Page 1 of 3
Sermon Study Notes
By Lewis C. Lampley
Title: Who Qualifies To
Be a Pastor-teacher?
Text: 1 Tim.3:1-7; Titus
1:5-9
Purpose: To highlight the biblical
qualifications for a pastor-teacher
Introduction
The highest leadership position on planet is that of a pastor-teacher.
In Ephesians 4:11, we read of the risen and exalted Christ giving gifts to
the church, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers”. The phrase “pastor and teachers”
is best understood in context as a single office of leadership in the church.
The normal meaning of pastor is “shepherd,” so the two functions together
define the teaching shepherd.
The pastor-teacher has direct influence on the spiritual well-being of
the church. It is not surprising, then, that the Scriptures list a number
of specific spiritual quali-
fications. Let’s review them as they are laid out to Timothy and Titus
(1 Tim.3:1-7; Titus 5-9).
Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, who for years was the teacher on the Back to Bible
Broad-
Cast has highlighted the character qualities of a pastor-teacher by grouping
them into seven categories. He contends and I concur that “a person who qualifies
for church leadership must possess: a good reputation, self-control,
godly values, a loving heart, a healthy
home, a mature faith, and a teachable
mind.”
I. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS A GOOD REPUTATION
A. What are the ingredients
of a good reputation?
1.
A blameless lifestyle (1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:6,7)
2.
A good testimony
among those outside (1 Tim.3:7)
3.
A display of good behavior
(1 Tim.3:2)
B.
Why is reputation so important?
It earns respect.
II. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS SELF-CONTROL
A.
Definition: A self-controlled person
chooses to live for God instead
of
self.
B.
Delineation: A self-controlled person
not only makes a positive choice, but also avoids four negative
actions:
1.
A self-controlled pastor-teacher is
not “given to wine” (1 Tim.3:3;
Titus 1:7)
2.
A self-controlled pastor-teacher is
not “quarrelsome” (1 Tim.3:3)
3.
A self-controlled pastor-teacher is
not “self-willed” (Titus
1:7)
4.
A self-controlled pastor-teacher is
not “quick-tempered” (Titus
1:7)
Page 2 of 3
III. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS
GODLY VALUES
Values do matter. A pastor-teacher
is to show his flock what God values by
what he values. Godly values
unfold before the flock and the community when:
A.
The pastor-teacher is “not to greedy
for money” (1 Tim.3:3, 8;Titus 1:7).
B.
The pastor-teacher is “not to be covetous”
(1 Tim.3:3).
C.
The pastor-teacher is “a lover of what
is good” (Titus 1:8).
D.
The pastor-teacher is “holy”
(Titus 1:8)
IV. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS
A LOVING HEART
A loving heart is exegeted
both negatively and positively in 1 Cor.13:1-8. The
following character traits
will demonstrate how a pastor-teacher expresses love.
A. A pastor-teacher who loves
his flock demonstrates “gentleness” (1Tim.3:3).
B. A pastor-teacher who loves his flock is not
“violent” (1. Tim.3:3).
C. A pastor-teacher who loves
his flock is “hospitable” (1 Tim.3:2 Titus 1:8).
V. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS A HEALTHY HOME
A pastor-teacher’s home
life is the most revealing aspect of his character and
leadership ability. That
is why Paul, in the lists he presents in 1 Timothy and
Titus, gives four qualifications
that deal with the spiritual health of the leader’s
home.
A.
The pastor-teacher is to be the “husband
of one wife” (1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:6).
What does that mean? “a one woman
kind of man.”
B.
The pastor-teacher is “able to rule
his own house well” (1 Tim.3:4
C.
The pastor-teacher’s children are to
“be in subjection with all sincerity” (1 Tim.3:4; Titus 1:6).
D.
The pastor-teacher’s children are to
be “be well behaved” (Titus 1:6)
Meaning, literally, “having children who believe”
VI. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS A MATURE FAITH
A mature faith is a proven
and steady faith – a faith that is experienced and
mature.
C.
The pastor-teacher must not be a “new
believer” (1 Tim.3:6).
D.
The pastor-teacher must be holding
fast the “faithful word” (Titus 1:9).
E.
The pastor-teacher must able to “exhort
and convict”(Titus 1:9; 1 Tim.3:2).
VII. A PASTOR-TEACHER MUST POSSESS A TEACHABLE MIND
A.
Able to teach (1 Tim.3:2)
1.
The pastor-teacher must be able to
“convince” others regarding biblical truth.
2.
The pastor-teacher must be willing
to be taught.
“The best teachers are those who see
themselves as communicators of truth, not the originators of it.”
B.
Vigilant (1 Tim.3:2)
C.
Sober-minded (1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:8)
D.
Just (Titus 1:8)
Page 3 of 3
Recapitulation – a pastor-teacher must possess a good reputation, self-control, godly values, a
loving heart, a healthy home, a mature faith,
and a teachable mind.” Those, then,
are the character traits of a godly leader.
Application – God requires and expects no less of him and makes known
in (Heb.13:17). Also that verse contains an obligation, a response, and a
warning!