1st Timothy 3

Character is Everything

Character is Everything

Opening Dialogue:

(open with a story of someone claiming to be a christian but their character didn't show any of it. This will segway into the passage.)

Opening of Passage

1 Timothy 3:1–7: “The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money, managing his own household well, having children in submission with all dignity (but if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil. But he must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.”

Debrief on first half of passage:

Paul is here addressing the church about how a leader in the church who wants to supervise things must act and live.

Even though you may not see yourself as a leader, you are. Each and every one of you is a leader. A leader who can either lead people to Jesus or away from Him.

And it is not going to be about how well you teach or preach; it will be based on your character.

Paul is describing this person as living above reproach and with dignity.

Living with the intent to worship the Lord.

Not to be flashy so people can like him, but sacrificing his wants to serve the Lord the best he can.

First point (Questions as points):

Do you have Godly character?

Paul is pointing to the purpose of living a Godly life so people may know Jesus as their Savior.

You and I have the opportunity as followers of Christ to be an example for Jesus by seeking the Lord to change our hearts to be more like Him.

ORRRR… We claim we are Christians, but we end up confusing people because we indulge in sin, get caught up in everything else, and avoid Jesus.

Example:

I shared this story at camp, but I remember being a student leader at the church I grew up at.

I was saved just a couple of months before and was still learning what it looks like to be an example of Jesus.

I made the mistake of not understanding that when you post on social media, sharing a song or show, you are not just revealing what you like but what you also enjoy consuming.

For me, it was Drake, Metro Boomin, and the Migos.

2018! The prime time of music. I would share songs of theirs on my snap and post after a basketball workout, “It’s lit rn.”

(CRINGE!!!)

But I also would post on Sundays, “Church is killing it! Listen to ‘Won’t Stop Now’ by Elevation!!! Go Jesus!” and once a year at camp, I would always post a Jesus post to remind people that I was a Christian.

One day, Pastor Brian, who was my youth pastor at the time, came up to me and asked, “Why are you posting these rap songs?”

My honest thought that I didn’t tell him was, “THEY HEAT??? METRO???? BOOOMING????”

But I told him I always share the music I’m listening to and that I enjoy it.

He then asked, “How are you supposed to lead others to Jesus when you are posting this crap?”

My eyes were opened. Not only did I have to stop posting the songs, but I also had to stop listening to them.

I don’t know if you realize this, students, but modern music degrades and corrupts humanity.

It spoils the brain and fills it with junk disguised as a treat waiting to be opened.

Paul doesn’t want people who lead others to Jesus to indulge in the love of money and sin.

It makes people confused about the image of Christianity and their identity.

Our identity is in JESUS! So why go back to indulging in things that make you look like that isn’t your identity?

Continuing Passage for the rest of chapter 3

1 Timothy 3:8–13: “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And these also must be tested first; then let them serve if they are above reproach. The wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Being double-tongued, living a double life, and doing things for your own good will never be living the true life God has for you.

It isn’t the character of Jesus; it is the character of sin.

And although this passage is targeted at leaders in the church, each and every one of you is a leader in Christ if you are a follower of Jesus.

Main Point:

Jesus is calling us to be true examples of His character and who He is.

In order to do that, we don’t perform tasks to look the part.

But we cry out, “Lord, change my heart and mind to become more like you!”

What if we saw a student group that didn’t live a double life but followed through with being a Godly example to the others around us?

How many people would come to the group, or better yet, come to know Jesus?

But it goes back to my current question.

Closing:

Are you living out Godly character in your life?