1 Timothy 3:15 - I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
Main Idea: Our Lord expects heightened care for elders including pay, protection, and discipline.
I. We Biblically Care for Elders by Paying Them Generously
1 Timothy 5:17-18 - The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
A. Because elders are worthy of double honor
B. Because the Scripture teaches that you pay the one who diligently works
Deuteronomy 25:4 - You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.
Luke 10:3-7 - Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house.” If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.
II. We Biblically Care for Elders by Protecting Their Reputation and Helping Them Repent
1 Timothy 5:19 - Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
A. Just as there are legitimate cases of sin on the part of the elder, there are legitimate cases of sin on the part of the accuser
“This is a necessary remedy against the malice of men [talking about the requirements]; for none are more liable to slanders and calumnies [false statements made to damage their reputation] than godly teachers…this is the craftiness of Satan, to draw away the hearts of men from ministers, that instruction may gradually fall into contempt. Thus not only is wrong done to innocent persons, in having their reputation unjustly wounded, but the authority of the sacred doctrine of God is diminished.” (Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon)
B. Accusations require two or three witnesses
Deuteronomy 19:15 - A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
1. Witnesses are those who observed the sin or concrete evidence about it
2. The accusation goes to the elders
C. Accusers remember the seriousness of their accusation
Deuteronomy 19:16-21 - If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days. The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you. Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
III. We Biblically Care for Elders by Rebuking the Sinning Elder in Front of the Church
1 Timothy 5:20-25 - Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
A. Rebuke the elder in front of everyone
B. Purpose: that all of us would fear sinning
C. We follow these instructions without partiality
1 Timothy 5:21 - I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
D. We are cautious about electing elders due to these heightened requirements and pressures
1 Timothy 5:22-23 - Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
E. Live faithfully yourself
1 Timothy 5:24-25 - The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
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