SoSpression Blog

Biblical Christian Leaders

1 Timothy 3

1 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 behaviour, 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.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Who are the real elders: bishops and deacons, official pillars and elders of the church family? Is it anyone who gives themselves a title?

No. We have so many titles, and so little fruit.

Why can’t we have female bishops? Because the Church is a family. My wife can have all the talent and gifting in the world, but she’ll never be a Father, Husband, Uncle, or Grandfather.

Elders are more than a gift, they are an office that give structure to a church family. Most gifts are for function, they are what your gift does. Gifts do not discriminate between male & female. Elders, Bishops, and Deacons are Offices. Offices give structure. (Yes, there are female deacons in the bible, in Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 1, 2 John).

Why can’t we have Bishops with disobedient children, single bishops, divorced Bishops? Because the Church is a family that leads by example. Bad leadership creates bad fruit.

Why can’t we have Bishops that love money and power and status? Because the Church is a family not a corporation all about profit and the bottom line. Corrupt leadership creates corrupt fruit.

No Need For Great Orators

All the qualifications of a bishop, not one thing has to do with being a great orator, awesome speechmaker, or having a big stage or crowd. The fruit that a biblical spiritual leader has is transformation, and the ability to transform others by teaching AND example.

There are so many professional pew sitters that have no power to live right because they are following great professional speechmakers instead of true leaders with fruit. You can only reap what you sow into. (Galatians 6)

People are chasing the power of titles but they are not chasing the cross of Jesus Christ.

There are no shortcuts to a sacrificed life, and there is no power that can substitute for the power of a sacrificed life in obedience to Jesus Christ.

Follow leaders that not only have the gift or talent, but the example and the fruit. Follow men that hazard their own lives for the Lord Jesus Christ and take up their cross.

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