In the sermon, Don Stubblefield discusses qualifications for church leadership based on biblical passages, primarily focusing on the roles of bishops and elders as stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and the New Geneva Study Bible's interpretations. A bishop or elder must be blameless, a husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, hospitable, and able to teach, among other qualities. The term 'blameless' indicates being above reproach rather than without sin. The sermon also touches on the distinction between elders who teach and those who do not, referencing 1 Timothy 5:17 and Ephesians 4:11-16, which outline various church roles such as apostles, prophets, and pastors, all contributing to the edification of the church community. Furthermore, the role of deacons is briefly covered in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, emphasizing their support to teaching elders. The sermon concludes with a focus on Jesus as the 'Good Shepherd' in John 10:1-18, highlighting His sacrificial leadership and care for His followers.

We will now take time if two or three of the men have a word on the London Baptist Confession or scripture. We will hear those at this time. There are a couple or three other passages of Scripture that are connected with what we read from the first chapter of Titus last week. The first one here I'd like for us to turn to is First Timothy 3, 1 through 7. This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work, a bishop being equivalent to an elder.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, Vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, that is using the fist, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, but not covetous, one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. For if the man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. And some commentary from the New Geneva study Bible.

This expression blameless in verse 2 does not mean, of course, without sin, which would disqualify everyone, but it means essentially above scandalous reproach. Paul's overriding concern is that bishops or elders have a good standing among non-Christians, which is mentioned in verse 7. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without. That's a reference to non-Christians. The husband of one wife, this phrase has been understood to prohibit polygamy which is having more than one wife or remarriage after a divorce or marital infidelity.

Able to teach, that phrase mentions the teaching aspect of the bishop or elders task, which is important given the problem at Ephesus. In 1st Timothy 5, 17, we're told, let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. So we have a distinction here between those who teach and who don't when it refers to those who labor in the word and doctrine. And then, not a novice, verse 6, that is someone new in the faith. Lest he being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

For a Christian to move too quickly into this position could be an occasion for pride. Then the praise fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. To quote from the New Geneva Study Bible, Paul does not view lightly the fall of those holding this office, perhaps because some bishops had become involved in the false teaching. And then I'd like for us to turn to 1 Peter 5, verses 1 through 4. The elders which are among you, I exhort, who also am an elder, comes from the great presbyteros and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, lucre, of course, being money, neither as being lards over God's heritage, but being in samples, that is, examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." As we read in 1st Timothy 5 verse 17. Some but not all elders teach. In Ephesians 4 11 through 16, I'd like for us to turn to that passage. And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

But speaking the truth in love may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. As we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Paul warned the Ephesians of the, the effecits of the wolves which would creep in into the flock, bringing damnable heresy. And the way Satan usually works is he does it gradually, so that people don't spot it right off hand. It's just a gradual deceiving of people. In this passage, we're told that Christ gave the church pastors and teachers to equip everyone for service through the discovery and development of each person's spiritual gifts.

In the congregational leadership envisaged by the apostles, there may have been teachers who were not elders, as well as elders who did not teach, and also those who both ruled and taught. And then on the qualifications of deacons, let us turn to 1st Timothy 3 verses 8 through 13. 8 through 13. Likewise must the deacons be grave or sober, not double-timed, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy looker, holding the mystery of the faith and a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved, then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that abuse the office of the deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. The precise tasks of the Deacon are not spelled out in this passage, but the Church has usually viewed this ministry in terms of the role of the seven chosen to help the apostles in Acts 6, 1 through 6. Although Deacon is not used in regard to the seven and that purpose, yet the church takes that passage and applies it to Deacon's the help that they furnished to those who taught in the church.

And then those who are true undershepherds of the flock will be faithful in following the lead of the true shepherd who is the perfect example of the shepherd. Let's turn to John chapter 10 1 through 18. I'd like for everyone to rise. Eric, will you mind reading that passage? John 10, 1 through 18.

Bearly, barely, I stand to you. He that entered not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs it up some other way, the same as the thief and the robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The hymn-reporter openeth, And the sheep hear his voice. And he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them down.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them. And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them, but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Barely, barely, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundant.

I am the good shepherd, The Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, But he that is in a hierarchy, and not the shepherd, Whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, And leaveeth the sheep, and fleeeth, And the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hierarchy fleeeth, because he is a hierarchy, And caret not for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd, and know of my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.

Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice. And there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore, does my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man take it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received as my father. Amen. Thank you, Harry.