Shepherding the Flock: The Qualities of a Godly Leader | 1 Timothy 3:1-7
April 21, 2024

Ephesians 1-15_16.jpeg

Sermon Video

Shepherding the Flock: The Qualities of a Godly Leader

1 Timothy 3:1–7 (NKJV)
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

The Call of 1 Timothy 3:1-7

“Godly men: aspire diligently to church leadership, but only if you embody the integrity, maturity, and godliness required to shepherd God’s people faithfully.”

Outline

# 1. The
Reveal Answer
Nature of the Office (v. 1)


1 Timothy 3:1 (NKJV)
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

“A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more.” —John Calvin

# 2. The Qualities of a
Reveal Answer
Leader (vv.2-3)

1 Timothy 3:2–3 (NKJV)
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

  1. Blameless or above reproach

  2. Husband of one wife

  3. Temperate

  4. Sober minded / Prucent

  5. Of Good Behavior/Respectable

  6. Hospitable

  7. Able to teach

  8. Not a Drunkard

  9. Not Violent

  10. Not a lover of money

  11. Gentle

  12. Not Quarrelsom

Questions:

  1. Are we, as a congregation, actively supporting and upholding our church leaders in their pursuit of these qualifications, or are we placing stumbling blocks in their path?

  2. How can we create an environment that encourages our leaders to grow in character, wisdom, and faithfulness?

  3. In what ways can we, as individual members of the body of Christ, strive to embody these qualifications in our own lives, even if we are not in formal leadership positions?

  4. How might our personal growth in these areas impact our families, our church, and our witness to the world

# 3. The Marks of a
Reveal Answer
Minister (vv. 4-6)

1 Timothy 3:4–6 (NKJV)
4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

What it doesn’t mean to have his children in submission:

  1. No Demand for Perfection
  2. No Guarantee Against Challenges
  3. Not Endorsing Harsh Control
  4. Balance Between Family and Ministry

Implication of not obeying the command in verse 6:

  1. Risk of Pride: Proverbs 16:18
  2. Spiritual Maturity: Hebrews 5:14
  3. Church Stability: Ephesians 4:14

Reasons for why the command must be obeyed:

  1. Avoidance of Pride: 1 Timothy 3:6
  2. Protection of the individual: Luke 14:28
  3. Protection of the Church: Acts 20:28-29
  4. Demonstration of Consistent Faith: James 1:12

Questions:

  1. For the men: Are you actively nurturing a Christlike atmosphere in your home?

  2. What kind of atmosphere characterizes their household. Is it one of love, grace, and spiritual nurturing?

  3. Are you proactively teaching and modeling Biblical truth to your children? Are you leading your families in worship, prayer, and service? Or have you become passive or disengaged, allowing a worldly or chaotic spirit to pervade in your homes?

  4. TRBC: Are you supporting and upholding God’s design for qualified leadership?

  5. Do you value and respect the process of testing and proving potential elders and pastors, even if it takes time?

  6. Are you willing to submit to the authority of qualified leaders, even when they are not perfect?

# 4. The Tested Testimony of a
Reveal Answer
Leader (v. 7)

1 Timothy 3:7 (NKJV)
7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.