LEADERS QUALIFICATIONS & BULWARK OF TRUTH (1 Tim 3)
Today we are continuing our studies in the pastoral epistles, looking at chapter 3 of Paul’s first letter to Timothy.
Have you ever applied for a job? Let me tell you about one job I applied for. About 5 years ago, Dr James Haire retired from his position of Professor of New Testament at Trinity College, the Uniting Church training college in Brisbane. His old job as Lecturer in New Testament Studies was advertised. After reading the advertisement I applied for it as I believed that I met all of the essential criteria. Somehow I got on the short list. I discovered that preference was given to those who already had earned a doctorate in New Testament (which I was working on then at Flinders Uni). Unfortunately at the time, I did not make the interview stage because I was disqualified as I had not already become a doctor of the Church.
We have 2 jobs offering at the moment. In the past few days the Church Council has been working on advertising 2 positions vacant in our Glenunga Uniting Church. There are essential and preferable criteria for both positions. The advertisements are in the Follower today.
There are job specifications in our passage today. Of the six NT passages that deal with the essential character traits and behaviour of those who aspire to be Christian leaders, two of those six passages are found in this chapter of 1 Timothy 3. The first 7 verses deal with the required criteria bishops, and the next 5 verses deal with deacons. There are two different essential attributes for both positions that are worth considering: character and behaviour.
V 1-7 BISHOP (Overseer, and sometimes the same as Presbyter) One who provides spiritual and pastoral oversight over God’s people; a pastor to the carers; one who oversees several pastors and their congregations.
13 CHARACTER TRAITS 8 BEHAVIOURS
Noble One spouse
Above reproach Hospitable (generous with things)
Temperate (no extremes) Skilled teacher
Self controlled (Sensible) Always Sober
Not addicted to anything Manage own family well (obedient kids
Respectable (Dignified) Peacemaker (not quarrelsome)
Peaceful (not violent) Not greedy (lover of money)
Gentle Has a demonstrated solid Christian lifestyle
Wise (not recently converted)
Not conceited (not proud)
Not easily ensnared by Satan (withstands temptation)
Good reputation with others
Not disgraced (Person of integrity)
V 8-13 DEACON (Servant, minister) One who is visibly serving in the community. One who is motivated by love and grace to provide personal service to someone else; a carer who provides without personal gain; one who waits at the table of a friend.
9 CHARACTER 8 BEHAVIOURS
Worthy of respect Not overdoing alcohol
Sincere Have respectable employment
Honest Lives out the Christian faith
Not cynical (holds deep truth) Holds fast the deep truth of the Gospel
Clear conscience Controls family well
Accountable (open to testing) Controls household well
Reputable (proven) One spouse
Servant-hearted Spouse not malicious talker
Spouse is temperate, trustworthy & worthy of respect.
So why is it so difficult to make the grade of a Christian leader?
God wants the best from us. He wants the character and behaviour of mature Christians to be a good role model for all to see.
Does God want us to think that people in ministry are in an exclusive club? No. Nor are these characteristics and behaviours out of the reach of normal Christian people.
V 13-15. The expected character traits of bishops and deacons are not just for elite leaders to live by, they are for all Christians to live by. They are examples of a Normal Christian lifestyle. When we serve the Lord well, we gain an excellent standing and great assurance of our faith in Christ. These guidelines help us know how we conduct ourselves as Christians; to be more like Jesus every day; to live lives of holiness. As the writer to the Hebrews says: (12:14) “Strive for peace with all people and for holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
V 15. The Church is a pillar and bulwark of the truth. Bulwark (= secure barrier to protect us from enemy attack). Bulwark is a better translation than ‘foundation’ (NIV) as the only foundation for the Church is the person of Jesus Christ. So we best understand here that the Church is the guardian of the truth rather than the foundation of it. It is correct to say that the Church’s strong foundation is Jesus Christ. But to say the opposite is not as convincing. Christ (the Truth) does not need us (the Church) as much as we need him. But the Church is a bulwark. It does protect us from the world, the flesh and Satan, especially as we work together in love, being God’s people in the world.
Now we come to the last verse of the chapter, which is probably Paul quoting an ancient hymn.
V 16. The sixfold mystery of godliness (spirituality, piety)
When we find the word ‘mystery’ in the NT it does not mean ‘I haven’t got a clue’ as we understand it to mean today. Rather, it is a Bible word that means a ‘secret that was hidden for ages, but has now been revealed’. So, Paul is saying here that during the period of the OT, godliness (or spirituality) was about 3 things (Micah 3:6) doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with your God. But now, because of what Jesus has done, that has all changed. What is it about now?
Jesus appeared in a physical body – Incarnation: God in the flesh
Jesus was vindicated by the Spirit – Spirit gave witness to His identity
Jesus was seen by angels – Better than angels (Heb 1:5-14)
Jesus was preached among the nations – message of the Cross (1Cor1:18)
Jesus was believed on in the world – saved by believing and confessing
Jesus was taken up into glory – ascension. Purpose: give the Spirit to all
NB. Spirituality is all about knowing Jesus & what he has done for us.
In other words, spirituality for us as Christians is not about what we can do for God, its about discovering what Jesus has already done for us. That is a real revelation.
So friends, how can we step up to the next level to overcome character flaws and live the life that is encouraged of Christian leaders? How can we strive for holiness? How do we deepen our spirituality?
- a) Humility, have a desire to be more like Jesus for the right reasons. 1Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves …
- b) Confess past failures, shortcomings, missing the mark of God’s standard (sin). 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins …
- c) Make a public pledge to live for Jesus. Psalm 116:12-14 What shall …
- d) Keep the joy of the Lord, 24/7. Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord …
Ephesians 5:18-20 Be filled with the Spirit … (Col 3:16);
Psalm 16:11 …in your presence there is fullness of joy.
Final hymn, Fill thou my life, last verse: “So shall no part of day or night, from sacredness be free, that all my life in every step be fellowship with thee”.
Friends, as we read the job and person specifications of Bishops and deacons, let us make sure that our character and behaviour from now on helps us be good role models.
Let us humble ourselves before God, confess our shortcomings to him, pledge our lives to holiness in serving Christ, and choose to live in the presence of joy.
