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For the most part, the emphasis in this section is on the leadership that is involved in the spiritual aspects of the church - that is, the aspect that deals with people's relationship with God. However, the other aspect - the relationship of people with people - is not totally absent. They are too interrelated for that. (There are also specific leadership roles that deal with this issue.)
A. General Comments About the Job
B. Misc. Comments About the Job, Not in Any Other Category
C. Leadership as a Calling/Gift of Grace From God
D. The Emphasis of Working Together Under/For God
E. General Obligations of a Leader Toward Himself
F. General Obligations of a Leader Toward Those
Being Led - The "Flock"
G. The Required "Other-Centered"
Goal/Attitude in All That a Leader Does
H. Job Description "Sspecifics"
(Emphasis on the "Elder," Though Not Exclusively So)
I. Misc. Passages That Illustrate the Proper Way of
Leading (Context is Not Necessarily Related to Church Leadership)
It's Nice to Desire the Position... - 1 Timothy 3:1 [But see the verses that follow!]
But You must Qualify
Leaders That Have an Emphasis in Spiritual Matters [Focus on the Command About Love for God] - 1 Timothy 3:2-7; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:6-10
Leaders That Have an Emphasis in Physical Matters [Focus on the Command About Love for Neighbor] - 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Great Judgments Await the Person Who Doesn't Qualify
By God
(1) Will be judged more strictly [applies whether or not you qualify] - James 3:1-2
(2) ...based on what you know/have been given - Luke 12:47-48 [This applies to ALL people.]
(3) ...based on what men don't see [motives, hidden things] - 1 Corinthians 4:2,5b [praise... or lack of praise!]
(4) ...based on what your message includes/doesn't include - Acts 20:26-27 [Judgment implied against those who fail to proclaim this.]
By Men - When There Is Sufficient Evidence - 1 Timothy 5:19-20
There Are Also Promises/Awards for Those Who Do Qualify and Who Do Their Job Well
By God
(1) Given greater responsibilities - Luke 12:42-44,48
(2) Blessed - John 13:17 [context: concerning serving others as Jesus did]
(3) Praise at the Day of Judgment - 1 Corinthians 4:5a
(4) A crown - 1 Peter 5:4
By Men - Double Honor [Honor Is the "Wage." This Verse Does Not Imply Money. That's a Separate Issue!] - 1 Timothy 5:17-18
But in All, Credit Goes to God! - 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
Being Appointed to Leadership
Being Appointed by Others/being Committed to God by Them (Examples) - Acts 14:23; Acts 20:32; Titus 1:5
Laying/Placing on of Hands
(1) On leaders - Acts 13:2-3; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6
(2) Also, on people in general - Acts 8:18; Hebrews 6:1-2
(3) A warning about haste - 1 Timothy 5:22
Different Types of Leadership/ "Servants/Ministers"
Many Types Exist (Each with a Different Emphasis), but All Are from God - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 [See also the section on gifts.]
Two Main Categories/Emphases [Both Important]
NOTE: many other verses exist; many other descriptive "titles" are used of the positions.
(1) Emphasizing our relationship with God - Acts 13:1-3; Acts 21:8; Philippians 1:1b
(2) Emphasizing our relationship with people - Romans 16:1; Romans 16:23a
One's Particular Emphasis Does Not Exclude Him from Doing Things That Belong to the Other "Category" [Two Examples]
(1) Paul - Romans 15:25; Romans 15:31
(2) Stephen - [Acts 6-7 - chosen as one of the seven whose purpose was to "wait on tables" (6:2-3), yet he spoke/preached... see ch. 7 as an example]
The Concept of "Ministering" [The Greek Word Related to Our English Word "Deacon"] Is Not Restricted to the Functions Normally Related to Deacons, but to Any Type of Service Toward God/man
(1) Used with reference to matters that emphasize our relationship to God - 1 Timothy 1:12
(2) Used with reference to the work of angels - Hebrews 1:14
(3) Used with reference even to the work of Jesus - Romans 15:8
About the Fruitfulness of One's Ministry
Its Source Is God - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7
The Fruit of One's Ministry - His "Certificate of Authenticity" - 2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Laboring in Vain If the Godly "Results" Are Not Evident - Philippians 2:14-16
Financial Security
Not Trusting in One's Own Abilities to Provide - Matthew 10:9-10
Yet Attempting to Provide for One's Own Needs - and Being an Example in Doing so - Acts 20:33-35
Content with What You Receive - Luke 10:5-7
Having a Right to Receive Financial Support; Yet Not Necessarily Using That Right - 1 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 9:11-18
Being "Shrewd," "Good" and "Innocent" - Matthew 10:16; Romans 16:19
Dangers in One's Words and Actions
Running in Vain If You Have the Wrong Message - Galatians 2:2
A Warning Against Hypocrisy and its Evil Results - Romans 2:17-24
A Willingness to Do Things That Many Consider "Undesirable"
Not Doing Things That People like - Galatians 1:10
Doing Things That People Don't like - 1 Timothy 4:6 [NOTE: You must do this if you want to be considered "good" in God's sight!]
Faithfulness - Colossians 4:7
Not Quitting - Colossians 4:17
No Place for Favoritism; Impartial in Obedience - 1 Timothy 5:21
Treating Others as "Family" - 1 Timothy 5:1-2
John 15:16-17; Acts 13:2; Acts 16:10; Acts 26:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Ephesians 3:2; Ephesians 3:7 [He had previously been the gospel's opponent.]; Ephesians 4:7,11; Colossians 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:12; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:11
Being a "Fellow Worker" Both to God and to Other Christians - 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1a; Philippians 2:25; Colossians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:2
Not "Sponging" off Another's Work; Being Careful How One Works, and Giving Credit to God for Your Work - Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; 2 Corinthians 10:15-18
Working in Behalf of the Church (The Church Not Having Active Participation)/Working with it (The Church Having Active Participation) - Acts 11:30; Acts 15:2,4,6,22-23
Watch/Persevere - Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16
Continuing in the Word of God - 2 Timothy 3:14-17 [context: contrast with false teachers]
Impartial Obedience to the Word of God; No Favoritism - 1 Timothy 5:21
Diligent, Purposeful, Focused, Self-disciplined - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
A Willingness to Flee/pursue/fight/take Hold - 1 Timothy 6:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:22
Watching Over - Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17-18; 1 Peter 5:1-4
Caring For - John 21:16
Protecting from "Wolves" - Acts 20:29-31
Compassion - Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34
Love Within the Context of Truth - 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1
Strengthening and Encouraging - 2 Corinthians 9:5; 2 Corinthians 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2
Building Others up - 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Ephesians 4:11-15
Being an Example - 1 Timothy 4:12
Living "Commendably" and Willing to Endure "Anything" for Others - 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:10-17 [in contrast with the apostates...]; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 [in contrast with those who want to make themselves look "great"]
Primary Focus Is on the Word of God/Explaining it
Called to Preach/Be its Servant - Acts 16:10; Colossians 1:23b
Continuing in It; Not Neglecting it - Acts 6:2,4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Teaching Others to Also Communicate it - "Passing it On" - 2 Timothy 2:2
Reading/Preaching/Teaching - 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Explaining; Correctly Handling it - Acts 8:30-31
Continually Reminding People/Refreshing Their Minds - 2 Timothy 2:14a, 15 [see context for things they were to be reminded about]; 2 Peter 1:12-15
The Contents of this Message
Not One's Self - 2 Corinthians 4:5
The Message That Comes from Jesus Christ, with Nothing Added to it - Galatians 1:6-12; Galatians 2:6,9
Jesus Christ and Salvation/The Gospel - Acts 26:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Colossians 1:21-23
The New Covenant; a Message of Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:18
The Whole Bible; Everything That Is in Accord with Sound Teaching; All That Is Helpful for Salvation - Acts 20:20-21; Acts 20:25-27; Colossians 1:25-27; Titus 1:15; 2:1; Hebrews 13:7
Prayer [There is a strong emphasis in the Bible on prayer ... but most of the verses apply to EVERYONE, not just to leadership!] - Acts 6:2,4; James 5:14
Other Types of Activities - If They Are a Legitimate Part of Your Function (Example: Being a "Deacon") - Acts 6:1-4
Being a Servant - The Attitude That Permeates Everything
Servant of God/Jesus - Acts 20:18-19; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 3:5-8; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; 2 Corinthians 11:23 [etc.]; Galatians 1:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:12
Servants of the Church/People - 2 Corinthians 4:4-7; Colossians 1:25
Servants of the Message/Gospel - Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23
Misc. Servant Passages: Christ; the Prophets - Romans 15:8; 1 Peter 1:12
[NOTE: Paul normally identifies himself as a "slave," at the beginning of his epistles!]
Willingness to Strongly Oppose False Teaching/False Teachers
Be on Your Guard; Avoid - Acts 20:29-31; 2 Timothy 2:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:23
Point Out/warn Against/Teach Them to Be on Guard - 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:14-15; 2 Peter 3:1,17-18; Jude 1:3
Contend/Dispute/Debate/Rebuke - Acts 15:2,6; Acts 16:4; Titus 1:13-14
Instruct/Attempt to Rescue Those in Error - 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Jude 1:20-23
Warn and Then Avoid Those Who Refuse to Repent - Titus 3:10-11
Persecution (It Will Come If You Are a True Leader of the Church)
It Will Happen, Because You Live in a Society That Is Hostile to Christianity - Luke 10:3; 2 Timothy 3:12
Having a Part in Jesus' Sufferings - Philippians 3:10-11; Colossians 1:24-27; 1 Peter 4:12-19
Suffering for the Gospel; Associating with Others Who do - 2 Timothy 1:8-9
Examples - Acts 20:19, 22-25; 2 Corinthians 11:23b-26 [Paul, compared to those who just wanted attention...]; Philemon 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:10-13
The Illustration of a Shepherd vs. A Hired Hand - John 10:11-13
The Teachings Regarding Slaves and Masters - to Illustrate a Leaders' Obligations Both As...
Slave/Servant under God - Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25
An Authority over People - Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1
A "Physical" Example of "Lording Over" People - to Illustrate a "Spiritual" Concept That must Be Avoided - Acts 19:16 [overpowered = "lorded over"]
Dennis Hinks © 1994