“The Work & Role of an Elder” {Part IV}

Introduction:

A. “The saying is trustworthy: If any man aspires to the office of an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1).

B. In order to be a Pastor, one must meet certain qualifications found in the Bible.

1. These qualifications are found in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-9.

2. These qualifications consist of relative qualifications, which are qualifications an elder must possess but where there is still room for greater growth.

3. These qualifications also consist of absolute qualifications. Absolute qualifications would be:

a. Whether a man is married at the time of his appointment or not.

b. Whether a man is a father or not.

c. Whether a man is a novice or not.

4. The qualifications for an elder touch every area of a man’s life.

a. His personal life.

b. His family life.

c. His public life.

C. These qualifications also consist of the negative and the positive.

1. This morning we will notice the negative qualifications of an elder and next week we will look at the positive.

2. These two lessons will enable us to see who is truly qualified to be a Shepherd (Acts 17:11).

I. The Negative Qualifications.

A. Not given to wine (1 Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7).

1. The ASV translates this passage as “no brawler.”

2. The KVJ has a marginal footnote that states, “Not ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine.”

3. From this we can conclude that if a man wishes to be an elder…

a. He cannot imbibe alcoholic beverage.

b. He cannot be one who has the disposition of one who does.

c. He cannot have the argumentative, belligerent attitude that most have when they have been drinking.

d. Example: “So-in-so is mean when he drinks.”

B. Not violent (1 Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7).

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon notes that this Greek word means “a bruiser ready with a blow, a pugnacious, contentious quarrelsome person.”

2. Involved in this qualification is that an elder must not possess a violent temper; he must not be prone to physical combat.

3. One can very easily see the wisdom of God in this quality.

a. An elder must deal with the problems of people.

b. Sometimes delicate, troublesome problems.

c. Bishops are often times the target of scrutiny and even slander.

d. Elders must be able to work together.

4. If a man solves his problems with his fists or through intimidation, he cannot be an elder. [Example of an elder hitting a man]

C. Not greedy for money (1 Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7).

1. This term means one who is “devoted to money” (Matt. 6:24).

2. Why can’t an elder be a lover of money?

a. Elders must love the souls of men more than the almighty dollar.

b. It is difficult for a greedy man to be an upstanding businessman and have a good reputation in the community.

c. Men known for their love of money should not have the temptation and responsibility over the Lord’s money.

d. Covetousness is a sin (Col. 3:5).

e. An elder who loves money too much may hoard up the congregations money rather than using it to God’s glory.

f. When that happens members can become apathetic and resentful concerning their giving.

D. Not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:3).

1. From this term we can learn that an elder is not always to be controversial, is not to be overly argumentative. In other words, he is not to go around arguing just for arguments sake.

2. This does not mean that he is not to defend the truth; it simply means that he is not to be one who constantly argues and quarrels over unimportant matters.

E. Not covetous (1 Tim. 3:3).

1. This idea includes unlawful desires to possess any material possession especially that which belongs to another.

2. It is wrong for an elder to be covetous because they are to be concerned with spiritual matters, which is difficult for a covetous individual to be.

F. Not a novice (1 Tim. 3:6).

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this term as “newly planted, a new convert, neophyte, one who has recently become a Christian.”

2. Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines this term as “One who by inexperience is unfitted to act as a bishop or overseer in the church.

3. We need to emphasize that a 75-year-old man who has been in the church 40 years could still be a novice spiritually (Heb. 5:12ff, 1 Cor. 3:1ff).

4. A novice cannot be an elder for several reasons:

a. The danger of Pride (1 Tim. 3:6, Prov. 16:18).

b. A novice cannot be apt to teach because he doesn’t have experience in the Scriptures or with people.

c. Congregations must not give in to the urge to put in successful business leaders who are newly planted Christians.

G. Not Self-Willed (Titus 1:7).

1. This term means self-pleasing or arrogant. It is implied that an elder must not always be looking out for his interests.

2. Elders cannot always demand their way. Shepherds must lay down their life for the sheep.

3. If a man in a congregation always demands his way, if he is always seeking what he likes and what is best for him, HE CANNOT BE AN ELDER!!!

H. Not Quick-Tempered (Titus 1:7).

1. An elder must not be prone to anger, hotheaded, or easily made mad.

2. When souls are in the balances an elder cannot afford to fly off the handle (James 1:19, Eph. 4:26).

**Some of the material for this lesson was taken from a book by Robert Taylor, entitled “The Elder & His Work.”