1 Timothy 5:17-25

1. (V17) Let the elder who rules well be counted worthy as a double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine

a) pastor, or shepherd, we have elder, presbyter, and then we have episkopos, or overseer.

Now, we believe that all of these terms are used more or less interchangeably—that there really is, at the end of the day, no real distinction between pastors, elders, and overseers, that they are all one and the same.

With that being said, CCS has a board of elders and they make decision for the direction of the church

Typically the pastors are the paid full time to carry out the work

b) Double honor for those who labor in the word and doctrine

Elders who make decisions for the church and others who teach and make those decisions

The idea of 'double' may refer to the double portion the oldest in the family received (Deut 21:17)

2. (V18) The labor is worthy of his wages

a) Some people think people who work at the church should not be paid or we don’t do anything other than show up on a Sunday morning

1 Corinthians 9:7–9 “Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?”

3. (V19) Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses

a) Why? Because people make false alligations

The job of a pastor is to correct and people do not like to be corrected and sometimes they make false claims

4. (V20) Those who are sinning should be rebuked in the presence of all

James 3:1 “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

a) I am held to a higher standard by God and the church

e.g., If I cheat on my wife, I deserve to be rebuked in front of the church

5. (V21) Observe these things without prejudice or partiality

a) We can’t let our feelings or attachment get in the way of church discipline

e.g., Were at camp and because you guys are near and dear to my heart, I let you get away with something, but then I discipline another youth group for the same offense

6. (V22) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily

Time reveals true character, motives, and integrity

SOM / Pastoral training / 18 month program

Began with 50-75 people and finished with 9

6.1 Don’t share in people’s sin

When someone gossips and you listen, now your’e sharing in people’s sin

Unconfessed sin separates you from the presence

Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”

7. (V1) Bondservant

Bondservant: The Hebrew word for “bondservant,” ‘ebed, had a similar connotation. However, the Mosaic Law allowed an indentured servant to become a bondservant voluntarily: “If the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life” (Exodus 21:5-6 (https://www.bibleref.com/Exodus/21/Exodus-21-5.html)

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