sermon notes
I know this is a bit rough around the edges, but this is my notes from the
last couple of Sundays at church. I hope you all enjoy them.
This is a very rough copy, but here you go.
April 25, 2010: First Timothy 3:1
The right leadership is pastoral leadership. 3 truths about pastoral
leadership being right from verse 1. First, pastoral leadership can be seen
in the word overseer. Overseer can also be translated bishop. It refers to a
city administrator, delegate, a leader under the king, a task master, etc. A
community of Jews used it to refer to someone who enforced discipline, cared
for the community, etc. Elder is another word for overseer. Elder originated
when Israel was wondering in the wilderness; when Moses appointed 70men to
help him lead. Pastor is like these words, and the word we are most familiar
with in our church. Pastor means shepherd. Bishop, overseer, and pastor are
all used interchangeably in the Bible. Acts 20:17-28 and First Peter 5:1
show this. 3 words are used because each stresses a different functionality
of the leader. Pastoral leadership must come from men who want to do it. If
a man is going to be a pastor, he must be qualified, strive to prepare, to
study, to do whatever it takes to get there. Desire refers to an internal
compulsion. Aspires is a man want, desires is a God want or a calling from
God. A desire creates aspire. Third truth about pastoral leadership is that
it's a noble work. The Romans didn't like Christians, and Greek culture
thought pastors were foolish. Most pastors ended up dying for the church or
their beliefs. Not only is it noble, but it is work. First Timothy 5:17-18
is an illustration of this.
May 2, 2010: First Timothy 3:2
The right leadership is qualified leadership. Qualified leadership must be
above reproach, not able to be held like a criminal, unable to be arrested,
cannot charge with wrong doing. Qualified leadership must be the husband of
one wife. It does not command that a pastor be married. One wife has been
interpreted as a polygamist, but that was not a problem then. It's not
necessary that it means no divorce; it's not that same word in the Greek.
Two words for divorce are adultery and abandonment. If your divorce is
justified, you are free to be remarried. A divorce must be taken into
account for pastors, but does not automatically disqualify them. Literally,
that phrase means one-woman man; having to do with purity, being faithful,
and committed. Paul's world like sex today is why he wrote that phrase like
he did. Third, qualified leadership must be self-controlled, one who is
sober minded, balanced, not given to extremes, thoughtful, watchful, having
self-control like a fruit of the spirit. Qualified leadership must be
sensible, jell disciplined with ordered priorities, prudent, and cautious,
opposite of a person who has extreme behavior. Fourth, qualified leadership
has to be respectable, something external and outward behavior. A
respectable person is worthy of honor and praise and imitation, orderly and
honest, as well as respectful to others. The word used here describes a good
citizen of the day, one who lived a beautiful life. Sixth, qualified
leadership must be hospitable, open and welcoming to visitors. Hebrews 13:2
helps illustrate this. Seventh, qualified leadership must be an able
teacher, gifted, good, not just naturally gifted, but Spiritually gifted
(only one having to do with ability). The ability separates pastors apart
from deacons, as this is the primary duty of a pastor. Eighth, qualified
leadership must be a competent manager of the household. Competent means to
do something excellently, or in a way pleasing to the eye, including his
children, finances, etc. A pastor's children must be under control, must
submit to his authority. Titus 1:6 says they must be believers and faithful.
They are not to be accused of wildness or rebellion; they should show
dignity and respect. Look at a man's homelife to show what kind of leader he
will be. If he can't manage his house, he can't manage the church. Qualified
leadership must be of good reputation within the community. A good
reputation in the community is important because that's where we try to
reach others. It would bring disgrace and the devil's trap to a church.
Qualified leadership has 5 things it must not be. Qualified leadership must
not be addicted to wine, meaning that pastors cannot be drunk. In Biblical
times, they would dilute the wine just they drank because the water was so
bad. Being addicted to wine goes beyond drunks but would disqualify anybody
from the pastorate who is influenced by alcohol. Being influenced by alcohol
hurts his reputation, brings him under reproach, and does damage to his
respectability. Drinking is not always a sin, but it is in 5 circumstances,
when it harm your body or controls you in any way, when it's against the
law, it's against a promise you've made (most Baptist covenants have this as
a clause), when it's against your consciousness, and when it's against
others, or a stumbling block to others. A qualified leaders must not be a
bully, or given to violence. Third, qualified leadership must not be
quarrelsome, reluctant to fight in any circumstance. Fourth, pastor must not
be greedy for money, must pastor eagerly because it's what he wants to do.
Finally, a pastor must not be a new convert, he should be tested, proven,
and know his doctrine. He could be conceited if he is approved to be a
pastor too soon.
last couple of Sundays at church. I hope you all enjoy them.
This is a very rough copy, but here you go.
April 25, 2010: First Timothy 3:1
The right leadership is pastoral leadership. 3 truths about pastoral
leadership being right from verse 1. First, pastoral leadership can be seen
in the word overseer. Overseer can also be translated bishop. It refers to a
city administrator, delegate, a leader under the king, a task master, etc. A
community of Jews used it to refer to someone who enforced discipline, cared
for the community, etc. Elder is another word for overseer. Elder originated
when Israel was wondering in the wilderness; when Moses appointed 70men to
help him lead. Pastor is like these words, and the word we are most familiar
with in our church. Pastor means shepherd. Bishop, overseer, and pastor are
all used interchangeably in the Bible. Acts 20:17-28 and First Peter 5:1
show this. 3 words are used because each stresses a different functionality
of the leader. Pastoral leadership must come from men who want to do it. If
a man is going to be a pastor, he must be qualified, strive to prepare, to
study, to do whatever it takes to get there. Desire refers to an internal
compulsion. Aspires is a man want, desires is a God want or a calling from
God. A desire creates aspire. Third truth about pastoral leadership is that
it's a noble work. The Romans didn't like Christians, and Greek culture
thought pastors were foolish. Most pastors ended up dying for the church or
their beliefs. Not only is it noble, but it is work. First Timothy 5:17-18
is an illustration of this.
May 2, 2010: First Timothy 3:2
The right leadership is qualified leadership. Qualified leadership must be
above reproach, not able to be held like a criminal, unable to be arrested,
cannot charge with wrong doing. Qualified leadership must be the husband of
one wife. It does not command that a pastor be married. One wife has been
interpreted as a polygamist, but that was not a problem then. It's not
necessary that it means no divorce; it's not that same word in the Greek.
Two words for divorce are adultery and abandonment. If your divorce is
justified, you are free to be remarried. A divorce must be taken into
account for pastors, but does not automatically disqualify them. Literally,
that phrase means one-woman man; having to do with purity, being faithful,
and committed. Paul's world like sex today is why he wrote that phrase like
he did. Third, qualified leadership must be self-controlled, one who is
sober minded, balanced, not given to extremes, thoughtful, watchful, having
self-control like a fruit of the spirit. Qualified leadership must be
sensible, jell disciplined with ordered priorities, prudent, and cautious,
opposite of a person who has extreme behavior. Fourth, qualified leadership
has to be respectable, something external and outward behavior. A
respectable person is worthy of honor and praise and imitation, orderly and
honest, as well as respectful to others. The word used here describes a good
citizen of the day, one who lived a beautiful life. Sixth, qualified
leadership must be hospitable, open and welcoming to visitors. Hebrews 13:2
helps illustrate this. Seventh, qualified leadership must be an able
teacher, gifted, good, not just naturally gifted, but Spiritually gifted
(only one having to do with ability). The ability separates pastors apart
from deacons, as this is the primary duty of a pastor. Eighth, qualified
leadership must be a competent manager of the household. Competent means to
do something excellently, or in a way pleasing to the eye, including his
children, finances, etc. A pastor's children must be under control, must
submit to his authority. Titus 1:6 says they must be believers and faithful.
They are not to be accused of wildness or rebellion; they should show
dignity and respect. Look at a man's homelife to show what kind of leader he
will be. If he can't manage his house, he can't manage the church. Qualified
leadership must be of good reputation within the community. A good
reputation in the community is important because that's where we try to
reach others. It would bring disgrace and the devil's trap to a church.
Qualified leadership has 5 things it must not be. Qualified leadership must
not be addicted to wine, meaning that pastors cannot be drunk. In Biblical
times, they would dilute the wine just they drank because the water was so
bad. Being addicted to wine goes beyond drunks but would disqualify anybody
from the pastorate who is influenced by alcohol. Being influenced by alcohol
hurts his reputation, brings him under reproach, and does damage to his
respectability. Drinking is not always a sin, but it is in 5 circumstances,
when it harm your body or controls you in any way, when it's against the
law, it's against a promise you've made (most Baptist covenants have this as
a clause), when it's against your consciousness, and when it's against
others, or a stumbling block to others. A qualified leaders must not be a
bully, or given to violence. Third, qualified leadership must not be
quarrelsome, reluctant to fight in any circumstance. Fourth, pastor must not
be greedy for money, must pastor eagerly because it's what he wants to do.
Finally, a pastor must not be a new convert, he should be tested, proven,
and know his doctrine. He could be conceited if he is approved to be a
pastor too soon.