Scripture: I Timothy 3:14-15

C.I.: The Family and Its Management

In our series on I Timothy – we have so far seen, “God's Family & its Message,” “God's Family & its Members.”
A 1992 movie, “A Few Good Men” - had one man would stop at nothing to defend his honor (while hiding the truth)–
and another would stop at nothing to find the truth (even if it means acting in a dishonorable fashion)! -
Today we will see God has also called for a few good men - to manage His family. – These are to be men of both honor & truth!

•  “…It is a Fine Work He Desires to Do. ” (I Timothy 3)

•  The Need for Leaders

1. Every one of God's leaders have always been chosen by Him.

a. ( Eph. 4:11-12 ), “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets….”

1) “Apostles & prophets” communicated to us God's word, ( cf. Jn. 17:20 ).

2) “Evangelists” take God's word to lost & to strengthen believers, ( Mk. 16:15 ).

3) “Pastor-teachers” (all one word) also equip God's people “for the work of service.”

2. Elders “Self-Evaluation” sheets
a. Earlier this year our elders asked me to prepare a self-evaluation sheet so they could see how they are doing.
1) It takes a lot of courage to hold yourself before the mirror of God's word and do this sort of thing.
2) But clearly, God has called on each of us to do this, ( II Cor. 13:5 ), “Test yourselves to see if you are….”
3) While these are qualifications each of these men MUST achieve – I would encourage all of us to also
aspire to each of these divinely ordained qualifications.
4) I would further urge every man (young or older) – to strive for these so they may one day serve!!!

b. This handout covers the definition of the various qualifications listed here.
1) So I wanted to spend a little more time – on some reasons why God gave these qualifications.

•  The Work of Shepherds, (vs. 1-7)

•  To feed the sheep!

a. In the section of scripture where Jesus is allowing Peter to re-express his Love For Jesus – Jesus says in Jn.
21:15-17 , “‘Peter do you love Me?' … Feed My lambs … shepherd My sheep … Feed My sheep.'”

1) Thus, shepherds are called to “feed” (spiritually) God's sheep.

2) No wonder Peter later says that we should, “Like newborn babes long for the pure milk…,” ( I Pt. 2:2 ).

3) It is for this reason their qualifications include, “…able to teach,” I Tim. 3:2 .

b. To protect the sheep from harm by others!

1) When Paul spoke to the elders, he said, “be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock,” ( Acts 20:28 ).

2) The reason he did was because of what he said in the very next verse, ( Acts 20:29-30 ), “For I know that
after my departure, salvage wolves will come in, not sparing the flock, men of your own number will arise speaking
perverse things in order to draw away the disciples after themselves.”

3) Jesus warns us about shepherds who are spiritual cowards (i.e., shepherds in name only) – of whom He
says, ( Jn. 10:12-13 ), “He who is a hireling, & not a shepherd, beholds the wolf coming & leaves the sheep flees
& the wolf snatches them, & scatters them. – He flees because he is a hireling & not concerned about the sheep.”
4) How he does/doesn't deals w/them, “…not pugnacious, gentle, uncontentious,” ( I Tim. 3:3 ).

5) God desires for us to have courageous men – who will protect the Lord's people from Satan.

c. To protect the sheep from harming themselves!

•  ILLUST., ( Psa. 23:5 ), “…anoints my head….” – This was necessary because sheep are stupid and will cut their heads against bramble bushes – to get to the grass underneath of it.

•  We need godly elders who will help us – and keep us from spiritually harming ourselves.

•  ( I Thess. 5:14 ), “And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.”

•  They do this as with their own children, “He must be one who manages his own children well…,” (I Tim. 3:4-5).

C. The Ministry of God's Deacons, (vs. 8-14)

•  The word “diakonos” is translated three different ways: (deacons = 3x, Minister 7x, servant 19x).

a. A “diakonos” is (in a general sense), a servant of God and others (this should be true for us all).

1) Jesus – ( Rom. 15:8 ), “For I say that Christ has become a servant (diakonos) to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of
God to confirm the promises given to the fathers.”

2) Leaders – ( Matt. 20:26 ), “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant .”

3) Believers – ( Jn. 12:26 ), “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant be also. ”

b. Yet, that the word “diakonos” - is used for a specific group of men - is also obvious.

•  ( Phil. 1:1 ), “Paul and Silas, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons .”

•  Notice they themselves are “saints” – but are also part of the leadership in the Lord's church.

•  While the elders take care of the spiritual needs of the people (slide) – deacons deal in physical.

•  We see the beginnings of this distinction in Acts 6:1-4 , “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in….”

•  Because of these qualifications – they are not merely “lap-dogs” of the apostles (or elders).

•  “Servants,” yet leaders in their own right – “…whom we may put in charge of this task.”

•  If required because of the size of the task – we can have more than one deacon in an area.

D. Our Response to God's Leaders, (vs. 14-16)

1. It is in the context of God's leaders – that we find the theme of I Timothy, ( vs. 14-15 ), “I am writing these things to you….”
a. Why?? Because it is the leaders responsibility – to see that the members are “conducting themselves” as God desires.
1) ( Quote. Eph. 4:11-15 ), “God gave … As a result we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and
carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth..”
2) Indeed, it is the work of God's leaders – to uphold and “…support the truth,” ( v. 15 ).

b. What?? What is the most important work of God's leaders; TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS, (SONG!).
1) Incarnation: “He who was revealed in the flesh.”
2) Sinless life: “Was vindicated in the Spirit”
3) Earthly ministry: “Beheld by angels”
4) Evangelism: “Proclaimed among the nations”
5) Belief: “Believed on in the World”
6) Ascension: “Taken up in glory.”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. From the beginnings of our Lord's ministry – He chose the kind of men He desired – for His people.

2. The qualifications God has given for these men – are essential for them to be able to do His work.

3. Fulfilling God's requirements is not unique just to leaders. – For all of us must meet His requirements if
we are to be pleasing unto Him, ( Heb. 5:9; Mark 16:16 ).