Turn in your New Testaments to First Timothy, Chapter 3, and I'll read verses 1 to 7, and then turn the page to Chapter 5, versus 17 to 21. First Timothy chapter 3, beginning at

verse 1. The saying is sure if anyone aspires to the office of Bishop he desires

a noble task. Now a Bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified,

hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome and no lover

of money.

He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way.

For if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church. He must not be a recent convert or he may be puffed

up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders,

or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Chapter 5, and the snare of the devil.

Chapter 5, verse 17.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

For the scripture says, you shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,

and the laborer deserves his wages.

Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all

so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I charge you to keep these rules without favor, doing nothing from partiality.

God, we do stand in your presence now and in the presence of the elect angels and in the presence of Jesus Christ,

it is an awesome thing to gather as the people of God.

We are not a mere voluntary organization.

We are the body of Christ.

...