TEXT:  1 Tim. 3:1-7

INTRODUCTION:

A.      IMPORTANT FOR ALL TO KNOW ABOUT ELDERS.

B.      GOD'S PLAN - EVERY CONGREGATION IS TO HAVE THEM( Acts 14:23 ).

C.      "A GOOD WORK" - LET'S EXPLORE THE SCRIPTURES.

I.      "ELDER" IS NOT THE ONLY NAME FOR THIS OFFICE.

A.      A.      GREEK WORDS AND THEIR TRANSLATIONS:

          1.       presbuteros, elder, or presbyter.

          2,       episcopos,  overseer, or bishop.

          3.       poimen,  shepherd, pastor.  Carries the idea of tending sheep.

B.      ALL THREE WORDS USED INTERCHANGEABLY.

          1.       Acts 20:17-28.

          2.       Titus 1:5-7.

          3.       1 Pet. 5:1-3.

II.     ELDERS MUST BE QUALIFIED( 1 Tim. 3:1-7;  Titus 1:5-9 ).

A.      NOBODY'S PERFECT, BUT THEY MUST POSSESS ALL QUALIFICATIONS.

B.      NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS:

          1.       Without reproach - of unimpeachable character.

          2.       No brawler - see footnote.

          3.       No striker - not pugnacious.

          4.       No lover of money - not serving for material gain( Matt. 6:19-21 ).

          5.       Not a novice - inexperience and pride.

          6.       Not self-willed - self-pleasing, dominated by self-interest, and inconsiderate

                   of others asserts his own will.  Tunnel vision, can only see his own way!

          7.       Not contentious - Not seeking trouble, nor stirring it up, not overly sensitive.

          8.       Not soon angry( James 1:19-20;  2 Tim. 2:24-26 ).

C.      POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS:

          1.       Husband of one wife.  One living wife.  Widowers, yes!  Divorcees, no!

          2.       Temperate - self-control.  Temper and Habits.

          3.       Sober-minded (James 3:1;  Heb. 13:17).  Souls are at stake!

          4.       Orderly, kosmios, orderly, well-arranged, decent, modest.

          5.       Given to hospitality( 1 Pet. 4:9;  Heb. 13:2 ).

          6.       Apt to teach, "having or showing a tendency or likelihood.  Suitable for a

                   particular person, occasion or place."

                   a.       Engaged in the activity, showing ability.

                   b.       Able to do so correctly, knowledgeable and experienced in the word.

                   c.       Not necessarily public.  Public pronouncements may be called for.

          7;       That ruleth well his own house:

                   a.       Children in subjection - may allow for the singular.

                   b.       Having children that believe - must be plural.  Not accused or riot or

                             unruly.  Believe in what? ( Rev. 21:8 ).

                   c.       2 questions:  How many? and How long?

                   d.       Purpose ( 1 Tim. 3:5 ).

          8.       Of good testimony from them that are without - personal character and

                   good morals.  Are you a good neighbor?

          9.       Holy, undefiled by sin, sanctified, set apart( 2 Cor. 6:17 - 7:1 )

          10.     Lovers of good( Rom. 12:9; Matt. 5:6;  1 Cor. 13:4-7 )

          11.     Just - fair minded, rendering to each his due.  No prejudice!

III.    THE WORK OF ELDERS.

A.      Acts 20:28-32.

          1.  Take heed,  2.  Bishop( see ftnt. ),  3.  Watch,  4.  Commend to the word, 

                   5.  Laboring to help the weak.

B.      1 Pet. 5:1-5.

          1.  Tend,  2.  Exercise the oversight,  3.  Willingly,  4. According to the will of God, 

                    5.  Nor for filthy lucre,  6.  ready mind,  7.  Not lording it over, 

                    8.  Setting an example.

C.      Titus 1:9.

          1.  Holding to the faithful word,  2.  Exhort in sound doctrine,  3.  Convict the

                    gainsayer.

D.      Heb. 13:17.

          1.  Watch,  2.  Give account,  3.  Authority, Words( Ez. 3:16-21 ).

E.      1 Thess. 5:12.

F.      LIMITED JURISDICTION( Acts 14:23;  20:28;  1 Pet. 5:2 ).

IV.   OUR ATTITUDE:

A.      Heb. 13:17.

B.      1 Thess. 5:12-13.

C.      1 Tim. 5:1, 17-22.

CONCLUSION:

A.      JESUS GAVE US A PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH AND ITS PROVISIONS.

B.      HE GAVE A PATTERN FOR YOUR LIFE.

C.      WHAT DOES HE WISH FOR YOU?