4.24.12 1 Tim 3:1-13 WHOEVER ASPIRES TO BE AN OVERSEER

Tuesday, April 24, 2012    Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
1 Timothy 3:1-13                 Key Verse: 3:1

“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.”

Dear Lord, thank you for being my strong tower and my rock in whom I trust. Thank you for being there and helping me when I feel I can not stand. Please help me to know you more deeply and to follow you more closely. I pray that you may help us to glorify you on the campus of NIU and among the people of DeKalb. Please help me to receive one word of God though this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

1. Desiring a Noble Task (1).
Verse 1 reads, “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” Paul’s second trustworthy saying concerns those who want to serve God as an overseer (pastor). This person has the responsibility to meet the practical and spiritual needs of people entrusted to him by God (Ac 20:28). Such an aspiration is not selfish ambition, as this task comes from God’s inspiration. While not easy, this is a noble and excellent task. Aspiring to serve God by taking care of his flock should be encouraged.
I believe God has called me to be a pastor. I have a very small congregation among those who go to church. I have a larger congregation among those whom I serve but who do not come to my church. But, by the grace of God, I do have a sense of calling.

I thank God for discovering my calling in life. It is a blessing to have a sense of what you have been put on this planet to do. There is peace and contentment knowing ones life mission and living in that mission, fulfilling the will of God in our lives. Without Jesus, I would only be surviving, working, eating, working out occasionally and going on small outings. This is hardly the purpose of why I am here in this world. But in Christ, I have a clear purpose in life. I have a clear calling. This gives me inner strength and confidence.

It is a noble task. I work as a nurse. According to surveys it is one of the most respected jobs in our culture. It is a noble task. But it is not the most noble task. The most noble task is to be a Christian leader in the Christian church. For me, it does not pay at all, but I receive a treasure trove of spiritual blessings. Thank you Lord for leading me to this noble task. Grant me strength to be faithful and true to my calling. I pray that the young people of our nation may find good and noble tasks in the Lord, to devote their time and energies to.

I learned in the Missional Cohort group that there are three types of leaders. There is the CEO-manager type of leader. Then there is the therapeutic shepherd leader. I was trying to be a blend of the both of these types of leader. But there is a third type of leader. It is the missional leader who is able to cultivate the congregation and help them to discover their purposes in God and help them to live out that purpose. I want to be that type of leader.

I thank God for changing my desires. Before meeting Jesus I only had hedonistic desires, selfish desires focus on living a pleasure seeking lifestyle. But Jesus intervened and changed my heart. He helped me to have a noble desire to be a Christian leader, a Bible teacher and a preacher and shepherd. This change of desire is none other than the fantastic grace of Jesus.

2. A Noble Character For a Noble Task (2-13).

Verses 2-13 read, “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. 4He 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. 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.”

The qualifications for church leaders extend to family life, ministry, personal life, and dealings with outsiders. Character, discipline, and faithfulness are emphasized. The following are some of the qualifications: above reproach, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, and not a recent convert. The one who serves well gains excellent standing and great assurance in his faith in Christ Jesus.

It is true that a leader on the church must be above reproach. Not only that, he must be a respected person on the community so that others may listen to the gospel message through him. I must also cultivate my family life for that is an important element of being a Christian leader. basically we must be an all around good person in the community and at home. We must also hold onto the deep truths of God through Bible study and prayer and practicing. It is hard to consistently live out this life, but by the grace of God we can do this.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for calling us to a noble task and helping us to live up to our calling. Help us to shepherd your people.

One Word: Desire a noble task

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