The Pattern of Faithful Leaders

We continue our study on the patterns that a disciple is to follow. Today we consider the pattern of faithful leaders. In the book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, there is a scene that I have meditated on quite a bit. The main character, Christian, makes it to the gate that begins his journey on the Pilgrim’s way to the Celestial City, but before he can start his journey, the Interpreter must take him through his house to explain some things. The Interpreter’s house is full of object lessons – parables that are meant to prepare Christian for his journey. The first object lesson that he comes to is a painting that depicts a stern looking man. This man has his back to the world, his eyes fixed on heaven, a book in his hand, and a crown that is descending out of heaven, hovering above his head. Christian asks Interpreter, what does this painting mean, and Interpreter explains, “This is the kind of man that you should listen to.”

I confess, I like that object lesson because it’s talking about pastors. But, it’s not just talking about any pastor (anyone who would claim to have the call of God or have a gift for preaching). No, John Bunyan points out through this parable that there is a certain type of pastor that the Christian is to follow. This morning, I want us to consider the example that godly church leaders (pastors and deacons) set for us as disciples. To see that, let’s read 1 Tim. 4:11-16. From this text I want you to see that disciples are to follow the pattern of godly leaders in their character and commitment.

First, understand that we are to follow godly leaders in their character. Now, in saying this, I have a confession to make. In preparing to preach this sermon, I came to realize that a long-held belief of mine needed to change. I came up in a generation of pastors who were taught that it was wrong to point people to your own personal character. I feel that there were good reasons for this, but ultimately, I’ve come to understand that this is an unbiblical view. The concern in calling people to follow a pastor’s personal character was twofold. For one, it was argued that this would take away from Christ. Second, there is no such thing as the perfect pastor or deacon. It does not matter how godly a leader may be, he will never be sinless. He will never make a right decision at every turn. So, the concern is that there could be a real danger in calling people to follow the example of godly leaders when they will likely fail you.

Yet, the Bible very clearly calls believers to follow the example of pastors and deacons. In verse 12 of our text, Paul says that Timothy is to be an example to his flock. When Paul lists the qualifications for deacons and pastors in 1 Tim 3, most of those are matters of character – “above reproach, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, well thought of by outsiders, dignified, blameless, of good standing.” It’s obvious from this that one way that we know how to walk as a disciple is through the example of those whom God has called to serve in the church. 

There is a real sense in which character impacts the witness of a church leader. If I stand before you with an unforgiving heart and preach forgiveness, how are you to believe and do what I do not model myself? If a deacon were to sit on the deacon council and demand that others serve while hardly setting foot in the church himself, how could he expect people to volunteer? So, a church leader is called to practice what he preaches. And, as I’ve heard numerous times in the past 2-1/2 years, you’ve had just such an example set before you for some 50+ years. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve heard a few complements on Bro. Watson’s preaching, but I’ve heard the same thing from everyone I’ve talked to about him – “That man lived what he preached. He was an example to me of how I am to live.” This is exactly the point that Paul is making in this passage.

Consider five ways that a church leader is to live as an example to other disciples from verse 12. First, Paul says that Timothy is to be an example in speech. What leaders say can have a life-long impact on their congregations, for better or for worse. So, pastors and deacons should guard their speech. We should speak the truth, but we should do so with love and a design towards building up. Second, we are to be an example in conduct. The Greek word used here means “manner of life.” It’s not just a question of morality, but of the way that a person forms his life. This is why Paul’s requirements for both pastor and deacon involve how he treats his family. Your family will betray your lack of conduct faster than anything. Third, we are to be an example in love. Deacons and pastors are called to love their flock in an unconditional manner. We do not love you because you are good or noble, but because of the love of Christ. Fourth, we are to be an example in faith. Church leaders should be the first to pray for any situation, and we should be quick to call our church to depend on the Lord in prayer. Finally, we are to be an example in purity. This is the idea of living a holy life. The sincere righteousness of deacons and pastors should be on full display for the congregation.

But, church leaders are not just called to set an example on character. Paul also calls Timothy to set a pattern of commitment to the Word of God. In verses 13-16, Paul directs Timothy to remain committed to four practices related to the Word. First, he says that Timothy should devote himself to “the public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching.” This  list serves as three categories for the pastor’s Gospel ministry. First, I am to ensure that this congregation is immersed in the Word of God. You will notice that we practice this “public reading of Scripture” in several ways. For one, we just do it, both in the call to worship, and in our Scripture reading. But, I also work to make sure that Scripture informs everything we do as a church, from the songs we sing to the way the service is ordered.

Second, I am to exhort you. This word means to call near or summons. It is the practice of proclaiming the Word of God to his people. If you attend more than one of our services in a week, you will notice that the way I preach on Sunday morning is very different from Sunday night or Wednesday night, and that’s intentional. I believe that the chief aim of preaching is to exhort or proclaim the Word of God, like a herald would announce the coming of a king.

Finally, I am to teach you. This is a substantively different work than exhorting. Teaching is the work of building you up in your understanding of doctrine. This is the focus of my teaching on Sunday night and Wednesday night.

Paul also encourages Timothy with two other practices. In verse 14, he charges him not to neglect his gift. I can say from my own personal experience that there are one thousand distractions in pastoral ministry that would call me away from the gift of preaching. There are concerns for administration, missions, denominational turmoil, and on and on. But, a pastor is not to be distracted by those to the point that he neglects his central calling to preach the Word to the people of God. Also, in verse 16, Paul ends this charge with a warning to “keep a close watch on yourself and the teaching.” The pastor is to watch his character and his commitment to the Word. He is to guard those things against the attacks of Satan and false teachers. And, he is do so because such protections lead to the salvation of himself and his hearers.

The Lord has been tremendously faithful to Antioch West over the years. He has seen fit to give you godly men who served as deacons and laid the groundwork for a healthy church. He saw fit to give you a faithful pastor who guarded himself and this congregation with integrity for over 50 years. My prayer for this church is that the Lord will continue this favor – that he will raise up godly men of the next generation to serve as leaders in this church, and that he will empower me to persist in the faithful exhortation and teaching of the Word, and in my character before you.