A Mature Church Insists on Godly Elders

Imagine you are driving across a large suspension bridge, high above a river. You trust the bridge has been built well, but what if you found out later that the construction was rushed?

Corners were cut, and the bridge was never properly inspected.

You’d probably feel uneasy, wouldn’t you? It’s one thing to build a faulty bridge, but what about the spiritual leadership that builds up the church?

Like a carefully constructed bridge, the leaders in the church must be trustworthy and vetted to ensure the spiritual safety of the congregation.

Paul’s advice to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5 is to be meticulous in the selection of elders because, like a bridge, weak leadership can cause a collapse.

The church’s greatest need is not organizational, it’s spiritual. It’s not about more methods, but more godliness in leadership. - John Stott

What do you expect from the leaders of the church?

Have you ever considered how crucial it is that we hold our leaders to a godly standard?

Today, as we dive into 1 Timothy 5:17-25, we’ll explore the essential traits of godly elders and why we cannot afford to take leadership in the church lightly.

Main Idea: Insist on Godly Elders

As we look at 1 Timothy 5:17–25, we see Paul’s clear instructions for how to support, evaluate, and appoint godly elders.

It’s not something we can take lightly.

Today, we’ll explore how to honor those who serve well, how to deal with sin when it arises, and how to carefully call people into leadership positions.

1. Pay Them What They Are Worth (vs. 17-18)

1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV)

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

First a point of distinction. The words Elder, Shepherd, Overseer, Bishop, and Pastor are synonymous.

So, the same qualifications that I have as senior pastor are to be for the elders of the church as well.

We covered this extensively in the 8th sermon in this series.

Now Paul is sharpening his focus on those that are preaching and teaching elders.

Certainly all elders are called to teach.

This is the primary distinction between the elders and deacons within a church body.

But there are those that are called of God to rightly divide the word of truth and break open the bread of life for the congregation.

The Bible itself makes clear that it is not enough just to say the words of the Bible. The Bible mandates that all churches have teachers. All churches are supposed to have elders (Titus 1:5), and elders are required to be teachers (1 Timothy 3:2). The task of a teacher is not just to read the Bible to his hearers, but to explain it. And explaining means using other words besides the ones in the text. (John Piper, Providence pg. 16)

In actuality, the text says the Elder who provides effective leadership deserves “double honor” but especially those elders who work hard in preaching and teaching.

The NET Bible

Like the similar use of “honor” in v. 3, this phrase denotes both respect and remuneration: “honor plus honorarium.”

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 5)

The role of elder (pastor) involves authority, particularly in preaching and teaching. Labor (Gk. kopiaō), translated “toil” in 4:10, implies hard work that makes a person tired. Such exertion in “preaching and teaching” calls for double honor, which could include financial remuneration (5:18). “Double” could imply ample provision, or financial provision in addition to proper respect. worthy. Paul does not actually require that pastors be paid a double amount, but Paul clearly indicates that pastors should receive generous remuneration.

Paul get’s his authority from the Word of God.

Vs. 18 - Paul uses an Old Testament passage as well as a New Testament gospel verse.

First he quotes…

Deuteronomy 25:4 (ESV)

“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.

What does this mean? Moses and Paul are using a lesser to greater example.

If the farmer allows the ox to eat the grain while he is working thus caring for his nutritional needs, then the church should make sure those elders / pastors dedicated to full time service, who are leading and preaching well, are financially taken care of so they don’t need to worry about how they will make ends meet but instead can spend their energy on the ministry of the word, prayer, and training the church to make disciples of all nations.

Some of you may wonder, what does Mark do any given week? Here is a rundown…

A sermon prep for me is usually around 20 hours of study and writing. Plus…

Extensive prayer for this body

Equipping class prep

Sunday Service prep

Family Chats

Equipped for Life

Elder meetings

Deacon meetings

Counseling

Continuous education, learning, reading, conferences so I don’t become dull.

Visiting people and connecting with visitors

Managing the staff

Vision for the future

Leading people to Christ

Discipling new believers

Training up leadership for ministries in the church.

The expectation that I am to know everything about everything regarding Bible, theology, and all the inner workings and happenings at ABC.

And…

Dealing with what I call “left hooks out of nowhere.”

Plus I need to love and minister to my family faithfully!

Who is sufficient for such things? No one.

Only by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit can anything of spiritual substance get accomplished around here.

And I consider it all JOY to serve my King in this capacity.

It makes sense for a local congregation to have staff elders who can keep the ball moving down the field.

And I thank God that you, ABC afford me the privilege of ministry here without also having to come up with a way to support my family.

Thank you so much for sustaining me so I can help you in some small way grow in Christlikeness.

Paul has wisdom in allowing for “staff elders” AKA pastors to train up others to do the work of the ministry.

In addition to lay elders to ensure the flock is shepherded properly and the church is overseen well.

This is John Piper’s point when he writes…

“Brothers, we are not professionals. We are outcasts. We are aliens and exiles in the world. Our citizenship is in heaven, and you cannot be true faithful pastors, longing to please your heavenly Father, without your churches recognizing and supporting that labor.” - John Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry. pg. xvii.

Unfortunately, many churches have a low view of caring for their pastors. There are people in local churches who view the pastors as employees and the church as a business.

I am not your employee.

I was called of God to serve this church community.

This church is not a business, it is the family of God attempting to fulfill the great commission.

Churches who view their Pastoral staff as employees and the church as a business are so far off the mark it is ridiculous.

It’s actually a wicked and ungodly mindset.

Yet, the church is called to care for their pastors financially so they can focus their full attention on the ministry.

P. Andrew Sandlin in his article, “What you owe your pastor” says the following very strong words…

Now, it’s remarkable how far many churches have drifted from the word of God on this point. Their philosophy of remuneration to their pastor goes like this: “Lord, you keep him humble, and we’ll keep him poor.” Or, at best: “We want him to make a salary commensurate with those in the congregation.” That’s sensible — and totally un-biblical — reasoning. Paul says that the elders who deliver the word are worthy of double honor, and no doubt he has in mind Deuteronomy 21:17, which says that in ancient Israel the firstborn should get a double financial portion. And like the Levites in old covenant Israel, the ministers should be overwhelmingly compensated.

You owe your pastor your money. And if you obey God in giving him your money, God will abundantly bless your obedience. - P. Andrew Sandlin - https://docsandlin.com/2014/04/04/what-you-owe-your-pastor/

Pastoral work is set apart from worldly professions and deserves special recognition as it fulfills God’s purposes on earth. Why does this role deserve it? Because God calls for it.

This is where the other verse Paul quotes. This one is from the gospel of Luke 10:7.

“The laborer deserves his wages.”

The point? If he is laboring well, take care of him well.

It’s not a point of negotiation with God. It is a point of obedience.

Church, hear me on this. The faithful pastor will be taken care of by God, but the unfaithful congregation will lose out on the blessing from God.

The church must obey God in this and not obey their own fiscal sensibilities.

It is an issue of faith.

There is no more risky venture for the individual Christian or the local church of Christ than to not live a life of radical faith.

If you don’t believe me, read what happened to the man who buried his money in the back yard. Matthew 25: 14-30

Church, we must be fearless and full of faith…

Matthew 25:24–30 (ESV)

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Church, we must be careful to be faithful!

God will always care for the church that cares for their pastors.

Review - Insist on Godly Elders

Pay them what they are worth

2. Deal With Their Sin (vs. 19-21)

1 Timothy 5:19–21 (ESV)

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 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.

Picture this…

A disgruntled congregant or perhaps someone from outside the congregation brings an outlandish accusation that the pastor was making flirtatious advances toward them.

Of course this certainly is possible because all Christians, including elders, struggle with sin.

But the track record of this pastor/elder is pristine and does not reflect the accusation being leveled against him.

What are we to do? According to Paul, the accusation should not be given credence.

However, if there is corroboration, well, then that is a different story all together.

There is another Old Testament principle that is given here found in Deuteronomy 17:6 and…

Deuteronomy 19:15 (ESV)

“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

Someone in a leadership position - especially someone in my position (because sometimes I have to say hard things from this pulpit, can become a target for disgruntled people and certainly from Satan himself.

So Paul instituted a safeguard to help prevent this.

It is a safeguard, but it is not an impenetrable wall.

This is Paul’s point in verse 20…

If the accusations from 2 or 3 witnesses are true, then God, in his grace has a wonderful process for the church to walk through that gives amazing restorative benefits for the sinner, but also a powerful reminder of the holiness of God for the congregation.

Look at the text again…

1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV)

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

So here is the point. This elder is found in sin, it is corroborated by two or three witnesses it is dealt with privately.

Genuine repentance is expressed and forgiveness is extended. Depending on the severity of the sin, the elder may need to step down or not.

But lets say it is corroborated by two or three witnesses but the elder “persists in this sin,” then, according to Paul, the elder must be “rebuked in the presence of all.”

Why?

“so that the rest may stand in fear.”

Who are the “rest?”

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 5)

This refers specifically to “the rest of the elders,” but it probably also implies “the rest of the congregation,” since the rebuking was done “in the presence of all”

God’s gracious benefit? The removal of sin which kills, and the spiritual growth in holiness and Christlikeness for the church.

God is so good to His church. He wants each and every one of us to grow in hatred toward our sin and grow in Christlikeness.

God loves His church too much to leave her in sin.

God loves His church so much that He wants her to be the best thing possible - Christlike.

God is teaching me that addressing sin isn’t punitive, but restorative and absolutely necessary!

“Nothing can be more cruel than the leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, pg. 105.

And what is our motivation to hold rogue elders accountable?

All Authority in Heaven!

Look at verse 21!

1 Timothy 5:21 (ESV)

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.

Paul is clear here. Timothy is to be no respecter of people. Do what I say Timothy. Hold people accountable whether they are a youth worker or an elder in the church. The position doesn’t matter. Holiness does.

I have a young pastor friend who has a rich deacon in his church that believes the church is his church.

And if the pastor doesn’t do what he says, this rich deacon threatens to leave the church and take his money with him.

My advice? Let the rich deacon leave and let him take his money because the church is not his church, the church isn’t the pastor’s church.

The church is CHRIST’s church and I feel sorry for anyone who threatens the BRIDE of CHRIST!

Review - Insist on Godly Elders

Pay them what they are worth

Deal with their sin

3. Be Careful Who You Call (vs. 22-25)

1 Timothy 5:22–25 (ESV)

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Paul finishes out this section with some final admonitions to Pastor Timothy.

“Don’t be hasty in the laying on of hands” - In other words, don’t rush bringing a new elder onto the team without first vetting him properly.

Now, to be clear, Paul isn’t saying the elder is to be sinlessly perfect. If that were the case there could only be one elder, and that is Jesus.

But they should be men who love Jesus with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.

They should be men who are kind, compassionate, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just like Christ forgave them.

They should be men who hunger and thirst for righteousness and the Word of God.

They should be men whose faces are on the floor before the Lord crying out for the souls God has entrusted to them in their family and in His Church.

They should be men whose default is not anger, wrath, clammer, and malice, but instead men who faithfully exhibit joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

They should exude God’s fruit of the Spirit.

They should have the heart of a shepherd.

If they are men like Diotrephes in 3 John who liked to put himself first and disregarded the authority of the apostles, they will be a danger to the church.

John promised in his letter to personally confront Diotrephes because of his arrogance and pride.

We cannot afford to have self-righteous, self-promoting, self-focused elders who refuse to repent. These kind of men will destroy the church.

So Paul’s warning to Timothy is one we must heed today.

But Paul goes on to say that if Timothy ignores this command from Paul, he runs the risk of sharing in the sins of others!

This is what Paul means when he says,

“…nor take part in the sins of others…”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (5:22)

Those who take part in the premature ordination of an errant elder share some of the blame for the negative consequences to their church.

So before we lay hands on them (give approval of them) we must prayerfully vet them so they can lead our church well lest we be complicit with their sin.

Regardless, the goal for pastor Timothy, and likewise, all of us, is purity. We must “keep ourselves pure.”

The word “pure” means faultless.

Now this is a problem because none of us are faultless - except for the grace of God.

Don’t you love the grace of God?

It can take the dirtiest, most sin filled person in this room or in the world and make them faultless before the throne of God!

Cornerstone

When He shall come with trumpet sound Oh may I then in Him be found Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless stand before the throne

Are you faultless? No!

But, by repentance of your sin and faith in Jesus Christ, you are considered “faultless” before the throne.

The gospel!

Randomly Paul inserts another admonition for Timothy. You’ll notice in the ESV it has parenthesis’ around this verse indicating it was a unrelated addition.

1 Timothy 5:23 (ESV)

(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

Timothy was known to be timid and perhaps because of the stress he was under, coupled with apparent frequent sickness, Paul gave him some practical medical advice to have a little wine to settle his stomach.

But verse 24-25 pick back up after Paul’s medical parenthesis and return to the subject about not bringing a new elder onto the team hastily.

1 Timothy 5:24 (ESV)

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

Paul is saying that some sins of potential elders are conspicuous or clearly visible.

That makes the decision easy.

But some cover their sins well, but be sure those sins will show up later.

On the other hand, the opposite is true as well.

1 Timothy 5:25 (ESV)

So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

The truly born again believer will strive to do good!

This is James point in…

James 2:18 (NLT)

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

The would-be born again elder’s deeds are obvious.

There is no question this man loves to serve with humility and grace.

He is the last one at the Family Chat visiting with people and helping to serve them and the church.

He is the one that visits the homebound saint in need of encouragement.

He is the one who serves the youth without pay to make sure they are growing in Christlikeness.

These are deeds he does, not for recognition, but because he loves Jesus and wants to serve Him well.

The point is, Pastor Timothy had to be wise and careful regarding whom he appointed to the office of elder.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (5:24–25)

Thus Paul emphasized the difficulties inherent in choosing qualified candidates for the ordination. Hasty, superficial assessments, whether positive or negative, are sometimes inaccurate, leading to the enlistment of unqualified men or the overlooking of those whose fine qualities are less obvious. With time, however, a man’s true colors will emerge to an astute observer. Thus the perceptive observations of verses 24–25 are designed to underline the warning of verse 22: do not rush to ordain someone.

“Do not be in a hurry to make a man a preacher; remember, once made, he cannot easily be unmade. The same is true of deacons and elders. Appoint none hastily…” - Spurgeon

Imagine hiring a contractor to build your home. Would you rush the decision without checking his past work or reputation? If you hire someone unqualified, the foundation may crack, leading to disaster later.

In the same way, selecting church elders without careful vetting could lead to a "cracked foundation" in the church’s leadership, affecting the entire congregation.

Just as you would ensure the right person builds your home, it’s essential to take time and discern carefully when selecting elders to build up the church.

What can you do about this?

Pray! Consistent prayer in the process of selecting elders. Just as Timothy was urged to exercise caution, modern churches should actively seek God’s guidance, rather than rushing into decisions based on convenience or need.

Review - Insist on Godly Elders

Pay them what they are worth

Deal with their sin

Be careful who you call

Conclusion

Imagine what our church would look like if we followed Paul’s words to Timothy to the letter. What if every man at ABC pursued being not only sound teachers of the Word but also examples of humility, purity, and Christlike love?

What if every person who took on the mantle of leadership did so with a heart fully surrendered to Jesus?

A church with godly elders is a church with a strong foundation, one that stands firm no matter what challenges arise.

“A church is only as holy as its leadership is true, and its leadership is only as true as its understanding of God's holiness.” - A.W. Tozer

So what can you do?

As members of this body, pray for the leaders. Support them, but also hold them accountable to the standard of godliness that Scripture outlines.

Be engaged in the process of raising up new leaders, because, as Paul reminds us, godly elders are the key to a mature church.

A wise farmer doesn’t just scatter seeds at random. He carefully examines the soil, the climate, and the conditions to make sure the seeds will grow.

In the same way, we must be wise in choosing our elders, carefully assessing their character, their doctrine, and their heart for God’s people. Let us not be hasty, but let us trust God’s wisdom and guidance in this essential work.