Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Men Worth Emulating 1 Timothy 3:8-13 & Selected Scriptures By 1971 the major media were already giving favorable coverage was given to counter-culture leaders There were still plenty of heroes in the 1970's The 1976 Olympic Decathlon winner is now considered a hero for trying to be something he is not

Men Worth Emulating 1 Timothy 3:8-13 & Selected Scriptures Good role models will not receive the attention of the media which glorifies sin and disdains righteousness Go to the Bible for godly heroes and inspiration to be a godly role model yourself – see Hebrews 11

Marks of Maturity 1 Timothy 3:8-12 Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to correct wrong doctrine and instruct the church properly The character traits Paul lists for Deacons are simply marks of maturity - 1 Timothy 3:9-13

Men of Dignity 1 Timothy 3:8 semnovV / semnos which is variously translated as dignified, reverent, grave and worthy of respect It refers to men who in being and conduct call forth respect from others

Men of Dignity 1 Timothy 3:8 Nehemiah, a captured Jew and cup bear to Artaxerxes, gained favor because his dignity Nehemiah’s dignity also enabled him to respond properly and keep proper focus avoiding a trap

Men of Dignity 1 Timothy 3:8 Are you dignified? Does your conduct gain the respect of others In what ways do you need to improve? Wife - how can you encourage your husband?

Not Double-tongued 1 Timothy 3:8 m;h dilovgouV / mā dilogous - “not twice worded” - also translated as not insincere, not two faced & sincere He keeps his promises - Joshua and the Israelite leaders in Joshua 9; David in 2 Samuel 21 Job was consistent in character and speech

Not Double-tongued 1 Timothy 3:8 Do you keep your promises? Does your integrity hold even when attacked or falsely accused? Does your hope in God transcend the things of this life? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Not Addicted to Much Wine 1 Timothy 3:8 A man that is not devoted or given to too much wine In keeping with Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4-6 - recognizes and heeds the dangers of wine John the Baptist never had wine or strong drink, and so was accused of having a demon

Not Addicted to Much Wine 1 Timothy 3:8 Isaiah understood the dangers and blessings of wine and never let it influence him to pervert truth Godly men are filled with the spirit, not wine - The Christian has hope and can face life’s troubles

Not Addicted to Much Wine 1 Timothy 3:8 Do you need to improve in this area? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Not Fond of Sordid Gain 1 Timothy 3:8 Also translated as not greedy for / fond of / pursuing dishonest gain / filthy lucre Desire and the means of gaining is the problem, not wealth itself - 1 Tim. 6:9-10 2 Chronicles 1:10 - Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, not personal gain

Not Fond of Sordid Gain 1 Timothy 3:8 1 Kings 5 - Elisha turns down the reward for healing Naaman of leprosy - God’s glory is more important Matthew left his lucrative tax collecting position to immediately follow Jesus - Matthew 9:9

Not Fond of Sordid Gain 1 Timothy 3:8 What is the desire of your heart? What is your attitude toward wealth? Do you need to improve in this area? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Holding to the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience 1 Timothy 3:9 Having solid convictions to follow the doctrines previously hidden revealed by Jesus and the Apostles Paul defended himself from false accusations by proclaiming his clear conscience - Acts 23:3; 24:14-16 The Scriptures renew the mind, clean the conscience and transform the life

Holding to the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience 1 Timothy 3:9 Do you understand the fundamentals of Biblical doctrine? Are you diligent in personal Bible study? Do you need to improve in this area? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Let These Also First Be Tested; Then Let Them Serve - 1 Timothy 3:10 Character claimed must be demonstrated as character confirmed before granting a position of influence Wise men learn from other wise men and are always open to learning more - Proverbs 1:5; 9:9

Let These Also First Be Tested; Then Let Them Serve - 1 Timothy 3:10 Elisha was trained by Elijah after he had been anointed to be the next prophet Timothy began his training with Paul as a young man, gaining greater responsibility to become his envoy

Let These Also First Be Tested; Then Let Them Serve - 1 Timothy 3:10 Are you humble and actively striving to learn from others? How can you improve in this area? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

If They Are Beyond Reproach 1 Timothy 3:10 Also translated as being blameless, unblameable, without charge, nothing against them, above reproach Living in such as way so as to not be accused of wrong-doing, and if accused lacking evidence to support it

If They Are Beyond Reproach 1 Timothy 3:10 Daniel was taken to Babylon as a youth and quickly demonstrated his commitment to follow God His enemies could find no ground of accusation, so they created a law conflicting with his worship of God

If They Are Beyond Reproach 1 Timothy 3:10 Daniel remained blameless before God and continued proper worship - and God protected him (Daniel 6) Follow Daniel’s example Do you need to improve in this area? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Husbands of One Wife 1 Timothy 3:12 Its full meaning is expressed better if translated as “one woman man” or “man of one woman” A man devoted to one woman: If married, his wife. If single, he is not flirtatious, but dates only one woman

Husbands of One Wife 1 Timothy 3:12 Hosea remained faithful even though his wife did not - a picture of God’s relationship to Israel When single, Joseph’s commitment to God was greater than the temptations of his master’s wife When married he was devoted to his wife

Husbands of One Wife 1 Timothy 3:12 If single – flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22) Don’t “play the field” – pursue only one woman at a time If married – is your devotion only to your wife? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Good Managers of Their Children and Their Own Households - 1 Timothy 3:12 He so influences those in his home that it causes them to follow his recommended course of action Jonadab the son of Recheb - gave instructions to his family which were still being followed 300 years later

Good Managers of Their Children and Their Own Households - 1 Timothy 3:12 Will your influence pass down to future generations? Do you need to improve in this area? Wife – how can you encourage your husband?

Conclusions 1 Timothy 3:12 The man who develops these characteristics will be blessed and be a blessing as a man worth emulating

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ