Qualifications of Elders - part 4

INTRODUCTION

Read Titus 1:5-9

Concerning the qualifications of an Elder, we see that three areas must be taken into consideration:

Family life

Personal conduct

Teaching

Nothing particular about their qualifications compared to the holy life a believer is called to, only that they are to be particular examples in these areas.

Family Life:

Husband of one wife

Obedient children

Personal Conduct (5-negatives and 6-positives):

5-negatives:

Must not be arrogant Self-interested person that asserts his own will with utter disregard for how others might be affected.

Must not be quick-tempered Must guard against a spirit of hostility, resentment and anger, even when everything seems to be going wrong and people are critical or indifferent. James 1:20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Must not be a drunk An Elder must not be continually in the presence of alcohol… it should not have control over him. God has always called the leaders of His people to higher standards than other believers.

Aaron and other high priests were to abstain from alcohol (Leviticus 10:9)

Politicians, particularly kings, were to abstain from alcohol (Proverbs 31:4-5)

Must not be violent An elder should have no part in meanness, abusiveness, or retaliation, no matter how cruelly provoked. Conflict should always be resolved peacefully, reasonably, and without animosity.

Must not be greedy for gain Paul is referring to a person who, without honesty or integrity, seeks wealth and financial prosperity at any cost.

It is not enough that elders should not be scoundrels. The grace of God should so permeate their lives as to be evident through the expression of good works. James 2:18 Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

6-positive Traits of Elder Candidates

Must Be Hospitable The believer must be willing to use what he has for the best purposes and good of others.

Selfless provision and care for others is a practical step of showing you are not greedy for gain. It is a quality that God expects of all His people.

Old Testament expectations:

Exodus 22:21 - sojourners were to be treated kindly You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 23:3–4 - lack of hospitality was a condemnable offense No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the Lord forever, because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.

New Testament expectations:

The very basis for Jesus’ final judgment laid out in Matthew 25:31-46 is the expression of hospitality toward those in need (or lack thereof)

Christians are urged to show hospitality to both believers and unbelievers Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

While hospitality is an earmark of the Christian’s faith, believers are discouraged from taking a meal or extending hospitality to:

Unrepentant believers (1 Corinthians 5:11)

Teachers of false doctrines (2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 3:10-11)

Intentional deceivers (2 John 7-11)

Hospitality is no small matter in the Church and is a doctrine that is worthy of deeper study and application.

For instance:

At what point of doctrinal deviation do we draw the line of being hospitable?

In what capacity can we engage an unrepentant believer?

How does it relate to the discussion on immigration and people who are in our country illegally?

Erwin Lutzer Hospitality is a test for godliness because those who are selfish do not like strangers (especially needy ones) to intrude upon their private lives. They prefer their own friends who share their life-style. Only the humble have the necessary resources to give of themselves to those who could never give of themselves in return.

Must Be A Lover Of Good An Elder ought to have a strong affection for the things and people who are genuinely good.

He should not simply be passive and philosophical in his love for good, but he should embody it and be zealous to see that what is good flourish in and out of the church.

Matthew Henry It is the design of Christianity to sanctify us in Christ. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and purify us to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).

J.C. Ryle A zealous Saviour ought to have zealous disciples.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Those who lead the church should be known as those who embody the zeal for good works to the glory of God.

They both encourage it and do it

Must Be Self-Controlled Could also be translated as “sensible” or “prudent.”

KJV - “sober”

RSV - “master of himself”

One who is not rash or foolish, but who is in control of his passions and desires.

He has control of the things he thinks about and does

He does not allow circumstances or the immorality or foolishness of others to distract him and gain his attention and interest.

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Must Be Upright Upright (δίκαιος) is used by Paul here to reference a human ethical quality

It is more frequently translated righteous, particularly when speaking of God (2 Timothy 4:8) or a believer (Romans 3:10, 5:7)

Thus, the word usage here alludes to a commitment to that which is just and equitable.

The Elder who is just/righteous/upright is a man who reflects the just and fair character of God.

He’s a man whose life is approved by God

Must Be Holy This is not referring to someone whose position is superior to another. Rather, it refers to one who reverences and worships God with their life.

Paired with upright, they describe conduct appropriate toward people and God.

Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Paul testifies to his own example among the Thessalonians as being

1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

A Christian cannot achieve sinless perfection in this life, but every sin is to be confessed.

1 John 1:8–9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. BUT If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

By God’s grace and mercy, not only pastors but all believers can be cleansed from all unrighteousness.

Like Paul, they can live holy and righteous lives, pleasing the Lord and being an example to others.

Must Be Disciplined The word disciplined here quite literally means self-control or having power over self.

The Elder lives an exemplary life on the outside because he submits to the Holy Spirit’s control on the inside.

An Elder who does not continually monitor their own life, confessing their sin to the Lord, and keeping their conscience clear, is not fit to lead God’s people, no matter how outwardly righteous his life may appear to be.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

CONCLUSION

We have to be mindful of the fact that God’s basic standards are not higher for pastors/elders than for other believers.

Matthew 5:48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 1 Peter 1:15–16 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

To be hospitable, a lover of good, and self-controlled is to possess qualities that do not come naturally to people.

No one can be truly upright or holy in the sight of God until they have received Divine pardon from Him.

Romans 3:10–12 None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death

In and of ourselves, we are selfish people who seek for our own good above all else. We are dead in our trespasses and sins and follow the prince of the power of the air (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3)

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.