Teach the older men to be … sound … in faith
Summary: Faith is a word that has a special meaning for Christians. It describes not only our relationship with an unseen God, it also describes our confidence in God.
Faith is one of those words that gets tossed around casually by Christians. Outside of Christianity, its use is much more restricted. For example, people do not talk about having “faith in Buddha.” Muslims do not rely on their “faith in Allah.” People outside of Christianity rely on works.
Adherence to works means that getting closer to whatever you think of as heaven requires doing certain things. In Christianity, we know that faith results in works (James 2:26), but faith itself is a reliance on God.
The Bible explains faith this way:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
When you take the elevator up to the top floor of a tall building, you cannot see the cables that hold the elevator up. You cannot see the motor that turns the gears that power the pulleys that move the cables. In fact, we cannot see the electrons that travel from the button in the elevator to the controls for the motor. Our reliance on all these unseen things is a kind of faith. It is a faith based on experience and trust in others. It is not based on personal knowledge of the mechanics of each elevator.
What is unique about our Christian faith is that we can know the workings of God first hand. The maintenance man in the elevator’s building knows the elevator inside and out. It is the only elevator he uses. His faith is based on knowledge. In the same way, we learn about our God. We learn from his Word and through prayer. God promises us his Holy Spirit (John 14: 15-31) which gives us a direct connection with God.
Like the building maintenance man who confidently steps into his elevator, the Christian who is sound in faith confidently steps into God’s will. There is no hesitation.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he often referred to his disciples as “you of little faith.” (See Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, and Luke 12:28) In those days, his disciples were learning who Jesus was. They did not yet know or understand. Only after Jesus’ resurrection, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, did they become known as men of faith.
It was on Pentecost that the disciples’ knowledge of Jesus was perfected. Their knowledge, experiences, and their relationship with the Holy Spirit finally coalesced. Then they had the confidence and assurance that allowed them to step into God’s will, just like someone steps into an elevator.
Application: Do the things that build confidence in Jesus. Spend time reading His Word and being in prayer.
Food for Thought: Why is it important that a church leader be sound in faith?
What a wonderful message on faith. THANKS Jeff, reading this was awesome 👌 👏 😀 👍 🙌
A church leader absolutely must be sound in faith. This is non-negotiable, and essential. The reason this is so important is if a church leader doubts the truth of the gospel, the Word of God, Christ’s resurrection, their faith is suspect, and one may reasonably question if the authenticity of their conversion, or even that they are God’s child.
You would then have a leader who is not even really a believer. If this is the case they may influence others to doubt or reject key essential elements of the Christian faith and the church starts to be compromised and disintegrate. If other members of the body are also unbelievers this may snowball into division of the body and destruction of local congregations and even entire denominations.
This is an extremely serious matter. Such individuals must never be permitted to hold leadership positions in the local fellowship. This is a completely disqualifying condition which if discovered or begins to be circulated must immediately be stopped. Such leaders must be removed from office or never allowed to hold such a position of leadership in a local church.
Scripture is very clear about this as a qualification for anyone who would occupy an office of leadership within the church body.
I do not believe this is a risk amongst people of proven character and faith, which is why no one should be put in a position of leadership without being throughly vetted,, confirmed, and known by other leaders and key members of the body of a local fellowship. New believers are not yet qualified to serve in such offices. Leadership requires proof of good works, a solid testimony, respect in the community and a family which can confirm and verify that their can be no doubt in the authenticity of this pastoral or elder candidates “Soundness of Faith”. (Multiple passages, and a key purpose for the writing of all the pastoral epistles).
Some may consider my first comment a bit harsh. Actually if we really care about the well-being of the church, the local fellowship, and the welfare of the members of the body this is the kindest, most thoughtful ❤, compassionate, gracious, and loving thing which can be done to protect them .
It is also unnecessary to be harsh to a doubter, or questioner.
But it does make good sense for them not to part of leadership given the risks and dangers involved.
Thank you, Jeff, for both comments.
Solid leadership is critical to a healthy community. We are very blessed at Bethel in that regard.
The link on the main page to make a comment isn’t clickable.
Mr. T,
Link has been added. Thank you!
Another excellent devotion brother. Again, I love the analogy you used. The elevator repairman’s faith is a great analogy.
A church leader must have sound faith in Christ, or their faith will be placed elsewhere – maybe in their abilities, someone else’s abilities, finances, etc… but faith in Christ is the foundation of a church leader because Christ is the only foundation of the church. 1 Corinthians 3: 11.
Brother Rich,
Nice reference: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
You have pointed to a critical area for each of us to wrestle with. Where have we placed our faith? This comes back to me too often.
Mark 9:24
Why is it important that a church leader be sound in faith?
A church leader must know, in obedience to God, he has chosen to become a servant of God, serving His people and will be held to a higher standard. A leader must lead a life of submission to the Holy Spirit who will guide and speak through him. The well being of God’s people must take a priority over his own and his security must be in the Lord. The most effective leaders I have been acquainted with are those who faithfully demonstrate Christ’s Love to others. The first time I met Rich was when I visited to listen as Jeff spoke on the Holy Spirit one evening. Empty seats were at a premium, Rich came to me welcome me with a chair in hand. Serving Gods people.
Thank you, Ron!
Our brother, Rich, does have a servant’s heart!
Or a shepherd heart
Mr. T —
Yes! Both. 🙂