Sermons/Talks

Implications for the church:

1. Christ appoints leaders; it is the church's role to discern his mind (1:18; 3:1-13; Eph 4:11)
2. If the church is to fight false teaching, it needs godly leaders in appropriate roles (3:1-13)
3. It does not necessarily follow that the most gifted men and women are the most suitable (1:20; 2 Tim 2:17; 2 Tim 4:14)
4. It is clear that those who start well do not always continue well, and so we must use this text to encourage leaders and pray (1:20)
5. We are not looking for perfectly formed leaders, but we should see godliness and progress (3:1-13; 4:15)
6. Having said all this, gifting is not unimportant (v2, v4, v10, v12)
7. Good leaders benefit the church AND "save themselves" (3:13; 4:16)
8. Leaders also teach by example, so their flourishing is for our good (3:1-13; 4:12)

1 Timothy 3:1–13 (Listen)

Qualifications for Overseers

3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer¹ must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,² sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,³ not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise⁴ must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

(ESV)