God wants me to take MY LEADERS seriously

1 Timothy 5

What does it mean to take our leaders seriously?

1. Choose your pastors CAREFULLY.

I Timothy 3

2. Give your pastors FREEDOM TO LEAD.

I Timothy 5:17

3. Show appropriate RESPECT & HONOR to pastors who lead well.

I Timothy 5:17-18

4. Pastors must be HELD ACCOUNTABLE

I Timothy 5:19-20

“The ones to be rebuked in the presence of all are elders/pastors who persist in sin, or who sin in a way that betrays the trust that the church has placed in them as spiritual leaders.”

ESV Study Bible, p2333.

Why is it important that the rebuke is public?

-It assures the congregation that disqualifying sin on the part of an elder will not be COVERED UP.

-It warns OTHER LEADERS not to believe they can get away with wrong.

-It protects the flock from ABUSIVE leaders.

Restoring a person to fellowship

and restoring them to leadership

are not the same thing.

A word to slaves…

If you’re a SLAVE, respect your MASTER.

The Roman institution of being a “bondservant” or “slave” was different from the institution of slavery in North America during the 17th through the 19th centuries. Slaves generally were permitted to work for pay and to save enough to buy their freedom. The New Testament assumes that trafficking in human beings is a sin (1 Timothy 1:10), and Paul urges Christian bondservants who can gain… freedom to do so…

The released bondservant was officially designated a “freedman” and frequently continued to work for his former master. Many extant inscriptions from freedmen indicate the tendency to adopt the family name of their former master and to continue honoring them.

ESV Study Bible, page 2201.

If your master is a CHRIST-FOLLOWER, serve them EVEN BETTER.

Whoever it is you are called to serve, serve them eagerly as imitators of Jesus and representatives of God.

…check my attitude toward those God has called me to serve. “God, help me to serve ________________ as if I am serving You directly.”

…show honor to a pastor or church leader who has been a blessing to me by _________________ (What will you DO?).