1 Timothy 5:17-25

Introduction

Update on Peru Team

Come home tomorrow

Canada leaves Friday

I will be gone next Sunday in KC

Prayer Request?

Church Officers

1 Timothy 5:17–25 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

These instructions primarily deal with elders/pastors, but the principles also apply to a pastor’s relationship with any officer…

When the team works together, its beautiful.

When a pastor tries to become the spiritual director or big shot, it’s tragic.

Remember, Timothy is young. He’s having problems with the elders in Ephesus, Paul’s reason for addressing this.

Timothy did follow Paul as their overseer… Let’s not forget that!

This situation may be the reason for Timothy’s health, although we don’t exactly know…

Paul discusses three topics-

Paying the elders

Disciplining the Elders

Selecting and Ordaining the Elders

Paying the Elders (vs17-18)

English Standard Version Chapter 5

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

The early church, there were two kind of elders…

English Standard Version Chapter 5

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Ruling and teaching.

These elders were chosen out of a congregation on the basis of God’s leading, the Spirit’s equipping, and the witness and work of the men themselves.

After they were chosen, they were ordained and set apart for this ministry.

Acts 14:23 ESV

23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

The local church needs both! The Spirit gifts of helping and governing.

What would happen to a church if the office of pastor was removed? If our pastoral staff was told to leave, how would it effect the church?

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Order in the Church! (1 Timothy 5)

Paul told Timothy to be sure that the leaders were paid adequately, on the basis of their ministries. He quoted an Old Testament law to prove his point (Deut. 25:4). (The best commentary on this is 1 Cor. 9:7–14.) Then Paul added a statement from our Lord Jesus Christ: “The laborer deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7, NIV). This was a common saying in that day, but Paul equated the words of Christ with Old Testament Scripture!

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Order in the Church! (1 Timothy 5)

It is God’s plan that the needs of His servants be met by their local churches; and He will bless churches that are faithful to His servants. If a church is not faithful, and its pastor’s needs are not met, it is a poor testimony; and God has ways of dealing with the situation. He can provide through other means, but then the church misses the blessing; or He may move His servant elsewhere.

The flip side to this coin is this: Pastor’s don’t chase the dollar…

Disciplining the Elders

1 Timothy 5:19–21 ESV

19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Order in the Church! (1 Timothy 5)

Church discipline usually goes to one of two extremes. Either there is no discipline at all, and the church languishes because of disobedience and sin. Or the church officers become evangelical policemen who hold a kangaroo court and violate many of the Bible’s spiritual principles.

In this passage, Paul is talking to Timothy about disciplining church leaders…

This seems more sad than church members being disciplined.. It seems to have a greater effect on people.

What do you think the purpose of this discipline is?

Paul give’s Timothy three cautions…

Be sure of the facts…

rumor and suspicion have no room for discipline.

*Story of the parents who tried to get rid of me

A lot of people sound like an army, but are nothing more than the presence of the messenger.

Do everything openly and above board

Give the opportunity for the offender to repent.

Obey the Word no matter what.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Order in the Church! (1 Timothy 5)

There are no seniority rights in a local church; each member has the same standing before God and His Word.

Selecting and Ordaining the Elders

Selecting new elders and ministers of the gospel to be ordained can be tricky.

Acts 1 shows us a truth that I believer is extremely relevant…

Acts 1:24 ESV

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

Only God knows the full heart of every man…

The church needs wisdom in who they ordain and select as elders of overseers.

The good works of a dedicated believer ought to be evident, even though they do not serve in order to be seen by people.

The church must carefully investigate the lives of potential leaders to make sure that there is nothing wrong.

*Share my ordination story.

Process

People

Why Garrett couldn’t come