kind
of
person
who
is
demonstrating
a
consistent
pattern
of life
and behavior
both
inside
and outside
the church
Peter
will say
in
1st
Peter
chapter
2
verse
12
keep
your
conduct
among
the
Gentiles
honorable
so that
when they
speak
against
you
as
evildoers
they may
see your
good deeds
and glorify
God
on the
day
of
visitation
now
I think
that's
an
important
verse
for us
to
draw
out
because
just
because
we
might
have
a
good
life
that
reflects
Christ
on the
outside
it
may
not
always
be
received
that
way
but
when
they
see
your
good
works
they
will
know
them
for
what
they
are
and
they
will
push
against
them
not
because
they
are
offensive
personally
but
because
they
remind
them
of
Christ's
standard
it
brings
them
to
shame
the
church
of
Philippi
Paul
says
this
in
Philippians
chapter
2
verses
14
and
15
he
says
do
all
things
without
grumbling
or
disputing
that
you
may
be
blameless
and
innocent
children
of
God
without
blemish
in
the
midst
of
a
crooked
and
twisted
generation
among
whom
you
shine
as
lights
in
the
world
make
sure
that
your
light
in
the
world
is
bright
make
sure
that
your
light
in
the
world
is
pointing
to
Christ
and
finally
how
are
we
as
God's
people
how
are
you
as
a
!
church
how
can
you
be
instrumental
in
the
ministry
that
God
has
here
at
Maranatha
and
around
the
world
well
I
want
to
close
with
just
a
few
verses
that
direct
our
attention
to
the
significance
of
your
partnership
in
prayer
your
partnership
in
prayer
first
Ephesians
chapter
6
verse
19
Paul
says
this
and
pray
also
for
me
that
words
may
be
given
to
me
and
opening
my
mouth
boldly
to
proclaim
the
mystery
of
the
gospel
do you
realize
how
instrumental
and I
would say
even
essential
the
apostle
Paul
thought
prayer
was
for
the
fruitfulness
and
productivity
of
his
ministry
he
depended
sincerely
on the
prayers
of his
people
second
Colossians
4
3
at the
same
time
pray
for
us
that
God
may
open
to
us
a
door
for
the
word
to
declare
the
mystery
of
Christ
on
account
of
which
I'm
in
prison
pray
for
me
Romans
chapter
15
verse
30
I
appeal
to
you
brothers
by
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
by
the
love
of
the
spirit
to
strive
together
by
the
way
that
is
the
word
sun
agoniz
my
you
can
hear
the
word
agony
built
into
that
strive
together
with
me
in
your
prayers
to
God
on
my
behalf
be
a
partner
in
ministry
struggle
to
the
point
of
agony
for
the
work
that
God
has
through
my
life
through
prayer
1
Thessalonians
5
25
brothers
pray
for
us
and
finally
2
Thessalonians
3
verse
!
You play
a
significant
part
in the
ministry
that
God
is
doing
here
at
Maranatha
in
the
ministry
that
God
is
doing
around
Columbus
and
around
the
world
and
you
play
an
integral
part
in
that
through
your
prayers
that
God
will
use
your
prayers
to
help
shape
your
pastors
that
God
will
use
your
prayers
to
help
them
to
endure
through
hard
things
that
God
will
use
your
prayers
to
focus
them
in
wisdom
that
God
will
use
your
prayers
to
transform
them
in
likeness
to
Christ
that
God
will
use
your
prayers
to
open
the
doors
of
fruitful
gospel
witness
that
God
will
use
your
prayers
to
accomplish
his
purposes
here
in
Columbus
and
around
the
world
are
you
a
praying
people
partnering
with your
pastors
in this
great work
that he's
called us
to
let's do
it together
let me pray
oh father
thank you for
the instructions
that you've given
to your people
thank you for
the model
that you've
set
and the
wisdom
of that
model
and God
I pray
that you
would help
us to
be
faithful
as
leaders
of your
people
faithful
as those
who are
part
of the
fellowship
in
ministering
to one
another
in
ministering
to the
people
that you've
put
in our
circles
God
what a
great
work
you've
called
us
to
may
we
not
be
complacent
may
there
be
an
urgency
about
us
and Lord
even
this
morning
I pray
for
the
men
in
this
fellowship
that
you
intend
to
call
out
for
ministry
God
begin
that
work
in
their
life
and
lead
them
to
greater
affection
for
Christ
and
greater
love
for
your
church
and
a
willingness
to
endure
whatever
it
takes
to
serve
you
wherever
you
might
send
them
in
Jesus
name
Amen
God
bless
you
have
a
great
week
of