Character and Integrity in Church Leadership

"Back in 2003, a man named Jim George published a book entitled, God's Man of Influence, Living a Life of Lasting Influence. In the book, he tells about a time when he was trying to sell a used boat trailer, but it was the middle of winter. It was 30 degrees outside. No one was boating, but a potential buyer did contact him. He was even willing to pay the asking price, but there was one catch. He wanted George to put on the bill of sale. He wanted George to sell half of the actual sales price." [00:44:43]

"he wouldn't have to pay half of the state sales tax which amounted to several hundred dollars i really want to sell that trailer was my first thought he says but if i say no he might back out and i might not find anyone else who will pay my asking price if i agree i'll be lying not to mention breaking the law but who would know i knew what i should do but still i was having this inner struggle he says finally he said i told him i was a christian and couldn't do anything illegal the man went ahead and bought the trailer anyway and i declared the full amount on the bill of sale but i was prepared to lose the sale to be obedient to god's standards does being truthful matter anymore does character count in this day and age it seems most americans prefer the lies they like to the truth that they don't but i would maintain that character does count particularly in those who are our leaders and examples as we're going to see in our sermon text this morning character counts because our character is who we really are the legendary ucla basketball coach" [00:93:64]

"Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self -controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect." [00:296:39]

"Deacons, likewise. Are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested, and then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons." [00:344:99]

"Deacon is the same kind of word. It's a Greek word, and the derivation of that word is uncertain. Many have pointed out it has something to do with dust, through the dust, or to raise dust, which is taken as a metaphor for menial service. As a servant would stir up the dust in their acts of service. And so it really means one who serves or one who ministers." [00:491:02]

"They did the table waiting, but the spiritual purpose was in order to preserve peace in the fellowship. to safeguard the unity of God's people that's why deacons should have a certain character about them and remember that in God's scheme of things it is the servants who are great the Christian steps up in the kingdom of God by stepping down to serve here's how Jesus put it in Matthew chapter 20 he said you know that the rulers of the" [00:630:47]

"Julian Lennon is the son of John Lennon, the Beatle, the famous musician who was murdered in 1980. But in a later interview after he had grown up, he said this about his father. He said, I felt the same way about my father. I felt the same way about my father. I felt the same way about my father. I felt the same way about my father. I felt the same way about my father. He was a hypocrite." [00:817:92]

"Back in the 19th century, a wealthy stock trader named Daniel Drew was the founder of Drew Seminary, now a part of Drew University in New York. Mr. Drew also served on several religious boards and committees. Publicly, he was a very religious man, but his business dealings told a different story. When he was in the cattle business, he reportedly fed his cattle." [00:935:81]

"screened if you will the ordination of a person to the role of deacon should be less of a call to a higher level of service than it is an affirmation of a person who is already serving giving the servant the title that befits what it is that they are already doing and now verses 11 and 12 probably spark some questions in verse let me just read them for you again from the niv it says in the same way that's likewise using that same word again likewise meaning all of the the previous stuff just like all of that uh that must be carried forward to these others the niv says their wives are to be women worthy of respect not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything now the niv at least has a marginal note that says in the place of wives it says it could be deaconesses because the greek word is the same for both wife and woman so and there the the the word there is not in the greek text either so what i sincerely believe is actually being said here is that the women who are deacons must likewise do these things in fact the first" [00:1057:23]

"Servanthood isn't just the mark of maturity either. As we said earlier, it's the mark of greatness. George W. Truitt, the late Baptist statesman, for whom the seminary at Baylor University is named, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, the first half of the 20th century, a hallmark. Statesman in Baptist life." [00:1356:54]

"True greatness, consists in the use of all the talents one has. has an unselfish ministry or service to others. A deacon has a servant's heart. And notice that the last verse of this section of Scripture, verse 13, it says that those who serve well gain an excellent standing, or a high status, if you will. What do you do if a table waiter gives you excellent service?" [00:1407:38]

"The Bible says character counts in church leadership, and it counts in all of life. A .W. Tozer said, As the excellence of steel is strength, and the excellence of art is beauty, so the excellence of humankind is moral character. What about you? Does your character measure up to some of these characteristics that we've seen in the text this morning?" [00:1626:00]