1 Timothy 3:4-7, says...
Today's verses are 1 Timothy 3:4-7, which read,
v.4-6 - He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
Paul is giving Timothy instruction on the men to look forward to lead the church in Ephesus. These men will oversee the ministry and so they are called "overseers." Yesterday the focus was on their character and especially displayed when solving conflicts and holding onto the truth. They not only handle the situation in a godly way but they are teaching others to also follow suit with God's principles. Now Paul goes from the church setting to the home setting.
The home front is the proving ground or the background check to this man's character in action. How is this man with his own family? How does he manage the mini family scenario of his wife and children and all things associated with that unit? It is just a logical conclusion that if he doesn't manage that smaller unit well then how will he manage well the larger unit of the family of God? Paul is telling Timothy to go into these men's homes and observe their conduct there. Are the Biblical principles found in the Scriptures being played out within the four walls of his home? Does he look the same there as he does within the four walls of the church? He should look and sound the same. If he doesn't then he should not be considered for church leadership.
Paul also tells Timothy to stay away from someone who is a new convert, someone who has recently come to faith in Jesus Christ. Being given a high leadership position to soon can go to your head and Satan can use that to have you running on pride in yourself rather than on humility before God. Some life in Christ needs to be lived before we know if this man is the right person for such a position as overseer of the local family of God. Remember that this deals with the man's length of time with the Lord and not dealing with his physical age. Timothy was a young man who came to Christ at a young age and had great discipleship upbringing and now is selecting men to be in leadership of the church. It is not the physical age of the man but the spiritual maturity level displayed through life events that helps determine the call.
v.7 - And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Have you noticed that the devil is mentioned again here? It is because those in these positions do battle with Satan who will try to get them to operate under their own power instead of the power of God. This overseer is to not only be the same in the church and in his home but also in the workplace. God's principles are seen on the job and the practice of them brings a good reputation among his coworkers. This man is living a consistent godly life and no matter where you look you see him desiring and manifesting a life that is hungering and living after God.
The Scriptures have given us a great service to lay out for the church a very clear picture of those who are to be in service in this position. Many churches have not heeded these principles when it comes to spiritual leadership and they have suffered for it and been ineffective in their witness of Jesus Christ. Let's be those who take this list seriously given by God out of love for His family. Let's pray.
"Lord, what a challenge given today of consistency. These verses are for all of us to look at how we are at church and at home and in the workplace or even within the walls of the school we attend. Is my life the same? Is it unashamed of You and following after You? Continue to raise up men for this position of overseer for Your local churches to teach us with their very words and lives what it looks like to follow after You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.4-6 - He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
Paul is giving Timothy instruction on the men to look forward to lead the church in Ephesus. These men will oversee the ministry and so they are called "overseers." Yesterday the focus was on their character and especially displayed when solving conflicts and holding onto the truth. They not only handle the situation in a godly way but they are teaching others to also follow suit with God's principles. Now Paul goes from the church setting to the home setting.
The home front is the proving ground or the background check to this man's character in action. How is this man with his own family? How does he manage the mini family scenario of his wife and children and all things associated with that unit? It is just a logical conclusion that if he doesn't manage that smaller unit well then how will he manage well the larger unit of the family of God? Paul is telling Timothy to go into these men's homes and observe their conduct there. Are the Biblical principles found in the Scriptures being played out within the four walls of his home? Does he look the same there as he does within the four walls of the church? He should look and sound the same. If he doesn't then he should not be considered for church leadership.
Paul also tells Timothy to stay away from someone who is a new convert, someone who has recently come to faith in Jesus Christ. Being given a high leadership position to soon can go to your head and Satan can use that to have you running on pride in yourself rather than on humility before God. Some life in Christ needs to be lived before we know if this man is the right person for such a position as overseer of the local family of God. Remember that this deals with the man's length of time with the Lord and not dealing with his physical age. Timothy was a young man who came to Christ at a young age and had great discipleship upbringing and now is selecting men to be in leadership of the church. It is not the physical age of the man but the spiritual maturity level displayed through life events that helps determine the call.
v.7 - And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Have you noticed that the devil is mentioned again here? It is because those in these positions do battle with Satan who will try to get them to operate under their own power instead of the power of God. This overseer is to not only be the same in the church and in his home but also in the workplace. God's principles are seen on the job and the practice of them brings a good reputation among his coworkers. This man is living a consistent godly life and no matter where you look you see him desiring and manifesting a life that is hungering and living after God.
The Scriptures have given us a great service to lay out for the church a very clear picture of those who are to be in service in this position. Many churches have not heeded these principles when it comes to spiritual leadership and they have suffered for it and been ineffective in their witness of Jesus Christ. Let's be those who take this list seriously given by God out of love for His family. Let's pray.
"Lord, what a challenge given today of consistency. These verses are for all of us to look at how we are at church and at home and in the workplace or even within the walls of the school we attend. Is my life the same? Is it unashamed of You and following after You? Continue to raise up men for this position of overseer for Your local churches to teach us with their very words and lives what it looks like to follow after You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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