What Do You Aspire To?

Ben Caldwell

Central Truth

As a pillar and buttress of the truth, the church must choose its leaders based on their character, not their accomplishments or giftedness.

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Qualifications for Overseers

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer^{1

3:2
Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1} must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,^{2

3:2
Or a man of one woman; also verse 12} sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^{3

3:8
Or devious in speech} not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise^{4

3:11
Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise} must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He^{5

3:16
Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which} was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated^{6

3:16
Or justified} by the Spirit,^{7

3:16
Or vindicated in spirit}
    seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
    believed on in the world,
    taken up in glory.

Footnotes

[1] 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1
[2] 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12
[3] 3:8 Or devious in speech
[4] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise
[5] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
[6] 3:16 Or justified
[7] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

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When I was first approached to begin spending some intentional time with the Watermark elders, I found myself in rooms with men I'd respected and looked up to for years. And as I looked around the room, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and unworthiness came quickly. Their intelligence, accomplishments, and high capacity to do many things very well left me feeling like I didn't measure up. Have you ever felt that way?

Praise God for the blessing of my wise wife and the community of believers around me who are faithful to remind me that God's criteria for those who serve His church has nothing to do with giftedness, intelligence, or accomplishments. Zero. God desires men of character to serve His church. Men who love Him and love His people.

The world around us is quick to applaud our accomplishments, and, if we are not careful, our internal compass will begin pointing our heart and life in that direction at the expense of an abiding walk with Jesus.

As I read the qualifications for overseers and deacons, I am reminded that the character qualities listed are not produced in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. These are the marks of years of allowing the Spirit of God to work in our hearts each day. Not everyone aspires to the office of overseer, however we all should aspire to increasingly be conformed to the image of Christ so that He is glorified in our lives and others see His goodness and love through us. Jesus makes it clear that, apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). We are faithful like Jesus, gentle like Jesus, and loving like Jesus when we slow down and spend time with Jesus.

What do you aspire to? Who do you aspire to be? I am praying that today we would each walk in the freedom and joy that comes from delighting ourselves in our Savior and allowing Him to produce His character in us. May we prize the depth of our character over the height of our accomplishments.

1. What choices are you making today to cultivate the character you desire tomorrow?

2. What priorities are you submitting your heart and your schedule to? Are there any specific ways you believe God desires for you to shift your priorities to align them with His?

3. As you read the requirements for overseers and deacons, are there any areas of your life in which the Spirit is convicting you? What steps do you need to take in response to the Spirit's conviction?