1 Timothy 3:1 | Aspiring to Pastor Is A Good Desire

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1 Timothy 3:1

This is a true saying, If a man desire [aspires/reaches for] the office of a bishop [overseer/elder/pastor], he desireth [longs for] a good work.

THREE TITLES FOR THE SAME WORK

Ephesians 4:12

[Christ gave various gifts to the church, including “pastor-teachers”] For the perfecting [equipping/completing] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ:

Titus 1:5–11

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting [lacking], and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God…

Titus 1:5–11

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince [rebuke/admonish] the gainsayers [those who contradict the faithful word and sound doctrine]. 

Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints [holy ones/believers] in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops [overseers] and deacons [servants]:

1 Peter 5:1–4

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed [shepherd/pastor] the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [bishop] thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre [greedy, dishonest gain], but of a ready mind [eagerly];

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples [examples] to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd [Jesus] shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Acts 14:23

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Acts 20:16–29

17 …he [Paul] sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them… 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers [bishops], to feed [shepherd/pastor] the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

With constant dependence on prayer, the Spirit, and scripture—faithful pastors/shepherds humbly feed, lead, guide, protect, seek, mend, correct, dwell with, and personally know the “sheep” Christ has entrusted them to lead. Is there any wonder why many find the term “pastor” endearing? 

Because the work is such a good work, it has high qualifications. Though high, they are attainable as markers toward our much higher goal—which is Christlikeness.

The various biblical titles and examples of church leaders present for us a “job description,” but our text in 1 Timothy focuses on (in-exhaustive) character qualifications for doing this good work. 

FALSE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE CHURCH

•It is a casual event, not a matter of life and death. 

•It is a consumer service for spiritual needs, not central to our new life in Christ. 

•Children need kids programs more than they need pastors and the gathered church.

•If it is a good church, it will have no enemies.

•If it is a healthy church, the members and leaders will have no sin.

•Attacks only come from the outside.

•Whenever a few Christians are together, it is a church.

WHAT PASTORS SHOULD DO

•As elders, they live as examples and serve as counselors for all the church in our discipleship.

•As bishops, they prayerfully oversee and guard the doctrine, membership, mission, and stewardship of the church. 

•As pastors, they strengthen, lead, and feed the church with prayer and God's word.

PASTORING IS A TEAM WORK

•A lone pastor is without local pastoral care, accountability, and complimentary gifting.

•Without a team of pastors, churches have insufficient accountability and leadership.

•Without a team of pastors, churches are too dependent on one person for holding fast to sound doctrine and remaining a gospel witness for generations.

•Without a team of pastors, churches become run largely by non-pastoral staff, "church gurus," or deacons who do not qualify as elders.

•It is less natural for churches with only one pastor to produce and train up pastors, so pastoring often becomes a vocational pursuit outside the oversight and training of the local church. 

•Without a team of pastors, people more easily presume on the church their "call to ministry" and seek to fill the void of leadership on their own.

ASPIRE TO BE QUALIFIED

•The character qualifications are simply what all Christians should pursue.

•The testimony requirements are what all Christians should desire to have.

•The ability to teach and defend biblical truth in conversations, in writing, in small groups, and possibly before all the church is an ability all Christian men should aspire to acquire. Adam failed by not defending Eve with God's word in the Garden.

•While not all Christian men should actually become pastors, the aspiration to do the good work can bear good fruit in their lives, family, and work.

•Serving as a pastor has great reward.

NOT ALL SHOULD BE PASTORS

The church—not individuals or other organizations— proves and recognizes pastors under the leadership of Christ’s Spirit. 

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake…

Serving as a pastor has greater accountability with great reward. 

James 3:1

My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we [who teach] shall receive the greater condemnation [judgment].

Hebrews 13:17

Obey them that have the rule over you [leaders in the church], and submit yourselves: for they watch for [over] your souls, as they that must give account [to God], that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Timothy 5:17–20

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour [tangible support], especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

1 Timothy 5:17–20

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Pastors serve on the front lines of attack .

Acts 20:28–32

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 

1 Timothy 3:7

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

DESIRE AND PRAY FOR PASTORS

•It is part of our commission to make disciples.

•It is for our good.

•It is for God's glory.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: We should pray and work with expectation that God will continually produce pastor-qualified men and pastors from within our church for the advance of the gospel, our good, and His glory.

Q: Men, are you aspiring to pastor or at least to be qualified? Should you?

Q: Church, will you pray, disciple, and partner together in this work of producing pastors as a part of the commission Jesus gave us?