WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:00.959 Hello everyone, I'm Dr. 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:01.679 Steve Holt. 00:00:01.919 --> 00:00:04.799 I want to welcome you to the Road Church Podcast. 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:07.280 Each week we go into God's Word. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:10.160 We teach chapter by chapter and verse by verse. 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:15.599 And we are here to build a kingdom of God revolution through empowering people to change the world. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:21.280 So we pray this will minister to you at your heart level and change your life. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:24.960 Today, be encouraged by our guest speaker. 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:33.920 Last week we opened in 1 Timothy, and the study is The Way of the Steadfast. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:43.520 And we're going to be going through the first and second books of Timothy as a teaching team while Pastor Steve and Liz are getting some much-needed rest and on a sabbatical. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:47.840 So I want to recap last week real quick for those of us that missed it. 00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:49.200 Where are we at? 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:49.920 What's happening? 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:59.039 So Timothy is now on assignment by Paul to the Church of Ephesus to bring necessary correction to their bad theology. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:05.359 He's going to be encouraged to realign the church with sound doctrine in prayer and leadership. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:11.840 Specifically, he's mentioning those areas of restructure and recalibrating what's happening there. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:29.599 He also outlines in the undertones is like the negative influence of Greek culture and their pagan theology, specifically around the order of creation, women first and then men, and what that has led to, and some of the issues that we see there, and the usurping of primary leadership roles. 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:42.480 Paul also emphasizes that the church should be a place of grace and mercy, and that everyone could experience salvation and complete forgiveness through the cross of Christ our Lord. 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:49.519 He's reminding us that God's desire would be that none should perish, that hell was not created for humanity. 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:53.519 Hell was created for the devil and his demonic angels that fell. 00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:58.239 And his desire is that all of his beloved creation would spend eternity with him. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:01:59.760 That's the heart of a father. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:05.519 That is what Paul is trying to communicate and bring back into the central focus of the Church of Ephesus. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:11.520 And if you had Timothy's rookie card, you probably would also understand that there's something else going on in his genealogy. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:15.840 So his mom was a Hebrew woman, and his dad was of Greek origin. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:21.680 And so Timothy's actually in this perfect place to set up and serve the Church of Ephesus in this way. 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:30.479 He has knowledge of the Greek culture, and he has the training and deep theology through his mom in the Hebrew and what the gospel says. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:41.039 And Paul has treated him like a son, and Timothy would be viewing Paul as a second father to him, and they have a very close, proximate relationship. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:44.719 So that's kind of where we were at last week, and this is where we're in today. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:48.080 And here's the good news we only have to cover one chapter today. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.759 So we don't have to bust through two. 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:51.919 So we're going to take our time and kind of dig through this. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:58.159 And we're going to be looking at the qualifications as the way Paul is outlining for healthy church leadership. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:00.639 So with that, God, we just bless your word. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:01.759 Again, we thank you. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:10.319 And right now, we just sent out a blessing of this church body right now that our prayers would find ministry with your kingdom and your Holy Spirit. 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:14.000 Go with ministry to Pastor Steve and Liz today. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:21.520 We bless them in this time away that they would be getting deep ministry and walking in the vineyard of the full fruits of your Holy Spirit. 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:22.639 God, we thank you. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:28.080 Go forth and we bless this service today, and we give you all the praise and glory in your name. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:28.879 Amen. 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:35.039 So we're picking up in 1 Timothy chapter 3, and Paul is writing now. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:42.319 And basically what he's saying is he's like, Timothy, gonna start to give you some structure, some organization, and we're gonna understand why he's saying that. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:43.599 What's the ultimate goal? 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:44.879 Where are we going with this? 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:45.919 What's the need? 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:48.639 And it's gonna seem a somewhat sterile. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:52.400 Um, he's gonna read out some characteristic traits needed for leadership. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:04:00.319 All of those are appropriate, they're needed, and we're gonna figure out why at the end of this chapter, what it's it all about. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.080 But don't turn there yet, don't read ahead. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:03.199 You'll spoil the surprise. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:04.240 So just wait for it. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:05.120 It's good. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:08.800 Verse one this is a faithful saying. 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:13.439 If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:36.959 So breaking down here what he's saying, bishop in the Greek, episcopos would translate to an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others, done rightly, any curator, a guardian or superintendent, one who looks at over intently, i.e. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:42.560 the church, or a superintendent, elder, or overseer of the Christian church. 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:46.800 So we'll interchange bishop with pastor for our purposes today. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:55.519 Again, modern-day structure, modern day language, and we'll kind of talk briefly too, just about kind of road structure and how we operate and what that looks like. 00:04:55.680 --> 00:05:10.879 But we're gonna go through here in just a minute from verses two through seven a list of characters that Paul is giving out to Timothy to say, listen, as you're looking for people, as you're looking to set up structure and organize this thing, these are gonna be qualities that you're gonna need to look through. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:13.360 And he's gonna outline 15 of them. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:22.319 And so we're not gonna pause on everyone because some of them are, I think, self-explanatory, but we're gonna kind of dig into a few here and figure out what he's saying. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:52.959 So, verse 2 a bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:59.439 For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of God's church? 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:09.040 Not a novice, new to the faith, lest he be puffed up with pride, he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:17.680 Moreover, he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:19.279 So here we are. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:25.759 Again, Paul's laying out 15 qualifications for the position of bishop, pastor in these first seven verses. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:27.279 And there is overlap, right? 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:34.160 We're gonna see some of the things that Paul talks about in Galatians 5.22, mentioned last week, fruits of the Spirit. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:41.199 And again, this list, this list is a great structure for us all to live by. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:50.079 If we were to take this and lay it out and map it out for ourselves, one could do a lot worse in living out the Christian lifestyle. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:58.000 But what he's saying here is actually, these are actually required for those called into the leadership role of the pastor for a church. 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:02.720 But it is a good list for all character traits of character traits for all Christians to strive for. 00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:09.040 Number one, again, he's talking about being above reproach, having a good reputation in the community, husband of one wife. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:12.639 So this on its face is actually very direct. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:20.240 Not saying that a pastor is required to be married, but that if he is married, he is faithful to one wife. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:22.160 So there's two things happening here. 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:26.959 Um, one, we're talking about monogamy, but there's also a nod here to polygamy. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:30.560 And there was polygamy happening in this time in the Greek culture. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:37.279 And so Paul is saying, like, if you're gonna hold this position in the church, you need one wife, and that is what's required. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:41.120 We're going back to the original structure, the original design of Eden. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:45.600 Adam had Eve, and not twelve others, right? 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:52.079 So he's saying, let's bring it back into the order and structure of God's church, and this is what it needs to look like. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:58.879 So, as you know, too, even for us at the road church, we have pastors on staff who are single. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:02.959 So again, he's not saying you have to be married, but if you are, these would be the things you need to do. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:06.639 And so we have two very highly eligible bachelors on staff. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:11.360 Um, inquire at the welcome desk, and we'll get you their rookie cards, okay? 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:14.079 See their list of accomplishments. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.120 Praise God, hallelujah. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:16.240 Yeah, amen. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:22.639 So, yes, it's and it's and it's fun to run with those guys. 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:27.120 So, um moving into the third qualification, being temperate. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:28.720 This is being moderate, right? 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:29.839 We're even killed. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:33.200 We're not quickly swayed from one area to the next. 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:39.440 Our spirit is steady, self-controlled, respectable. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:45.919 We need to be hospital, meaning that we're welcoming people into our homes and that we're doing community with you. 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:47.440 That's the goal. 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:50.960 Able to teach, highlight that or underscore that. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:56.639 We'll come back to that because of the 15, this one is kind of set apart specifically for this office. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:59.600 Number eight, not given to drunkenness. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:00.879 I'll just pause on that. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:15.679 I mean, basically what we're saying here is that, again, if we were to look at the role of the pastorate in the area of bishop and put it in the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi, the Levites were called to total and complete sobriety, that wine would not touch their lips. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:29.360 In the New Testament, Jesus is with his disciples, and he's saying at the Last Supper, I will not drink with you, with the fruit of the vine again, until we're in eternity at the Great Supper, at the Great Banquet, the wedding supper, feast of the Lord. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:33.200 So there is a call to sobriety in that. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:35.440 And that would extend beyond. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:42.879 Paul's writing about wine in his day and age, but in today's faculty, in today's resources, we have far more things that are grasps. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:50.720 And so I would include in that not just alcohol, but we would talk about abuse of pharmaceutical things, illegal drugs, etc., and so forth. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:10:01.279 So, sober-mindedness as it relates to how we control the taste and the desire for alcohol, specifically in the pastorate. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:10.720 What's interesting is in the next section, he's going to talk about being deacons, and we'll kind of break that down too, because there's a little more grace for deacons, and it's kind of funny. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:16.159 Number nine, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome or argumentative. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:22.799 So, some of you, depending on where you've been and what church cultures you have, I mean, it's sad. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:41.600 I mean, I've been in places and I've had other churches where I've been a part of where I felt like there was not the open door, there was a kind of spirit over a pastor where he sensed argumentative, especially if you just brought an opportunity to talk about or have a question about something, it was kind of quickly shut down. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:47.919 And so the ability to have self-control and operate in the Holy Spirit is huge here. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:52.080 We are not to be quarrelsome and argumentative, not to be lovers of money. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.440 Money is a tool. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:56.399 Money in and of itself is a neutral thing. 00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:06.080 We need it to operate and do things, but our pursuit and where it takes the place in our hearts from God, from other things, and it becomes an idol, he's saying, That is not good. 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.759 You can't have that space. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:10.879 And then 12, 12 and 13 go together for me. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:13.679 These would be 12 and 13 points in the list of 15. 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:18.559 Manages his own family well, sees that his children obey him. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:20.720 So family comes first. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:24.879 We say here that your home, your house, is your first church. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:26.480 It's your first mission field. 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:34.320 We as parents are to steward that space to raise up godly men and women for the kingdom of God to go out forth. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:37.360 And so a pastor's first ministry is to his family. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.799 It's his first church. 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:41.840 And if we lose our family, we lose our ministry. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:59.519 So we have to invest in our marriage, our second most important decision in this life, besides our choice to choose Christ for our throne of our hearts and our God in our sonship and his salvation in our lives, the second most important decision we'll make is our brides and how we walk with them and what God is doing. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:03.200 And we're going to unpack that in a little bit more detail in a later verse. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.240 So we have to steward our families well. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:07.440 We're called to do that. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:20.960 Because what he's saying here, as we go into the next verse, if we can't do that, how can we then, with good stewardship, call to manage God's house, his family, the church body? 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:25.440 And then lastly, or second to last, Paul is saying, not a recent convert. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:31.440 So what he's saying here is Paul is suggesting there needs to be a few seasons of seasoning, right? 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:34.240 Getting some spiritual life experience. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:36.320 Go through a few storms. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:43.120 Your faith needs a few harvest cycles of being tested and grown before you should be in a position of leadership. 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.919 So, quick backstory on me. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:48.000 I grew up in the church. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:59.519 Joke about like my mom was the bookkeeper, my grandma did the bookstore receptionist, um, dad, uncle, grandfather would have been what we call deacons at that church. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:02.320 We would call them elders at our church here at the road. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:09.919 And so, uh, twice on Sundays, once during the week, and then um we had a Christian school, so I was there all during the week. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.759 So I grew up in and around the Christian lifestyle. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:21.600 Knowledge was up here, and I had to find Jesus for myself as we see God laying out in the scriptures. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:26.240 We go to the Old Testament, every generation of Israel had to find God for themselves. 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:33.600 And you see, like, this king did worse than his dad before him, and this guy blew it even bigger than the last guy, and so forth, and it gets kind of like heavy, right? 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:40.879 And you're like, but every generation finds its way back to the kingdom of God, and they have to find the Lord for their own lives. 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:56.159 And so I'm I'm being taught this, and I'm learning up and I'm growing, but I too, just like them, just like all of us, had to find the living God and anchor in the Word of God, the living, breathing Word of God in my own life. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:02.559 And so when we started the road 11 years ago, almost 12 now, actually. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:05.279 I think probably we have an anniversary this month. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.320 12, I think. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:06.799 Really? 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.679 Last year was 10? 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.159 I'm sorry. 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:10.080 And they let me and they let me do the counting. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:10.720 It's not good. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.360 It's fine. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.639 So we're somewhere in there. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:13.120 All good. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:24.480 I actually didn't have that in my notes, but my point is came on board with the early set of stewards and elders, and I wasn't in the pastorate yet, but I had had a lot of seasoning in my life. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:37.200 And so when we look at pastors and we bring them on, and we have an awesome group of men, I would just say Pastor and Steve and I are just honored to run with the quality and the caliber of pastors on our team. 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:41.200 They are men of integrity, they are men of character, they take this seriously. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:50.399 You know, we get together on a weekly basis and we allow God to search our hearts to know us that we're operating in humility and not by our own understanding. 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.360 Are we human? 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:58.399 100% like everybody else, but this group of pastors that is leading and serving here, they're amazing men. 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:06.639 And again, Pastor Steve and I are just honored to run with them and be called to this ministry of the road for such a time and place as this. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:12.559 15, the last point here says good reputation in the community outside the church body. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:22.399 Not that we're going out and looking and being a part of and participating with the world, but that we have good relationships and we're building bridges in our communities. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:30.799 And so it's important for us, it's important for the road to build bridges with other churches in the community that we understand and are aligned with that. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:41.039 We're also partnering with other ministries and mission works around specifically the pro-life movement here, Life Network, Save the Storks, and so on and so on. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:45.840 And on our website actually shows so much of our local partnerships that are important for us. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:50.399 Like we need to foster healthy relationships outside of the four walls of the road. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:53.840 Or in this case, we have so many octagonal walls in this place. 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.399 It's amazing. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:57.279 I mean, the 16 walls of the road as you walk around this place. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:16:00.000 And if you're new here, find somebody to show you where the restroom is. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:02.240 I apologize, but it's just it's a weird layout. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.519 But we'll help you get there. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.399 Now, here we go. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:10.720 I want to jump back in of the 15 characteristics that are noted, 14 of them are just primarily dealing with character. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:15.360 The one position, the one thing that's noted is the gift of teaching. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:17.600 And it is a gift and it's not a character trait. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:25.200 And so this is the one thing, one of the few things that sets this apart from the next list that we're gonna get into in deacons and deaconesses. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:27.200 And so, what is he saying here? 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:34.000 Paul's saying the ability to teach is the one requirement of this list, not necessarily required of all believers. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:40.320 It is also not required of deacons, but it is reserved for the position of a bishop, in this case, pastor. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:46.159 And so I want to flip over uh Titus is the next book right after Timothy, 2 Timothy. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:48.720 So if you want to flip there, Titus 1.9. 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:59.840 And Paul is writing at the same time almost parallel to Titus, who's also in the process of bringing structure and order to another church. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:03.519 And so Paul is coaching uh Timothy and Titus in this way. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:17.839 So we go to Titus 1.9, and he says this holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:22.160 So he's saying, use the word to separate fact from fiction here. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:25.920 We're gonna give sound doctrine, and he's saying that this is a teaching gift. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:30.799 And so we're gonna read the weight here in a minute, because there's weight to this gift. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:37.119 There's a higher standard that is held for a teacher, and we see the responsibility outlined in James 3. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.640 It's gonna be on the screen here in a minute. 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.759 I'll read it to you. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:46.400 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:48.079 So, what's happening here? 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:50.240 There we're not let off the hook as Christians. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:53.680 All of us should be reading, studying, and discerning God's Word. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.720 That's our call. 00:17:54.960 --> 00:18:01.599 Man, woman alike, and we'll see the value of that here again in the second space as he's talking about deacons and their spouses. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:07.440 And it's not just for the men in the room, it's for men and women that we would study and know God's word. 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:11.599 So many of you are deep theologians, you're heavy, you're critical thinkers. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.799 We love that. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:19.759 I think that that is a thing that we foster as a pillar here at the road, that you would go out here and you would be fruit testers. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:26.079 You'd be able to test the fruit of what's being shown to you, given to you, and that you don't just take it by the spoonful. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:33.440 But what he's saying here is that if you're called into a teaching position, you will be held to a higher standard because of the weight. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:48.319 That to give public instruction, to give public understanding, God is saying if you move beyond the boundaries of what is scripturally accurate, the living, breathing word, the infallible word of God, there will be judgment for you. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.720 And God has started cleaning his house. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:19:00.799 The narrative around COVID of 2020 was if my people will repent from their wicked ways, turn to me, I will restore them, I will heal their land, right? 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:09.759 And then we saw in the wake of that, in the last five years, God has been cleaning his church across the country and in heartbreaking ways. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:18.319 And teachers, pastors who have not taken that call seriously, sincerely, or have gotten off the way, he is dealing with them. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:22.240 And it's heavy, and it breaks our hearts, and we pray for them. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:24.640 Something we take very seriously here at the road. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:28.400 So we have to be careful to discern spoken errors. 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.640 This is where you're called to be students. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:35.440 Discern spoken errors of God's gospel that are wrapped in some truth. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:41.279 Because if you can't untangle the error from the truth, it will be harmful to you spiritually. 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:45.839 And those men that are doing that, men and women, will be held accountable for that. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:54.720 These verses do not give a job description for the pastor, however, they do describe the character required to serve this position or office well. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:58.799 We're gonna move quickly here through deacons, qualifications of deacons. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:03.839 The Greek word for deacon is diaconos, deacon or deaconess. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:06.960 This isn't reserved specifically for guys only. 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:11.920 Women could be deacons, and we learned last week that in Romans 16, Paul denotes Phoebe. 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:31.279 She wasn't just a male carrier or courier, she actually held a position of leadership as a deaconess, one who executes the commands of another, of a master, a servant, an attendant, a minister or servant in the church, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:43.039 As we go through here, picking up in verse eight shortly, we're gonna see the qualifications for deacons are very similar to the list above, and there's only a few differences between the two that we need to note or take note of. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:51.680 So picking up in verse eight, likewise, deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to too much wine. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.039 So again, here we go. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.680 You can be two sheets to the wind, but not three. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.240 No. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.359 I'm kidding. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.240 I'm kidding. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:01.599 But there is a little more grace given to deacons. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:07.680 Um there seems to just be a higher calling on the standard of bishop, given the office that they're holding. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:17.920 So, not greedy for money, similar here, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience, meaning discerning and being a student of God's scripture. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:20.880 But let these also be first tested. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:23.359 Again, not somebody new in their faith, even in this role. 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:26.000 We need somebody who's got some life experience. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:31.039 Then let them serve as a deacon, being found blameless, moral, upright. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:36.400 These would be the men and women who serve as elder teams and spouses at the road. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:43.519 Likewise, and this is 11, this is good, their wives must be reverent, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:52.640 I want to highlight four things here for the women in the room that are called to a similar standard as their husbands in serving in this role. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:57.519 Reverent, so worthy of respect, spiritually like minded with their spouse. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.440 You guys believe in sound doctrine. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:05.440 Are studying sound doctrine together, not slanderers, which means we're not going to give in to gossip. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:17.039 I've heard it said that, you know, one way to say this is that she could undermine the confidence the body has in church leadership team if gossip is taking place at that level of leadership. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:29.359 Temperate, temperate, so same good reputation, trustworthiness, and self-control, able to give godly counsel to her husband in making righteous decisions when he has a shortcoming. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:41.519 So I will just say this is that when you look at the Genesis version, the Genesis word for helpmeet, when God gives Adam to Eve, or gives Eve to Adam, there's this helpmeet word. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:46.960 And it's actually a military style kind of guidance, support. 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:55.839 And again, last week we talked on Proverbs, Lady of Wisdom, the female gender being denoted to the character of wisdom. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:23:06.240 So where there's discernment, where there's intuition, I will say that my wife has been a huge support when I've pressed in and asked for her counsel. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:09.839 She's been able to discern with me, hey, land mine, watch that. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.200 That could be an issue. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:15.839 And she's been able to bring different perspectives, help me see blind spots. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.680 And that's what Paul's saying here. 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:26.000 Like, there is a huge opportunity when operating with a godly spouse in this position or office or role. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:31.920 And how she can come along and support and give military-style aid in the battle. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:42.880 Number four, faithful in all things, having a firm understanding in the tenets of Christianity, serves as her husband's closest confidant cheerleader, and walking in the faith with him. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:50.079 Proverbs 18 22 says, He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from the Lord. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:59.519 And young men that I've coached and counseled, when they come in and they're looking for a spouse, they start to think that they've arrived and now it's time to make that next decision. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:07.279 And we go to this scripture, we're saying, What are the five, maybe what are the five essential things that you're looking for in a bride? 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:10.319 Because this is the second most important decision you'll ever make in your life. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:17.119 And when you find a great wife, when God brings you the spouse you're supposed to have, you're going to have his favor in that union. 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:22.000 And you're going to need her wisdom, her counsel, and her godliness in how you operate. 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:25.680 Verse 12, it says, Let deacons be the husband of one wife. 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:31.599 Again, back this call to monogamy, not polygamy, ruling their children and their own house well. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:40.880 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:53.920 So what I want to do right now is, and we're going to be doing more of this just so there's more awareness, but um, any of my elders, any of our elders in the room, if I could just, uh you could stand, be recognized, want to recognize you and your brides and who we have. 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:57.279 Yep, Eric, Leo, who else? 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.880 Anyone in this service? 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.079 Oh, yeah, thank you. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.960 Neilin. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:03.200 They're also pulling double duty on life safety. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.000 That's awesome. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:06.079 So these are our elders. 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.119 These are only a few. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.559 We have a list of them on the website. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:13.839 Pray for these men and women and their in their homes, in their marriages as you think about the pastors here. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:15.119 Also pray for your elders. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.640 These are godly men and women. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:20.880 They need wisdom, they need courage, and they serve right alongside of us. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:27.119 Every pastor has an elder assigned to them for spiritual care and connection and checking in with us. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.559 And they do they do a lot of work. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:33.200 They serve beyond their day job, this church, this body, to take care of your pastors. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.720 So cover them in that. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:39.920 The great mystery as we close in, what does this all mean? 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:46.799 Why do we get this direction of character traits for both sets of leadership in the church? 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.519 What is the goal? 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.319 What's the purpose? 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:50.079 And this is where Paul drives it home. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:26:02.240 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly, but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know, highlight underscore know, how you ought to conduct yourselves. 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:04.640 What's the value of knowing? 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:14.880 He says, in the house of God, conduct yourselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:19.920 Paul is stressing how crucial it is to conduct ourselves in the church. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:22.640 The church is God's family, it's his household. 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:28.079 He draws the parallel earlier in this chapter about man and his family. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:32.480 Stewarding that process is a quality needed to oversee the ministry of the church. 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:41.920 And Paul is laying out the stewardship process, a structure or system by which to operate serving in holiness and ministering to the body. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:47.519 We are identified as the church, the ecclesia, the people or family of the living God. 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:52.079 And our God, the one true God, is alive, completely thriving. 00:26:52.400 --> 00:27:01.279 God's house is to be a pillar, holding up the knowledge of the truth and built on the truth, which is the living, breathing word of God. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.759 This is what it all means, church. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:08.720 If the church collapses, the people, the truth does not fall. 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:17.200 Only the knowledge, connecting this back to knowing, the knowledge, only the knowledge of his truth, is lost to the people. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.559 God remains. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:22.480 His truth and kingdom are everlasting and eternal. 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:29.839 The knowledge of God's truth is what saves and sanctifies us, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:40.720 1 Timothy 2, 3 through 4, last week's passage, God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:44.160 God is giving us knowledge of his mystery of his kingdom. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:47.279 It's been released, it's been unveiled, the veil is torn. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:55.359 We now step in because we now know the person of Jesus as the Son of God, the work, the perfect work of Calvary. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:28:10.319 Titus 1:1, Paul writes, Paul, a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness in the hope of eternal life. 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:34.559 We model, we protect, we steward with our knowledge to bring the truth to our lives, to the world beyond the four walls, the gospel of Christ that goes beyond the road, that goes beyond Radiant Rock Family Church, Springs Church, the ministry that's happening simultaneously right now, that we as sons and daughters would carry the light of his kingdom into the world. 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:47.279 Pick it up in verse 16, and this is where he lays it out God, Jesus, Christ the man, our son, our savior, and without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:52.720 Meaning, without confusion, debate, or argument, there is no debate about this. 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:55.599 God was manifest in the flesh. 00:28:55.920 --> 00:29:01.440 Jesus, the incarnation of God, born to Mary in the flesh, and walked among us. 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:11.119 Justified in the Spirit, we know that the dove descended on him at his baptism, and God declares him his son and publicly at those around at that moment. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:20.000 Seen by angels, we read how angels minister to Jesus both in the wilderness and in the garden before his crucifixion. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:22.319 Preached among the Gentiles. 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:32.160 We are preaching Christ and Christ crucified, still to this very day, to this day, at the road, right now, spreading the good news of his gospel. 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:44.319 Believed on in the world, the Christian church, fully and completely acknowledging that he is the Son of God who bore our sins and was raised to life on the third day. 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.720 And then he was received up in glory. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:57.440 Christ ascended to heaven and is now seated in the place of honor at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf, his beloved sons and daughters, his saints. 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:59.359 That's what we anchor to. 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:05.920 That's why we walk out the high calling and the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ and his gospel. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:09.279 I want to close us with this prayer. 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:12.000 Jesus, you rose victorious. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:19.839 You accomplished the total redemption of your beloved through the perfect and complete work of the cross. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:23.759 You paid for our sin and you conquered and defeated death. 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:34.240 And we, by invitation, who have accepted that sweetness of the truth, we live in your light and we receive the ministry of your life in ours. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:40.160 That we would have unity and union in our hearts and souls today, that we would have one mind with you, Lord. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:51.680 And we thank you, Jesus, for the ministry of your gospel, for what you're calling us to do, to live in the light of your kingdom and to live attached to the vine. 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:55.839 That we would be healthy branches producing fruit for you. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:31:05.119 God, we thank you, and we receive all the things that you want to give and say to us today, where our cups are not full. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:10.480 God, that you would top us off today, fill us, overflowing, and brimming. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.359 Amen. 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:14.559 Thank you for listening to the Road Church Podcast. 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:18.400 We pray today's message has empowered you to make a difference in your world. 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:24.880 For more information about the Road Church and to find more content like this, go to theroad.org. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:27.519 That's therode.org.