Guarding the Gospel

Sunday, September 15, 2024

1 Timothy 3:1-13

Introduction

Character Matters in Church Leadership and Life

1. A Noble Task

1. Qualifications of an Elder

The New Testament uses three main terms to speak of what we typically call a “pastor”:  elder (presbyteros-Titus 1:5; 1 Tim. 5:17), overseer/bishop (episkopos-1 Tim. 3:1-2; Titus 1:7), and pastor (poimēn-Eph. 4:11). Scholars have long agreed that these terms, instead of indicating separate offices, are used interchangeably, giving us three different facets of the same office:

• Overseer/bishop indicates the role of oversight
• Pastor indicates the role of care
• Elder indicates the necessity of spiritual maturity

These qualifications of an elder are not exhaustive

His Reputation:

Above Reproach, Good reputation with outsiders

His Marriage and Family:

Husband of one wife, Manage his family, Children are submissive

His Life:

Not a recent convert, Temperate, Self-controlled, Respectable, Not a Drunkard, Not Violent, Not Quarrelsome, Not a Lover of Money

His Ministry:

Hospitable, Able to Teach

• Qualifications of a Deacon

If you put your trust in Jesus, you are a deacon in a broad sense of the word, because every Christian is to be a servant.

Deacon – diakonos – The word diakonos usually means ‘servant’

“The greatest among you shall be your servant (deacon). Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11,12

“Jesus said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant(deacon) of all.” Mark 9:35

 If anyone serves (deacons) me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant (deacon) be also. If anyone serves (deacons) me, the Father will honor him.”

John 12:26

Acts 2,4,6 – Where it all began…serving so elders could focus on prayer and God’s Word.

Character Qualities of a Deacon – same as Elder, but no teaching involved.

v.11 – “Their wives/women likewise, must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”

AGCC believes this passage gives permission for women to be deacons in the church.

          Wives can be translated ‘women’ in the Greek (wives likewise or women likewise)

          Elder’s wives are not addressed

          Deacon is a serving role – not a teaching or authoritative role.

1. Conclusion

Our desire is to grow in the area of Elders and Deacons. We want to be a NT church that functions in a way to bring health to the Body and glorify Jesus in the process.