God’s Royal Commission – 1 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1 to 7
3 Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Australian The Royal Commission into Child Abuse
Church leadership failures are an awful black mark. We must be careful how we choose! God tells us the necessary characteristics for a church leader. These are essential, not merely desirable.
Desiring A Noble Task (verse 1)
Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
The desire to serve others is a noble step, the first step, the first qualification.
Character considerations (verses 2-3)
Nearly all are qualifications of character. Character is the key!
- Positive
- blameless
- faithful in marriage
- moderate
- well-behaved
- hospitable
- gentle
- and yes, able to teach God’s Word to others
- Negative
- not a drunkard
- not violent
- not spoiling for a fight
- not chasing money
Family matters (verses 4-5)
The home is both a training ground for leadership, and a window into a man’s life.
Beware the devil (verses 6-7)
2 Warnings
- Negative – not a novice. Pride is an ever-present danger.
- Positive – highly regarded by people outside the church. An exemplary (though not a perfect) life.
God’s Royal Commission
