Aspire to to Greatness
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
For the month of September and October, we’ll continue to preach through 1 Timothy, now I need to say that we are doing a broad overview and not a deep dive. We’re looking at the big themes of passing on the faith to the next generation as well as showing the expectation that all people of all ages are to serve God in his church.
And this is going to be all the more apparent today as we are covering issues related to women in ministry, and qualifications for pastors and deacons.
You may have questions afterwards and that’s ok.
As you read the title to today’s sermon, perhaps you were intrigued.
We all want to be great in the world. And many of us define greatness as what we see in our heroes.
We think of superheroes not because we want super heros, but we long for the power to make difference in the world.
Perhaps we aspire to a career will give us enough money just to afford to live comfortably in the bay area.
Perhaps we want to be a in a loving, committed relationship. That would be great.
But what’s amazing about the Bible is that this is not the way that the Bible defines greatness at all.
In fact the Bible goes the opposite.
Greatness is not, money, influence and a ticket to the Met Gala.
Greatness is being faithful in the little things.
One of the things I find to be hilarious is that in the Bible you have the list of evil kings and the list of godly kings.
Now for the most part, aside from David, Solomon and few others, there isn’t much mention of the good kings of the Bible outside of the Bible.
But outside of the Bible, many of the evil kings were called great.
Like Ahab and Jereboam. Like Manasseh and Omri.
It shouldn’t be any surprise that the world loved the evil kings and disregarded the godly kings. That’s how the world works.
But greatness is in the ordinary.
Greatness is eating dinner as a family more than a few nights a week.
greatness is showing up on time, working hard and having a good attitude.
Greatness is having enough, and being generous with the rest.
Greatness is leaving margin in your life to faithfully give your time and energy to serve God’s church.
Greatness is passing on a new definition of greatness to the next generation.
Transition to the Text: Turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Timothy 2:1. After writing to Timothy about all of the pitfalls and distractions, he turns to teaching Timothy about the right things to do. And what kinds of people to set up pass it on to.
At the time that Paul was writing to Timothy, there was a great generational shift taking place. The Apostolic age was coming to an end. Many of the apostles had already been martyred. And a new generation of leaders needed to step up and continue to lead the church into the next generation.
Today, we are facing a new generational shift. The baby boomers and Generation X are retiring. It’s time for the Millennials and Generation Z to step up into the leaders not of tomorrow, but of today.
But Paul doesn’t say, “Any warm body will do.” It’s too important. He gives the qualifications for all who will be a part of the family of God called the church.
Introduce:
Authentic Principle: Let us believe we are all called to greatness.
Authentic Principle: Let us believe we are all called to greatness.
Read:
1 Timothy 2:1–3:13 (ESV)
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
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.
8 Deacons 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.
Authentic Principle: Let us believe we are all called to greatness in God’s church.
Authentic Principle: Let us believe we are all called to greatness in God’s church.
1. God has a role for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1-15)
1. God has a role for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1-15)
Explanation:
Paul opens up chapter 2 with talking about what is expected of every believer.
All believers are to pray.
for all people.
kings and high ranking people.
Paul reminds people that it is pleasing in god’s sight because he desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. So we all should share the gospel.
We also get a nice picture of the trinity here where Paul says:
There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ. Jesus is able to be the mediator because he is a man.
Chapter 2 is one of the most difficult passages in all of the Bible because it deals with women in ministry.
Now Paul was actually pretty progressive for his time in including women in a variety of ways.
He commends Priscilla as well as Phoebe.
He says:
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And then we get to 1 Timothy 2:12. How do we reconcile a passage like this with the expanded role women played in the early church, even as prophetesses as well.
vs. 12 has led many, including North Hills, to conclude that women cannot hold the position of pastor or overseer in the church. Now please understand that we don’t hold to this because we are sexist or think women are less than men.
We simply seeking to honor what we believe that the Bible teaches.
Some have offered some arguments for why this doesn’t mean that women can’t be pastors. In fact some churches clearly ordain women as pastors. I believe that each church must determine this for themselves. Many want to provide an alternative interpretation based on the possibility that this could mean some thing else that we don’t understand. But we don’t interpret the Bible based on what something could mean, but what it probably means. And for the last 2,000 years, the majority of churches have understood this the same way.
However, I have never found a convincing argument that gets around what it appears that this means.
That’s not to say a woman doesn’t many other roles to play in God’s church. In fact, I would argue that a woman can do everything but hold the title of pastor.
Application: Now, let’s be clear, being a man is not what qualifies someone to be a pastor. In fact, as we’ll see, MOST men aren’t qualified to be a pastor either.
2. God calls some to be pastors. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)
2. God calls some to be pastors. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)
Explanation: Chapter 13 establishes the 2 offices of the church. Overseers and deacons. There are 3 words in the NT that are synonymous. Overseer, Elder, and Pastor. They all refer to the office we call Pastor today. Paul knows that Timothy can’t do it alone so he tells him what to look for in a pastor. He gives a similar list in Titus. This is also strong evidence that every church should have multiple pastor/elders/overseers. Some will be staff while someone will be lay pastors.
Overseers are pastors and elders who are called the shepherd the people of God and watch over their spiritual lives. This is calling that comes with a cost and the potential for higher judgement.
First and foremost they must be willing. It’s important that you are not an unwilling pastor. Now here’s the kicker, God will give you the desire when he calls you.
They are called to hold people accountable to their commitment to God. Therefore they must be above reproach.
Pastors are called to lead the congregation to have strong marriages and step in when marriages need help. Therefore their own marriages must be above reproach. I know some churches read this as requiring the pastor to be married. I’m not willing to go that far, but being married certainly helps.
They must be an example of sober-minded, self-controlled, respectability, hospitality because they are called to lead people who aren’t.
They must be able to teach the Bible. (This is the only requirement of something they have to be able to do.) And notice, he must only be “able” to teach. He doesn’t even have to be a good teacher.
Not a drunkard so they can help people with drinking problems.
Not violent but gentle even when others aren’t.
Not quarrelsome even when others are.
Not a lover of money, because as pastors you must never be tempted to use your position for financial gain.
You must manage your own household well, otherwise how will you care for God’s church?
Not a recent covert because you have have time to learn what it means to follow Jesus. For Paul it was 14 years. To be honest I’m not sure how long you should wait, but you should have people in your life who will tell you when you’re ready and especially when you’re not.
Don’t be uppity.
And don’t wear contrarianism as a badge of honor. You need to be thought of well by others.
Illustration: So often we talk about the role of pastor as being reserved for a man. But that’s not true. It’s not just a man, it’s a qualified man. And most men are not qualified. That’s not to say not all men are of the value. It’s just that God has different plans for all of us.
North Hills has 2 paid staff pastors. Pastor Daniel and me. But you may not know that we also have lay pastors, pastors who have answered the call, been ordained, but either have retired or volunteer:
Bob Dean
Richard Flood
Carroll Whisler
George Wright
Our hope this year is to find ways to involve them in the ministry of the church.
Application: However, we do need pastors who will step up and answer the call into ministry. We are currently experiencing a generational shift in the pastorate. The boomers are retiring en masse. And there just aren’t enough pastors to go around. Thousands of churches will close their doors this year for want of a pastor.
We need people to step up. And maybe God is calling you today, but we have to remember that the qualifications are high. But still every time I see a young man on fire for God, I pray God will call and qualify him to be a pastor, because the need is that great.
Now one thing I think is important to notice is that of these qualifications, only 1 is not a character quality. So many pastors will be fantastic teachers and preachers who will be disqualified because of their lack of character.
3. God Calls some to be Deacons. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)
3. God Calls some to be Deacons. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)
Explanation: Churches also need deacons. Deacons are all about character and service. When you look at these qualifications, we don’t see a single thing that they must be good at. Because in the kingdom of God, character matters.
Character matters because it’s deacons who ultimately hold the church together. They are the shock absorbers. As the deacons go, so goes the church.
If deacons become contentious, the church does as well.
If we want to see a clear description of the differences between the pastors and deacons we need only turn to the book of Acts.
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Deacons serve so that pastors (in the line of the Apostles) can devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.
Illustration: Last week we learned that North Hills started with 2 deacons. Now we have 9 with Bob Zurney being Emeritus.
David Quitevis
Connell Gainous
Nick Villegas
Jehrel Andal
Mark Banda
Gordy DeSilva
Wayne Parinas
Bunyan Johnson
Ben Ancheta
These men tirelessly serve North Hills in ways that many of you may not see. But more than anything they are men of Character.
Application: But as need more deacons. And I’m going to say it, we need younger deacons who will continue to carry the baton to the next generation. Planning Center
Can a woman be a deacon? It’s absolutely true that vs. 11 is controverial because the word for wives in the ESV can be translated women. Some argue that this is referring to qualifications of women deacons. After all, Paul gave no instructions for pastor’s wives.
This is a question that the North Hills Deacons and pastors are tackling right now. There are arguments on either side and in my opinion it’s not as clear cut as with Pastors. And while each individual church must make the decisions that are best for them, many other bible believing churches joyfully ordain women deacons. In fact many Southern Baptist churches have begun ordaining deacons.
Please pray for the deacons and they prayerfully navigate this issue.
Response: Have you settled for less than God has called you to?
Response: Have you settled for less than God has called you to?
As we look over the different qualifications for deacons and pastors we see something starting. It’s not about how good you are at something that makes you great. It’s not about how much money you make or how fast you can run. Doesn’t matter how good your graders are or were and it doesn’t matter where you went to school.
Greatness in the kingdom of God comes down to character.
Therefore, anyone can be great.
As we look again at the qualifications, we realize that we should all be aspiring to meet the qualifications.
Many will not meet all them, but you can meet some or most of them.
But let us remember....while it may be a good thing to want to be a pastor, if you’re not called…don’t go there. Why?
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
God has called some to be pastors but not all.
God has called some to be deacons but not all.
Not everyone is qualified.
But God has called everyone to do great things for the kingdom of God.
I’ve often been told that when we get the heaven what we want to hear most of all is “Well done good and faithful servant.” That we took the job God gave us and did it with joy in his strength. Now while we certainly don’t want to hear the words, “You wicked and worthless servant.”
But have you thought about your response?
I think that Luke 17:10 is appropriate
10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”
That should be the goal of every servant of God. To do our duty.
Summation:
Authentic Principle: Let us believe we are called to greatness.
1. God has a role for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1-15)
2. God calls some to be pastors. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
3. God calls some to be deacons. (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Response: Have you settled for less than God has called you to?
Closing Illustration:
Let’s pray.
Week 5 of 2020-2021 Sermon Series: Authentic
Generation to Generation: Aspire to Greatness
1 Timothy 2:1-3:13
Authentic Principle: Let us BELIEVE we are called to GREATNESS.
1. God has a ROLE for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1-15)
2. God calls some to be PASTORS. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
3. God calls some to be DEACONS. (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Response: Have you SETTLED for less than God has called you to?
Opening Discussion:
What are the different roles you can play at a church? What role do you believe God has called you play? Are you playing it? Why or why not?
Sermon:
What does Paul say is the responsibility of every believer?
What differences do you observe in Paul’s words directed at men and women? How do you feel about Paul’s words regarding women in ministry? How does this go against popular culture?
What are the qualifications for a pastor/overseer?
What are the qualifications for a deacon?
What are the similarities? What the differences?
Why do you think God ordained these 2 offices in the church? How do their 2 functions help build up and serve the church?
Application:
How often do you consider the role God has for you to play in the church?
Is it possible that God might be calling you to something more than what you’ve been doing? A pastor or a deacon? A more devoted member of the congregation?
How would you know if God is calling you to be a pastor?
How would you know if God is calling you to be a deacon?
How can we do a better job of creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to play their part?
How can we help everyone to grow as they learn to better follow Jesus?
How would North Hills be different if everyone knew and played their part?