03 Character First: Leadership in the Family of God

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

next week: kids new space

Moved work days to Sept.

Youth 2nd and 4th

Community group leaders

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

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Text keyword “ConnectCard” to 217-583-1112

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: What Makes a Missional Leader?

Christian leadership is not about power or prestige, but about forming a community that reflects God’s household.

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Think of a household manager in the ancient world—someone entrusted to run the home faithfully, representing the master’s will. Overseers and deacons are not “masters” but trusted servants in God’s house. Their role is to model the gospel so that God’s family flourishes.

Opening Scripture: 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:5 “5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”

Three Thoughts On Biblical Leadership to help us be Missional Leaders and Team Members:

1. Leadership Protects Our Witness (vv. 1–7)

1 Timothy 3:1–7 “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.”

Overseers must be “above reproach”—their lives must withstand the slander of outsiders.

The church’s reputation depends on leaders who embody the gospel with humility, faithfulness, and hospitality.

In God’s household, leaders are not rulers but family caretakers, shaping community life.

Application: Spiritual Community grows when leaders and members live unimpeachable lives that commend Christ to outsiders.

2. Leadership Models Service (vv. 8–13)

1 Timothy 3:8–13 “8 Deacons (St. G1249) likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Deacons embody Christ the servant, “holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.”

Service is not about status but about teaching, feeding, and caring for the family of God.

cf. v. 11 “wives”, which is more accurately translated “women likewise”…Women as well as men served as deacons in the early church (Phoebe, Romans 16:1 “1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant (St. G1249) of the church at Cenchreae,” ).

1 Timothy 3:11 NASB95

11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

“every translation is an interpretation”

historical-grammatical interpretation

Application: Spiritual Ministry means every act of service points people to Jesus, the true Servant, and head of the Church.

3. Leadership Shapes Desires (v. 1)

1 Timothy 3:1 “1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”

Paul redirects youthful “cravings” from money, sex, and power toward the noble desire of godly leadership.

Leadership qualifications highlight character over charisma/gifting—self-control, marital fidelity, gentleness, faithfulness.

Leaders are formed as they retrain their appetites to desire what God desires.

Application: Spiritual Formation calls us to let God reshape our loves so that we can serve His mission faithfully.

Conclusion/Reflection:

The church is not a corporation or a club—it is God’s household.

Leadership is not about climbing ranks but about faithfully representing the Master.

As leaders and team members, we are called to live unimpeachable lives, serve like Christ, and let God reshape our desires.

In doing so, we protect the church’s witness and develop missionaries who embody the gospel in every sphere of life.

Where is God inviting you to grow in character, service, or faithfulness so that your life more fully reflects His household?

Talk It Over

How does Paul’s picture of leadership as a household caretaker challenge modern views of leadership as power or influence?

What qualities of overseers and deacons stand out most as needed in our church today?

Read Acts 6:1–7. How do we see both service and teaching working together in early church leadership?