November 7, 2025 - 1 Timothy 3

Pastors and deacons . . . A reoccurring theme in the Bible is God’s care and provision for his people.  For Abraham, the Lord provided an heir.  To Isaac and Jacob, the Lord restated the covenant promises.  Joseph, mistreated in Egypt, was protected by God and raised to great power and authority.  In the wilderness, even with all their complaining and disloyalty, God kept his people, feeding them, fighting their enemies, and guiding them for 40 years.  On and on the story goes with Joshua, the times of the Judges, the testimonies of David and the psalmists, and the prophets.  Over and over again, God’s people told of God’s goodness, care, and faithfulness.  Rightly, Jeremiah could testify, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  God’s faithful care extends to us in the church.  He has not left us drifting on the tides of human wisdom and care.  Saved by the blood of the Son, God has given us the Holy Spirit, he has given us one another in the church and, in the church, he raises up pastors and deacons to teach, lead, and serve the congregation.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with thee.

Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,

Great is thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed thy hand hast provided;

Great is thy faithfulness,

Lord unto me.   -- Thomas O. Chisholm (1923)