日期﹕1/09/05
經文﹕<提摩太前書> 3﹕14-15﹐1-13
題目﹕教會領袖----神的視覺教材
主題﹕因為教會是永生上帝的家﹐所以教會領袖們應該在個人生命中要表示出最高的標準.

引言﹕
去年參加了一個婚禮. 這對新人將兩瓶不同顏色的沙倒在一個瓶子裡, 藉這視覺教材象徵二人的合一, 但同時也有獨特之處. 老師常以視覺教材來幫助學生明白一個道理. 當神要向世界彰顯祂的愛時, 神就差遣祂的獨生子耶穌基督來到世界. 當神要向世界介紹祂的教會時, 祂就使用教會的領袖: 長老, 執事 為祂的視覺教材.
你已經注意到了今天早上有長執就職儀式。在本教會或者其他教會裡﹐每年會眾都要參與長老和執事的提名, 選舉, 或確認 的工作。類似的問題也被時常提起﹕什麼是長老和執事﹖怎樣才能成為長執﹖如何獲得提名和推選﹖
今天早上﹐我想與大家一起看一段熟悉的經文﹐共同探討如何是一名教會領袖﹕包括長老﹐執事或者牧師。領袖是能對他人產生影響的人。所以﹐除了長老﹐執事和牧師以外﹐教會領袖還包括團契輔導﹐同工以及小組長。雖然我們要讀的經文主要是探討關於長老和執事的問題﹐但是這些原則和道理同樣適用于其他所有教會領袖。我也意識到一篇講道無法涵蓋全部有關領袖的問題﹐因此﹐我將著重探討的是﹕一個人需要具備怎樣的質素才能成為一名長老﹐執事或者牧師。
在我們剛才閱讀的經文裡﹐保羅解釋了他寫這段話的用意﹕“14我把這些事寫給你，希望不久可以到你那裡去；15假如我來遲了，你也可以知道在　神的家裡應該怎樣行。這家就是永活　神的教會、真理的柱石和根基。”保羅的意思是﹕教會不是一個普通場所﹐她是永生上帝的家﹐真理的柱石和根基。因此﹐對于那些希望在上帝的教會中擔任領袖的人﹐就會有一些高的標準和要求。
I． 神的教會領袖要注重為人的質素。
如果我們先看第十五節經文﹕“……你也可以知道在　神的家裡應該怎樣
行……”。你或許正期待著一本手冊或者一份核對表﹐告訴我們教會領袖應當如何行。我們這樣就可以照著手冊或者核對表來做一名教會領袖。
然而﹐當我們讀了經文第二節至第十三節後﹐就會發現這不是一份告訴我們應當如何行的手冊﹐這裡講述的是關於個人質素的問題。在這些經文裡沒有提到表現和技能(或許“教導”是個例外) ﹐整個重點都在強調“領袖是怎樣的一個人”----這是關於個人品格和質素的問題。成為領袖的關鍵不在于才能的大小﹐這一點並非不重要﹐但是更要緊的是他的品質如何﹐他是怎樣的一個人。
我們的社會傾向于用才能的大小來作為評價的標準。如果他的工作業績出色﹐那就不會在意個人品質方面的缺陷。中國有句古話﹕重才不重德。但是聖經關於這個問題的教導是清晰和明確的﹕要成為教會的領袖﹐首要條件和標準是個人高超的品格和質素。
我記得去年發生過這樣一件事﹕有人向我介紹了一位傳道人﹐很顯然﹐他是一名有成效的講員﹐也是一位多產的作者﹐所以我同意讓他在教會帶領聚會.但後來﹐就聽說了一些關於他個人品格問題的反映。我該怎麼做呢﹖他是一個富有成效的傳道人﹐其他城市的人對他的講道反響積極﹐我能否因此就掩蓋他個人品質的問題呢﹖最終﹐我還是決定取消這聚會。
我們所處的這個社會是非常現實的﹐往往只看結果而忽視其他。但是神的話教導我們有不同﹕誠然﹐你有非常好的口才﹐也具有天份﹐你的講道和事工都富有果效﹐但是﹐真正決定一切的是“你是怎樣的一個人” ﹐那是關於你個人品格和質素的問題。
II． 神的教會領袖要表現出明顯的質素。
經文第二節至第十三節列舉了對那些希望成為長老和執事的人的要求和期
望。你覺得這些要求和期望的共同之處在哪裡﹖他們都是一些可以被察覺的行為。個人的品格和質素是可以被觀察到的。一名領袖要展現自己的品質﹐這些品質應該是可以被察覺的。
當我受邀去不同的教會或者退修會講道時﹐通常都會有人來機場接我。我總會被告知﹕某某人晚上會與你共進晚餐﹐他是一個非常親切﹐友善和謙虛的人。後來﹐我的經歷也確實證實了這個說法。也有些時候﹐我被告知某某人可能外表看上去不太友善(意思是他說話不多) ﹐粗心(他對別人的反映比較冷漠, 或許不會招待你) 或者性情很急(這通常的意思是﹕要小心了﹐他可是個有火氣的人) ﹐而本質上他是個非常好的人。遺憾的是﹐我往往沒有時間來證實這個說法了。
這就好比我對你說﹕這是一只大灰熊﹐但是實際上它裡面是個玩具熊。不要擔心! 你會想要走近些﹐去探查一下那究竟是不是一只玩具熊嗎﹖我想你不會吧﹔我也不會。
保羅告訴我們﹐領袖的品質是要被看見的﹐要人人都能方便地察覺到。有時候﹐我們說﹕我的骨子裡是一個友善和具有愛心的人。但是如果我們看不到﹐也感受不到的話﹐那就毫無意義了。有時﹐Karen會說﹕牧師啊﹐多笑一笑吧。我的回答是﹕我有阿。如果我在笑﹐可是你確看不見的話﹐這樣的微笑有什麼意義呢﹖又好比我們教導自己的孩子﹐見到長輩時要打招呼﹐在接受幫助時要說謝謝。如果他們如此行了﹐可是卻沒有人聽見他們在說什麼﹐我們就會提醒孩子們要大聲地問候或者道謝。關於領袖的品質也是同樣的道理﹕不要隱藏在心中﹐要將它們表達出來﹐讓人看見。
當然﹐這不是說我們要去偽裝自己的行為。你有能力去偽裝﹐但是旁人會識破﹐你自己也心知肚明。<箴言>27﹕19﹐“19水怎樣映照人面，人的心思也怎樣反映其人。”你的外在表現是你內在本質的反映。你生命的質素是要被表現出來.
III． 神的教會領袖要顯示出有成熟靈命的質素。
領袖要展現什麼品質呢﹖vs.6 “……6初信主的不可作監督……”換句話說﹐長老或者執事必須由靈性成熟的人來擔當。基於對<腓立比書>的學習﹐我們知道靈性的成熟是一個過程。沒有人可以說﹕我已經達到終點了﹔我已經成熟了。我們說的是成熟的表現。經文第二節至第十三節是關於靈性成熟的列舉。我想把它們歸為三類﹕
1． 家庭關係。“4好好管理自己的家，使兒女凡事敬重順服。5人若不知道怎
樣管理自己的家，怎能照料　神的教會呢？”“12執事只可以作一個妻子的丈夫，善於管理兒女和自己的家。”這裡講的是領袖的家庭關係﹕他是家中的管家﹐受到配偶和子女的敬重。這很難﹐不是嗎﹖要獲得外人的尊重或許還不是那麼困難的事﹐但是我們的妻子、丈夫、孩子、父母日日夜夜﹐時常地與我們相處﹐他們看清了我們身上的優缺點和內心的善惡面。不管他們看到了什麼﹐卻依然愛我們﹐敬重我們﹐這就是真實的成功。你想成為教會的領袖嗎﹖聖經說﹕從自己的家開始。Howard Hendricks 說過﹕“如果在家都行不通﹐就不要在教會裡如此行。”如果你想照料神的家﹐先從自己的家開始吧。
2． 個人生活。在這篇經文裡, 3,8﹐有不少禁止性的命令﹕不好酒、不打人、與人無爭、不貪財、不一口兩舌、不酗酒、不貪不義之財。總括來說﹐這裡都是指的要自制。自我控制的內容指﹕言語/講話（是否用愛心說實話﹖）﹐沉溺（是否沉溺于酗酒﹐工作﹐電視或者電腦﹖）﹐生氣/脾氣/情緒（是否控制激烈情緒的表達抑或是反被這些情緒所控﹖）﹐貪婪和愛財（是否知道適可而止﹐懂得滿足﹖）。
除了自控以外﹐還有對基督耶穌的信心。“13那善於作執事的，就為自己得了好的位分，也因著相信基督耶穌得到大大的膽量。”我們的信心在哪裡﹖通常我們把信心建立在自己身上﹕沒問題﹐我可以做到！信心並不一定是指你把需要告訴神後就確定他將賜你一切所求。我們的信心要建立在耶穌基督身上。這個意思是我們要對耶穌基督有信心﹐知道他所做的一切都是對我們最好的﹐對教會最好的。
3. 人際關係。可令人察覺的品質包括家庭關係和個人生活。我們如何與別人相處和交往也必須是可見的。3:3, “不打人, 只要溫柔”首先﹐要有溫柔。溫柔意味著當我們與人相處或者談話時﹐不能對他人嚴厲﹐苛刻或者粗暴。這裡的“他人”也包括我們的孩子﹐父母和配偶。“溫柔”這個詞在舊約時代也被用來描繪那即將來臨的君王。在新約時代﹐耶穌用這個詞作了自我描述﹐馬太福音11:29, “我心裡柔和謙卑，你們應當負我的軛，向我學習，你們就必得著心靈的安息；” 這也是聖靈所結的果實之一。一個人靈性成熟的標誌之一就是溫柔。我待人可做到溫柔嗎﹖其次﹐3:2, “所以作監督的，必須無可指摘，只作一個妻子的丈夫，有節制，自律，莊重，樂意接待客旅，善於教導，”善於教導也被翻譯為接受教導。這裡指的是為人謙卑﹐謙卑的意思是要恰如其分地評價自己。我要看別人都強過自己﹐我必須要學著去了解別人的想法和意見﹐把它們視作比我的想法和意見更好。謙卑就是我靠自己不能成就任何的事, 我是全然的倚靠主. 我們的靈性成熟與否要由謙卑和溫柔來衡量。第三﹐3:7, “作監督的也必須在教外有好聲譽，免得他被人毀謗，就落在魔鬼的陷阱裡。”好的聲望。我的朋友﹐特別是那些非基督徒的朋友是如何看待我的﹖很多情況下﹐教會中的朋友只能在有限時間裡看到我們的一個側面。我們的同事或者同學才是時常地與我們在一起﹐更多情況下﹐他們比其他人更能清晰地觀察我們。他們看到我們在工作中遵循的道德標準﹕是否在四週無人時就偷懶散漫﹐工作時是堅守原則還是完全為利益所驅使。他們對我們的看法和評價是怎樣的﹖
你是否明白了呢﹖這一切不光是關乎我們心中有什麼﹐我們該如何表達內心世界﹔在審視靈性成熟的標誌時﹐我們開始把這一切都是耶穌基督自身的形像展現。隨著我們的成熟﹐我們將變得越發溫柔和謙卑﹐變得更像基督。換句話說﹐作為教會領袖﹐別人要從我們身上看到基督的形像。
總結﹕
當我在準備這篇信息時, 我想起過去的一件事. 當Sean在 pre-school 時, 有一次他要將最喜愛的一個玩具或書帶到學校與大家分享. 結果他將他的二哥 和兩人一同做好的積木飛機帶到學校. 他要將他的最好, 最喜愛的, 哥哥帶給別人看.
當神要向世界介紹祂的教會, 真神之家, 真理的柱石與根基, 祂用甚麼作為他的示範, 視覺教材呢? 祂會用祂最好的, 就是教會的領袖: 長老與執事. 因此, 對在永生神的教會中的領袖會有如此高的期望. 這並不等於神在尋找完全的人. 祂仍是在尋找那些在生命中彰顯出節制, 溫柔,謙卑的標誌的人.
當別人踏入了這教會, 教會的領袖不需向他們解釋這教會的特色. 當別人看見教會的長老, 執事和牧師時, 他們就會開始體會到這是一個很特殊的地方, 因為當他們看見謙卑, 溫柔和節制的表現時, 他們就知道這是永生神的家, 真理的柱石與根基.



Date: 1/09/05
Text: 1 Timothy 3:14-15, 1-13
Title: Church Leaders: God's Visual Aid
Theme: Because the church is the household of the living God, therefore her leaders must demonstrate high standards in personal life.

Introduction:
In a wedding I attended last year, the couple poured two bottles of different colored sand into one bottle. They used this as a visual aid to demonstrate they are now one and yet are also unique. Teachers use visual aids to help students understand a point. When God wants to demonstrate his love to the world, he sent his son Jesus Christ into the world. When God wants to tell the world about his church on earth, he uses the leaders, the elders and deacons as his visual aid.
You have already noticed that this morning in our service there is the Church Council Installation. Every year, in this and other churches, the congregation becomes involved in the process of nominating, voting and or affirming new elders and deacons. Similar questions are being asked everywhere: What are elders and deacons? How does so and so get nominated and elected as an elder or deacon.
This morning I would like to use a familiar passage to explore with you what makes a church leader; elder, deacon or pastor. Leader is anyone who exerts influence over others. Therefore, besides the elders, deacons and pastors, leaders in this church will definitely include fellowship advisors, coworkers and small group leaders. Even though the text before us directs our focus to the elders and deacons, its principle applies to all leaders. I am also aware that one message cannot cover all aspects of church leadership. Instead, I will focus on the qualifications of an elder and deacon.
In the passage we have just read, Paul explained the purpose of his writing. Vs.14,15, “14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15if 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 truth.” He is saying the church is no ordinary place; it is the living God's household, a pillar and buttress of truth. Therefore, there are some high expectations for anyone who wants to be a leader in God's church.
I A Leader in God's church is to focus on the quality of being.
If we have started this passage with vs. 15, “…..you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God…..”, one would expect a manual, a check list telling us what leaders should do in God's church. We’ll follow the instructions on how to lead the church.
However, as we read 2-13, we begin to realize that it is not a list of how to’s, but about a certain quality of life. In these verses, there is no mention (may be with the exception of teaching) of performance and skills. The entire emphasis is on who the leader is. It is about character, about the quality of one’s being. The focus on leaders is not merely about his/her ability, which is important, but even more so, it is about his character, who he or she is.
Our society tend to focus on the person’s ability. If he does his job well, then we can overlook his lack of character. We say 重才不重德. But the scriptures’ teaching on this is very clear. To be a leader in God's church, the foremost expectation, and requirement is about this person’s character, the quality of his being.
I remember an incident that happened last year. I was introduced to a certain minister. Apparently he is a very effective speaker and prolific writer. So I agreed to host a meeting here. Shortly after the agreement, I was informed about certain character issues with this person. What should I do? Since he is an effective minister, people in other cities have responded well to his message, can I just overlook this aspect of his life? Eventually I decided that it is not right so the meeting was cancelled.
Our society is very pragmatic. As long as we see results, we can overlook everything else. But God's word tells us something very different. Yes, you may be eloquent and talented. Your message and ministry are very effective. However, what really matters is who you are as a person. It is about your character, your quality of life.
II. A Leader in God's church emanates the observable quality.
In vs.2-13 is a listing of expectations from anyone who desires to be an elder or deacon. What do you think is common among them? They are all observable behaviors. The individuals’ character, quality of life are observable. A leader is to manifest his quality of life. It can be seen by others.
When I get invited to speak at different churches or retreats, usually one person is assigned to pick me up at the airport. This is what I often hear: So and so will take you out to dinner tonight. He is a very kind, gentle and humble person. Later, my experience would confirm this. Then there are other times, I was told that So and So may appear to be rude (meaning he doesn’t talk much), 粗心 (he is not very sensitive, or he would not know how to serve you in the restaurant), or 性情很急(this usually means: watch out, he has a temper), but deep inside he is a very nice person. Often I don’t have the time needed to find it out.
It’s like me telling you, this is a grizzly bear. Yet inside, it is really a teddy bear. Don’t worry. Would you go near to find out if it is really a teddy bear? I don’t think you would, I won’t.
Paul tells us, the quality of a leader is observable; others can easily see it. Sometimes we say, deep in my heart, I am a very kind and loving person. But if you can’t see or feel it, it means nothing. From time to time Karen will say, Pastor, smile more. My response is: I do. You see, if I smile but you can’t see, it won’t help. Or it’s like we tell our children to say hi uncle or thank you. They said it in such a way that no one can hear. We’ll then tell them to say louder. The same with the leaders’ qualities. It’s not to be hidden inside, it is to be expressed, to be seen.
Of course this does not mean we have to fake it. Yes, you can, but others will know it, and you know it too. Proverbs 27:19, “19As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” What you are outside, is a reflection of what is within. The quality of your being must be emanated so others can see.
III. A Leader in God's church is to manifest that quality of spiritual maturity.
What kind of quality are the leaders expected to manifest? vs.6, “…6He must not be a recent convert,….” In other words, an elder or deacon must be a spiritually mature person. From our study of the book of Philippians, we understand spiritual maturity is a process. No one can say, I have arrived; I am mature. No, it is a life long process. Instead, we are talking about evidences of maturity. vs.2-13 is a listing of what spiritual maturity is. I want to group them into 3 categories.
1. Family relationship. V4, “4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”, v12, “12Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.” It is about the leader’s family. He is the servant leader in his family. He is to be respected by his/her spouse and children. This is tough, isn’t it? It is not that difficult to gain others’ respect. Only our wives, husbands, children, parents see us 24/7. They see the good and bad in us, the ugly and the pretty. And in spite of what they see, they still love and respect us, this is true success. You want to be a leader in the church? The scripture says, begin at home. Howard Hendricks once said, “If it doesn’t work at home, don’t export it to church.” If you want to care for the church, start at home first.
2. Personal life. In this passage, vs.3 and 8, are several negative injunctions: not a drunkard, not violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, not addicted to wine, not double tongued, not greedy for dishonest gain. To summarize them, it is a reference to self-control. Self control over: language/speech (do we speak the truth in love), addiction (do we get addicted to alcohol, work, TV or computer), anger/temper/emotions (do we control our expression of strong emotions or do we let them take control of us), greed and love for money (do we know when to stop, when to say enough).
Besides self control, there is also faith in Jesus Christ. V13, “13For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” What is our faith in? So often we have faith in ourselves: no problem, we can do it. Great confidence does not necessarily mean that you tell God what you want and then you have great confidence that he will give you. Our faith must be in Jesus Christ. This means I have confidence in Jesus Christ, knowing that he will do what is best for us and for this church.
3. Interpersonal Relationship. The observable qualities include family relationships, personal life. And now, how we relate to others must also be visible. First there is gentleness. 3:3, “…not violent but gentle.” Gentleness means not stern, harsh or abrasive when we relate or talk to others. We are to be gentle to our children, parents and spouses. We are to be gentle to the brothers and sisters and friends in this church. We are to be gentle to our colleagues at school and at work. This word gentleness is used in the OT to describe the King that is to come. In the NT it is used by Jesus for self description, “29"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,…..” It is also the fruit of the Holy Spirit. A key evidence of one’s spiritual maturity is gentleness. We need to ask ourselves, Am I gentle with others? Secondly, 3:2, “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.” Able to teach is also translated as being teachable. It is a reference to one’s humility. To be humble is to see ourselves modestly. I am to see others as stronger than me. I have to learn to see others’ ideas and suggestions as better than mine. To be humble means I can do nothing by my own strength. I am totally dependent upon God. Our spiritual maturity must be measured against humility and gentleness. Thirdly, 3:7, “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” Good reputation. How do my friends, especially those non-Christian friends view me? Most of the time people in church see us only partially and part of the time. It is our colleagues at school and work place that see us day in and day out. Very often they see us much more clearly than others. They see our work ethics. They notice if we cut corners when no one is around. They will note if we take credit for other’s work and effort. They will also notice if we are driven by principles or by the bottom line. What do they think of us?
You see what is happening here? It’s not just what is in my heart. What is in our hearts, is to be expressed. As we look at these evidences of spiritual maturity, we begin to see it as a portrait of Jesus Christ. The more we mature, the more we are humble and gentle and the more we are like Christ. In other words, as church leaders, evidences of our spiritual maturity is observable by others. When they see us, they catch a glimpse of what Christ is like.
Conclusion:
While preparing this message, an incident came to my mind. When Sean was in pre-school, he had a show-and-tell. This occurred several times a year. It is for the children to bring some of their favorite toys and books to school to show to their friends and teachers. On this particular show-and-tell day, he brought his brother, Robin, and a lego airplane they put together to school. He wanted to show off his best, his brother.
When God wants to tell the world about his household on earth, the church, the pillar and buttress of truth, what does he use as his show and tell, his visual aid? He uses his best: The church leaders; the elders and the deacons. For this reason, there is such a high expectation of leaders in the church of the living God. This does not mean God is seeking for perfect people. Instead he is seeking people whose lives are full of evidences of self-control, gentleness and humility.
When individuals walk into this place, the church leaders do not need to tell or explain what this church is all about. When visitors and congregation look at the elders, deacons and the pastors, they will begin to realize that this is no ordinary place. When they see the evidences of humility, gentleness and self-control, they will know that this is the house of the living God, the pillar and buttress of truth.