Outlines the qualifications and responsibilities for spiritual leadership within the church, drawing from 1 Timothy 3:1-13. It emphasizes that aspiring to be an overseer or bishop is a noble desire, but requires specific character traits and capabilities. The passage details the importance of personal life, assembly life, and public testimony, alongside the ability to rule one's household and teach sound doctrine. The sermon also addresses the qualifications for deacons, highlighting their need for sobriety, faithfulness to the mystery of faith, and the crucial role of their wives and family life in their ministry, concluding that faithful service, whether as an elder or deacon, finds its ultimate reward in Christ.
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Turn to chapter three in the Epistle of Timothy, the first epistle, please. I'd like to read from verse one through verse thirteen, by the help of the Lord, cover this section tonight. Paul writing and saying, this is a true or a faithful saying. If a man desire or aspire to the office better ended would be the work of a bishop or overseer, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, nor covetous, one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.
For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Not a novice, meaning one newly come to the faith, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise, must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy or filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved, then let them use the office or do the work of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things. And let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children in their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree and great bonus in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. May the Lord bless the reading and the hearing of this section from his precious word. We come to a section tonight that we can call in its entirety, the care of the house. As we have noted each night that we have studied the epistle, the theme of the letter re- is in respect to our conduct and our behavior in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, as we have noted from the key verse in chapter three and verse fifteen.
And tonight we come to a very most important section of the study of the letter. We may well remember at the commencement of our study, we were introduced in chapter one and verse one to the person who is the head of the house, even our Lord Jesus Christ and Savior. As we come to this section, we touch upon a portion of scripture that relates not to the great shepherd who is the head of the house, but to the under shepherd whom God by the Spirit can raise and does raise up to care for the house of God in his divine testimony.
For wherever there is a divine testimony, whether few or many, constituting the local church or assembly of saints, God desires that they should be shepherded. And as under shepherds, he is desirous that some would be raised up by the Spirit of God to do that specific work. In the section that we have read, it can be divided into two parts. The spiritual care of the house is covered from verse one through verse seven. More particularly, beginning at verse eight through thirteen, it touches upon chiefly the material care of the people of God in the house of God.
But the most important part, without question of doubt, is the spiritual care of God's beloved sheep constituting the house of God. And in our section beginning in verse one through seven we'd like to meditate upon the qualifications that the Spirit of God names in respect to those who have the aspiration, and by the Holy Spirit, a bo- a bo- a a divine given desire to do that work. First of all, please let me say, as you noted in verse one, this is a true saying, meaning it is faithful, if a man aspires to the office or to the work of a bishop or overseer, he desireth a good work.
One may recognize very well there must be a spiritual desire to do that work, and the desire should be found within one whom God will raise up to thus fulfill that blessed work of an under shepherd amongst the people of God. And then will you please note something? The emphasis at the end of verse one: he desireth a good work. Now, may I emphasize, it's not merely or just an office, God forbid. It is the work that is to be done. It is the work that constitutes much endeavor and labor on the behalf of the people of God.
Very briefly, for time doesn't permit a detailed study of it all, but very briefly, let me give you the suggestion, first of all, from what you may read in John chapter twenty one. I commend the reading of John twenty one verses fifteen through seventeen. I'll mention it only, it's probably familiar to all. When the Lord Jesus recommissions his beloved apostle Peter and restored him to that blessed commission that he desired him to perform when the Lord would be absent from the earth. May I just repeat what the Lord Jesus gave to Peter in that threefold commission?
He said, feed my lamb. Second, tend whatever needs to be done, tend my sheep. Third, feed my sheep. And we can certainly recognize one of the great works that is to be done by such a person who aspires to this ministry, and God fits him for it, is to be feeding his people. There is a wa- a verse that has been very much on my heart, that is, you may find in chapter twenty eight in the book of Psalms, verse nine, the last verse in the chapter. Where even David in his day recognized and acknowledged to God in prayer the need of his people then.
When he prayed, save thy people, bless thine inheritance, feed them also, and lift them up forever. There was a burden upon the heart of David for the people of God, as we may well know. Likewise, for the person whom God would raise up and can and does raise up to be another shepherd, there must be the burden to feed the sheep. Not only to feed them, but to guard them, to protect them. You may remember in chapter six of Galatians, verse one, you have this exhortation, he that is spiritual, let him restore such a one when there's the necessity for a restoration of a fallen brother.
He that is spiritual, let him restore such a one. And there's a work of restoration for the sheep that may stray, to guard them, to correct them, and it is also a work of leading them. For may I emphasize, you'll find it in First Peter chapter five verses one through four, One of the greatest ways of being a shepherd to eh with God's people and over God's people is to be an example, leading them not with authority, as Peter declares, not being as lords or despots over God's heritage, but by example.
And thus the shepherd, the under shepherd is one who leads by example to guide, to direct, to restore, to feed, and to guard, and any work that can be for the benefit and the blessing of the sheep. And how important it is to realize the work which has to be done. And of course, one realized there must be qualifications. Now let me go on to say, beginning in as we grill in verse two and going down through verse seven, um And may I also include, without turning to the scripture, what you may read and can read in the Epistle of Titus.
Chapter one in the Epistle of Titus touches also upon the qualifications of an overseer, an under shepherd, one who guides and seeks to feed the flock of God. Now, with the combined two chapters, First Timothy three verses two through seven and Titus chapter one, may I state, and listen to this carefully, there are twenty three qualifications. May I repeat it? For it's a tremendous responsibility, and one can recognize the demand that God has given for the qualifications as such.
There are twenty three qualifications, but I'm going to divide them into three sections, for brevity's sake. First of all, may I point out, as we look at our chapter particularly, may I point out, there are three circumstances relating to the person who's to be an overseer. There are three circumstances required in the qualifications that are named here. Let me point them out to you, if you please. Let me read verse two, and I would only emphasize the second phrase, to be the husband of one wife.
Now, very briefly and concisely, the marital or the whole life of that person is important. And of course, in the days of Paul, in the days of heathenism, in which, during which he lived, and the great polygamy, the polygamy that existed in those heathen lands, many had the multiple of wives. And even in the countries beyond the sea today, particularly in Africa, where a tribal chief may be saved, and then he may have about twenty five wives. You've got a big problem as to that one being a qualified overseer, if he ever would be. But the marital, may I emphasize, not just that particular stage of it, but the whole, whole life of the person is part of the circumstantial contribution to his qualification, as undoubtedly we may realize.
But then when you know, go down with me, please. I'd like to particularly point out also in verse six, if you please. Please note verse six only. He must not be a novice, meaning one who has newly come to the faith, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Now let me point out pointedly, not only the whole life of that believer contributes to his qualifications, if he meets them, but the assembly life, meaning he's not to be a newborn babe in the assembly, who should take that responsibility.
In other words, such an one who be being newly born, newly born, or a newly found believer, would not have matured. And what is suggested is the maturity of that brother in the assembly. Now, let me point out something. It's not only his own life, but it is his assembly life and his qualifications of maturity that are required as the circumstances for him then. But then go to verse seven, please. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Now, to correlate the three circumstances, let me mention them again.
First, the circumstance of his own life with his testimony for the Lord is essential. Second, the testimony of his assembly life that he has matured sufficiently in the knowledge of the things of God. That too is required. And then third, and this is often overlooked, but his public life, how he stands with his neighbors and his friends and the outward test and the outward world at large, he must have a good report of them which are without. And may I just point those three facts?
First of all, the circumstances of the brother are essential. His home life, his assembly life, and his public life. Now, let me point out there are only two particular capabilities that are mentioned, what he is to be capably, capably able to do. First of all, if I may point out to you, there are only two in number, but please go to verse five, verse one please, and read with me down through verse five, uh, verse four I should say, verse four and five. As you recognize, as you recognize his capability in the whole life. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.
For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? One cannot help but emphasize, as God does in these words, the great responsibility of proving in his own home his ability and capability, thus keeping his family in order spiritually, guiding them and caring for them in that spiritual way that he should, with his children in subjection with all gravity, and ruling that household, and thus proving himself by that testimony at home, he's capable of caring for the Church of God.
For may I tell you very frankly, when you try to take care of the saints in the assembly, you got a bigger job than what you got at home sometimes. Far more. But what a response. But please may I say kindly, the joy of realizing a brother can recognize and seek to develop in his home sphere qualifications that will thus develop him to be a ruling elder. And then, of course, he must have a good report of them that are without. I'm sure I do not need to emphasize this. I know I've found it out in my experiences of the past. There have been occasions when I have been shocked to recognize that some of my fellow brethren, who may have had a leading part in their local assembly, have not had a good reputation on the outside.
My brother and sister, that hurts. But the capabilities are there, as you can see, if he rules his own house well, and if he's in in favor with the outside world in his circumstances too, he's far, far better off. But then note the second capability. First, the capability of ruling his own house. Second, you have it at the end of verse two, and uh you have this expression, apt to teach. Now, may I be very careful to qualify that this expression does not imply the brother may be a spirit-gifted teacher of the Word of God in public ministry.
Can I repeat that again, and then I'll try to prove it. The brother need not be a capable, spirit-gifted teacher of the Word of God. For me, I say that, frankly, and I, I say this frankly from my own heart. A gifted teacher may not be a good ruler of the house of God. N- not of necessity. He may be, but he not, not of necessity. He may not have the ability to rule and to govern, though he may have the ability to teach. But here we have the word act to teach. In other words, he does have some, he does have the knowledge of the word of God, which he can imply.
Go with me to Titus chapter one please, and let's see the illustration of it. Why it is so necessary that he should have the knowledge of being able to explain the word of God, though not a gifted teacher. Let me read, if I may, in chapter one in Titus, if you please, verse nine through eleven. Titus, chapter one, verse nine through eleven. And you will note in verse seven you have, and you've got it also in the preceding words, the message to the elders. And in verse nine, he must be holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught. What he has learned from the teachers of the word of God regarding the truth and the doctrine, particularly of the responsibility of care of the house of God and in its care.
He should hold fast the faithful word that he has been taught. Why? That he may be able, by sound doctrine or teaching, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. And may I say this, and it comes under that particular phase of the elder guarding the sheep, protecting them. And in this connection, he must have the knowledge of sound teaching that he might confront the false teaching that is brought before the saint. To exhort and convince those gainsayers, let me read the next verse.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision whose mouth must be stopped, who subvert, meaning they corrupt whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. May I point out the danger which faces the house of God and the people of God? We well know it. The danger is more apparent and greater today than ever before, perhaps in the history of Christianity. The greatness, well, let me quote the words of Peter, second Peter chapter two, when he says that in the last days, as there were false prophets in Israel, so in the last days there will be false teachers abundantly.
And may I say very bluntly, you may not agree with me, but I'll never back off from it. You've got more false teaching in the world today than you have true teaching of the word of God. I am amazed how we are surrounded by false teaching, not necessarily in our assemblies, or some may filter in, but particularly in the outward expression of Christendom. False teaching abounds on every hand. Now the elder, he has to guard the sheep. I think of a dear brother, long ago he's been with the Lord, a man who never took the platform, but who protected the sheep from false teaching.
Who was able, by the doctrine of truth that he knew and had learned, to protect them from any false teaching, as well as to guide the assembly. So may I say again, the responsibility is a great one, and to realize there are only two capabilities that should stand out in his, in his, in his testimony. Ruling well at home, and may I say, ah, that's a good training place to begin, and then matured in the things of God and the knowledge of the faithful way. He holds it fast, and he protects the sheep from false teaching.
And if, eh, please know what the, the, the, the apostle said. Go down to verse eleven of our chapter in Titus, as he mentions these false teachers. Their mouths must be stopped, who subvert all houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. But my beloved, our standard is to realize that the love of money is often the purpose and the motive of false teaching. And oh, how the apostle enjoins the man who is an elder to hold fast to the faithful word and be able to confront those who would bring false teaching into the, into the testimony.
God, she needs to be protected. May I please emphasize again the lovely position and and the lovely work and lovely responsibility that a so-called under shepherd has to lead the flock. And may I give this, so let me go back to the Peter's reference, to lead them by way of example. Many years ago, I recall reading of a certain dear brother who was in the British Army and stationed in the land of Egypt long ago, before World War II, and he had a furlough and went over to Israel to pay a visit to the Holy Land.
He came off the boat, and as he came off the boat, he saw a flock of sheep going down the road, and he looked at it and noticed they were being driven. A man was behind the whole flock of sheep, driving them down the road. And he thought, that's not what I've read in the Bible, nor what I've heard. I've read and heard that a sh- that a shepherd in Israel leads his flock, and they follow. And he couldn't understand it. So he talked to a, that man nearby and asked him, please tell me, is that man a shepherd that's going down the sheep, uh, down the street following those sheep? The man looked quickly. Oh no, he said, he's a butcher. But you know what he wants.
You get the, you get the connection. Not for filthy Lucas' sake, but by way of example. The flock follows. And may I say this, my beloved brother, and I speak to my conscience as much as to yours. You and I can lead the flock best by being the example. Look in chapter thirteen of Hebrews, will you please? Chapter thirteen. Oh, may I emphasize it there? I'm sure I much. And may I look at, uh, look at with you in chapter thirteen at verse seven, if you please. Paul saying, remember them which have the rule over you, having who has spoken unto you the word of God, whose they follow, considering the end of their manner of life.
Their manner of life. Go to verse ten if you please. Or rather, verse seventeen if you please. Verse seventeen. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourself, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account that they may be do it with joy, not with grief, for that is unprofitable. And please let me go further down, I think, if I may go down in verse four twenty four and read saying, salute all them that have the rule over you and all the saints, and they admittedly salute you.
And one can recognize the example of the person of the elder leading the saints and seeking to bring them into the teaching of the word of God. Now, so much for the capabilities. Three circumstances, two capabilities, and you can read the rest of the description yourself. There are eighteen left, but they all pertain to the character and the conduct of that brother. And in the whole twenty three, you have those divisions that are very clear. Three circumstances, home life, assembly life, public life. Capabilities, apt to teach, as well as able to rule his own house well.
And then the character, read all the rest of the, the, the words that are given describing the character and conduct he must be following. There's much in it, but much more than we can cover tonight. But read it for yourself and certainly do it. Chapter one then back in se- uh, chapter three in second first Timothy, let us go again. And now know that, that, that you have. But, but may, but may I cover another two things, guys, first? First of all, we've touched upon the qualifications. How about the recognition? Go with me to chapter twenty in the book of Acts. Chapter twenty in the book of Acts.
There is an expression there that Paul mentioned when he talked to the elders and said farewell to the elders of Ephesus, as he called them to meet him on that occasion when it would be the last time they would say- see their beloved apostle. Chapter twenty eight, twenty rather, in verse twenty eight, I want you to notice something. As Paul gave a farewell exhortation to these elders of Ephesus, these words he said, take ye therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock. One can recognize this great exhortation that all the flock, may we, may we remember the words of the Lord Jesus when he commissioned or recommissioned Peter, feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.
He took them all, and please may I say lovingly. My criticism may not be welcome on this. But there's one thing I do not particularly feel happy over. The sharp division that seems to be appearing between older Christians and younger Christians. Young believers wanting to have their own thing, regardless whether it's in fellowship or not with older believers, and sometimes vice versa. But may I ask you a question?
Did you ever find a shepherd that had a flock of sheep that separated his lambs from his, their mothers? The older sheep? They all laid down together. And may I exhort very kindly, may I give the example and the, the personal appreciation? As a young believer, six, five, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen, and seventeen, and eighteen, in my early days, I appreciated my older brethren and even my older sisters, who gave me counsel. But I want to say again, there's too much of a separation today in the efforts of Christian testimony, separating the young from the old.
We all ought to be together. And may I tell you very frankly, when the rapture comes, we're going up together. Every one of us. But the recognition, note these words that Paul said. Take ye therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the which, now note, how does an elder take his place? He can't do it unless the Holy Ghost raises him up, puts him there. Over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers. Beloved, may I say again, I will happily, whether the man is publicly recognized or not, I would happily recognize a dear brother who meets the qualifications, and the Holy Spirit is using him to do the work.
For it's only the Holy Spirit can do it. Now, let me give you the premise again. Read First Corinthians chapter twelve, where you have a local assembly with all of its gifts, and you have no gift for what it is the Holy Spirit that puts that gift in its particular place. Likewise, the elder. And recognize that by the Holy Spirit, he puts you into that blessed position and work to perform. And then as far as the recognition of the same, go to First Thessalonians chapter five. First Thessalonians chapter five, just before Timothy, couple of books.
First Thessalonians chapter five. Now, may I point out something, one of the most precious facts to be able to realize. When you read the Thessalonian epistle, may I be reminded with you, if you read the book of the Acts, Paul and his companions preached for two weeks in the city of Thessalonica, and God saved Paul, and the church testimony was raised up. And Paul and his and his companions had to flee because of the dangers they faced and the dangers the saints faced because of the opposition. And the saints were left alone.
three-week-old Christians, if you please. But, but if you read First Thessalonians chapter one, it tells how well they went on, as well as both of them. But please note in chapter five, note the words of the dear apostle as he writes to them in verse twelve: We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves. Now here is the apostle writing to the most recent church that had been established in perhaps in just a few weeks and was going on.
And let me please illustrate what I had had to mention in prayer, uh, request in prayer in regard to Africa. It's a strange thing, that dear brother that sent me his letter, his name is Bimba, that's his native name. He went into Mozambique, was captured by the guerrillas on one occasion. They took him captive, and all the time they he was in captivity, he was preaching to them about the nail and about the Lord. They beat him up until he could couldn't walk. He was half dead. One day, the whole contingent of soldiers, communist guerrillas, fled the camp, and he was alone.
Though he couldn't walk, he crawled to the borderline of his own country to get away, and he did. And then when he was well again, he went back to Mozambique, was captured again, and kept preaching all the time he was in captivity. The commander of the guerrillas came to him one night at midnight and talked to him and said, listen, if what you believe is right, then what I believe is wrong. Tell me more about it. And that dear native evangelist led that communist guerrilla commander to the Lord, and that commander resigned his position immediately, and he started preaching the gospel.
He didn't wait to get ordained. I guess he got his ordination from up there, but he began preaching. I have a picture of that dear father preaching his gospel. That doesn't happen over here, does it? But may I point out to you, the Holy Spirit undoubtedly is doing the work. So in Thessalonica, the Holy Spirit was doing the work. And please know, let me go back to verse twelve. Paul said, we beseech you, brethren, know them. And you know that word know, what it means? Know them by observation. Know them by observation. Watch them. See what they're doing. Recognize that by what they do. They're worthy, and they're laboring among you, and they are over you in the Lord, and they admonish you.
Esteem them very highly for their works. Oh my brother, let me say this. You don't esteem another because he's a good friend of yours. Please don't do that. Do it because he's doing the work of the Lord. For the work's sake. Shepherding the sheep, feeding the sheep, guarding the sheep, guiding them, protecting them, restoring them. It's the work. And thank God, when you see anyone doing it, praise his name and follow that man. Remember when the Lord Jesus told his disciples in the gospel just before his betrayal, when they were to meet in the upper room, he sent them to find, to go to the city, and he said, you'll see a man carrying a pitcher of water.
Follow him, and when you get to the house where he goes, tell the master of the house or the good man of the house that the master wants to use it for the Passover supper. Follow the man with a pitcher of water. And may I say, my fellow brother and sister, follow the man who's got a good pitcher of water, give you a good drink from God's word. Feed the flock, waters the flock. That's the one word polish. So let's go on in our chapter. I'd like to say this in closing, though, on that particular section. The compensation for the elders. You got it in first Peter five four. When the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
I'll tell you very frankly, the elder and the shepherd doesn't get paid down here. They maybe get some good knocks once in a while. Sometimes it can be an unthankful work. Listen, the compensation is coming at the end of the journey. When the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Well, I'll tell you, my beloved, I- I'm confident of this. In fact, I've known it all through my life, since I followed and known the Lord. Payday comes ahead, not today. And that blessed one, you remember the words of the Lord Jesus, Revelation twelve twenty verse twelve: uh Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be, and the compensation will come.
Now let's go to the next part of that chapter in Timothy, beginning at verse eight, go down through verse thirteen, where we have the deacons are thus mentioned. Let me point out very briefly but carefully, as we look at verse eight, there is the possession of Christian sobriety and control. Likewise must the deacons be grave, sober, not double tongued, not given to much wine, nor greedy, a filthy lucre. And one can recognize the possession of Christian soberness, as well as not the desire for money in the labor of love that they are to do.
But please note verse nine. And please note this carefully. That person also, though he must be concerned regarding the material things pertaining to the people of God, he should be holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. He must hold to the truth of God. He holds the faith, but he holds it with a pure conscience. In other words, he not holds it, not only holds it in faith, but he holds it in practice. He practices what he believes. And may I say very frankly, I, I don't know whether you, I realize it enough for you, that the dear brother who may be taking the material aspect of the needs of God's people upon his heart, it is essential that he knows the truth of God.
Now, I'm going to be blunt. I know of places, and I'm sure you do, many so dena- so-called denominational churches, they make a deacon out of a fellow the moment he gets saved sometimes. And I have, I'm sad to give this confession, I know it to be a truth in my early days in this state, where one deacon of a certain church, and I knew him personally, occasionally got drunk and said all he had to do was put another five dollars on the collection plate and took care of it. No, sir. Not at all. He must hold to the truth of God as well as walk according to that truth.
The testimony of his life, maintaining the truth that he believes, is just as essential, even though he sweeps the floor, does the work around the place that is physical or material. And repur- let me ask you the question, whose house is it? Whose house is it? I remember many years ago, when first married, my wife and I, we took the responsibility. No one asked us to do it. We just did it voluntarily while cleaning the little chapel that we had every week ourselves. And I recall one time after many, many, many weeks, my dear wife said to me, John, nobody ever says thank you to about what we're doing.
I said, what do you care? Who are you doing it for? The Lord. I can recall vividly in my memory the first thing I felt I did for my Lord, at least what I thought it was, and that I was conscious of. Just just been saved, and there was no one to play the old pump organ that they used to have back in those days in the Sunday school. And I was only lad about fifteen and they asked me if I'd play it. Oh, I said, I'd be glad to. You know, I can still feel the thrill inside of me as I play.
I was totally unconscious of how the rest of them felt and what they were doing and how they were singing. So I thought, Lord, I'm doing this for you. I played the piano from some time up to that time even, but that was the first thing. I said, Lord, this is the first thing I've been doing for you, playing the hymns in the Sunday school in the song. Does that count? Sure it counts. Many little things. If you're faithful. He that is faithful in that which is least shall also be faithful in that which is much, says the Lord Jesus. And here you have here the deacon holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience, and then note if you please in verse ten, let these thoughts also first be proved.
Now, may I say again, there is the practice in many places that when one gets saved, the first thing they say, what can we put him to work at? He's not ready to work. He's just a babe. And may I say, many a babe in Christ has been ruined for service by being put to work when he wasn't qualified. Let him first be true, then let them use the office to do the work of a deacon being found blamer. And it is a work, as we can see. Competent. And then you have at the close of this verse, or the, uh, this portion in verse eleven, you got a reference to their wives.
Spiritual cooperation at home. Let the deacons be the husbands of one, or verse eleven rather, even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. And may I say lovingly, the wife of one who is a deacon, a true deacon, that wife, if she's a true wife, will be sympathetic and cooperative with his responsibility and the interest that he has to take care of the things of God amongst the people of God. How many times it may be he has to confide in her as to the problems that he's seeking to solve and do, but you see the character of the wife and her, and her testimony being faithful contributes to his qualifications and to his health.
And then you've got the home life again. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children in their own house as well. We cannot emphasize too greatly the contribution of the Christian home to the Christian assembly. My beloved fellow believer, please let me say it again. The contribution of the home to the assembly testimony, the church testimony, will be no greater than what the quality of it is in your home. And God help us indeed to have our homes such as God can bless and honor. Then in verse thirteen, as we come to a close, they that have used the office of a deacon.