CHRISTIAN QUALIFICATIONS

October 27, 2020

 

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: 1 Timothy 3

 

QUALIFICATIONS OF BISHOPS

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2     A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3     Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4     One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5     (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6     Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7     Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS

8     Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9     Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10     And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11     Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12     Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13     For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14     These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

PAUL’S COUNSELS

15     But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

 

  1. CHARACTERISTICS OF BISHOPS—vv. 1–7

QUALIFICATIONS OF BISHOPS

  1. Call—v. 1. Desire to be a Christian worker, you have a good desire, if you stay humble.
  2. Character—v. 2. Character of Bishops:
  3. Perfection—“Be blameless”—Matthew 5:28
  4. Purity—“Husband of one wife.”—Exodus 20:14
  5. Prayerful—“Vigilant, sober.”—1 Peter 5:8
  6. Plan—“Good behavior.”—1 Timothy 4:12
  7. Personal—“Given to hospitality.”—Hebrews 13:2
  8. Preaching—“Apt to teach.”—Matthew 28:19, 20
  9. Consecreation—v. 3. (a) Lovable, (b) Lust—free from love of money, (c) Love—not covetous.
  10. Control—vv. 4–5. Must be able to control his own family, or cannot control church matters.
  11. Condemnation—vv. 6–7. Importance of a mature Christian. A young Christian may become proud.
  12. CHARACTER OF DEACONS—vv. 8–13

QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS

  1. Steadfast—v. 8. Faithful. No love for money.
  2. Sanctification—v. 9. Living above sin, self and Satan. Living a life of holiness.
  3. Studying—v. 10. Study before selecting them.
  4. Spouse—v. 11. The wife of a deacon should have good Christian character.
  5. Surrender—v. 12. Dedicated homelife to God. A holy home makes a holy church.
  6. Sincere—v. 13. They will be respected by man and rewarded by God.

III. CALL TO DEACONS—vv. 14–16

  1. Writing—v. 14. Paul writes, helping and encouraging the people.

PAUL’S COUNSELS

  1. Warning—vv. 15–16. Paul shows what type of deacons to choose. Living for Christ shows us how to be a better and stronger Christian.

 

  1. THE AMEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20         “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

16:24         “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

16:27         “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”