Leadership: Bring Others to Jesus

Weekend Sermon Summary                                                      

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work…. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus….I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth ~ 1 Timothy 3:1, 13, 15 NKJV

The church is alive when active in bringing others to Jesus. God uses men and women within to lead others and share the glorious Gospel and to meet the needs of others in surrounding communities, across the country and to the ends of the world. 

As a new pastor, Timothy receives wisdom from Paul on the conduct and character of those in church leadership, namely bishops, or overseers, and deacons. The character of these leaders is to be blameless and moderate so others are drawn first and foremost to Christ.

In 1 Timothy 3, the word bishop is episkope in the Greek. This word is used only four times in the Bible and could be better translated as “overseer.” In other references, episkope refers to the time of visitation or of the Head Overseer, Jesus Christ. Thus, bishops, are pastors or overseers of spiritual and Biblical truths within the church and they are accountable ultimately to Christ, the Overseer.

Jesus is the Chief Pastor. He is the one who is causing your growth. All pastors are doing is encouraging you to Christ so that you may grow.

The job of an overseer, or pastor is to teach people the truth, not to tell people what to do in every circumstance. The pastor teaches Biblical truths so those who hear will make informed, Biblically sound decisions.  Pastors are not to tell you who to marry or what job to take. However, a pastor can be an excellent source of prayer, counsel and encouragement.

Deacons are the second group of leaders mentioned in 1 Timothy 3.  These leaders have been established as faithful servants of the Lord and the body of Christ. They minister the physical needs of the body. They distribute benevolence funds and care, offer counsel in matters of discipline and anoint and pray for the sick. Great leaders in church history have been deacons, such as Stephen, who was used by God in incredible ways to reach many, including Saul of Tarsus, later Paul.

I love being a part of the church. What a blessing to see different men and women working together in Christ to meet the spiritual and physical needs of those around them.

May we walk worthy of our Head Overseer, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Robert Furrow