The Basic Standard
Back to the Basics: A First Century Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Opening Remarks:
Opening Remarks:
Please meet me in your copy of God’s word in 1 Timothy 3:1–7. If you’re using one of our church provided Bibles, you can find your place on page number 932–933. We are now four weeks into our series “Back to Basics: Becoming a First Century Church.” Over the last three weeks we have likened the church to the process of building a house
Week one we saw from Matthew 16, that Jesus is the foundation of the church. He is the one who promises to build it, secure it, and lead it.
Week two, we looked at Ephesians 4, and saw that unity is the framework, the walls formed by humility, shared faith, and mature and Christ-like leadership.
Last week, from Acts 20, we saw that the elders of the church are the truss. A strong, interconnected leadership structure designed to carry the load and keep the church aligned and stable.
Our text before us today will dig a little deeper into who these elders should be.
This is the word of the Lord.
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Last week we mentioned that the elders of the church tie everything together and help keep the stability of the structure in tact. We mentioned that no building has only one truss. If it did, the weight of the structure would eventually cause it to fail and the church is no different. The biblical pattern for church leadership is not one man, CEO style leadership, but a plurality of God called men (elders, pastors) leading together.
But now we must ask an important follow up question: What is it that makes the truss strong?
The answer is: Character.
If elders are the structural backbone of church leadership, then their character is the material integrity of that structure.
Just like in building construction, it doesn’t matter how well a truss is positioned if the wood is rotting, or the steel is cracked, the whole roof is compromised.
The same is true in the church. We’ve seen it all too many times, churches crumble, not because of the design, but because of the defects in those leading it.
That’s why, in 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives us “The Basic Standard”—A Holy Spirit inspired checklist for identifying men with integrity.
Paul is writing to his protégé Timothy, who at this point is pastoring in Ephesus, a church that had enjoyed strong leadership in the past, but now is in disrepair. Just as Paul had prophesied in Acts 20 some of the elders in Ephesus had fallen into sin. False teaching had crept in and Paul sent Timothy to restore order—starting with the character of those who serve as overseers (Elders, bishops).
This mirrors, Paul’s instructions to Titus in Titus 1:5-9 regarding elders in Crete.
Let’s walk through 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and examine four essential categories of elder qualifications:
Personal Conduct- How does he live? (v.2-3)
Family Leadership- How does he lead at home? (v.4-5)
Spiritual Maturity- How deeply does he walk with God? (v.6)
Public Reputation- How is he known outside of the church? (v.7)
As we go, through this passage, these qualifications serve as the grid through which we must discern, as a church, who is truly fit to carry the weight of shepherding God’s people. They are also a call to the kind of maturity we should all be growing toward.
Let’s see what God’s word has for us this morning.
1.) Personal Conduct- How Does He Live? (v.2-3)
1.) Personal Conduct- How Does He Live? (v.2-3)
It is no mistake that the qualifications for an elder begin here. Daily life is where character is forged. Before a man is fit to lead in the church, his personal character must be on par.
A.) Blameless and Faithful
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,…
Above Reproach- One who has nothing which an adversary could seize upon with which to base a charge. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
This does not mean that he is sinless or perfect , just that his character and reputation can’t be rightly accused of ongoing, disqualifying sin. There is nothing in his life that Satan can take hold of to attack the church. His life is not marred by some obvious sinful defect in his character.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,…
Literally- “One woman man”. This has nothing to do with divorce and everything to do with purity.
He is to be someone who is completely devoted to his wife in affection, purity, and loyalty. He’s doesn’t flirt, play emotional games, or compromise himself sexually. He lives a life marked by purity in his mind, emotions, and body.
A man can be married once, never get divorced, and not be a “one-woman man.” Only ever being married once is not a guarantee of moral purity. This is an area where so many leaders seem to fall. The failure of being a “one-woman man” has cast so many men out of ministry its impossible to count them all.
This was vital to Ephesus because it was where the Temple to the goddess Diana (Artemis) was located and sexual sin was how she was worshipped.
You could not be involved in this and be considered for leadership as an overseer and it’s no less relevant in our culture today.
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
A blameless, faithful elder reinforces the integrity of the church’s leadership, protecting the witness of the church. Scandal can discredit the gospel and shake peoples trust. The purity of the elder must reflect the purity of Christ.
B. Disciplined, Respectable, Hospitable
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable,
These three qualities describe a man who isn’t erratic, impulsive, or immature.
Sober-minded speaks of mental clarity. He isn’t someone who thinks or behaves rashly.
Self-controlled refers to emotional and moral discipline.
Respectable implies orderliness, dignity, and modesty. Not behaving in a way that garners unnecessary attention.
but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,…
Hospital-literally “lover of strangers”.
He opens his home to others. Not just for entertainment but to disciple, care and serve others. His home is used like an outpost for ministry.
This kind of disciplined, respectable, and hospitable behavior builds trust and steadiness into a man’s life, enabling him to lead with wisdom and care.
An undisciplined, elder risks, rash decisions; a closed off elder weakens fellowship. Here at heritage, we need elders, whose lives draw us together.
C.) Able to Teach, Not a Slave to Sinful Anger or Greed.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
This is the only skill-based qualification on the entire list. An elder must be capable of feeding God’s people with sound doctrine and refuting error.
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
This doesn’t mean he has to be skilled in the pulpit, but he must be rooted in truth, and able to teach it clearly and faithfully to others.
not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
He’s not driven by substances, anger, or greed. Instead, he models Spirit-led gentleness over flesh-driven control.
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
Being able to clearly communicate and apply the Word of God to others and living a life not under the control of things that feed the flesh but filled with the Spirit of God strengthens the truss of spiritual leadership and equips the church against lies.
The church at Ephesus was crippled by false teaching; today, some of the same cultural pressures threaten us.
2.) Family Leadership-How Does He Lead At Home? (v.4-5)
2.) Family Leadership-How Does He Lead At Home? (v.4-5)
Our character shines the brightest at home. It is a proving ground for how a man will lead the church.
4 He must manage his own household well,…
He must manage-to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action. Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 464.
This means at home he takes initiative. He leads, not as a tyrant, but with servant-leadership. Nurturing, correcting, teaching, and guiding his children if he has them.
HAVING CHILDREN IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR BEING AN ELDER!
A.) Guiding His Children With Dignity
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
Dignity-seriousness, honor and respect.
His children don’t have to be perfect (they are allowed to be children), but they should reflect the kind of parenting that nurtures obedience and respect.
A dignified home reinforces the integrity of the church’s leadership, proving an elder’s shepherding heart.Godly homes model, the love of Christ.
B.) Proof of Readiness for Leadership
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
Church life is full of conflict, need, and shepherding opportunities. The home is a training ground for these things. If a man can’t Shepherd his home, he has no business shepherding the Lord’s church.
Family leadership is a preview of church leadership. When elders are unprepared at home, the church suffers under their care.
3.) Spiritual Maturity- How Deeply Does He Walk With God? (v.6)
3.) Spiritual Maturity- How Deeply Does He Walk With God? (v.6)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
An elder must possess time-tested spiritual maturity. He may be passionate and gifted, but if he’s newly converted, he’s not yet grounded. Without a deep foundation in the faith, leadership can feed pride and expose him to spiritual failure.
A few years ago, Kanye West made headlines claiming to have become a Christian. He released an album titled Jesus Is King, launched worship events, and spoke publicly about faith. But almost immediately, people began treating him like a spiritual leader. Some even labeled him the next Paul. But over time, his life and message have been marked by confusion, pride, and a gospel that lacked clarity and repentance. From everything we can observe, he seems to have demonstrated the fruit of a false convert—someone who made a profession but lacks true transformation. Now, we ultimately leave the final judgment to God, but the lesson is still clear: charisma is not character. Emotion is not maturity. And charisma certainly does not qualify someone for spiritual leadership.That’s why Paul warns so strongly against elevating a recent convert. Gifting without grounding leads to pride and pride opens the door to spiritual ruin.
True maturity isn’t just about how long a man has been saved—it’s about how deeply he walks with Jesus. Has he learned to depend on the Lord? Has he been shaped by Scripture, strengthened through trials, and humbled by grace?
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
A spiritually mature elder isn’t just someone who has survived difficulty, but someone who has walked with Christ in it. He’s marked by a steady devotional life. He’s prayerful, Word-centered, and Spirit-led. His private worship fuels his public ministry. You can’t shepherd others if you’re not first being shepherded by Christ.
We’re not looking for time passed, but time spent with God. Does this man walk closely enough with Jesus to be shaped by His voice, steadied by His presence, and led by His Spirit?
Maturity anchors a leader against pride and pressure. Immature elders may buckle when trials come—but a man who walks daily with Christ will lead with humility, resilience, and a heart that points the church back to Jesus.
4.) Public Reputation- How Is He Known Outside the Church?(v.7)
4.) Public Reputation- How Is He Known Outside the Church?(v.7)
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
This final qualification deals with a man’s reputation beyond the walls of his home and church. It’s about how his integrity is perceived by the unbelieving world.
A.) The World Is Watching
Whether we like it or not, the world is watching us. Outsiders may reject our doctrine (position), but they should respect our conduct (disposition). A man who is dishonest in business, rude at work, or known for shady dealings in the community has no business leading in the Lord’s church. It doesn’t matter how gifted or persuasive he is; if his public reputation dishonors the name of Jesus, then placing him in spiritual leadership only drags the church’s witness down with him.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
We are called to live wisely in a watching world. One moral failure in public can undo years of faithful ministry and shatter the church’s credibility in the community. Satan loves to bait leaders into scandal and smear the gospel they represent.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about performing well or keeping up appearances. Anyone can fake character for a season—but the truth eventually surfaces. What Paul is describing here is not stage presence, it’s real, observable godliness over time.
Michael Tait, who was the lead singer of the Newsboys—a well-known Christian band—recently admitted to living a “double life.” This revelation shook the Christian music world. Because of what came out, the band was dropped by their record label, pulled off the radio, and removed from festivals. Why? Because his public life didn’t match the gospel he sang about. That kind of failure damages not just the individual, but the reputation of the whole church. This is exactly what Paul calls the “snare of the devil”—when a leader’s fall drags down the whole body and causes people to stumble. Heritage, we simply cannot afford elders whose lives cause scandal and hurt our witness in the community.
When a man’s integrity is consistent—when he’s respected by outsiders for his honesty, humility, and reliability, it strengthens the church’s witness and reinforces the credibility of its leadership. Scandals divide, but godly reputations unite and glorify Christ.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
We’ve spent the last four weeks laying out a biblical blueprint for the church.
Jesus is our foundation—the One who builds and secures His church (Matthew 16).
Unity is our framework—the walls of humility, shared faith, and Spirit-formed maturity (Ephesians 4).
Elders are the truss—God’s design for a stable, strong leadership structure (Acts 20).
But today we’ve seen that it’s character that gives that truss its strength.
You can have the right structure in place, but if the material is weak, if the men who lead lack integrity, the weight will crack the beams. The church will sag, or worse, collapse.
That’s why 1 Timothy 3 matters so much. It’s not a checklist for perfect men—it’s a standard for trustworthy men.
Men who are
Blameless in conduct,
Faithful in marriage,
Disciplined in spirit,
Gentle with others,
Rooted in Scripture,
Respected by outsiders.
Who lead their families with dignity,
Who’ve weathered storms with Jesus,
Who carry themselves with humility and maturity.
This is the kind of leadership that strengthens the truss and holds the house together.
So what does this mean for us?
It means we need to pray—that God would raise up men like this in our church.
It means we must discern—not based on personality, popularity, or position—but based on character.
It means we must wait patiently—not rushing men into leadership, but watching for those who are already living this out.
And it means we must strive toward this kind of maturity ourselves, because these are not just elder qualifications, they’re Christian aspirations.
In the coming weeks and months, as we move toward updating our governing documents and appointing elders, let this be our guide. This is what we’re aiming for—not perfection, but integrity. Not charisma, but character. Not man’s design, but God’s design.
Above all, remember: Jesus is still building His church. He is our foundation, our shepherd, and our head. We don’t follow elders, we follow Christ, and we trust Him to lead us through men who reflect His heart.
Gospel Invitation
Gospel Invitation
Maybe you’re here this morning and you realize… you’re not even part of the house yet. You’ve seen the structure. You’ve heard about the leadership. But if you’re honest—you’re on the outside looking in.
Friend, you can’t follow godly leaders until you’ve first bowed your knee to a greater Leader—Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep.
The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Because of that, we’re separated from God and under His judgment. But God, in His mercy, sent Jesus to live the perfect life we couldn’t live, to die the death we deserved, and to rise again in victory.
Now, He calls you to turn from your sin and trust in Him alone for forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. It’s not about becoming religious. It’s not about trying harder. It’s about surrendering completely—letting Jesus take your life, your guilt, your shame, and makinG you new.
If you’ve never repented and believed in Jesus, don’t leave today without doing that. There’s room in this house for you. Come into the family. Come to Christ.
Prayer
Prayer
Let’s bow together:
Lord Jesus, You are the builder of the church and the Savior of our souls.
Thank You for giving us a clear pattern—not just for how Your church should function, but for who should lead it. Raise up men in this congregation who reflect Your heart—who walk in humility, teach truth faithfully, love Your people sacrificially, and serve without needing a spotlight.
Lord, prepare our church for what’s ahead. Give us unity. Give us discernment. Give us wisdom and patience as we take these next steps toward biblical leadership.
And for those listening today who don’t know You—who have been near the church but far from Christ—draw them by Your Spirit. Let today be the day they repent and believe. Save them by Your grace, and place them in this body for Your glory.
Make Heritage a place where the gospel is lived, where grace is seen, and where Christ is exalted through every leader and every member.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
