1 Timothy 3:8–13
8Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Focused Thinking:
What does this list of character qualities say about the importance of spiritual strong leaders?
Deacons (servants) must be men of dignity…
Not double-tongued…
- Nothing hurts more than a leader who gossips.
- Nothing hurts more than a leader who is reckless.
Not addicted to much wine…
Not fond of sordid (dirty or covetous) gain…
These are basic qualities.
In theory, this should be a minimum standard. This isn’t an extreme standard.
but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
They need to have confessed their past.
They need to have repented of their past.
They need to have reconciled their past.
They need to be right with God and right with man as far as it is possible.
They need to be focused on faith.
What is the importance of these men being tested first?
- These men must also first be tested.
- Failures in leadership are too costly.
- The test protects them and the church.
Personal Application:
then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
We need to elevate the importance of serving in the church.
We need to elevate the privilege and honor of serving the church.
Action Point: We need to take my notes from my priority times in 1 Timothy and set aside days to design leadership ministries.
What needs to be the process / test of leadership?
We need to develop stages of leadership.
We need to use the “be faithful in a little” principle to develop the stages.
What are we doing to develop men of dignity?
Worship, Connect, Equip and Serve
M28
We must be more focused as leaders to develop leaders.
Me, Andy and Jason are too focused on the 80% instead of the 20%.
Pick up with verse 11 tomorrow.
Interactive Prayer–Prayed offline.
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