Qualifications of an Elder #1 – Experience, Home and Habits
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. It can be positively asserted and then sustained that only divine wisdom could have produced the qualifications of an elder necessary for one to function acceptably in the eldership in the Lord’s church.
1. Human wisdom would have added … or taken away.
2. God’s qualifications are perfect for the job.
B. A very vital aspect of the eldership touches the qualifications that these men must possess before serious consideration is given toward formal appointment to this paramount position.
1. These qualifications are detailed for us in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-11.
2. We have divided these qualifications into four sections:
a. Experience in life
b. Domestic relations
c. Character
d. Habits of life
C. We need to realize that the Lord never said that an elder had to possess everyone of these qualifications to perfection, but must to some extend possess all of the qualifications.
D. Read …
1. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
2. Titus 1:5-11
DISCUSSION: The Qualifications of an Elder relating to his…
A. EXPERIENCE IN LIFE
1. Apt to teach (1 Tim. 3:2)
a. The “apt” suggests that one is intelligent, informed, knowledgeable, discerning, wise, alert, rational, and overflowing with common sense.
b. One who is apt to teach is one who is willing to teach
c. The Christian life is a life of study and learning.
1) Ill-informed elders are a contradiction in terms.
2) Every elder should be able to shut the mouths of the gainsayers, shield the church from false teaching, and see to it that truth and truth alone is fed to the flock.
2. Holds to the faithful word which is according to the teaching (Tit. 1:9)
a. Many believe, and I believe it is correct, that this is a commentary on being apt to teach.
b. The primary duty of elders, namely, that of watching over and protecting the flock of God, requires that they be students of the Holy Scriptures, having a broad knowledge of what is and what is not sound doctrine.
b. Elders are not to be liberal in theology – not a change agent, but sound in doctrine
3. Able to exhort in the sound doctrine and to convict the gainsayers (Tit. 1:9)
a. This, too, shows why an elder must be apt to teach and must possess an accurate and extensive knowledge of the holy truth revealed in the Scriptures.
b. A moment later, Paul will give further information regarding the particular gainsayers he had in view here; but, apart from that, there are evil and seductive teachers in all generations who exercise their subversive talents for private gain, doing much damage to the faith of many.
c. Such men must be prevented from achieving their evil purpose; and an eldership not having sufficient ability in the Scriptures is unequal to such a task.
4. Not a novice (1 Tim. 3:6)
a. Not a new convert, but mature in the faith
b. Remember the term elder carries the idea of age and experience
5. Desire the office (1 Tim. 3:1)
a. One must want to and be willing to go through the difficulties of shepherding the flock – it is not an easy job
b. It must be desired for the right reason
B. QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER – DOMESTIC RELATIONS
1. Is the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2)
a. Literally in the Greek it is “a man of one woman”
b. The idea is that an elder is to be scripturally married to one wife
c. Remember, death and adultery are the only scriptural grounds whereby one may remarry (Matthew 19:9; Romans 7:2-3).
2. Has children that believe, or believing children (Tit. 1:6)
a. “Children” may be used in the singular or the plural
b. His children must be baptized believers
3. Ruleth well his own house (1 Tim. 3:4)
a. The reason for this qualification is clearly seen in 1 Timothy 3:5
b. This proves his ability to take care of the Lord’s work
c. He must be the head of his house and rule it well
4. Having his children in subjection with all gravity (1 Tim. 3:4)
a. In Titus is says, children “who are not accused of riot or unruly”
b. Riotous, unruly and disobedient children in any man’s family will disqualify him.
c. What about children who have moved away from home?
5. An elder’s wife must be grave, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things (1 Tim. 3:11)
a. An elder’s wife can ruin his reputation and hinder his work
b. Therefore she must be a faithful, self-controlled Christian wife who is not a gossip.
C. QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER – HABITS OF LIFE
1. Temperate or vigilant (1 Tim. 3:2)
a. The Greek word is nepho, which means to abstain from wine (or, keep sober), is used figuratively in the New Testament to mean discreet, be sober, watchful and alert.
b. Thus an elder is to be watchful and alert, and thus, avoid anything that will dull his senses as he shepherds the flock
2. Orderly or of good behavior (1 Tim. 3:2)
a. The Greek word is kosmios, from which we get our word cosmos.
b. The meaning then is orderly – having a well-ordered demeanor, and an orderly fulfillment of all duties
3. Not a brawler or not given to wine (1 Tim. 3:3)
a. The ASV’s footnote says, “Not quarrelsome over wine”
b. Not staying near wine (Strongs) – not addicted to wine
4. It is clear from the qualifications under Habits of Life that an elder should stay away from any thing that dull his senses or prevent him from thinking clearly.
CONCLUSION:
A. These are not take them or leave them qualifications – they must be had by an elder.
B. In our next lesson we will look at the character traits that an elder must possess.
C. Invitation
See also: Qualifications of an Elder #2 – His Character