SUBJECT: THE BOOK OF TITUS
Title: LEADERSHIP in the Local Church.
Text:
Titus 1:1-5--"(1)Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (2)In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (3)But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; (4)To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (5)For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:"Introduction:
-- Paul wrote this Epistle (Letter) between his 1st and 2nd imprisonments in Rome to guide Titus in working with the church on the island of Crete. [Small island directly south of Athens, Greece in the Mediterranean Sea.] -- There was a strong pagan influence on this island, because Crete was a center for training Roman soldiers. -- Therefore, the churches in Crete needed strong Christian leadership.I. Paul's Ministry (1:1-3)
A. Read Verse 1. 1. Paul gives his reason for living in ONE phrase. He calls himself "a servant of God"--he was committed to obeying God. [This obedience led him to spend his ENTIRE life telling others about Christ. Paul knew NOTHING about retirement.] 2. Paul called himself also "an apostle of Jesus Christ". He was specifically called by God to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-16). Paul knew he was a SERVANT of God; he knew GOD'S WILL for his life. Remember...Submission as a Servant to God is a key to diScerning God's will (Romans 12:1-2). B. Read Verse 2. 1. The foundation of our faith is trust in God's character. [Because He is the Truth (John 14:6), He is the Source of ALL truth and "cannot lie". Believing this truth leads to a God honoring lifestyle.] 2. The "eternal life" God has promised will be ours because He keeps His promises. [God is the ONLY promisekeeper. AMEN. Build your faith on the foundation of the trustworthy God who not only cannot lie but also will NOT lie.] C. Read Verse 3. "God" the Father is called "our Saviour" as is Jesus Christ (1:4). 1. Jesus did the work of salvation by dying & shedding His blood for our sins and therefore is our Saviour. [Jesus DID...Its DONE. Man is NOT going to do any of the work. If he does he is simply NOT going to be saved.] 2. God planned the work of salvation & forgives our sins; He is our Saviour as well. [God PLANNED...It's DONE. Man is NOT going to plan out a new way of salvation. Man's proposals of water baptism, church membership, no repentance from sins is necessary, turkey gobbling, etc. will NOT work.] Both the Son & the Father acted to save us from our sins.II. Titus's Responsibility (1:4-5) and Those Leaders Whom Titus Would Appoint & Train (1:5)
A. Read Verse 4. 1. "Titus", a Greek, was one of Paul's most trusted & dependable co-workers. [Paul sent Titus to Corinth on several special missions to help that church in its troubles (II Corinthians 7 & 8). Paul & Titus also traveled together to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:3 and Crete (1:5). Paul left Titus in Crete to lead the new churches springing up on the island.] 2. Titus had leadership ability, so Paul gave him leadership responsibility, urging him to use his ability well. B. Read Verse 5. 1. "Crete" had a large population of Jews. [The churches there were probably founded by Cretan Jews who had been in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:11) more than 30 years before Paul wrote this Epistle (about 64 A.D.).] 2. Paul had appointed elders in various churches during his journeys (Acts 14:23). [He could not stay in each church, but he knew that these new churches NEEDED strong spiritual leadership.] 3. The MEN chosen were to lead the churches by "preaching" (1:3) "sound doctrine" (1:9), helping Baptist believers mature (grow) spiritually, and equipping them to live for Jesus Christ despite the devils & the world's opposition.III. God's List Of Pastoral Qualifications (1:6-9)
A. Read Verse 6-9. --Paul briefly describes some qualifications the "elders" or "bishop[s]" should have. He gave Timothy a similar set of instructions for the church at Ephesus (see I Timothy 3:1-7; 5:22). --Note that most of the qualifications involve character, not knowledge or skill. --A person's lifestyle & relationships provide a window if you will into his character. We NEED to consider these qualifications as we evaluate a person for a position of leadership in our church. --While it is important to have a pastor who can effectively preach God's Word, it is even more important to have one who can live out God's Word & be an example for others to follow. See Verse 6 1. "be blameless" 2. "the husband of one wife" (ONE living wife) - He is to be faithful to her 3. "having faithful children NOT accused of riot or unruly" (not being wild & insubordinate) - must be in control at home See Verse 7 4. "MUST be blameless, as the steward of God" - No charge against him 5. "NOT selfwilled" - complete submission to God & the Holy Spirit 6. "NOT soon angry" - a bad temper can ruin your testimony 7. "NOT given to wine" - No Alcohol whatsoever 8. "NO striker" (not violent) - Don't fight people; Fight the flesh, world & devil 9. "NOT given to filthy lucre" (greedy for money) - You are not in the ministry for the money See Verse 8 10. "But a lover of hospitality" - able to take care of guests - being a host - How do we treat visiting pastors, missionaries & evangelists? 11. "a lover of good men" (goodness) - love the brethren 12. "sober" (sensible) - habitually temperate 13. "just" - Not being partial or showing favoritism 14. "holy" - I Peter 1:15 - Be ye holy in all manner of conversation 15. "temperate" (self-controlled) - having restraint or control over his body, passions, tongue & impulses See Verse 9 16. "Holding fast the faithful word" - sound in the Gospel, Able to teach it to others as well as refute opposers - NOT compromising Conclusion: -- One day, Lord willing, several of us Bible college students are going to graduate from D.B.B.I. (By late evening Friday, I'm sure we'll know if we are some steps closer in that direction.) -- For a few...Graduation Day will come. Our distinguished ProfessorS will logically have something to say about that. -- Let's imagine the future... -- Dr. Silcox signing a particular, important paper. The Desired Diploma... Maybe he'll write something like CHARGE on it--that historical document. -- From there, our Pastor, I'm sure in God's timing, will give us one by one the ENCOURAGEMENT to attempt something bigger for God. e.g. full-time service (a needful place of strong Christian leadership)...with that the necessary and proper Ordination. -- Upon agreement...the Fargo Baptist Church by their prayer and financial support will SEND this individual out into the mission field. -- All along the way the Holy Spirit must LEAD and EMPOWER; Each step must our Lord Jesus Christ give the GRACE to continue on. -- And finally Jehovah will have to SAY, again and again, unto His child in the prayer closet: -- HUMBLE YOURSELF today in my presence as "a servant of God" and I WILL LIFT YOU UP and USE YOU for my glory.