A need for leadership in the early church

Setup:

• The story of two friends - Titus and Timothy
• Their relationship with the Apostle
• His correspondence with the boys 
  • Titus was on Crete
  • Timothy was in Ephesus
  • A huge point of emphasis was establishing leaders for the church

Paul’s understanding of what was going to give the church 

• Strength - Not easily shaken 
• Care - Will be healthy and loved
• Guidance - Knows where to go
• Service - Will make it useful
• Accountability - Will keep it safe from danger
• Perpetuity - Will last more than one generation

The need for leaders emerges

• Make disciples ▶️ Recognize gifts ▶️ Train them ▶️ Place them ▶️ Trust them

The tension in today’s church world

• Lack of integrity within leadership
• Loss of trust in leadership
• Dishonoring and despising of leadership
• Lack of leadership present

1 Timothy 3:1-13 (ESV) 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, 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. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, 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 likewise 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.

The qualifications for leadership in today’s Church

1. What you should expect from spiritual leadership
   1. Character
      1. Above reproach. - Without valid accusation 
      2. Well thought of in the community. - The community testifies of their character
   2. Relationships
      1. Faithful in marriage. - Husband of one wife
      2. A good manager of their household. - The household affairs are well managed
      3. A good parent. - Keeping his children in submission
      4. Hospitable - Loving strangers, open home
   3. Self management
      1. Level headed. - Reasonable, not emotional, clear thinking
      2. Respectable and well-ordered. - Life is put together
      3. Not addicted to much wine. - Not a drunk
      4. Not violent. - “But gentle”
      5. Not quarrelsome. - “Argumentative”
      6. Not greedy for gain. - “Always looking for a way to make more money”
   4. Skills
      1. Able to teach. - “Trained in the Word, can communicate the Word”
      2. Not a new believer - “Pride may overtake him”
2. What about deacons
   1. Much of the same
   2. Not needed to teach
   3. Not a gossip
   4. Proven in task

What is your aspiration?

• Let’s talk about you
  1. Where are you in your discipleship process
  2. Are you growing in your knowledge of the word?
  3. Are you growing in your relationship with God?
  4. Is your character being refined?
  5. Have you learned your gift?
  6. To what do you aspire?