BE A LEADER

          Text: 1 Timothy 3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

          Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

          ¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

          ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Be an example in, we are Christ's ambassadors.

Conduct

Attitude

Appearance

BISHOPS

         

          1 Timothy 3:2.  (N.I.V.) Now the overseer is to be

          Above reproach.

           Faithful to his wife.

           Temperate.  ( strong, robust, self control).

          Self-controlled.

           Respectable.

           Hospitable.

           Able to teach,

          3. Not given to drunkenness.

           Not violent, but gentle.

           Not quarrelsome.

           Not a lover of money.

          4.  He must;

           Manage his own family well. And

           See that his children obey him. and

          He must do so in a manner worthy of full  respect.

          5. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

          6. He must not be a recent convert. ( Or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil).

          7. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders. so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

DEACONS

          1. Timothy 3:8-15

8. In the same way, deacons^[b] are to be,

          Worthy of respect, sincere,

           Not indulging in much wine, and

           Not pursuing dishonest gain.

9. They must

           Keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

12. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

WOMEN LEADERS

 11. In the same way, the women^[c] are to be

          Worthy of respect,

           Not malicious talkers but

          Temperate and trustworthy in everything.

10.  They (both men and women)must

          First be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

13. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul's Instructions

          1 Timothy 3:14 (N.I.V.) Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

          ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

          1 Timothy 4:11 These things command and teach.

 ¹²Let no man despise thy youth.

Be thou an example of the believers

          In word.

          In conversation.

           In charity.

           In spirit.

           In faith.

           In purity.

          13 Till I come.

Give attendance.

          To reading.

          To exhortation.

          To doctrine.

          14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

          ¹⁵Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

           ¹⁶Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.