1 Timothy 3.1-7 Responsibilities

Before I begin, I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas. I also want to extend a birthday wish to Bro. Rick and take the time to acknowledge both the Martin Family on 10 years of marriage along with Lucas on over a week of marriage!

I also want to give credit to the commentary: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Nothing I say up here is new and if it was, I would be on dangerous grounds.

With that, I invite you to turn to 1 Timothy 3.

1 Timothy 3…leading up to this chapter, we have read Paul’s admonition in chapter one to guard the gospel...

Why did Timothy need to guard the gospel? Some were teaching false doctrines.

1 Timothy 1:3 KJV 1900

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

Then we saw Paul celebrating the gospel...

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV 1900

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Paul celebrated the gospel and so should we. He blasphemed and persecuted the church but he obtained mercy. We too are sinners and we need to celebrate the fact Jesus saved us.

As we celebrate the gospel, there will be times we fight for the gospel...

1 Timothy 1:18 KJV 1900

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

Why fight for the gospel? False teachers will arise to lead people astray.

Then we moved into chapter two. This is where we read of the importance of prayer. Paul implored, he pleaded with Timothy to pray…

1 Timothy 2:1 KJV 1900

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Why was it vital to pray? Timothy was fighting for the gospel. This is spiritual warfare. The best weapon he had in his arsenal was prayer. The best weapon we have is prayer.

Prayer for the false teachers, prayer for political leaders, and prayer for all men.

Moving from prayer, Paul addresses the women. He covers their apparel, their attitude, and their abilities. We learned not all jobs in the local church are available for a women but God does use women in powerful ways. For example, our Savior was ushered into the world by an earthly women.

This leads us to chapter three. The opening verse says:

1 Timothy 3:1 KJV 1900

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

We often over look this portion of scripture. Why pay any attention to something that does not apply to the vast majority of us?

I have a different perspective. I’m going to take two weeks on this portion because I see the need to not only grasp and apprehend this truth but to take it with us. We will all be impacted by individuals fulfilling the role Paul is addressing. Therefore, we need to be aware of the responsibilities and qualifications of pastors.

It has be said, everything raises or falls on leadership. This truth is seen in society, business, our profession, and in the local church.

Think about the importance of leadership in the Marine Corps. We send Marines to leadership courses starting at Lance Corporal and this doesn’t stop. I read this week where LtCol Orrick was selected for the College of Naval Warfare. He has already attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned his Master of Science in Management.

Leaders need to be life-long learners. There should be no difference for leaders in churches. In order to have the ability to teach, they ought to know somethings about what they are teaching...

With the right leadership, a church can do great things for God. With the wrong leadership lives can be negatively impacted.

God has entrusted His church, His bride to pastors. We need to consider the responsibilities of our pastor and would be leaders. Think of this as the Billet Description section of the fitness report which highlights our significant responsibilities.

It may be helpful to look at Paul’s address to the Ephesian pastors in Acts 20.

In Acts, we get a good picture of what is expected of those who lead God’s people. We’ll look at four different responsibilities from this passage:

Acts 20:28–31 KJV 1900

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

As we will see neither this nor any other passage specifically describes the responsibilities of a pastor, several responsibilities can be extracted from scripture.

Some of the duties include:

Visiting those in need

James 1:27 KJV 1900

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Feeding the flock of God

1 Peter 5:2 KJV 1900

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Being an example to the flock

1 Peter 5:3 KJV 1900

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Protecting the flock from enemies

Acts 20:29–31 KJV 1900

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

In addition to these duties, when the first deacons were elected, Peter said it was done in order that “we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).

Since the apostolic (app - a - stall - lick) office did not and was not intended to continue, pastors seem to replace that office in function. Therefore, the pastor’s ministry should be centered on the spiritual ministry of the church, on “prayer, and … the ministry of the word.”

What are the four different responsibilities…the first we will look at is the execution of their duties…that is pastors execute their duties under the authority of Christ.

Execute their duties under the authority of Christ

Pastors lead under the authority of Christ. The church is not their invention, concoction, or business to run as they will.

Pastors are entrusted by Christ with the responsibility of overall leadership in the church.

In essence, they serve as an executor. An executor's main duty is to carry out the instructions to manage the affairs and wishes of a person's estate.

Earlier, we read in 1 Peter 5:2-3 “taking the oversight” and “Neither as being lords.”

Oversight means “minister unto, serve as an overseer,” it carries the idea of taking care of something for another.

Ministry is much like the military, it is a service oriented job. One can’t assume this duty without serving.

Peter continues on “Neither as being lords” this means “rule over, lord it over,” it conveys the idea of overpowering, gain dominion over, or subdue.

What are we to lord over? The flock is God’s flock not ours.

Pastors belong to the church, so the pastor doesn’t have final authority over the church. When we look at passages such as...

Matthew 18:15–20 KJV 1900

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

1 Corinthians 5:1–13 KJV 1900

1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

We see the authority of Christ is ultimately invested in the assembly of the church. The church is held accountable in these passages for letting sin persist in its midst.

This is why we call pastors our servant leaders, because even though God has given pastors to guide us, they lead as servants of the church.

As those who belong to the church, pastors are appointed by the Spirit of God.

Serving as a pastor is not something one can campaign to become. Pastors are not politicians. You don’t campaign to get elected to this position.

The Spirit sets aside and appoints men as pastors. The church is Christ’s and Christ leads the church by His Spirit. So pastors belong to the church, and the church belongs to Christ. The church is the bride of Christ.

In addition to being appointed by the Spirit of God, pastors are accountable to the Son of God. Paul told the Ephesian pastors to oversee the flock… which Christ ”purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Did you catch that saying “with His own blood”? You cannot approach church leadership lightly when you realize the significance of Acts 20:28.

Leading the church was never designed to be a power struggle. Jesus is in control, and He has all power in the church.

Every leader in the church is accountable to Him. This perspective brings the proper humility, even fear, to church leadership.

In addition to executing their duties under the authority of Christ, pastors ensure security and extend support to the body of Christ.

Ensure security and extend support

By ensuring security and extending support it can be said a pastor is to care for the body of Christ.

Acts 20:28 gives us the picture of a shepherd, and we see the same thing in 1 Peter 5:2: “Feed the flock of God which is among you.”

What does it look like to shepherd the flock? This looks like one who is ensuring security and support for those placed in his care.

My biological father is a shepherd to goats. He herd goats near St. George, Utah. I am not exaggerating when I say he smells like a goat. He get close to them and obviously they are close to him.

In like manner, a pastor gets close to the flock and provides protection to the flock.

Paul told pastors to “Take heed” this means to “watch out, be on guard, beware” against false doctrine, expect false teachers, and anticipate “grievous wolves” (Acts 20:28-30).

Pastors have a God-given responsibility to guard their own lives and the life of the church. This is the front line of spiritual warfare. Guarding ones own life is difficult enough, I can tell you there are times where I know I am under attack, spiritual speaking.

In addition to protecting the flock, pastors nurture the flock. Paul entrusted the Ephesian pastors with the Word (Acts 20:32), “which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

On my anniversary, we went horseback riding and I read a sign that said, “Tip your guild and pet your horse.” However, we were able to do more than pet the horse, we feed the horse alfalfa cubes.

Likewise, a pastor’s responsibility is not just to pet the sheep or ensure likability; he is to ensure the safety and support for the body of Christ and this involves feeding the sheep.

This lead me to the next point, a pastor is to expound on the Word of Christ.

Expound on the Word of Christ

To expound it to teach or explain the Word of Christ.

I mentioned horseback riding, and I can say we needed our guide to teach us. How do we start a 2,000 pound animal? How do you turn this beast? More importantly, how do I stop this large animal? I needed a guide to teach us and I am thankful for the guide.

The third responsibility of pastors, is to teach the Word of Christ. Paul said in Acts 20:27 “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

Shunned means Paul did not avoid or hesitate to proclaim the Word of God.

He said “all,” so they would be equipped to build up the church through the Word.

The Word alone has the power to build up the church, which means the pastor’s leadership is anchored to the Word.

If the pastor knows the Word and obeys the Word, then he is competent to lead in the church.

If he wanders from the Word, he is no longer eligible to lead in the church. Apparently, Hymenaeus and Alexander were two individuals who wandered from the Word of Christ.

We don’t follow pastors simply because they have a position. We follow them because they know the Word, teach the Word, and follow the Word.

The requirement to teach the Word of Christ means that pastor must know the Word. They study the Word, memorize the Word, and meditate on the Word.

I’ve known individuals who would keep scripture on 3x5 cards and go through these on a regular basis to memorize the Word of Christ.

Pastors need to know why they believe what they believe.

They know what the Scriptures say about theological issues. These men are equipped by the Word to address hard questions in the church. They also know what the Word says about practical issues, such as family life, our interaction with the culture, and numerous social issues raising up around us.

Based on what we’ve seen so far, pastors must have a strong, in-depth knowledge of the Scriptures. Pastors can’t just know the Word; it is essential that pastors communicate the Word.

This is one area where I need to improve on…I need to effectively communicate.

We see this in 1 Timothy 3:2 where Paul said that a pastor must be able to teach the Word (see also 1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:7, 9).

A pastor must know the Word and spread the Word throughout the church and from the church throughout the world. He must be able to convince people with the Word, plead with people from the Word, comfort people with the Word, encourage people from the Word, instruct people in the Word, and lead the church according to the Word. This is nonnegotiable.

So far we have looked at three responsibilities of pastors: they execute their duties under the authority of Christ, ensure the safety and support for the body of Christ, and expound on the Word of Christ. The fourth responsibility of pastors is they are to emulate the character of Christ.

Emulate the character of Christ

To emulate or model the character of Christ, one must first have a relationship with Christ. We saw this in the opening verses of this epistle.

We saw where Paul took his relationship with the Lord and fellow brethren personal. He said “God our Saviour” and then he mentions “Timothy, my own son in the faith.”

In the greeting, one can ask, "How should I view my relationship with Jesus Christ?” or “How should I treat my relationship with other brethren?"

As we look at the character of Christ, it will lead us to view the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. I’ll do my best to expound on these qualifications next week.

Several passages have lists for pastors: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-3. When you put these lists together, most emphasize on character qualifications.

We will consider, what is on these lists, what is required of pastors or as scripture mentions “bishop” next week.

The terms “bishop,” “pastor,” and “elder” are synonymous. Bishop means “overseer,” and the elders had the responsibility of overseeing the work of the church (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1–3). We have seen this so far...

“Elder” is the translation of the Greek word presbutes, which means “an old man.” Paul used the word presbytery in 1 Timothy 4:14, referring not to a denomination, but to the “eldership” of the assembly that ordained Timothy.

Elders and bishops (two names for the same office, Titus 1:5, 7) were mature people with spiritual wisdom and experience.

Finally, “pastor” means “shepherd,” one who leads and cares for the flock of God.

I mentioned we often over look this portion of scripture. Some may be prone to quickly read past it with little regard or thought. However, you may be taken back to find that almost everything in the list in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 is expected of every follower of Christ.

The one exception is found in 1 Timothy 3:2.

1 Timothy 3:2 KJV 1900

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Paul mentions apt to teach…it may surprise you but this means “able to teach, or skillful at instructing.”

Other than being able to teach, these qualifications are intended by Christ for every member of the church.

We might even say the qualifications for being a pastor revolve around emulating the character of Christ.

Pastors in the church are to be models in the church. This is why Hebrews 13:7, discussing pastors, says “whose faith follow.” This truth ought to weigh on anyone who desires to lead in Christ’s church, since a man cannot lead the church somewhere he is not going himself.

Here’s the truth I want you to take home: What will happen if the church emulates, imitates, or models their leader?

I can not speak for other churches but we can at least say, “my pastor is saved and seeks to serve the Lord.” We need to be assured of our salvation and focused on serving the Lord.

So we have looked at four responsibilities of pastors, they execute their duties under the authority of Christ, ensure security and support to the body of Christ, expound on the Word of Christ, and emulate the character of Christ.

Pray for our pastor as he carries out these responsibilities.

In the end no one will fulfill these responsibilities and qualifications perfectly. Each of us has numerous sins to confess daily. However, pastors should live lives worth emulating, lives that reflect the character of Christ. They need to know the Word, teach the Word, and obey the Word so others in the church will be instructed and spurred on to greater faithfulness.