1 Timothy 3 Pt. 4 Pastors: Learning To Be Sober And Content

A note about the archive index containing all lessons I have posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. 

An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

Each index lists lesson titles and the dates each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about.

Called to serve, teach and lead by example.

1 Timothy 3:1-3  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3)  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 

Paul continues to teach us about the spiritual qualifications for the office of an elder, bishop or pastor. 

A man must be clearly called of God to pursue such an important role in shepherding the church of Jesus Christ.

He must live a life that is an exemplary example of moral convictions based upon the Bible. 

He must not be divorced and remarried. 

He must be on guard against false teaching seeping into the church and leading people astray.

He must be one who loves to bless others by opening up his home for meals and good Christian fellowship. He is willing to host missionaries who are traveling from one place to another, as Paul did. 

He must know the scriptures and be a capable communicator of divine truth, with a heart of wanting others to progress toward a more mature, grounded faith in Jesus Christ.  

Today, Paul adds that the bishop, elder or pastor must not be given to wine. This does not mean he must abstain from wine but use it for medicinal purposes as Paul later instructed Timothy to do.

A pastor whose father had been an alcoholic, once declared that the "Road to alcoholism begins with that first drink." 

His practical admonition helped me determine never to start down that self destructive path. 

Why does Paul mention this subject so many times in his letters to the churches or pastors?

It is because almost every major city had a temple dedicated to Bacchus, or Dionysius, the god of wine. Their religious ceremonies involved drunkenness and sexual immorality. 

Avoid a life consumed by fleshly lusts and immorality.

1 Peter 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

The apostle Peter also warned about the pagan cults and the impact of drunkenness and sexual immorality. 

He frames this discussion of wine in the context of life before salvation, through repentant faith in Jesus Christ.

Drinking wine or any alcoholic beverage, has the potential to cause one to drink excessively, leading to drunkenness. This, in turn, leads to idolatry and sexual perversion.

A Christian cannot associate himself or herself with such company, for those that do, drag the name of Jesus Christ into cultural depravity. 

Thus, even moderate wine consumption could be viewed by other Christians or pagans, as endorsing the cult of Bacchus's orgies. 

Be considerate of other's convictions or weaknesses. 

Romans 14:21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

This is why Paul clearly states that the elder, bishop, or pastor must not be given to wine. He is not to be enslaved to wine consumption (See 1 Corinthians 11:21; Titus 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:7). 

A bishop, elder, or pastor must not do what they want to do. Rather, they must be ever mindful of how their own actions may impact other Christians. 

The idea of "not given to wine" is the idea that the pastor, elder, or bishop will not consume it because he does not want to offend or harm another Christian. He does not want to be the reason a believer falls into drunkenness.

Clear moral imperatives for Pastors, Elders, and Bishops. 

1 Timothy 3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 

We can readily see that there are many sinful actions committed by drunkards. They are often quarrelsome, ready to fight someone for trivial reasons. They are brawlers, starting fights that spill over into a crowd. 

A Christian should not be quarrelsome or ready to strike those who may displease him. He must not become argumentative with those who have different viewpoints.

A bishop, elder, or pastor must never use their leadership position as a means of enriching themselves. 

The phrase "greedy of filthy lucre" means being fixated on becoming rich. It means using the spiritual office as a way to personally profit. This connects with being covetous which is a sin that leads to other sins. 

We are not talking about the responsibility of a local church to properly meet the temporal needs of their pastor. 

Each Christian and local church are obligated to feed the ox that treads the grain of scripture for them to digest. 

Rather, we are speaking of those who selfishly use the office of Pastor, Bishop, or Elder in order to gain wealth.

Remember, Paul is writing to a young Pastor named Timothy, to prepare him to do battle with doctrines of devils and seducing spirits that enter Christ's church.

This also means that each Christian bears a responsibility to guard against those who pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

There are numerous examples of pastors who enrich themselves. The 20 richest pastors in America, have a net worth ranging from $2.5 million all the way up to $300 million. 

Those who preach "another" gospel are accursed by God. 

Galatians 1:6-10  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10)  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 

We all must hear and heed God's warning through Paul's letter to churches in the province of Galatia. 

First, people and churches can be easily removed from the true gospel of Jesus Christ, by the seductive words of false teaching that perverts the gospel into a man centered lie.

Second, there is no gospel but the gospel recorded by the apostles as guided by the Holy Spirit. Anything else it not another gospel but is a serious perversion of truth.

Third, if anyone preaches a different gospel like the health, wealth and happiness gospel. they are accursed in the sight of God.

These are strong words of warning from God. He says "Do not pervert the saving gospel of my Son, Jesus Christ." Those who do so will be judged by God for their sin. 

How did these Pastors become so wealthy? By preaching a gospel to people that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Most of these men preach that God wants you to be happy, wealthy and healthy. 

A wealth, health and happiness gospel is especially appealing to American Christians, who think that their rights entitle them to everything. 

Many mega churches became large by employing a marketing strategy to "find out what people want in a church and give it to them."

This is why so many churches in America reflect the depraved, self centered culture. 

The world's music, dress and self conceit came into many churches, as the preaching of God's eternal word was minimized. 

Programs replaced preaching. Rock music replaced reverent hymns of our faith. 

Holiness was replaced with worldliness. Self affirmation replaced self abasement and pride replaced humility.  

Such churches are not preaching the pure gospel of Christ. They promote a man centered gospel aimed at pleasing fleshly lusts. 

Therefore, false teachers gain large audiences and receive huge contributions in support of such a ministry. 

Worse, many people now think that they are right with God, when the spiritual reality is, they are just as unsaved now as ever, because the gospel of Christ has not been upheld in the pulpit. 

Biblical pastoral care is the responsibility of each local church. 

1 Corinthians 9:7-14  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8)  Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9)  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10)  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11)  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12)  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13)  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14)  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 

The local church must take care of their pastor. It is not a mere duty like paying a bill, or offering grudging support to your church and pastor. 

Rather, financially supporting our Pastors is truly a joyous privilege that God has for us. We are invited to support the man God called to shepherd our church, according to the scripture. 

Pastors, bishops, elders, and all believers in Christ, must learn the lesson of "godliness with contentment is great gain" in the sight of God (See 1 Timothy 6:5-10).

The apostles never personally profited from the churches they oversaw.

2 Corinthians 12:17-18  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18)  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

Paul asked the church at Corinth if either he or Titus had enriched themselves at the church's expense, and the answer was a resounding "No." 

Both the apostles and the church, knew that Paul and Titus often bore their own expenses out of their own pockets. Paul did not want to ever appear to profit from his office as an apostle. 

Philippians 4:11-12  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

Most times, the practical needs of each apostle for food, clothing, shelter or travel expenses, we met by the churches. 

Sometimes, Paul was without food, clothing or shelter, but he did not complain.  He had learned the same truth he seeks to impart to young Timothy. Be content whether you have a little or a lot, whether your immediate needs are met or if you are suffering. The Father will provide. 

2 Peter 2:1-3  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3)  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

Peter also wrote about those who seek personal profits and are in the ministry for the wrong reason. They use false teaching to get people to give more money claiming falsely that God will give more back to them.

They use false words to sell people a bill of good with no substance whatsoever. God will ultimately hold each one of them accountable. 

Such false teachers are those who have made merchandise of their flocks, encouraging the people to give more and more in order to support their own excessively lavish lifestyle. 

We have learned many sober truths today. May our pastors, elders, and bishops be blameless when it comes to how their church supports them. 

May we as members of a local church body, do our best to support our pastors and leaders, so that they can focus upon study, ministry to others and caring for the flock God entrusted to their care.

May we never be moved away from the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!

Bob