Engage 5 (1 Timothy)

Engage

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law,
understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

1Timothy 3:1-13

In this portion of scripture we are about qualities we should look for in the leaders we choose to submit to in the church.
It is noble to desire to lead but our Father has qualifications we therefore should not settle for less than our Father.
When we started this study we were urged from the beginning to be vigilant, we are to be wise what kind of person we allow to speak into our lives. As we read we are called to be aware and vigilant about their lifestyle but more importantly what gospel are they preaching.
Fellow brothers and sisters we can never know when we ourselves do not know what Christ says in His Word. The whole Word is His and Him. The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.

Here are a few characteristics we are to be vigilant about:

• Is our leader respectable
• Is our leader hospitable
• Is our leader a teacher of the Word
• Is our leader not given to bullying and forcing people 
• Is our leader not greedy or given to serving just themselves
• Is our leader not a new convert
• How is our leader viewed by those new to the congregation, even those not in the church

We are not accept just anyone who calls herself or himself a minister. Test and see if this person knows the Father, what they say or how they see the Father, His Kingdom and His children tells you whether they have a relationship with the Father or not. Our leaders must always seek and follow the Father's way and by all means uphold the Father and His Word.

1Timothy 3:14 - 16

The church of the Living God is to uphold the truth of the Living God.

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

Are you as a church and your leadership upholding the truth. Simple truth lets be vigilant and not stray from it.