1 Timothy 3:11-13 says,...
Today's verses are 1 Timothy 3:11-13, which read,
v.11 - Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Paul is continuing to give Timothy instruction on the spiritual qualification for those in leadership. The position in this passage is for those called "deacons" or in our language within the church as "team leads." These are those who lead a ministry within the body of the church. As we have stated before that these can be either men or women as Paul goes back and forth between the genders and uses the word "likewise" to equate the qualifications to both sexes.
Paul speaks directly to the women deacons in this verse to be...
v.12 - Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
Paul returns to the proving grounds of the home when it comes to deacons as he did for overseers. The home is the micro of the macro. The home is the first place of ministry that shows vividly the ability to go to the second place of ministry, the church. Loyalty and honoring God's definition of marriage and spreading the gospel message within the four walls of the home while following godly principles speaks volumes to those filling these servant leadership positions.
v.13 - For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
It all comes back to why do we serve as overseers and deacons. We serve because of our faith in Christ Jesus. A faith that Jesus rose from the dead. A faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. A faith that affirms all the tenets of the Apostle's Creed. A faith that looks with expectant hope of His returning. A faith that can not be contained but is shared obediently with others to fulfill the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. A faith that we do not deserve but has been given to us by a gracious God through the cross of Christ.
We have a faith and therefore we serve and we serve well. As we serve, God builds that faith so we know even more of the assurance of His love for us. We stand high and we stand great not in ourselves but in the faith given to us by God of His great love through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. Our standing this way will find the overseer and deacon many times on their knees before God more than standing before the positions that they hold in the local body of Christ. Let's pray.
"Lord, the spiritual qualifications of these positions are not only high but they are also deep. If we are in these positions and needing adjustments to how we serve then convict our hearts to bow our knee to Your instruction rather than continue to follow Satan's. Protect Your church from false leaders who pose themselves within the four walls of the church differently than they are outside of them or within in their homes. Again, may Your instruction be the instruction we follow as a body following after You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.11 - Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Paul is continuing to give Timothy instruction on the spiritual qualification for those in leadership. The position in this passage is for those called "deacons" or in our language within the church as "team leads." These are those who lead a ministry within the body of the church. As we have stated before that these can be either men or women as Paul goes back and forth between the genders and uses the word "likewise" to equate the qualifications to both sexes.
Paul speaks directly to the women deacons in this verse to be...
- dignified - A person serious about the work that is before them and conducting leadership in an honorable and holy manner.
- not malicious gossips - Speech and communication are always important aspects of leadership. The speech and communication of the leader needs to be wholesome talk and not to tear down others with the tongue.
- temperate - In contrast to the out of control tongue of a gossip, the team lead is to have speech that is in control which reflects a mind that is disciplined to follow holy practices.
- faithful in all things - This is another way of saying "above reproach." The deacon or team lead is to show this faithfulness not only standing in front of the ministry but also when no one else is looking knowing that God is not hidden from their lives.
v.12 - Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
Paul returns to the proving grounds of the home when it comes to deacons as he did for overseers. The home is the micro of the macro. The home is the first place of ministry that shows vividly the ability to go to the second place of ministry, the church. Loyalty and honoring God's definition of marriage and spreading the gospel message within the four walls of the home while following godly principles speaks volumes to those filling these servant leadership positions.
v.13 - For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
It all comes back to why do we serve as overseers and deacons. We serve because of our faith in Christ Jesus. A faith that Jesus rose from the dead. A faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. A faith that affirms all the tenets of the Apostle's Creed. A faith that looks with expectant hope of His returning. A faith that can not be contained but is shared obediently with others to fulfill the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. A faith that we do not deserve but has been given to us by a gracious God through the cross of Christ.
We have a faith and therefore we serve and we serve well. As we serve, God builds that faith so we know even more of the assurance of His love for us. We stand high and we stand great not in ourselves but in the faith given to us by God of His great love through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. Our standing this way will find the overseer and deacon many times on their knees before God more than standing before the positions that they hold in the local body of Christ. Let's pray.
"Lord, the spiritual qualifications of these positions are not only high but they are also deep. If we are in these positions and needing adjustments to how we serve then convict our hearts to bow our knee to Your instruction rather than continue to follow Satan's. Protect Your church from false leaders who pose themselves within the four walls of the church differently than they are outside of them or within in their homes. Again, may Your instruction be the instruction we follow as a body following after You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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