A Clean Heart (Part Four)

Paul is giving us the mortar that bonds together the elements of a heart for ministry. Consistency, concern and commitment must be held in place, and the glue that does that is “A Clean Heart.” This morning, we saw that there are several areas of purity for which a believer must be concerned, but, here Paul focuses on what appear to be matters of a clear conscience.

We began examining it last week, as we saw…

Purity through Completion of Ministry (vv.25-27)

A clear conscience through resolving guilt and fulfilling duty.

Now, we continue on in this matter of a clear conscience by seeing…

Purity through Caution and Warning (vv.28-31)

A. Personal Caution (v.28)

1) To The Leaders – “Take heed (give careful examination) to yourself first!” Why? So that you can then care for the flock of God!

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Tim 4:16)

Leaders must be consistently evaluating themselves. Why? Because we often fail to realize that leadership in the church is a two-edged sword!

GOOD

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” (1 Tim 5:17)

BAD

• “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)
• “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48)
• “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Heb 13:17)

Leadership is a great blessing, but it is also a considerable burden- before God and men! It might be helpful to just be reminded of what leadership is NOT, according to Matthew 20…

NOT political power plays (vv.20-21)

NOT dominant dictatorship (vv.25-26)

NOT strong personality (v.27)

Leadership (Matt 20:28) is servanthood. The truly great leaders are people of humility who sense a deep, personal accountability. We must not take responsibility lightly. Leaders must continually take heed to themselves, and …

• Purity- “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34)
• Doctrine- “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Tim 4:16)
• Usefulness- “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:20-22)
• Commitment- “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:25-27)

This is a solemn charge to leaders. The responsibility of leadership is an awesome task. At times, even a heavy burden. It is not easy—which is why the church family is told…

“Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” (Heb 13:18)

2) To The Church

• “to all the flock” (cp. John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:2)
• “to the overseers” (episkopos- to oversee, superintend)

The responsibility for the welfare of the church is entrusted as a stewardship to the leadership. This requires a twofold response…

• Leadership must be right and do right in order to earn the people’s trust;
• People must be willing to respect them and give them their trust.

What are the leaders’ duties to the flock? The primary duty of a leader is to see to the feeding of the church. The word “shepherd” is the word “poimanein”—that is, to pasture, shepherd, or feed the flock. The leadership of a church has many duties, but the primary duty involved in shepherding is that of feeding the flock. We must be committed to a priority teaching ministry that feeds the flock the milk and meat of the Word of God. The flock must be strong—why? Because, as we will see, the enemy will attack.

Why is this so important to Paul? Notice…

The Owner of the Flock- it is the “church of God” not a denomination, but the very possession of God Himself. How?

The Value of the Flock- “which he purchased with His own blood” Notice…

• “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32)
• “but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:19)

In spite of all his former persecutings, Paul, with clear conscience, is able to shepherd the flock of God because he…

Keeps himself right, and,

Feeds and strengthens the blood-bought church!

Therefore, the leader is to be about the business of feeding and guarding the flock of God- recognizing it was bought with blood and recognizing the danger that surrounds it. That is Paul’s personal caution to the leadership of the church. Tomorrow we will continue this study on the heart of ministry and a clear conscience as we see Paul’s public warning to the congregation…