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“ Summary, Part 4 (final) ” (e) HIS WITNESS (1 TIMOTHY 3:6-7). Charles Spurgeon’s young age was an extreme exception to this rule. But generally, the pastor must not be a novice, and must have a good testimony for the world. Even the world’s opinion counts. What can the world say about your pastor? CONCLUDING POINTS. 1. Give thanks to God for a good pastor. He has spared you the pain of a bad one. 2. Think seriously about this matter over an open Bible. 3. Pray for wisdom, and pray for pastors. ACTS 13-14 illustrates prayer and fasting over Paul’s infant ministry. Pray for such men to rise from your congregation. 4. Always return to Scripture on this matter. Never let the procedure become rote.
Ian Migala (11/10/2013)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 3 ” The elder’s graces are here listed in two categories: (i) THE NEGATIVE (verse 7): (1) Not self-willed: one who insists on his own way. (2) Not quick-tempered: one who argues rather than reasons. (3) Not given to wine: not necessarily a teetotaler, but not a drunkard (cf. 1 TIMOTHY 3:8). (4) Not violent: handles disagreement with decorum. (5) Not greedy for money. The spirit of this category is captured in 2 TIMOTHY 2:24 (KJV): “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men…” (ii) THE POSITIVE (verse 8): (1) Hospitable: literally to strangers, but generally to everyone. (2) Loves goodness: for its own sake (cf. 1 TIMOTHY 3:2). (3) Sober-minded: shows a prudent thought life. (4) Just: deals righteously and fairly with men (cf. PSALM 15:4: “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not”) (5) Holy: in submission to God. (6) Self-controlled: is disciplined, which is a fruit of the Spirit. If people keep coming back, a good pastor will keep receiving them (just as Christ does for us). (d) HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOSPEL (Titus 1:9). He must be able to clarify and convict with biblical truth (cf. TITUS 1:10-11). A pastor must have the courage to keep heresy out of his church. He must be longsuffering (cf. 2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26).
Ian Migala (11/10/2013)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 2 ” 1. HIS BASIC OR OVERARCHING QUALIFICATION: Blamelessness (TITUS 1:6, 7). In TITUS 2:5, 7, 8, and 10, we see Christian graces for different groups of people. None call for sinlessness, which is impossible, but for a life beyond the criticism of unbelievers (see 1 TIMOTHY 3:7). Blamelessness is the overarching standard for elders because the rest of the passage expounds on it. 2. HIS PARTICULAR QUALIFICATIONS. What are they? (a) HIS FAMILY LIFE (TITUS 1:6). He is to be the husband of one wife. He cannot be a polygamist. He must be faithful to her (see MATTHEW 19:4-6). The broad interpretation is marital faithfulness. This qualification does not necessarily rule out divorcees or the unmarried. See 1 CORINTHIANS 9:5, even though Paul was not known to be married. (b) HIS CHILDREN (TITUS 1:6). Many Bible versions translate this passage as requiring believing children, but this can be problematic and opens the door to paedobaptism. A better translation is that the children are to be faithful and orderly (cf. 1 TIMOTHY 3:4-5). (c) HIS CHARACTER (TITUS 1:7-8). This passage lists Christian graces (as opposed to non-Christian virtues). TITUS 2:2ff lists graces for other Christians.
Ian Migala (11/10/2013)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” [Providence Reformed Baptist Church will conduct its four-year review of its elders next week. This sermon and next week’s are preparatory for that review. Please pray for us in this matter.
PRBC members: our guidelines are contained in Article VIII, Section E of the Church Constitution (2002): “Review of Office Bearers.”] The appointment and review of elders is always to be biblical. Three principles should be kept in mind: 1. THE CANDIDATE SHOULD DESIRE A GOOD WORK. 1 TIMOTHY 3:1 does not discuss someone who merely desires the office. The object of the office is to be his goal. 2. HIS GRACES SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED. These are detailed in TITUS 1:6-9. A candidate should not be judged by his personal gifts or lack of them. 3. ERRORS ARE TO BE AVOIDED: (a) Extreme application. Even the finest elder is a fallen man. (b) Neglect of qualifications. Described below. (c) Extra-biblical standards. Charisma, good looks, degrees, etc. When examining a candidate’s qualifications, two major categories are to be evaluated:
After finishing his studies at the Trinity Ministerial Academy, Pastor David Chanski served as the pastor of the Providence Reformed Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota for almost twenty years. In 2007 he accepted a call to Trinity Baptist Church of Montville, NJ. In June...
