Qualities of Elders
Life as the church-Book of 1 Timothy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:06:58
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Life as the church
Life as the church
The purpose of the book (1Tim3:15) is for the conduct of the church. As you have seen already in this series it is chock-full of instructions for life as the church.
15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
Today we are looking at more instructions. Instructions about the qualities, qualifications of an elder.
The name elder is used in several ways in several passages.
Elder (Tit1:5; 1Pt5:1)
Bishop (1Tim3:1-2, Tit1:7, Php1:1)
Overseer (Act20:28; 1Pt2:25)
Pastor (Eph4:11)
Shepherd (1Pt5:2)
So, this morning only want to look at two things.
The work of an elder
The qualifications/qualities of an elder
Work of an elder
Work of an elder
Our passage says the work is a good work (1Tim3:1); so what is this work?
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
The overseer, as mentioned before has several names in several places in scripture all are synonomous with one another.
(Insert: The elder and his work picture here)
The Work in the organization of the church
First there is a plurality (Php1:1)
below not on the screen, just quote it.
1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
(expand on the plurality, the purpose of the plurality; the results of the plurality)
Though there are differing names they describe the same office, the men and the work (Act20:17, 28, 1Pt5:1-2)
Eastman’s bible dictionary states “Bishop, Elder, and Pastor were not three distinct offices, but different ways to describe the men and their work.
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
So we have overseers, and elders so far
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Now we add in shepherd, some say the elders are shepherds here it is they are to shepherd (you can see that too in 1Pt5:1-2)
So let me expand a little more in the description.
(insert Elder picture here)
Elder- (GK) Presbuteros, and in Act 20 that we just looked at are older men.
(insert- shepherd-pastor picture here)
Pastor/shepherd - (GK) Poimen, whose task was to shepherd and feed the flock as noted in Act20 we looked at and
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
Now we start to see from the organization and the names to see the job, the work of the elder, overseer, bishop, pastor/shepherd.
They are to shepherd the flock (the congregation). It is not their flock, it is the flock of God
They do it by taking heed to themselves (Act20:28)
They do it by taking heed to the flock among them (add in now 1Pt5:2)
They do it by leading by example (1Pt5:3)
well so to keep in context maybe give you more from 1Pt5.
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
They do it by being on guard against trouble (Act20:28-31) relying on the word of God (Act20:32)
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
They do it being apt (able) to teach (1Tim3:2)
They do it being able to rule others well (1Tim3:4-5, 5:17)
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
And we will get into the qualifications in a few minutes. But I thought would give you this now, since it touches on teaching, and ruling. Then may I add in further instructions
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
They do it by holding fast the faithful word (Tit1:9)
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Oh, wait (v.9) is not the start of sentence or even the thought but it goes with the qualifications of an elder, some you just read in 1Tim3, the other place you find it is in Tit1. Let me give you the passage then we will start to look at the qualifications, qualities of an elder.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Qualifications of an Elder
Qualifications of an Elder
This is such an important office that there are sixteen qualifications for the position/office. They are to be taken prayerfully, not lightly, for as Paul said in (1Tim3:1) it is for a good work.
Must desire the office (1Tim3:1)
This is not to be done under compulsion, the office is actually appointed by the Holy Spirit (Act20:28)
This is not to be done under pressure or because of position, but the leading of the Holy Spirit and as appointed then by the Evangelist (subject for another day on that).
Must be a man (1Tim3:1-2, Tit1:6)
In all instances the different words are used they are used in the masculine form.
We will have another qualification in a minute that would eliminate a woman from being an elder.
Must be blameless (1Tim3:2; Tit1:6-7)
This literally means ‘nothing to take hold upon” Thayer’s bible dictionary, meaning that no one, including Satan can criticize or attack. This man is to be above reproach (NIV)
Must be the husband of one wife (1Tim3:2; Tit1:6)
Here is the other proof that the elder must be a man.
Also notice it says of “one wife.” The man must be a family man, able to manage his family (more on that to come shortly too).
There could be more discussion this item, but that too is for another day
Qualities within a perspective elder
He should be temperate/vigilant (1Tim3:2)
This means temperate in all things (2Tim4:5) able to keep your head in all situations (NIV)
Has to be able to exercise sober, sensible judgment in all things
He should be prudent , sensible, sober-minded (1Tim3:2)
He needs to be serious about the work and the word. He understands the value of the message entrusted when teaching or preaching and does not want to do anything that could be considered foolish behavior
He should model good behavior (1Tim3:2)
Be orderly, respectable, organized in the work and in his living.
He should be given to hospitality (1Tim3:2; Tit1:8)
In the time written this was hospitality to strangers, as seen (Heb13:2; Rom12:13; 3Jn5-8) but today it is a great quality to still maintain for the fellowship of the local church.
He should be able (apt) to teach (1Tim3:2; Tit1:9)
Teaching the word of God is one of the primary responsibilities of an elder.
This is something that does not happen overnight, it takes diligent effort to be a good student of the word and able to teach others.
One commentator says “A lazy pastor is a disgrace in the pulpit.” (Phillip Brooks)
He should not be given to wine, not a brawler (1Tim3:3; Tit1:7)
oh some versions may say contentious, but this is not someone who gets drunk, nor one who looks for a fight, even a spiritual fight.
Drinking could be a stumbling block to someone so the elder needs to be very careful in this area. Scripture does not forbid alcohol, but it does forbid drunkeness (intoxication)
He should be gentle/patient (1Tim3:3)
The man must be able to listen to people and be able to receive criticism and not react.
He should be willing to allow others to be the servants God created them to be, not the one he thinks they should be.
He should not be greedy (1Tim3:3; Tit1:7; 1Pt5:2)
The elder must not be in ministry for money and be careful what does outside the ministry for money for it can erode character and hinder their ministry.
He should manage/rule his household well (1Tim3:4-5)
For Christians the church and the home are the same, so how one is in the church is how they are at home. They need to manage personal affairs in godly manner if they are going to handle church affairs in a godly manner
As the mananger/ruler over the household, and the church it is not a dictatorship, but a role as shepherd (1Pt5:3) one who cares for the family and the church.
He should not be a new convert (1Tim3:6)
This is a new Christian, a new planted one. Now, age does not equate to maturity though, but a new convert regardless of age needs to give himself to grow in the Word and the walk with Christ.
He should have a good reputation outside the church. (1Tim3:7)
This is part of being above reproach, not just in the church but outside the church, in the neighborhood, the job and the community.
A few other qualities not previously mentioned coming from the Titus passage too
Lover of what is good (Tit1:8)
Just, upright, holy (Tit1:8)
Self-controlled (Tit1:8) not self willed (Tit1:7)
Not quick to anger (Tit1:7)
(Transition) - there in general is an overview of the charge given to Timothy and to Titus on the office of the Pastor/Elder/Shepherd/Bishop/Overseer
(Insert drawing a conclusion PowerPoint here)
The list of qualifications is very revealing about the work to be performed. It is a good work, and a needed work for the scripture based New Testament Church. God’s plan, God’s instructions for man to operate in God’s will.
Shepherds are God’s plan for the leadership of the church, for life in the church.
Shepherds are the spiritual leaders of the local church under the headship of Christ.
Shepherds are called and compelled by the Holy Spirit
Our prayers should be for the Lord to bring us Shepherds again one day, and as for now we are to pray for our men leaders until God brings us shepherds
(Invitation slide) invitation, to come into the church, the body of Christ, become the temple of the living God, enjoy the freedom that Christ went to the cross so that you may have it, then (Be the church slide) (song) (Prayer) (Exit)