Bible Text: 1 Timothy 3 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship

— Pastor Lou’s Notes —
Intro: In a football game, the team on the defense will always try to hurt the quarterback of the offensive team. Usually, if the quarterback is taken out of the game, the other team has an increased chance to win. I want to suggest that our opponent, Satan, would like nothing better to take out the leaders of the church in order to slow down or damage the mission of Christ. This is the way that the devil believes he could win.

There are many ways that a church leader can be sidelined. Allow me to list some of them: mental and physical fatigue; schedules that do not allow for physical, emotional, or spiritual refueling; tensions in the marriage and family; unresolved emotional issues.

You church leaders need your prayer. In this passage, Paul gives us great insight into the requirements of church leaders. From these, we can pray for the welfare of our church leaders.

1. Pray For Their Moral and Spiritual Integrity

1. Above Reproach
2. Temperate
3. Self-controlled
4. Respectable
5. Hospitable
6. Able to teach
7. Not given to drunkeness
8. Gentle; not violent
9. Not quarrelsome
10. Not a lover of money
2. Pray For Their Marriages and Families

1. Committed to his wife
2. Manage his family well
3. Children obey him
4. Do this in a manner worthy of full respect
3. Pray For Their Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, and Financial Health

1. The opposition, the devil, wants to destroy the leaders in the church

1. A new convert should not be a church leader.

1. The devil might set a trap for him
2. Ethical and Moral failures will be the result of pride

1. Leaders usually fail because of their strengths
2. Leaders must be learners
3. Leaders need to be refueled

1. Spiritually
2. Phtsically
3. Emotionally
4. Financially

Closing: Read the pledge at the end of I Am a Church Member by Thomas Rainer. Please pray for your church leaders and one another!