Noble Church Leaders: Elders 1 Timothy 3:1-7 The Purpose of 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:15 (NLT), “… you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.” • 1 Timothy 3:1-7 tells us how elders are to conduct themselves in the household of God. • From the very beginning, New Testament churches were led by Elders/Deacons. A summary of the church office of elder: • Elders are “overseers” and “pastors.” There is a stong case that these words are interchangeable. • Elders are mature men leading home/church. (The complimentarian view) • A plurality of elders leads the church. • Elders rule, teach, guard, feed, & shepherd the church. • Elders must be qualified. • Elders must be accountable. • Elders must practice church discipline. 1. The Desire of a Church Elder 1 Timothy 3:14 (NLT), This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” • The desire to be a church elder, pastor, is a good thing, a worthy ambition, a noble vision. • Where will the next generation of pastors and elders come from if no one wants to do this work? • Of course, the person must have more than desire, they must be called and qualified to lead as well… 2. The Character of a Church Elder 1 Timothy 3:2, “So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.” • “Above reproach” is the headline. • Above reproach does not mean that the man is perfect. • It means that the man has integrity, and he is not leading a double-life (one public and one private). • Above reproach means no accusation will stick to the elder and be found out to be true. Positive qualities: • Faithful to his wife • Self-controlled • Wise • Good reputation • Hospitable • Able to teach (the only talent/skill in this list) • Gentle Negatives: • Not a heavy drinker • Not violent • Not quarrelsome • Not loving money 3. The Tests of a Church Elder 1 Timothy 3:4 (NLT), “He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.” Elders must pass the family test. • The Rationale is clear: If a man cannot manage his home, cannot manage the church. Elders must pass the maturity test. • He must not be a new believer. • A new Christian may be enthusiastic, but you don’t fight the world, the flesh and the devil with enthusiasm. •* The rationale:* He might become proud and the devil will cause him to fall. • Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” • An elder/pastor must have a proven track record of spiritual victory over peer pressure, lust, pride and greed. • 1 Timothy 5:22 – don’t be in a hurry to appoint church leaders. **c. Elders must pass the testimony test. ** •* The rationale:* So that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.” • Without a good testimony with those outside the church, the elder and the church will suffer disgrace. These tests involve victory over the devil. The devil wants every church leader to fall. CONCLUSION • Every pastor/elder should be able to say what Samuel said when he retired: • 1 Samuel 12:3, “Have I ever stolen or cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.” The people replied to Samuel, “...you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe…. Samuel declared, “...my hands are clean.” • The Lord holds His church leaders to these high standards in order to refine these men like gold and silver. • Proverbs 17:3 (NLT), “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”