The Qualifications of an Elder — Aaron Hurst

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Christ the Chief Shepherd

Thank you, Jesus, for being my shepherd. How I thank the Lord this morning for his word to us, for his faithfulness. He is the chief shepherd. And I'm glad that we can follow him. And that his sheep, they know his voice.

A stranger will they not follow, but they'll follow the true shepherd. I thank God for his word to us already this morning. Thank you, Brother Emmanuel, for sharing, preaching the word of God. As we look at the Lord continuing to build his church, as Emmanuel has shared already, we are seeking God that he may add to the ministry here.

We are seeking God that he may add to the ministry here. Those with an office of ministry and a charge. But yet, we're all ministers, are we not? We're all servants of the Most High God and ministers of that grace.

The Scriptural Qualifications of an Elder

I'd like to look into the scriptures this morning of the qualifications of a godly elder. And as we go through this message, I feel like it would be good for us to read a few scriptures here together.

And then we will look at the different points that God has given to us from his word. Let's begin in 1 Timothy chapter 3. 1 Timothy chapter 3. I believe as we look at the qualifications in scripture, as Emmanuel already so clearly laid out, the elder is a deacon, he's a servant.

And the word elder, the word bishop, the word deacon, I believe that they can be interchanged without doing violence to the scripture. But rather that the qualifications for an elder, the qualifications for a bishop, and the qualifications for a deacon are all applicable to the elder ordination that we are looking at here before the Lord.

So let's look in 1 Timothy, I'm sorry, yes, 1 Timothy chapter 3. And let us read beginning in verse 1. This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker.

Not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved, then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless.

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own house as well. We'll stop reading there and let's go over to 2 Timothy.

Let's turn with me to 2 Timothy 2 and we'll read a few verses here. Beginning in verse 24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Now turn also with me to Titus, Titus chapter 1, beginning in verse 1. Paul, a servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and according to the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began, but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.

To Titus, mine own son, after the common faith, grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee, if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly.

For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers.

Prayer for Wisdom and Godly Elders

Let's pray. Father, we worship you, Lord. We thank you, Lord, for the holy word of God. We thank you, Lord, for the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, our Teacher. Father, today we just thank you that we don't need to preach ourselves, try to figure this thing out, Lord.

But, God, we can go to the word, and we can receive instruction, direction for this congregation. Father, this morning we just do ask in Jesus' name, Lord, that you would just anoint your word to our hearts.

We pray, Father, that you would quicken us, Lord, by your Spirit. We pray, Father, that you would make known unto us your will. Lord, as we look and preach the word of God, the qualifications, Lord, of a godly elder, Lord, we know we have not arrived.

We sense our great need, Lord. I sense my need, Lord. Oh, God, make me a godly elder like that. And, Lord, I pray this morning, here as the word of God is preached, that you would just bear witness in our hearts, Lord, your will as we seek your face for two elders from amongst this congregation, Lord.

Father, we are trusting you, God, that your will shall be done. Thank you for each one here this morning, Lord. Bless everyone that is here and those that are listening in the phone, those that are sick among us, Lord, those that are wounded and hurting.

Bless them, God, for your healing balm upon their hearts and their souls and their bodies. We ask all these blessings in Jesus' name. Amen. As we read these verses, we saw that there are some duplications, some of the same qualifications are listed in different places.

So, we will not be turning back and forth, but now we will go down through and we will just look at the different ones that are laid out to us. But, first of all, I would like to have it be established in each of our hearts.

God's Order and the Office of Elders

We look in Titus 1 verse 5, he says, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee. You know, God is a God of order.

You know, sometimes we hear people say, well, we don't need structure. We don't need elders. We'll just let the Holy Ghost lead us and we will just follow the Lord that way. But, you know, God in His wisdom appointed it and left it clearly instructed that there should be elders.

There should be bishops and deacons ordained to an office of sitting at the gate and overseeing and giving direction and counsel and shepherding the flock of God. You know, often the people who say those words, we'll just let the Holy Ghost have His way in the church.

Usually it ends up that the person who is saying that is the one who is in charge and is giving the direction. You ever notice that, you know? They say, we'll just let the Holy Ghost do it. But, it doesn't come out right many times.

And I don't want to stand here in criticism. God is able to take us where we're at. He's able to show us the way. And God bless little congregations or fellowships that are struggling along and they don't have elders.

And they're looking to God and saying, the Holy Ghost will help us. Amen, He'll help you. But if you have an anti-wrong spirit about elders and God's proper authority in the church, it's going to come out different.

So, let it be understood. This is the commandment of the Lord. That there should be order. He says that thou should set in order the things that are wanting. Or the things that were lacking. Or the things that were not in place as they ought to be.

Let there be some elders ordained. But before you go ahead and just ordain an elder, let me give you some help and direction on those that should be appointed and ordained as elders. He says here in verse 6, if any be blameless.

And in verse 7 he says, for a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God. Because he's a steward of God. He must be blameless. And when we look at that word blameless, we think maybe not one who is perfect in every aspect or has arrived.

But rather one whom against a charge of unfaithfulness or dishonesty or any moral issue it cannot stick because his testimony is blameless. Do you understand what we're saying? One who is blameless. One who is upright.

That if any charge be brought against him, he is so irreproachable of his character for truth and honesty and chastity and general uprightness. That he's a man of integrity and the charge against the man doesn't fit.

It's a little bit like I heard a charge once against a person. And it was not someone from our congregation. But I heard a charge against a person. And you know, as you know the man and you know his message.

When I heard that charge, immediately it was not believable. You know why? Because the man's integrity, the man's testimony. A bishop must be blameless in that he is sound in doctrine. He is clear in his walk with the Lord.

He has a good testimony. When we look at that blameless in 1st Timothy 3 .7 it says he must have a good report of them that are without. Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. So I believe as we look at blameless, this qualification found over in 1st Timothy 3 .7 says he must have a good report of them that are without.

I think of in the Gentile world, in the unbelieving world around us. In those that you and I do business with. In those that you and I associate with in the world. Those without. You know it's sometimes too easy for people to put on a Sunday face.

And a Sunday activity and atmosphere and try to appear righteous before men in the congregation of God. But what about throughout the week? You know a man who has a testimony that is clear with his unbelieving neighbor.

With his unbelieving employer. With his banker. With his landlord. With his extended relatives. Oh now he may have some false charges brought against him. Because he sold out for God. But there's no charges of false or a lack of integrity and of truth and honesty and uprightness.

He must be blameless. Having a good report of them that are without. What is his testimony in the community? We could say. An elder must be blameless as the steward of God. With his testimony in the community there's a good report.

Marriage, Singleness, and “One Wife”

And then in Titus he goes on to tell us. The husband of one wife. Now that verse right there. Has been. I believe much debated. Prayed over. And thought as to what this means. Well I believe one thing.

We do not want to read into it that. A elder or a bishop. Or a deacon must be a married man. I think that might be taking it a little too far. However I believe there are. There are. Things that God teaches.

The man who has a wife. And a family as we see further on. So while it may be. Advantageous or it may be an advantage in some ways. For the man who is an elder to be married. And to have a wife and a family.

I couldn't take it so far as to say. He cannot be an elder he's not qualified if he's not married. Nonetheless thus sayeth the scripture. I do not want to argue with God with the scriptures. But we do know that Paul.

He was an apostle. And it's clear that he was not married. As we understand the scriptures. However. There's been many differences of opinion as to what this means. Does it mean that he should not take another wife.

If his wife. Dies and departs. Should he not marry again. I believe that question has been raised. Could he not take a second wife. If his first wife dies. Well I don't believe it means that either. As we study the scriptures because it says in different other places.

That there is that freedom. To take a wife if the first wife dies. Some have said well it might be speaking to polygamy. Because when these letters were written to the church. There may have still been some polygamy around from the old covenant.

And therefore there would have perhaps been believing. Polygamists in the church. So in order for God to set a clear picture. Of going back to as it was from the beginning. In the beginning God created.

Male and female. And that they twain. Shall be one flesh. Husband and a wife joined together. And so God is. Wanting to paint and point a very clear picture. So anyone in office. Of a deacon or a bishop.

May not have more than one wife. That has been. Understood by some. Certainly this morning. I do not believe. I believe this text right here. Refutes the error. Of the Roman Catholic Church saying that.

The priest must live in. Celibacy and not have a wife. Because. Very clearly. It states here. That an elder. Should be a husband of one wife. Nothing is ever shared. That in order for the priesthood. You cannot be a married man.

So let that be clear in our minds. And let us see the error. And the corruption that has bred. In those religious systems. Where they forbid to marry. It's false doctrine. Timothy tells us. Forbidding to marry is false doctrine.

Because marriage is honorable in all. Doesn't say not for the ministers. But it's honorable in all. And it's holy. And it's pure. And the bed is undefiled. You know I believe we could say. As we look and summarize.

It's a husband of one wife. You know it's a husband. Of one wife. He in his heart. Is a one woman man. And he's a husband. Of one wife. And he loves his wife. As Christ loved the church. And we could preach a whole message on that.

He's a husband. Of one wife. And he is the husband. Brother Emmanuel. He's the house band. I heard one of the brothers share one time. I believe at a couples night. He's there at the gate. And he's watching over his house.

Family Leadership and Faithful Children

And he is the husband. Of one wife. And then as we go on here in Titus. It says also. Having faithful children. Not accused of riot or unruly. Having faithful children. And back in Timothy we read. In 1 Timothy 3 .4.

One that ruleth well his own house. Having his children in subjection with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house. How shall he take care of the church of God. So it's one who has faithful children.

It is one. Whose family. Is being led and nurtured in the ways of God. Certainly one should not be given an office. Of elder. And sitting at the gate. Of the house of God. Whose own children. Are unruly.

And accused of riot. And are not in subjection. To their father. He that cannot rule his own house. Cannot rule the church of God. According to 1 Timothy. 3 .5. So a man's. Ability. To teach. To nurture.

To shepherd. Is seen in his family is it not. How he relates. How he communicates. Of the gospel is seen in his family. So as we're looking this morning. And we're discerning the will of God. An elder must be one that ruleth well his own house.

Having his children in subjection. With all gravity. And as we look further. We will go over to. 1 Timothy 3 .11. But don't turn there. We're just taking these as they. As they sort of flow together. So the man's.

The Elder’s Wife: Grave, Sober, and Faithful

Testimony of his marriage. Of his family. And now here in 1 Timothy 3 .11. It speaks a bit to the wife. And we want to do that here this morning as well. It says there. Even so must their wives be grave.

Not slanderers. Sober. Faithful in all things. You know as we. Seek the Lord. And as we look for an elder. We must also consider his wife. Because they too. Are one. They are joined together in one. And they are a spiritual unit.

Together. Their prayers. And their effectual working in the ministry of God. Is affected. So there. So that we cannot just disregard. The wife of the elder. I believe we have seen. Evidence of that at times where.

Maybe a man was. Gifted and qualified. For the work of the ministry. But his wife disqualified him. So this morning as we just look briefly at this point. Their wives. They must be grave. Meaning serious minded.

A serious woman. Not a silly woman. Not one who is just. Flirtatious or. Light hearted. But serious. One who is worthy of respect. Because of her holy life. Her holy conversation. Not a slanderer. And when we think of slandering.

We think of. Tail bearing. Gossiping. Backbiting. No not slandering. But rather sober. Meaning self controlled. One who is tempered in all things. One who doesn't need to give in to the temptation. To get on the telephone.

And share the latest news. From the ministers meeting. No. A faithful wife. Who her husband can confide in her. And they are heirs together of the grace of life. And she will not. She will protect. And bless and pray.

And stand beside her husband. As he is given that charge. And that responsibility. And the labors that come upon the elders. She supports him. In those times when he needs to leave. When they were just ready to have good family time together.

You know or. Just time to rest. You know whatever the case may be. As brother Emmanuel shared. But she's a wife who stands behind him. She's faithful. She's trustworthy. In all things. Her husband can confide in her.

Because she's faithful. She's serious. She's a woman of God. She's not a tale bearer. She's not a gossip. She's faithful. Going on here in Titus. Now he uses the word bishop here in verse 7. For a bishop must be faithful.

Self-Control and Shared Leadership

Must be blameless as the steward of God. We already covered that. Now he says not self-willed. And very simply when I think of not self-willed. One within whom the cross of Christ. Has driven a death blow to the self-life.

Amen. And it works itself out in so many ways. But he's not determined to have his own way. Not self-willed. You know there's a plurality of ministry. There's a plurality of elders. And these differing gifts are brought together.

And every gift and every joint and every part. Supplies a need in that plurality of eldership. And so we elders as we seek the Lord. And we work through decisions and directives for the congregation. If an elder is really self-willed.

That's not going to come out very well is it? But rather his will must be surrendered to the Lord. And seeking for God's will. And for the best and the benefit of the congregation. And recognizing that I don't have it all together.

We need each other. And together there's a beautiful completion of the things that would be wanting if I were your only elder. You know what I mean? And so therefore there needs to be that cross experience of death to self.

And aliveness in Christ Jesus. Where not my will but thy will O Lord for this congregation. And together we're able to look at things from different points of view. And find the wisdom of God and the directive of God for this congregation.

Not self-willed. Not my own way Lord. But thine. Not soon angry. One who has each thought, each motive beneath his control. Not soon angry. Not one who would even allow the spirit of anger to lodge in his heart and rest there.

Oh we're wiser then to let an outburst come out. But not angry. You know sometimes you've heard the statement already or testimony. The person is angry inside. There's a deep seething anger. But for the most part it is all kept hidden.

You don't see it. But when something happens to irritate him. Or rub him the wrong way we might say. Anger may come out. No one who is not soon angry. Not one who is irritable. And who is apt to be inflamed on an opposition.

But one who has command over his own temper. Governed and led by the spirit of God. Let's move on and look at another one. And this one comes out of 2nd Timothy 2 .24. And again we don't need to turn there.

We've read those verses. And the servant of the Lord must not strive. He must not strive. He is not to be one according to Strong's on the word strive. To quarrel. Or to dispute. You know some people just love a good argument they say.

They love to dispute about matters. Well Strong's first definition says to war. You know they have that warring spirit. They are not satisfied unless they can have a good heated argument and win the argument.

Striving to words. No he must not be one who strives, quarrels or disputes or fights. That's Strong's definition. The servant of the Lord must not strive. 1st Timothy 3 .3. Going right along with some of these.

I sort of tried to put them together in how they flow. Not a brawler. And that fits very well. That comes alongside of strive and just stays it a little differently. Not a brawler. He's not one that's contentious.

Do you ever meet a person like that? They're just contentious. Always a different viewpoint. Always a different angle. Yes but. Contentious. Instead of a quiet, peaceable, intreatable heart. Not a brawler.

Patience, Gentleness, and Meek Instruction

Not one who is contentious. But rather looking at the next point. 2nd Timothy 2 .24. One who is patient. Patient. Patiently enduring of ill. One who is forbearing. One who suffers long. Has long patience.

You know the farmer goes out and he plants that seed. And he has long patience. For the harvest. And that's how it is in the work of the ministry. That's how it is in the labor of the Lord. Oh we love it when we meet that soul.

And we can share the gospel with him brother Emmanuel. And they get converted that night. But a shepherd also deals with real issues. And real problems in people's lives. That may take a long time. And he has long patience.

He doesn't demand perfection immediately. And say unless you measure up you're out the door. But he has patience. He has long patience. And continues to believe. And have faith in God. That God can change this person's life.

God can take care of those long standing problems my brother. My sister. And he continues to believe God. He's patient. If he's ill spoken of. He forbears. If he's misunderstood. He forgives. He just has patience.

Which goes right along with the next point you want to look at is. To be gentle. Unto all men. Gentle. You know there's times. That the elder sitting at the gate. He needs to use his rod. But there's also times he needs to be very gentle.

And use that staff brother. As you shared. And just minister grace. And hold out hope. Gentle. Oh that. I can be more gentle. That people can know. It's safe to go to the shepherd. He's not just waiting with his rod.

And saying. You fell again. What ails you? But no rather. He's gentle. He's patient. And he has a message of hope. Not to leave him down there in their failure. No. But to show him the way out. That word gentle has the meaning in strong.

Of mild. Or kind. He's full of kindness. The next one we want to look at is. Neatness. 2nd Timothy 2 .25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. He must have the quality of meekness. Which is humility.

It's. Grace. It's the power of God. Yet under the grace. And gentleness. And mildness of Christ. To share it. Not to use their power. To injure or hurt. Paul said shall I come. With a rod. Or shall I come in meekness.

You know. Which would I rather have. Which would you rather have. In meekness. Instructing those that oppose themselves. If God peradventure will give them repentance. To the acknowledging of the truth.

You know there's a time for meekness. There's a time for a meek. Humble approach. He must be filled with humility. When you go. To show the error of his way to another. Galatians 6. Go in meekness. Considering thyself.

Lest I also be tempted. Go in meekness. Realizing that I am what I am. By the grace of God. I'm no better. But for the grace of God. Therefore I. And we go in meekness. It says here. That. This meekness.

Of instructing those that oppose themselves. Peradventure God will give them repentance. To the acknowledging of the truth. And that they may recover themselves. Out of the snare of the devil. Who are taken captive by him.

At his will. Lord. Grant us. Elders. Holy elders. Full of meekness. In Titus. 1. In Titus 1. 7. Continuing there it says. That he's not to be given to wine. And when I look at that this morning. I don't believe.

We have any. Wine drinkers among us. Alcoholic beverage drinkers. But I may be mistaken. There may be. But I don't believe it's. A great number. If there's any. Wine drinkers among us this morning is.

Not given to wine. Another place is said. Not given too much wine. And so I believe rather what. What this is teaching us. In our day today. Is that there is a temperance. In the carnal appetites. It's hard for someone.

To take just a little bit of wine. For a long period of their life. And not become at some point. A drunkard. It's it's tends to be progressive. And. It gets a hold of them. And they are no longer. Walking in temperance and self-control.

And having. All things under the control of the Holy Spirit. But rather now they are brought under. And they're brought in bondage to that alcohol. Well we might say oh Aaron move on. We don't have any problems there.

But rather I'd like to just say this morning. It shows me of a temperate lifestyle. Having the carnal appetites under the control. Of the Holy Spirit. Whether it be wine. Whether it be food. Whether it be pleasures.

Whatever it be. That our carnal appetites of this carnal man. Are under the control of the Holy Ghost. And we're mortifying the deeds of the body. All of those old things. So that we might live under God.

Temperance, Nonviolence, and Financial Integrity

Temperance. He must be tempered it says in Titus 1 .8. Temperate. And I just wanted to put those two together there a bit. He's not given to wine. He's temperate. He's tempered in all of his lifestyle.

Titus 1 .7. Says no striker. And as I look that up. It's just simply. Strong's definition says. Not a smiter. You know and we wouldn't smite someone with a hand or the fist. But what about. Smiting someone.

With words. Or with. Just simply writing them off. You know. No striker. Not a smiter. I also remember another brother preaching on that verse saying. No striker. Not a quitter. But as I looked it up in its context.

And of the Strong's definition. I didn't find about not being a quitter. But what I found there was. That he's not a smiter. He doesn't smite. He will not smite with. Wickedness. With the fist of wickedness.

Or with words. Or attitudes. We want to now look at some other things here. That are real practical to. The elder. The godly elder. His money. And his things. Titus 1 .7. Not given. First Timothy three says.

Not greedy. Of filthy luger. And when we think of filthy luger. We think of money. We think of possessions. Materialism. Also in first Timothy tells us. Not covetous. Are you sure this belongs here. In qualifications for an elder.

Yes it does. Because if a man is faithful. In the unrighteous mammon. God will commit to that man. Not covetous. But a man who's not faithful. In the unrighteous mammon. In the filthy luger. I don't think should be entrusted.

To be a watchman at the gate of the house of God. Not greedy of filthy luger. Not given to filthy luger. Not covetous. You know greed. Is I want more. It's never enough. Having food and raiment. Let us therewith be content.

You know but greed says. I want more. I want more. More money. A larger account. More possessions. More things. Covetous always looking. Covetous envying the things other people have. Being envious. Being jealous.

What is your life? Is your life wrapped up in God? Or is it wrapped up in money? His money and his things. The elder must not be given to filthy luger. He must not be greedy of filthy luger. And he must not be covetous.

Hospitality, Holiness, and Vigilance

We'll sort of turn on to the positive side here now. Titus 1 .8. But a lover of hospitality. A lover of hospitality. 1st Timothy 3 .2 says. Given to hospitality. Titus 1 .8 says. A lover of good men. What is this persons love?

What is he given to? Does he love people? He must be a lover. Of good men. He must be a lover of hospitality. Loving to reach out to strangers. Loving to minister to souls in need. Hospitality. Giving to those who have need.

He must be given to hospitality. You know some people are sort of loners. They'd rather be alone. I don't believe that flows too well with the eldership. There may be some prophets and some preachers of God.

Who are hid away somewhere alone. And they bring messages from God to our hearts. But they wouldn't make a very good elder because they are not hospitable. They always want to be hid away by themselves.

And that's a gift that God has given to the church. That's a good gift. But for an elder he must be a lover of hospitality. He must love to have people around. He must love to minister to people. He doesn't mind having his house filled with people from time to time.

You know he is given to hospitality. And we could say to his wife. She must be one who loves to be hospitable as well. And he would say to her tonight. Oh honey we are having some company for supper tonight.

And it's about five of five. But you know those things do happen. Don't they brother Emmanuel? Somebody maybe just drops in. You know his personal walk and behavior. Says that he must be of good behavior.

1 Timothy 3 .2 Good behavior. His life is full of the goodness of God. His behavior is becoming as godliness. And Titus 1 .8 He is sober. He is just. He is holy. And he is temperate. And I don't just want to go over those real fast.

But I see our time is moving rapidly here. But he is a sober man. He is a righteous upright man. He has a serious outlook on life. Life is not just fun and games. He is sober. He is just. He is upright.

He is just in all of his dealings. And his actions. And he is a holy man. He is holy. He loves to dwell in that secret place with God. Communing with God. Beholding the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. Being changed.

From one glory to another. Dwelling there with God. He is vigilant. His walk is holy. His talk is holy. His life is holy. A holy life. And we have heard many messages on that here. But his life is holy.

Another one we find in 1 Timothy 3 .2 is That he is vigilant. Vigilant. I think of that word as one who is Like that watchman brother Emmanuel. He is vigilant. He is circumspect. And he is on the lookout.