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, “ 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 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 ????? . 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.

   I n 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) , ?? (he is not very sensitive, or he would not know how to serve you in the restaurant ) , or ???? ( 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, “ 19 As 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, “… 6 He 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.

•  Family relationship. V4, “ 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? ”, v12, “ 12 Let 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.

•  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, “ 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 .” 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.

•  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.