In this lesson, we will spend time going over how to protect and uplift leadership within the church. We will discuss topics from monetary gifts of service to open rebuke for sin and disobedience.

THEY ARE WORTHY OF

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1 Timothy 5:17-18
¹⁷ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Remember…

1 Timothy 3:1
¹ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a

, he desireth a good work.

Ephesians 4:11
¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,

and teachers;

Paul tells Timothy that there should be great care when considering an elder for service. He says that they must “

”.

Titus 1:5-9
⁵ For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: ⁶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. ⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; ⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; ⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

First, it says, “double honor” meaning one of

and

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(17).

Secondly, it says that it is especially wrong to do so unto those who work

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(17).

Finally, the Word of God commands that these blessings, both

and

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be given (18).

WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WITH

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AND

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1 Timothy 5:19-22
¹⁹ Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear ²¹ I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. ²² Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

First, we should be cautious about

accusations (19).

Second, we should be cautious about handling

accusations (20).

Third, in keeping the church pure and honorable as the bride of Christ, we MUST never show

or

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(21).

Finally, do not do things

but cautiously and with the ultimate goal in mind, “keep thyself

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” (21).

NEED TO CARE FOR THE BODY

1 Timothy 5:23
²³ Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

Paul’s words to Timothy here are often misunderstood. Let’s examine them and pray for understanding.

Timothy is told to, “drink

water”. Earlier in Chapter 3, we were told that the bishop was to not “be given unto wine.” This directive keeps us pure and unspotted from the world. Just as the scripture we just discussed, “keep thyself pure”, we are to do so in all things.

Paul’s words to Timothy were about the

for his body and not the

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of his flesh. Timothy suffered bodily and Paul helps him to understand the differences between

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and

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, also the difference between the care of the

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and the lusts of the

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.

TWO THINGS THAT CANNOT BE HIDDEN

1 Timothy 5:24-25
²⁴ Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

First, the sins of leadership will not be hidden. God specifies two sins here (24).

Second, the good works of leadership will not be hidden (25).

Keep the main reason you serve God as your

and

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for Him.

How can you better serve the Lord?