I. Necessity for Biblical Qualifications
A. To protect the church from unfit men in leadership
B. To help improve the elders’ moral and spiritual character
C. To help improve the elders’ shepherding skills
II. Qualifications of an Elder
A. Desire
1. Spirit-Given desire
2. Personal desire
3. Obedient desire
B. Moral and Spiritual Characteristics
1. “Being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3)
2. “Not greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7)
3. “Upright” (Titus 1:8)
4. “Above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)
5. “Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9)
6. “Holy” (Titus 1:8)
C. Reputation
1. “Above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6)
2. “Respectable” (1 Tim. 3:2)
3. “Well thought of by outsiders” (1 Tim. 3:7)
D. Family Life
1. “Husband of one wife” (1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:6)
2. “Manage his own household well” (1 Tim 3:4)
3. “His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6)
E. Personal
1. “Sober-minded” (1 Tim 3:2)
2. “Lover of what is good”
3. “Not recent convert”
4. “Disciplined” (Titus 1:8)
5. “Not a drunkard” (1 Tim. 3:3)
6. “Self-Controlled” (Titus 1:8)
F. Relational
1. “Not quick tempered” (Titus 1:7)
2. “Not quarrelsome” (1 Tim. 3:3)
3. “Not arrogant” (Titus 1:7) (NASB: “self-willed”)
4. “Gentle” (1 Tim. 3:3)
5. “Upright” (Titus 1:8)
6. “Hospitable”
G. Ability to teach, rebuke and protect the people of God. Elder must:
1. “be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)
2. “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:3)
III. Conclusion – Three applications
A. To Elders
B. To Those Who Desire to Be Elders
C. To All Christians
Some Practical Suggestions