s20060806m_What Makes A Great Elder

What Makes A Great Elder

1 Timothy 3:1-7 and verse 11

And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe. Acts 14:23

1.) Elder=Older/Wiser           2.) Bishop=Overseer            3.) Pastor=Shepherd

Bishop, Elder, and Pastor are used interchangably in the New Testament (Strong’s Lexicon)

The Six Qualities of A Great Elder, Bishop, or Pastor

·         An [ASPIRATION TO SERVE]

The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Verse 1

1cI exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1c-3

·         A [BLAMELESS CHARACTER]

2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, respectable, and hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. Verses 2-3

·         The [SPIRITUAL LEADER OF HIS FAMILY]

4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way—Verse 4 and “whose children are faithful, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious.” Titus 1:6 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? Verse 5

·         A [SEASONED WALK WITH GOD]

He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Verse 6

He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it. Titus 1:9

·         A [GOOD REPUTATION WITH OUTSIDERS]

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. Verse 7

24 The sins of some people are conspicuous and precede them to judgment, while the sins of others follow them there. 25 So also good works are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden. 1 Timothy 5:24-25

·         A [GODLY WIFE]

Wives likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Verse 11