1 Timothy 3
“Although I hope I can come to you soon, I am writing these things to you now. Then, even if I am delayed, you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.” – 1 Tmothy 3:14-15 NCV
Context: God provides a place. God gives life, gives love, and provides a place for us. From the Garden to the travels of his people with Tabernacles and a Temple, God lives among his people. God’s design always includes his purpose, passion, pleasure, and places for relationship. God showed us love by sending Jesus Christ to be “God with us”, creating an opportunity for constant access. From the Garden to Tabernacles, Temple, and the local church, God’s design has always included opportunities for stewardship and shared responsibilities. The stability of our lives is found by building our lives on the teaching of Jesus. The House of God is cared for and given further strength by Jesus’ followers, ‘a priesthood of all believers’ and 4 Gifts of equipping leaders who serve. With agape love as motivation, following the example of Jesus and the New Testament leaders, today’s local church serving leaders function in their gifts and equip the believers to do the same.
Jesus-followers lead by serving:
“I am among you as one who serves.” – Jesus in Luke 22:20-27 Mark 10:43-45
Serve – to give help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature
Choosing acts of service that show love and respect.
“Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” – Jesus in Mark 9:33-37 John 12:26
“the leader should be like a servant,” – Jesus in Luke 22:26
Jesus’ word “servant” = server, dedicated focused faithful – helper, attendant, apprentice, collaborator, companion
“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” – John 13:14-15
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26, 28
“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” – John 12:26
Deacon
“Deacon” 1 Timothy 3:8 – servant of the master, helping/caring for the needs of believers according to their assignment (such as the stewardship of food provisions for those in need, in Acts 6:3) Please review our Deacon Bible Study. Qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Our church family is served by a team of leaders, including deacons and elders, who meet the qualifications, seen in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9.
A City Harbor Church Deacon is a person who has been selected, equipped, and recognized with specific serving leadership assignment (s). They have been chosen. They have responded with a commitment to a specific responsibility, within the vision, values, and expectations of City Harbor.
Elder
Elder – overseer of the local church
The Eldership has a spiritual responsibility for and is accountable to the Lord for their stewardship of the overall vision, values and doctrine of the church as well as the spiritual health of the congregation. This is all to ensure that the gospel is preached, people are added to the church and people are discipled in order to live like Jesus and to share His love.
Being an Elder is not about having position but fulfilling a call to servant leadership through the care, oversight and leadership for the flock.
An Elder is an overseer of God’s household which means they are a steward, charged with the care of God’s family. Paul says “he must be” as he starts to list out fifteen qualifications to be an Elder. Fourteen of these qualifications are not describing gifting, but the character of an Elder that is needed to be an overseer of God’s family. Lastly, Paul says an Elder must be able to teach sound doctrine.
1 Timothy 3:1 “What I say is true: Anyone wanting to become an overseer desires a good work. 2 An overseer must not give people a reason to criticize him, and he must have only one wife. He must be self-controlled, wise, respected by others, ready to welcome guests, and able to teach. 3 He must not drink too much wine or like to fight, but rather be gentle and peaceable, not loving money. 4 He must be a good family leader, having children who cooperate with full respect. 5 (If someone does not know how to lead the family, how can that person take care of God’s church?) 6 But an elder must not be a new believer, or he might be too proud of himself and be judged guilty just as the devil was. 7 An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church so he will not be criticized by others and caught in the devil’s trap.” – 1 Timothy 3:1-7 NCV
Titus 1:5 “I left you in Crete so you could finish doing the things that still needed to be done and so you could appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must not be guilty of doing wrong, must have only one wife, and must have believing children. They must not be known as children who are wild and do not cooperate. 7 As God’s managers, overseers must not be guilty of doing wrong, being selfish, or becoming angry quickly. They must not drink too much wine, like to fight, or try to get rich by cheating others. 8 Overseers must be ready to welcome guests, love what is good, be wise, live right, and be holy and self-controlled. 9 By holding on to the trustworthy word just as we teach it, overseers can help people by using true teaching, and they can show those who are against the true teaching that they are wrong.” – Titus 1:5-9 NCV
“I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” – 1 Peter 5:1-5 CSB (Peter to the elders)
Elders are shepherds of God’s flock and in caring for them, they are to watch over them and care for them with a servant’s heart. An Elder leads God’s flock, not by what they get out of it, but by giving to others and being a living example of how to live a Godly life marked by humility.
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.” – Acts 20:28 CSB (Paul to the Ephesian elders) context of Acts 20:17-30
Giving “attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” – Acts 6:3-4 NIV
What is an elder?
1. Born again Jesus follower, water baptized, received the Holy Spirit, committed to a local church.
2. Having been assessed to meet the requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and faithful in the directives of 1 Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:28
3. Proven to have been faithful in serving and solid in the teaching of Scripture, not new to this.
4. Set into the team of overseers of God’s household which means they are a steward, charged with the care of God’s family.
5. Giving attention to prayer. & Ready to pray for the healing of the sick.
6. Being able to teach sound doctrine, a pastor/teacher with a shepherd’s heart, for the equipping of the believers to do the work of the ministry.
7. Living like Jesus in lifestyle of integrity, as an example.
What is an elder not?
1. A boss using coercion.
2. Free to do whatever they want, however they want.
3. A lifetime appointee.
What should we do?
1. Gladly receive & respect our elders, according to Scripture.
2. Pray for their stewardship of our local church.
3. Pray for the expansion of the Jesus Movement thru us.
4. Express gratitude to each person who serves our church.