Predictive. “Past performance is a predictor of future performance.” I had an opportunity yesterday to present a training on recruiting for the business/retail world. This sentence was used to help explain the importance of some interview techniques. Interestingly, Paul references the exact same idea when looking at what makes a great leader in the church. Read 1 Timothy 3:4-5. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 1 TIMOTHY 3:4‭-‬5 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.3.4-5.NASB Paul is still referencing the…

Criteria. As we learned yesterday, service is work. While anyone can serve, not just anyone can serve in leadership. There are prerequisites for someone who desires a place of leadership and service in the church. Paul goes on to list these requirements here read 1 Timothy 3:2-3. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 1 TIMOTHY 3:2‭-‬3 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.3.2-3.NASB Some people don’t like having to meet a list of criteria. However, if there isn’t a list or a standard by which people should…

Desiring service. It is noble and a fine thing to desire to serve others. Leadership is service. True leaders understand the importance of serving those that they lead. Paul understands this as well and mentions it in 1 Timothy 3:1. It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 1 TIMOTHY 3:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.3.1.NASB Did you catch it? Ot says that it is a trustworthy statement that if someone aspires to the office of overseer, then that is a fine work. It is work. Any time any one desires to lead others or to serve in…

Deception. The woman was deceived. These verses take us back to Genesis and Adam and Eve in the garden. Eve was deceived and made a terrible decision that has consequences throughout the generations. Read 1 Timothy 2:12-15. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. 1 TIMOTHY 2:12‭-‬15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.12-15.NASB Eve…

Submission. This has become one of the most misused and misunderstood words of the Bible. The concept of humbling yourself to the authority of another seems to go against every cultural teaching in the United States over the past 40 years, especially when talking about women. Read 1 Timothy 2:11-12. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 1 TIMOTHY 2:11‭-‬12 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.11-12.NASB These verses and the ones we will look at over the next few days are some of the most controversial you will read. I will promise you…

Modesty. What thoughts do we want people to think when they look at us? Paul knew what some of the concerns in the early church were, how the women dressed. Read 1 Timothy 2:9-10. Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 1 TIMOTHY 2:9‭-‬10 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.9-10.NASB When people look at us, what do we want them to think? As a woman myself, growing up in this western society, there is huge focus placed on being physically…

Therefore. That is such a powerful word. It lets us know that there has been a conclusion reached or a decision made based on reasons that have just been explained. Read 1 Timothy 2:7-8. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. 1 TIMOTHY 2:7‭-‬8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.7-8.NASB Paul has been talking about the need to pray for others to come to Christ and he has been reminding us of the importance…

Mediation. Because of our sin, we need a mediator. We need someone to stand up on our behalf and provide a way to bridge the gap between a Holy God and our sinful selves. Jesus Christ did that. Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 TIMOTHY 2:5‭-‬6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.5-6.NASB There is only one God. It’s also important to realize that there is only one way to bridge rhe gap between us and God. There is only one who can meditate…

What does God want? We often spend a lot of time thinking about what we want and how we want it. However, we don’t always spend as much time considering what God wants. Read 1 Timothy 2:3-4. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 TIMOTHY 2:3‭-‬4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.3-4.NASB Yesterday we saw that God desires that we pray for people. We should pray for those in authority and all those around us that they may come to know and understand how much Jesus Christ loves them and that he…

Do we pray for others? As people who follow Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to be bringing others to Jesus Christ through prayer. Not just praying for the people we like, but praying for all people. Read 1 Timothy 2:1-2. First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1‭-‬2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.2.1-2.NASB How do we find peace and tranquility? We find that through praying for other people. As we spend our time devoted…