Would you please turn in your Bible to First Timothy chapter three, First Timothy chapter three. We are continuing in our study of eldership. This ends out being the third message in a series that only God knows how long the series will be. In 1 Timothy chapter 3, beginning in verse 1, follow along with me, please.
It is a trustworthy statement. If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer then must be above reproach. The husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity. But if a man does not know how to manage His household well, how will he take care of the Church of God and not a new convert so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil, and he must have a good reputation with those outside the church so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Would you pray with me, please. OK.
Lord, we just come before you with the time that we have and we would ask that you might multiply the time. That, Lord, you might use your word to minister effectively to those who are here this morning. Lord, we have prayed for most people here by name and we ask that you would honor that prayer, Lord, that you would minister to each and every single person here in a way that would be relevant to them. No doubt, Lord, there are going to be those who are here for whom this message is specially ordained by you, and I pray, Lord, for that person, I pray for those persons that Lord, you would illumine the eyes of their understanding, that you would give them eyes to see, that you would give them ears to hear, that you would give them faith to believe in the gospel, Lord....
