Our Hope Fixed

12 question to evaluate the effectiveness of an elder.

1. Does He Warn the Sheep of Danger? (6)

1 Timothy 4:6 NASB95

6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

servant = diakonos of Jesus Christ or minister.

Ezekiel 3:17 NASB95

17 “Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.

“Well, he’s not much of a preacher. He doesn’t seem to have strong convictions, but he really has a pastor’s heart.”

“I’ve heard that so many times. Let me tell you something. What do we do to evaluate a pastor’s heart? What do we base that on? Listen, a pastor’s heart is not manifest in how good a man is at petting sheep. A pastor’s heart is manifest in how capable a man is at protecting them from wolves. That is a pastor’s heart..” John MacAurther

2. Is He an Expert Student of the Bible? (6)

1 Timothy 4:6 NASB95

6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

nourished - passive voice. This means the words of faith and sound doctrine are doing their work in the man.

Elders/Pastors need to be self-feeding.

The soul of a pastor needs to be nourished apart from what he is preparing to preach or teach. This needs to be devotions to feed his soul in his need not what others need. Sometimes this requires retreat from weekly responsibilities or even sabbatical to keep from burn out.

3. Do They Avoid Ungodly Teaching? (7)

1 Timothy 4:7 NASB95

7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

These are fables that are worldly and “old-womanish”

Elders avoid things like pop-psychology, the health and wealth non-sense, or the Divinci Code.

4. Does He Discipline Himself for Godliness? (7-9)

I know that I am not an olympic athlete by any stretch. I am both fascinated and dumbfounded by those who work so hard at “perfecting” the human body.

1 Timothy 4:7–9 NASB95

7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

γυμνάζω - we get our word gymnasium from it.

1 Timothy Background Studies: The Graeco-Roman Gymnasia

The Graeco-Roman gymnasium was more than just a center for physical exercise. Jonathan Goldstein (1976, 200) described it as “a hallmark of Greek civilization in the Hellenistic world. It was the center for not only physical education and recreation but also civic and literary education.”

Physical fitness and appearance was highly prized by the greek culture. Life activities were much more physical back then.

sculpted abs, perfect pectoral muscles. It is a lot of work and takes great discipline to have a fit body, but it is of little profit.

There is some profit in having a healthy body, as it gives you stamina and alertness for living for Jesus, but it cannot last beyond this life.

Godliness on the other hand will help you not only in this life, but in eternal life as well.

5. Is He Committed to Working Hard for Jesus Christ? (10)

1 Timothy 4:10 NASB95

10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

labor - to work with effort.

ὀνειδίζω to be harshly criticized — verb. to be or become reprimanded for real or merely perceived faults in a harsh and demeaning manner.

Have fixed - Perfect Active Indicative. We started fixing our hope on Jesus in the past and the effects of it continue until this day.

This is what drives us! We have an eternal perspective that we have staked our whole lives upon.

Savior of all men, especially of believers - deliverer, sustainer in various ways, not just salvation from sin.

Psalm 36:6 NASB95

6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

6. Does He Teach with Practical Certainty? (11)

1 Timothy 4:11 NASB95

11 Prescribe and teach these things.

Both imperative commands.

as a matter of fact, prescribe means to order, command.

We don’t say Jesus may have died for your sins and He probably rose from the dead…won’t you pleeeeeease believe in Him?

Our message is clear. You must believe in Jesus! You must believe in Him today because He commands you to be saved! There is no salvation in any other.

Our job is to speak with authority what God has said.

Luke 4:32 NASB95

32 and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.

7. An Excellent minister is a model of Spiritual Virtue. (12)

8. An Excellent minister Maintains a thoroughly Biblical ministry

giving attention to the reading of the scriptures.

9. An Excellent minister uses his Spiritual gift (endurance)

10. An Excellent minister passionate about his work (15)

take pains with these things

11. An Excellent minister growing spiritually

12. An Excellent minister perseveres (16)