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TITLE: Positive Qualifications for Elders
TEXT: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9
PROPOSITION: Most qualifications are measured as a relative, not absolute
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Qualifications
SCRIPTURE READING: Titus 1:5-9

INTRODUCTION:

  1. This morning we looked at the negative qualifications.

  2. Tonight we examine the positive ones.

  3. Some of the qualifications are absolute (yes or no)

  4. Most of them are relative (we are looking for high rather than low)

  5. Most can be rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

Term

Meaning

Question

 

Positive Qualifications

A “Yes” answer qualifies him.

A “No” answer disqualifies him.

Blameless Not accused, not often charged with evil Is he the last one you would suspect of doing wrong?
Husband of one wife One-woman man Is he married scripturally and faithful to that wife?
Faithful children Faithful, believing, one who trusts and obeys Did he instill faith in his children?
Dissipation (KJV Not accused of riot) Extravagance, excess Are his children obedient and respectful?

Insubordination

Not obedient, beyond control Does he control his children?

Temperate

In control of self, free from intoxication, not drunk Does his life demonstrate self-control?

Sober-minded

Self-controlled, moderate

Does he have the ability to think seriously?


 

Good behavior

Living a well ordered life, good manners Is he courteous and polite?

Hospitable

Gracious host, kind to strangers


 

Does he treat all people with kindness?

Able to teach

Has the ability to instruct, explain, teach Does he have the ability to explain and instruct?

Gentle

Patient, gentle, mild, fair, equitable Is he fair and gentle in his dealings with people?

Ruling his own house well

To preside over, be superintendent, to manage Has he managed his house well?

Children in submission

To submit, to place yourself under Did he do his best to train and manage his children?

Good testimony

Testimony, report, record Does he have a good reputation in the community?

Lover of what is good

Fond of good, promoter of virtue Does he desire what is good?

Just

Fair, right Does he seek to do what is fair and right?

Holy

Purity, sacred Is his life one of purity?

Self-controlled

Curbing, restraining Is he able to control his tongue, temper and life?

Holding fast the faithful word

Cleave to, hold firmly Does he seek to cling to the old paths of righteousness?


 


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