KJV Sermon Outlines

God’s Instruction Book

Introduction: God has given to each of us instructions. Like those we receive when we purchase a new VCR. Some people sit down and read the entire book before they will begin to operate something new.

They study the book frontwards and backwards to learn how to set the clock. Some people just start pushing buttons until they are so frustrated they call for help. Others will some how press the right buttons the first time and won’t even have to read the instuctions because they have already experienced it before.

Let’s see what God’s Word says about instructions.

Text: 2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture (Old and New) is given by inspiration of God (God breathed), and is profitable (useful) for doctrine (learning, teaching), for reproof (conviction), for correction (the right way), for instruction (education or training)  in righteousness:(Godly Character) 17 That the man (or women) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (or fully equipped) unto all good works.

artios, ar'-tee-os; from Greek means complete:--or whole

It enables the child of God to become a man or woman of God, matured in the things of the Lord. “Perfect” (v. 17) does not mean sinless; it means “mature.” So, the Bible transforms the child of v. 15 into a mature person in Christ; it equips the saints to be servants. It is fine for Christians to take study courses and learn methods of ministry, but the best way for them to equip themselves to serve God is to study and practice the Word of God. Study books tell us how, but the Bible gives us the motivation and power to live what we learn.

The great need among churches and Christians today is to return to the Bible. If the churches do not get back to God’s Word, the satanic deceivers will take over and millions of lost sinners will go to hell because they were led astray by religious lies.
 
I. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LOST – V. 15
Dwight L. Moody said, I prayed for faith and thought that some day faith would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not seem to come. One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." I had up to this time closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now opened my Bible and began to study, and faith has been growing ever since.
 
The Word imparts faith to those that read it and this faith in Christ brings salvation.
A. ROM. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Turn in your Bibles to:
B. ROM. 10: 8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
 
II. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BELIEVER
A. HOW TO LIVE A HOLY AND CONSECRATED LIFE BEFORE GOD
1PET. 1:15 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
1. Thoughts
2. Words
3. Actions
B. HOW TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS
MAT. 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. It has been fulfilled.”
C. HOW TO PRAY, READ YOUR BIBLES,
2TIM. 2: 15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
1Thes. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
 
III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CHURCH
A. HOW TO START A CHURCH
B. HOW TO RUN A CHURCH
C. HOW TO WORSHIP, WHEN TO WORSHIP
1. JOHN 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
2. 1COR. 16:2 “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
 
IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PASTOR AND DEACONS
A. QUALIFICATIONS 1 TIM.3:1-13
B. DUTIES
C. RESPONSIBILITIES
D. ACCOUNTABILITY
 
Illustration: Learning to drive

QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

1 TIMOTHY CHAPTER 3

Verse 1: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Verse 2: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
 
Blameless (v. 2a).
 
This word literally means “nothing to take hold upon”; that is, there must be nothing in his life that Satan or the unsaved can take hold of to criticize or attack the church. No man living is sinless, but we must strive to be blameless, or “above reproach”
 
The husband of one wife (v. 2b).
All of the qualifying adjectives in this passage are masculine. While there is ample scope for feminine ministry in a local assembly, the office of elder is not given to women. However, a pastor’s homelife is very important, and especially his marital status. (This same requirement applies to deacons, according to 1 Tim. 3:12.) It means that a pastor must not be divorced and remarried. Paul was certainly not referring to polygamy, since no church member, let alone a pastor, would be accepted if he had more than one wife. Nor is he referring to remarriage after the death of the wife; for why would a pastor be prohibited from marrying again, in the light of Genesis 2:18 and 1 Timothy 4:3? Certainly the members of the church who had lost mates could marry again; so why penalize the pastor?
It’s clear that a man’s ability to manage his own marriage and home indicate ability to oversee a local church (1 Tim. 3:4-5). A pastor who has been divorced opens himself and the church to criticism from outsiders, and it is not likely that people with marital difficulties would consult a man who could not keep his own marriage together. I see no reason why dedicated Christians who have been divorced and remarried cannot serve in other offices in the church, but they are disqualified from being elders or deacons.
Vigilant (v. 2c).
This means “temperate” or “sober.” “Temperate in all things” (2 Tim. 4:5, literal translation). Or “keep your head in all situations”. A pastor needs to exercise sober, sensible judgment in all things.
 
Sober (v. 2d).
He must have a serious attitude and be in earnest about his work. This does not mean he has no sense of humor, or that he is always solemn and somber. Rather it suggests that he knows the value of things and does not cheapen the ministry or the Gospel message by foolish behavior.
 
Of good behavior (v. 2e).
“Orderly” would be a good translation. The pastor should be organized in his thinking and his living, as well as in his teaching and preaching. It is the same Greek word that is translated “modest” in 1 Timothy 2:9, referring to women’s clothing.
 
Given to hospitality (v. 2f).
Literally, “loving the stranger.” This was an important ministry in the early church when traveling believers would need places to stay (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 3 John 5-8). But even today, a pastor and wife who are hospitable are a great help to the fellowship of a local church.
 
Apt to teach (v. 2g).
Teaching the Word of God is one of an elder’s main ministries. In fact, many scholars believe that “pastors and teachers” in Ephesians 4:11 refer to one person but to two functions. A pastor is automatically a teacher (2 Tim. 2:2, 24). Phillips Brooks, famous American bishop of the 1800s, said, “Apt to teach—it is not something to which one comes by accident or by any sudden burst of fiery zeal.” A pastor must be a careful student of the Word of God, and of all that assists him in knowing and teaching that Word. The pastor who is lazy in his study is a disgrace in the pulpit.
 
Verse 3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
 
No striker (v. 3b).
“Not contentious, not looking for a fight.” Charles Spurgeon told his Pastor’s College students, “Don’t go about the world with your fist doubled up for fighting, carrying a theological revolver in the leg of your trousers.”

Not greedy of filthy lucre (v. 3c).
Paul will have more to say about money in 1 Timothy 6:3. It is possible to use the ministry as an easy way to make money, if a man has no conscience or integrity. (Not that pastors are paid that much in most churches!) Covetous pastors always have “deals” going on outside their churches, and these activities erode their character and hinder their ministry. Pastors should “not [work] for filthy lucre” (1 Peter 5:2).
 
Patient (v. 3d).
“Gentle” is a better translation. The pastor must listen to people and be able to take criticism without reacting. He should permit others to serve God in the church without dictating to them.
 
Not a brawler (v. 3e).
Pastors must be peacemakers, not troublemakers. This does not mean they must compromise their convictions, but that they must “disagree” without being “disagreeable.” Short tempers do not make for long ministries.
 
Not covetous (v. 3f).
You can covet many things besides money: popularity, a large ministry that makes you famous, denominational advancement, etc. This word centers mainly on money.
 
Verse 4: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; Verse 5: (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
 
A godly family (vv. 4-5).
This does not mean that a pastor must be married, or, if married, must have children. However, marriage and a family are probably in the will of God for most pastors. If a man’s own children cannot obey and respect him, then his church is not likely to respect and obey his leadership. For Christians, the church and the home are one. We should oversee both of them with love, truth, and discipline. The pastor cannot be one thing at home and something else in church. If he is, his children will detect it, and there will be problems. The words “rule” and “ruleth” in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 mean “to preside over, to govern,” and suggest that a pastor is the one who directs the business of the church. (Not as a dictator, of course, but as a loving shepherd—1 Peter 5:3.) The word translated “take care of” in 1 Timothy 3:5 suggests a personal ministry to the needs of the church. It is used in the Parable of the Good Samaritan to describe the care given to the injured man (Luke 10:34-35).
Verse 6: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Not a novice (v. 6).
“Novice” literally means “one newly planted,” referring to a young Christian. Age is no guarantee of maturity, but it is good for a man to give himself time for study and growth before he accepts a church. Some men mature faster than others, of course. Satan enjoys seeing a youthful pastor succeed and get proud; then Satan can tear down all that has been built up.
 
Verse 7: Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
 
A good testimony outside the church (v. 7).
Does he pay his bills? Does he have a good reputation among unsaved people with whom he does business? (see Col. 4:5 and 1 Thes. 4:12)
No pastor ever feels that he is all he ought to be, and his people need to pray for him constantly. It is not easy to serve as a pastor/elder, but it is much easier if your character is all God wants it to be.
 
The Deacon (1 Tim. 3:8-13)
The English word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos, which simply means “servant.” It is likely that the origin of the deacons is recorded in Acts 6. The first deacons were appointed to be assistants to the Apostles. In a local church today deacons relieve the pastors/elders of other tasks so that they may concentrate on the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight.
Even though deacons are not given the authority of elders, they still must meet certain qualifications. Many faithful deacons have been made elders after they proved themselves.
 
Verse 8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
 
Grave (v. 8a).
A deacon should be worthy of respect, a man of Christian character worth imitating. A deacon should take his responsibilities seriously and use the office, not just fill it.
Not double-tongued (v. 8b).
He does not tell tales from house to house; he is not a gossip. He does not say one thing to one member and something entirely opposite to another member. You can depend on what he says.
 
Not greedy of filthy lucre (v. 8d).
Deacons handle offerings and distribute money to needy people in the church. It may be tempting to steal or to use funds in selfish ways. Finance committees in churches need to have a spiritual attitude toward money.
Verse 9: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Doctrinally sound (v. 9).
The word mystery means “truth once hidden but now revealed by God.” The great doctrines of the faith are hidden to those outside the faith, but they can be understood by those who trust the Lord. Deacons must understand Christian doctrine and obey it with a good conscience. It is not enough to sit in meetings and decide how to “run the church.” They must base their decisions on the Word of God, and they must back up their decisions with godly lives.
I have noticed that some church officers know their church constitutions better than they know the Word of God. While it is good to have bylaws and regulations that help maintain order, it is important to manage the affairs of a church on the basis of the Word of God. The Scriptures were the “constitution” of the early church! A deacon who does not know the Bible is an obstacle to progress in a local assembly.
 
Verse 10: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
 
Tested and proved (v. 10).
This implies watching their lives and seeing how they conduct themselves. In most churches, a new member or a new Christian may begin serving God in visitation, ushering, helping in Sunday School, and numerous other ways. This is the principle in Matthew 25:21: “Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things.”
It is worth noting that quite a few leaders mentioned in the Bible were first tested as servants. Joseph was a servant in Egypt for thirteen years before he became a second ruler in the land. Moses cared for sheep for forty years before God called him. Joshua was Moses’ servant before he became Moses’ successor. David was tending his father’s sheep when Samuel anointed him king of Israel. Even our Lord Jesus came as a servant and labored as a carpenter; and the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. First a servant, then a ruler.
It always weakens the testimony of a local church when a member who has not been proved is made an officer of the church. “Maybe Mike will attend church more if we make him a deacon,” is a statement that shows ignorance both of Mike and of the Word of God. An untested Christian is an unprepared Christian. He will probably do more harm than good if you give him an office in the church.
 
Verse 11: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Verse 12: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
 
Godly homes (vv. 11-12).
The deacon’s wife is a part of his ministry, for godliness must begin at home. The deacons must not be men who have been divorced and remarried. Their wives must be Christians, women who are serious about the ministry, not given to slanderous talk (literally “not devils,” for the word devil means “slanderer, false accuser”), and faithful in all that they do. It is sad to see the damage that is done to a local church when the wives of elders or deacons gossip and slander others.
 
Verse 13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
 
A willingness to work (v. 13).
He is to use the office, not just fill it. The Greek word translated “degree” means “rank (as in the army), a base, a step, or rung on a ladder.” What an encouragement to a faithful deacon! God will “promote” him spiritually and give him more and more respect among the saints, which means greater opportunity for ministry. A faithful deacon has a good standing before God and men, and can be used of God to build the church. He has a spiritual boldness that makes for effective ministry.
 

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