We Need Faithful Leaders

Introduction

Scripture teaches that God calls certain men to lead His church, but we also see warnings against false teachers, wolves, and hirelings. How are we as Christians able to discern the difference when looking for a church, discerning the teachers we follow online, and even steward a church through a leadership transition? In this exegetical study through the opening chapter of Paul’s first epistle to Timothy we see four key marks of faithful leaders.

Faithful leaders answer God’s call.

God calls, prepares and sustains faithful leaders. Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by declaring that he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God”. Paul recognized that God had called him and commanded him to faithfully proclaim His Gospel. Faithful pastors understand God sovereignty in calling them and placing them in the pulpit. They recognize that when God has given them an opportunity to speak, they are called and commanded to faithfully deliver His message.

Paul concludes his introduction praying that God will sustain Timothy with grace, mercy and peace because he knows that in ministry we are completely dependent on God not only for success but for survival. Faithful leaders seek God’s help and depend on Him completely. The 19th century missionary Hudson Taylor once said,

“All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they believed that God would be with them.”

Ministry often brings tremendous challenges and stress into our lives. Those who are not called and sustained by God will struggle, stumble, and eventually fall away. The church is in desperate need of leaders who are called and prepared by God, who strive to minister in His strength not in their own.

Timothy’s purpose in verse 3 is to command certain ones not to teach a different doctrine. Evidently false teachers had arisen and were ravishing the Ephesian church. Faithful leaders rebuke error. They recognize the danger of distorting the Gospel and boldly correct those who entertain such wickedness. Paul’s charge to rebuke false teachers is not optional as evidenced by his strong words to the Galatians for anyone who would change the Gospel message.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

(Galatians 1:8-9)

Given Scripture’s sharp rebuke we rarely see outright denial of the core tenants of Christianity especially in theologically conservative settings but Paul warns us in verse 4 that some will turn to speculation and myth. As false teachers gather a substantial following they’ll begin to focus more and more on lesser things to the neglect of our primary purpose. Overtime the pastor’s hobby horses take center stage. In recent years some talented young preachers have gained provenance as an older generation of faithful teachers has been called home to glory. Unfortunately some of these men have sidelined sound doctrine in order to offer political commentary. It is true that preachers should not shy away from declaring biblical truths just because someone claims it’s a political issue, but when a minister and ministry become so focus on political solutions that biblical doctrine takes a back seat to today’s headlines, there’s a problem.

The need of the hour is still the faithful proclamation of the Gospel. As God’s ministers we exist to proclaim the Scriptures, and when our focus drifts from God’s focus in His Word we need to repent and return to our true purpose. Church leaders are called to correct error and rebuke those who refuse correction. To faithfully teach God’s Word, we must correct those who corrupt it.

In verse five Paul reminds us that the goal of our command is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and an unhypocritical faith. Perhaps the most important mark of faithful leaders is that they follow the example of Jesus Christ. This brief statement carries an implicit warning to those of us in ministry to examine our motivations, develop discernment, and avoid hypocrisy. Peter fleshes this out positively in his first epistle teaching us that faithful leaders will humbly feed, lead, study, and model faithfulness for their flock.

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion, but willingly, according to God; and not for dishonest gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

(1 Peter 5:1-4)

Faithful leaders stick to the Text.

In verse 6 Paul reiterates that some have strayed from sound doctrine and turned aside to fruitless discussion. This describes the ministry of so many modern day preachers. Faithful leaders, however, recognize that they exist to proclaim the truth of God’s Word and anything else distracts from the church’s real purpose ultimately hindering the ministry. In straying from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith in Christ they turn to pointless speech or, as the King James puts it, vain jangling. When we stray from our purpose, we become useless, and our preaching becomes like baby’s rattle whose only purpose is to entertain childish minds.

When Church leaders stray from the text of God’s Word it reveals an arrogant heart. Some men enter the ministry because they have answered God’s call and some men enter the ministry because they have to be the leader. Those desiring to lead should consider whether that pursuit comes from a desire to serve or a desire to be followed. While some will hide it quite well, in time the false teacher’s facade of humility will fall away, and their arrogance will reveal their true nature.

This arrogance then draws them even further from the Gospel. Striving to teach a law they don’t even understand they will quickly embrace legalism. When you minimize the Gospel, when you turn away from the central truth of the Scriptures you inevitably turn to legalism. Whether that’s the legalism of first century Judaism, which demanded circumcision, the legalism of Roman Catholicism which argues we maintain righteousness through good works, or the legalism of progressive Christianity which demands the affirmation of sexual sin, when you minimize the Gospel, and turn away from the central truths of the Gospel you inevitably turn to legalism.

In an ultimate sense faithful leaders realize that straying from the text ignores God’s power. They realize as Paul teaches in verse 9-10 that no law sanctifies us, the truth of God’s Word sanctifies us, and this is the truth we have been given to proclaim. Faithful leaders strive to stay focused, humble, and to stand on God’s Word!

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

(John 17:17)

Faithful leaders are grateful servants.

Men who have truly been called by God to the ministry will understand that God’s calling is not a burden but a gift. God is the one who equips us for service, entrusts us with a stewardship over His people, and places is specifically where He chooses. Our calling is a gift and our ability to fulfil it is a gift from God as well. We should be thankful that God has given us the opportunity to serve Him.

I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He regarded me faithful, putting me into service,

(1 Timothy 1:12)

Faithful men recognize they are entirely undeserving of God’s calling. Paul openly admits that God called him in spite of his sin, stating in verse 15 that he is the foremost of all sinners. Our calling is evidence that God does not hold our past sins against us and in ministry we see God overcome our weaknesses. God didn’t call us because of our worthiness God called us in spite of our worthlessness. Our ministry displays God’s grace through us to draw others to Himself. God deserves all the praise!

For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are, so that no flesh may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

( 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Faithful leaders make disciples.

Timothy’s preparation for ministry began as he traveled with Paul as a young man. Paul continued to be a mentor for Timothy and Paul’s letters to Timothy serve as wise council for all those who answer God’s call to pastoral ministry. Unfortunately this pattern of mentorship is often neglected in the church today. Pastors should recognize that God intends to use His faithful leaders in each generation to prepare the next. Our lack of mature faithful men ready to lead the church well is evidence that we as a church have failed to make disciples. If we want to produce men like Timothy, we must invest in them like Paul.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:18-20)

Conclusion

The church today is in dire need of faithful men to lead her. We must thank God for the faithful leaders He has blessed us with and seek to train the next generation of young men like Timothy, to step up ready to answer God’s call. The charge of ministering in struggling churches beginning to slide into false doctrine is difficult, but cause is worthy. May God raise up His men to lead His church!