TITLE: Positive Qualifications for Elders
TEXT: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9
PROPOSITION: Most qualifications are measured as a relative, not
absolute
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Qualifications
SCRIPTURE READING: Titus 1:5-9
INTRODUCTION:
Term |
Meaning |
Question |
|
Positive Qualifications |
A Yes answer qualifies him. A No answer disqualifies him. |
Blameless |
Not accused, not often charged with evil |
Is he the last one you would suspect of doing wrong? |
Husband of one wife |
One-woman man |
Is he married scripturally and faithful to that wife? |
Faithful children |
Faithful, believing, one who trusts and obeys |
Did he instill faith in his children? |
Dissipation (KJV Not accused of riot) |
Extravagance, excess |
Are his children obedient and respectful? |
Insubordination |
Not obedient, beyond control |
Does he control his children? |
Temperate |
In control of self, free from intoxication, not drunk |
Does his life demonstrate self-control? |
Sober-minded |
Self-controlled, moderate |
Does he have the ability to think seriously? |
Good behavior |
Living a well ordered life, good manners |
Is he courteous and polite? |
Hospitable |
Gracious host, kind to strangers |
Does he treat all people with kindness? |
Able to teach |
Has the ability to instruct, explain, teach |
Does he have the ability to explain and instruct? |
Gentle |
Patient, gentle, mild, fair, equitable |
Is he fair and gentle in his dealings with people? |
Ruling his own house well |
To preside over, be superintendent, to manage |
Has he managed his house well? |
Children in submission |
To submit, to place yourself under |
Did he do his best to train and manage his children? |
Good testimony |
Testimony, report, record |
Does he have a good reputation in the community? |
Lover of what is good |
Fond of good, promoter of virtue |
Does he desire what is good? |
Just |
Fair, right |
Does he seek to do what is fair and right? |
Holy |
Purity, sacred |
Is his life one of purity? |
Self-controlled |
Curbing, restraining |
Is he able to control his tongue, temper and life? |
Holding fast the faithful word |
Cleave to, hold firmly |
Does he seek to cling to the old paths of righteousness? |