Church Government is about Worship. 1 Timothy 3:16, part I

(16a) And undeniably great is the mystery of godliness:

Paul’s just finished a section instructing Pastor Timothy about how he ought to lead God’s Church. He’s hit on soundness in doctrine, worship in response to God’s word, gender differences, disciplining people in the church, and church government.

And all this is such that God’s Church will glorify God by acting like Christ in the world.

Paul will continue to give instructions about how to govern the church in chapter 4, and so v. 16 seems a little out of place. But consider this: it is hard for Paul to go on too long about specifics in church governance without going back to worship and the celebration of Christ.

And we should learn from that. Propriety in ministry, in church government can be an idol. It can replace Jesus, even if we’re right in what we’re saying. We need to follow Paul’s example here – and thank the Holy Spirit for causing him to write this way. Paul returns to the core of everything – Jesus.

And he calls it the ‘mystery of godliness.’ By that he means that the end or goal or purpose of the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus is people becoming godly – being like God – and therefore, glorifying God – just as Adam and Eve should have done, being made in God’s image.

We cannot be godly on our own, but we depend on a preached message.

It’s a mystery that leads to godliness. Mystery in the Scriptures refers to something that was veiled in the Old Testament, before Jesus. There were signposts pointing to it, but it was hidden. But now, mysteries have been made known. Jesus has come. So when Paul refers to this as a mystery, what he’s saying is that we have been given the full disclosure of God himself about all of history.

This message is undeniably great. Note the celebratory tone. This truth is magnificent, it’s glorious, it’s heavy, it’s vital, it’s holy, it’s awe-inspiring, it’s amazing. And we know that to be true.

(16b) He was manifested in the flesh…

If Jesus was manifested, before he was manifested, he was hidden. We, however, live in the current reality of his being made known. God has revealed himself to us.

Jesus was revealed in the flesh. Flesh in Paul usually does not mean simply ‘physical.’ It refers to the entire world system under the control of sin – and destined for hell. It stands for rebellion against God, ignorance, darkness, and ultimately destruction.

Jesus was revealed into that world. The Holy God entered a sinful system as a human. And he did so in love – to relate to – to have friendship with – sinful people.

(16c) …vindicated by the Spirit

To be ‘vindicated’ means to be shown to be righteous, or in the right. Someone who is vindicated suffers unjustly, and at the last, justice is done and they are freed from that injustice and rewarded for their righteousness.

In this little word ‘vindicated’ live both the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Messiah.

Jesus never sinned. He always obeyed God. He never deserved the slightest pain – let alone punishment.

Yet, by God’s design, he suffered at our hands. We put him to death by the will of God the Father so that the punishment we had earned would be counted towards him. Christ didn’t deserve to die – we did – but he took it from God in our place, by our bloody and evil hands.

And because he was righteous, the Holy Spirit of God vindicated him. Could a righteous one, and one who had paid the penalty for our sins, stay dead? No! That would be unjust. And so the Holy Spirit raised him from the dead, in glory, showing him to be righteous.

In the old world of sin Christ died and rose, bringing in a new order of things, governed by the Holy Spirit. And the Triune God began to set the screwed up world aright.

He was patient with our sins, not punishing us. He punished Christ in our place. He raised Christ from the dead because Christ is the only righteous one! And as God gives his Holy Spirit, people join Christ in his status as ‘righteous’ – even though we sin so much. Christ has been vindicated – and so, one day, all who have his Spirit will be as well.

Summary:
1) Instructions about church government should be couched in worship in response to the Gospel.
2) The Gospel brings life change.
3) The Gospel was hidden, but is now made known.

Prayer:
God, we were separated from you. Lost in this world. Without purpose, without happiness, without meaning – destined to die. You sent Jesus and showed yourself to us. You killed him for our sins and raised him because he is holy – and through that you have declared us to be righteous – even though we’re not.
Thank you.
Thank you that one day we will be vindicated as Christ was through resurrection.
Cause these truths to sink into my heart to produce glory for yourself in my life.
Because Jesus died and rose and intercedes for me I pray – amen.

The high calling of the assembly of Christ - and of the individuals in that group - 1 Timothy 3:14-15

(14a) I hope to come to you soon…

Paul has just finished giving Timothy instructions about how to run God’s Church – how to act out the love of Jesus to the people of Jesus for the glory of Jesus.

And here again we see his love for his spiritual son revealed. He has been desiring to visit young Timothy. He expects to see him soon.

And this is the kind of love that Jesus produces between people. Paul used to be a Jew among Jews – a despiser of the Gentiles and a persecutor of Christ. Timothy was a half-breed who would have been spurned by the Jews – and certainly by Paul before Paul met Christ.

But both had been convinced that Christ saves sinners- and both entered into the family of God, in which they were brothers. Paul wanted and planned to see Timothy…

(14b-15a) …but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God…

Yet, Paul doesn’t know if he’ll be able to make it. That’s why he’s writing. So we can thank God for hiding from Paul whether or not he’d see Timothy again – because it caused Paul to write him and to give us God’s authoritative words about his Church.

Paul wrote with a purpose. There are ways that it is necessary to behave in the Church. He uses a strong expression here when he says ‘ought.’ It must be the case. It’s vital that one act this way.

And his purpose is that Timothy, a pastor in God’s Church, know what is necessary for behavior within the local congregation.

And we thank God that he has revealed to us, in this book, what is necessary! That should motivate us to read it. To know it. To practice it.

Paul refers to the Church as the ‘household of God.’ It’s the place in which God dwells. It’s the place in which those who know him dwell. It is God’s family, those loved of God, those destined to eternal life with him forever – with the Lord Jesus as the head of the house.

And just so we know what Paul’s talking about, God had him write ‘which is the church of the living God.’

What is God’s family? Who are those in relationship with him? Those who are in the church – the assembly of those who congregate because of a common confession – a common belief – in the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.

And special concern here is given to the fact that God is the ‘living God.’ He is active. He is reigning. He loves us even now, and we have fellowship with him even now. He is able to and will bring about his purposes. He is active in his Church.

(15b) …a pillar and buttress of the truth.

God here gives a further description of his family, the Church. It’s fitting to review what Paul has said so far! Timothy, a pastor, must teach right doctrine and must guide people to live out the practical implications of that sound doctrine. The result is that the whole Church should be responding to God in holy prayer and worship – and that it should spread throughout the world.

To accomplish that end, God instructs us to ordain Church officers, one group to teach, the other to serve.

And it’s the end here that we should emphasize – the truth. The goal of this whole thing entails the truth from God.

Pillars in the Old Testament refer not only to physical supports – but to bearing witness to God. They existed to remind us of what God has said in the Scriptures and what he has done in history. And so God’s Church is here to give testimony to God’s truth. That’s why falsehood must be corrected – and why pastors are under such a high charge! For us to bear good corporate witness, we must know the truth and live the truth.

Further, God says, the Church is the buttress of the truth. It is to lift it high, as a ceiling, or a high gate. It holds it up into the view of the masses. And ultimately, the Church exists to lift Jesus Christ up – and his message – Christ saves sinners – to the whole world.

And this is a bit of a warning. The Church must hold Christ high. This is a call to action – to duty – to sweat, blood and tears. There was no promise that Timothy’s church in Ephesus would continue to uphold the truth.

Paul wrote for a reason – he was giving Timothy the necessary information for the function of God’s Church – which was holding the truth of God on high.

And so grace is given us in this – that we have been made members of God’s family – and that he has spoken to us in his word, the Scriptures. Now we have the sacred duty of holding them on high for the salvation of the world and the glory of God.

Summary
1) The Gospel brings about loving community.
2) Paul has given us what is necessary, in this letter, for the Church, and a local church, to function according to what God wants.
3) The Church is God’s family, in which God dwells and acts.
4) The Church is to bear witness to the truth of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed in the Scriptures.

Prayer
Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for sending people to preach the Gospel to us – and for truly good news about forgiveness and vindication and a future with you. Thank you for giving us your Son, delivering him up for our sins, and raising him from the dead for our ultimate life. I pray that we would together strive for churches that live to bear witness to Christ – to lift him up. I pray that I as an individual would act properly within that context, for that end. Captivate our minds with sound teaching. Give us grace for fellowship with you, and joyful announcing of your Son, in whom I pray – amen.

Why the strict requirements on deacons? And their wives? And kids? 1 Timothy 3:11-13

(11) Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.

We’ve already seen that the role of ‘deacon’ in the Church is very important – they play an official role in the Church – being the hands and feet of Jesus in an official, ordained way. They are called to carry out Jesus’ mercy and love to those he has brought into his own body.

And so they are official agents of Jesus’ love for his Church. Thus, they must meet certain character requirements.

This verse details a few things about their wives. It’s clear from the early church literature that deacons wives served with them; they acted as a team. And so deacons’ wives were required to behave in certain ways. Interestingly, God begins this verse with ‘likewise,’ indicating that deacons’ wives have very high standards to meet as well.

They must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. These are very broad categories – but to break it down – their manner of living must reflect well on Jesus. They must be able to hold their tongues, being careful in what they say, to speak only as Jesus would have them. They must be temperate – not pursuing pleasure in this world. And they must be faithful in all respects – not having any glaring disobedience – blameless as their husbands are required to be.

(12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

Remember that a Christian marriage is to reflect the love and relationship between Jesus Christ and the people for whom he died, his bride, the Church (Eph. 5, Rev. 21). As Jesus is a ‘one woman man,’ so must a deacon be.

And as Jesus gently, lovingly leads his household by his Spirit and his word, so must a deacon.

(13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Now, here’s where God gives us the rationale for these stringent requirements – even over the deacons’ family.

Here are the reasons:

A deacon who serves well gains a good standing for himself.

A deacon who serves well gains great confidence in the faith that is in Christ.

Note that these are for deacons who serve well – in contrast to those who do not.

The heart of these requirements is to make sure that the Church appoints deacons who serve well. We want the Church to show how great Christ is to all people. And so our elected officials are to behave in an exemplary manner.

If a deacon serves well, the Church and the world will look up to him. Is this not what we want? Christ to be honored?

The second reason goes along with the first – a deacon who serves well gains great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. In other words, as someone who is called to be a deacon serves well, he grows in confidence, in boldness. He gets more courageous regarding the public proclamation of the faith of Jesus Christ. Consider Stephen in Acts! His role was to feed widows – but he was the first Christian martyr.

And so what’s the overall reason for these requirements? Deacons represent Jesus. When someone is called to an official Church role, they are called to represent Jesus in a particular way – and when they do so well, their role is magnified so that Jesus will be magnified all the more – even if it means that, like Stephen, the deacon may die.

Summary
1) Deacons’ wives, serving alongside deacons, must also represent Jesus well.
2) Deacons, like pastors, must show gentle, loving, authoritative, Christ-like leadership in their homes.
3) The reason for the strict requirements God places on deacons is that deacons end up representing Christ in an official capacity – growing in standing and boldness to those who need to hear about Jesus and be saved.

Prayer
Father, there are some strict requirements in this list. And beyond those strict requirements is the call to boldly, lovingly, winsomely bear witness to Christ in word and deed.

So first, thank you for orchestrating my hearing of the gospel from those who serve you. Thank you for granting me faith and Christ’s righteousness – for raising me to life and rescuing me.

Cause me to lead my household well, as Jesus’ has led us so lovingly. Cause me to serve you well so that Jesus will be honored – not me.

And it’s united to Jesus that I ask for these things – amen.

Deacons involve everybody. And deacon is still an odd word. 1 Timothy 3:10

(10)  And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 

God here continues to give a list of requirements that one must meet to be appointed as a ‘deacon’ in God’s Church.  It’s probably worth revisiting the importance of this position. 

Elders/Bishops/Pastors are called to lead Jesus’ Church – and that happens as they teach his word, and guide his people into greater obedience to him.  They announce God’s word so we can first, have our sins forgiven; second, be relationally connected to God, hearing from him and responding to him; and third, to instruct us in how to glorify God. 

Every Christian must serve God’s Church in some capacity.  And every Christian must bear witness to Christ and his Gospel outside of God’s Church. 

However, there are sometimes duties that must be taken care of in some official capacity as needs arise, that will rob Pastors of the time to do their duties well, and that will not happen organically without a structure in place. 

Jesus’ Church is his body – it exists on earth to represent him and to save sinners – and it must function properly.  Deacons are ‘hands’ and ‘feet’ in a sense – for Jesus.  They are to serve for the health of the body according to its needs – exercising the love of Jesus for the needs of the moment. 

And because they represent Jesus and his saving, merciful work in an official capacity, great things are required of them. 

That’s why this verse that God had written requires testing.  Simply put, God requires deacons to be tested and found blameless. 

One thing that’s very interesting here is that Paul says ‘let them be tested’; he doesn’t say ‘you test them.’  He commanded Titus to appoint pastors – but here he seems to be saying that there must be a community role in appointing deacons. 

In Acts 6:3, the Church in Jerusalem, massive as it was, is called together by the apostles to pick deacons.  The apostles then ordained them. 

So the whole Church picks deacons and tests them.  In Acts, we see this as an act of love – as the body comes together to decide how to love individuals in the body. 

We see that the pastors give them guidelines in terms of how to do so in Acts – and here as well, which means that instruction is received by the congregation in how to test people – what the requirements are.  Particularly, the requirement here is that they be tested morally – they must be blameless. 

Now, of course, that doesn’t mean ‘sinless.’  It does mean that they are living outwardly moral lives that will not bring the Good News about Jesus into bad repute. 

So then, the community comes together in love for those in need – knowing that Jesus’ love must be the life that runs through the whole body.  It is his bride, the collection of people he died for – and we must love them. 

And sometimes a system must be put in place to do so – and so those who are put in official positions must be called by the whole Church – people who are blameless – who represent our Savior well in their characters as they represent him in their actions of mercy to the people that he uniquely and savingly loves.

Summary:
1)  Deacons represent Jesus in official roles outside of the pastors' roles.
2)  Deacons are to be called and tested by the church.
3)  The church is to pick people who are blameless and represent Jesus well in their character


Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us.  You have given us great mercy in giving us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus.  And you've given us mercy by calling us into your Church, in which we are sustained by the food that is your word.  It's your love that shows us your glory - what greater joy could we have?


And yet, you have mercy on us in tangible ways as well.  You've set up a system to meet our non-spiritual needs - and you've called us all to be involved in it.


I ask you to grant perseverance in holiness to the deacons at our church.  And I ask you to give us wisdom as we participate in testing and appointing them.  And I ask you to give our elders wisdom as they teach and apply your word to your flock - so that we will all grow deeper in our knowledge of and love for you.


Because of Christ's service to us we can ask for these things - amen. 

Deacons. What in the world are they there for? 1 Timothy 3:8-9

(8-9) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

God here gives instructions for the other Church office which is described in Scripture – the office of ‘deacon.’

This begs the question – what’s a deacon? Well, to start with the obvious – not an elder. And again to state the obvious – not every person is a deacon.

That said, the word translated deacon merely means ‘servant.’ It’s interesting that this particular word only occurs twice in Scripture, and the other time, it actually means ‘servant.’

Given that, it’s very interesting that deacons were not ordained by the Lord himself, nor are they prescribed for Titus’ church-planting ministry.

However, we learn from church history and from Acts 6:2 that deacons were put into place to take charge of responsibilities that needed to be taken care of in a continuous capacity that were in addition to the proclamation of the Scriptures – namely and importantly, the physical care of people in the Church.

Now, this doesn’t excuse elders from physical care of people. Obviously, the apostles healed people as Jesus’ willed it. And elders should come pray for the sick (James 5). However, as overseers are entrusted with the spiritual care of the Church of God, so deacons are entrusted with necessities which are outside of that realm.

As such, they serve a very important function. Didn’t our Lord on this earth feed the hungry? Open the eyes of the blind? Heal the lame? Did he not come not to be served, but to serve – ultimately giving up his life in exchange for many lives (Mark 10:45)?

And so deacons, in an official capacity, represent their Lord in a unique way. Because of this unique, public title and appointment, they must fit certain requirements – such that Jesus is honored and the witness of Christians about Jesus to the world is unhindered.

As a result, many of the requirements of elders are the same for deacons – because they deal with Christian character and conduct – because Christian character and conduct are direct reflections of Jesus’ own life.

In the two verses in question, we see a common thread again – deacons are not to be living for pleasure in this life – but for the next world. This is just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him and is now seated at God’s right hand.

There are two additional features: that deacons must not be double tongued, and that deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

To have a double-tongue means that one speaks differently to different people. What you get is not necessarily what other people get from such a person. Such a person ‘plays to his crowd’ – he is not forthright – he is a people-pleaser. This is why v. 10 is important (“let them also be tested…”).

Why are people double-tongued? In a negative sense, because they fear people and fear how people may treat them if they’re completely honest. In a positive sense, because they desire honor from people.

Both of these are bad. But consider the Lord himself. Was he consistent? Was he a fearer of man? Did his message ever change? No – he proclaimed the Gospel – the wrath of God and the mercy of God for sinners – even though it cost him his life. If anyone had reason to fear man, he did – he was about to be tortured by his creatures’ hands. But he set his face out of a love for the Father and endured the cross.

And if anyone had reason to seek honor, he did. He’s God! But he set aside his right to glory for greater future glory through the redemption of the Church.

A second requirement is different here: “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

The mystery of the faith, here, is the Gospel itself. It’s called a mystery because it is the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament foreshadowed and promised – and now it is revealed in ‘the faith’ – which is not to say ‘our personal faith’ – but rather, the teachings that were accepted as authoritative. In other words – deacons must be sound in doctrine.

And they must hold it with a clear conscience – or a clean, cleansed conscience. That is to say, these people, deacons, must have an ability to distinguish between right and wrong – between pure and impure – and this is the fountain from which their holding to right doctrine flows. God has cleansed them, changed them, made them new – and so they hold to the apostolic teaching of Jesus.

Summary:
-Deacons are to carry out specific church roles that the pastors cannot because of their duties.
-Deacons are held to high standards, since they carry an official title from God’s Church.
-Deacons represent Christ in a unique, merciful, physical, serving way.
-Deacons therefore must fit many of the requirements that elders must.
-Deacons must not be people-pleasers.
-Deacons must have good doctrine.
-Deacons must show fruit of regeneration.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us – not only from our guilt but from every stain of sin in the world – all suffering as well. Help me put my hope for complete salvation in the return of Jesus. And I thank you that you’ve promised his return. Help us to be like Jesus here – not acting for peoples’ pleasures – but for yours. Teach us your word and bear fruit in us. Give us wisdom in appointing people to service. Honor your name and the name of Jesus through your Church! Because Jesus died for us, we pray – amen.

pastors gotta hang with non-Christians. and why good reputations are important. 1 Timothy 3:7

(7) …and it is necessary that an overseer continually have a good witness from those who are outside so that he won’t fall into reproach, which is a snare of the devil.

God here ends his list of what is required for a pastor. He actually reiterates the term ‘it is necessary’ here again to denote what is absolutely always required of an elder/pastor – since a pastor is to, in essence, shepherd Jesus’ people in Jesus’ physical stead, with the word Jesus gave, in the power of the Spirit Jesus sent.

The requirement here is that outsiders give a good testimony about the pastor candidate. It’s worth noticing that the term ‘outsiders’ is used. This means that there are those in the Church and those outside the Church. In other words, these are people that make no claim to belief in Jesus. These are in every sense of the word, non-Christians.

And this is more than a good reputation. Paul here says that people on the outside have to speak well of the pastor. That means that an elder-candidate must have relationships with non-Christians. He must have a continual public witness and ministry. He can’t be holed up with a bunch of Christians.

There’s a tension here. God also says that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

So which is it? 1 Peter 2 can help us here. “Keep your conduct among the nations honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation… this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people”(vv. 12, 15).

Peter goes on to specifically talk about the responsibilities of slaves: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust”(18).

And he gives us Jesus’ example in vv.21-24: “For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you all, leaving to you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Jesus never sinned. His opponents knew that he never sinned. But we had – and he died for us, in our places for our sins – and healed us. And because God is just, he was vindicated by being raised from the dead. Jesus is alive and reigning, having perfectly saved everyone who trusts him.

And how did his opponents think of him? Even Pilate said, “I find no guilt in him”(John 18:38). Yet, it was Jesus’ accusers that Pilate was speaking to.

And so we see that the world will deal with Christians in one of three general ways – by becoming Christians, by holding Christians in high esteem, or by hating Christians.

And with a pastor, we’re considering those in the second category. And that means that, just like Jesus did, an elder candidate has to hang with non-Christians, have an above-reproach witness to non-Christians, and be respected by non-Christians – in so much as it is possible.

Why? Well, first, because Jesus did and it honors Jesus. Second, because it may be what God uses to bring some of them to Christ. Third, because it silences the ignorance of fools – which, well, honors Jesus.

And fourth – for the reason given in 1 Timothy 3:7 – so he won’t fall into reproach. In other words, so he won’t be able to be fairly insulted. Oh he’ll be insulted; Jesus was. It was just never with any reason. The idea is that the insults are known to be stupid – even by those who cast them. BUT – the idea of this text is to minimize insults by having someone who has good relationships with unbelievers – they speak well of the guy.

Why’s this important? Simple. The pastor represents Jesus, the word of God, and the leadership of Christ’s body, the Church. Anything he does will represent the Church. What happens when a pastor falls into sin in public? The whole Church gets maligned.

But what happens when non-Christians like and respect the pastor? The pastor is diminished, and the message – the Gospel of Christ – is seen.

God raises the stakes here and calls ‘reproach’ the ‘snare of the devil.’ He uses this phrase in another verse in 2 Timothy 2:26: “they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

A snare is basically a trap. It keeps you from going where you should be going and causes you to be a slave to whoever trapped you.

Well, why is ‘reproach’ the snare of the devil? Simple. It stops the work of the Church – the glory of Jesus in the salvation of souls – and if grave enough, does damage to the pastor’s own soul.

We’d do well to take care, here. The devil is active. He wants to stop the Church. Now, we know he won’t. After all, didn’t Jesus say that he would build his Church and that the gates of hell would not overcome it? That he’s gathering all his sheep? Quite.

However, the enemy is still attacking – still trying to make Jesus look bad. But we’re in the business of honoring Jesus so that people will be saved by seeing him.

Summary:
-It’s necessary that a pastor have relationships with non-Christians
-It’s necessary that non-Christians speak well of a pastor for him to be a pastor
-This is because the Church’s job is to show Jesus to the world
-This is against the devil’s schemes – lying and killing people to, if it were possible, rob God of his due glory

Prayer:
Holy God, Jesus bore the reproaches we deserved. We are sinners, and our guilt is known by you. Yet you loved us and executed your Son in our place for our sins. Thank you! Cause us to live in such a way that Jesus is honored. Cause us to recognize how high the stakes are – that this is a microcosm of a cosmic conflict. Thank you that Jesus has secured his victory. We want to participate in it; so give us eyes to see how grave the conflict is and how high the stakes are and strength to live like Jesus, loving this world and all in it, for the sake of his glory. And it’s for his sake we pray, amen.

Pride, the devil, Christian growth... heavy stuff. 1 Timothy 3:6

(6) He must not be a recent convert, so that he won’t become proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

God here continues his list of characteristics a pastor must have. Paul couldn’t have said it more strongly at the beginning; “It is necessary that a pastor…”

Why? Because pastors are to do the work of Jesus, loving and instructing and caring for his Church, in Jesus’ physical absence. The task itself is an exceedingly important one.

Here we see that a pastor must not be a recent convert. This indicates to us that there is a process of growth after one’s conversion.

There is a purpose to this requirement – that he not become proud. This to us indicates that, as one grows over time as a Christian, his ability to fend off sin becomes stronger, and he becomes more like his Lord.

God raises the stakes a bit. He says that if a man does become proud he falls into the condemnation of the devil. That’s extremely strong language. Such a man appointed to such a position is to represent Jesus the Lord God Almighty – but if he becomes proud, he falls into the condemnation of the devil.

It’s hard to tell whether this is the condemnation for the devil or if it is condemnation from the devil. The devil is condemned and he does condemn others. He is, after all, the accuser ‘of our brothers.’

It may be useful to note that the devil fell because of his pride, and so, God is warning people against doing the same thing the devil did.

Whichever it is – it’s bad. It’s terrible. The stakes are infinitely high.

Consider how our Lord acted here. First, Jesus is the Ancient of Days. His throne is for forever and ever (Hebrews 1). He is the one Isaiah saw enthroned in Isaiah 6 (see John 12). He is God, all wise, deserving of all glory.

Yet, he took on humanity. He, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue convess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:6-10)

Summary:
Pastors must not be recent converts.
Christian growth in holiness happens over time.
Pride is really bad.
Jesus, our Head Pastor, humbled himself, being God, to save us.

Prayer:
Father, first, thank you for the humility of your Son. Without his leaving glory, we would be condemned along with the devil, and rightly so. You are the source of wisdom and glory and honor - protect us from pride. Give us wisdom in fighting against pride and in appointing humble men to lead your Church. in Christ's holy name I pray - amen.

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Pastors HAVE to be exemplary fathers. 1 Timothy 3:4-5

(4-5) He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Paul here continues his explanation of the qualifications that pastors must meet. It’s worth revisiting the several different ways we should examine this section.

1) It tells us what the men should be like that we appoint to eldership.
2) It shows us a paradigm of Christian character, since elders are to be examples to the whole Church.
3) It shows pastors how they are to continue to live.
4) It shows us the character of Jesus Christ, who is the Church’s Head Pastor and Shepherd – which is the same word in Greek, actually.

We need to note that again, the character trait that Paul points out here is not optional – it is ‘necessary’ – it is a ‘must.’ Someone who doesn’t have this trait cannot be an elder.

He must do a good job managing his own household – and this will show up in the submissiveness of his children. Are his children, in general, obedient?

Further, is the manner in which he keeps his children obedient ‘dignified’? This answers the question ‘how’ does he keep his children submissive? Is it through godly or ungodly means? Does he rule as a tyrant? Does he try to be his childrens’ best friend? Or does he seek to lead them lovingly to Christ?

So – those with unsubmissive children and those who keep their children submissive by wrong means are excluded from the pastorate.

This requirement seems a bit stringent, doesn’t it? Ultimately, can a parent be held completely responsible for his childrens’ behavior? No – not ultimately. However, while they are children, does a parents’ ability or inability to parent well not show up in the behavior of their children?

Paul goes on to provide the rationale for this requirement: “…for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”

The similarity here is in leadership. The goal of a pastor is to lead well, instructing people in the word of God and applying the word of God to them, such that they obey God. And that is the same as the goal of a Christian parent for their children.

Paul makes a connection here – if someone can’t manage his own household – how can he manage a household that’s not his own? In which he only represents the Head of the house? He cannot. The Church needs people that can represent her Head, Jesus Christ, to her – well. And this is the love of God for us – to instill, in authority in the Church, those who imitate Christ to her well. Who care for her well.

We note here that it is God’s Church. And that Jesus ultimately cared for Her. He died for her to save her (Eph. 5). He leads her to salvation (Heb. 3). He saves her perfectly. He speaks to her through the Scriptures which are given to her (1 Tim. 4). He has given her his presence for joy (Eph. 2). He loves us, died for us, is caring for us, teaches us, and has secured salvation for us.

And those we appoint as elders should imitate him well, so that in the Church, Jesus will be loved and honored.

Summary:
-Those we appoint as elders must have submissive children.
-Those we appoint as elders must parent in a dignified, serious, godly manner.
-The Church is God’s House. It’s Jesus’ household.
-A pastor must be able to represent Jesus’ loving leadership to the Church in the way that is appropriate to a father leading his family.
-Jesus, ultimately, has loved and cared for his Church – and saved us.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for caring for us. Thank you for infallibly leading us who you chose before the world existed to salvation. Thank you that you grant perseverance in walking with you based on your death in our stead.
Cause me to lead my household well, Father, as Jesus loved us. Cause me to assist in the appointment of elders in the Church who lead in a loving, dignified, holy manner – desiring nothing more than to represent and honor Jesus Christ.
In his blood I pray, amen.

Pastors can't be drunks. Or angry. 1 Timothy 3:3

(3) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Here Paul continues to enumerate the character traits that are absolutely required for pastors.

There are several levels at which such character traits are important.
1) They tell us, the Church, what we should look at in appointing elders.
2) Since pastors are to be examples to the Church, these traits give all of us in the Church character traits to aim for as we learn to obey Jesus.
3) These traits are enumerated to continue to show pastors how they are to live.
4) These traits are listed to show us the character of the Head Pastor, Jesus Christ.

The fourth reason is vital, since pastors/elders/shepherds/overseers are physically exercising Christ’s leadership in His Church on His behalf in His physical absence by the power of His Spiritual presence.

So a pastor must not be a drunkard. Being a drunk would show that he loves something of this world. It would demonstrate a lack of self-control and pleasure-seeking outside of the will of God. It would show that he does not use God’s time well, nor God’s resources well. God will go on to say in this book that drink exists for God to be thanked and praised – but for the drunk, alcohol is god and savior and treasure.

Jesus drank. He enjoyed wine. He gave thanks to God for it. He instituted its use in one of the two symbols he ordained for the Church’s use (The Lord’s Supper and Baptism). He created it. But he was not ruled by it. He did not live for it. He used it for God’s glory, treading a path that would lead him to the cross – which wine is to represent to his people.

A pastor must be gentle, not violent. Violence and anger reveal two things about someone’s character. First, it reveals that they are controlled by a love for this world rather than a love for being with Jesus (See James 4, including for the connection between violence and anger). Second, it reveals that they want to usurp God’s control of the world. A person who wants what God wants and trusts in God’s power, free will, and sovereignty will not get angry and hurt people. They will be gentle, trusting God to do what he pleases.

Wasn’t our Lord gentle? He is God, the Holy Judge of the world, and one day he will come in vengeance against evil. But when he came, he came to save sinners. He, even though he was not a sinner, spoke to sinners gently and with love – not hatefully, not seeking to hurt them – but seeking to save them – seeking to save us.

The requirement that an elder be not quarrelsome or argumentative is very similar to the idea that he must not be violent. Quarrelsome people seek glory for themselves and believe they can control people. We are to seek glory for God our Father and believe he controls the world. Jesus proclaimed his message and debated with religious leaders; but he did not do so for the sake of argument – but for the sake of God’s glory and for the salvation of his elect people.

Last, a pastor must not be a lover of money. We learn in Scripture that covetousness is idolatry (the end of Colossians, if I remember right). Thus, if money is our god, God is not our God. Money is what is given in exchange for things of this world. It represents being able to get what one wants. But we are to want God and his presence in his Kingdom! Jesus gave up his glory and his riches and became a human to die for his people’s entrance, with him, into his Kingdom – ultimately for the glory of the Triune God.

Summary:
1) Pastors must not love this world, but rather, treasure Christ.
2) A love of this world can show up in drunkenness, anger, argumentativeness, and a love of money.
3) Jesus gave up all he had in glory with his Father to glorify his Father and save the Church by dying for her. We are now given the gift of doing likewise.

Prayer:
Holy God, I love too much in this world – and that shows up in the fact that I do not often give thanks. I thank you first for giving your Son in my place for my sins, and for raising him to life for my salvation. I thank you for your provision – I am not hungry, naked, nor homeless. I ask you to give me the strength to live for your Kingdom and your righteousness, repudiating the love of things for the sake of your glory. Cause me to see these negative traits as warning signs of where my heart might be, and grant me repentance. Because Jesus’ death and resurrection have secured my place with you forever, amen.

The character we should aspire to have; and absolute requirements for pastors

(2) Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…

Paul continues to give Timothy instructions for how to lead God’s people continually to Christ, and he continues to give Timothy instructions about pastors.

He starts with the words, “Therefore, an overseer must be…” By doing so, he says in the strongest way he can that a pastor has to have certain qualifications. They are not negotiable.

Why? Because, as it says in verse one, the office of overseer is a noble task. In other words, the overseer is to represent Christ’s leadership to Christ’s people. Since Christ is physically absent, an overseer is to watch over the Lord’s flock and care for his sheep in the way that Christ would.

And therefore, certain qualifications for such a man are in order.

An overseer must be above reproach. There must be no doubt as to his character and godliness. Jesus was and is sinless. No one within the Church or outside of the Church could ever have accused him of sin. And if they could have, who would’ve followed him? Though pastors cannot be sinless, they can live in a way such that they are not worthy of blame. And so the message about Christ will appear good to outsiders – and those inside will be more apt to follow their leadership. Further, overseers are to represent Christ in the sight of God – and such actions will honor him – as will the imitating actions of those in the Church.

An overseer must be ‘the husband of one wife,’ or literally, ‘a man of one woman.’ In other words, he must be free from sexual impurity. He wouldn’t have to be married (Paul himself wasn’t at this point in life), but he was to live his life pure for one woman. This is a good example for God’s people and looks good to outsiders. But more than that, it is in imitation of Christ, who set himself apart for a pure Bride, his Church. He is always faithful to us. He never strays from us. He always acts in love towards us. He never regrets choosing us and saving us – but will save us to the end.

An overseer must be sober-minded. In other words, he must be able to think clearly and to be restrained. He must not simply react to events and people. He must not be impulsive. Someone in charge of God’s visible church would be put through the fire – both from those outside the church seeking to hate Christ – and those within who weren’t in submission to him. A pastor cannot be a person who just reacts to bad things. Just like Jesus never reacted to those who hated him – and ultimately, as a sheep before his shearers, when he was condemned to die for our sins, he was silent. He suffered for us – and our leaders are to imitate Christ so we can join him in his suffering for the glory of God.

An overseer must be self-controlled. They must be sensible. They must be able to have goals, to keep those goals in front of them, and to make decisions rationally, not based on emotions or impulse or desire – but based on God’s word. They must be able to make decisions based on God’s word to model obedience to God’s people, to demonstrate heavenly priorities to God’s world, and to imitate and glorify Jesus. And that is how, though he suffered much in our place, Christ endured the wrath of God. He had his mind set on future glory and joy. So he was able to say to the Father, “Not my will, but yours be done” – and to suffer in our place for our sins – since he knew he would take his life back up again as King of all things.

An overseer must be respectable. This is the same word used to describe how women are to dress. It simply means that a man who is a pastor should be someone who people naturally respect. If they don’t, will they trust his leadership? Will they trust his instruction? Will those outside the Church see the Church as something deserving of attention? No. But if the Church is led by respectable men, God’s household will function properly within and glorify Christ to outsiders. Even those who hated Christ when he was on earth knew that he demanded respect; he couldn’t be brushed off as a fool, or a lunatic. And by his love and goodness and mercy his disciples knew he was good and followed him.

An overseer must be hospitable. In other words, a pastor must recognize that he doesn’t get his ‘own space.’ He must welcome others into the life of his home in practice and because he wants to be with them. He obviously has to love his wife more – and so he is to not do this to the detriment of his immediate family. However, he is to be welcoming outsiders into his family and home in regular practice, out of love for them. He is to imitate Jesus in this manner. We hated him, yet, he took us into his family. He loved us while we rebelled against him. He didn’t make us mere servants in his household, but heirs of God’s Kingdom. And he went to prepare a place for us to be with him forever – because he delights in us and we delight in him.

An overseer must be able to teach. The Christian faith is a religion of the book – of words. God has communicated himself and his glory to us in words which he chose. His authority and his glory and his love and his grace and he himself are revealed through these words – and so those who lead must be able to explain these words to God’s people – because they are God’s people – not the pastor’s. Ultimately, the people of God do not follow the pastor – but the pastor explains to the people who God is and what he commands of us. He shows us God from God’s book. Jesus is the head pastor of every church – and he is the ultimate expression of God himself – he is the exact imprint of God in physical form. When we see him, we will know him fully. Until then, he has given us words which are to be explained to us by pastors – so we can know him and love him.

Summary:
1) Since overseers represent Christ to the Church, and Christ’s leadership of the Church to the world, they must meet certain qualifications.
2) Some of these qualifications are being above reproach, being sexually pure, being sober-minded, being self-controlled, bing respectable, being hospitable, and being able to teach.
3) Christ is the ultimate head pastor of every church and the whole Church – and was the perfect overseer in coming to earth, explaining God’s word to us, dying for our sins, rising from the dead, and promising to return to take us home to be with him.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for Christ’s leadership. Thank you for his humility and suffering. Thank you that he always had your glory in mind and thus always had our best in mind – and was willing to suffer so much for it. Thank you that his words are trustworthy. Help us to rejoice in the good news he announced!
I pray that you would cause me and those in pastoral ministry to grow in and consistently demonstrate these qualities – not because we want to earn our salvation – but because you are worthy of being honored. Help us love Jesus more than all things and desire to show off Jesus more than all things – because it’s all about Jesus, in whose name I pray – amen.