Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, November 27, 2022 1 Timothy 5:17-25
Responsibility For Elders

Introduction: Today’s passage explains the responsibility of the congregation for their elders and pastors, how we are to honor them, discipline them, and ordain them.

1. Compensation (17-18)

   Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

   Honor means financial support and also respect. Pastors work hard and the congregation shows honor through:

   • Generous financial support

   • Personal support, such as listening, submitting, receiving correction, adherence to God’s Word, prayer,

     encouragement, and hospitality

     Paul roots the principle of financial support in:
     • The Old Testament (Deuteronomy 25:4) – “You shall not muzzle the ox...” • The New Testament (Luke 10:7) – “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

     Father, thank You for giving us leaders who are able and willing to work hard for You and for us. Please lead us always to honor them well through generous support and great respect.

2. Accusation (19-21)

   Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

   The principle for responding to accusations is also rooted in Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 19:15). A charge cannot be proven or even accepted unless there are multiple witnesses, thus protecting against possible slander. But if an accusation is proven and an elder persists in sinning, discipline must be done publicly.

   The temptation might be to go easy on fellow elders or pastors, but discipline must be done without partiality. It’s not just the congregation and leaders who are watching, but we are also in the presence of God, Christ Jesus and the elect angels.

   Father, please help us humbly take care in how we respond to accusations against our leaders, refusing accusations without witnesses but rebuking those who clearly persist in sinning.

3. Ordination (22-25)

   Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

   (First, note in relation to Paul’s personal instruction to Timothy that Christians are free to drink wine or to abstain from it, but not to judge one another in either case. However, we are not allowed to be drunkards: the key is “a little wine” – in moderation.)

   “Laying on of hands” refers to the ordination of elders. We should take seriously who should be ordained, and we should take sufficient time, because sins not immediately obvious will eventually be evident, and likewise men of integrity will eventually be known by their faithfulness.

   Lord, please give us wisdom in identifying and ordaining those You have called to lead us.