found: the perfect preacher u preaches exactly 15 minutes every sunday. u condemns all sin but...

Found: Found: The Perfect PreacherThe Perfect Preacher

Preaches exactly 15 minutes every Sunday.

Condemns all sin but offends no one. Is paid $70 a week and contributes $200. Is 25 years old and has preached 40

years. Spends 60 hours a week studying and

visits with each member daily. Has a loving wife and three wonderful

daughters who spend 16 hours every day caring for members of the church.

Found: Found: The Perfect ElderThe Perfect Elder

Independently wealthy as a highly successful businessman

Retired at age 45 – spends all of his time on church work.

Has a side profession as a Marriage & Family Counselor

Has a lovely wife and three wonderful daughters who spend 16 hours every day caring for members of the church.

Has the wisdom to hire the perfect preacher.

An Elder’sAn Elder’sQualificationsQualifications

1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7

Titus 1:5-9Titus 1:5-9

Qualities & Qualities & QualificationsQualifications

Qualities focus on personality and character.

Qualifications focus on ability and experience.

These lists carry both ideas. An elder has to be both a person of quality (good character) and qualified (able to do the work).

Blameless, Above Blameless, Above ReproachReproach

1 Tim. 3:2 – “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife…”

Tit. 1:6-7 – “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;


anegkletos (Tit 1:6-7) designates one against whom there is no accusation, implying not acquittal of a charge, but that no charge has been made.

anepilemptos(1 Tim. 3:2) means “irreprehensible,” designating one who affords nothing upon which an adversary might seize, in order to make a charge against him.


This primary quality in both lists centers on a man’s character.

A man is qualified to serve as an overseer when a charge cannot be brought against him in the qualities and qualifications Paul mentions.

• We must be careful to avoid We must be careful to avoid the extreme of requiring the extreme of requiring perfection in a man. perfection in a man.

• All men have personality All men have personality “quirks” that some people “quirks” that some people don’t like about them. don’t like about them.

Qualities of OverseersQualities of OverseersCharacter & ReputationCharacter & Reputation

Christians Overseers1 Cor. 1:8 BlamelessRom. 12:3 Vigilant, Sober2 Pet. 1:6 Temperate, Patient1 Pet. 1:15-16 Holy, JustHeb. 13:15 Not covetous/greedy2 Pet. 2:10 Not self-willed1 Pet. 1:15-16 Of good behavior1 Cor. 13:6 Lover of goodHeb. 13:2 Given to hospitalityTit. 3:1-8 No striker, not soon angryEph. 5:18 Not given to wine1 Tim. 4:12 Good report by

those without

Qualifications of Qualifications of OverseersOverseers

Specific Only To The OfficeSpecific Only To The Office Desires the work – 1 Tim. 3:1 Husband of one wife – 1 Tim.

3:2 Rules own house well – 1 Tim.

3:4-5 Believing (faithful) children –

Tit. 1:6 Not a novice – 1 Tim. 3:6 Good reputation outside – 1

Tim. 3:7 Especially capable with the

Word – 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9-14

Desires The WorkDesires The Work

1 Tim. 3:1 – “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”

a. man – male

b. aspire – strive for

c. office – responsibility of oversight

d. fine – good, honorable

e. work – effort, activity, sacrifice

f. desire – eagerly desire, long for

Temperate Temperate (Vigilant-(Vigilant-KJV)KJV)

Grk: nephalios - temperate (in the use of alcoholic beverages), sober, clear-headed, free of excess, self controlled.

Eliminates the man who…

is given to excess or self-indulgence in eating, spending, recreating, working, etc.

1 Cor. 9:27 - “I buffet my body”

PrudentPrudent (Sober-KJV)(Sober-KJV) also in Titus 1:8 – also in Titus 1:8 –

“sensible”“sensible”

Grk: sophron - thoughtful, serious, sensible, reasonable, sound judgment.

Used in I Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment (sophroneo) and sober spirit (nepho) for the purpose of prayer.”



Eliminates the man who:

sees silliness in everything - nothing is sacred; he is funny, everyone likes him, but he is not elder material.

is flighty or excitable - impulsive reactions, doesn't think things through before giving advice or direction.



Eliminates the man who:

is easily influenced - can't make up his mind, doesn't seem to trust his own judgment, uncertain in decisions & abilities.

often seems to miss the point of a discussion – just can't get through to brother so-and-so; never understands what I’m saying!

RespectableRespectable(of good behavior-KJV)(of good behavior-KJV)

Grk: kosmion – orderly, honorable, dignified, well-behaved. Same Greek word used in 1 Tim. 2:9 – “modest apparel”

Eliminates the man whose…

life is disorganized – e.g., financial difficulties; habitually late, doesn’t do what he commits to do; irresponsible.

outward conduct is improper – rude, crude, boisterous, or embarrassing.

HospitableHospitable(given to hospitality-KJV) (given to hospitality-KJV) also in also in

Tit. 1:8Tit. 1:8

Grk: Philoxenos - “loving to strangers, generous to guests” (Thayer)

Rom. 12:13 – all are commanded to show hospitality but not all do.

GENEROUS WITH TIME, POSSESSIONS, AND HOME

Includes being friendly to visitors, taking interest in new members, inviting people into their homes, being socially inclined.

HospitableHospitable(given to hospitality-KJV) (given to hospitality-KJV) also in also in

Tit. 1:8Tit. 1:8

Requires selflessness, sacrifice of time, money, comfort and routine. Risk of being taken advantage of.


does not set a good example for others in hospitality.

prefers solitude – doesn’t like to be around people, is introverted.

Not Addicted To Not Addicted To WineWine

(not given to wine-KJV) (not given to wine-KJV) also in Tit. also in Tit. 1:71:7

Grk: paroinos - lit. “beside the wine”.

A “winebibber”, one who lingers at the wine, one who drinks for the effect.

The alcoholic content of typical wine in Paul's day, after it was diluted with water for normal drinking purposes, was about one to one and a half percent. Only by lingering at the wine could a man alter his state of mind.

Not PugnaciousNot Pugnacious(no striker-KJV) (no striker-KJV) also in Tit. 1:7also in Tit. 1:7

Grk: plektes - “quarrelsome, violent, ready with a blow, contentious, apt to strike” (Thayer).

NOTE: In Titus 1:7 Paul uses “not soon angry” (not quick-tempered or touchy, one who has a short fuse). See 2 Tim. 2:24-26


is easily angered

is inclined to use violence

But GentleBut Gentle(but patient-KJV)(but patient-KJV)

Grk: epiekes – yielding, gentle, kind.

Thayer – “seemly, equitable, fair, that which is reasonable.”

Vine – “expresses that considerateness that looks humanely and reasonably at the facts of the case.”

Phil. 4:5 – “Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men; the Lord is near.”

But GentleBut Gentle(but patient-KJV)(but patient-KJV)


is gruff, abrupt, and blunt

is not easy to be approached with problems

shows little understanding or compassion

PeaceablePeaceable(not a brawler-KJV)(not a brawler-KJV)

Grk: amachos – peaceful, not contentious; word is from a (against) + mache (quarrel)


fights with words – argues for argument's sake, finds fault with things others say, disputes about words and enjoys fruitless discussions.

Free From Love of Free From Love of MoneyMoney

(not covetous-KJV)(not covetous-KJV)

Grk: aphilarguros – not greedy or stingy.

In Titus 1:7 Paul uses the words “not fond of sordid gain” (filthy lucre).

1 Tim. 6:10 – “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”


focuses much of his attention on obtaining more and more money

is not generous with his money

Not Self-WilledNot Self-Willed(not selfwilled-KJV)(not selfwilled-KJV)

Grk: authades – one who pleases himself. He is willful, stubborn, headstrong, bossy, unyielding, inflexible.

An elder must have the spirit of Phil. 2:3-4.


never surrenders in matters of judgment – must have things his way; argues or pouts until you give in.

Loving What Is Loving What Is GoodGood

(a lover of good men-KJV)(a lover of good men-KJV)

Grk: philagathos – one who loves what is just and righteous. Thayer – “a fosterer of virtue.”

•This man promotes godliness & righteousness, and encourages people toward good deeds.

•He will talk to people about modesty of dress, social drinking, worldly living, lasciviousness.

•He hates evil and will not allow evil to corrupt the church. He will take action, rebuke willful sinners, and stand up for all that is right.

JustJust(just-KJV)(just-KJV)

Grk: dikaios – righteous, just, a man of principles. Thayer – “rendering to each his due… passing just judgment on others.”

•Because an elder must make judgments in the application of God’s Word, he must be unbiased and have a strong sense of what is fair and right.

•Partiality will sow discord. He must listen to both sides of a story, never judge motives, only actions, and when discipline is needed, take just and proper steps.

DevoutDevout(holy-KJV)(holy-KJV)

Grk: hosios – pious, devout, pleasing to God, holy.

An overseer keeps himself free of anything which would “stain” him in the eyes of God. He is not concerned with popularity but with purity, and with pleasing God.

Acts 5:29 – obey God rather than men

2 Cor. 5:9 – ambition to be pleasing to Him

Self-ControlledSelf-Controlled(temperate-KJV)(temperate-KJV)

Grk: egkrates – mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining. Used only here in NT.

A self controlled man is moderate in the enjoyment of what is lawful and refrains from all that is unlawful and harmful.

The Greeks used this word to describe the virtue of an emperor who never let his private interests influence the government of his people. It was the virtue which made a man so master of himself that he was fit to be the servant of others.

Will You Become Will You Become A Christian?A Christian?

Hear the Gospel (Rom. 10:17)

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John8:24)

Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30-31)

Confess Jesus as Lord (Acts 8:37)

Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38)

Live Faithfully until You Die (Rev. 2:10)

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