DOCTRINE: Overseers must have the necessary I) desire, II) character, III) diligence, IV) experience, V) reputation, and VI) giftedness to fulfill the noble task of shepherding the flock of God.
I. OVERSEERS MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY DESIRE TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (1 Timothy 3:1)
I) Being an overseer is a noble task because pastors must set an example to Christ’s flock (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; Hebrews 13:7; 1 Peter 5:2-3).
II) Being an overseer is a noble task because pastors will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).
III) Being an overseer is a noble task because pastors will give an account for how they have cared for Jesus’ flock (Hebrews 13:17).
IV) Being an overseer is a noble task because pastors must ultimately aim to please the Lord Jesus not man (Galatians 1:10; Galatians 4:16; 1 Peter 5:4).
II. OVERSEERS MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY CHARACTER TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (1 Timothy 3:2-3)
III. OVERSEERS MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY DILIGENCE TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
I) A pastor must first be a faithful pastor of his wife (Ephesians 5:25-26).
II) A pastor must also first be a faithful pastor of his children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4).
IV. OVERSEERS MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (1 Timothy 3:6)
V. OVERSEERS MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY REPUTATION TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (1 Timothy 3:7)
VI. OVERSEERS MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY GIFTEDNESS TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (1 Timothy 3:2b)
I) A pastor’s primary duty is to pray and preach, and so feed Christ’s flock (selected Scriptures).
II) As a pastor fulfills His primary duty, he must have good doctrine and be willing and able to rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1:9).
(I) The preaching of the gospel is primary because it is the only way sinners can know how to be forgiven of their sins (Ephesians 1:7).
(II) The preaching of the gospel is primary because it is the primary way saints are strengthened to keep killing their still indwelling sin and therefore grow in holiness (Colossians 3:3-5).
(III) The preaching of the gospel is primary because believers need to be constantly reminded of their position in Christ (Romans 8:1).
(IV) The preaching of the gospel is primary because it is the only way saints can adequately put to death their sinful worries and anxieties (1 Peter 5:7; Romans 8:32).
(V) The preaching of the gospel is primary because it reminds suffering saints of the eternal weight of glory that they will experience one day with Christ (Romans 8:18).
(VI) The preaching of the gospel is primary because it assures those in Christ of God’s love for them (1 John 4:10; Romans 8:35-39).
(VII) The preaching of the gospel is primary because it the chief way that God stirs up praise in His people (Hebrews 13:14-15).
CONCLUSION: We need men like this! Therefore pray.
Luke 10:2 “[Christ] said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR OVERSEERS, PASTORS, ELDERS: 1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 Timothy 3:1-7
April 25, 2022 • Brett Baggett • 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:6–9, 1 Peter 5:2–4
THE LORD WILL BE SANCTIFIED: Leviticus 10:1-3
January 24, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Leviticus 10:1–3
DOCTRINE: If the LORD’s people will not sanctify and glorify Him when they draw near, He will sanctify and glorify Himself upon them. I. WORSHIP OF THE LORD MUST BE OFFERED UP TO HIM ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD (v. 1) II. THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS MORE PRECIOUS TO HIM THAN THE LIVES OF MEN (v. 2) Consider Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16, Uzzah who touched the Ark in 2 Samuel 7, Annanias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit in Acts 5, and Herod who did not give glory to God in Acts 13. I) The glory of the Lord must be more precious to you than the opinions of men (Galatians 1:10). II) The glory of the Lord must be more precious to you than your own glory (Jeremiah 45:5). III. THE PEOPLE OF THE LORD MUST SANCTIFY HIS NAME IN WORSHIP, OR HE WILL SANCTIFY HIS NAME UPON THEM (v. 3) I) The LORD’s people must draw near to Him by faith in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25, 11:6). II) Drawing near to God through faith in Christ, the church then must preach, sing, pray, baptize, feast, give, fellowship, practice discipline, and equip all according to the Word. (I) The Church must preach (and hear) the Word (2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, James 1:21). (II) The Church must must sing the Word (Ephesians 5:19-20). (III) The Church must pray the Word (Matthew 6:9-13, Psalms, examples of prayers by faithful saints recorded in scripture). (IV) The Church must baptize according to the Word (Acts 8:12). (V) The Church must feast according to the Word (1 Corinthians 11:26). (VI) The Church must give according to the Word (Philippians 4:18, 1 Corinthians 16:2). (VII) The Church must fellowship around the Word (Acts 2:42). (VIII) The Church must practice church discipline according to the Word (Matthew 18:15-18). (IX) The Church must equip the saints with the Word (Ephesians 4:11-12).
CORRUPTED WORSHIP: Exodus 32:1-6
January 31, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Exodus 32:1–6
DOCTRINE: Idolatrous people and weak men will result in corrupt worship. I. THE ISRAELITES WERE QUICK TO FORGET THE LORD AND HIS SALVATION (v. 1) II. AARON WAS WILLING TO GIVE THE PEOPLE THEIR DESIRED IDOLS IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM HAPPY (vv. 2-4a) III. THE PEOPLE LIED ABOUT THEIR IDOL AND ATTRIBUTED TO IT THE WORKS OF THE LORD (v. 4b) IV. AARON BUILT UPON THEIR LIE AND SOUGHT TO SYNC UP WORSHIP OF THIS IDOL WITH WORSHIP OF THE LORD (vv. 5-6a) V. THE GROSSLY IDOLATROUS PEOPLE AND PRIEST CONTINUED ON UNAWARE OF THEIR IMPENDING DOOM (v. 6b) APPLICATION 1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” I) Because the Lord’s people are quick to forget their God and His salvation, you must stir them up by way of reminder (2 Peter 1:13). 2 Peter 1:13 “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder…” II) You must never sacrifice even an ounce of truth on the altar of peace (Galatians 1:10). Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” III) If you are not careful, the ways of the world will slide into the worship of the Church (2 Corinthians 6:14). 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” IV) God has put safeguards for purity of worship in His Scriptures and you must adhere to them (Exodus 20:4). Exodus 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” V) It does not matter who you say you are worshiping, if you are offering will-worship it is a substitution for God’s pure worship (Psalm 106:20). Psalm 106:20 “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.” VI) If the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s chosen, does not stand in the breach for you, God’s wrath will not be turned away (1 John 2:1-2). 1 John 2:1-2 “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins…” VII) Though you have a Mediator in Christ Jesus, that does not mean you will be spared from discipline if you do not repent (Proverbs 3:11-12). Proverbs 3:11-12 “11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” VIII) Will-worshippers are likely continuing on unaware of their impending doom or discipline—therefore you should pray and labor, within your sphere of influence, to speak the truth of God to those offering false-worship (Hebrews 12:28-29). Hebrews 12:28-29 “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE: Hebrews 12:28-29
February 14, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Hebrews 12:28–29
DOCTRINE: God’s saints, having in Christ received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, are given the privilege of worshipping Him; and they must do so acceptably, reverently, and awfully, free from idolatry, because God is our jealous God (Hebrews 12:28-29). I. WE WHO ARE IN CHRIST HAVE GREAT REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL TO GOD (Hebrews 12:28a) I) The Kingdom of Christ shall not be shaken because the King cannot be moved (Psalm 2:6-8; Psalm 21:7). II) The Subjects of the Kingdom shall not be shaken because their King cannot be moved (Psalm 46:4-7). II. BECAUSE OF CHRIST, BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE OF OFFERING ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP TO GOD (Hebrews 12:28b) Consider the privilege you have been given in Christ, being chosen by God to worship Him (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 1 Peter 2:9). Think of the privilege of private worship, family worship, and public worship; even that all of life can be lived as worship. I) You and I must worship God acceptably (Hebrews 12:28b) II) You and I must worship God reverently (Hebrews 12:28c) III) You and I must worship God awefully (Hebrews 12:28d) III. WE IN CHRIST MUST OFFER UP THIS ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP TO GOD, FREE FROM IDOLATRY, BECAUSE HE IS OUR JEALOUS GOD (v. 29) CONCLUSION Are you grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken? Are you humbled and overjoyed by being given the privilege, by Christ’s blood, of worshipping God acceptably? Do you aim to worship Him acceptably in private, in your home, in the assembly of the saints? Do you worship the Lord with shamefacedness? Do you worship the Lord in awe? Do you treasure the fact the He is YOUR GOD, and tremble when considering offering Him acceptable worship?