Over in the East Bay, back in 1978, a small Catholic high school in Concord was looking for a football coach. In the six years that this school’s football program had been around they’d never had a winning season. Who they found was a young probation officer who had been moonlighting as a assistant football coach at Monte Vista in Danville. The high school - De La Salle - under coach Bob Ladouceur has put together a winning streak of 125 games. The last time they lost the first George Bush was President. They are the standard by which the game is measured.

The question is “How do they do it?” The one overriding principle of Ladouceur is to take every player at his level and attempt to raise it. That takes leadership and those who are willing to follow and support that leadership.

That describes our team - the church. In 1 Timothy 3, we saw the church described as “the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15b) That’s powerful. People in a personal relationship with the living God. As we operates as the church - living and proclaiming God’s truth in this confused world - the world changes.

That takes Godly leadership and those who are willing to follow and support that leadership. We all have our part in this - in leading - in respecting leadership - in working together in the roles that God has given to us. So that He can take us at our level and raise us up to become this powerful instrument of change in the world.

In the verses we’re going to look at this morning Paul is going to instruct us on how to respect leaders in the church - to support and encourage their leadership so that we can be all that God intends for us to be.

Paul gives us three principles of respecting church leaders. First - in verse 17 - he writes that respect comes through honor.

Verse 17: The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

When we looked at the essential of Godly leadership in 1 Timothy 3 - we saw that elders are men, who by experience and spiritual maturity, were set aside for a position of leadership in the church. The word “rule” - has the idea of oversight - guiding - leading. Elders lead the church.

In 1 Timothy 3:2 - we saw that one of the qualifications to become and elder was the ability to teach. Paul writes that elders who do this preaching and teaching well - who are devoted - committed - and effective in leading from God’s word - these elders are worthy of honor - respect.

Then Paul quotes Moses - from Deuteronomy 25:4 - to give us an example of what he means by “honor” Paul writes, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” Back in Moses’ day sheaves of grain were laid out on level floor - oxen were harnessed to a flat sledge and led over the grain. The whole point being to loosen the kernels of grain.

The nations around Israel would put a muzzle over the mouth of the ox so that it couldn’t eat the grain it was threshing. But God commanded Israel to unmuzzle the ox. The oxen were working so they deserved to eat.

Sometimes we tend to write off the Old Testament as a collection ancient history and commands and regulations for the Jews. But, all of that is there to teach us about God. Paul, writes in 1 Corinthians 9 - “Is God concerned about the oxen? No, God wrote this for us.” (1 Corinthians 9:9,10) There’s a principle here. The point Paul is getting at comes as Paul quotes Jesus, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (Luke 10:7)

Church leadership that is working hard - that is devoted to preaching and teaching the word of God - and is doing that effectively - as God’s word impacts lives and bears fruit - the leaders should be honored. (Matthew 10:10) Elders - like oxen (an interesting comparison) - should share in the fruit of that labor.

Anyone of us who works hard - pouring our heart and soul into something - and gets a lukewarm or cold response is going to struggle with discouragement. Part of this is financial - full time ministry deserves full time support. Part of this is in what is said to an elder.

At another church - not this one - I remember standing in the back to greet people after the service and I would get compliments on the sermon, “Great sermon. Wonderful sermon.” Which was fine. Except, I got the compliments on Sundays when I hadn’t preached.

One of the greatest encouragements for a church leader is to see God at work in the lives of the congregation. As a leader to see God doing that work through you. Sharing how a sermon touched your life. Or, what God is doing in your life. That honors the effort put into leadership.

Second - Paul writes that respect is impartial.

Verse 19: Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

Recently I read about a pastor who had been dismissed by the church leadership. An accusation had been brought against him by a member of the congregation, who, it turned out later, was actually his secretary. She was angry with him about something and had written a letter that brought some very serious accusations against the pastor. She’d given this letter to the church leadership as if it was something that had been sent to the pastor. Later she confessed that she’d written the letter. But, the damage was done. The letter had resulted in the leadership calling the pastor in and without any further confirmation removing him from the pastorate.

Jesus said, “If your brother sins go and talk to him about his sin in private. If he repents, you’ve won your brother.” So, drop the issue and move on. Jesus goes on, “But, if he doesn’t hear you. Then take one or two witnesses with you and try to bring him to repentance. If he still doesn’t listen, then take it to the church.” (Matthew 18:15-17a)

This is the principle Paul has in mind. Refuse to spread or listen to gossip. Deal with the facts according to the impartial instruction of Scripture. If this was done it would really put a dent in the gossip, misunderstandings, and hurt that goes on in too many churches. All of which undermines leadership and harms the ministry of the church.

Then verse 21: I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

When Harry Truman was President, every morning at 8:30 he would have a staff meeting. One day the mail clerk brought in a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, Harry Truman found a letter from King Saud of Saudi Arabia. The salutation began, “Your Magnificence.”

Truman laughed, “Your Magnificence. I like that. I don’t know what you guys call me when I’m not here, but it’s okay if you refer to me from now on as Your Magnificence.”

Subsequently Truman sent a message to the United Nations supporting admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. Soon afterwards he received a second letter from King Saud. This one was addressed, “Dear Mr. President.”

The standard of right and wrong is not who donates more money - who agrees with us - friendships - family relationship - giving a little extra allowance for our friends while coming down hard on others. The standard doesn’t bend by our ability to expose the mistakes of others to our advantage. The standard we live by is Scripture. God, and all of heaven is looking over our shoulders at how we treat leadership in the church. With impartiality - patiently - lovingly - thoughtfully - carefully - we need to hold our leadership accountable to the word of God.

Then verse 22: Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

As an ethnic church this is hard for us. “He’s family. We all know him. He’s been in the church for years. Okay, he’s not all that committed. Spiritually he’s got room for growth. But who doesn’t?” In so many churches leaders are selected based on popularity - or because of their financial status or success in business - or because they’ve been around for so long - or maybe they fit our bias or ideas.

Scripture gives us qualifications to look for in those that God is raising up to leadership in His church. Church leaders should be Godly - not almost Godly. If we suggest or elect people to leadership who are not qualified by God then, Paul writes, we participate in their sin. First, we’ve been disobedient to God’s instructions. Then, wherever they lead or stumble we go along for the ride - a roller coaster ride of gossip and accusations and hurt and missed opportunity. All of which could have been avoided with some impartial discernment in the first place.

Any leader of God will be accused of any number of sins and failures. For the sake of respecting that leader, and the health of the church, we need to handle the accusations with impartiality and to make sure that those in leadership are qualified to be there in the first place.

Honor, impartiality, and third Paul writes that respect involves sensitivity.

Verse 23: No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments

Is Paul talking about grape juice or fermented wine - or something in between? To drink or not to drink? For so many that is the question. But the purpose here is not what to drink, but why? Why does Paul - in the midst of talking about respect for church leadership - suddenly go off talking about Timothy’s upset stomach and ailments?

Ephesus was a city given to public drunkenness. The reaction of the Church was to abstain from drinking any alcohol. Timothy - as a church leader - was probably expected to abstain from alcohol - to set an example for the rest of the Church.

But, apparently the water supply in Ephesus was causing Timothy stomach problems - maybe dysentery and other illnesses. That creates a real question: To drink or not to drink? Its not hard to imagine Timothy becoming stressed out with all the expectations of the church and his physical problems. Paul’s instruction must have been a relief. Total abstinence may be the better way to go. But, its not a black and white religious requirement. Forget the expectations. Mix a little wine with your water and get better.

Which is his point in verse 24: The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Jesus put it this way: “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17)

The point is that God knows and judges how we live in the secret places of our lives. With Timothy - church leaders - with all of us in the church - we need to be more concerned with what God thinks than the expectations of others who are clueless to the deeper issues we struggle with.

Put another way - respecting leaders - rather than adding on all of our expectations - whether they’ve met our needs or done things the way we expect them to - we need to encourage and support them as they struggle with deeper issues in their lives - as they first seek to live in obedience to God and then to lead us as they obey Him. Just like Timothy - a Godly leader will already be sensitive to our expectations because he loves the people who have those expectations. But, leadership is a lonely place to be. Its the front lines of spiritual warfare. It is a place of personal struggle and great temptation.

I greatly appreciate hearing from people that they faithfully pray for me and my family. Those that gather here on Sundays at 10:30 for prayer have a crucial ministry. I hope that you’re praying for the other leaders in our church as well. Share a word of word of encouragement with them - a card - a phone call. Let them know that you’re standing with them. That you’re praying for them to follow God’s will for their lives.

Honor - impartiality - sensitivity - then in chapter 6, Paul gives us an illustration of what he’s been writing about. 6:1: All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful of them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

In Paul’s day, ½ of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire were slaves to the other half. Its an illustration that everyone was familiar with. Today we have slaves. They’re called employees. So this touches us as well.

Many of the slaves were prisoners of war - taken from their families and countries - dragged off by the Roman legions. Masters had absolute authority over their slaves who had no rights. Slaves were considered to be like animated tools - human shovels and picks. Imagine what that must have been like - being in a church service - with masters and slaves sitting side by side worshipping God - brothers and sisters in Jesus. That’s hard to imagine.

The only way it could be like that would be if both the masters and slaves worked together with reverence for God who is the ultimate judge of our lives - how we treat each other - what we produce together. What a tremendous testimony that was to the power of God to transform the lives of men and women - and ultimately the world.

That’s the illustration of the church - the application for us. Masters and slaves is an extreme. But leaders and those called upon to respect them. To the degree that we do this the Gospel is displayed in the world.

Christianity is not just another faltering religion to lead us in the hopeless darkness of this world. But real answers found in the person of Jesus Christ. That’s what’s offered to us even today. Offered to us to receive as we respond to the Gospel. Given to us to share with others as we work together so that God can bring real change in their lives.