1 Timothy 3:1-7
Qualifications for Pastors/Elders/Overseers
May 3, 2009
Simon Goncharenko
21 FELLOWSHIP
A Southern Baptist Church
The Big Idea: since the office of church leadership (pastorate) is so important, the man who fills it must be uniquely qualified.
I. It is a high and costly aspiration to be a pastor/elder/overseer – v. 1
According to the New Testament, the terms “bishop” (ἐπίσκοπος – overseer), “pastor” (ποιμήν), and “elder” (πρεσβύτερος) are synonymous and interchangeable. In Acts 20:17, 28, Paul charges the Ephesian elders (πρεσβυτέρους), “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (ἐπισκόπους), to shepherd/pastor (ποιμαίνειν) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
II. Because the work of the pastor is so important and difficult, he must meet a set of biblical qualifications – vv. 2-7
a. The pastor must be obedient in observable behavior – vv. 2-3
i. Above reproach – 2a
ii. One woman man – 2b
iii. Self-controlled / temperate – 2c
iv. Sensible / Sober – 2d
v. Respectable – 2e
vi. Hospitable – 2f
vii. An able teacher – 2g
viii. Not addicted to wine – 3a
ix. Not a bully – 3b
x. Gentle – 3c
xi. Not quarrelsome – 3d
xii. Not a lover of money – 3e
b. The pastor is to lead his own family well – 4 – 5
i. Having his children under control - 4
ii. Not perfection but patterns - 5
c. The pastor needs experience in his Christian walk – 6
i. New believers in leadership are susceptible to pride – 6a
ii. Pride brings along the Devil’s condemnation – 6b
d. The pastor needs the respect of outsiders – 7
i. To keep him from falling into disgrace – 7a
ii. Which would push him into devil’s trap – 7b
1 Timothy 3:1-7 |
