LIVING AS A WITNESS OF CHRIST

June 23, 2014

LIVING AS A WITNESS OF CHRIST

1 Timothy 3

Beth Kaye

Central Truth

As Christ-followers, we are called to live above reproach.

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. (1 Timothy 3:2)

Qualifications for Overseers

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer^{1

3:2
Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1} must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,^{2

3:2
Or a man of one woman; also verse 12} 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.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^{3

3:8
Or devious in speech} 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^{4

3:11
Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise} 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.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He^{5

3:16
Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which} was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated^{6

3:16
Or justified} by the Spirit,^{7

3:16
Or vindicated in spirit}
    seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
    believed on in the world,
    taken up in glory.

Footnotes

[1] 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1
[2] 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12
[3] 3:8 Or devious in speech
[4] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise
[5] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
[6] 3:16 Or justified
[7] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

In high school, college, and even post-graduate, I was very lukewarm in my faith. I thought I was a good witness to my friends who didn't know Jesus because I went to church every Sunday. However, I was still a witness to the bars on the weekend.

In the summer of 2012, by God's grace, the Lord recaptured my heart. It was then that I came to realize how poor my witness of Christ was to my friends. They didn't have an intimate relationship with Jesus, and I wasn't giving them any reason to get to know Him. During those lukewarm years, I demonstrated what it looked like to wear the Christian label, but not lead a life trusting in Christ. I lived my life according to my own selfish desires and simply checked the box when it came to my faith. Now I clearly see how as Christ-followers, we are called to a greater way of living: living above reproach.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul lists out several specific qualifications for being an overseer (elder) or deacon in the church. Although the list is not exhaustive, it is intended to be a good example of a mature man of faith, who "must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money" (verses 2-3, NASB).

Sounds like a pretty steep list to accomplish -- and it is! But God, who always has our best interest in mind (Romans 8:28), wants us to be ready to give an answer with our tongues (1 Peter 3:15) and also with how we live our lives. You see, we are ALL overseers of our own churches, whether big or small. It could be your family or your small group that God has entrusted to you and to whom you serve as a witness for Christ. He gives us this set of qualifications to spur us on to be more like Him, more godly, more Christlike. Are you taking the challenge?

1. What flock (group of individuals) has the Lord entrusted to you in your life?

2. Where has obedience to the Lord's Word and will been lacking in your life?

3. List two ways in which you can be more disciplined in your walk with Christ, and discuss them with some fellow Christ-followers.