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The Treatment of Elders:
Introduction:
The purpose of Paul's letter to Timothy was
to set forth how the church was to conduct itself. He had
just discussed at length how the church was to treat its
widows, including financial support for some. He now turns
his attention to the church and its conduct towards its
leaders, the eldership.
Sermon text: 1
Timothy 5:17-25, “Let the elders
who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially
those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the
Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads
out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from
two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in
the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I
charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the
elect angels that you observe these things without
prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay
hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins;
keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water but use a
little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent
infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are clearly evident,
preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow
later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly
evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”
1.
Supporting the elders (verses
17-18)
the office or position of an elder is
honorable (1 Thessalonians 5: 12,13). Those elders who “rule
well” are deserving of double honor. To “rule” means to
stand before, lead, and attend to. “Well” means with care
and diligence. To “Labor in Word and doctrine” means to work
hard, grow weary, and toil to the point of exhaustion in
teaching and preaching the word. “Double honor” means they
deserve financial support. To provide a good elder with this
support would free him to do even more work in the church.
Just as certain widows could be supported, so can certain
elders. The same proof that Paul uses to show the right
preachers have to be supported, he uses to show it is right
to support certain elders. (1 Corinthians 9:7-14.)
2.
Receiving accusations against
an elder (verses 19,20)
Anyone can make accusations. This does not
necessarily mean they are true. Timothy is instructed to
disregard any accusation against an elder unless there are
at least two witnesses. This is similar to what we see in
Deuteronomy 19: 15. This is the scriptural method to use
when an elder is accused of wrongdoing.
(Verse 20) In these cases where elders
continue to sin and will not repent, Timothy is charged with
publicly exposing that sin and rebuking the elder before
all! Paul predicted that among the elders at Ephesus, some
would rise and speak perverse or misleading things and lead
others from the truth (Acts 20: 30).
The purpose of rebuking this sinful elder is
to produce fear in the hearts of others. Fear in this
context means reverence and awe, deep respect for God, the
Bible, and the church. Remember what happened due to God's
action against Ananias and Sapphira, which is recorded for
us in Acts 5:11. This fear is to be considered a motivating
factor for others not to continue in sin! Fear him who can
destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10: 28)
3.
Keeping yourself pure (verses
21-23)
Timothy is reminded of how serious his work
is. He is to do his work without prejudice. It is easy for a
preacher to overlook the sins of an elder if he is overly
concerned with keeping his job. Note especially James 2: 8,
9. Ignoring the sin of an elder might bring temporary job
security, but God would condemn such action!
Timothy is cautioned about keeping himself
pure and not sharing in other people's sins. If Timothy had
appointed a man as an elder who was not qualified and the
elder later fell into sin, Timothy would have contributed to
it. If he hastily drew an elder before the church on charges
of wrongdoing without sufficient evidence, he would be
partaking of the sins of the false accuser. Timothy was to
keep himself pure from sin in any case.
Timothy was exercising caution in one area
for sure. He was not even using wine medicinally! He might
have had a nervous stomach. Preaching can be very stressful
due to its seriousness. Timothy was so concerned about his
example that if people saw him drink any wine at all, they
might think it was for recreation, which is sinful!
Conclusion/ invitation: read aloud
1 Timothy 5:24-25, “Some men's sins are clearly evident,
preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow
later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly
evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”
The apostle
Paul ends this section with words to consider very
seriously. Some men's sins are quite obvious and openly
known, conspicuous, while other men live a lie and hide
their sins. Friends and family may not even know. But their
sins will be exposed at the judgment. What is true of simple
conduct is also true of good works. Some are known by
others, some are not. They will be revealed and rewarded at
the judgment. Read 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, “Therefore we
make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well
pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the
things done in the body, according to what he has done,
whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of
the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and
I also trust are well known in your consciences.”
I want to
persuade you to purify your soul by obeying the gospel.
May 24,
2020
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford
The church
of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more
lessons and Sermons, please visit
granbychurchofchrist.org/
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