Aspiring to Be an Elder I. Introduction A. Let us now explore the office of the elder B. 1 Timothy 3:1: he who aspires to the work of an elder desires a noble task 1. it is a great honor to serve the Lord's church as an elder 2. One does not just wake up one morning, however, and find oneself qualified to be an elder 3. One must aspire for the task and make decisions in life that will lead him to be an elder C. The aspiration is not for the man alone 1. As there are qualifications for the wives of deacons, how much more then should the wives of elders hold to those standards? 2. Women, also, must aspire to be the wives of elders and to support their husband in that work 3. In the end, the qualifications for an elder and for an elder's wife should, in truth, be the standard for living for all brothers and sisters in Christ D. Let us spend some time examining the Scriptures on the nature of the elder and his family II. The Elder: presbuteros, episkopos, poimon A. The office of the elder has many terms attached to it in Greek B. presbuteros: "elder" 1. Literally, presbuteros means "old man", "elder" 2. English words: presbyer, Presbyterian 3. Description / Office a. as with diakonos/servant/deacon, the term presbuteros can refer in general to an older man and also to one who holds the office of an elder b. in terms of the office, the New Testament always speaks of a plurality of elders in a local congregation (Acts 20:17, Philippians 1:1) 4. The Apostle Peter is an "elder among elders" in 1 Peter 5:1 C. episkopos: "overseer" (the term found in 1 Timothy 3:1) 1. An episkopos is one who oversees; often translated as "bishop" 2. English words: episcopal, episcopate 3. Equation of presbuteros and episkopos a. one of the first divergences from the truth by the "catholic" church was the installation of one bishop over many presbyters over a congregation b. in Acts 20, however, we can see that the elder (presbuteros) and the overseer (episkopos) are the same c. Acts 20:17: Paul calls the elders (presbuteros) of Ephesus to Miletus d. Acts 20:28: Paul exhorts these elders to take care of the flock over which the Spirit had made them overseers (episkopos) e. We can see, therefore, that elders and overseers are the same people: the elder men of the congregation who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and who have been made overseers of the flock D. poimon: "pastor" 1. "Pastor" is the designation most denominations use to describe the office of the evangelist 2. In the New Testament, however, that office is not thus described 3. In 1 Peter 5:2, Peter exhorts elders (presbuteros) to "shepherd" (poimaino, the verb form of the noun poimon) the flock (and, notably, also to "oversee," episkopeo, the flock also) 4. Elders/overseers, therefore, not evangelists, are most properly called "shepherds"-- pastors-- of the flock E. Despite the many terms associated with the position, we can see that the task of the elder is to exercise oversight and to shepherd the local congregation over which he has been called to serve III. The Gravity of the Task A. Before we begin to analyze the task itself, it is good to note the gravity of the job of being an elder B. Hebrews 13:17: those who keep watch over the souls of Christians will give an account to God! C. Therefore, not only will God call an elder into account for his own deeds, but also in how that elder kept watch and guided the souls of fellow believers! D. The task of an elder, then, is very serious, and requires great strength and faith, so that he can bear the responsibilities well and be found to have done well in his task E. Let us remember to heed the exhortation of Hebrews 13:17 and not only render obedience to the elders, but also thank them and encourage them in their work IV. The Qualifications of an Elder A. Let us now examine the qualifications set forth in the New Testament for the office of an elder B. Let us begin with 1 Timothy 3:1-7 C. It is necessary for the elder to be... (v. 2) 1. It is important to note that this construction is in the present tense 2. in Greek, the present tense denotes a continual or repeating action 3. therefore, as long as he holds the office of an elder, the elder must continually meet the following qualifications D. ...above reproach... (v. 2, Titus 1:6) 1. This construction really emphasizes the need to be "above reproach" 2. It can be well said that this is the defining qualification of the elder: all of the other qualifications work toward him being consdered above reproach 3. His conduct, faith, and obedience are not able to be called into question easily! E. ...the husband of one wife... (v. 2, Titus 1:6) 1. This qualification demonstrates that it is to be men, and not women, who may serve in the capacity of the elder 2. The elder also cannot be a polygamist! 3. Likewise, the man may not be single, divorced, or widowed and an elder... 4. ...although, if he has the authority to remarry and has remarried, such can be considered also as him being the "husband of one wife" F. ...sober-minded, self-controlled... (v. 2, Titus 1:8) 1. Sober-minded is synonymous with self-controlled 2. One with a sober mind has a clear mind, fully in control of all senses 3. Such a one maintains that control and does not lose it! 4. The one sober in mind and self-controlled has mastery of both mind and body G. ...respectable... (v. 2) 1. One who would be the shepherd of souls must command the respect of the flock 2. Thus, one who would be an elder must by faithful living, sound teaching, and continual encouragement gain the respect of a congregation...and also those outside H. ...hospitable... (v. 2, Titus 1:8) 1. cf. 1 Peter 4:9 2. An elder is to be hospitable so that he may be able to encourage and edify members of the flock, and get to know his flock better and therefore serve them better I. ...able to teach... (v. 2) 1. to be one who shepherds a flock, one must know by what standard they are to shepherd...and such is the Word of God! 2. It is nearly impossible to effectively oversee and shepherd a flock if one is not able to teach and instruct said flock in the truth of God J. ...not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money...(v. 3, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 5:2) 1. We can compare this to the works of the flesh/fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:19-23 2. The one who is sober-minded and self-controlled will of course not be a drunkard, nor violent! 3. The elder is not to be mastered by anything, but be in full control of himself 4. He must not be quarrelsome, either, but strive to encourage and edify souls a. when it comes time to enact discipline, or to make a stand for the truth, the elder is certainly called upon to defend the truth of God in such matters (1 Peter 3:15) b. yet elders certainly should not be looking for a fight! 5. Likewise, since money is the root of all kinds of evil (cf. 1 Timothy 6:9-10), the elder will be a good steward of money, but will not be one who loves money and has made money an idol K. ...he must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?)...(vv. 4-5) 1. He himself is to be the head of the household, fulfilling his God-given duties (Ephesians 5:25-6:4) 2. The question as to whether an elder may have only one child or must have many children is debated a. such requires study for which we do not have the time at this moment b. regardless, let everyone act according to their determination in the matter, yet not give another a cause for stumbling 3. Here Paul gives an explicit reason for the qualification-- if a man cannot keep his own household, which might comprise 3-5 persons, how can he manage the church of God, which may comprise 100 or more persons? a. the manifestation of a well-run Christian household are faithful children b. it is a high and difficult standard to reach 4. It is often asked as to whether a man is disqualified for the eldership if some of his children later fall away a. sometimes, children later fall away because of resentment of parents or other reasons demonstrating a lack of good management... b. ...but on the other hand, sometimes children later fall away for reasons that have nothing to do with their raising and which do not speak against the management of the household c. after all, it is also possible for a family to have faithful children despite mismanagement on the part of the father d. such situations, therefore, need to be determined on a case-by-case basis L. ...he must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil... (v. 6; not arrogant, Titus 1:7) 1. an elder, therefore, must be one who is mature in the faith (cf. Hebrews 5:14) 2. one not as mature in the faith, and therefore who has not been well-tuned to the fruit of the Spirit, may become arrogant and begin to lord his power, thus falling into condemnation! M. ...moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (v. 7) 1. It is not enough for the elder to be well thought of within the Body 2. He must also be well thought of by those outside the faith 3. In this way it may be confirmed that he is not double-tongued, but is truly leading a Christian life 4. How disgraceful it would be to find out that an elder of a church was acting in ungodly ways in the presence of worldly people! 5. After all, unless one acts differently from the world and people can see that you strive to obey God, no one will listen to what you have to say about God N. Titus 1:5-9 1. Paul also exhorts Titus in the qualifications of an elder 2. Many are similar, as are noted above 3. Yet some are added O. ...his children are believers and are not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination... (v. 6) 1. Paul goes into more specificity here about the nature of the children of the elder 2. Not only are they explicitly said to be believers, but also that they walk in proper conduct, not liable to charges of flagrant sin Q. ...not arrogant, quick-tempered...but upright, holy, disciplined....(v. 8) 1. These are similar concepts to things seen in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 2. The elder is not to be puffed up nor quick to anger, but patient and slow to speak 3. Paul specifies how his conduct is to be of the highest quality-- upright, holy, and disciplined, fully manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23) R. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (v. 9) 1. This provides more detail about the command to be "able to teach" 2. Paul also specifies that the elder must be able to know and teach so that he can instruct and edify the flock but also keep at bay the wolves who would devour it S. 1 Peter 5:1-3 1. Peter, as an elder writing to fellow elders, also provides words of exhortation about elders 2. v. 2: the elder should serve not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have it (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1) 3. not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (v. 3) a. Elders are not to be "little lords," but shepherd by example and exhortation b. they willingly give of themselves to serve others so that all may get to Heaven V. The Qualifications of an Elder's Wife A. The wife of the elder also must live up to standards set by God's Word B. Let us begin with 1 Timothy 3:11 1. yes, it is in between the qualifications of the deacons... 2. ...yet if deacons' wives are to live to this standard, how much more then should elders' wives? C. Their wives must likewise be dignified... 1. as the elders themselves are to be dignified, honest men, so also must their wives 2. one, of course, cannot overstate the influence of one's spouse over oneself! 3. It is easier for an elder to remain dignified if his wife remains dignified D. ...not slanderers... 1. literally, "not devils" 2. As Satan is the devil because he slanders us before God, so the wife of the elder should not engage in such conduct! 3. The wife of an elder should not be speaking any evil of her brethren, but be working with her husband to encourage and edify the Body! E. ...but sober-minded... 1. Sober-minded is synonymous with self-controlled 2. One with a sober mind has a clear mind, fully in control of all senses 3. Such a one maintains that control and does not lose it! F. ...faithful in all things. 1. The wife of the elder, as her husband, is to be faithful in both word and deed 2. She must hold also to the Gospel and make it her standard in life... 3. ...and she must also not merely profess Christianity, but strive to live by its tenets G. Titus 2:3-5 1. While Paul here refers to older women not as "wives of elders" per se but as women advanced in age, certainly those who would be the wives of elders would engage in this conduct 2. Such women are to be reverent, not slaves to wine or any substance... 3. ...and one of their main roles is to teach what is good, particularly the younger women! 4. The older women-- wives of elders included-- are called upon to instruct younger women in loving their husbands and children, being submissive to their husbands, being self-controlled, pure, workers at home, and such like! H. As the elders have responsibilities to oversee and shepherd the whole flock, the wives of elders are to take seriously their charge of being example women of faith and instructing younger women in proper conduct! I. Thus we have seen the Biblical qualifications for the elder and the elders' wives VI. The Benefits of Serving as an Elder A. The work of an elder is trying indeed 1. To be an elder requires a high standard of conduct... 2. ...and then you gain great responsibility-- the care of precious souls! B. The work is hard and often thankless...but there is a reward! C. 1 Peter 5:4: the unfading crown of glory is the reward for the elder who serves well and shepherds the flock of the Master as He would have it 1. such a reward is mighty and good indeed 2. it will be worth the toil and burdens! VII. Conclusion A. We have therefore seen the qualifications of elders and their wives 1. The standards of qualification is little different than the standards imposed on all brethren in Christ 2. We ought to all strive to conform to those standards B. While the work of service may not be the easiest, there are great benefits to serving the church in the capacity of an elder C. Elders and their wives, however, do not just pop out ready and prepared-- they must aspire to hold to these standards and be found qualified in the sight of God and a local congregation 1. Let all men in the congregation affirm for themselves today to aspire to serve the church in the office of the elder 2. Let all the women in the congregation affirm for themselves to aspire to not only meet the qualifications of the wife of an elder, but to also choose a husband who aspires to the task and/or encourage their husbands in their aspirations to the task D. Invitation/Songbook E. One cannot serve the church in this way and gain the benefits of being an elder, however, if they have not obeyed the Gospel! 1. Begin your walk with God today. Come to obedient faith in Christ Jesus F. Or perhaps you have not aspired to a high standard of living as you ought, or you simply require encouragement for some reason G. Whatever your need, come to the front as we stand and sing