Church Leaders' Conference in Ephesus

May 30, 2022

Church Leaders' Conference in Ephesus

1 Timothy 5

Samantha Blackwood

Central Truth

Responsibility and respect within the church are critical for its health.

So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Instructions for the Church

1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,^{1

5:9
Or a woman of one man} 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Footnotes

[1] 5:9 Or a woman of one man

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If you've been around Watermark long enough, you've heard it said, "Every week is a church leader's conference." Why? As believers, we ALL are church leaders. That being said, imagine Paul is writing this letter to YOU. Check yourself in the following three categories. How have you been leading?

1 Timothy 5:1-16 | Treat the church like family:

Imagine young Timothy's anxiety being left in control of the Ephesians' church. This was his first time alone in a pastoral role. We know from other Scripture that Timothy was young, that he had a believing Jewish mother but a Greek father, and that there was no evidence that his father played a role in Timothy's life. No doubt, the Enemy was poised and ready to use this situation to intimidate and frustrate everyone involved. But wisely, Paul instructed young Timothy to treat them like family—with the respect, honor, and responsibility due them.

1 Timothy 5:17-20 | Deal honorably and appropriately with leaders:

Give elders the compensation and trust deserved by this difficult job (Galatians 6:6). But in doing so, don't shrink back from correcting those entangled in sin. In these verses, Paul balanced between believing and acting on every bit of gossip about a church leader and ignoring serious sin in a leader's life. Either extreme is wrong (Deuteronomy 19:15-20; Ephesians 5:11).

1 Timothy 5:21-25 | Stay pure, honest, and careful in choosing leaders:

Verse 21 gives great emphasis in avoiding favoritism. No doubt, Timothy's youthfulness could have swayed him out of a desire to be liked and accepted, and there were probably many ready to take advantage. Paul's summation—stay pure, don't succumb to peer pressure (Ephesians 5:7), and be cautious in choosing leaders, looking carefully at character and hidden sin (1 Samuel 16:7).

Responsibility, respect, and honesty play a critical role in all families, but especially the family of faith. As with any family, there are differing roles, personalities, and responsibilities. It's a mix of imperfect people striving for unity. Even if it's not initially evident, each and every family member has a role to play, from the very youngest to the most elderly (1 Corinthians 12). Are you fulfilling your role?

1. Take a moment and ask yourself who your church family is—the inner circle, if you are in a large church. Make a list of the older/younger men and the older/younger women. Are you treating each of these with the respect you would give to your own family? Who are the older widows in your life and in your church? What are you doing to help care for them? What are you doing to teach your children to love, respect, and care for their elders—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, pastors? Do your children witness you loving, respecting, and caring for your family, in-laws, and church?

2. Jesus and Paul emphasized the importance of supporting those who lead and teach us (Leviticus 27:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Are you doing your part, financially, to see that our church leaders are paid adequately? Do you honor those who lead in the church, or are you quick to find fault and/or participate in gossip (Proverbs 17:4)? Do you pray for your church leaders to stand firm in their faith (Hebrews 13:18)? Or pray for repentance/restoration when one has been called out for repeated sin (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)? Are you a church leader who needs to ask for forgiveness?

3. Have you grown weary of an unfilled leadership position? According to God's Word, what qualifications are required (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:7-9)? Are you praying for those responsible for filling the position, for their guidance, steadfastness, and wisdom? Are you a church leader or desire to be, but have hidden sin in your life? What can you do today to overcome that sin and move into the place of service God has truly called you?