How to Treat Your Leaders | 1 Timothy 5:17-25
Series: Guard this Treasure
Title: How to treat your leaders
Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-25 NIV; 1:3-7
Bottom line: We care for our leaders best through rewards, discipline and wise selection.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
OUTLINES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
INTRODUCTION
Even today, the day after Iran fired over a hundred missiles and drones at Israel, their prime minister is under fire from many calling for his ouster. Among legitimate critiques are character assassination attempts designed to slander or just take down that leader. This, unfortunately, is common for leaders today whether we’re talking the federal government or the local school board.
But what about leaders in the church?
Paul left Timothy in Ephesus on his behalf to confront false teachers and to call out those who are behaving sinfully. He is also to make sure that leaders are rewarded and chosen wisely as well. This is what we will deal with today.
As far as our church is concerned, we are an autonomous, non-denominational church led by a team of 5 elders (aka pastors, both lay and paid). They are the position we’re talking about today. How do we treat them? Let’s see how Paul answers that question.
SERMON OUTLINE (based on the Outline Bible):
SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (1 TIMOTHY 5)
Paul gives advice concerning older and younger men, older and younger women, widows, and church elders.
I. THE PEOPLE (5:1-16): Paul gives advice concerning church members.
II. THE PREACHERS (5:17-25): Paul's advice concerning church elders.
A. Elders in general (5:17-22, 24-25)
1. They are worthy of double honor (5:17-18).
So in summary, "double honor" indicates these faithful elders should receive both material support as well as the utmost respect and appreciation from the church body. This ensures they are properly cared for and esteemed for their service.
2. They must never be unjustly accused (5:19-20, 24-25).
3. They must be impartial (5:21).
4. They must be proven before being ordained (5:22a).
5. They must keep themselves pure (5:22b).
B. Timothy in particular (5:23): "Drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often."
CONCLUSION
I can tell you there have been plenty of times in the past 18 years when I’ve had contentious conversations with other elders about how we should lead this church. There have been times when I’ve been slandered, misunderstood, and called out. Sometimes legitimately too.
Bottom line: We care for our leaders best through rewards, discipline and wise selection.
I can tell you from personal experience, Paul’s advice here is sound and works. Ultimately, he’s simple giving us God’s words on the subject. We would be foolish to ignore them.
Pray
NOTES
Let’s ask some summary questions:
Q. What do I want them to know?
A. How to reward, discipline and choose your elders.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A. Because churches rise and fall on leadership.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. Treat their elders well by
Rewarding them when they do well,
Disciplining them when appropriate,
Choosing them carefully.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because they lead the church towards or away from Christ.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. They lead the church towards Christ by
Overseeing the flock
Shepherding the flock (lead, feed and protect)
Preaching and teaching the flock
Loving the flock
OUTLINES
Outline Bible (Willmington)
SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (1 TIMOTHY 5)
Paul gives advice concerning older and younger men, older and younger women, widows, and church elders.
I. THE PEOPLE (5:1-16): Paul gives advice concerning church members.
A. In regard to older men (5:1a): Treat them as respected fathers.
B. In regard to younger men (5:1b): Treat them as brothers.
C. In regard to older women (5:2a): Treat them as mothers.
D. In regard to younger women (5:2b): Treat them as sisters.
E. In regard to widows (5:3-16)
1. Older widows (5:3-10, 16)
a. Widows who are over sixty, godly, and have no living chil-dren (5:3, 5, 9-10, 16): These are to be honored and provided for.
b. Widows who have living children and grandchildren (5:4, 8, 16): They are to be cared for by their families.
c. Widows who are carnal and live only for pleasure (5:6-7): They are to receive no help.
2. Younger widows (5:11-15)
a. The rule (5:11-12, 14): Let them remarry and raise children.
b. The reason (5:13, 15): This will keep them from immorality and idle talk.
II. THE PREACHERS (5:17-25): Paul's advice concerning church elders.
A. Elders in general (5:17-22, 24-25)
1. They are worthy of double honor (5:17-18).
2. They must never be unjustly accused (5:19-20, 24-25).
3. They must be impartial (5:21).
4. They must be proven before being ordained (5:22a).
5. They must keep themselves pure (5:22b).
B. Timothy in particular (5:23): "Drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often."
BKC Outline
I. The Salutation (1:1–2)
II. Instructions concerning False Teachers (1:3–20)
III. Instructions concerning Conduct in the Church (2:1–3:13)
IV. Instructions concerning Guarding the Truth in the Church (3:14–4:16)
A. …
C. Responsibilities of a good minister of Christ (4:6–16)
V. Instructions concerning Various Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)
A. Concerning various age-groups (5:1–2)
B. Concerning widows (5:3–16)
C. Concerning elders (5:17–25)
D. Concerning slaves and masters (6:1–2)
E. Concerning the heretical and greedy (6:3–10)
VI. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)
A. Exhortation to godliness (6:11–16)
B. Instructions for the rich (6:17–19)
C. Exhortations to remain faithful (6:20–21)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell about this?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)
Final Questions (index cards optional)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt