1 Timothy: Qualifications for Leadership

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What are some biblical principles that our society doesn’t agree with?

2. What are some practical ways that you can “pastor” your friends

3. Does it matter what other people think about you?

4. Do you see yourself as a leader? Why or why not?

We will also give you space to ask questions you might have.

Review

We have been going through the book of 1 Timothy and looking at the advice Paul gave to his spiritual son Timothy who was a young leader in a crazy place.

Ephesus was a sinful city and Timothy had to find a way to remain unaffected by its influence while maintaining a sense of relevance with his message.

The last time we talked we discussed the fact that Timothy was told to make sure that he was maintaining purity…that he was walking in holiness.

Holiness is a non negotiable for us as Christ followers.

Hebrews 12:14 (NLT)

A Call to Listen to God

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

In a world that is desperate for peace we have to understand that following peace doesn’t lead to justice....when you follow peace in a pure form it will lead you to an understanding that you need holiness.

We will see this play out in our reading tonight…but holiness means we don’t look like the world, act like the world, date like the world, believe like the world.

Most of the ideals that are pushed by our society are void of biblical principles.

Don’t use instagram and tiktok as the tools by which you shape your worldview.

Don’t use your friend group as the tools by which you shape your worldview.

Because every stance taken when shaped by those tools is subject to something called “trends.”.....trends change.

A worldview shaped by God’s world is unshaken and unchanging.

Tonights Reading

1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT)

Leaders in the Church

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”

There are some of you that have as much interest in church leadership as I do in Tiktok....it’s not your thing.

So when I start out a message by reading a passage that says “if someone aspires to be a church leader” you automatically come to the conclusion that the message tonight is not for you.

But I want to break down what this verse means to all of us before I speak directly to those who desire to be in church leadership.

Leader is actually a greek word: ἐπισκοπῆς (episkopes) meaning visitation or overseer

This means that the context of a leader in this verse is someone who keeps an eye on or checks up on a group of people....this is the shepherd.

We have created an unhealthy paradigm in which we think only the church staff is supposed to do this.

Pastors are not the only ones tasked with checking in on and holding other believers accountable.

You have a pastoral role to play even if you don’t want to be a “church leader”

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Peter was not writing to a select group of elite believers…he was writing to the entire group of Christ followers.

Look at the person next to you and say “Hi, I’m pastor (insert your name).”

I am a pastor.

You have been called to help pastor your friend group and they have been called to help pastor you.

This is why we are so excited to have instituted small groups.

Cultural Differences

(REMIND THEM OF CONTEXT OF CULTURE REGARDING GENDER)

Teach the difference between cultural concepts such as women in ministry and homosexuality.

Our culture would say that if one part of scripture isn’t culturally applicable than none of scripture is.

This concept has been used to justify sexual sins such as homosexuality. (BE CLEAR)

There is a difference....and it is this.

There are other places in scripture where women are used in ministry…Mary is the first one to tell others of Jesus. Priscilla teaches one of the greatest speakers in history, Apollos... about the gospel. Phiillip has four daughters who prophecy in the book of Acts. And when Peter quotes the prophet Joel regarding the Holy Spirit and His work in the church He says “sons and daughters” King James says “servants and handmaidens.” There is an inclusiveness for both genders within the context of scripture.

Every time homosexuality is referred to in scripture it is in the context of leaving the natural use that God has given....God created male and female…and he gave Adam (a male) a female to be his wife.

Submitting yourself to a LGBTQ lifestyle IS NOT THE WILL OF GOD.

(If that is something you struggle with....understand this is not a condemnation towards you....we all have temptations and struggles. This is simply letting you know that God’s Word calls us away from those temptations…it does not invite us to embrace them and claim them as our identity.

Why would you talk about this pastor Tyler? Because there is and has been a spirit at work in our youth group that I’ve not confronted because I didn’t want to offend anyone.....but I love you too much to not tell you the truth.

Homosexuality is sin....but Jesus died to save sinners.

Many of you do want to be in church leadership.

I’ve had several of you come to me and share that you feel called to lead worship. Or you feel called to preach…or you want to share a message or you have a prophetic word…etc...

This microphone has a cover charge.

Tonight we are going to see what that cover charge is.

1 Timothy 3:2–3 (NLT)

2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.

Qualifications List

Life above reproach

Faithful to spouse

Be self controlled

Live wisely

Maintain a good reputation

Able to teach

Not a heavy drinker

Gentle

Not a fighter

Not in love with money

Life Above Reproach

Don’t just live a life that doesn’t sin…live a life that is so righteous no one would believe it if someone said you did sin.

This is only possible when you maintain a high level of character.

Character is who you are when no one is around.

Character is how hard you work on something when you know you won’t be checked up on.

If you want to be a leader in the kingdom of God character is key because...

character is the only way to live a life above reproach.

Faithful to your spouse

Some of you are like “sweet, freebie…I’m not married.”

Faithfulness to your spouse starts long before marriage.

A kiss is not just a kiss

Every person you kiss is someone’s spouse....Imagine you walk into the venue for your wedding and when you get up front every person you ever made out with is standing there with your spouse....because though they may not be there physically…they will be there. Memories don’t leave.

This plays right into being self controlled and living wisely. Be self controlled by learning to wait and being wise with who you express interest in and date.

Maintain a good reputation

Don’t burn bridges as a teenager that you might need to be in place as an adult.

Do you know what phrase has kept people from being able to be used in the future more than any other. “I don’t care what they think”

As a Christ follower....you better care what they think.