Leadership Through Servanthood

Paul says that Christ cared for the church in such a manner that it “should be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).  Just as Christ would never do anything that would compromise the integrity of His bride (the church), so husbands should always behave in a manner that promotes their wives’ holiness before God.

It is quite common today for men to cajole their wives into viewing pornography or going to “strip clubs” as a means of “sprucing up their sex life.”  Sadly, many secular marriage therapy texts see this as a legitimate technique to increase sexual intimacy in marriage. Christian marriage counselors find that many who would describe themselves as believers engage in similar activity.

Husbands leading their wives in such behavior is only one example of how they contribute to their wives defilement. Husbands that flirt with other women also contribute to their wives’ defilement.

The wife, feeling neglected and lonely, may seek solace in some unhealthy way: overeating, substance abuse, or an extra marital relationship of their own. It is the wise husband that remembers that ” If he refuses to be the husband God called him to be, Satan has someone who will.”

The husband wields tremendous power, power that, on one hand, can result in great love and devotion, and, on the other , can produce generations of pain and suffering. Husbands must make a choice regarding the type of legacy they want to leave.

The writer of Deuteronomy said it best, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”  (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Pastor Kirt Eure

Check out Part 1 – 4 of Leadership Through Servanthood

Leadership Through Sevanthood Part 1

Leadership Through Sevanthood Part 2

Leadership Through Sevanthood Part 3

What are the Requirements for Leadership? 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “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 behavior, 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; (4)One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

The Greek word for bishop “episkopos” literally means an overseer, and comes from the word “skopeo” which means to “look” or “watch” (Philippians 1:1, I timothy 3:2,  Titus 1:7 and I Peter 2:25).  The word for elder (presbuteros) is another term for bishop or overseer, except it indeicats a more mature spiritual experience and understand for those so described (Acts 20:17).  According to divine will and appointment,  there were to be elders  in every New Testament church (Acts 14:24, 20:17, Titus 1:5, James 5:14).

Requirements for Leadership in I Timothy 3:1-7 gives us sixteen qualifications of an overseer, and it would be a great asset to the church if these qualifications were held , not only by ordained ministers, but all lay leaders in the church. The sixteen qualifications are outlined as followed.

Requirements for Leadership:

1.  BLAMELESS - Describing conduct as one who is honest and cannot be justly accused.

2.  HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE – He is not a polygamist

3.  VIGILANT - Alert to dangers of all sorts that would hinder his Christian life , his influence on the church

4.  SOBER - Of sound mind, discreet, prudent , moderate, temperate of self controlled.

5.  OF GOOD BEHAVIOR - Not a trouble maker, not mischievous or a sower of discord or dissension.

6.   HOSPITABLE – A warm and open welcome to strangers, having an open door and open heart for others

7.   APT TO TEACH - Capable of giving instruction and guidance in Scriptural principles.

8.  NOT GIVE TO WINE – Not frequenting wine, wine has no draw or hold on him.

9.  NO STRIKER - Not quarrelsome, not eager for reverent or “getting even”  when wronged, does not persecute or slander those who differ with him.

10.  NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE – Not wrongly Motivated Toward Money, not using wrong or deceptive methods to raise money or increase personal income.

11.  PATIENT - Meek, gentle, humble, and slow to speak and react toward accusations.

12.  NOT A BRAWLER – Not contentious, but quiet and peaceable.

13.  NOT COVETOUS - Not a lover of material things over spiritual things, not desiring office for personal gain or gratification.

14.  RULER OF HIS HOUSE – Not a Tyrant, but a responsible leader of his family, having the love and respect of his children. Please note that that particular emphasis is placed on the person’s ability to manage a family and the Scripture infers that if one cannot rule his own house, he is not capable of caring for the church of God (I Timothy 3:5).

15.  NOT A NOVICE - Not a new or recent convert who has not had sufficient experience in his Christian walk to know how to resist the devil and temptation.

16.  OF GOOD REPORT – Well spoken of from those outside the church (Non-Christians) whose life is respected by the community in general; this includes paying bills and not incurring excess debts so as to cause financial problems.

Pastor Kirt Eure – Requirements for Leadership

Leadership Through Servanthood

Validating her beauty.  Agatha Christie, the famous English Mystery writer once commented, “An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have – the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.”

It was God’s intention that marriage partners be attractive to one another. Indeed, physical appearance is usually the first quality that attracts future mates to each other. It certainly is not a sufficient basis for a relationship, but it is , in most cases , a necessary one.

Paul states that Christ made the church radiant, “to present her to himself as a radiant church”  (Eph 5:27). Christ cares about his church in such a way that it results in beauty, glory and radiance. Likewise, husbands should do all in their power to help their wives feel beautiful and attractive.

When a wife prepares to leave for work in the morning or when she presents herself ready for a romantic dinner and asks. “How do I look?”  her husband should say, “wonderful!”  Ask any woman and she will tell you that “good,” “nice” and “fine” are simply unacceptable responses!

Kirt Eure - Leadership Through Servanthood

Check out Articles

Leadership Through Servanthood Part 1

Leadership Through Servanthood Part 2

Leadership Through Sevanthood 4