What Is God Looking For, Part 1 ('Mentor' series)

(Notes from FBC Ruston, Dr Chris, 2/19)

1 Timothy 3
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.



When I get right on these things/qualities, I'll be the kind of person, dad, husband, friend, worker, etc. God wants me to be.

1. A Servant's Heart v 8
"deacon'' in the New Testament is a word meaning 'menial servant'
Jesus washed feet ... service that knows no prejudice
Albert Schweitzer said that 'happiness is found in service'

2. Worthy of Respect v 2, 8
Stable, determined and dependable



3. Sincere v. 8
KJV translation said "not double tongued" ..
Christ is not looking for hypocrits and malicious gossips; Christ wants people he can count on

4. Handling Alcohol Properly v. 3, 8, 2, 11
The Message translates this as 'not too free with the bottle"

3 Great Spiritual Truths joke
a. Protestants don't acknowledge the Pope as the ultimate authority on Earth
b. Muslims don't acknowledge Christ as Lord
c. Baptists don't acknowledge each other in the liquor store

Romans 13: 3 -- 'engage not in drunkedness"
Eph 5: 18 -- 'don't get drunk on wine'
There is a school of thought that one couldn't get drunk on the 'wine' of biblical times. But that is revisionist history, according to the scriptures
*Alcohol must be handled properly
a. You must be of legal age to drink it (Rom 12:13 'obey the law of the land'
b. don't drink if you have a propensity for addiction; some people medically should not drink
c. don't drink with those who have alcohol problems

* Consider your Christian witness; what is OK in another culture might be uncomfortable in others

5. Don't Pursue Dishonest Gain v 8, 3
Illus: A little boy kept following his mom around the house..."Our Sunday school teacher told us to follow Jesus, and I can't see him, so I'm following you."

What are people seeing when they look at me?
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