Warning to Remain Faithful, Part 3-Elders/Deacons

Warning to Remain Faithful

Part 3—elders, deacons, and bishops

My Introduction:

To put Jesus’ warnings to his chosen humble soldiers in Context, we need to continually relate back to the bridal paradigm and the marriage covenant backdrop of relationship, for everything we think, do, and say towards one another.

To be perfectly blunt, if we truly are ALL ONE “IN CHRIST” THEN: Everyone in our church and spiritual community, whether they live here, or in Zambia, or Libya, or India, each and every believer is a part of our eternal family, and deserves our honor, our respect, our mercy, our service, our support, our generosity, our prayers, and very possibly our whole life sacrifice to strengthen and build them up in Christ.

Note: That was clearly the mindset and thought process that built the Early Church, under some of the hardest, most violent, and most agressive persecution the Church has ever known. That mindset made the early church strong and invincible even unto death. And that mindset is the same one we are called to embrace today.

If we truly are ALL ONE “IN CHRIST” THEN: We should begin to think like it, believe it, speak like it, and live like it.

The list of warnings below is just a quick reminder not to get distracted, and pushed away from our inherited purpose and reason for living on this planet, maintaining and growing the Kingdom of God, until He Himself returns.

Below is a list warnings written in the New Testament for elders, deacons, and bishops to consider and overcome in order to have a victorious walk with Christ Jesus. The below warning and exhortations are not just for church leadership, they apply to all believers generally, but to leadership specifically.

(5 to 7 minute read)

The New Testament provides various warnings and exhortations directed specifically toward elders, deacons, and bishops (church leaders), guiding them to live in a way that honors God and promotes the health and integrity of the Church. These warnings are vital for anyone in church leadership to heed in order to have a victorious walk with Christ Jesus and to maintain a faithful witness in their roles. Below is a list of the key warnings for elders, deacons, and bishops to consider and overcome, drawn from New Testament passages:

1. Warning Against Pride and Self-Exaltation

1 Timothy 3:6: “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”
1 Peter 5:5: “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”

Explanation: Church leaders (elders, deacons, bishops) are warned against pride and self-exaltation, which can lead to spiritual downfall. Being appointed to leadership should be a humbling responsibility, not an occasion for personal elevation. The temptation to become conceited can cause leaders to stumble, and pride can be a major hindrance to effective leadership and spiritual growth.

2. Warning Against Being Quick to Teach Without Wisdom

James 3:1: “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
1 Timothy 1:7: “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

Explanation: Church leaders are warned to approach the teaching role with caution, as teaching comes with great responsibility. It is essential for leaders to have a deep understanding of Scripture and to teach sound doctrine, as teaching the wrong things can lead people astray. Being too eager to assume the role of teacher without proper training or understanding can cause harm to both the teacher and the congregation.

3. Warning Against Drunkenness and Addiction

1 Timothy 3:3: “He must not be violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must not be given to drunkenness…”
Titus 1:7: “Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.”

Explanation: Church leaders are warned to avoid behaviors such as drunkenness, addiction, and other forms of excess. A leader must maintain control over his actions and emotions, modeling self-discipline for the congregation. Excessive indulgence in alcohol or any substance can lead to disqualification from leadership and damage the integrity of the ministry.

4. Warning Against Financial Greed or Love of Money

1 Timothy 3:3: “He must not be a lover of money.”
Titus 1:7: “An overseer… must be blameless… not pursuing dishonest gain.”
1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Explanation: Church leaders must avoid the love of money and material gain, as this can lead to corruption, compromise, and a loss of integrity. The pursuit of wealth should never be a motivating factor for serving in ministry. Leaders are called to shepherd with a heart for God and His people, not for personal financial gain.

5. Warning Against Neglecting Family Responsibilities

1 Timothy 3:4-5: “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?”
Titus 1:6: “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.”

Explanation: Leaders must first demonstrate the ability to manage their own households well, as this reflects their capacity to lead the Church. If a leader cannot maintain order and discipline in his own family, he is not qualified to lead God’s people. The faithfulness of a leader’s children and the overall health of his family life are seen as indicators of his leadership ability in the church.

6. Warning Against Being Quarrelsome or Divisive

Titus 3:10-11: “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”
1 Timothy 3:3: “He must not be violent but gentle, not quarrelsome…”
2 Timothy 2:24-26: “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”

Explanation: Leaders are called to avoid being quarrelsome or contentious, as this undermines unity and peace within the Church. They are also warned to avoid divisiveness, which can disrupt the harmony of the congregation and cause harm to the body of Christ. A leader should be gentle, patient, and able to engage in constructive, loving dialogue rather than escalating conflicts.

7. Warning Against Laziness or Neglecting the Work of Ministry

1 Timothy 4:14-16: “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Explanation: Church leaders are urged to be diligent and hardworking in their ministry, not to be lazy or negligent in fulfilling their duties. The work of the ministry requires constant effort, training, and devotion to serve effectively. Leaders must use their gifts faithfully and make continual progress in spiritual maturity and ministry effectiveness.

8. Warning Against Favoritism or Partiality

James 2:1-9: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”
1 Timothy 5:21: “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”

Explanation: Church leaders are warned against showing favoritism or partiality in their ministry. They are called to treat all people fairly and equally, regardless of their status, wealth, or background. Favoritism can lead to injustice and division in the church, and it undermines the example of Christ, who treated all people with dignity and respect.

9. Warning Against Immorality and Sexual Sin

1 Timothy 3:2: “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife…”
Titus 1:6: “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife…”
1 Timothy 5:22: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”

Explanation: Church leaders must maintain purity in their relationships, particularly in their marriages. Immorality and sexual sin disqualify a leader from serving and harm the testimony of the Church. Leaders are called to live in a way that reflects holiness and fidelity to their spouses, demonstrating Christlike integrity in all areas of their lives.

10. Warning Against Spiritual Neglect and Unwatchfulness

Acts 20:28: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Hebrews 13:17: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

Explanation: Leaders are warned to remain vigilant in their spiritual duties and to care for the congregation with diligence and watchfulness. They are held accountable before God for how they shepherd His flock. Spiritual negligence or failure to lead faithfully can lead to consequences both for the leader and the people they are responsible for.

Conclusion

The New Testament contains several critical warnings for elders, deacons, and bishops, emphasizing the need for humility, purity, diligence, sound teaching, and integrity. Church leaders are held to a high standard, as they are not only responsible for their own walk with Christ but also for the spiritual health and direction of the Church

These warnings, if heeded, will help leaders maintain a victorious walk with Christ and guide the Church in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Outline above compliments of ChatGPT.com

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—From God's Perspective