QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

                                                            I Timothy 3:1-7;  Titus 1:5-9;  I Peter 5:1-4

  Introduction:

         A.  I hope our study will encourage us to move in the direction of appointing elders.

         B.  The men who hold this office are also referred to by other terms.

                    Overseers - Acts 20:28

                    Pastors - Ephesians 4:11 

                    Presbyters - I Timothy 4:14;  Acts 14:23

                    Bishops - I Timothy 3:2;  Titus 1:7

   I.   Qualifications  using I Timothy as  primary source:

         A.  Negative.

               1.  Experience:  Not a novice (v.6)

               2.  Character:   No brawler (v.3)

                                           No striker (v.3)

                                           Not covetous and not greedy for money (v.3)

                                           Not self-willed (v.3; Titus 1:7)

                                           Not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7)

                                           Not given to wine (v.3; Titus 1:3)

              3.   Attitude  toward the work:

                                           Not of constraint (v.1; I Peter 5:2)

                                           Not lording it over God’s heritage. (I Peter 5:3)

         B.  Positive.  

                

               1.  Character:    Blameless  (v.2.), without reproach (v.7), temperate or vigilant (v.2; Tit.1:8)                         

                                           Sober (v.2; Tit1:8), given to hospitality (v.2), a lover of good men (Tit.1:8)

                                           Just (Tit. 1:8), holy (Tit.!:8), good behavior (v.2), patient (v.3)

              2.  Reputation:  One must have the respect of those outside of the church. (v.7; Tit. 1:7)

              3.  Biblical knowledge:  One must be apt to teach. (v.2; Tit. 1:9)

         C.  Domestic relations.

               1.  The husband of one wife. (v.2; Tit.1:6)

               2.  Have faithful children. (Tit. 1:6)

               3.  Rule well his house or family. (vv. 4-5)

  Conclusion:

         A. The church will never rise above our leadership.  We need to realize that leadership has an

               awesome responsibility that requires unselfish service.