I Timothy 3:1-7
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil," I Timothy 3:1-7.
These qualifications are for the pastors of the Lord's church. The pastor leads in these areas. He is the visible example that is set before the church. This is another reason we must keep the standard high. Some people want a pastor just as wicked as they are so they can justify their sins. May the Lord help us to be obedient to His qualifications for pastors. Today we will pick up in verse 2 with the qualification of being sober. "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach," I Timothy 3:2. "Sober" in this context means safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled, (moderate as to opinion or passion):- discreet, sober, temperate. One who follows sound reason and restrains his passions. Sober minded is having the minds passions and desires under control. He doesn't always have to have his way. This is in anything. The elder must be able to tell the flesh no, and hold fast. Our flesh is very powerful. It ruled us until the Lord saved us. It had free reign until the Lord saved us. Now that we are saved it hasn't put up the white flag of surrender, but it has put up the battle flag. It wants to be pleased and it can only be pleased when it is number one; when it is getting its way.
In Romans 7 we see Paul being honest about the struggles he had in the flesh. If we cannot control our own flesh we are not in control. "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body," James 3:2. If you cannot restrain your passions you won't be able to restrain your tongue. The result is much sorrow, pain, and regret. To bridle something is to have control over it. We are not to get caught up in emotions or get swept up in the things going on around us. As a mob moves through a town it can grow and many of the people in the mob don't even know why they are there, they just got caught up in all the emotions.
All these qualifications are very important. All these apply to all of us, but more so to the leaders of the church. If the leaders are not sober minded, they will wear out the people going from one extreme to another. If the passions are not restrained the flesh will be magnified. When the flesh is magnified the Lord is not glorified. Everything will be geared around satisfying the passions of the flesh. Remember, as the pastor leads, the flock will follow. Let's look at the definition for sober again- safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):- discreet, sober, temperate. Moderate as to opinion or passion. We are to be passionate for the Word of God. In II Timothy 4 we see the importance of preaching the Word of God all the time. We must be careful that we do not use the Word of God to promote our opinion or passion. Simply give the Word. It will not return void but will accomplish that which God hath appointed it to accomplish. The Word should form our opinion and passion. We should live a life of discipline. Paul told Timothy the time will come when people will not be able to endure sound doctrine; that time is here.
The next qualification is "of good behavior" and in this verse means orderly; well-ordered, decorous, modest, in a moral sense. Decorous means decent; suitable to a character, or to the time, place and occasion; becoming; proper; befitting. Our behavior should always be well ordered in all occasions. I am a Christian before I am anything else, I should act like it.
How sad it is for someone to be in a crowd and after a few minutes introduce themselves to someone and say that they are a Christian, and the person who they are introduced to says, you had me fooled. Our behavior must be well-ordered. God is a God of order, His bishops are to be also. He must accomplish tasks, large or small. If he leaves things undone this will also be in his study's. He must be a man who accomplishes tasks. He must have a vision and a drive for that vision. This goes back to being sober, temperate, level headed. Would you follow a man into battle who is not well-ordered? You never know what he will do or where he will go. There is much uncertainty; therefore, there is no confidence. If a person is not self-controlled they will not be in good behavior. You may be saying that you are glad you aren't a pastor, remember, these qualifications are for bishops who are the leaders in the church, which also means they are the examples that others follow. Turn to I Corinthians 13:1-13.
Before we speak, act or react, we must ask ourselves, is this how Christ would do it? Would Christ throw a fit? Would Christ throw a fist? Would Christ want everyone to know He was mad? Would Christ do and say to draw attention to Himself? Would Christ be concerned with what others thought about Himself to the point others dictated what He said and how He dealt with things? All that Jesus did He did to bring honour and glory to His Father. Christ is our perfect pattern. The pastor is an imperfect example.
Does our behaviour bring honour and glory to our heavenly Father? This is in preaching, teaching, and in life. This is much to think about. No doubt right now our minds are running about how and where we have messed up. Confess these things as sin, repent from them and turn to Christ, and keep going for Jesus Christ, for Jesus Christ.
We must keep this in mind also, our works do not get us to heaven. A pastor can be the best example to the flock, but if the Lord has not saved his soul, he will spend eternity in the torments of a literal hell. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity," Matthew 7:21-23.
Is your pastor saved according to the bible? Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
