Overseers

Motivation

The motivation that moves a person to take on leadership will determine the type of leader they are. This is not an exhaustive list of leadership motivations but a few examples to get us thinking about the kinds of leaders we run into.

Motivation of Pride - I am better and know better than others. This leader will talk down to others and view those they lead as lesser. These leaders will always do for you instead of opening doors for you to step into service and leadership.

Motivation of Selfishness - I want to be in charge so I can have others to serve me. This leader is looking out for their own benefit instead of the benefit of those they lead. They want the salary, the perks, and the pats on the back but none of the weight of leadership.

Motivation of Service - This leader is always looking out for the good of those they lead. This leader will work hard, work with joy, and invite others to join them. They will sacrifice when necessary. They will encourage, challenge, and confront those who need it. They will love those that have been put in their care.

As Christ set the example of a servant leader when he washed the disciples feet, in the same vain Paul now writes to Timothy to encourage him to look for and raise up servant leaders. As we dig into our text lets pray.

PRAY

READ

1 Timothy 3:1–7 ESV

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.

A noble task

1 Timothy 3:1 ESV

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

When a man desires to be an overseer he must understand that this is a noble desire. It is a good work.

As we discussed in the introduction, there are various motivations as to why a person might want to be a leader. Many of those motives are not good. I have seen different churches handle the selection of elders over the years and here are some mistakes I have seen.

Warm body syndrome - just got to get a job done

The supportive wife strategy - I think my husband should be serving

All it takes is age - He’s been here longer than any of our pastors

Voted in by the people - Peer pressure rules the day.

All of these strategies fail to take into consideration that Paul’s first qualification is that a man desires this task. All of these approaches put others in the drivers seat as they vote, cajole, convince, pressure, and force fit men who are willing but may not have the requisite desire to take on this task.

If a man is not lead by the Holy Spirit to enter into this position then man should not push them. One of the goals here at FBC is to help disciple men of all ages into a mature walk with Christ. As we do that, we pray for those who will be lead to become Elders within the church in order to grow the number of Biblical leaders and teachers within our family.

The Good

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV

2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Above Reproach

Hebrews 4:15

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

One Woman Man

Ephesians 5:25 ESV

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Sober-minded: thoughtful and doesn’t go off half-cocked

Luke 20:26 ESV

26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Self-Controlled: Does not allow external influence to guide control him. He does not waiver in conviction but stands firm.

Mark 15:3–5 ESV

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Respectable: Takes care of his responsibilities showing integrity

Honors his mother while obeying his Father:

Wedding at Cana

John 2:4–5 ESV

4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

At the Cross

John 19:26–27 ESV

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Hospitable: Invites everyone in

Matthew 19:13–15 ESV

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Able to Teach: Has a heart for those who want to learn and knows the scriptures well enough to teach them clearly.

Mark 6:34 ESV

34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Luke 24:27 ESV

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

The Bad

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV

3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Drunkards are controlled by alcohol. - Do not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Violent men oppress, they do not raise up. - In your anger do not sin.

Those that seek out fights waist their time battling fools. - Do not cast your pearls before swine

Lovers of money can be bought, bribed, and corrupted. - You cannot serve both God and money.

The Test

1 Timothy 3:4–5 ESV

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?

The home and its structure is often the model for our relationships in the rest of the world. For an overseer there are a few questions:

As stated above, does he love his wife as Christ loved the church.

Does he make sure that his home is honoring God in every area.

Is he lovingly instructing his children without exasperating them but instead teaching them to honor their Father and Mother.

Is he living at home, the same life of faith he does in public or does his family see his duplicity?

If he is not surrendered to the Lord here . . . how could he possibly lead the household of faith.

The Warnings

1 Timothy 3:6–7 ESV

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.

A recent convert is on that has not been through the tests and fires of Christian growth. They can be easily shaken by false teaching and difficult doctrine.

Elevating them to leadership too early can cause them to believe that they have achieved maturity in the faith early. This can stop the process of growth as they seek to lead with authority and confidence that they ultimately lack. This is the same pride that led satan to rebel. He who foolishly believed that he, a created being, should and could be God’s equal.

He must be engaged in his community in such a way that he has a good reputation with those outside the church. This includes business dealings, acting as a good neighbor, being involved in the community as God leads him.

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners but he did not join them in their sin. The challenge for the Christian is to love those lost in the world without getting trapped in the temptations in the world. These are the snares of the devil.

A politician who starts well but begins to subtly shift their thinking in order to keep people happy.

A church that ignores the clear teaching of scripture in order to get the world to like them.

Overseers are called to stand against these.

The Character of Christ

Our challenge is to ask ourselves what we can learn from these challenges. How do we view life?