April 6, 2025
TEXT:  I Timothy 3:1-7

I. The Bishop is the Shepherd of the flock of God, the Pastor (vv. 1-5)
A. It is an office of leadership in the church body (v. 1a)
B. It is a good work of leading the church body (v. 1b)
C. It is a leadership office in the church body with qualifications (vv. 2-5)

II. The Bishop is to have some experience before becoming a leader (v. 6)
A. Not too young in years
B. Not too inexperienced in life
C. Not too immature spiritually
D. Not too prideful in self-promoting

III. The Bishop is to have a good testimony in the community (v. 7)
A. With the people outside of the church body
B. With the people outside of Christ lost in sin
C. With the people out in the world because he is not of the world (John 17:14-20)