100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,300But any time in our congregation,200:00:05,300 –> 00:00:09,360there are some folks who are asking these questions.300:00:09,360 –> 00:00:12,220Should I go to seminary?400:00:12,220 –> 00:00:16,100Could it be the God wants me overseas?500:00:16,100 –> 00:00:18,760Should I be in full-time Christian ministry?600:00:18,760 –> 00:00:22,500But if that is where you are at, let me encourage you with this.700:00:22,700 –> 00:00:27,219The first thing, the first thing for you to pursued800:00:27,219 –> 00:00:32,119is what’s right here in 1 Timothy and chapter 3.900:00:32,119 –> 00:00:35,200Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.1000:00:35,200 –> 00:00:37,520I’m David Pick, glad you could join us today.1100:00:37,520 –> 00:00:41,619And as we open our Bibles today to 1st Timothy 3,1200:00:41,619 –> 00:00:43,820we can see that it’s about leadership.1300:00:43,820 –> 00:00:45,779So this passage, Colin, is relevant to1400:00:45,779 –> 00:00:47,680each and every one of us.1500:00:47,680 –> 00:00:50,840Well it is, because although not everybody is a leader,1600:00:51,080 –> 00:00:54,340we all have responsibilities within the body of Christ1700:00:54,340 –> 00:00:57,040in regards to discerning who should lead.1800:00:57,040 –> 00:00:59,880And this chapter really gives to us1900:00:59,880 –> 00:01:03,200the things that we should look for in leaders2000:01:03,200 –> 00:01:06,160and the things that those who are called to lead2100:01:06,160 –> 00:01:09,419must pursue as the things of first importance.2200:01:09,419 –> 00:01:11,800It’s wonderful that this is actually laid out2300:01:11,800 –> 00:01:14,000so clearly in the Scriptures.2400:01:14,000 –> 00:01:16,959It’s a very important passage of Scripture,2500:01:16,959 –> 00:01:20,199not only for those who lead, but for every Christian person2600:01:20,239 –> 00:01:23,919because in this area, we all have responsibilities.2700:01:23,919 –> 00:01:25,440So, let’s look at that together2800:01:25,440 –> 00:01:27,320in the first book of Timothy chapter 32900:01:27,320 –> 00:01:29,360in verses 1-15 today3000:01:29,360 –> 00:01:31,879as we begin a message, Gospel character.3100:01:31,879 –> 00:01:33,260Here is pastor Colin.3200:01:33,260 –> 00:01:35,139Now, please open your Bible at 1 Timothy3300:01:35,139 –> 00:01:39,019and chapter 3, 1 Timothy and chapter 3.3400:01:39,019 –> 00:01:42,800Our aim in this series is to be shaped by the Bible,3500:01:42,800 –> 00:01:44,459not only in our personal lives,3600:01:44,459 –> 00:01:46,080but also in the life in ministry3700:01:46,080 –> 00:01:48,480that we share together as a church.3800:01:48,480 –> 00:01:50,040We don’t want simply to drift3900:01:50,279 –> 00:01:51,779with the currents of culture.4000:01:51,779 –> 00:01:54,320We want to be responsive to the holy spirit4100:01:54,320 –> 00:01:58,160and the spirit speaks to us through the word.4200:01:58,160 –> 00:01:59,599And we’ve been saying therefore4300:01:59,599 –> 00:02:02,199that we want to be people who are rooted in truth4400:02:02,199 –> 00:02:04,080and growing in love.4500:02:04,080 –> 00:02:07,720We want to be drawn by grace, not driven by law.4600:02:07,720 –> 00:02:10,779We know that we are sinners who are saved by God’s grace4700:02:10,779 –> 00:02:14,479through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.4800:02:14,479 –> 00:02:16,039And then we have seen last week4900:02:16,039 –> 00:02:18,619that God calls us to a global ministry5000:02:18,660 –> 00:02:20,500of the Word and prayer.5100:02:20,500 –> 00:02:22,059We were rejoicing in the fact5200:02:22,059 –> 00:02:25,399that the gospel fires mission5300:02:25,399 –> 00:02:28,419because Christ died for all and it stands5400:02:28,419 –> 00:02:31,000to reason that if there is one mediator,5500:02:31,000 –> 00:02:33,580there is one gospel and if there is one gospel,5600:02:33,580 –> 00:02:36,360it must be for all people.5700:02:36,360 –> 00:02:38,440And therefore the question that we come to5800:02:38,440 –> 00:02:41,619at the beginning of chapter three really is this.5900:02:41,619 –> 00:02:45,979Since the church is called to a global mission6000:02:45,979 –> 00:02:47,820of the word and prayer,6100:02:48,820 –> 00:02:53,759what kind of people will get this global job done?6200:02:53,759 –> 00:02:57,820That’s the question at the beginning of chapter three.6300:02:57,820 –> 00:02:59,039That’s why we’re looking today6400:02:59,039 –> 00:03:02,000at this great subject of gospel character.6500:03:02,000 –> 00:03:05,960I want us to see the character and the competence6600:03:05,960 –> 00:03:09,160of an effective Christian leader.6700:03:09,160 –> 00:03:10,460And you’ll notice straight away6800:03:10,460 –> 00:03:13,820that chapter three is all about leaders.6900:03:13,839 –> 00:03:17,559If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,7000:03:17,559 –> 00:03:19,399that word could also be translated7100:03:19,399 –> 00:03:22,080an elder means the same thing,7200:03:22,080 –> 00:03:25,440he desires a noble task.7300:03:25,440 –> 00:03:27,160And we’re going to look at what God says7400:03:27,160 –> 00:03:30,199about leadership in the church today.7500:03:30,199 –> 00:03:35,080Now most of us are not called to be elders or deacons.7600:03:35,080 –> 00:03:36,539So I guess for most of us,7700:03:36,539 –> 00:03:38,759the question is going to be well now what in the world7800:03:38,759 –> 00:03:42,080does this really have to do with me?7900:03:42,080 –> 00:03:43,800I want to give three answers8000:03:43,839 –> 00:03:47,380so that we know how to apply the scriptures to ourselves8100:03:47,380 –> 00:03:49,779because there is something here for every person8200:03:49,779 –> 00:03:51,380in the congregation today.8300:03:51,380 –> 00:03:54,960In fact, there are three things for every person8400:03:54,960 –> 00:03:56,419in the congregation today.8500:03:56,419 –> 00:03:57,919Here’s the first.8600:03:57,919 –> 00:04:01,119This is going to help us with discernment8700:04:01,119 –> 00:04:05,539that is what to look for in the appointing8800:04:05,539 –> 00:04:09,720and calling and sending off leaders.8900:04:09,720 –> 00:04:12,220See, who should lead in the church?9000:04:12,220 –> 00:04:14,699Who should be sent to the mission field?9100:04:14,699 –> 00:04:17,739Who should be called to be a pastor?9200:04:17,739 –> 00:04:21,420What are the marks of those who are going to be most useful9300:04:21,420 –> 00:04:24,600in the cause of Jesus Christ?9400:04:24,600 –> 00:04:26,540Who should we trust?9500:04:26,540 –> 00:04:28,799Who should we follow?9600:04:29,899 –> 00:04:32,660Now these are all issues that are addressed, really,9700:04:32,660 –> 00:04:35,500in 1 Timothy chapter 3.9800:04:35,500 –> 00:04:37,619You should know that with regards to the appointing9900:04:37,619 –> 00:04:39,559of lay leaders in our church,10000:04:39,559 –> 00:04:41,579the way in which we do this here10100:04:41,600 –> 00:04:44,540is through the work of the nominating committee.10200:04:44,540 –> 00:04:47,179And every year, all of us as a congregation,10300:04:47,179 –> 00:04:51,640we are invited to submit to the nominating committee10400:04:51,640 –> 00:04:54,440the names of people who we think might be10500:04:54,440 –> 00:04:59,040suitable to serve as lay leaders in this church.10600:04:59,040 –> 00:05:01,799You were given, earlier this year, that invitation,10700:05:01,799 –> 00:05:05,619and many people responded very helpfully to it.10800:05:05,619 –> 00:05:08,359You were also given, at that time, an outline10900:05:08,359 –> 00:05:11,859of what to look for in potential leaders,11000:05:11,859 –> 00:05:14,820candidates for leadership in the church.11100:05:14,820 –> 00:05:18,079And that outline was taken very largely11200:05:18,079 –> 00:05:20,500from this very chapter, 1 Timothy, and chapter three.11300:05:20,500 –> 00:05:23,859So you need to know, and this should be encouraging to you11400:05:23,859 –> 00:05:26,500that those who serve us as a congregation11500:05:26,500 –> 00:05:29,500in interviewing and selecting future leaders,11600:05:29,500 –> 00:05:31,019lay leaders in the church,11700:05:31,019 –> 00:05:34,459are taking this Scripture very seriously.11800:05:34,459 –> 00:05:36,899And as we have the opportunity to give input11900:05:37,000 –> 00:05:38,299into the work that they are doing,12000:05:38,299 –> 00:05:40,279as many of us have done again this year,12100:05:40,279 –> 00:05:42,239and will do in future years,12200:05:42,239 –> 00:05:45,859we need to be familiar with what it is to look for12300:05:45,859 –> 00:05:49,079in discerning who should serve.12400:05:49,079 –> 00:05:50,579It’s good to remember, by the way,12500:05:50,579 –> 00:05:53,540that the biblical pattern is never12600:05:53,540 –> 00:05:55,160that you give a man a job12700:05:55,160 –> 00:05:57,119and then hope that he’ll rise to it.12800:05:57,119 –> 00:06:00,100That’s not how it is in leadership in the church.12900:06:00,100 –> 00:06:01,220You don’t give him the position13000:06:01,220 –> 00:06:03,859and hope he’ll rise to the challenge.13100:06:03,859 –> 00:06:06,420The biblical pattern is to look13200:06:06,420 –> 00:06:11,200for leaders who exemplify the character and competence13300:06:11,200 –> 00:06:13,359we’re going to see in the Bible today.13400:06:13,359 –> 00:06:16,859And where that is already in place in a person’s life,13500:06:16,859 –> 00:06:19,619that is the evidence that God’s hand is upon them13600:06:19,619 –> 00:06:21,660and that they are ready to be trusted13700:06:21,660 –> 00:06:25,279with an enlarged sphere of service.13800:06:25,279 –> 00:06:26,959So what we will learn today13900:06:26,959 –> 00:06:28,839will help us to grow in discernment.14000:06:28,839 –> 00:06:31,200That’s its first application.14100:06:31,200 –> 00:06:32,839What should we be looking for14200:06:32,839 –> 00:06:35,679in the leaders that we elect?14300:06:35,739 –> 00:06:39,660What should we be looking for in the pastors we may call?14400:06:39,660 –> 00:06:41,200What should we be looking for14500:06:41,200 –> 00:06:43,980in the missionaries we may send?14600:06:43,980 –> 00:06:47,100What are the characteristics that point14700:06:47,100 –> 00:06:52,100to future effectiveness in Christian leadership?14800:06:52,880 –> 00:06:54,500So the first aim, discernment.14900:06:54,500 –> 00:06:55,959Here’s the second.15000:06:55,959 –> 00:07:00,600It’s going to help all of us in terms of direction.15100:07:00,600 –> 00:07:02,420Because we’re looking at the question15200:07:02,420 –> 00:07:07,260of what lies behind the greatest usefulness15300:07:07,260 –> 00:07:08,739in Christian service.15400:07:08,739 –> 00:07:12,739We’re going to identify things that all of us can pursue,15500:07:12,739 –> 00:07:15,679cultivate in order to be more useful15600:07:15,679 –> 00:07:17,899to Jesus Christ in the future15700:07:17,899 –> 00:07:20,459than we have been in the past.15800:07:20,459 –> 00:07:21,299Notice verse one.15900:07:21,299 –> 00:07:22,700Here is a trustworthy saying,16000:07:22,700 –> 00:07:26,179if anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,16100:07:26,179 –> 00:07:28,579he desires a noble task.16200:07:29,339 –> 00:07:33,540So Paul is saying that to have it in your heart16300:07:33,540 –> 00:07:36,179to be more useful to Jesus Christ16400:07:36,179 –> 00:07:38,119and to maximize the contribution16500:07:38,119 –> 00:07:40,059that you can make to the work of the gospel16600:07:40,059 –> 00:07:42,359that’s a great thing, that’s a noble thing.16700:07:43,420 –> 00:07:44,899Some of us in the congregation16800:07:44,899 –> 00:07:46,760are wrestling with this question right now.16900:07:46,760 –> 00:07:49,260At any time in our congregation17000:07:49,260 –> 00:07:52,299there are some folks who are asking these questions.17100:07:52,299 –> 00:07:53,920Should I go to seminary?17200:07:55,279 –> 00:07:58,119Could it be that God wants me overseas?17300:07:59,059 –> 00:08:01,980Should I be in full-time Christian ministry?17400:08:03,019 –> 00:08:05,220Now it’s a wonderful thing that we have folks among us17500:08:05,220 –> 00:08:07,920who are asking these questions.17600:08:07,920 –> 00:08:09,299But if that is where you’re at17700:08:09,299 –> 00:08:10,660let me encourage you with this.17800:08:10,660 –> 00:08:15,660The first thing, the first thing for you to pursue17900:08:15,779 –> 00:08:20,220is what’s right here in 1 Timothy and chapter three.18000:08:21,739 –> 00:08:25,779Then I want to sound the trumpet in a loud blast18100:08:25,779 –> 00:08:30,779of joy with regards to lay leaders in the church.18200:08:32,200 –> 00:08:35,520Because you know, when Paul talks about overseers, elders,18300:08:35,520 –> 00:08:37,000and he talks about deacons here18400:08:37,000 –> 00:08:40,039he’s talking about lay leaders.18500:08:40,039 –> 00:08:43,700Folks who earn their living in the market place18600:08:43,700 –> 00:08:48,640and who give themselves voluntarily as lay leaders18700:08:48,640 –> 00:08:50,039in the ministry of the Church.18800:08:50,039 –> 00:08:53,520And Paul says here that is a noble task.18900:08:53,520 –> 00:08:56,440It is a wonderful thing for a person19000:08:56,440 –> 00:08:59,219to serve in this kind of way.19100:08:59,219 –> 00:09:02,000And I would want that there would be many young people19200:09:02,000 –> 00:09:04,539among us who even today you would have it in your heart19300:09:04,539 –> 00:09:06,919to say you know, when I go to college19400:09:06,919 –> 00:09:10,260I want to train to be an engineer19500:09:10,260 –> 00:09:13,619and I want to be most useful19600:09:13,619 –> 00:09:15,539in my local church.19700:09:15,539 –> 00:09:17,239I want to be a teacher.19800:09:17,239 –> 00:09:19,520I want to be in business, whatever it is.19900:09:20,159 –> 00:09:23,940And I want to maximize my usefulness20000:09:23,940 –> 00:09:27,960as a servant of Jesus Christ in my church.20100:09:27,960 –> 00:09:28,940That’s a wonderful thing.20200:09:28,940 –> 00:09:31,159That’s a noble thing,20300:09:31,159 –> 00:09:33,979and Paul commends it to us.20400:09:33,979 –> 00:09:36,359Now let me just raise one or two other applications20500:09:36,359 –> 00:09:39,280so that we’re seeing the breadth of this.20600:09:39,280 –> 00:09:41,500Everyone who is a father here.20700:09:42,400 –> 00:09:45,299Everyone who is a grandfather here.20800:09:45,299 –> 00:09:47,4401 Timothy 3 is for you20900:09:47,460 –> 00:09:52,460because to be a father means that God has appointed you21000:09:52,500 –> 00:09:56,020as an elder in your own house.21100:09:56,020 –> 00:09:57,580That’s what it means to be a father.21200:09:57,580 –> 00:10:00,260You are the spiritual leader21300:10:00,260 –> 00:10:04,020of the family God has trusted to you.21400:10:04,020 –> 00:10:05,460So for every father,21500:10:05,460 –> 00:10:08,299what we’re learning here, this is for you.21600:10:08,299 –> 00:10:09,780For every Christian here,21700:10:09,780 –> 00:10:11,539that’s going to be the great majority of us.21800:10:11,539 –> 00:10:14,460Not all of us, but the great majority of us.21900:10:14,460 –> 00:10:15,700For every Christian,22000:10:15,739 –> 00:10:16,700this is for you.22100:10:16,700 –> 00:10:17,840Why?22200:10:17,840 –> 00:10:20,820Well, because leaders are not called to a different life22300:10:20,820 –> 00:10:22,020from the congregation.22400:10:22,020 –> 00:10:25,460Leaders are called to model the same life22500:10:25,460 –> 00:10:27,219to which we are all called.22600:10:27,219 –> 00:10:29,940God looks for this character and this competence22700:10:29,940 –> 00:10:31,960that we’re going to look at today,22800:10:31,960 –> 00:10:35,380in leaders first because leaders are to be an example22900:10:35,380 –> 00:10:38,299of this to the rest of the flock,23000:10:38,299 –> 00:10:39,780but they’re not called to something different,23100:10:39,780 –> 00:10:41,940they’re called to lead all of us23200:10:41,940 –> 00:10:44,419in what God is calling us to as well.23300:10:44,419 –> 00:10:48,940If you’re young, this is for you.23400:10:48,940 –> 00:10:52,140If you’re in high school, if you’re in middle school,23500:10:52,140 –> 00:10:54,539so grateful for all the high schoolers and middle schoolers23600:10:54,539 –> 00:10:56,820and the congregations today.23700:10:56,820 –> 00:10:59,059You know in chapter 4 and verse 7,23800:10:59,059 –> 00:11:03,159Paul says, train yourself to be godly.23900:11:04,539 –> 00:11:06,820And to all who are young,24000:11:06,820 –> 00:11:09,900here’s my prayer for the message this week.24100:11:10,760 –> 00:11:15,059It is that God will place a deep desire in your heart24200:11:15,059 –> 00:11:18,520now, that you will live now in a way24300:11:18,520 –> 00:11:21,020that is going to make you the most useful24400:11:21,020 –> 00:11:23,900kind of person you can be24500:11:23,900 –> 00:11:26,059in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ24600:11:26,059 –> 00:11:30,219in your future years and in your adult life.24700:11:30,219 –> 00:11:31,700And just one more thing here,24800:11:31,700 –> 00:11:35,340I want to say that if you’re disappointed in your own life,24900:11:35,340 –> 00:11:38,020this is for you, there will be some folks25000:11:38,020 –> 00:11:39,820in this congregation today25100:11:40,580 –> 00:11:42,380even in hearing the reading25200:11:43,260 –> 00:11:44,820and the description of the life25300:11:44,820 –> 00:11:48,239that God is calling leaders to,25400:11:48,239 –> 00:11:49,159you will say, well you know,25500:11:49,159 –> 00:11:52,440I haven’t done what I wanted to do in my life25600:11:52,440 –> 00:11:54,179and I am not in the place25700:11:54,179 –> 00:11:57,179that I would have wanted to be in my life.25800:11:57,179 –> 00:11:59,419Frankly, I wish I could rerun my life25900:11:59,419 –> 00:12:02,380and undo some of the things that have happened,26000:12:02,380 –> 00:12:05,340the mistakes that I’ve made.26100:12:05,340 –> 00:12:09,299I want you to hear this, Jesus Christ came to redeem.26200:12:09,299 –> 00:12:12,460Jesus Christ came to restore what was lost.26300:12:12,460 –> 00:12:15,919Jesus Christ came to recreate what has been destroyed.26400:12:17,020 –> 00:12:20,859And what we are learning today can be your future,26500:12:20,859 –> 00:12:23,500even if it has not been your past.26600:12:23,500 –> 00:12:25,419That’s good news, isn’t it?26700:12:25,419 –> 00:12:28,619That’s what it means to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,26800:12:28,619 –> 00:12:31,099that a man or a woman or a family can indeed26900:12:31,099 –> 00:12:34,099in Christ pursue a different track in the future27000:12:34,099 –> 00:12:36,780from what has been the character in the past.27100:12:36,780 –> 00:12:38,780That’s the hope of the gospel.27200:12:38,780 –> 00:12:41,640And so I want you to hear what we’re being called to hear27300:12:41,640 –> 00:12:43,739in that context and to say,27400:12:43,739 –> 00:12:47,599now the Lord Jesus Christ can lead me into this27500:12:47,599 –> 00:12:52,599and my future can be different from my past.27600:12:52,599 –> 00:12:54,140You realize this is all the wrong way around.27700:12:54,140 –> 00:12:55,840You’re getting the application first27800:12:55,840 –> 00:12:57,780and then the content afterwards.27900:12:57,780 –> 00:13:01,520But I want us to hear the content rightfully.28000:13:01,520 –> 00:13:03,619It’s gonna help us discern.28100:13:03,619 –> 00:13:06,520It’s gonna help us know what to pursue.28200:13:06,520 –> 00:13:07,659And then one more thing,28300:13:07,700 –> 00:13:09,179it’s going to help us in knowing28400:13:09,179 –> 00:13:13,099what to thank God for, gratitude.28500:13:13,099 –> 00:13:16,719And I hope this comes through in the message today.28600:13:16,719 –> 00:13:21,719As I have studied the scripture again this week,28700:13:22,299 –> 00:13:27,299I felt both the challenge of it afresh in my own life28800:13:27,719 –> 00:13:31,340and I have felt gratitude to God28900:13:31,340 –> 00:13:35,119for every way in which I see this character29000:13:35,880 –> 00:13:40,880in others who lead in this church at this time.29100:13:40,979 –> 00:13:45,580I’m thinking of our pastors, I’m thinking of our elders,29200:13:45,580 –> 00:13:47,400I’m thinking of our board members,29300:13:47,400 –> 00:13:49,320I’m thinking of our missionaries,29400:13:49,320 –> 00:13:51,979I’m thinking of our lay ministry leaders29500:13:53,039 –> 00:13:56,179and the reason I have been refreshed29600:13:56,179 –> 00:13:58,400with thanksgiving this week29700:13:58,400 –> 00:14:03,099is that I see so much of what Paul talks about here29800:14:03,099 –> 00:14:04,820in the leaders who are serving us29900:14:04,840 –> 00:14:05,859in this congregation.30000:14:05,859 –> 00:14:08,340I hope you see that, too.30100:14:08,340 –> 00:14:11,219And as you see it, you will want with me30200:14:11,219 –> 00:14:13,099to give thanks for it.30300:14:14,059 –> 00:14:15,859Folks, you don’t need me to tell you30400:14:15,859 –> 00:14:18,299how many churches have been ruined30500:14:18,299 –> 00:14:20,760by the wrong people being in leadership.30600:14:22,080 –> 00:14:24,140And so when there are godly people30700:14:24,140 –> 00:14:25,780in leadership of a local church,30800:14:25,780 –> 00:14:28,539that is something for which all the people of God30900:14:28,539 –> 00:14:31,219ought to be thankful and grateful31000:14:31,219 –> 00:14:33,679and have hearts full of praise.31100:14:34,559 –> 00:14:35,840You’re listening to Open The Bible31200:14:35,840 –> 00:14:37,239with Pastor Colin Smith31300:14:37,239 –> 00:14:39,780and the message called Gospel Character,31400:14:39,780 –> 00:14:42,280part of our series 10 Distinctives31500:14:42,280 –> 00:14:44,280of a Gospel-Centered Life.31600:14:44,280 –> 00:14:45,919We’ll pause the message briefly there31700:14:45,919 –> 00:14:47,880but we’ll be back very shortly.31800:14:47,880 –> 00:14:49,700Just to remind you that if you ever miss31900:14:49,700 –> 00:14:51,200one of Pastor Colin’s messages32000:14:51,200 –> 00:14:52,380or if you want to catch up32100:14:52,380 –> 00:14:54,880or go back and listen to earlier messages,32200:14:54,880 –> 00:14:56,760they’re all available on our website.32300:14:56,760 –> 00:15:00,239That’s at openthebible.org.uk,32400:15:00,239 –> 00:15:02,039also available as a podcast32500:15:02,080 –> 00:15:03,840and on all the main podcast sites,32600:15:03,840 –> 00:15:06,400you can find those by searching on the podcast site32700:15:06,400 –> 00:15:09,280for Open The Bible UK.32800:15:09,280 –> 00:15:10,539Back to the message now.32900:15:10,539 –> 00:15:12,979Here again is Pastor Colin.33000:15:12,979 –> 00:15:15,419So here are my three aims33100:15:15,419 –> 00:15:17,979that we will grow in discernment,33200:15:17,979 –> 00:15:19,440that we will grow in clarity33300:15:19,440 –> 00:15:21,859in what to pursue in direction33400:15:21,859 –> 00:15:24,000and that our hearts may be refreshed33500:15:24,000 –> 00:15:26,140with a sense of thanksgiving33600:15:26,140 –> 00:15:27,880for the abundant goodness of God33700:15:27,880 –> 00:15:30,880to us in this congregation.33800:15:30,900 –> 00:15:32,880Now just one more thing before we get into it33900:15:32,880 –> 00:15:35,179and that is an important observation.34000:15:36,539 –> 00:15:39,880The Bible makes clear to us34100:15:39,880 –> 00:15:43,539the principles and for leadership34200:15:43,539 –> 00:15:45,859but it does not give to us34300:15:45,859 –> 00:15:50,119a fixed pattern or structure for leadership.34400:15:51,219 –> 00:15:52,580And one of the evidences of that34500:15:52,580 –> 00:15:55,619is when you look at the qualities34600:15:55,619 –> 00:15:58,500or characteristics of elders34700:15:58,500 –> 00:16:00,159and then you look in the same chapter34800:16:01,000 –> 00:16:02,659of what Paul says about deacons,34900:16:02,659 –> 00:16:05,340if you lay them out in two columns side by side35000:16:05,340 –> 00:16:07,299and draw lines across between them,35100:16:07,299 –> 00:16:10,159you will be struck by how similar they are.35200:16:11,080 –> 00:16:12,799The similarities in these qualities35300:16:12,799 –> 00:16:15,479are much more evident than the differences35400:16:15,479 –> 00:16:17,099that are relatively minor.35500:16:19,880 –> 00:16:23,479Throughout history, there has been great debate35600:16:23,479 –> 00:16:28,479about what is the appropriate structure for a church.35700:16:28,659 –> 00:16:30,400And some of you know well35800:16:30,400 –> 00:16:34,500that episcopalians have their bishops35900:16:34,500 –> 00:16:38,520and they appealed to 1 Timothy 3 for it,36000:16:38,520 –> 00:16:41,140presbyterians have their presbyteries36100:16:41,140 –> 00:16:43,900and appealed to 1 Timothy 3 for it,36200:16:43,900 –> 00:16:45,700and Baptists have their deacons36300:16:45,700 –> 00:16:48,539and appealed to 1 Timothy chapter 3 for it,36400:16:48,539 –> 00:16:51,840and Free Churches have their elders and their boards36500:16:51,840 –> 00:16:54,460and will appeal to 1 Timothy chapter 3 for it.36600:16:54,460 –> 00:16:56,580In other words, folks, we could discuss36700:16:56,619 –> 00:16:59,020what is the right structure for church leadership36800:16:59,020 –> 00:17:02,460for the rest of our lives, and we’d never resolve it.36900:17:02,460 –> 00:17:07,079What matters is not the particular structure37000:17:07,079 –> 00:17:08,599of leadership within a church,37100:17:08,599 –> 00:17:10,699which frankly will vary from church to church37200:17:10,699 –> 00:17:13,060and may vary over time as well.37300:17:13,060 –> 00:17:17,880What really matters is the quality of leadership37400:17:17,880 –> 00:17:19,579at every level of a local church,37500:17:19,579 –> 00:17:21,900and that’s what Paul is concerned about here,37600:17:23,079 –> 00:17:25,420and that’s what we’re concerned about.37700:17:25,420 –> 00:17:28,640And that’s what too we are grateful for.37800:17:28,640 –> 00:17:32,260So, the questions before us then are really these.37900:17:32,260 –> 00:17:34,880What kind of people should we trust?38000:17:34,880 –> 00:17:37,219What kind of people should we follow?38100:17:37,219 –> 00:17:39,760What kind of people should lead?38200:17:40,619 –> 00:17:42,160What kind of people should we seek38300:17:42,160 –> 00:17:45,959to become in order to be more useful to Jesus Christ?38400:17:46,880 –> 00:17:51,060And what kind of people should fill us with thanksgiving38500:17:51,099 –> 00:17:55,599as we see godly character and fruit in their lives?38600:17:57,339 –> 00:17:59,579Well, let’s look then at the character and competence38700:17:59,579 –> 00:18:01,859of an effective Christian leader,38800:18:01,859 –> 00:18:03,640and let’s begin with character,38900:18:03,640 –> 00:18:05,560and there are three things I think39000:18:05,560 –> 00:18:08,459that we are to look for here.39100:18:08,459 –> 00:18:12,020The first I’ve summarized as wise judgment.39200:18:12,020 –> 00:18:13,900You see that in the words temperate,39300:18:13,900 –> 00:18:16,180self-controlled, respectable,39400:18:16,180 –> 00:18:19,599and not given to drunkenness in verse two and three.39500:18:20,599 –> 00:18:24,400Temperate simply means thoughtful.39600:18:24,400 –> 00:18:26,180Someone who doesn’t make rash39700:18:26,180 –> 00:18:29,060or impulsive decisions.39800:18:29,060 –> 00:18:30,219Someone who is watchful,39900:18:30,219 –> 00:18:31,579someone who is vigilant,40000:18:31,579 –> 00:18:33,839someone who is careful in the way that they speak,40100:18:33,839 –> 00:18:36,500and careful in the way that they act.40200:18:37,420 –> 00:18:39,020To be temperate is developed40300:18:39,020 –> 00:18:42,040as you pursue self-control, verse two,40400:18:42,040 –> 00:18:43,400which of course is the fruit40500:18:43,400 –> 00:18:46,540of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life.40600:18:46,540 –> 00:18:48,560Self-control means that with God’s help,40700:18:48,560 –> 00:18:52,439you over time increasingly master your life,40800:18:52,439 –> 00:18:55,660your tongue, your moods,40900:18:55,660 –> 00:18:57,800and your passions.41000:18:57,800 –> 00:19:00,719And when a person grows in self-control,41100:19:00,719 –> 00:19:04,119that will lead them to be held in high respect.41200:19:04,119 –> 00:19:07,900That’s why the word respectable is in verse two.41300:19:07,900 –> 00:19:10,119Not given to drunkenness clearly comes41400:19:10,119 –> 00:19:11,640in here in verse three,41500:19:11,640 –> 00:19:15,099because drunkenness makes all these qualities impossible.41600:19:15,099 –> 00:19:18,060A man who indulges in too much wine,41700:19:18,060 –> 00:19:20,459loses his self-control,41800:19:20,459 –> 00:19:24,300and with it he loses the respect of other people.41900:19:24,300 –> 00:19:27,739He is therefore unable to exercise wise judgment,42000:19:27,739 –> 00:19:31,060and therefore is very limited in his usefulness42100:19:31,060 –> 00:19:33,319in the ministry of the church.42200:19:34,540 –> 00:19:37,079So in discerning who should lead and who to trust42300:19:37,079 –> 00:19:39,739and who to send and who we should follow,42400:19:40,839 –> 00:19:43,579look at the decisions,42500:19:43,579 –> 00:19:46,020or the lack of decisions,42600:19:46,020 –> 00:19:49,599that a person has made in his or her life.42700:19:49,599 –> 00:19:51,579What came of them?42800:19:51,579 –> 00:19:53,819Did they bear the marks of wisdom?42900:19:55,020 –> 00:19:59,260What in this person’s life have they said or done?43000:19:59,260 –> 00:20:01,239What positions have they taken?43100:20:01,239 –> 00:20:03,540Particularly in times of difficulty,43200:20:03,540 –> 00:20:06,900do you see evidence of wise judgement here?43300:20:06,900 –> 00:20:08,739These are the questions to ask.43400:20:10,180 –> 00:20:11,380And then secondly,43500:20:11,380 –> 00:20:14,420there’s the whole area of healthy relationships.43600:20:14,420 –> 00:20:16,140Paul speaks in verse three about someone43700:20:16,140 –> 00:20:19,180who’s not violent, but gentle.43800:20:20,579 –> 00:20:23,660The elder, of course, cannot be weak.43900:20:23,660 –> 00:20:27,479The elder has to be able to confront false doctrine.44000:20:27,479 –> 00:20:29,660That’s chapter one in verse three,44100:20:29,660 –> 00:20:31,699and defend true doctrine.44200:20:31,699 –> 00:20:35,420The elder has to watch his life and his doctrine closely.44300:20:35,420 –> 00:20:38,459But while the elder must have the strength to confront,44400:20:38,459 –> 00:20:40,640he must have compassion.44500:20:40,640 –> 00:20:42,060He must have understanding.44600:20:42,060 –> 00:20:43,140He must have sympathy.44700:20:43,680 –> 00:20:46,640He must be redemptive in his spirit44800:20:46,640 –> 00:20:48,880because he is to reflect the spirit44900:20:48,880 –> 00:20:51,400of the Lord Jesus Christ.45000:20:51,400 –> 00:20:54,319And the elder must not be quarrelsome.45100:20:54,319 –> 00:20:55,180That’s verse three.45200:20:55,180 –> 00:20:57,479That’s a relational quality as well.45300:20:58,520 –> 00:21:00,640Have you noticed that there are some people in life45400:21:00,640 –> 00:21:04,239who seem to just carry conflict within them?45500:21:04,239 –> 00:21:06,160Wherever they go, they seem to pick a fight.45600:21:06,160 –> 00:21:09,339They’re always in some debated issue over this or that.45700:21:09,339 –> 00:21:12,319They have a contrarian spirit.45800:21:12,359 –> 00:21:13,920They promote controversies.45900:21:13,920 –> 00:21:15,880That’s chapter one in verse three.46000:21:16,760 –> 00:21:18,219They stir up trouble.46100:21:19,420 –> 00:21:22,219So in discerning who should lead46200:21:22,219 –> 00:21:24,060because that kind of person, in leadership,46300:21:24,060 –> 00:21:27,260will cause all kinds of trouble for the church,46400:21:27,260 –> 00:21:28,979we should ask questions46500:21:28,979 –> 00:21:32,979about the relational health of a person.46600:21:32,979 –> 00:21:35,619Is this person contentious?46700:21:35,619 –> 00:21:39,160Does trouble follow them from place to place?46800:21:39,680 –> 00:21:42,260We’ll, unfortunately, we’ve got to pause the message there,46900:21:42,260 –> 00:21:44,900but we’ll be back with the second half of this message47000:21:44,900 –> 00:21:48,079in our next broadcast, so hope you’ll join us for that.47100:21:48,079 –> 00:21:50,020You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith47200:21:50,020 –> 00:21:51,119on Open the Bible47300:21:51,119 –> 00:21:53,660and a message called Gospel Character,47400:21:53,660 –> 00:21:56,000one of the messages in our series47500:21:56,000 –> 00:21:58,819Ten Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Life.47600:21:58,819 –> 00:22:01,140And if you’ve missed any of the series so far47700:22:01,140 –> 00:22:04,099or if you want to catch up or go back and listen again,47800:22:04,099 –> 00:22:06,459you can do that by coming to our website.47900:22:06,459 –> 00:22:09,839That’s at openthebible.org.uk48000:22:09,839 –> 00:22:11,599or by finding us as a podcast48100:22:11,599 –> 00:22:14,959and you’ll find all Pastor Colin’s messages as podcasts48200:22:14,959 –> 00:22:16,979on all the main podcast sites.48300:22:16,979 –> 00:22:18,959Search forOpenthebible.uk48400:22:18,959 –> 00:22:21,459or follow the link from our website.48500:22:21,459 –> 00:22:24,020Also on our website and available as a podcast48600:22:24,020 –> 00:22:25,800is Open the Bible Daily,48700:22:25,800 –> 00:22:27,640and that’s a series of short48800:22:27,640 –> 00:22:30,020two to three-minute daily reflections48900:22:30,020 –> 00:22:32,000based on Pastor Colin’s teaching49000:22:32,000 –> 00:22:36,260and read in the UK by Sally Workman and Alice Robertson.49100:22:36,300 –> 00:22:37,920Those are available every day49200:22:37,920 –> 00:22:42,920and you can find them on our website Openthebible.org.uk.49300:22:43,439 –> 00:22:45,800Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.49400:22:45,800 –> 00:22:47,400It’s people just like you49500:22:47,400 –> 00:22:50,800who enable us to stay on the radio and on the internet.49600:22:50,800 –> 00:22:52,079And we’re extremely grateful49700:22:52,079 –> 00:22:54,160for the support we receive from you.49800:22:54,160 –> 00:22:56,300So if you already give to Open the Bible,49900:22:56,300 –> 00:22:57,920thank you so much.50000:22:57,920 –> 00:22:59,439If you’re considering beginning50100:22:59,439 –> 00:23:01,819to support Open the Bible financially,50200:23:01,819 –> 00:23:04,359this month we have a great offer for you.50300:23:04,400 –> 00:23:06,699If you’re able to begin a direct debit50400:23:06,699 –> 00:23:09,219of five pounds per month or more50500:23:09,219 –> 00:23:12,479or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,50600:23:12,479 –> 00:23:14,099we’d love to say, thank you50700:23:14,099 –> 00:23:17,300by sending you a copy of John Stott’s book,50800:23:17,300 –> 00:23:19,660The Incomparable Christ.50900:23:19,660 –> 00:23:22,239Colin, who is this book for?51000:23:22,239 –> 00:23:24,300Well, it’s for anyone who wants to know51100:23:24,300 –> 00:23:26,099the Lord Jesus Christ better.51200:23:26,099 –> 00:23:28,439And it’s written by one of the most influential51300:23:28,439 –> 00:23:30,880Christian leaders of the 20th century.51400:23:30,880 –> 00:23:33,119John Stott was a faithful preacher,51500:23:33,160 –> 00:23:36,640a pastor, and a scholar for over 60 years.51600:23:36,640 –> 00:23:38,540He’s one of my heroes of the faith.51700:23:38,540 –> 00:23:40,859I love to read his writing,51800:23:40,859 –> 00:23:42,939and never more so than when he’s writing51900:23:42,939 –> 00:23:45,140on the most central subject of all,52000:23:45,140 –> 00:23:48,760the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.52100:23:48,760 –> 00:23:51,560And this book, The Incomparable Christ,52200:23:51,560 –> 00:23:53,680if you’ve never read a book by John Stott,52300:23:53,680 –> 00:23:55,520this is a great place to start.52400:23:55,520 –> 00:23:58,939It’s a deep dive on who Jesus is,52500:23:58,939 –> 00:24:00,900and it comes in four parts.52600:24:01,239 –> 00:24:02,920You’re going to see Jesus as he’s presented52700:24:02,920 –> 00:24:04,300in the New Testament,52800:24:04,300 –> 00:24:06,979Jesus as he’s being presented by the Church52900:24:06,979 –> 00:24:08,420over the centuries,53000:24:08,420 –> 00:24:12,900Jesus as he’s inspired various figures in the history,53100:24:12,900 –> 00:24:16,619and Jesus as he’s presented to us in the Book of Revelation.53200:24:16,619 –> 00:24:18,859It’s just a glorious snapshot53300:24:18,859 –> 00:24:21,660of who the Lord Jesus Christ is,53400:24:21,660 –> 00:24:23,219and I think anyone who reads this book53500:24:23,219 –> 00:24:25,900is going to feel that they come to a deeper worship53600:24:25,900 –> 00:24:28,300of Jesus, a deeper love for Jesus,53700:24:28,300 –> 00:24:30,479and a deeper trust in Jesus, too.53800:24:30,579 –> 00:24:32,060Well, this book by John Stott,53900:24:32,060 –> 00:24:33,540The Incomparable Christ,54000:24:33,540 –> 00:24:36,859is our gift to you when you begin a new direct debit54100:24:36,859 –> 00:24:38,619to the work of Open The Bible54200:24:38,619 –> 00:24:41,300in the amount of five pounds per month or more,54300:24:41,300 –> 00:24:45,859or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more this month.54400:24:45,859 –> 00:24:48,280Full terms and conditions are on our website,54500:24:48,280 –> 00:24:51,800that’s at openthebible.org.uk54600:24:51,800 –> 00:24:53,780and you can give online.54700:24:53,780 –> 00:24:56,359Don’t forget to leave your full name and address54800:24:56,359 –> 00:24:59,199so we can send you your free gift.54900:24:59,199 –> 00:25:01,760For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,55000:25:01,760 –> 00:25:02,699I’m David Pick55100:25:02,699 –> 00:25:04,780and I look forward to you joining us again55200:25:04,780 –> 00:25:06,040for our next program.55300:25:13,040 –> 00:25:16,400What kind of people should we trust and follow?55400:25:16,400 –> 00:25:19,339What kind of people should we become?55500:25:19,339 –> 00:25:22,040Find out next time on Open The Bible.