Please turn with me now to the book of 1 Timothy. The book of 1 Timothy. We'll begin with verse 1 of chapter 3 and read to verse 13. Let us again give our attention to the reading and hearing of God's Word this morning. The Apostle Paul writes, this is a faithful saying, if a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence. For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover, he must have a good testimony among those who are outside lest he fall into reproach in the snare of the devil. Likewise, deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given too much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested, then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children in their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. That's why the reading of God's word. Remember the grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord abides forever. Amen. This Tuesday we have our annual congregational meeting, and at that meeting we'll be able to elect officers to serve in the church. And so I thought it good for us, in light of this opportunity, to reflect on the qualifications for officers as set forth in the Word of God. And this week we'll look at the qualifications and then the next week we'll look at their work. And we want to look at that in just one way. So if you want to know what that one way is, you have to come back next week. But as we think about qualifications for church leadership, I want to list before you a few different ideas and see whether or not these would be ideas that you would say are good qualifications. And then beyond that, to note what is brought out in our text. For example, if you look at a few different resources or places, here are some things that are brought out even within the context of the church. Some have argued that you need officers who are able to be influential on others based on their opportunity to see needs. That they have a broad perspective and can gather a big picture. Individuals who believe the best in people. giving others the benefit of the doubt, even being willing to note that they need to grasp all the facts before they draw conclusions. Other sources have noted a call for confident humility, a willingness to understand that the importance of the truth of God's Word to direct, a willingness to accept responsibility and to show unconditional love for others because you have people that you deal with from all walks of life and different challenges and abilities. Some have noted the importance of teaching and being a mentor. A good delegator, a team player, works well with others, understands how to celebrate success, and has a good balance between work and family and life. These are just a few. There are other qualities that some have brought out. Do you think that these are qualities that are brought out within our text here in 1 Timothy 3 as it relates to elders and deacons? Well, I think some of those concepts are there, but I think too often what ends up happening as we think about those who should serve in leadership is that we view people simply based on what they can do or provide. We view them based on their standing in the community. And we think, well, if they come in as they've had a successful business, surely they'll then make the church successful. They've been here a long time. Therefore, we should give them a position in office, some might say. Others might say, well, they're our friends. Therefore, we want to put them in office. We like them. They're wealthy. Surely, they'll be able to contribute even more. We're afraid that they might leave the church, therefore we'll put them in a position of office that will cause them to be closer to the church, and therefore it might help to keep them in. Some of these then tie in with similar perspectives as to what people might be able to do. This morning, I propose to you that although some of these concepts, not the ones I just listed, but the ones towards the beginning, are tied in with 1 Timothy 3, I think Paul, and in turn, our Lord Jesus Christ, had a much more basic idea when we think about the qualifications for church office. I think the basic concept that Christ laid out, and what I posit to you this morning, is that it simply comes down to individuals, men in particular, who are morally and spiritually qualified. Individuals who show a tremendous godly character and morality and spiritual understanding. Those are the individuals that should be sought for church office. And that's what I want you to see this morning. Individuals who are godly, spiritual, moral. Those are the candidates. Those who are qualified. As we think through this, we want to do this in a few different ways. The first of which is to simply affirm the importance of church leadership. We want to affirm the importance of church leadership. Secondly, we want to then note the importance of a qualified leadership. And then lastly, the important qualities of leadership. The importance of leadership, the importance of a qualified leadership, and the important qualities of leadership. Church leadership is important. We know it simply as it relates to things that exist in this world. You've got to have a leader. You need someone who you say, this is who we talk to. What president said, the buck stops here. Was it a president? Thank you. What was he affirming? He was saying, look, you got to have a leader. You got to have someone who makes decisions and it's got to stop somewhere. Christ is head of the church. He is ultimately the leader of the church. But we note that with his ascension into heaven, he is ruling and reigning the church from heaven. He is active in his church and through his church, and yet he's also said that, as I rule from on high, I will give you men who will then lead. Now, I've said this a few times about men being in office. Well, we see this in a couple of different ways, the first of which are text notes that it's men who serve. Verse one, this is a faithful saying, if a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. Paul here is not trying to be hard on women. He's not here caught up in some sort of cultural idea that existed in the first century that just said, boo to women, down on women, we don't like women, they're only good for a couple of different things, and therefore we disdain them. That's not what he's saying. If you look in chapter 2, Paul lays out a particular responsibility that exists. He says that men are to serve in the church in positions of leadership for two reasons. Look with me at verse 12. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over man, but to be in silence for these reasons. First, Adam was made first, then Eve. Second, Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into transgression. The reason that we have men in office and we insert the importance of of male church leadership is because it's the God ordained way. God created man first and then the woman. And secondly we see that the woman was deceived and as a result disobeyed God by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That's not to set Adam as a scapegoat to say oh no big deal with what he did. He willingly walked into disobedience. Now in saying this, is there a place for women in the church? Absolutely. Women are gifted. They're gifted with all sorts of abilities and strengths and insights and they ought to be utilized. Paul lays out to Titus in Titus chapter two, where he says, let the older women teach the younger women to be of good use, to be of value, to be encouraging one another and strengthening one another and building one another up. So there is a place. for women. Each have their roles. Their role is not to be seen in the leadership of the church as an elder or a deacon. But it can be in a whole host of ways whereby their gifts and abilities may be utilized and put on display that God may be glorified through you as you serve him in that capacity. We see then that men have been put in this position, given to us by Christ. Look in Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4, beginning with verse 11. Paul says, and he himself gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to be a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Christ gave officers. In particular, pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons. This is for our well-being. It's for our good. It's for our growth spiritually. It's to help our understanding. It's to encourage us in our walks. It's to cause us to know that Christ Himself cares for us as He serves us through these officers. as they act as the under-shepherds of Jesus Christ. As we affirm the importance of church leadership, male leadership given to us by Christ, we recognize that the concern then of that leadership should be whatever service they render to God and to fellow believers Their concern should be whatever service they render to God and fellow believers. This, of course, is directed through the Word of God. but it's with an eye to the glory of God and for the good of the church. Leadership needs to hear this because too often it's very easy that when you get involved in leadership that you then begin to see this is going to be difficult. This matter will be challenging. This obstacle will be hard to overcome and therefore we don't want to walk through that. Or it might be if I serve in a capacity that pleases me or meets my own desires or expectations, then I'll be able to gain certain benefits by it, or I'll be able to find certain values that come to me. that cannot be the call for leadership. The importance of church leadership is that the leaders understand that they are called to walk faithfully as those who are the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ to give a good rendering to Him and following faithfully to His word. But we also then should see the importance of a qualified leadership. It's not just simply a matter of saying, well, as long as we have men, then everything is OK. As long as as we we do these certain things and then things will be fine and things will be good and things will be right. It's not just a matter of saying, well, this one's breathing, put him in. That'll be acceptable. we need to have qualified men. We see this for a few different reasons. The first of which is that these men have been trusted with a special treasure in the house of God. The special treasure are God's people. His sheep. The ones whom the Heavenly Father has set His affection upon from before the foundation of the world. The one whom He has worked in to give saving faith, to bring life into their very soul, to identify them as His sons and His daughters whom He's at work in to bring them to Him forevermore. You are a tremendous treasure, Peter says, a royal priesthood, a holy people, a spiritual house being built up. And therefore, those who serve as leaders, those who care for these people as elders and deacons, must see that they are one day going to stand before Jesus Christ and say, this is how I took care of your sheep. This is how I encouraged this one whom you purchased, whom you loved. This is how I counseled this dear child of God. This is how I encouraged them or directed them or even came after them and addressed them concerning their sin. Therefore, these individuals must be qualified. They serve as stewards, as servants, as ones who have been given individuals under their care that they then will be responsible for. Therefore, these ones, as I asserted at the beginning, must be individuals of moral character and capable to use the Word of God. Secondly, we need to see a qualified leadership because they are to set a living example before the people of God. Turn with me to 1 Peter 5. 1 Peter 5. Peter challenges the elders and says this, "'Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly, not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock of God.'" Officers have a responsibility to set forth morally and spiritually a proper example. They're called to live in a godly manner before the people of God and among the household of faith. That's why it's so important that we understand that leadership isn't about an honorary position, about a friend, about someone who gives money, about someone who's charismatic or has social standing. Because what kind of character will they reflect among the church? What kind of character will be manifest within the world? It's funny to see the scriptures note that as the priest lives, so did the people. Paul notes within the qualifications for elder and deacon, that the elder should not be contentious, that he should be hospitable, that both should be faithful to their calling, that they should be biblically sound and committed to the doctrines of grace, that their attention and their focus should not be on money. Think about what happens when those things are occurring. the attention to money becomes that focus within the church. A lack of biblical soundness among the leadership leads to heresy and all sorts of false teaching and false beliefs among the members. Unfaithfulness within the leadership as they fail to love their wives will allow members to say, well, if Elder so-and-so is unfaithful, surely I can be unfaithful. If Deacon so-and-so isn't concerned about how he's taking care of his family, well, then why should I? If officers do not show the gift of hospitality, how can we expect a congregation to be warm and friendly? Arguments among the board will lead to arguments within the church. There's a call for there to be a qualified leadership. This leadership then is seen through certain qualities. the quality of godliness. If you look through your list there in First Timothy chapter three, you see all sorts of things brought out, but a number of things, primarily, you see concepts and ideas that relate to a character and a quality that reflects the example of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. We see the manifestation of self-control, the call for love, the example of peace, the fruit of gentleness, the display of kindness. Elders and deacons both are to manifest these things in a number of different ways. This call is not a call to perfection. Men on this side of heaven will still struggle in thought, word, and in action with regard to godly living. But the call here is a call to be blameless. It means that this individual Keep short accounts with those around them. That no one can point a finger at them and say, this person still owes me. There's still this matter that's unresolved. I can't believe that he hasn't addressed this with me when he said this or acted in a particular manner. Ultimately, we see that the qualifications here speak to one's relationship with God in the Scriptures. with self and family and those within the world. The question that may be asked is, is the individual walking in accordance with the word of God? As you think about who you will be voting for this Tuesday, not to sound like I'm getting into a political message, but evaluate the candidates as their walk. How well do you know them in terms of their godliness and holiness? Do you see the work of the Holy Spirit shining through in their life? By the grace of God, are they self-controlled as it relates to money and alcohol? Are they controlled with regard to their tempers? Do they manifest humility and responsibilities that have been given to them? Or are they filled with pride and seek to gain more and more power and gain a name for themselves? Do they care for the lost and care for the children of God? Have they shown concern of welcoming you whether it's here at the church or even in their home. Does the Spirit of God manifest itself as a strength under control? Or are they usually the first one to engage in an argument and potentially even seek the hurt of others? Are they men who are full of wisdom? Does God show a tremendous gift within their life to be able to look at situations and display a certain fairness? Are they impartial? Are they honest? Do they show themselves to be objective as they hear various matters? This speaks to a godly conduct that is brought forward. But we also then see that they're gifted. as it relates to their family. Gifted in relation to the way in which they manage their house and gifted as it relates to their eye on their wife. The Scriptures say here that those who are married must be a one-woman man. They're devoted to their spouse. They're faithful to her. Not only as it relates to their marriage and their lives outwardly, but they're faithful to her in their words. Faithful even in terms of things that they look at and how they seek to be pure. Paul encourages us to know that the church is viewed not as a business, but as a family. And the opportunity to live within a house, within a smaller group, allows us to see the way in which this individual is gifted and might be able to then serve the church. Do they show an example of care? Evaluate the man's wife as well. Is she loving, respectful? Does she follow leadership? She's strengthened and encouraged to do that even as the love and support of her husband encourages her in these things. Does this one's children respect authority and respond positively to God? The children need to be thought through and examined as well. Lastly, do we see a godly motivation that exists within them? Why are they seeking this out? What's their desire and intent as they come then to take upon this possibility of service? Now the Scriptures tell us towards the beginning of chapter 3 here that he who desires the position of bishop desires a good work. And we might also then conclude that the position of deacon is a good thing as well. For in verse 13, we hear that those who have served well obtain a good standing and a great boldness in the faith which is in Christ. But what are these men seeking? What's their desire? Are they entering into this willingly and with a sense of desire to honor God and to serve His people? Or is there something else that they're seeking, that they're wanting, that they think might come for them? Look, and I say this even to the candidates, if you're entering into this as an unwanted obligation, Please recuse yourself. Because in coming, you'll be unhappy, you will feel guilty, you will be afraid, and you'll be ineffective. There will be a certain struggle that will occur among the consistory as individuals are here just to kind of serve a time, but have no sense of commitment. What happens if you're serving as an elder and a hardship comes? A problem results within two people in the church and much wisdom is needed and much thought is needed in order to address the particular matter. And you're going, you know, guys, I just really don't want to be here. I'm just here because I'm filling my slot. What are you going to tell Christ as you then deal with whatever counsel you gave and input you put into that situation? What is the motivation that is occurring? Now, is this a hard work at times? Yes, but it is also a rewarding work. There is a joy that God by His Spirit provides to each and every officer as they live, as they serve, as God blesses, as He makes His Word effective, as He grows His people up in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and as they celebrate all the things that God is doing among them and in them and through them and even in you. And so I do not want to say these things as it relates to motivation to cause individuals to be overwhelmed with fear, and then we do not have anyone willing to put their name forward as a candidate. But it is important for us to hear the whole picture. The times of challenge. The times of blessing. And yet through it all, the importance of a quality leadership who are qualified as they serve. The call that is set before our officers and those who are considering this is a weighty call. It's a call that we should understand that as they take this up that we hold them up in prayer, that we encourage them as God has set them in this position among us It's a call also that relates to the qualifications and the sense of duty that is set before all of us. Are we not all called to be above reproach? Are we not all called to walk blamelessly as Paul challenges us in the book of Philippians? Are we not to love God with our whole being as it relates to commitment and to love our neighbor as ourselves as seen and care for one another? Ought we not remember our vows with regard to membership and with regard to marriage? Ought not we understand that this is something that is set before us all? And so even as we hear this passage, we might evaluate our own lives and think of what God might be doing and where areas of improvement are needed and seek His grace and favor in order to see that move forward and be encouraged where He has given growth and success. And it's even possible that through some of that, those of you who are younger might one day show yourself to be called to the place of leadership. Also, as this is set before us, we must be thankful to God that He does give us individuals to serve. That he doesn't leave his church simply with no direction, with no hope, with no individuals helping, serving, and caring. May we never take these gifts for granted. May we instead celebrate them. May we see the benefit that it provides to us spiritually. May we heed their good call and example. And as we evaluate those who are before us, may we also then seek God's will as we elect them to office. When we think through the qualifications of church leadership, let's be careful about how we think through that. There are tools that are very useful thoughtful, intentional, big vision, gifted. But may we also see the call of Christian faith, godly understanding, a love for the Lord, a desire to honor Him in all things, and a heartfelt humbleness in the call that is set before these men.