God’s Design for the Church

God designed the Church. His plan is laid out in  The Instruction Book. 

Always keep in mind:

1. The Goal of the church is the glory of God

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him and we are most satisfied in Him when we are pursuing Him the way He designed. 

2. Two Leadership Roles

Pastors, who serve by leading

Deacons, who lead by serving

1 Timothy 3:1-13

On Pastoral Qualifications.

The central issue is character. It’s not about what he DOES, but who he IS

God gives pastors to the church as practical examples of the qualities that should exist in every Christian.

It Is a trustworthy saying - Of great importance. A foundational issue. 

If any man - First requirement: a man

The role of pastor/elder/shepherd/overseer is restricted to men.

 …aspires to the office

It’s an outward pursuit in response to an inner compulsion God places in you.

He desires a good work

It’s worthy, honorable,, eternally significant.

It’s daunting and a burden but truly a joy for those called to it.

a good work 

It’s demanding, lifelong, and never-ending. It’s not a 9 to 5 job. 

Remember:

1. These qualities are those that every single Christian should pursue themself. 

2. It’s not about perfection, but direction. 

• Above reproach

The overarching quality. Not sinless, but blameless. It’s about integrity.

• Husband of One Wife - 

This is about sexual purity. He’s fully committed to his wife. In contrast to the immoral culture he lives in.

• Temperate -.

Not rash or erratic, but balanced 

• Sensible

self control, balanced judgment, real discernment.

• Respectable

Well mannered, not rude, a gentleman.

• Hospitable

Open home, open heart. He loves people both inside and outside the church. (The Gospel Comes with a House Key)

• Able to teach

This is of central importance. While all believers teach in certain contexts, a pastor must be gifted in this area.

• Not addicted to wine

Not known for drinking. Standing in contrast to the culture.

• Not Pugnacious

Not argumentative, quarrelsome or violent (physically and verbally). 

A pastor must contend for the truth

without being contentious

• Considerate

Not a bully - doesn’t, maneuver, or manipulate or continually push to get his own way. 

• Peaceable

Gracious, kind, considerate, tolerant, tender, forbearing, sympathetic, & patient. 

• Free from the love of money

Pastors don’t have to be paupers, but they’re not in it for the money. Prosperity preachers are the very definition of “love of money” and inherently DISqualified.

• Leading His Own Household well

A family man. He loves his wife, his children, and has an obvious unwavering commitment to them.

This is important because there’s a distinct parallel between:

governing and caring for the biological family and

governing and caring for the spiritual family

The last two are protections

• Not a Recent Convert

He must be spiritually mature

Pride is a struggle for everyone, but even more so for the spiritually immature man prematurely placed in a leadership role.

• Good reputation with those outside the church

Well thought of both inside and outside. He should be known as loving, kind, generous, and good

This is how we all should be known in the world:

Philippians 2:14-15 – Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

There’s also a reminder of your pastor’s greatest need:

Because pastors are more vulnerable to the enemy’s attack, they desperately need the prayers & support of their flock. 

The Bottom Line:

1. Hold your leaders to these standards.

2. Pursue them yourself with greater intensity.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

Which one of these characteristics is the biggest struggle for you?

Pursue that today with ferocious intensity. 

Ask someone to hold you accountable.  

So that you make the gospel more attractive and appealing to the world by how you live your life.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

God’s Design for Church Leadership

To watch the sermon that this blog is based on click here

Every single Christian will constantly face the pressure - the draw - the inclination - to think more like the world than the Bible.

To be successful in this - you need to continually re-calibrate your thinking to the teaching, principles, and structures and framework of God’s Word. 

We’re currently studying through 1 & 2 Timothy and learning a great deal about how one ought to conduct himself (or herself) in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

The last three verses of chapter 2 are still in view as we arrive in Chapter 3. 

God's design for men and women is literally woven into the fabric of creation. He also has a Design for leading and serving His church (and every other aspect of life).

God’s design is so amazingly good and beautiful and awesome that we ignore it to our own detriment and at our own peril.

Always remember first and foremost: 

The goal of the church

Is the glory of God

1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1, & 1 Peter 5 out the basic framework that Scripture teaches about God’s design for church leadership:

Pastors serve by leading

Deacons lead by serving. 

Quick reminder: the terms Elder, Bishop, Overseer, Shepherd, and Pastor are used interchangeably in the New Testament and all refer to the same role. 

Three Questions today:

  • What are the roles?
  • What do they do?

  • How does that play into how we glorify God?

Two Roles: 

Pastor

Deacon

The foundation of these two roles is found in Acts 6. One of the best descriptions of the role comes from Acts 20 when Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders.

The Role of Pastor

1. Pastors oversee the church

Guiding the church to carry out its task in the world. 

God gives pastors as gifts to the church to guide the church in obedience to the Word

2. Pastors shepherd the church

As a shepherd cares for the flock, pastors shepherd the church of God as they:

Guard

Guide

Feed

3. Pastors teach the church

The supreme priority for a pastor is God’s Word.

You don’t follow the leadership of a pastor because of his title - but because he has a passion for the Lord and for the Word.

You follow Him because: 

he knows the Word

he follows the Word

he teaches the Word

4. Pastors model Christ to the church

The emphasis is on character. It’s not about age, worldly success, or personality. It’s about being Christlike.

No pastor will ever be perfect. 

It’s not about perfection

It’s about direction

Can you follow the direction of his life?

The Role of Deacon

Deacons are those who not only serve, but catalyze service.

1. Deacons meet practical, physical needs

2. Deacons serve the pastors so they can lead in their responsibilities

They serve in specific, ways - taking care of the practical and physical things - so that the pastors can focus on the service of the Word.

3. Deacons Facilitate Others in Serving

There’s no way that seven men could take care of all the food distribution themselves. They would have been enlisting others to help, leading teams to address this need.

4. Deacons foster unity & Point the Body to the Word

The problem in Acts 6 was leading to disunity

It was causing division - a huge distraction

Deacons were appointed to resolve the issue, relieving pressure, removing tension, and

promoting unity

They shifted the focus back to the Word, the mission and vision of the church.

How does all this play into glorifying God?

God’s design is that the gospel be put on glorious display. Knowing the theological information in your head isn’t something to set aside or take lightly.

God’s design is that we see what the life-transforming power of the gospel looks like in a practical way by giving us servant-leaders to show us what living the Christian life looks like

Men who are committed to leading us in the accomplishment of our task. Who use their gifts and talents to build up the Body of Christ

Who strive to see the Jesus proclaimed.

Who are committed to the unity and sanctification of God’s people. 

When we follow God’s design - He is glorified.

The result of following God’s design is seen in

Acts 6:7 – And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

That’s what we must be about

All the time - in every way

We must seek to follow God’s design

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob

She Shall Be Praised

This passage has haunted women for 3,000 years. How can anyone meet this amazingly high standard??

The goal is not Perfection

The goal is Direction

Passionately pursuing these things

You CAN achieve that and BE that amazing woman that God calls you to be.

This is the first thing Proverbs tells us about the Woman to Be Praised

1. She is Excellent and Trustworthy

2. She Runs the Home

3. She’s Compassionate

4. She’s Prepared

5. A Blessing to Her Husband

6. Wisdom

7. Admired & Praised by Her Family

8. Yahweh Honors the Woman who Fears Him

Take the next step toward greater pursuit.

Pursue these things:

1. Biblical Wisdom

Understand how Proverbs 31, 1 Timothy 2, Ephesians 5, and 1 Peter 3 all work together. 

2. Graciousness

3. Strength with Submission

Who is the most submissive person ever to live? 

Who is the strongest person ever to live?
The answer is the same: Jesus

4. Singular Devotion

When you’re singularly devoted to your husband, and his good, he knows it. Not nit-picking, tearing him down, shaming him, complaining about him. etc.

Win his trust by demonstrating your devotion to him

5. Fear Yahweh

a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

Devotion to God is the central organizing factor in all of this. 

All of these things flow out of that.

We glorify God NOT when we attain perfection, but when we’re in passionate pursuit of Him

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

And we are most satisfied in Him when we are pursuing His will for our lives, pursuing greater alignment to His Word.

Let’s pray…

Praying Together

 

1 Timothy 2:1-8 gives very important instruction on the priority of prayer in the church:

Prayer: What

This is, first and foremost - a call to prayer. 

Petitions - this is about praying for needs. 

Prayers - this is the basic word for prayer and its focus: God. Prayer is an act of worship 

Requests - Coming alongside - having empathy for the one we are praying for.

Thanksgivings - pray with gratitude. We have the great joy and privilege to be the able to approach the King of the universe.

Prayer: Who

The emphasis here is: all men. 

With an intentional focus on evangelistic prayer.

all men is to be the focus of our prayers. The ones to whom the gospel should be proclaimed.

Prayer: Why

Here’s why we should want freedom: for our evangelistic efforts. 

Remember Show and Tell

Show them what the gospel looks like

what a life radically transformed is

Tell them how they can have that too. 

When we pursue godliness and dignity, We promote and foster, Tranquil and quiet lives so that we have greater freedom and opportunities for sharing our message of hope with others.

Practical Prayer Principle: 

Prayer Catalyzes Love

No greater way to foster a genuine, right love and care for someone than to pray for them.

As you pray for someone, your heart will turn toward them.

Richard Baxter - puritan pastor:

Let your heart yearn for your ungodly neighbors. Alas, there is but a step between them and death and hell. Many hundred diseases are waiting, ready to seize on them and if they die unregenerate, they will be lost forever. Have you hearts of rock that cannot pity men in such a case as this? Do you not care who is damned as long as you are saved? If so, you have sufficient cause to pity yourselves, for it is a frame of spirit utterly inconsistent with grace… Do you live close by them? Or, do you meet them in the streets or work with them or travel with them or sit and talk with them and say nothing to them of their souls? If their houses were on fire you would run and help them. Will you not help them where their souls are almost at the fire of hell?

We need to see those we encounter in our lives as Bound for Hell if they die without Christ

And all of this is the starting point for us to be:

A fired up church, 

Radically obedient to a 

Passionate pursuit of

knowing God and

making Him known

Pursuing Passionate Prayer

1. Prioritize Prayer

Take every opportunity that you have to join

in prayer. 

2. Engage

Don’t zone out - focus - tune in. 

3. Think and Look Back

Be a prayer historian. Track your prayers and 

their answers. 

4. Be a Catalyst

Always be ready to pray.

Ask others how you can pray for them this 

week. Then follow up next week.

Pray through the membership directory using 

Colossians 1:9-14 as a prayer guide

There’s probably no better way to foster  unity in our church than to pray for one  another this way. It will knit our hearts together in love.

Let’s re-commit ourselves to praying for one another, praying for the lost, and for those in authority. 

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

Be Like Batman, part 2

 

Three major elements Chapter 1

• Guard the Gospel (1-11)

• Celebrate the Gospel (12-17)

• Fight for the Gospel (18-20)

• Celebrate the Gospel (12-17)

Be thankful to GOD: the Source of Grace (v. 12)

WE Need Grace (v. 13)

His Grace is Superabounding (v. 14)

SAVING GRACE (v. 15)

We are all sinful and stand desperately in need of His grace

Why did God save a wretch like me? (v. 16)

So that when people look at you they would see a picture of what a life transformed by the gospel looks like.

The gospel is not about you.

It’s about God’s amazing grace put on display

Pause for Praise (v. 17)

Paul can’t even get through the first chapter without a doxology of praise for God’s grace.

Conclusion/Application:

Verses 18-20:  FIGHT for the gospel.

What does it look like?

Know the Gospel.

Celebrate the Gospel

Fight for the Gospel

Practical Steps:

1. Join a Sound Church

2. Show Up

3. Be Discerning

Use the target to help evaluate teaching:

1. The center: The Gospel

There are unwavering gospel truths that, if you deny, you’re not a Christian. Those are always central and must be continually taught. These truths should be the core of Christian teaching.

Colossians 1:28 – Him we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom

2. Second Circle

We can differ on these issues & still go to church together (Example: Eschatology & Spiritual gifts) We can disagree and still contend together for the faith of the gospel,

3. Third circle

Not a denial of the gospel, but an issue that means we cannot go to church together. 

Example: infant baptism vs. believers baptism

Outside the Circle:

You can affirm the biblical gospel, but be in the “dangerous” category if your teaching falls outside the circle. It’s not a drop-dead-done-you’re-a-heretic issue, but outside the circle is a dangerous place to be. 

These are all outside the circle:

Woke/Critical Race Theory

Social Justice Movement (we do, however, need to be impacting our communities) Anything Prosperity related

Claiming you can “release the power of God in your life when you _________…”

Affirming extra biblical revelation.

If you deny the inspiration, inerrancy, authority, or sufficiency of God’s Word (all Scripture that is breathed out by God) - you’ve stepped outside the circle.

Yes - You can affirm the gospel and still be outside the circle.

Marks of a False Teacher. 

Man Pleaser

Criticizing Faithful Servants of God

Teach their own wisdom, not God’s Word

Emphasizing minor things - not gospel focused

Uses eloquent words to disguise false teaching

Inconsistent - true doctrine is beautifully consistent.

Final Characteristic is what Sound Teaching produces (false teaching does not produce this).

Sanctification, Growth, and Holiness

If the goal is not your sanctification - FLEE!

We must hold tightly to truth and reject what is false.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

Be Like Batman: Guard the Gospel

 Today, we started a new sermon series in 1 & 2 Timothy (and at least one Rabbit Trail over to Titus, the other pastoral epistle). The first major point in the series titled, "Dear Timothy..."

 Growing up, Grandma sent letters from Africa every week. The purpose was to keep us up to date with what was going on and to encourage along the way. I'll always treasure her letter to me after hearing that I'd trusted in Christ as my Savior. 

The purpose of 1 Timothy is found in Chapter 3.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 – I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon, but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

1. The Greeting (vv 1-2)

Don’t just breeze by the introduction.

This is a personal letter from Paul to Timothy, it’s also intended for a wider audience.

It’s an essential letter:

For Timothy

For every pastor

For Every Christian

The letter opens with a reminder of the hope we have in the gospel because of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.

This letter has one of the clearest answers in the Bible to the question: what is the church supposed to look like?

First instruction:

2. Guard the Gospel (vv 3-11)

This is the starting point for what we must do in the church. 

One of the primary tasks of those who lead in the church. 

Also critical for those who are in the church.

This is where we need to Be like Batman

Who had no super powers

Was not from another planet

He didn’t get bitten by a radioactive spider

He was just a guy who, when his city was 

threatened, went out and did what he could, 

using all of, his resources - to guard his city.

We need to guard the gospel like Batman guarded Gotham City.

False teachers are threatening the church. 

Timothy was instructed to command them to put a stop to it. 

A. The Error

The error of the files teachers was some form of legalism. Ultimately, it was “a different gospel.”

It seems that it was elements of Judaism mixed in with some of the strange OT interpretations that floated around occasionally.

B. The Goal

The goal of a true teacher of the gospel and a false teacher is different. 

The true teacher - the faithful shepherd

The goal is sanctification. Loving God and loving fellow believers. (Matthew 22:37,39, 

John 13:35, 1 John 4:7-8 & 3:10)

Three things about true teaching: (verse 5)

1. Pure heart (Titus 3:5 , Psalm 24:3, Psalm 5:10, Romans 6:17)

2. Good Conscience

Your conscience either affirms or accuses 

3. Unhypocritical faith

False teaching points away from the gospel, miss the mark, and go off course

C. The Motive

Look to someone’s motive and you’ll see much truth there. (Matthew 12:34)

And the false teachers wanted recognition as teachers. It wasn’t about knowing and exalting the Lord

The false teachers were seeking to be teachers for their own satisfaction, not for the sanctification of others.

Ultimately - what is 

D. The Effect

False teachers are not only unable to truly understand God’s truth, they’re absolutely convinced they do. 

The whole point of Mosaic Law: you can’t achieve holiness on your own

A right understanding of the gospel

A right understanding of Scripture

Leads you to mourn over all of your sins

Here’s your self-test. 

Everyone teaches in some manner. You might not stand up in front of a group, but your life, your attitudes, your actions, your words, your texts, emails, Facebook posts, t-shirts - they’re all teaching others what the gospel is and how it affects someone’s life in real time.

Are you growing in love?

   Love for Christ

   Love for the Church (Christ’s Body, His people)

   Love for the Lost

Guard the gospel. Be radically committed to it!

What is the Gospel?

Here it is in one minute:

The one and only God, creator of everything, who is holy, made us in His image to Know Him and glorify Him.

But we sinned, we rebelled. We did our own thing and cut ourselves off from Him. There’s nothing we could ever do or would ever do to earn our way back to Him or even begin to fix the problem.

BUT – In His great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, taking on himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever turn to and believe in Him. He rose again from the dead, showing that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice and that God’s wrath against us has been satisfied.

He now calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness.

If we repent of our sins and trust in Christ, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.

I pray we all grow in our commitment to guarding the gospel. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob

Learning to Be Content

 

Learning Contentment

In Philippians 4:11, Paul says - I have learned to be content

The problem: contentment isn’t automatic. We’re all inclined to be discontent. It’s built in to our flesh.

Contentment flows out of the pursuit of sanctification as Paul introduced in Philippians 1:27 – live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Chapter 2:12-18 outlines how we are to pursue sanctification:

1. Obedience is the starting point

Verse 12 – just as you have always obeyed

Disobedience to any of God’s commands is outside of His will. 

2. It will take effort

Verse 12 – work out your salvation

It’s going to take effort. It won’t just happen on its own.

3. A Right attitude toward God

Verse 12 – with fear and trembling

A healthy reverential awe. You take God and His commands seriously

4. Without Grumbling & Complaining

Verse 14 – Do all things without grumbling or disputing

A clear sign of discontent

Matthew 12:34 – the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

Holding fast is also holding forth

5. Sharing this with others

Verses 15-16 – …shine as lights in the world,  holding fast the word of life…

Holding fast is holding forth

6. Rejoice 

This comes from within - from the heart.

The Secret of Contentment

Learning Contentment is a Discipline 

that we must all pursue with great intensity.

FOCUS on these Things:

• The Spiritual, 

Rather than Immersing yourself in worldly pursuits - those will always lead to discontent 

on some level, in some way.

• Jesus

Hebrews 12:2-3 – fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart.

See also: Phil 1:6, Phil 1:19

• Scripture - God’s Word must be our guide through life. The Instruction Manual

A Ship’s Ballast is internal, it’s not propped up from outside.

• The Positive (& God’s Sovereignty)

What’s happening to you is a result of the Sovereign, loving hand of God in your life.

It’s happening for His glory and your good.

When we carry our discontentment in a bucket and focus on it, we get frustrated.

When we see it in relation to the abundant ocean of God’s grace and mercy, it disappears.