Sunday, March 14, 2021 Higher Still pt 3: 1 Timothy 3:1-3

by | Mar 12, 2021 | 1 Timothy, Higher Still, sunday | 0 comments

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Higher Still pt 3: 1 Timothy 3:1-3

  • (1Ti 3:1 ESV) The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
    • Aspires
      • 1 Timothy 3:1, Hebrews 11:16, 1 Timothy 6:10
      • Our ambition for service in the church should be always in pure motives following the calling of God.
    • Overseer
      • Luke 19:43-44, 1 Peter 2:1-2, Acts 1:20, 1 Timothy 3:1
      • The overseer, or elder, is appointed by God to a position in charge of the church.
    • Noble task
      • Matthew 3:10, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 7:17. Romans 12:17
      • This task of overseeing the church is an excellent calling and should be taken as an honorable desire of service to the church.
    • John Calvin: Paul affirms that this is no ordinary work that anyone can just go into.
  • (1Ti 3:2 ESV) Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
    • Above reproach
      • Titus 1:6-7, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 5:7, 1 Timothy 6:14, 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, Colossians 1:21-22, 1 Timothy 3:10
      • This is not a man who is without sin, because those do not exist on the earth.  Rather, a man whose life is not in the habit of sin.  A stand-up man or good, moral character.
    • Husband of one wife
      • Matthew 5:18, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 19:5. Romans 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:38, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:9
      • A husband must be a male and wife must be female, obviously.  He also must be committed to his own wife, not running around.  This speaks to the man’s moral character.
    • Sober-minded, Self-controlled
      • Sober-mined and self-controlled speak of his ability to keep a level head and morally straight line.
      • Not given to going overboard, but metered in his conduct.
    • Respectable
      • 1 Timothy 2:9
      • This is the presenting of himself respectably, modestly, well-ordered. 
    • Hospitable
      • Titus 1:8, 1 Peter 4:9
      • Being generous to guests or outsiders is key for the elders.  Not in grumbling or begrudgingly, but with joy welcoming outsiders in.
    • Able to teach
      • 2 Timothy 2:24, Titus 1:9, Romans 10:13-15
      • The man called as an elder must be gifted to teach the Word of God.  All Christians should be devoted to study and reach to share, but the elder is gifted by God with an ability to bring clarity to the Bible for the church.
  • (1Ti 3:3 ESV) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
    • Not a drunkard
      • Titus 1:7
      • Not known as a drunk in the community, the elder should be able to control himself both in what goes into his body and what comes out:
    • Not violent but gentle, Not quarrelsome
      • The elder in control of himself is not found in fits of violence and quick to fight over things.
    • Not a lover of money
      • Hebrews 13:5
      • The elder should be devoted to building the Kingdom of God, not driven only by his own material wealth.

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