Category: Sermon

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/jinson-28-may-170528_1116.mp3″]

A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit one of the local churches, he got lost, but eventually got back on track and found the place. Having arrived late, the church was already packed. The only pew left was the one on the front row.

So as not to make a fool of himself, he decided to pick someone out of the crowd to imitate. He chose to follow the man sitting next to him on the front pew. As they sang, the man clapped his hands, so the missionary recruit clapped too. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man held the cup and bread for the Lord’s Supper, he held the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn’t understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look just like that man in the front pew.

Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too. Then the preacher said some words that he didn’t understand and he saw the man next to him stand up. So he stood up too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing. So he sat down.

After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: “I take it you don’t speak Spanish.”

The missionary recruit replied: “No I don’t. It’s that obvious?”

“Well yes,” said the preacher, “I announced that the Acosta family had a new-born baby boy and would the proud father please stand up.”

In this case, this was just an embarrassing funny incident but when it comes to following the crowds, the question is how do you know that you’re not led into following some type of false doctrine? I liked the way Saju described false teaching: “False teaching always finds its way through the present cultural myths, ideas and thought patterns.” We are bombarded with so many different thought patterns from our culture, how do you know that you are not being swayed by some kind of false teaching? And sometimes it can be very subtle. Let me give an example, we can have accountability groups or sessions where we communicate that no one will be judged and it’s an open place for us to share anything and everything. But unless the sin is identified as sin and repented of, it’s doing no good for anyone in the group. Without talking about the promises of God to victoriously defeat sin, without coming to specific ways to fight sin, it’s going to be a useless exercise. So you’ll have week after week of accountability sessions where the members of the groups are super honest and super vulnerable but not repentant. And guess what, that is a thought pattern that agrees with our culture which tells us to not judge anyone but live as we want to live. The context of this entire letter has been revolving around confronting the false doctrine in the church at Ephesus. When we think about confronting false doctrine, we probably expect some sort of fierce argument and debate taking place between Timothy and the false teachers. Interestingly that’s not the advice Paul gives him. The instruction is quite the opposite. Let’s look at our passage for today.

[11] Command and teach these things. [12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [13] Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. [15] Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that all may see your progress. [16] Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

What Paul is essentially trying to say in these 6 verses is that our lives need to be shaped by the gospel if we need to confront false teaching. What does a gospel shaped life look like?
1. Right teaching
2. Right living
3. Right Community
4. Right Scrutiny

1. Right teaching

Right sound Scriptural teaching needs to be heard, meditated upon and shared.

11 Command and teach these things.

Timothy had been given specific instructions in this letter on what needs to be taught to the Ephesian church….the sound doctrine which needs to be declared to them. The whole letter is filled with these instructions from Paul who is writing with the authority and commendation from God. When Timothy reads this letter, he isn’t reading it thinking that it’s just Paul writing to him. He sees it as what it truly is “the Word of God”.

[16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16, 17)

And so should we also look at Scripture. This is the very Word of God…way more weightier than the letter from the President of the country, way more purer than pure gold, way more sharper than a double edged sword, way more powerful than an army of a billion soldiers.

Therefore, how do you know if you are listening and absorbing right teaching?

a) The Word would be exalted and treasured through that time of preaching.

It won’t be about quips or fun stories or the charisma of the speaker, but just how precious is each and every word from the Bible.

b) Christ would be made much of.

Christ would be the centre of attention, his life of holiness and purity, his sacrificial love to come to us and die on a horrific cross, his humility to serve us, how glorious he is and how dependent we need to be on him. That would be the focus.

c) It would bring you to repentance and faith.

When we are confronted by a Holy God as being revealed in Scripture, our response can’t be one of arrogance or self righteousness but of humility and repentance. Just like Isaiah says “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Is 6:5)

Or Peter in Luke 5, when he sees that impossible miracle take place where he catches a large number of fish, he realizes he’s in the presence of God. He says “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man O Lord”. Christ tells him, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men”.

2. Right living

2 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [13] Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

There are three aspects to this:
a) Setting an example
b) Devoting to Scripture
c) Actively using the gifts

a) Setting an example:

Scholars estimate that Timothy was in his late 20s or mid-30s when Paul wrote this letter. By this time he had been an experienced missionary and served with Paul for 15 years. (Acts 16:1-5)

Why would he be despised for his youth?

He was probably young compared to the older men in the church. Usual perception is that men get wiser with age. Also, the same is expected spiritually, where one assumes that older men are more spiritual than younger because younger men are immature. Youthfulness has always been paralleled to rebellion and indulgence.

So how was Timothy to express his maturity?

Not by telling everyone and announcing that he was mature but by setting an example for them. In other words had to display his maturity by being someone who was worthy of imitation.

He had to show his maturity in his speech. We live in a culture where people are applauded for speaking their mind but what we speak reveals a lot of what is in our hearts. (Luke 6:45) Unfiltered conversations or unwholesome talk is a condition of the heart primarily which needs to be changed and repented of.

He had to show his maturity in his conduct. His behavior.

He had to show his maturity in his love. The way he would love his brothers and sisters. Show charity and forgiveness and patience.

He had to show his maturity by his faith. Showing confidence and reliance on Jesus. His convictions on the truths about Scripture isn’t frail or weak. Strong confidence in what he believes.

He had to show his maturity through his life of purity. Holiness is very important to him because it matters to God. It’s God who says “Be Holy for I am holy”. (1 Pet 1:16) His lifestyle of holiness points to God who is Holy.

Do we have a lifestyle worthy of imitation?

It’s something that even the unbelieving world understands to a degree. They know that respect belongs to those who have a lifestyle of high morals. Leaders by definition are to be pacesetters. All of us however are called to be leading someone. When we read Matt 28:19 -20

[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

We know it applies to each and every believer across all ages. We are all called to be disciple-makers by baptizing people and teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded. Now the teaching them to observe part is not just a verbal teaching but actually disciplining people by modelling obedience for them. Showing people how to forgive when someone has wronged you. Showing people how to be patient when someone keeps frustrating you. Showing how to trust in God’s provision through prayer.

Unfortunately we live in a generation where people want others to imitate their doctrine but not their lifestyle. It doesn’t make sense.

b) Devoting to Scripture:

[13] Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

This instruction is specific to Timothy’s calling of being an elder – therefore the call to exhort and teach. I think this can also broadly apply to our need to be devoted to Scripture. Being devoted to reading, applying and teaching others Scripture. I know I’ve been challenged this week with asking myself of how important Scripture means to me. Do I only read Scripture when life is okay and comfortable? Is Scripture reading driven by my circumstances or is it food for my soul? Brothers and sisters, I know it seems so basic but it’s something which we sometimes fail to see the value of. We feed our souls with all kinds of worldly stuff and go around hungry, we try different ways to self-medicate ourselves from the troubles and pressures of life, but we are never happy. We try to find our identity in our work, our righteous deeds, our church activities but are left purposeless. It’s only Scripture – true words of God that can fill us, heal us and change us. If we were created to know God and relate with Him, then the Bible is the medium God uses to communicate with us. Anything else and everything else just leaves us restless.

c) Actively using the gifts

[14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Looking at these two verses it does seem like Paul’s referring to Timothy’s gifting of preaching and teaching God’s word. And this call and ministry came from God himself. So the instruction is to not take it lightly. What if God told that to each and every one us “Don’t take your gift lightly”? As we’ve been learning over the past few weeks, God has graciously given the church gifts so that they can build up each other. Let’s realize that one of the key ways by which God wants you to live out your faith is by using your gifts to help and build up your brothers and sisters. One of the reasons why people feel lifeless in their faith is not just due to sin but also because they aren’t using the gifts that God has specifically given them to build up another person. Some of us may still be thinking “Oh…I don’t know what my gifting is. How can I use it?” And it’s often because we think about one or two gifts particularly and compare ourselves against them. That’s not how you should be thinking about it. Rather look at it in this way, find out what people in your church need and then look for ways to serve them. As you do that, you will discover what gifts God has given you. For example Barnabas in the Bible meant Son of Encouragement. Now I don’t think they called him that because he had a skill in giving compliments to people. I think it was because whenever he interacted with people, God gifted him with the ability to provide encouragement to those specific areas of need.

3. Right Community

[15] Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that all may see your progress. [16] Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Twice in these two verses, Paul brings out the community angle. He tells Timothy to carefully pay attention and practice these things so that “all may see your progress”.

Piper has a famous quote where he says “Sanctification is a community project”. It’s not you who can attest and confirm your maturity but it’s your community that you live life with. When you aren’t able to see the chink in your amour, it’s your community of believers who will be able to show that to you. That’s why Christian growth cannot happen outside of Christian community. There are some moments in the Christian life when you wouldn’t be able to trust your own self because of sinful erroneous thinking, just know that in those times you can trust your brother or sister in Christ.

Second part in v16 says “Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Paul is not trying to say that by works Timothy will save himself and his hearers. We know that we are saved by grace through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus. But what he is saying is that Timothy’s perseverance in the faith will impact the faith of his community too! That’s mind boggling. Have you ever considered the fact how your faith is affecting the person sitting next to you? It’s true in the positive and negative sense. In the positive sense, your faith can spur and lead others to love and trust God more consequently pointing to genuine saving faith. In the negative sense it means unrepentant persistent sin. It can move through the members like yeast.

4. Right Scrutiny

[16] Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.

I find this a fascinating verse because this is an instruction Paul gives to his spiritual son Timothy. Timothy has faithfully been with him for 15 years. In Philippians 2 he says about Timothy, that there’s no one else like him who is genuinely concerned about the church’s welfare. Such a solid, dependable guy. But still Paul says “Keep a watch on yourself and on the teaching”.

It’s not because he didn’t trust Timothy. He trusted him completely but Paul understood the sinful desire of the heart and the schemes of Satan.

And this is consistent with Paul’s other letters when Paul says:

[5] Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Cor 13:5)

He is writing this to the Corinthian church! Paul actively discipled these guys and now he’s asking them to test their faith! Again I think that illustration helps: of how we know we are alive because we are breathing and not just because we were born on a certain day in the past.

Brothers,[a] if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Gal 6:1)

Spiritually mature brothers and sisters are supposed to restore people who are caught in sin with gentleness. However, they need to be careful and watchful or they themselves be tempted. Why would Paul mention that if they were mature already? That’s because he realizes that sin desires and the attacks of Satan won’t completely be eliminated until Christ comes back again. As believers we still experience the effects of that. God has given us the Spirit and also these warnings to help us.

It’s not a bad practice to evaluate your day…think about what was said, what was done in light of Scripture. However, this should lead you to repentance and greater dependence on Christ. If the end result of evaluating your life is either self-pity or judgmental…then it’s not right scrutiny! Right scrutiny is one that comes to Christ helplessly seeking forgiveness and grace to live out the Christian life. A person who constantly engages in this type of scrutiny and repentance will find that this experience draws him/her closer to God.

I was 14 years old when a family friend of ours looked at me and said, “You’ve got broad shoulders. All you need is some muscle around it and you’ll look great.” I still don’t know if he was joking or not but I took his advice seriously. Over the course of the next few years I worked hard on building some muscle. At that point I was really skinny and so it took me a while before I saw any impact of the workouts. But that made me think and wonder…how does the body of Christ get built up? What does that look like?

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”[a] 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?[b] 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

I think this passage tells us about three stages in that body building process:
– Christ gives gifts to the church graciously
– The church utilizes the gifts faithfully
– The church grows into Christ eventually

1) Christ gives gifts to the church graciously

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Eph 4:7)

V7 says that grace which is the unmerited favour from God was given to us. This grace is the reason why we are saved. By grace we are saved through faith. (Eph 2:8) And this grace is also the reason why we’ve received different kinds of gifts. The whole definition of grace means that it’s not earned neither can someone claim to deserve it. Two observations on this:

a) God’s has graciously given us gifts for the church

Paul uses his own example in Eph 3:2 to tell the Ephesian church that the gifts that God gave him were meant for the church.  While addressing the Corinthian church that was divided over having certain kind of spiritual gifts, Paul says “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Paul was telling them that they were missing the point by arguing over which gift is important or better than the other. Gifts were given for the common good. So that others may benefit out of it not for your own good. This is a very essential thing to remember…in the world people are hailed and exalted because of their talents. That’s not how it’s supposed to be in God’s church. You’re spiritual gift was not meant for yourself but for the “common good”.

b) God determines the gifts that are given to each of us.

V7 says grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gifts. Do note that God has given all his children gifts. He’s not partial and he decides which gifts for us are the best ways in which He can be glorified. That’s why it doesn’t help when we complain over not having certain gifts or are jealous over other people’s gifts. By doing that we undermine God’s wisdom in giving us those gifts and also become ungrateful and ineffective in using them. The point for giving gifts again was not to grow in prominence and become famous but to serve each other with these gifts.

Now let’s come to the uses and the goal of giving gifts:

2) The church utilizes the gifts faithfully

8 Therefore it says,“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”[a] 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?[b] 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

V8 further is a quotation from an OT psalm. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

“he ascended” is a reference to Jesus which we see being explained in the next two verses. It says Christ gave gifts to men. Now when we come to v11, we see the details of these gifts.

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,

This is important thing to note. When Christ ascended into heaven, he gave some gifts to his church. They were apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. Apostles were messengers or delegates sent forth by Christ. The church was founded on the apostles teachings (Acts 2:42). It wasn’t self created teachings by the apostles. They were echoing what Jesus taught and showed them during his earthly ministry and communicated what was being taught by the Holy Spirit. Now we have their written letters in the NT. All these NT scriptures are authoritative because they taught as delegates of Christ.

Prophets in the NT were people who were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak, instruct, rebuke, comfort, encourage, convict and stimulate their hearers by spontaneous words of revelation.

Evangelists are people who would be gifted to preach the good news. Just let me add here, that all of us are called to evangelize and tell people about Jesus. However, for some people it comes very naturally and easily. I remember once when I went with Supreet for jail ministry and met a brother there who had the gift of evangelism. Could see how people didn’t even bat their eye lids as he presented the gospel to them with clarity.

Shepherds and teachers: I believe these are not referring to two different roles but a single role of an elder or overseer. As we remember studying in the qualifications of an elder…he needs to be an apt teacher. Why? So that he can lead people in their study and love for Scripture. A shepherd/pastor spends time trying to understand what Scripture says and apply it to his church.

And so you see 4 different types of giftings mentioned here. It’s not to make them more prominent than the others. The next verse states the purpose for giving these gifts to the church:

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

The reason why these church leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherd-teachers) are given to the church is not to exalt them or make them popular but so that they may “equip the saints for the work of ministry”.

The Greek word used for equip means “to perfect or complete” the saints for the work of ministry. Hebrews 12:2 clearly says that Christ is the founder and perfecter of the faith. Christ does use church leaders to strengthen the faith of his people. And we’ve learnt a great deal over the past few weeks on why it’s important to be led by church leaders. Obeying leaders is important because they are the ones whom God has appointed to watch over your soul. (Heb 13:17)

Equip the “saints”. The word saint actually means “most holy thing” and someone who is “morally blameless”. I look at this definition and I realize how all of us don’t deserve that title of a saint. We are everything apart from being saints. We are so corrupted by sin that we cannot comprehend what it means to be holy and a saint. All our sins have been committed against God defying His Holy will and character. We loved sin and hated God. Every time we look at our sinful pleasures, our pride, things of this world, praises and acceptance from people and find more joy in them than God, we literally communicate how much we love sin and hate God. God being righteous has to punish and pour His wrath on sin but He also is full of grace and love. He sends His only Son (Jesus) to die as a pure, spotless sacrifice to pay the penalty for our disobedience and our hatred toward God. Three days after dying Jesus rises from the grave to make the “most unholy” people like you and me “most holy” before God if we trust Him as Lord and Deliverer. Christ’s death is the reason why we are saints. It’s a free gift from God.

Saints are equipped for what? Work of ministry. What does that mean?  It’s the labor put into serving people with your giftings, time and resources. You would be praying and serving people in such a way that they grow and are benefitted by your service. Did you ever see yourself as a minister of God? Did you ever think how God has given you spiritual gifts and leaders to help you labor more effectively as a minister? Church leaders exist to fuel and fan into flame your passion to serve people around you.

for building up the body of Christ,

This phrase means the act of promoting another person’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness and holiness.

It plays out in two contexts:

1) To the outside world: The desire to kill the selfishness within you to want to see the lost come to know and experience the love of Jesus.

2) In the church: Wanting to see your brothers and sisters in Christ exceed you and grow in the knowledge and wisdom of the Word. Wanting to see them have more better prayer times. Desiring that they experience great joy and happiness in Christ. Wanting to see them have a life of holiness that surpasses yours.
And this is crazy because it goes against what we see in the world around us. The world around us gives us models for self-growth to progress and succeed. In the body of Christ, success is desiring and working towards seeing the other person grow to be the people God calls them to be.

I think this is what Hebrews 10:24 says “24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,”

Till when is this building supposed to happen?

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

The goal is attaining the full maturity: that is becoming completely and fully like Christ. That’s why it’s wrong to think we’ve arrived in our spiritual faith. If the thought process for you is to think that you are mature and look down on others & think you don’t need to be actively participating in the building up process, here are a few observations from this verse:

1) You will only truly reach full maturity when everyone reaches unanimity of the faith.

2) Are you trying to say that you have complete knowledge of the Son of God? And this knowledge isn’t theoretical or intellectual knowledge. It is experiential personal knowledge. Knowledge by understanding, applying and living out your faith.

3) Are you trying to say that you’ve already become like Christ with no more sin issues to be dealt with?

Biblically, knowledge of Christ is always related or connected with becoming like Him. In other words, knowing is becoming! So if you claim to know Christ because of your immense theoretical knowledge, then can you back it up with a lifestyle consistent to that knowledge? I’ve met many people who have been to seminary and yet not known Christ!

1 John 2:3-5 says “[3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.”

Again it’s not referring to sinless perfection. However, if you’re life is described by your persistent sinful lifestyle you need to question if you are truly in the faith. Remember, knowing Christ is coming into an intimate knowledge of Him. You can’t know Him and not be changed by Him. That’s not how it works and it’s not true salvation either. What characterized your life? Is it sin or holiness unto God?

If the answer is no to these questions, then we should humbly assume a posture where we realize there’s so much more to grow spiritually and also actively use your gifts and resources to help others grow in their faith.

3) The church grows into Christ eventually

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Mature manhood in the previous verses are being compared out here to being a child. If mature manhood means reaching the fullness of Christ and unity of the faith with other believers then being a child would mean being easily influenced by different doctrines around you. I remember as a young believer I was fascinated by these televangelists. I would spend hours watching these programs and paying attention to their sermons. There was an elderly man meanwhile who would faithfully take bible studies for us at our church. Initially I would argue with him because I believed in prosperity theology with all my heart. I was convinced it was scriptural. Over a period of time by the grace of God I got introduced to proper bible teachers who helped me see the glory of God in Scripture and also see my utter sinfulness. But the more I thought about it, my growth took place not in the idleness of trying to discover right theology but as I tried to apply Scripture and immerse myself into serving other people. An idle mind and a selfish heart are good breeding grounds for wrong doctrine.

V15 is often misunderstood as telling hard truths to believers in gentleness. Recently I came across an interpretation of that verse that makes it clearer…speak the truths refer to speaking truths about Jesus and His acts to each other “in love”…with love and affection. We are constantly embedding the gospel into every conversation and life situation. Conversations about Jesus are woven into moments of doubt, conflict and temptations. As that’s happening, we are selflessly building up the faith of the other person because the most loving thing you can do for a person is not tell him 5 worldly solutions to solve his problem but to direct him to Christ who is His Lord, comforter, provider and Savior. And that’s how the church grows into the head- Christ!

V16 is another reminder how the body orginates from Christ by His victorious work on the cross. The body of Christ is also sustained by Christ. And the body grows into Christ as well. Let’s not forget that as we think about the call to action. Christ strengthens us to build the body. However, there is a participation required from our end.  when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Have you ever broken a foot or sprained an ankle? I’ve had several accidents in my lifetime and so I know the amount of extra effort that my other foot needs to put when one foot isn’t functioning properly. If that’s true of the physical body then isn’t that true also about the body of Christ? If I’m not actively using my gifts to serve my brothers and sisters, if I’m not speaking the truths about Jesus in love, if I’m selfishly only being concerned about my own problems and my own life…isn’t Christ’s body being affected by it? Isn’t my involvement essential and indispensable to the body growing up into Christ? How does that speak to the passivity of our hearts?

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/saju-nes-sermon-21052017.mp3″]

Our passage for today is 1 Timothy 4:6-10

[READ]

Our passage today can be dived into three segments

– The call for leaders to point out false teaching and the reward therein
– Importance of training in Godliness
– Reminding us the reason for our hard labor and striving i.e Christ himself

And all these 3 things are said and shared in the context of faithful servant hood, helping us understand what it means to be a true servant of Christ. It points out to us that a true servant of Christ is the one who refutes false teaching, trains himself in godliness and treasures Jesus above everything else.

Is Paul talking only to the leaders who serve in the church or is he talking to the whole congregation. Are these instructions applicable only to leaders or is it applicable to everyone.
In 1 Peter 2:9 Peter writes “But you all are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Serving Christ and serving one another is a call of every believer. And therefore these instructions given in 1 Timothy 4:6-10 is applicable to every believer. Every believer is supposed to refute false teaching, train themselves for godliness and treasure Jesus above everything else.

The verse starts by Paul writing “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters…”

Paul is obviously talking with respect to his earlier comments on refraining from false teaching and deceitful spirits that take your attention away from the true gospel of Jesus.

False teaching always finds its way through the present cultural myths, ideas and thought patterns. In the days of the apostles there were five such false doctrines.

1. False doctrine of Jewish Legalism

Where they were asked to add circumcision to their faith in Acts 15:1. In Galations 1:6-9 Paul strongly condemns these teaching. In Philippians 3:2 he calls the false teachers dogs and evil doers. We did speak about it in length in our previous sermons.

2. False teaching of Gnosticism

In Gnosticism people regarded their special knowledge and enlightenment as superior to the faith of others. In 1 Timothy 6:20-21 Paul warns Timothy saying “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.”

In 2 Timothy 2:14-16 Pauls tells Timothy to warn others saying

[14] Remind them of these things, and charge them before God[a] not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. [15] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[b] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. [16] But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

3. False doctrine was Asceticism

Which Jinson mentioned last Sunday. They believed and taught that sin is inherent in the material substance of the body, and therefore the body must be punished by practicing extreme self-denial and self-abuse. The one that is prevalent even in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Paul talks against this doctrine in Colossians 2:18-23.

[18] Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[a] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, [19] and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

[20] If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— [21] “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” [22] (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? [23] These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

We also heard about it in the previous passages where people were asked to refrain from getting married and even abstaining from foods which God created for God.

4. False doctrine of Antinomianism

Where the false teachers instructed others that they could participate in all kinds of sinful pleasures and still be spotless in their souls before God.

Paul spoke to such people in 2 Timothy 3:2-9. He called them “lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.”

In fact John makes it clear in 1 John 3:4-10 that a Christian cannot be one who continually abides in sin. A Christian must turn away from sin and continually strive to overcome it (see 1 John 1:7 about walking in the light). He said, “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God”

5. False Doctrine of Docetism (Do-see-tism)

Where these false teachers denied the true incarnation of Christ, they denied the fact that Jesus was truly a divine being and that he came to earth in flesh.

In 1 John 2:18 & v22-23 apostle John addresses it saying, “Even now many Antichrists have arisen.” He describes this false teaching in v22-23: “Who is a liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.”

Even today in our generation we see glimpses of these doctrines but the one that is most prevalent is the health, wealthy and prosperity gospel. “Prosperity gospel” teaches that God wants every believer to be always physically healthy, materially wealthy, and personally happy. Teachers of the prosperity gospel encourage their followers to pray for and even demand material flourishing from God.

The one biggest folly of this kind of teaching is that it takes away our focus from the GIVER to the GIFT. Our cravings for wealth and worldly pleasures are an unending saga. Jesus said in Matt 19:24 “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

If we are talking about personal happiness Jesus said Matt 10:22 “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

The disciples of Jesus did not live a prosperous life. In fact they were tortured, falsely accused, beaten and murdered.

Brothers and sisters, we are called to glorify God by treasuring Christ more than anything else in this life. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

God is glorified when we are fully satisfied in him regardless of our circumstances and pain. Even in times of pain and distress our hearts cry should be “Jesus you are still good” … awesome … wonderful … there is no one like you.

Here’s how we know we have fallen victim to the prosperity gospel. If our lifestyle is become such where we seek God only when we are in need, need for physical healing, need for material blessings. When we want God to heal us from a certain illness or when we need a job or want him to crack a business deal for us, when we completely fail to acknowledge him when everything is well with us, when we fail to treasure Christ and the gospel daily in our lives. When we stop looking to God and stop worshipping him when our prayers are left unanswered for many days.

We should know that we have become victim to such teachings.

False teaching always finds its way through the present cultural myths, ideas and thought patterns and therefore it is important that every Christian should be able to identify them, stay alert and should be able to protect their hearts and the hearts of their loved one from these teachings.

I believe in the following verses in 1 Timothy 4 Paul tells us how we can protect our hearts from these teachings.

Number one – 1 Timothy 4:6 (second half) By “being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed, Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths”

Number two – by “Training yourself for godliness”

You will only be able to protect your heart by consistently soaking yourself in God’s word having nothing to do with worldly wisdom and by training yourself for godliness by being obedience to His words.

Let me also warn you at this point that if you fail to guard your heart it is possible that you can be led away from your faith. In verse 1 Paul prophecies that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.

How does soaking in God’s word help us protect our heart?

God’s word gives us the right understanding and the right perspective on life. It teaches us that only Jesus is the true God, and that the answer to all our questions can only be found in the gospel, in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Every scripture presents Christ to us and consistently reminds us the truth of the gospel.

The darkness of false teaching around us can only be driven out when we switch on the light of right doctrinal truth of the scriptures.

It is not enough to just read the scripture and feel good about it. I remember when I was young I was asked to read the bible before leaving home. I did it every day but it meant nothing to me until one day I completely stopped reading.

But, Paul goes on to say that you need to train yourself for godliness. He says “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

How do we train ourselves for godliness?

We train ourselves for godliness by obeying God’s word.

Consistently obeying God’s word is the sign of a true believer. It doesn’t mean that we won’t make mistakes, it also doesn’t mean that we won’t sin again. Yes we will make mistakes, we will fall into sin. But we won’t be enslaved by them. We will always go back to God with a repentant heart, ask for his forgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness.

We will treasure the truth that Jesus has forgiven all our sins and that we are not slaves to sin by slaves to righteousness.

Training for godliness means that our lives should be marked by a lifestyle of obedience to his commandments.

At this point you may ask why do we have to work so hard and labor and strive, instead why can’t we just enjoy life and the pleasure of the world?

Paul answers that question in 1 Timothy 4 verse 9-10

[9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [10] For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Brothers and sister we ought to labor and strive and work out our salvation hoping for the reward in heaven which is Christ himself. Our life on earth is momentary but life in heaven is eternal and unending.

That is why Paul encourages all believers in Colossians 3:2 to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

How do we know that you are heading in the right direction and are not been misled? We will know it by our present action and lifestyle.

Do we love Gods word and find delight in it daily?

Do we labor and stirve by training ourself in godliness by obeying his words?

Do we treasure Christ and have set your hope in the heavenly things?

If not then I want to urge you today to repent before God and make a turn-around from your sinful ways and learn to delight in God’s word, train yourself for godliness and set your hearts on the things above.

Lets Pray.

Good Morning

We’re doing a series called “God Alive Church – a journey through 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus” and last Sunday Jinson preached on the topic “The call to serve faithfully” from 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (Read and Listen)  and helped us understand the role and qualifications of a Deacon.

What really stands out from that passage is for all of us to remember that we all are called to serve the church, serve one another, the bride of Christ. Whether you are an ordained elder/deacon or not, you are called to serve. And you don’t have to be the most gifted person, all God desires is a willing heart and a humble attitude.

The call to become a deacon/elder will come as you faithfully serve him in the small things God has gifted you with. It doesn’t happen overnight, it didn’t happen overnight for Jinson and me. God took us through a time of testing and mending of our hearts before calling us to ministry.

And our ministry is not separate from our daily routine life, we both have full time jobs just like everyone of you. It is not easy for us to take out the extra time from our schedule to prepare sermons and serve you in the measure in which God has called us to. There are sacrifices we have to make to serve Christ and do his work.

The reason I mention that is to let you know that if we both can do it, even you can do it. All you need to be is faithful to the call of God in your lives. I can testify and tell you that your greatest fulfilment will not come from serving your self, family, company, business your money. Your greatest fulfilment will come when you identity the purpose of your life which God gave you, trust in him, serve him and live for his Glory.

So, our passage for today is 1 Timothy 3:14-16. If you have your bibles let’s turn to our passage read it together.

As we know that Paul’s intention to write this letter to the church was to address specific issues that were ungodly and leading people astray.

The flow of Paul’s letter so far in chapters 1, 2 & 3 looks like this

.. he starts his letter by opposing false teachers and false preaching of the Gospel (1:3-11)

.. explains the true gospel of Christ and gives right understanding of the Law (1:12-17)

.. In 1:18-20 he encourages Timothy to hold on to his faith and fight the good fight of faith as he continues to lead the church along with other elders

.. In 2:1-7 he ask the church to pray and gives them specific instructions on prayer

.. 2:8-15 gives instructions on how men and women needs to conduct themselves in the church

.. 3:1-13 lays down the qualifications of Elders and deacons

And in the later part of the letter from chapter 4 onwards Paul then goes on to give specific instructions for ministry, supporting widows, honouring masters, how to encourage one another, how to fight the good fight, instructions to the rich, guarding the truth .. so on and so forth.

Looking at this overview of the letter we understand that the context of this letter is mainly Church discipline. And I believe today’s passage i.e 1 Timothy 3:14-16 Paul is talking about a very important piece that needs to be understood and treasured for us to get a clearer picture of the need for Church discipline.

v.14 – I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God (how one to conduct yourself in the household of God) which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

Paul is urging the people to be disciplined, well behaved and conduct themselves in godliness pointing to the fact that it is the Church of the living God – The pillar and foundation of TRUTH that is at stake.

Then in verse 15 he goes on to say

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angles,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory”

Paul points us back to Christ and the Gospel. And I believe that this is that important piece in Paul’s letter that we need to understand and treasure even as he gives various instructions and disciplinary actions to the church.

This piece or passage is like the cornerstone that forms the base of a corner of a building which holds the whole building together, if the cornerstone is moved or taken out the whole building can collapse. In the same way what holds the church together is Christ and his finished work on the cross.

It is not traditions, good ideas, organizational structures, etc. It is Christ and the Gospel truth which if taken away can destroy the church and make it even worse to the point that the world around us start hating us.

Mahatma Gandhi, the great freedom fighter once said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Imagine the impact we would have had on this nation if this one man had the right perspective of church.

Taking about church discipline Jonathan Leeman in his book “Church Discipline” makes an interesting comment. He says.

Church discipline can be explained in two ways. One can describe it as the act of correcting sin, like blowing a whistle against a foul in a Christian life. Or, better, one can try to understand the act of blowing the whistle within the larger framework of the Gospel, the church and the purposes of Christian life. Placing the act of discipline into this larger theological framework – what I’m calling a gospel framework – will help us exercise the discernment that is inevitably required amidst the many circumstances of sin in a church.

With that in mind I will be answering 3 important questions today.. and that is

1. What is the Gospel?
2. What is Church?
3. What is Gospel Centered Church Discipline?

What is the Gospel?

Going back to our passage in verse 16 where Paul writes

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness

He was manifested in the flesh,

“Christ manifested in the flesh” is the doctrine about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down to earth and put on flesh and blood like us.

When God made Adam and Eve he expected them to fully trust HIS word and HIS work, but instead they trusted in the word and the work of the devil. As flesh and blood they failed to obey God because of which the entire human race is suffering from sin and death.

Jesus came in flesh and blood and lived a perfect and holy life just as it was expected of Adam and Eve. He became as vulnerable as we are and yet chose not to sin.

Hebrews 4:15 says “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Vindicated by the Spirit,

vindicate means to clear someone of blame or suspicion

Paul is pointing to the incident when Jesus was baptised by John. In Matthew 3:16-17 it says

“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus was publicly vindicated by the spirit to be blameless and holy. He was publicly declared blameless by God himself.

seen by angles,

Unlike other passages that talk about Jesus and his life on earth which only gives an earthly account of what was seen and experienced with naked eyes like ‘Jesus born of a virgin’, ‘Died on the cross’ & ‘Rose up from the dead’. Paul in this passage gives us a supernatural perspective of what happened when Jesus was crucified for our sins and transgressions.

He is saying that the angels were watching Him.

Imagine the angels and whole of creation standing still and watching their creator die a horrible death, the one which he never deserved. Matthew 27:51 says “At that moment (when Jesus died on the cross) the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split”

The pain of watching creator God die was unimaginable, more so in the heavenly realms because as humans we were and we are still hard hearted, arrogant and self centered creatures who still even till date fail to understand what it means for God himself to die for sake of his creation.

To say Jesus died on the cross can’t be said in a casual way but has be said and remembered with true conviction in our heart, with trembling and reverence in our hearts.

He paid the penalty of sin and declared us righteous before God, so God can now embrace us and accept us into his kingdom.

Let me give you an example though a wired one to explain what that means

Imagine a young boy from a rich family falling in love with a girl from the slums, a girl whose family lived on the streets, ate food from the garbage cans, wore torn clothes, spoke indecent language.

His father been a rich business tycoon can never ever accept or even imagine this kind of a girl to be part of his family, not just because of the financial status but also because of the ugliness around her.

Now, The boy loves the girl so much that he decides to leave his father wealth and lifestyle to now come and live with her in the slums, go hungry with her, wear the same old clothes for months, become vulnerable as the girl and her family.

But now even with all those vulnerabilities around him.. instead of giving in to those vulnerabilities and stay that way .. the boy pursues a good life, works hard, and accumulates wealth on behalf of that girl and her family, teaches them good mannerisms and lifts them up to the point where he is now able to present her before his Father and say here she is .. this is the girl I want to marry.”

Jesus is our price who left all his glory in heaven and came down for us to present us holy and blameless before the Father, one without spot or even a wrinkle. (Ephesians 5:27)

proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world,

We’re not talking about a human figure who’s name faded away in history but we are talking about a name that has gained popularity even to this day. He is not like one of those celebrities whose life people celebrated while they were alive and forgotten after they died.

In fact Jesus gained more popularity after his death. Not ONLY because of the event of his death and resurrection but because of his transforming work in the lives of people like us even to this day.

taken up in glory”

Jesus defeated sin and death, he defeated the power of sin over lives, he broke every stronghold that held us captive and on the third day he rose again from the dead.

He is now sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, praying for us that we all come to the knowledge of who he is and a live that glorifies him.

In the light of this Gospel (next question) What is the Church?

The church is the to-be bride of Jesus Christ for whom he died and gave his life as a ransom. Just as the whole creation and the angels watched him die for his bride they are anticipating the day of our marriage as well.

Revelation 19:7-9 – “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Church is the body of Christ who are called to look after one another so we are prepared for the big day just like the wise virgins mentioned in Matthew 25 who were awake, ready and prepared to respond to the call of the bridegroom.

And it is for this purpose that God has placed Elders in authority within the church body to correct, rebuke, counsel and discipline the body of Christ. Not that the elders are superior in any way but we are under shepherds serving Christ.

And therefore Gospel centered Church discipline is one that

i. aims to help the body of Christ enjoy and experience the transforming work for which Christ died and sent His Spirit as a helpmate.

The new covenant promises that Christ’s people will live a transformed lives through the power of the Spirit. Even if change comes slowly, churches should expect change – the visible fruit of God’s grace and Spirit. Discipline is the right response to a lack of visible fruit, or, even more, the presence of bad fruit.

ii. aims to help the church represent Christ to the world.

Christians are to be little Christs, representing Jesus on earth.

And in a world where we are constantly bombarded with distraction in the form of visuals, ideas, desire for wealth, desire for comfort, etc which makes it even more difficult for us to represent Christ. Discipline is the right response when Christians fail to represent Jesus and show no desire for doing so.

iii. aims to establish God given authority within the local church.

Like I said the Elders are not appointed to bully and show superiority over people. We are not what some people say we are that Church exists to manipulate people and make their leaders rich, though there are churches that exists for that purpose.

In fact Jinson and I have made a deliberate choice not to take financial benefits for the ministry work we do as long as our job and business can supply our needs, except for the some additional expenses like our travelling and eating while doing ministry all the offering money is utilized to cover the church expenses and used reach the lost in the city.

We have all rights to take a salary for our labor but here’s what I want you to know. We are here and doing what we are doing is because God has placed us as Elders as authorities over you to look after your soul and your spiritual well-being.

Which means if you receive a call from one of us or even from our wives asking questions about life – I want you to remember that we are not doing this to gossip about you or even try to interfere in your personal lives. We are doing it because we genuinely love you and want to understand from you the areas of your struggle so we can speak the gospel truth into your situation, help you experience the transforming work of Christ and represent Christ to the dying world around us.

In the light of what we heard today what should be our response, what does a practical application looks like?

The practical application is

Hebrews 13:17

“Have confidence, obey your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

I don’t think I need to elaborate on this verse, its plain and simple.

“Have confidence, obey your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

Lets pray!

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/jinson-23-04-2017-new.mp3″]

Good morning church! It’s been just a wonderful process to know what the will of God is for the church (the family of God). Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen biblically how men and women have complementary roles within the home and the church. We also looked at the qualifications and the roles of an elder…how God desires faithful men to lead, care and protect His church.

Always remember elders are under-shepherds to the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ. I hope this series on 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus doesn’t feel like an academic study on the structure of a church. Rather let’s remind ourselves that as people live out their roles within the church, God’s church is being built up into the maturity and fullness of the head, Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 4) And we are collectively called “the body of Christ”. Not a few individuals, not just the elders but all of us together form the body of Christ. That is the goal that we are working towards. So let’s look at the passage carefully to understand what it says.

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise[d] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Today’s passage in focus deals with the topic of Deacons. So I would like to split it into three parts:

1. Who is a Deacon?
2. What are the qualifications for deacons?
3. What does this mean for each of us today?

Firstly, let’s try and understand who or what is a deacon. The word “Deacon” is derived from the Greek word “Dee-ak-on-os” which means “one who serves”. Deacons are Christians who are appointed to serve with the elders of the church in a variety of ways. Just to add, this is not a derogatory responsibility. In John 13, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples which was something that a slave/servant would do to symbolically show his disciples how they were to serve one another. So every believer in the church needs to be a “servant”.

In Acts 6:1-7, we see deacons being mentioned for the first time. Due to the increasing number of Christians, at one time the Greek speaking Jews complained about the Hebrew speaking Jews.

They said that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the 12 apostles gathered together all the believers and told them that it wouldn’t be right for them to give up the preaching of the word of God to wait on tables. So they asked the believers to select seven men among them of good reputation, full of Spirit and wisdom who will be appointed for this duty. Seven men were selected among whom were Stephen and Philip the evangelist so that the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. They prayed and laid their hands on these deacons and the very next verse (v7) says that the number of disciples multiplied greatly. There you see the impact of deacons in the building of the body. This work was different from what the apostles and the elders did, but it in no way was inferior or lesser in value.

When we learnt about the roles of the elders, we saw how the elders are to feed the flock with the preaching of the word, elders are to care for the flock by leading them eagerly and being examples for them and they are to protect the flock from false teachings and false teachers. Teaching and exercising oversight are the responsibilities of an elder. Apart from that, there are a variety of roles that deacons can serve in. They can include administration, handling finances of the church, music ministry, helping the poor and widows, children’s ministry etc.

Secondly, let’s come to the question: what are the qualifications for a deacon? So let’s turn to 1 Tim 3:8-13.

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

Why does it say “likewise”? In the same manner? It’s obviously telling us that there’s a link between the qualifications of elders and qualifications for deacons. As we go ahead, you’ll see similarities and the differences. One thing we can notice right off this verse is that just like elders, deacons also need to exhibit strong character qualities.

It says deacons “must be”. These are not optional qualifications for good deacons. There’s no second cut off list for the second grade of deacons. These are compulsory requirements for a person to be qualified as a deacon.

Deacons must be “dignified”. The word dignified means a person having honorable and respectable character. In other words, he needs to have a character which is being respected and looked up to. Now why would that be necessary? You might think…ok I get why an elder needs to have this requirement, why does a deacon also need that?

The reason is because deacons serve the church with elders. It’s the same people that both the deacons and the elders are ministering to…the family of God.

When Paul writes to the Philippians in 1:1 he says, “Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[b] and deacons”

They are together in this. It’s the same church that Christ loved so much that He gave Himself up for. (Ephesians 5:25)

It’s the same church of God that “Christ obtained and purchased with His blood.” (Acts 20:28)

This is a serious call and responsibility!

A deacon must be “not double-tongued”. What does that mean?

It means double speech. Saying one thing with one person and another thing with another person. Now why would that be important? The book of James has a lot to say about this.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:4-8)

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; (1 Pet 3:10)

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

I’m sure all of us at some point or the other have had friends who have been double-talkers. Isn’t it dangerous? Double-talk is poisonous and destructive and hence that becomes an important quality to examine in a person who wants to be a deacon.

A deacon must be “not addicted to much wine” which means not being attached to wine or be controlled by wine.

I think this is a point that is easier to accept by Indian culture because culturally it is viewed as something wrong. But at the same time, the stereotype for a Christian in the world today is someone who’s drunk and parties all the time. Every time I tell people how I don’t drink, it just puzzles people. They mostly think I’m crazy for taking this stance but I have to say it does identify me as someone different. As believers, we have the unique privilege of responding to any kind of excess with “we know someone better. We experience something better with Christ. There’s no need to get a high with alcohol when we experience immense pleasure in the presence of God!” So that’s the key here, is being defined not by a substance mastering over you but by being defined by Christ who lives in and through you.

Then it says that a deacon “must not be greedy for dishonest gain.”

The Greek actually means “must not be greedy for money”. And this is a big thing for churches. Churches have been divided and broken over money. Leaders and deacons who people thought were spiritual were in fact harbouring a love for money in their hearts. When it reaches its tipping point, this plays out in a very divisive, evil manner. That’s exactly what 1 Tim 6:10 says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matt 6:24)

What these two passages tell us is how evil and idolatrous the love for money can be. Money is literally the other god we make in our lives. And Jesus says “you will love one and hate the other”.

“You will be devoted to one and despise the other”. I wouldn’t want to be the one who hates and despises God but that’s what our love for money does. So not only are you dividing the church with your love for money but you’re also telling people that “money is more secure, dependable, satisfying and valuable than God”. And that’s a lie! Money doesn’t give anything. And that’s why a deacon should first be a worshiper and lover of God who doesn’t hold on to his pocket tightly.

9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Deacons must cling on to and be closely joined to the “mystery of the faith”.

Now when we think about mystery we usually think about something secret, something unknowable but when the Bible uses this phrase “mystery of the faith”, it refers to the hidden purposes of God which God fully reveals in Jesus: “The gospel”. The gospel for many generations before Christ was hidden. People weren’t fully aware nor understood how God was planning all along to redeem them through the sacrifice of His only Son.

Deacons need to cling onto the gospel with a clear conscience – a pure conscience! And we learnt some time back that the phrase “keeping faith and pure conscience” means holding onto the gospel and having a life consistent with it. Now why is that required?

a) Because the gospel helps us see God for who He is.

He is a Righteous God who punishes sin! He doesn’t overlook or ignore sin but deals with it because He is Just and Holy. At the same time, he is a loving God who doesn’t want to destroy His creation so He sends His Son to take on the whole punishment for sin. Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, we can now see, love and fellowship with God as He is.

b) Because the gospel gives us our true identity.

We are chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before God. We were predestined to be adopted as God’s sons and daughters through Jesus, we have redemption through Christ’s blood, and in Christ we have full forgiveness of sins. (Eph 1:3-10)

Family, apart from the gospel we will relate with God either in fear or arrogance. But through the good news, we see Him as the loving God who makes us His children through His Son’s sacrifice!
We saw earlier in chapter 1 how some people by rejecting faith and a good conscience ended up shipwrecking their faith! Hence, it is a critical thing for a deacon but it is also an essential thing for a believer.

10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

As we can see in v10, there is an examination and a scrutiny that is taking place. They are not blindly appointing these deacons due to their giftings or leadership skills or serving skills but by watching their lives. And that can only be done in the context of Christian community. So your community plays a very important role in affirming your level of maturity. That’s why it doesn’t make sense when people say they are mature in the faith apart from being around and involved in Christian community. We can acquire a lot of knowledge by reading books, listening to sermons by the best of preachers but your maturity level can only be confirmed if you’re serving and living life with other believers.

Blamelessness is another requirement. Let’s remind ourselves that it doesn’t mean sinless perfection. If that were the case, then no one would qualify to be a shepherd or a deacon. So what does blamelessness mean? It means having a lifestyle free of scandal. And again here, we’ve seen how scandals have wrecked people’s faith and divided the church. Both elders and deacons need to be pace-setters not injuring people’s faith.

11 Their wives likewise[d] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

Now he comes to the wives, telling how they should be respectable, not falsely accusing others but being calm and composed in their conversations. The wives are to be fully reliable in all things. At this point, you’re probably like “Wait a minute. I get why deacons should have qualifications, why should their wives also be scrutinized?” 

I think that’s why it’s essential to look at the church as the family of God. It’s not an event, not a club or an organization…it’s family! Family, as God designed it requires women to play an essential part. We see that at our homes, right? So crucial the role of a woman. The church is God’s family and so the actions of the wives of the deacons can positively or negatively impact the family.Secondly, wives can influence their husbands. If you have any doubts, talk to our forefather Adam. Therefore, it’s important to also look at their lives to qualify the man as a deacon.

12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

Similar to requirement for elders, a deacon should be loyal and faithful to his wife and also manage his children well. And again, these are not things that we usually look for in people to serve the church. Family leadership is vital to being able to serve in this capacity. This is not something that happens automatically. There is hard work that goes into staying faithful to your spouse and also leading the family well. This kind of commitment and hard work will play out even within the church if it is being practiced at home. We again see the close relationship between our family and our church family. It was never intended to be separated. And that’s why if we think about it biblically, Sunday event Christianity doesn’t make sense. It ends up being Sunday Christianity for some of us because we aren’t willing to live life with our brothers and sisters every day. Just think about the freedom you’ll have from pretending before others if you realized how we are all family in Christ. And the truth is real life together is messy but we have Christ and each other! Why do we still then live like orphans?

13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

It ends with an encouraging note for the hard work put in by the deacons. “They will gain a good standing for themselves” which means they will be respected and appreciated in the church for their ministry. Just to clarify, deacons shouldn’t serve because they want to be appreciated and respected by the church but instead as they eagerly and willingly serve the church, people will recognize their efforts and appreciate their work. But that kind of public acknowledgement is just one side. There’s something more than that which we will receive for a lifetime of faithful ministry:

People who serve well, will receive great boldness and confidence in the power of the gospel as they see it being proven time and time again in their own ministry. Your effectiveness in ministry will also increase as a result of this.

Sometimes, as believers we get into this self-centered space where we are only caught up in our own world and issues and insecurities…it leads us to be unsure of our faith. We end up doubting God’s purposes for us. If that’s what you are going through, let me encourage you to start serving in some capacity or the other.

It’s Christ himself who said “It’s more blessed to give than to receive”. (Acts 20:35) There is a supernatural blessing we can experience when we give our time, our money and our talents to serve someone else. We would’ve experienced this when we’ve gone to orphanages or mission trips. We go with an intention to give and not expecting anything back. More often than not we return back learning something new and feeling more satisfied than we were before.

So if you’re there today, thinking that you’ve reached a rut in your spiritual walk. You need to definitely ask yourself where’s your heart in relation to God. Repentance is necessary but that would also involve you removing your focus from yourself and placing it in people whom God has placed in your life. If you’re still figuring what that looks like, in what capacity can you serve the church, you can get in touch with either Saju or me and we’ll be happy to suggest some ways.

We did talk a great deal about the qualifications for deacons today. But I don’t want us to look at the list and think it’s not required for us. If there’s something both these qualifications teach us, it is that God desires holiness in the character of His children. We’ve cheapened the meaning of grace as believers today. Standard for purity and integrity in churches are very low. But as we see in 1 Tim 3, God has set a high standard for the church and the leaders need to set the pace. Let the requirement for holiness make us more and more dependent on Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Let it result in cries for strength and grace from heaven to be the kind of people God calls us to be.

Secondly, let’s also remind ourselves that God calls us to serve the church. Whether you are an ordained deacon or not, you are called to serve! You don’t need to be the most gifted individual leader to serve, all God desires is willingness. And as you serve people, you will begin to understand God and His attributes in many newer ways because He Himself came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). You emulate and imitate your Lord and Savior when you serve the church. What is God calling you to do today?

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/saju-sermon-easter.mp3″]

My goal today as we go through Galatians 5 is to re-instate, re-emphasize & remind you the truth of the gospel message pointing our hearts to Christ and the Freedom he achieved for us through his death burial and resurrection.

Read Galations 5

The Epistle of Galations is a letter written by Paul to the church in Galatia to address a very crucial concern and we see his concern for the church of Galatia in Galatians 1:6

1:6 – “I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ”

As you all know that Jesus was born in Jerusalem, in a Jewish culture. Jews are known to be the descendants of Abraham & David, people rescued from slavery in Egypt. They were the keepers of the law that was passed on by Moses on the mount of Sinai.

As decades passed this same people who knew God became a mere Law abiding citizens but their hearts were far away from God. Everything they did and performed were just external rituals mixed with traditions and influenced by the culture around them.

It is in this context that Jesus was born – The true messiah in whom all the requirement of the Law was fulfilled.

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”

Jesus was the answer to the Law and the fulfillment of God’s promise made through his prophets and it is now by faith in Christ that we are saved and not by keeping the requirement of the law

(Ephesians 2:4-10) “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

This message of the cross is not just for the Jews but also for the gentiles (people outside Israel)… for people like us.

We see at the end of his life Jesus sent out his disciples to make disciples of all nations. Th apostle Paul was chosen to preach to the gentiles this simple gospel of Christ because of which the church of Galatians – a gentile church – who believed in this simple gospel and were living in freedom.

In this letter to Galatia Paul was upset because some Jews (the trouble makers) were infiltrating the gospel and leading people’s heart away from Christ.

1:6 – “I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ”

2:4 – “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us”

These Jews started teaching them that it was not enough to just put our faith in Jesus but we also need to be circumcised (it was a practice of the law) to be accepted and loved by God.

Paul was angry because this teaching was diminishing the truth of the gospel and leading people astray.

The issue was not about circumcision . – 1 Cor 7:17-24

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”

Paul also complaints in 4:10-11 that the people were now observing special days, months and seasons.

4:10-11 – “You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years. I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted”

We see this kind of infiltration even in our present culture where the church is led astray by making them believe in a different gospel rather than the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Galations 5 Paul is re-instated, re-emphasizing and remind the people the truth of the gospel message pointing their hearts to Christ and the Freedom he achieved for them through his death burial and resurrection – Not by keeping the law but by simply putting their faith in Christ Jesus

Here are 5 Things Paul reminds them about the Freedom in Christ

1. EMBRACE YOUR FREEDOM (5:1)

“For freedom Christ has set us free”

• It is one thing to say we are free and another thing to truly believe and live it out
• We have to enjoy the fact that we are free … free in Christ .. and cherish it to the fullest
• Freedom is the goal of the gospel

o Roman 5:12,17 We are free from the curse of the Law, we are free from the curse of Adam
o Eph 2:5,6 free from spiritual death
o Free from the fear of death – Heb 2:14,15
o Free from condemnation Romans 8:1
o Free from the power of sin Romans 6:17,18
o Free from the authority of satan Colossains 1:13
o Free to inherit all that Christ has purchased for us Gal 4:5,7

• Breathe the fresh air of freedom
• It is sad to see Christians who continue to live in slavery
• Have not understood the meaning of freedom
• Freedom – Not dependent on our circumstances and situations – Depends on the truth
• We will have problems as long as we are on this earth
• The true meaning of “Freedom” is not what the world defines but it’s what Christ offers. Freedom from sin and slavery.
• We may perish on this earth – but we will flourish in heaven
• Embrace your freedom daily by reminding the gospel
• Share my heart

2. PROTECT YOUR FREEDOM (5:1)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery”

• Paul demonstrated it in 2:4-5 saying “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you”

Wherein we also see another example in 2:11-12 where Cephas failed to protect his freedom

2:11-12 – “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For he regularly ate with the gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party”

• Fear of man
• We don’t realize the harm it brings

Effect of Cephas hypocricy

2:13 – “Then rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy”

• If the freedom is lost the gospel is lost
• How do we protect our freedom?

o Don’t give in to the fear of man – Continue to do what is right
o Speak up against false teaching and defend your faith just as Paul did

3. EXPRESS YOUR FREEDOM (5:5-6)

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

• Express your freedom by waiting on the Lord for the hope of righteousness
o Which means not trying to be righteous on our own strength but by waiting and hoping in the Lord to gradually change our hearts.
• Express your freedom by putting your faith to work through love
o Which means to put your “Faith in Christ” at work through Love not your faith in your own abilities and wisdom.
• Our expression of our freedom is what talks volumes to an unbelieving heart
• When an unbeliever looks at our lives he/she notices that we have the same fleshly struggles they have but we are not enslaved by it – they see that our hope is in the Lord to rescue us and save from our treachery.
• And as time goes by they see the difference in our lives

4. EMPLOY YOUR FREEDOM (5:13-14) or USE YOUR FREEDOM

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

• Our freedom is not something to keep to ourselves rather it is given as an opportunity to love and serve one another
• Our freedom in Christ should propel us to reach out to others .. the unloved ones in our family … in our neighbourhood … on the streets … in our offices … in our colleges.
• Sharing the good news of this gospel of Freedom to one and all.

5. IMPROVE YOUR FREEDOM (5:16-26)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

• In this fight for Freedom we must choose sides in this war
o We are either led by the Spirit or led by the flesh
• It is living by the Spirit that keeps us in step with the Spirit
• We know whether we are in step with the Spirit by consistently evaluating the outcome of our lives.
• Verses 19-23 serves as a diagnostic tool to help understand whether are living by the Spirit or by the Flesh.
o The work of the flesh will lead us into sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these
o But the work of the Spirit will lead us into love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
• Let’s be careful not to choose a fleshly desire listed above and say it is from the Lord. For that will be wrong to say. God does not tempt us, God did not make us this way.

Quote by an unbeliever that gives us a wise understanding of our depravity and how to guard against it
I’ve been with my wife for almost 15 years. In those years I’ve been with anyone then the mother of my son, but that’s not because I’m a good person. Infact, I am wholly in possession of an unimaginably filthy mind. When it come to giving in to my filthy mind I’m not the one who believes in getting in the moment and then exercising will power. I believe in avoiding the moment. I belive in absolutely been clear with myself on why I’m having a second drink and why I’m not. Why I’m going to a party and why I’m not. I believe the battle is lost at the happy hour and not at the hotel. I am not a good man but I’m prepared to be an honorable one. This is not just true of infidelity, its true of virtually I’ve ever done in my life. I did not lose 70 pounds through strength of character, goodness of will power, my character and will anchors towards cheese cake, fried chicken and beer and in no particular order. I lost that fight by not fighting that battles on desires terms but fighting before desire can take effect. There are compacts I have made with myself and with my family just like other compacts we make with our country and society. I tend to think that those compacts work best when we don’t fool ourselves and are fully aware of our enemy in us.

• We cannot feed our flesh and at the same time please God. We must crucify along with its passions and desires
• The only way to fight this war is at the level of desire not external behaviour
• The good life God wants for us comes through the Spirit
• It is this life that protects the church from pride and division

Let’s ask ourselves – who’s side are we fighting against in this war. Are you siding with the Spirit of God through faith, using your freedom for the blessing of others, embracing it as precious.
And remember whenever you start living this life if freedom, people will come with wrong teaching infiltration your minds, adding stuffs that was never part of Gods plan for us.

2:4 – “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us”

• We must resist it
• Do not be deceived but continue to live your Freedom in Christ

For Christ died for our sins, giving us liberty from sin and slavery even when we were deep down in our sins, defeated sin and sin and rose again on the third and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.

The passage we are going to cover today has been a fascinating one for the church over the ages. More so in recent times this has been a reason for a lot of fascination because it deals with the different roles that men and women have within the church. And the goal of the sermon is not to make it a more fascinating topic but to recognize God as absolutely fantastic due to His wisdom and ways!

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

3 weeks back we looked at the passage in chapter 2 which urged us to pray all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people…especially those that are harsh toward us. And what was the reason for this: is that they come to knowledge of the truth! One of the key points we were challenged on was to pray for someone who has actually harmed us or wronged us. Someone who we think would never get saved. Two things happen when we pray for them:

a) The gospel is exalted because we affirm that it has the power to save anyone. No matter who you are and what you’ve done, the good news (that Jesus Christ died and rose again) is able to deliver you from the wrath of God. That’s the powerful message we communicate when we pray for those that are against us or against the gospel. Do we really believe that the gospel is “good news for all”? Even the worst of sinners?

b) God is glorified because we reflect the heart of God when we pray and desire their salvation. We show ourselves to be God’s children by wanting our “enemies” and people unlike us come to the knowledge of the Savior. If we ourselves were enemies of God who were shown immense mercy and patience through the gospel, how can we be self righteous to not make that same prayer for others no matter how cruel or wicked they’ve been?

Today’s passage jumps off where we left. The context is about prayer…praying for all kinds of people so that they get saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

V8 says: I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling.

We are talking about church Gatherings here. Paul is obviously not saying that only men can pray in a Gathering but I think he’s pointing toward men taking the lead as they offer various prayers for various people.

“Lifting holy hands” is a typical posture for prayer in the Bible. Few examples are:

Psalm 63:4: I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

God tells the sinful Israelites in Isaiah 1:15, “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood”.

And then he goes on to add “without anger or quarrelling”…what is he trying to say here?

He’s probably saying that because anger and quarrelling was an issue in the Ephesian church. It could probably be the result of controversial teachings that were being propagated by false teachers. So Paul wrote this to Timothy so that he could bring order to their church meetings. Also what I think he’s trying to say here is that the lives of men who profess faith in Christ should be defined not by anger or quarrelling but by prayer. Isn’t that profound but also convicting?

If people from within the church and outside the church would be asked to describe you based on your lifestyle, what would they say about it? Would they say it’s defined by prayer? Or would they say that it’s defined by quarrels and anger?

One of the things that men generally struggle with is a desire for respect and pride. We are always crying and demanding respect from various people in our lives. Our parents, our spouse, our colleagues, our friends and our church family as well. When we don’t receive it, we end up quarrelling.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions[a] are at war within you?[b] 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:1-3)

Men, the reason why there are constant quarrels and fights is not because of the other person or the circumstance but because of your sinful desires. If the way you deal with tough times and conflicts is by fighting over it instead of bringing it to God in prayer, the truth is that you struggle with a great deal of pride and selfishness. And that speaks a lot about whom we trust and whom are we trying to please. Are we really trusting God or are we trusting and trying to please ourselves? Our lifestyle displays what we believe. Our lifestyle communicates what we love.

Luke 6:45: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

What would it take for us to be identified as men that are prayerful?

9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

When Paul instructs the women, he tells how they should be defined by their “good works” and not what they wear. And this is a huge deal for women. In today’s time, this might seem to restrict a woman’s right to wear whatever she wants to wear.

Let me phrase the same question that was phrased to the men, if people from within the church and outside the church would be asked to describe you based on your lifestyle, what would they say about it? Would they say it’s defined by good works? Or would they say it’s defined by the external and what you wear?

And I think while the struggle with men is with pride, women generally on the other hand struggle with acceptance. Therefore, what they wear gives them self worth. That feeling of being accepted by people. The instruction here is to not adorn themselves with costly clothing and fancy hair and jewelry but to adorn themselves with good works.

3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. (1 Pet 3:3-6)

What this passage says is what God actually views as beautiful is not the external adornment but the gentleness and character of the heart. A submissive heart is what God finds very precious! One may ask, “Well is there something wrong in trying to look nice?” No, there’s nothing wrong. However, if most of our effort and time is spent in making us look attractive externally rather than considering how can we serve and love Christ and people, then it is an issue of the heart which needs to be addressed.

What would it take to be identified as a woman of good works?

And I think the gospel addresses both of these issues that men and women face. Our struggle with pride and acceptance can be addressed by the gospel. When we understand how big, Holy and loving God is and how sinful we are in the light of His holiness, it completely crushes the pride in us. We realize the only way we can have a restored relationship with the Creator is by trusting in a Wonderful Savior and not in ourselves. The cheap thrill that we have by exalting ourselves and fighting for our pride is thrown away when we receive the true Joy giver.

On the other hand, we know that through Christ we are fully loved and accepted by God. There’s no greater fulfillment and satisfaction than knowing that our Creator and Redeemer has totally accepted us. So we’re freed to pursue what God has called us to do.

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Now what does Paul mean here? If we don’t understand the context and the reason for what Paul is saying we might assume that he is being chauvinistic. So let’s dig deep to know what the context is?

Is Paul trying to say that women cannot speak in Gatherings?

No, because in 1 Cor 11:5 Paul talks about order in worship out there and he clearly describes women who pray and prophesy.

but every wife[c] who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven

Just to clarify on this verse that head covering in the Corinthian culture, a married woman who uncovered her head in public brought shame to her husband. As you can see in v5, praying and prophesying by women was permitted or he wouldn’t have mentioned this example.

But someone may say “what about 1 Cor 14:33-35 where there is a similar instruction?”

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Again to understand this, we’ll need to look at the immediate context which is v29: Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. The context dealt with examination and critique of prophecies which is more a ruling or governing function of the church.

Therefore, even in 1 Tim 2:11, when Paul says she is to learn quietly in submissiveness, he’s not saying that she cannot speak at all but the reference is to v12 where he says:
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man

Now if you remember from last week, the elder has three roles: feeding the church, caring for the church and protecting the church. Teaching and exercising authority over a man are roles fulfilled by the elder in a biblical church. Teaching is how the church is fed by the Word of God and exercising authority is the governing authority to lead, care and protect the church.

One may ask, “what if the woman is gifted to teach? What about that?”

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

It’s interesting how Paul doesn’t talk about culture as the reason for this mandate but goes back to Creation to show how this was the order in God’s design.

Adam was created first by God. In God’s mind, the leadership at home was given to the man. That was his role. This in no way makes the woman unequal. There is a difference in role but both have equal worth, importance and value. Both men and women are equally important and valuable to God.

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. (Gen 1:27)

The second reason Paul gives is Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

Again, Paul isn’t trying to blame Eve for the fall and say Adam was innocent but he was trying to point to something else that happened in the Garden.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin cloths. (Gen 3:1-7)

Adam was present with Eve at the time when she was being tempted. His responsibility was also to protect the spiritual life in the home. He silently watched and participated in the act of disobedience instead of preserving the faith of the family while Eve took the lead. This role reversal resulted in the Fall of mankind. Satan attacked the male headship of the home when he spoke to Eve and deceived her. Paul probably is stating this to show how disastrous it can be when men don’t ascribe to God’s design and take up spiritual leadership in the church.

This is not to say that women are incapable of teaching the Bible. In fact a woman in a church might be better gifted at teaching but the office to lead and shepherd the church is for a man. In Titus 2, it urges mature woman in the faith to disciple younger women and children. Their gifts can still be used in the church but differently. For eg: if me and my wife did the same thing and didn’t have different roles, our home wouldn’t function properly. Each of us have different skills which we bring to the table but our roles are distinct.

Another question would be, “can a woman participate/help in other ministries of the church like example worship/music ministry?”

The only exception given biblically is with respect to the office of an elder. Yes, she can help in other ministries. Regarding worship leading, the Gathering doesn’t view worship leading as an office of an elder. The person leading worship isn’t teaching expositionally nor does the person exercise any authority. Reading scripture, selecting songs, prayer can and should have participation of women. I think the concern would be if a man came up to Jane or Angela and asked them to pastor/lead him.

We realize that God desires and has ordained for men to be the spiritual leaders at home and in the church. In God’s heart, this was the best way (complementary roles) to reflect the harmonious interpersonal relationship within the Trinity. In the God Head, all members are equal in worth and personhood yet they have different roles.

So what’s the application here?

One of the reasons why I feel women have had to step up in the last few years has been because men have been passive and lazy toward their responsibility of spiritual leadership. In my experience in youth ministry for a few years and also the churches I’ve been to, it’s been sad to see a minority of men participating, getting involved and leading people in the faith. “Where are the men?” is a question often asked. God’s church requires faithful, reliable and prayerful men who will lead their families and the church to know and love God more. You don’t have to know everything or even be smarter than the women to lead. God calls men to lead by taking the initiative.

The encouragement to women would be to continue to actively participate in all the different ways that God has designed for them with the variety of gifts that they’ve been given. However, if they notice a pattern where there’s only a female initiative in evangelism, bible studies or discipleship…it would be good to just have a word with the men gently encouraging them to take the lead in those areas. This I think works well in a context of a husband/wife relationship where the wife can gently encourage her husband to take the lead and also in the context of close GC relationships because we see how God has called and designed different roles in the family of God to display who He is.

It’s been an amazing journey of understanding God’s heart for the church as we’ve looked through 1 Timothy. Last week Jeff preached on the “Qualifications of an Elder”: What are the qualifying characteristics of a person who needs to be appointed as an elder? Do you remember the 6 points?

1. Desire
2. Character
3. Ability
4. Family Leadership
5. Maturity
6. Reputation.

This week we’ll be jumping off what we learnt last week…We’ll get into the nitty gritty details of “What an Elder Is” and “What he does”. Isn’t that a great question? What does an elder do? Just to remind you all again…Elder, Pastor, Bishop and Overseer all mean the same thing. In the Bible, these words are used interchangeably.

So coming back, why do you think it’s important to know what is an elder and what he does biblically? I think there are two reasons:

1. To prevent abuse within the church of God

We’ve all heard numerous stories how elders have wrongly used their spiritual position in the church to take advantage of their people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Just imagine the damage it would’ve caused. Some victims of this kind of spiritual abuse have even abandoned the faith because the leaders who should’ve led them toward Christ are in turn abusing them. That is really cruel! Christ would never ever want that to happen to His church!

2. To get rid of the unhealthy baggage from our previous church experiences

Most of us who have been to other churches in the past are carrying some unhealthy perceptions on the role and function of an elder which can affect our involvement and participation in this local body. Believe it or not, all of us are carrying some kind of baggage. Two examples are here:

a) Authoritarian View of an Elder

Some of us have seen elders from other churches being harsh, prideful and dominating. He’s more like the “Boss/Landlord” rather than a “Shepherd” taking care of the flock. This develops an unhealthy pattern of fear among the church. People are always fearful of the elder and the pursuit of the congregation turns into pleasing and exalting the elder rather than Christ. The elder is viewed only in terms of his administrative and organizational qualities.

b) Diminished View of an Elder

This is the other extreme where there is no respect for the elder. You’ll often find people frequently bad mouthing the elder and also being non-submissive to anything he says. Well, the main issue with this view is that they are slandering the authority that God has placed over their souls. This is never pleasing to God.

These reasons (abuse and baggage) often hamper us from really enjoying God’s design for the church and living out God’s purposes in and through our lives. There is a reason why God has placed called and gifted individuals over the church so that they can lead people to love, trust and obey God more effectively. Again to re-iterate Jeff’s point last week…Pastors/Elders are sheep themselves. We are equal in dignity and worth before God. And we are equally in need of God’s grace each day. But by rebelling against God’s appointed leaders, it doesn’t enable us to have greater love and intimacy with Christ. It’s like a wife responding to a question on her husband’s leadership saying “Leader? You wish! He can’t lead anyone”. Although both the husband and wife are equal in God’s sight but in order to grow and live out God’s purposes they’ll need to complement each other in their roles and not fight to establish their dominance at home. So the attempt this morning is to understand the weighty call of the elder and also grow in appreciation of God’s design for the church.

So let’s try to answer: What is an elder?

An elder is a God called and qualified person appointed to feed, care and protect His flock through the authority of the Word. The goal for this leader is to help people love, trust and obey God more effectively.

Let’s look at Scripture to make sure we’re grounded in our understanding and definition of what an Elder Is and Does.

We did go through last week how God qualifies an elder. (1 Tim 3:1-7)

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Just to touch on the topic of what it means to be God called:

V1 talks about the desire that God places on a person’s heart to pursue this ministry. And this is not a desire to become great, famous, popular and rich. Those are all wrong motivations and a person should be not be qualified if that is the motivation. The desire which is being referred to here is to see people’s lives being changed by the gospel through the faithful shepherding of the flock which results in total dependence on the sufficiency of Christ. In other words, the heart beat and passion for a pastor called and qualified by God would be to echo the words of John the Baptist “He must increase, but I must decrease”. (John 3:30) The success of this person’s ministry is not defined by how much he/his church has accomplished but on how much his church trusts and relies on God.

Just to clarify, all of us have been called by God to proclaim His excellencies (1 Pet 2:9). We all are a royal priesthood. But God does have a specific role for elders to equip and build up the church so that they can be more effective in ministering to people.

Ephesian 4:11-12: And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

2) What does an Elder do? How does he equip the body for ministry?

1) Feeds the Flock
2) Cares for the Flock
3) Protects the Flock.

Let’s look at each of them in detail.

1. Elders feed the flock

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you (1 Pet 5:1-2)

The Greek word that is used for “shepherd” actually means “feed”. Essentially Peter is saying as a fellow elder he urges “shepherds/elders” to feed the flock. What should they be fed with? Not grass. But with the Word of God. Christ’s sheep needs to be nourished and nurtured with the Word of God. And that’s why the only qualification that deals with a capability from that list in 1 Tim 3 says “able to teach”. An elder spends time and energy with the Bible so that Christ’s church can be fed with the pure instruction and preaching of the Word. The seriousness of this call is humbling for me because it reminds me that if this passage is interpreted and applied correctly as it was intended, then you would be listening to not the word of man but God Himself! This “feeding” is however not restricted to a Sunday sermon but a lifestyle of discipleship. The gospel is being applied in discussions about life, work, marriage, entertainment, children, fashion, relationships, conflict, education, career etc. The elder is not expressing his opinions on these topics but is delving deep into Scripture to help people understand what God thinks about these topics and how he wants us to respond. It’s really disappointing that there are some pastors today that think that the Bible isn’t relevant anymore so they come up with sermons and teachings on the basis of worldly wisdom using verses to support their claims but denying the power and truth of Scripture. My point is…if we want to hear what the world thinks about these questions we don’t need the elder to tell us that. We’ll source that from other places. What we need to hear is what Christ wants to us to believe, desire and obey.

2 Tim 3:16: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2. Elders care for the flock

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1 Pet 5:1-3)

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[a]which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Few things we can understand from these two passages:

i) Elders care for the flock by understanding that they are overseeing the flock of Christ that He purchased with His own blood. This is as weighty as it gets. Remember earlier we talked about elders that have abused their congregation. The reason they do it is because they don’t realize that these are the very people that Christ brought out of slavery with His own blood. The flock is treated with utmost care.

ii) Elders care for the flock by being an example. This is so powerful. All of us know the impact that actions can have more than words. An elder nullifies his doctrine with an inconsistent lifestyle. The best way an elder can love and care for the church is by showing them how to love and serve Christ.

iii) Elders care for the flock by shepherding willingly and eagerly. As we’ve seen, leading and caring for Christ’s flock involves a lot of work, time and energy. All of us know of tasks that we do out of compulsion and obligation. However, Christ intends that elders joyfully and willingly embrace the responsibility. Secondly, in our flesh and self-centredness we are always looking to do things which give us some immediate returns. Christ calls elders to not do it out of shameful gain but eagerly not expecting immediate returns but the heavenly reward for those who do it well. 1 Pet 5:4 : And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

3. Elders protect the flock

Titus 1:9 : He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[g] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

An elder needs to be gospel fluent : his understanding about the glory of God, the pre-eminence of Christ and our desperate need to trust in the sufficiency of Christ. He needs to be gospel fluent in order to preach but also to rebuke wrong doctrine.

Acts 20:29-31 : I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

In Acts 20, Paul calls the Ephesian elders to meet him at Miletus. He exhorts them before he leaves on how they need to take care of God’s flock. But look at the language he uses to describe false teachers : “fierce wolves”. These false teachers will come up among the disciples and will speak of strange twisted things in order to draw disciples after them. Again you see the connection between wrong doctrine and wrong intention. But the exhortation to the elders is that they remain alert! They can’t just allow anybody to come and teach anything. If the pure word of God is able to nourish and build up believers, then the impure, contaminated teaching would harm and destroy the believers. And elders shouldn’t allow that to take place. It’s like a shepherd allowing wolves to come and devour the lambs. Will a good shepherd allow that to happen? No. Saju narrated an incident once where a gospel singer contacted him through the website. This person claimed to have written many Christian songs and he wanted to check with Saju if he could come to the Gathering and sing his songs and share his testimony. Saju told him that he was welcome to attend our Gathering but he wouldn’t be allowed to share his testimony or sing a song because we didn’t know anything about him. Didn’t know his life or his doctrine. We couldn’t allow him to come and say anything because it could be something absolutely unbiblical which could harm the flock. Protecting the flock is one of the key responsibilities of the elder.

As we’ve all read and understood the call and the function of an elder, I pray that it does a couple of things in our hearts this morning:

1. If we’ve had negative baggage with respect to church leadership, I think this calls us to repent of those false beliefs and embrace God’s design as He’s laid down in Scripture.

2. Submit to elders in a way that is honouring to Christ. Heb 13:17: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. What would that mean to us today? How can we make it a joy for our elders to serve and watch over our souls?

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/Jeff-170326_1117.mp3″]

If you’ve been here at the Gathering (or if you’ve been following along online) you know that we are working our way through the Pastoral Epistles as a family of churches. So Mid-cities & West County are in the same text as you are every weekend as we study 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

With the exception of this weekend, we’ve moved a couple of things around here @ The Gathering to accommodate for the installation this morning of Jinson Thomas as an elder.

So the text that we we’re scheduled to study this morning (1 Timothy 2:8-15) will be pushed back 2 weeks so that we can talk about “The Qualifications of an Elder” and then next weekend we can look at “What an Elder Is & Does“.

We felt like that adjustment was most appropriate given the weight & importance of installing a new elder. This is no small thing!!! And we want to celebrate that together as a family.

Alright let’s get to our text this morning- 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Before we read our text and begin the discussion of qualifications for elders let’s go to the Lord in prayer together.

So my aim this morning is simply to work through & explain the Qualifications for an Elder. What are the things that qualify a man for this position in the church? We’re going to talk about that and then save some time at the end to actually lay hands on & pray over & commission Jinson to this work.

And I should probably tell you up front that this might feel a little bit like a Bible Study at times I’m just going to be reading & explaining each verse. That’s sort of the nature of this text and I want to be as faithful as possible to the text.

Having said that let me make a few foundational statements that will help us navigate these qualifications. I remind my church all the time as I remind myself that the gospel is the set of lenses through which we’re able to understand & apply the Scriptures.

Without the gospel, without a high view of the glory of God, without an understanding that Jesus Christ is preeminent in everything, we tend to read Scripture in a way that just provides information. And that can quickly lead us to pride. And that’s the last thing we want.

So I want to take just a moment and set the stage for us. With a few foundational statements that will help us navigate a discussion about Elders in a way that most glorifies God & magnifies Jesus as the head of the church.

And that’s actually MY FIRST STATEMENT. When it comes to a discussion about church government we must understand that JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH. This is clear & undisputed in Scripture.

Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.“

Ephesians 4:15: “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.“

Ephesians 5:23: “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.“

Elders serve as under-shepherds to THE CHIEF SHEPHERD Jesus Christ. And elders are in fact sheep themselves. That’s important to remember because humans have a long history of trying to usurp God’s leadership don’t they? And by “long history” I mean since the garden.

We tend to do things in a way that puts our hope in men & not in God. That’s how we define idolatry. And if you want a case study on that, just look at the Nation of Israel rejecting the direct leadership that God provided them as they clamored for a king. Didn’t go very well and in fact it never goes very well.

Many of you know Francis Chan he’s an author & a pastor that I respect greatly. He has an amazing quote that reminds us of the futility of being an elder specifically in the role of teaching & preaching. He said, “Preaching is like a piece of clay trying to explain to other pieces of clay what the potter is like.“

As a preaching piece of clay, I would agree with that statement. So let’s remember that Christ is the head of HIS CHURCH. But He has called certain men to bring leadership to the church under His direct leadership in a way that creates deep & abiding dependence upon Him for EVERYTHING. We have to remember that!

Here’s the SECOND STATEMENT Every member of Christ’s body(the church) are priests & ministers. This is also clear in Scripture:

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.“

Revelation 1:5-6 “Jesus Christ to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.“

Now why is it important that we highlight this? It’s important because here’s what tends to happen as the leadership of a church develops.

The body (which is all of us) can easily forget that we are all called to the work of ministry. We are all ministers. We are all His ambassadors. We are all called to love & serve & proclaim the excellencies of Jesus.

When we don’t remember that, the body will increasingly sit back and expect the “professionals” to do the work of the ministry. And then the body becomes lethargic & slow & it atrophies over time. It’s basically what has happened to me physically since I turned 40 (But that’s another topic).

Now we’re going to get into this subject more fully next weekend but a big part of an elder’s role is to equip the body (that’s you) for the work of ministry. Paul says that in Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.“

So when you install another elder the attitude isn’t, “Oh good we’re installing another elder so that’s less we have to do.” No the attitude is, “Great we’re installing another elder so that’s more equipping of the body that can take place for the ministry to which God has called The Gathering Church!” Are you all with me on that?

THIRD STATEMENT (and I want to say this as clearly as I can) even though there is a special calling placed on the life of an elder (to lead & equip) there is equality before God as children as heirs as priests as ministers. There’s EQUALITY in worth EQUALITY in value. EQUALITY IN DIGNITY & EQUALITY as image bearers of God.

This call to eldership is not a call to authoritarianism. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but the way many churches have set up their elders (in an unhealthy way) has led to abuse. It’s led to a domineering attitude & a damaging of the body of Christ.

We must understand that Elders are given by God as a gift to the body for its benefit. They are not given to dominate or belittle or to stand above anyone else. Listen to the gravity of these texts:

Hebrews 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.“

Acts 20:28: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.“

A call to eldership is not a call to dominate & bully. It’s a call to love & feed & nurture & care for. IT’S A CALL TO GREAT HUMILITY. And it helps us stay humble when we realize just how dependent we are upon Jesus Christ for absolutely everything!!!!

AND that’s where I want our hearts to go this morning. I want this discussion to drive all of us to deeper & deeper dependence upon Jesus Christ for everything. Because that’s exactly where a discussion about human leadership has to take us.

Because we are weak but He is strong. We are insufficient but He is infinitely sufficient. Where we were dead & hopeless & blind, He is THE ONE who has brought us back to life and given us sight.

You see this discussion should serve to cast a spotlight on the power & sufficiency of Jesus Christ and the beauty of His provision for us. How can it not when we’re talking about man doing something that man is not capable of doing? That must be designed by God to create greater dependency on Him.

So as I go through these qualifications for eldership let’s not for one second say in our hearts, “Man look at how awesome Jinson is!” or “Look at how awesome Saju is!” or “Look how awesome any other elder is!” Let’s instead be wowed at how awesome Jesus is!!!!! Are you guys tracking with me?

Here are the qualifications that Paul lays out for an elder in our text. There are 6 of them and I’m going to just list these up front and then I’ll go through and unpack them one-by-one.

1) Desire
2) Character
3) Ability
4) Family Leadership
5) Maturity
6) Reputation.

First Paul says that the man must ASPIRE or have a DESIRE for the office of elder. Look again at verse 1: “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.“

Now we need to be really careful to define the type of desire that Paul’s talking about. Because throughout the history of the church there have been men who have desired the wrong things and have been primarily concerned with authority and not hard work & care of the body.

I think that’s why Paul uses the language he does here. He doesn’t describe an elder in terms of office (or status) but in terms of work.

“If a man desires this TASK (this work)“. That’s really important for us to understand. Because serving in the capacity of elder isn’t about status It’s about hard work that’s fueled by a passion for the care of God’s people. It’s a passion to contend for the faith of those in your care.

That’s what Paul is pointing to here. That an elder desires to do the spiritual work of a shepherd in the church. It’s not about being esteemed or thought highly of or achieving some rank. It’s about deep humility that drives hard work.

Now I would suggest that you’ll be able to see if that type of desire is in a man. You’ll see it in the way he studies the Word You’ll see it in the way he desires to teach the Word You’ll see it in the way he commits himself to the life of a church family You’ll see it reflected in a passion for the mission of God and a passion for making disciples It will be unmistakable over time.

So that’s the FIRST QUALIFICATION. There must be a godly aspiration: a desire for the office of elder.

THE SECOND QUALIFICATION deals with a man’s CHARACTER. Now if I had to summarize this area I’d say that an elder must be characterized by a degree of godliness (or holiness in the Lord).

So the question is what does godliness look like? Well thankfully Paul gives us a really practical description of what this looks like. Look again at verses 2 & 3: “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.“

This is a pretty straightforward list. If I had to paraphrase these things I would say that: The man must be free from scandalous sins & offensive habits that would open him up to public criticism – that’s what being above reproach looks like.

He’s marked by fidelity in marriage. I would say more specifically that his marriage is biblical: heterosexual, monogamous & pure.

He is a temperate or sober-minded man. He has a wakeful mind. He’s alert, vigilant & opposed to all kinds of excess in his life. He has self-control. That is, he has some mastery over his natural reactions.

He’s hospitable to those within and those outside of the church. He’s free from being controlled by alcohol or for that matter. He’s free from being controlled by anything other than the love of Christ.

He’s not violent but temperate. He’s not given to quarreling but is a peace-maker. He is increasingly gentle and meek and humble. And his heart is free from the love of money. In other words he understands that God owns everything and he is merely a steward of what God has entrusted to him.

Can I tell you what I love about this type of list and where it should bring our hearts? This list should drive us into deep dependence upon Jesus Christ. Because there’s no way we can do these things perfectly all the time!!!

But that’s the beauty of the gospel. And the reason why an elder must be rooted in the gospel. You see this type of lifestyle is progressive in nature. It grows over time and its growth is completely dependent upon us abiding in Jesus Christ.

You see when we look at a list like this and just try harder to live up to these standards or when we put on a mask and pretend like we have these things figured out or when we do both of those things at the same time it will only lead us further away from the heart of God.

That’s why an elder’s life cannot be marked by performing or pretending. And elder’s life MUST BE MARKED by radical dependence upon Jesus Christ to cultivate these things in his heart.

Put more plainly an elder must be defined by & saturated in & fueled by the gospel. And with every passing day he is to be marked more & more & more not by what he can do but by resting in what Jesus has done for him.

And by the way this is not just true of elders. This principle is true for all of our lives. We are (all of us) called to be increasingly “gospel fluent“.

So first is a desire, second is godly character, THE THIRD QUALIFICATION is ability. This is also found in verse 2:”An overseer must be able to teach“

Now I find it absolutely fascinating that Paul only singles out one ability for an elder in this text. He must be able to teach. Notice how he doesn’t say, “He has to be an amazing leader or he has to come from a certain class of people or be in a position of prominence in culture.” He says that he must to be able to teach.

Why would Paul single out that one thing? Well I think it has a lot to do with what I just said about the necessity of gospel fluency. You see what Paul is pointing to here is that an elder must be able to disciple other believers.

Which means that he has to be so fluent in the gospel that he’s able to give that away to others. This is why we see so many church contexts that are defined by a performance mentality it’s because they are led by elders who are rooted in performance and not gospel.

This is why we see so many churches that are marked by pretending it’s because they are led by elders who are rooted in pretending and not in the gospel.

This is why we have so many churches that are gospel light & spiritually anemic. It’s because they are not being led by men who are radically dependent upon Jesus Christ and whose hearts are being progressively transformed by the gospel. God is calling men to the office of elder who are able to teach the gospel to others.

You see when you understand that Paul is talking about the ability to disciple and teach the gospel (in all kinds of settings. Not just in the form of a sermon at a worship gathering). It makes sense why he would list this as the only ability.

Because this is the primary task that Jesus has given to the Church. “To go and make disciples of all nations, to baptize them, and to teach them obedience to everything that Jesus commanded.“

SO it makes perfect sense that the elder must be able to do that effectively because the elders help set the pace for the rest of the body in carrying out the mission that God has given the church.

So desire, character, ability. FOURTH IS FAMILY LEADERSHIP. Look again at verses 4 & 5: “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?“

Paul’s point here is very clear. If you want to know whether a man will be a good shepherd in the church, start by looking at the way he shepherd’s his family. If he’s a good leader at home chances are he’s going to be a good leader in the church.

And so how a man leads & serves his wife is very important. How a man loves his children & points them to Jesus is very important. Does he lead his family from the gospel from grace or is he harsh with them and domineering?

This cannot be understated. If a man is not pastoring his family well he’s disqualified from pastoring a church. That’s something that the church overlooks all too often. And it’s damaging to churches & it’s damaging to families.

Now I know that a common question that’s raised is, “Does an elder have to have a family in order to serve in that office?” I don’t believe he does. However, I believe that extra scrutiny should be given in these other areas for someone who is single. That’s because of how revealing this one area is.

So desire, character, ability, family leadership. And then FIFTH Maturity. Look again at verse 6: “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.“

Now it makes good sense that an elder must be mature. But to what kind of maturity is Paul referring here? Does he mean that men must be older or does he mean that they must be older in the faith?

Well I believe that it’s clear when you take into account the rest of Paul’s writings. That he is referring to spiritual maturity. I’ve met some guys in their 20’s who are incredibly mature spiritually. And I’ve met some guys in their 60’s & 70’s that I wouldn’t trust to talk to my kids about spiritual things because they have no grasp of the gospel.

The point that Paul’s making is that we cannot install a recent convert into the role of elder no matter what other abilities or qualities they have. There must be a period of testing that takes place. And that happens over time.

SO desire, character, ability, family leadership, maturity. And then FINALLY they must have a good reputation. Look again at verse 7: “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.“

Simply put Elders must be men of integrity and that should be obvious to those outside (as well as inside) the church. Again the primary call of the church is to make disciples. To show the world what God’s love is like. And elders are to lead that charge.

And they are to lead that charge with their lives. If a man is going to shepherd the church he must do so with a life of integrity & reputation that communicates something even to the unbelieving world around him.

Even where people don’t like you because of the message you’re sharing. They cannot bring a charge against your reputation & your character.

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/19032017Jinson.mp3″]

Paul has spent the whole of the first chapter rebutting the false doctrine and contrasting it with glorious gospel. The gospel produces sound doctrine and a sound lifestyle. And now he’s showing how the gospel should infuse into the life of the church. What does that look like? We are a family that prays together! Last week as we went through the first two verses of 1 Tim 2, Saju reminded us about the importance of prayer. Prayer is meant to be the first response and not the last response when we confronted with trouble times and our own sin struggles. We learnt how:

a) The peace of God guards our hearts and minds in Christ when we pray
b) God gives us wisdom to deal with circumstances, people and sin when we pray
c) God performs miracles when we pray
d) God brings healing and deliverance when we pray.

Prayer is so essential. One other definition of prayer I thought really helped me understand and grasp the privilege we have is “Prayer is a powerful vehicle by which God accomplishes His purposes in & through our lives”. God is Sovereign and will do as He has decreed but isn’t it a great privilege to join him and participate in God’s purposes through prayer. Being adopted into God’s family, now we have the unique privilege of making requests to God and see Him answer them in His perfect way and timing. It’s personally been a good reminder for me to focus on prayer in all things.

Coming to this week’s passage, we’re going to know what to pray for and whom to pray for. We’ve learnt a great deal on what prayer is and how important it is for the Christian life. Now the next level is whom do you pray for and what do you pray for them?\

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Tim 2:3-7)

1. Gospel root in prayer

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

This week’s passage starts of with v3. When I read this verse, the first question that we should ask is “what is good and pleasing in the sight of God?” I really want to know. I want to know what’s beautiful and acceptable in the presence of God. For that we need to see the previous two verses.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Supplications are requests made to God, prayers are earnest prayers we make for ourselves and others, intercession is coming together with other believers to make a request for God (like a conference) and thanksgiving is grateful language used for God. What he has described here is all sorts of prayers to made for whom? All people! You mean each and every type of person? Yes and yes.

He goes on to specify for whom?

for kings and all who are in high positions (v2)

Pray for the leaders, people who are in commanding positions in your life, authorities. It made me ask, who was the King at that point of time? Probably that will help in understanding this passage.

Nero was the Emperor of Rome at the time. People considered him to be a compulsive and corrupt ruler. He murdered his way to the throne. During his lifetime he executed his mother and also probably poisoned his step brother. In AD 64, most of Rome was destroyed by the Great Fire of Rome. Historians write that many Romans believed that Nero himself started the fire, in order to clear the land for his planned palatial complex.

How was he toward Christians? Very brutal. He was rumoured to have had captured Christians dipped in oil and set on fire in his garden at night as a source of light.

Now think over what the church was urged to do? Pray for Nero! And what kind of prayer was supposed to be made for kings and other authorities?

V4: who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The prayer for Nero and other such rulers was that they may be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. What? Shouldn’t the prayer be for the protection of believers from Nero? Shouldn’t the prayers instead ask God to bring down His wrath on Nero for oppressing and brutally killing Christians?

Instead the call is that all kinds of prayers be made for Nero and the like so that they may be saved from the wrath of God that comes upon all who rebel against Him. Prayers need to be made so that they come to a full discernment of the truth about God! Doesn’t this change everything we think about whom to pray for and how to pray for them?

Why would God want us to pray this? Why does God delight in this and find pleasure in prayers made for “people like them”?

I think there are two reasons:

i) The gospel is exalted when we pray for their salvation

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Every time we pray for the salvation of the authorities in our lives, we re-affirm in the power of the gospel to save anybody! There is a certain conviction with which you will pray if you understood that Christ is the only one who can restore your broken relationship with God. There is “one God” not multiple gods. This list of multiple “gods” also include money, people, family, entertainment, comfort, jobs, relationships, your religious life…anything that demands more of your affection and the preoccupation of your mind is a “god”. And the Bible clearly says…there is only One God and one mediator. There is only absolutely one person who can intervene between you and God and restore that friendship – the man Christ Jesus! The Son of God (fully God), who fully became man to identify with you and then die for you to be reconciled to God. V6 says that “who gave himself as a ransom for all”. It was a willing handover of himself over to be crucified. Why did he do that? Rom 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death”. He willingly gave himself on the cross to pay for your sins and your rebellion toward God! He died because you and I had made up these little “gods” for ourselves. We worshiped them every single day. Our thoughts would always come back to these “gods”. Our affections were turned on every time we indulged in these idols. And the heap of judgment reserved for betrayal and dishonoring of God was taken upon by the Son of God…the only person who could perfectly pay the price. The word “ransom” is used there for a reason. Ransom is something that is given in exchange for the price of freedom. Christ died so that you could be free! Set free from your slavery to sin! Slavery to these non-gods. Family, if there’s any of you who finds themselves struggling with sin, thinking there is no hope…let me remind you that Christ did not die for nothing. He died to set you completely free from the bondage to sin. So that you could worship no one or nothing else but the One true God Himself! And so when you pray for these authorities in your life…could be your parents, your boss, the PM ruling the land or anyone else, anyone who is unlike you, anyone who is cruel and harsh toward you, anyone who has done a lot of harm to you….when you pray for these individuals so that they get saved, you also with certainty affirm that Christ is powerful to save them too! And it is a true fact!

ii) God is glorified because we reflect the heart and attitude of God

who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (v4)

God intends that all people get saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. People sometimes say “Go to hell!” when they are really frustrated with someone and given up on that person. But guess what? God never says that.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ez 18:23)

For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.” (Ez 18:32)

That’s the heart of God! No matter how wicked, cruel and rebellious we are, God doesn’t delight in destroying us. He wants us to turn and repent. Does this mean that all people in the world will be saved? No, the Bible says that God has chosen people for Himself. He has elected and pre-destined people to love, worship and reflect Him. You might say “Isn’t God unjust then? Isn’t He partial?” Let me ask you, can you ever be partial to your enemy? The bible says we are “enemies of God” (Rom 5:10). None of us deserve to be saved. All of us deserve to be condemned, so who are we to say that God is being unfair?

Here’s how Wayne Grudem puts it “If God decided to save only 5 human beings out of the entire human race, it would have been a great demonstration of mercy and grace. If he had decided to save only 100 out of the entire human race, it would have been an amazing demonstration of mercy and love. But God in fact has chosen to do much more than that. He has decided to redeem out of a sinful mankind a great multitude, whom no man can number, “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation”. (Rev 5:9) This is incalculable mercy and grace, far beyond our comprehension.”

But we don’t get to decide who are the elect and who are not. That is God’s secret will that He hasn’t revealed to us. His revealed will is that “we pray for the salvation of those who are in authority”. And this is convicting to me because I would pray for the salvation for my family or friends but would hardly pray for those that oppose me. Recently I’ve been having a tough time with a client. The last thing I would want to do is pray for his salvation. I think he’s caused a lot of problems, why should I intercede for him? In my mind, I probably think he doesn’t deserve it. But that reveals the sin in my heart. In my pride and bitterness, I’m unable to see my unworthiness. What good did I ever do to deserve God? Nothing. Family, if we were to just lay bare our thought life before others, we would be totally ashamed and guilty as someone you consider to be the worst. That’s who we are. We are saturated with sin. But Christ showed us grace…abundant grace! When we pray for the salvation of those unlike us and probably who oppress us, we humbly acknowledge how God in His grace has saved us from our worthless state and anticipate that transformation in the lives of our authorities as well.

So that’s key in prayer! The gospel root in prayer. The best prayer you can pray for those in authority is not just that they govern the country well and prosper so that we will also prosper. We earnestly pray that they may come to the knowledge of truth. We make all kinds of prayers so that they repent and embrace Jesus as Lord. The best prayer you can make for PM Modi is not that he ends us being a fantastic leader or that he allows us to live in peace but that he comes to know Jesus. The best prayer I can make for my client is that he comes to the knowledge of truth.

2. Glorious fruit of prayer

For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (v7)

In those days, tensions between Jews and Gentiles were quite bad. Jews had traditions where they wouldn’t even eat with Gentiles. Socially unacceptable! And here, Paul is appointed as a preacher and apostle to them. The point here is that Gentiles were at polar ends with respect to Jews. So unlike them, so different and yet Paul goes to them with the gospel.

Prayer drives us to action. Over a period of time as you pray for these authorities, God will create a burden for you to reach out to them. I don’t think this list is only restricted to the PM and other rulers of the state. I think it applies to authorities in your life that you don’t want to hang out with because they harm you or are against you. Preaching the gospel to them is probably the last thing on your mind. But again, prayer is a vehicle that God uses to accomplish His purposes in and through your life. So eventually if you are intensely praying for that authority, God will also open opportunities to connect with them and present this wonderful gospel. That’s where the gospel way of life is radically different from what we learn from culture or our hearts of selfishness and comfort. Selfishness and comfort will always tell us to be safe, avoid hard situations and different people. But the gospel tells us to pray and go to those who are unlike us, people who oppose us and probably harm us. And that’s when the gospel is put on display. People will want to know why we do this. Why do we love, pray and reach out to those who persecute us? We’ll get to tell them why as we share our story and His story (the gospel).

Would you pray? Would you reach out? Who is God challenging you to pray for today? Personally for you who is it hardest to pray for?