INTRODUCTION

It is not a light thing to be called to serve God. There are certain things that benefit any believer who desires to serve God, but there are even higher qualifications desired in the lives of those who are called to an office within the New Testament church. According to Titus 1:6-9 [6] If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. [7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; [8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; [9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
See All... and 1 Timothy 3:1-2 [1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. [2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
See All..., a man who desires the office of a bishop must among other things be blameless. This absence of blame should extend to his home (1 Timothy 3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
See All..., 4-5), his dealings with other believers (1 Timothy 3:2-3 [2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; [3] Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
See All...), and his dealings with the world (1 Timothy 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
See All...). In like manner, the Lord gave the same qualification for those who would serve as a deacon (1 Timothy 3:10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Timothy was a young disciple whom Paul desired to have for a companion in his missionary work. He had a reputation that was blameless (Acts 16:1-3 [1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: [2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. [3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
  See All...a; Philippians 2:19-23 [19] Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20] But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
  See All...).
• Why is it so important for those who serve in the church to be blameless? How many people do you know who have quit going to church because of something a pastor or deacon did that brought blame onto the church and the ministry?
• How does it strengthen the work of God when those in office within the church strive to live blameless lives?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to protect those in leadership in your church.
• Thank God for the testimony of those who serve in your church.

HYMN

A Charge to Keep I Have

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