1st Timothy Pt. 10: Leadership Standards

1st Timothy 6:2b-10 [ESV]

The making of a Biblical Church leader takes time…and focus… and humility and trust in God’s Word and in God’s people…God has given those who He calls to lead HIS people clear standards, in both the Old Testament and in the writing of the New Testament, by which to live and to govern the church. Thank God for standards!

A part of any people’s culture are the standards to which their leaders are held accountable to. Integrity. Character. Contentment. New Testament Church leaders are called to a high standard!

2b. Teach and urge these things.

  • This is regarding what he has written so far…
  • It is also about what he is going to close up this letter with [Character]

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.

  • A different doctrine = A different Gospel
  • Sound doctrine = the VERIFIED words of our Lord
  • Teaching that accords with godliness = Old Testament Scriptures

He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

  • This paragraph is about those who disagree with the teachings of Christ
  • This is describing such people who claim special knowledge, or the secret…
  • They pray on lost people by fostering emotional upheaval: ‘stirring the pot’
  • This is the ‘Religious Scam Artist’…One Big Confidence Con [The Sting]

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

  • There is a way for religion to be of great gain: Faith that produces contentment!
  • “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” ~ Job @ Job 1:21 [ESV]
  • When your hope is set on the next world. you don’t need stuff in this world
  • Righteousness that is fully experienced makes for material contentment
  • GOSPEL OPERTUNITY!!!

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

  • In contrast: those who desire wealth over all else, set their hope on…what?
  • God’s Word says if you desire to be rich you will be tempted by STUFF…
  • God’s Word says if you long for material things you will get caught in a trap!
  • God’s Word says if you are captivated by money…it will lead to destruction!

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

  • Not Money itself… it is the LOVE of money that is a gateway to evil, why?
  • Money is an idol / Money makes us self-reliant / Money makes us Proud
  • This ‘Craving’… what one is devoted to / an indulgence / an uncontrollable urge
  • Love of Money = Covetousness [Wanting what is not yours] 10th commandment
  • The pursuit of money distracts you from ‘The Faith’ [Salvation OR Discipleship]
  • If you are interested in ‘Godliness’, the love of money will hinder your walk

3 BIBLICAL STANDARDS 4 CHRISTIAN LEADERS

1. Adhere to Doctrinal Orthodoxy: Humbly trust in what has been passed down

2. Unite The Body: Focus on the application of what Scripture has always taught

3. Be Content with Modest Lifestyle: Avoiding occupation with money & other evils

3 Responses of Midtown Covenant Members to this passage

DO NOT Tolerate un-Biblical doctrine or teaching [Beware the ‘NEW’]

DO NOT Tolerate the dividing of the Body with controversy and drama

DO NOT Tolerate leaders who are more occupied with money than the Body

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1 Timothy Pt. 9: Honor To Whom Honor Is Due

I Timothy 5:17-6:2b (ESV)

Having previously written the qualifications for elders (chapter 3), Paul wrote about the relationship and responsibilities between elders and the flock, with the focus on how the members treat their pastors. Timothy was charged with restoring something that was broken, in 5 key areas: honor, care/provision, protection, public rebuke (when necessary), and careful selection.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

If you are a Christian, then you too are under the yoke of Christ, a bondservant of the Lord. Our testimony is more important that any personal liberty. As Gal 3:28 reminds us there is no “bond or free….for we are all one in Christ.” We still live in a world of owners and employees, supervisors and workers. Why live in the manner Paul describes? So that God and His Word will not be slandered. Eternity matters in the work place. Do your work unto the Lord. The truth of the gospel rests on you as you work.

Summary Points:

-Healthy relationships between pastors and members is essential to being a healthy flock. We are in this kingdom work together. Otherwise, we devolve into an “us” v. “them” divide, with the clergy distinct and separate from parishioners.

-Honor (provide/care) your pastors, especially those who labor in the Word. Whether here or if the Lord plants you elsewhere, you will be apart of a healthy gospel ministry, if you do this. Hebrews 13:17 indicates this is important and in the members’ best interests. Disregarding or dishonoring pastors inflicts significant injuries throughout the flock.

-Wherever the Lord plants you, wherever you live, learn, work, or play, the gospel rests on you and me. It is not for others to live and to declare. It is for you and me.

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