Men Worth Emulating

Since there are too many Biblical examples of men worth emulating to cover in one sermon, I thought I would narrow that down to just a few who were good illustrations of the marks of maturity found in 1 Timothy 3:8-12. Paul had sent Timothy to Ephesus in order to correct some men who were teaching strange doctrines and to instruct the church properly on several issues including the qualifications for leaders in the church. Paul covers the character qualities and skills necessary for overseers – those who would serve as Pastors and Elders – in 1 Timothy 3:1-8. Paul then gives the qualities necessary for those who would serve as Deacons in verses 9-13 with a short ellipsis in verse 11 on the qualities needed in women that would serve in that capacity. The reality is that the character traits of a Deacon are nothing special. They are simply marks of maturity to which every Christian man can and should develop in his own life.