Bible Study - What Matters Most - The Character of Leadership - 1 Timothy 3 - February 10, 2013

Bible Study – What Matters Most – The Character of Leadership – February 10, 2013


This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “What Matters most.”

Our scripture is 1Timothy 3:1-15.

The character of the leadership is vital to any organization, including the family and the church. In the Spiritual community, Satan loves nothing better than to have a church split over various matters or leaders in the church to become involved in some scandal or infidelity. Satan targets the home to break up the unity of the home, which often ends up in divorce. The children are the ones who get hurt the most in divorce.

Being a leader in a church is a calling from GOD. Being a member of the family of GOD and living as led by the Holy Spirit is just as important. Christians are GOD’S representatives. They are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. They should live such that others would want what they have Spiritually, which is manifested physically.

In chapter two, the Apostle Paul focused on guidelines for public worship. In Chapter three, he focused upon the qualifications of the church leadership. Our study today focuses on Chapter 3.

Let’s read 1Timothy 3:1-7:

Qualifications of Church Leaders

1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an •overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy— 4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.

Let’s consider some of the words Paul used to describe the qualifications for church leaders. Paul wrote that what he was about to write was trustworthy, which means you can count on it because GOD is the author.

First, leaders must be Christians who are called by GOD. GOD prepares those HE calls with the desire to “aspire” to the position of leadership. Aspire means or sets one heart on being an overseer. It is noble for a Christian to have this desire.

An overseer can be a pastor or elder but generally understood as pastor. The pastor is the very heart or backbone of the church. The pastor is accountable to GOD and the Spiritual leader of the true living church which is generally housed in a physical building. The living church must be in unity and function as one body as expressed through the many gifts of the Holy Spirit. Unity begins with the pastor being in unity and filled with the Holy Spirit. Unity flows from GOD to each leader and member of the living church because they are all in unity with CHRIST through the indwelling Holy Spirit. This same unity encompasses all who are in the living church even though they may call themselves Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Community and the list goes on. It is all about the heart that has been made pure by the redeeming blood of CHRIST through faith in HIM.

Here are the ten (10) qualifications Paul states for pastors:

- First and foremost is that pastors must be above reproach. They must be spotless. What was Paul saying? Paul certainly had a past that would have prevented him from being spotless because he killed Christians. Many Christians have questionable past lives before they became Christians. Once a person becomes a Christian has he/she lived for CHRIST as empowered by the Holy Spirit? Christians sin but have they confessed their sin to GOD and received HIS cleansing power? Paul states fifteen (15) qualities to evaluate pastors.

- Husband of one wife – Paul raised a number of questions with this statement. Some think he was talking about a pastor not being a polygamist. Some think that he was talking about a pastor never being divorced. Some believe it was a man committed to the woman he married sexually, that is a one woman man. In Paul’s day, there were plenty of opportunities for men to have sex with other women. There were temple prostitutes in the pagan temples. Many churches hold to the requirement that the pastor must not be divorced.

- Self-control – Means sober-minded, clear headed and free of rash actions.

- Sensible – When a person has self-control they are in a position to carefully consider thoughtful action and judgment in crisis, tense moments or to normal matters requiring common sense and wisdom. A sensible person is sought for consultation.

- Respectable – The qualities already mentioned reveal the character of a person, which in turn leads to respect. Respectable means that a person is trustworthy and has a disciplined lifestyle. This is a person who is genuine and not a phony. This is a person filled and controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

- Hospitable – This was a needed quality in Paul’s day because there were no Holiday Inn’s or Marriott’s on every corner. The pastor needed to open his house to others as led by the Holy Spirit. Opening your home can be a witness but in this day and time one has to be careful.

- An able teacher – This is especially true for a pastor. The pastor must know the scripture both from an intellectual point and an application point. Experience is the best teacher resulting from building an intimate, loving relationship with CHRIST through obedient service.

- Not addicted to wine – The pastor must not be drunk with wine but drunk or filled with and controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is true of all Christians. When Christians allow something else to control their minds and lives other than the Holy Spirit, it leads to Spiritual compromise. This includes anything that controls the person other than the Holy Spirit – alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, pornography and the list goes on. When something else controls our ability to make good decisions, we often find ourselves in hot water. GOD’S desire is for every Christian to only be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

- Not a bully – A bully does not try to reason a matter; He/she demands his/her way period by harsh words or brute force. This leads to disharmony and disunity.

- Not quarrelsome – Some like to argue just to hear themselves argue and seem intelligent. Again, people often avoid such people and it does not build harmony and unity. This does not mean that you should not stand firm on truth.

- Gentle – A pastor must be gentle. In place of the negative things Paul has stated, a pastor must be gentle and open to others, willing to listen and offer sound guidance as he/she is led by the Holy Spirit and not led by their own agenda.

- Not greedy – Greed is a negative quality for a pastor. Greed is self-serving and often leads to disharmony and disunity. Agape love is self-giving love that demands nothing in return. CHRIST gave HIS life for all who would place their faith in HIM with no guarantee that anyone would.

- Manages his household competently.

- Keeps his children under control with all dignity – To manage with “dignity” embraces love, truth and reasonable discipline. It is tough being a parent, especially church leaders. This is delicate. The children of church leaders are often expected to fit a certain mold. Often, they do not want to fit that mold but are forced to for the sake of appearance. The children of church leaders must become Christians, grow and mature like any other Christians. It takes time and nurturing. Just as they must grow and mature physically over time, they also must grow and mature Spiritually naturally by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Yet, we try to force our children into being Spiritually mature, when they are not. Children must be taught by example, by sharing GOD’S Word with them and living according to what you are teaching them. It is tough being a church leader and walking the talk at home. This does not mean a parent cannot discipline but do so with wisdom that only the Holy Spirit can provide.

- Not be a new convert – A pastor must be seasoned and had time to grow and mature Spiritually. Everyday living presents circumstances which Christians have to deal with, which helps them to grow and mature Spiritually or reveal areas that need to brought under the authority of the Holy Spirit.

- Must have a good reputation among outsiders – so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap. It is important that the pastor has a good reputation because Satan is eager to compromise the pastor’s reputation and kill the ministry GOD has called him/her too.

These are fifteen (15) qualifications that stagger the mind when you consider measuring up to some of them in your strength. These qualifications can only be achieved by the power and strength of the indwelling Holy Spirit through the process of sanctification.

Let’s read 1Timothy 3:8-13:

8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the •mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul listed the qualifications for deacons. Deacon means “servant” and is very visible to fellow Christians and the community. Deacons represent the church and as such must have the same qualities as the pastor. These qualities include the Spiritual fundamentals, as well as, the physical qualifications. Paul considered both positions as leadership positions.

Paul used the word “likewise”, which means the deacon must have the same qualifications as the pastor. There were several modifications such as the deacon should not drink a lot of wine, no un-confessed sin and tested before they can serve as a deacon. The deacons wives must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, and faithful, in their lives. Some speculate that the reference to wives included female deacons.

The bar is set high for the deacon and rightfully so. They are not only to address the physical needs of the church but also the Spiritual needs of the church. The deacon must walk the talk and be accountable to the Spirit filled and led pastor.

In some churches, the office of deacon is a popularity contest. We like for the wealthy to be elected deacon so they will give generously to the church. Often, the wealthy person is elected to be the chairman. There are many wealthy people who are Godly servants, walk the talk and are good choices. They are wealthy both physically and Spiritually. It is when we overlook the lifestyles of those who do not measure up, according to Biblical standards that present concerns. It is those who compromise their walk with CHRIST and refuse to change. This leads us back to verse 8.

Deacons are to be “worthy of respect” because they have the right heart before GOD. Some of the attributes others can use to evaluate the worthiness of deacons are – Not hypocritical, their word can be trusted – Do not drink wine to excess, they are in control and remain clear headed to make sound judgments – Not greedy for money, their focus is on obediently serving the LORD and not serving material things. When deacons have their lives under control and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, others see CHRIST in them which makes them worthy of respect. A Christian’s reflection of CHRIST reflects his/her worthiness. The indwelling Holy Spirit reveals to them the mystery of the faith through the process of sanctification.

Deacons are to know the mystery of the faith, which means they need to have heart knowledge through relationship with CHRIST and not just head knowledge.

Let’s read 1Timothy 3:14-15:

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Paul made it clear that what he had written was sufficient for Timothy to select those to serve in leadership positions in the church. Paul also included Christians in these qualifications as members of GOD’S household. GOD’S household was the living church. The living church is those who had been born-again by accepting CHRIST as their Savior. In the living body there must be unity and harmony, which can only occur naturally through the connectivity of the living body by indwelling Holy Spirit.

There is only one gospel and that is JESUS CHRIST born of a virgin, crucified, buried and resurrected from the dead on the third day. HE appeared to over 500 people after HIS resurrection; HE ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of GOD. GOD placed all authority and judgment into HIS hands.

GOD revealed HIS love for mankind by allowing HIS only Son to come to earth and live as 100% human. JESUS willingly left HIS Glory in heaven to come to earth to live as 100% human, yet 100% divine. These are the fundamentals, pillar and foundation of truth. Timothy needed to keep them in mind as he ministered to the church leadership regarding false doctrine, false teachings and members of the church. Members of the living church must know the truth and be a self-governing body able to spot false teaching and doctrine. Christians are to know the truth, which comes only through faith in CHRIST and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

It is not clear whether or not Paul returned to Ephesus as he hoped he would in verse 14. We know when he wrote second Timothy he was in prison in Rome.

The title of this lesson is “What Matters Most.” What matters most is truth. People search for truth. When we search for Spiritual truth, we look for it intellectually. But Spiritual truth is revealed by faith in CHRIST. I know, I searched for truth for many years but it was only when I gave up and said, “LORD, here I am, as I am, take me like I am and help me to be all YOU want me to be” that truth was revealed. That was in 1971. It has been an awesome journey with many mountain tops and many valleys. Yield your life and will to JESUS right now and ask HIM to save you, lead you and guide you according to HIS plan for your life. Blessings!!!