THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD

 

We are to be a living church in a dying world. This is because we have a Living God and we are His church, and this dying world needs to hear the offer of eternal life we have to proclaim.

He shares THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH, (v. 1-13). There are two primary officers—overseers and deacons. 

The Apostle begins with the qualifications of the overseers, (v. 1-7). These are the shepherds of the flock. We are speaking of the elders or pastors, as we often call them.  An overseer watches over the church as the name suggests. He is a sentry to safeguard the people from the enemies of their souls. 

There are imperatives for such a leader. The words, “must,” and, “must not,” are used four times. These traits are not negotiable. There are some nineteen qualities listed. Most of these have to do with character instead of competence. It is not that competence is not to be sought in a pastor, but that a lack of character is a fatal flaw. 

The call to pastor begins with aspiration. “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task,” (v. 1). God puts a compulsion in the heart of those He calls. We aspire to it because God inspires it. 

This would lead to the church’s affirmation, as they investigate the candidate as to his qualifications. He is to be “above reproach.”  His life is free from glaring moral flaws. He is a model of godliness. He is, “the husband of one wife,” that is “a one woman man,” as the Greek word means. If married, he is faithful to his wife. His marriage is marked by fidelity. He is “sober-minded,” being serious about spiritual matters. He thinks straight. Further, he is “self-controlled,” with the Holy Spirit and not carnal passions directing his actions. There is restraint in his lifestyle and on his lips. He is “respectable,” with a solid testimony among men. This pastor will be “hospitable.”  He opens his home as a mission station for the sinners, a discipleship classroom for the saved, and a counseling chamber for the struggling. The open door to his house is from an open heart and open arms of love. He is “able to teach.”  He is a capable communicator of God’s Word. If a man cannot preach and teach, then he will not likely succeed in his ministry.  The pastor cannot be “a drunkard.”  Alcohol makes you see double and think half—neither of which is a good trait for the preacher. This man must not be “violent but gentle.” He is not pugilistic. Rather he is gentle like Jesus. The pastor is not “quarrelsome.”  He is not out to win an argument, but to win souls. “Not a lover of money,” demands that greed not drive the man of God. He will effectively lead his family that he may fruitfully lead the church family, (v. 4-5). There is a level of spiritual maturity he has reached, (v. 6) and his reputation in the world attests to his credibility, (v. 7). 

Then, Paul presents the qualifications of the deacons, (v. 8-13). These are the servants of the fellowship. These who serve alongside the man of God free him to pursue his ministry to the full. 

The word, “likewise,” in verse 8 connects with the prior verses concerning pastors. The deacon.s role and responsibilities differ from the pastor, but the character qualities are just as essential, (v. 8). They must safeguard the church from false teaching and shore up the members’ faith. They understand “the mystery of the faith,” (v. 9). They become watchdogs to assure that sound doctrine is taught. Unlike the pastor, they are not required to teach (though they may, if gifted) but must make sure that any teaching done is Biblical.  These men are also to be examined as to their character which is to be “blameless,” (v. 10).  

The character of their wives is mentioned, should the deacon happen to be married, (v. 11). A deacon’s wife is a vital partner with him in ministry. She will either be the wind in his sails or the anchor to his ship—for good or bad, she will have an impact. Thus, her character is to be examined as well. The deacon’s family is to be exemplary, (v. 12). 

Stress is placed on them serving well, (v. 13). The very name, “deacon,” (lit. “through the dust,” showing them kicking up dust as they are busy serving) and their origin in Acts 6 shows that this is their primary role. Deacons are not meant to be a board of directors overseeing policy, but servants of the church offering ministry. The rewards are recognition of their faithfulness by the church here and eternal reward for their service by the Lord hereafter!  I thank God for the memory of so many good deacons who served alongside me as I pastored churches. Their support made such a difference as they prayed for me and partnered with me!

Then, Paul speaks to THE ORDER OF THE CHURCH, (v. 14-16). God has a proper order for His church and we are to “know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth,” (v. 15).  This is why Paul wrote the letter, (v. 14). This verse is the key to understanding his purpose in writing Timothy. The young pastor needed this guidance so he could lead the church properly. 

Church is a big deal!  The church belongs to the living God, to whom we will give account for our ministry someday. The church is the repository of truth, (v. 15). We are the means of proclaiming the Gospel, (v 16). 

We explain the “mystery of godliness,” in the majesty of Jesus. 

There is His incarnation in that, “He was manifested in the flesh.”  Jesus is fully God and fully man—what a mystery of godliness!  

There was His attestation. He was “vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels,” as testimony was given by the Spirit who descended as a Dove on Him at the baptism that launched His ministry and the angels that testified of Him at the conclusion of His ministry at the time of His resurrection and ascension. What a mystery of godliness!

Now, we are given to His proclamation, “proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world.”  That Gospel went throughout the Roman world in Paul’s day and is still the church’s assignment to declare this mystery of godliness!

Ultimately, there is promised His exaltation, “taken up in glory.”  He ascended in clouds of glory, where He abides in glory interceding for us, someday to return in power and glory to reign forever and ever. We will be filled with awe and wonder at the mystery or godliness while the ages roll on!