Who Leads the Church and How? | 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Series: Guard the Treasure
Title: Who leads the Church & how?
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13 NIV
1 Peter 5:1-3
Acts 20:17-31
Titus 1:5-9
Acts 6:1-7
Eph 4:11-12
Luke 22:27
Bottom Line: When we grow in Christ-like character and competency, we move towards being qualified to lead in the church.
SERMON OUTLINE
NOTES
OUTLINES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
SERMON OUTLINE
Introduction
“1 Timothy 3 (The Bible Exposition Commentary): As we noted before, even though the church is an organism, it must be organized or it will die. Leadership is a part of spiritual organization” -WW
Several others I read said that everything rises and falls on leadership. We know this intuitively. We see it in the workplace. We see it in sports. We see it in politics. Great leaders lift everyone else up. And the great leaders aren’t just great in competencies. They are great in character. So it should not surprise us that most of God’s qualifications for his leaders are based on character.
Context
OUTLINE (Based on Wiersbe & Platt)
Key theme: How to manage the ministry of the local church
Key verse: 1 Timothy 3:15
I. The Church and Its Message (1)
II. The Church and Its Members (2–3)
A. Praying men (2:1–8)
B. Modest women (2:9–15)
C. Dedicated officers (3:1–13) THIS WEEK STARTS HERE
The Bible identifies 2 primary leadership roles in the church:
Pastors/elders, who are servant-leaders. (Aka overseers, bishops, shepherds)
Presbyter or elder, referring to the person (mature)
Pastor or shepherd, referring to their role. (Lead, feed, protect, model)
Bishop or overseer, referring to their role. (Watch over, see Pastor) We do not see bishops over elders/pastors in the early church.
1-3 are all interchangeable because their all referring to the same person/role.
Minister or deacon, referring to those who support the pastor/elder.
Deacons, who are leading servants.
The Bible identifies 4 responsibilities of pastors/elders: (3:1-7; Acts 20:17-31)
Lead under the authority of Christ. #LEAD
Our pastors/elders are accountable to the church members i.e. Matt 18:15-20
Our pastors/elders are accountable to God
Care for the body of Christ. #PROTECT (Acts 20:28-30; 1 Peter 5:2) “be on guard” for “savage wolves” in sheep’s clothing
Teach the Word of Christ. #FEED
Model the character of Christ. Bottom line: What will happen if the church imitates this leader? #MODEL
3 Responsibilities of Deacons (3:8-13)
Meet needs according to the Word.
Support the ministry of the Word.
Unify the body around the Word.
Model the character of Christ is appropriate here to.
1. Pastors (3:1–7)
Generally/summarily: “Above reproach” or “blameless” literally “nothing to take hold upon”; irreproachable observable conduct.
“Faithful to his wife” literally “one woman man”
Can mean one wife for life thus excluding divorced and/or remarried men (in every case though? No)
What about the innocent party when the other was unfaithful?
Paul allowed a new believer to let their unbelieving spouse leave the marriage
Would not exclude widowers who remarry; Paul may not have ever married—wished for followers to be single like he; Paul encouraged young widows to remarry
Does not require marriage but seems to lean in that direction; this tends to take care of itself in that the typical pool of candidates is usually mostly married men
Polygamy obviously not ok
Most likely meaning: Faithful to your current (some would say one and only) wife in every area of life. From porn to adultery, you are faithful. To not be is to be disqualified.
Self-mastery
Temperate—sober; clear-headed
Self-controlled—sensible; disciplined
Respectable—the outward expression of an inward self-control
Hospitality—showing love to strangers (whether a traveling preacher or a needy church attender)
Able to teach—specifically, the word of God. This is our authority and we must know it, believe it, and obey it. This is gifting and a skill.
Drinking habits—While drinking is not forbidden by scripture, it is treated as the depressant that it is. A depressant that impairs about ability to make good judgments. This is why in the Old Testament
Priests weren’t to drink while on duty
Kings were discouraged from becoming drunk
Magistrates were warned that they would more likely pervert justice under the influence
Prophets would struggle to teach under the influence
So it makes sense that Paul would discourage it to those who lead and teach in the church
Temper and temperament
Gentle—humbly gracious and yielded or even submissive
Not violent—not a bully physically or verbally
Not quarrelsome—patient with difficult people; not argumentative
Attitude to money—not a lover of money; greedy
Domestic discipline
Analogy between the family and the church family (Oikos = household)
If you don’t discipline at home well, you won’t discipline the church well, if at all
Spiritual maturity—not a new believer or pride may take him down; first called “elders” because they were senior in age and mature in faith
Outside reputation—the non-Christian public
2. Deacons (3:8–13)—these qualifications have a lot of overlap with elders including able to teach, at some level
Self-mastery
Worthy of respect
Sincere—genuine, authentic, honest
Not indulging in much wine
Not pursuing dishonest gain
Orthodox convictions
They must keep hold of the deep truths (mysteries or sum total of the revealed truths of the faith) of THE faith (not just any faith) with a clear conscience (as opposed to letting go of these truths like false teachers).
Trusting & Obeying
Tested and approved—period of probation where the congregation can assess your character, beliefs and gifts of the candidates.
Irreproachable home life
If a woman deacon or wife of a deacon
Worthy of respect
Not malicious talkers (gossipers)
Temperate
Trustworthy in everything
Domestic discipline
Faithful to his wife
Manages his household well
If served well so far they receive
An excellent standing
Great assurance in their faith in Jesus Christ
D. Behaving believers (3:14–16) NEXT WEEK STARTS HERE
The servants of the Church (14-15) -Willmington
The Savior of the Church (16) -Willmington
III. The Church and Its Minister (4)
A. A good minister (4:1–6)
B. A godly minister (4:7–12)
C. A growing minister (4:13–16)
IV. The Church and Its Ministry (5–6)
A. To older saints (5:1–2)
B. To widows (5:3–16)
C. To church leaders (5:17–25)
D. To servants (slaves) (6:1–2)
E. To trouble-makers (6:3–5)
F. To the rich (6:6–19)
G. To the “educated” (6:20–21)
Conclusion
Bottom Line: When we grow in Christ-like character and competency, we move towards being qualified to lead in the church.
Questions to ask elder candidates:
In his personal life
Is he self-controlled?
Is he wise?
Is he peaceable?
Is he gentle?
Is he a sacrificial giver?
Is he humble?
Is he patient?
Is he honest?
Is he disciplined?
In his family life
Is he the elder/shepherd in his home?
If he’s single, is he self-controlled?
If he’s married, is he completely committed to his wife?
If he has children, do they honor him?
In his social/business life
Is he kind?
Is he hospitable?
Is he a friend of strangers?
Does he show favoritism?
Does he have a blameless reputation (not perfect but above reproach)?
In his spiritual life
Is he making disciplines of all nations?
Does he love the Word?
Is he a man of prayer?
Is he holy?
Is he gracious?
Questions to ask deacon candidates:
Is this person honorable?
Is this person genuine?
Is this person self-controlled?
Is this person a sacrificial giver?
Is this person devoted to the Word?
Is this person faithful? (Not perfect, but morally pure)
Is this person honoring Christ in the home?
If a woman,
Is she worthy of respect?
Is she a malicious talker?
Is she temperate and trustworthy in everything?
Is she faithful to her husband?
In conclusion, let’s ask some summary questions:
Q. What do I want them to know?
A. The qualifications for pastors/elders and deacons.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A. Because they are to select their leaders based on these qualifications.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. 1. Choose qualified leaders to lead your church.
Become a qualified leader whether you are ever selected or not.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because this is what a true disciple of Jesus Christ looks like and what we’re to become over time.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. 1. Take the test yourself. Go through the qualifications and grading yourself.
Repent where appropriate and believe that God can transform you into a qualified leader.
Pray
NOTES
Elders in the New Testament are tasked with several key duties, including:
1. **Spiritual Oversight:** Providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the church community.
2. **Teaching and Doctrine:** Instructing and ensuring adherence to sound biblical doctrine.
3. **Shepherding the Flock:** Caring for the well-being of the congregation, like a shepherd caring for a flock.
4. **Modeling Character:** Demonstrating a godly and mature character for others to follow.
5. **Prayer:** Engaging in prayer for the church and its members.
6. **Protecting from False Teaching:** Guarding the congregation against false doctrines or teachings.
These duties are outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-5 in the New Testament.
OUTLINES
BKC Outline
I. The Salutation (1:1–2)
II. Instructions concerning False Teachers (1:3–20)
A. Warnings against false teachers (1:3–11)
B. Paul’s experience of grace (1:12–17)
C. Paul’s charge to Timothy (1:18–20)
III. Instructions concerning Conduct in the Church (2:1–3:13)
A. Instructions concerning prayer (2:1–7)
B. Instructions concerning men and women (2:8–15)
C. Instructions concerning elders and deacons (3:1–13)
IV. Instructions concerning Guarding the Truth in the Church (3:14–4:16)
A. The church and its truth (3:14–16)
B. Predictions of apostasy (4:1–5)
C. Responsibilities of a good minister of Christ (4:6–16)
V. Instructions concerning Various Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)
A. Concerning various age-groups (5:1–2)
B. Concerning widows (5:3–16)
C. Concerning elders (5:17–25)
D. Concerning slaves and masters (6:1–2)
E. Concerning the heretical and greedy (6:3–10)
VI. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)
A. Exhortation to godliness (6:11–16)
B. Instructions for the rich (6:17–19)
C. Exhortations to remain faithful (6:20–21)
W Wiersbe sermon outline
Key theme: How to manage the ministry of the local church
Key verse: 1 Timothy 3:15
I. The Church and Its Message (1)
A. Teaching sound doctrine (1:1–11)
B. Preaching a glorious Gospel (1:12–17)
C. Defending the faith (1:18–20)
II. The Church and Its Members (2–3)
A. Praying men (2:1–8)
1. For rulers (2:1–3)
2. For sinners (2:4–8)
B. Modest women (2:9–15)
1. In dress (2:9–10)
2. In behavior (2:11–15)
C. Dedicated officers (3:1–13)
1. Pastors (3:1–7)
2. Deacons (3:8–13)
D. Behaving believers (3:14–16)
III. The Church and Its Minister (4)
A. A good minister (4:1–6)
B. A godly minister (4:7–12)
C. A growing minister (4:13–16)
IV. The Church and Its Ministry (5–6)
A. To older saints (5:1–2)
B. To widows (5:3–16)
C. To church leaders (5:17–25)
D. To servants (slaves) (6:1–2)
E. To trouble-makers (6:3–5)
F. To the rich (6:6–19)
G. To the “educated” (6:20–21)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell about this?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)
Final Questions (index cards optional)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt