These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
Review…
- Introduction to Titus…
- Paul was a servant (doulos) of God…
- Better interpreted slave – but he freely chose to use his life to serve…
- He was a SERVANT of God – meaning he came in with in the AUTHORITY of God Almighty!
- If you want to be FIRST (the greatest of all) – then be a SLAVE (doulos)!
- Paul was also an Apostle of Jesus – an ambassador for Jesus to a lost world…
- Sent to share the message of FAITH – TRUTH – and HOPE through teaching the Word!
- Titus was a TRUE son in the faith…
- Not that Titus was actually his son – he was a son in the faith…
- Meaning Paul had taking Titus under his wings – and discipled him in the Lord…
- And Paul wanted to entourage Titus to walk in Grace / Mercy / and Peace!
- Paul was a servant (doulos) of God…
Leaders in the church… (3 points)
- 1st – The REASON for leaders… vs. 5
- 1st – For this REASON I left you in Crete…
- That you should set in ORDER (by making straight) the things that are lacking….
- Apparently – the church in Crete were a bit chaotic – and needed more structure…
- So Paul left Titus in Crete so he could organize the church – by establishing LEADERS!
- God established leaders in the church – to establish order…
- Imagine if everyone just did what they wanted to in church…
- There was no one leading – no one directing and organizing the believers…
- No one to establish the time to have Bible Study / no one leading the service…
- Imagine a Sunday service were everyone was trying to share all at once…
- There would be chaos – and ministry cannot happen effectively in chaos!
- I Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace… But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”
- God is a God of order – He works through structure…
- There is a balance – we are to be open to the Spirit – we are to be flexible…
- But we are also to be wise – we are to make plans – we are to be organized…
- That is why God has established order in His church – Pastors / Deacons…
- Not that we are organized by men – we look to the Word of God / Jesus to lead us…
- But by the Grace of God leaders are appointed to lead us according to the Word!
- Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God…”
- 2nd – Titus was to APPOINT Elders in every city…
- Titus was to APPOINT Elders just as Paul had COMMANDED him…
- COMMANDED – 16x in NT – the ONLY word translated ORDAIN – I Corinthians 7:17
- ORDAIN – to arrange – appoint – to give order…
- The question becomes – HOW – are men to be ordained in the church!
- We find the best example in the book of Acts – on the first missionary journey…
- Acts 14:23 – “[Paul]… appointed elders in every church…”
- BUT – Paul did NOT APPOINT Elders when he first arrived in a city!
- Too often people are just placed in a position – with disastrous results…
- Just because there is a need – does not mean we are the ones to step up and help…
- Just because we have certain gifts and abilities – does not mean we are qualified…
- The question is not who has the most talent – or the best ideas…
- The question is whom has GOD called – who has GOD anointed for a work!
- The best ideas – the most qualified – can do nothing without the power of God…
- The worst ideas – the least qualified – cannot fail when God is on their side!
- Paul WAITED to APPOINT / ORDAIN leaders…
- Only when Paul RETURNED to each city – THEN he APPOINTED Elders…
- By waiting – it gave time for people to step up and use the gifts God had given…
- Then Paul simply acknowledged the obvious work that God was doing in them!
- The man with a Bible in his hands teaching the people – must be a pastor…
- The girl who the kids LOVE to be around – must be called to minister to the kids!
- It is about recognizing God’s work – the calling to love and minister to the people!
- But never be in a rush – I Timothy 5:22 – “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily…”
- It is not about appointing a leader – it is about recognizing the anointing of GOD!
- Paul could then turn the churches over to those leaders…
- There was NO need to worry if the churches would be successful…
- NO need to wonder if the church would disappear once you left!
- Because when God is the one who ORDAINS the work – He is the one who maintains it!
- John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”
- 1st – For this REASON I left you in Crete…
- 2nd – The qualifications for leaders… vs. 6-9
- Introduction to the LIST…
- A VERY similar list to the one given by Paul to Timothy – I Timothy 3:1-7
- But here the qualifications are listed are for an ELDER – and for a BISHOP…
- There are three words used to describe a LEADER in the church…
- These terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament…
- BISHOP – describes their responsibility – to lead / oversee the people…
- PASTOR – describes their purpose – to teach and protect the people – Ephesians 4:11
- ELDER – describes their age – experience they have earned so they can help the people!
- If any man BE (present indicative) – this is who they are!
- This is NOT a to do list – it is what God has DONE in us list…
- Someone knows they ARE a leader because they see God doing these things in their life!
- Because it is not about a position – it is about the CALLING of God on a man…
- The passion to LOVE and FEED His people – and build them up in their walk with the Lord!
- 1st – An Elder must be BLAMELESS… vs. 6
- BLAMELESS – 6x in NT (3x in Titus) – does not mean perfect – but that he cannot be accused!
- When we step out to serve the Lord – people are going to attack us…
- So it is important that they do not give people any ammunition to work with…
- What is ok for other people – is not acceptable for leaders– a different standard!
- 2nd – An Elder must be the husband of one wife… vs. 6
- HUSBAND – meaning again a pastor cannot be a woman – I Timothy 2:12
- Some say a pastor MUST be married – he is to have one WIFE…
- This is likely not the meaning – Paul was not married – I Corinthians 7:7
- There are advantages for a pastor to have a wife – if she has a heart for ministry…
- She can minister to the women and / or children within the church!
- But I have also known men who wanted to be pastors – and their wife stopped them!
- Some also say a pastor cannot be DIVORCED / remarried – ONE wife…
- This is also likely not the meaning – the Bible gives three allowable reasons for divorce…
- The wife has an ongoing affair – the husband is free to remarry – Matthew 19:9
- The wife is an unbeliever / leaves – the husband may remarry – I Corinthians 7:15
- The wife dies – the husband is then free to remarry – Romans 7:2
- A pastor should be blameless – he should not be responsible for the divorce…
- But even then – there is GRACE – we are not defined by our past – just Jesus!
- The husband of ONE wife – simply means he cannot have multiple wives!
- 3rd – An Elder must have FAITHFUL children… vs. 6
- FAITHFUL – pistos – 67x in NT someone who has FAITH in Jesus!
- In other words the children of leader need to be saved!
- If a leader cannot lead his own family to Jesus – how can he lead of the church of God!
- In many ways the family is the proving grounds for new pastors…
- If a man does not pray with his wife and kids / read the Word to them…
- Why would God trust you to read and pray and take care of HIS kids!
- Kids who are NOT accused (katēgoria) of DISSIPATION or INSUBORDINATION…
- DISSIPATION – 3x in NT – to live an abandoned life – unwilling to be saved…
- INSUBORDINATION – 4x in NT – disobedient – completely out of control!
- Once a man becomes a leader – he needs to keep loving his family…
- Unfortunately – the kids of Pastors – are famous for being out of control!
- Because the pastor spends so much time at church – he neglects his family…
- Essentially his kids grow up without a dad – they are bitter towards God about it!
- A leader needs to make sure that he is taking care of his FIRST ministry!
- 4th – A Bishop must be a blameless as a STEWARD of God… vs. 7
- STEWARD – literally a manager who oversees the finances of their employer
- A leader must be BLAMELESS [same word] when it comes to finances!
- If you gave me P1000 and told me to hold onto it for you…
- But when you came back for it – I only gave you P500 – I would be a bad manager!
- Church leaders have been given the responsibility to manage the church of God…
- And it is VERY important they do so in a way that they are BLAMELESS!
- The way to accomplish that is through accountability…
- Anytime money is spent at the church – it first has to be approved by the board…
- That way no one person can be tempted to misuse the resources of the church!
- I Corinthians 4:2 – “A person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful!”
- 5th – A Bishop cannot be SELF-WILLED… vs. 7
- SELF-WILLED – 2x NT – a word that means to be self-pleasing / arrogant…
- I know a lot of pastors who think they have the right to lead / teach…
- They have gone through years of Bible College / Seminary – they have degrees…
- And they somehow believe that now they are prepared to serve the Lord…
- FOOLISHNESS – that is pride – we CANNOT earn the right to lead!
- The people we are trying to ministry to are no good / dirty rotten / sinners!
- And no matter how much training / education we receive – we are not prepared…
- Because it turns out we are ALSO no good / dirty rotten / lousy sinners!
- The Grace of God allows us to serve IN SPITE of who we are…
- If you see a beautiful pot – you do not congratulate the clay…
- You look for the master sculptor who could take dirt and make it beautiful!
- We are nothing more than the instrument God uses to reach out to His people!
- We need to humbly remember that we are just the tools – God is the master!
- Isaiah 64:8 – “We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.”
- 6th – A Bishop cannot be soon ANGRY… vs. 7
- ANGRY – only here NT – to be given to ANGER – have a short fuse!
- A leader should not be looking for a fight – going out to pick a fight…
- But that does not mean a leader cannot defend himself – or his family!
- 7th – A Bishop cannot be GIVEN to wine… vs. 7
- Paul repeats this in I Timothy 3:3 – we would say being a DRUNKARD!
- Can you imagine a pastor coming to Sunday service – drunk / or with a hangover…
- The Bible does NOT say it is wrong to drink – but we CANNOT get drunk – Ephesians 5:18
- The ONE exception is for PASTORS – they CANNOT drink at all…
- Because a drunk pastor is not going to be able to teach the people!
- Because the Pastor is an example to the church – so he is not to drink ANY alcohol!
- 8th – A Bishop cannot be VIOLENT… vs. 7
- VIOLENT – 2x in NT – I Timothy 3:3 – looking to hit others…
- I often get people trying to egg me into a debate on the church Facebook page…
- They come looking for a fight – they want to get into an argument…
- But there is nothing edifying about getting angry and yelling at others just to prove a point!
- A leader should not be looking for a fight – going out to pick a fight!
- 9th – A Bishop cannot be greedy for money… vs. 7
- GREEDY FOR MONEY – 3x in NT – always in relation to church leaders
- Not that a pastor should not be taken care of by the church…
- As much as possible – be provided for practically by those within the church!
- I Timothy 5:18 / Matthew 10:10 – “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
- But a pastor should not try to get RICH…
- Too many pastors today abuse they authority they are given in the church…
- They use the pulpit as a means for personal gain – taking advantage of people…
- The result is people are wary of the church – the Gospel message become tainted…
- They are not there to love and feed the people – they come to cheat them…
- Those pastors who take from the people – fall under the judgment of God!
- Ezekiel 34:2 – “Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?”
- 10th – A Bishop must be HOSPITABLE … vs. 8
- HOSPITABLE – 3x in NT – the word literally means to be friendly to strangers!
- A leader should always be willing to open up his home / even to strangers…
- Any time of the day / or night – willing to put on a pot of rice / offer cold water…
- By doing so they show the Love of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35
- So then they can tell others about the opportunity to know Jesus – Romans 2:4
- 11th – The CHARACTER of a BISHOP… vs. 8
- A Bishop must LOVE what is GOOD…
- Philagathos – only here NT phileo (love) / agathos (good) …
- Agathos emphasizes the moral goodness of something or someone…
- Leaders should be known as those who LOVE what is morally right!
- But this is speaking of the desire of the heart – which cannot be seen…
- So how do you know if a LEADER has an inward LOVE of what is GOOD!
- SOBER MINDED – 4x in NT meaning to have self-control…
- Our minds are literally a battleground for the control of our actions – Galatians 5:17
- Do we choose to live for pleasure / the moment – or do we live for the Lord…
- A pastor needs to have self-control / not ruled by his emotions or desires…
- So he can be an example for the church on how to live for Jesus Christ!
- JUST – to be RIGHTEOUS – focuses on the outward actions…
- Meaning what kind of FRUIT does a leader have – do they live a JUST / RIGHTEOUS life…
- We are to be known by our FRUIT – how we live our lives – shows our heart!
- Luke 6:44 – “Every [person] is known by [their] own fruit.”
- HOLY – hosios – 8x in NT – undefiled by sin / free from wickedness…
- SELF-CONTROLED – only here NT – to have POWER over our sinful nature!
- The leader who LOVES what is GOOD morally / internally…
- Will be SOBER MINDED – and have self-control over their actions…
- Causing them to live a life that is JUST – RIGTHOUES with good FRUIT…
- The result will be they will not be HOLY – undefiled by SIN…
- And SELF-CONTROLED with POWER over this SINFUL nature!
- 12th – A Bishop must HOLD fast the Word… vs. 9
- HOLD FAST – to literally CLING to the WORD of GOD – as he has been taught…
- So that he can through SOUND (hygiainō) doctrine – HEALTHY teaching…
- EXORT (parakaleō) those who desire to grow in Jesus – learn more about the Lord…
- COVICT those who are OPPOSED – refuse to turn to the Lord!
- The biggest problem in the world today – is people do not know the Word of God…
- Hosea 4:6 – “My people are being destroyed because they do not know me. It is all your fault, you [pastors], for you yourselves refuse to know me.”
- And the ones who should be teaching them – the leaders / pastors – do not…
- Pastors need to teach the Word – faith comes by hearing the Word – Romans 10:17
- Not that a pastor has to be REALLY GOOD at teaching…
- It means the pastor takes the time to study the Word – II Timothy 2:15
- So that he can share the truth of the Word with the church!
- 3rd – The command to leaders… vs. 10-16
- 1st – There are MANY (present / indicative) FALSE TEACHERS…
- INSUBORDINATE – 4x in NT (same as vs. 6) – disobedient – completely out of control…
- IDLE TALKERS – only here NT – literally empty or vain words (no power) …
- DECEIVERS – only here NT – literally one who deceives the minds of others…
- Especially those of the CIRCUMCISION – a reference to Jews who taught the LAW!
- Whose mouths must be STOPPED…
- Because they SUBVERT (destroy) whole households with their FALSE teaching…
- And their ONLY motive is DISHONEST GAIN – they are after the MONEY!
- Paul quotes one of their own prophets – who spoke regarding the teachers of CRETE…
- They are all LIARS – who only say what they need to get what they want…
- EVIL BEASTS – who roam about seeking easy prey they can devour…
- LAZY GLUTONS – they do NOT want to work – instead they leach off of others!
- Do not miss this – the number one way to stop a false teacher – they are after money!
- Number one message of false teachers – give us money – Apollo Quiboloy / Iglesia ni Cristo
- False teachers do not look to bless / help others – teach them about Jesus…
- They do not look to bring glory to God – they only look to please themselves!
- They will try to win you over to their cause – so they can take advantage of you!
- Philippians 3:17-19 – “They are enemies of the Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite… all they think about is this life…”
- 2nd – REBUKE the FALSE TEACHERS… vs. 14
- This TESTIMONY is TRUE – referring to the MOTIVE of FALSE TEACHERS…
- Therefore REBUKE (imperative) them SHARPLY – meaning quickly / without hesitation…
- That they (the church) may (subjunctive) be SOUND (healthy) in their FAITH!
- The responsibility of a GODLY LEADER – is to protect…
- Paul wanted TITUS to train up LEADERS to STOP the FALSE TEACHERS!
- When Paul visited the church in Ephesus this 3rd missionary journey…
- He met with the Elders of the church on the Island of Miletus!
- Acts 20:29-31 – “I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some of you will distort the truth…”
- The TRUTH is – false teachers WILL COME and try and damage the church…
- They will try and steal people away from God – destroy their faith!
- Do NOT give heed to Jewish fables – commandments of men…
- Fables – mythos – where we get the word mythology – literally a false story…
- They are the made-up stories / commandments of MEN – we would say RELIGIONS!
- These things TURN people away from the TRUTH!
- All RELIGIONS the ideas of men about how to GET to Heaven – or how to KNOW God…
- But no man has EVER been to Heaven – or met God – so they do NOT know!
- ONLY the one FROM heaven – Jesus – can tell us how to get to Heaven!
- 3rd – The FRUIT of FLASE TEACHERS… vs. 15-16
- To the PURE – all things are PURE…
- I Timothy 4:4 – “Nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
- SANCTIFIED – made HOLY – by the Word of God and PRAYER…
- If we THANK God for it – we make it HOLY – because we acknowledge it comes from God…
- Therefore to those who are PURE before God – EVERYTING is PURE…
- Those who are DEFILED and UNBELIEVING – NOHTING is PURE…
- DEFILED – to be stained – polluted – contaminated by SIN…
- UNBELIEVING – those who do NOT have faith in Jesus…
- As a result – even their MIND and CONSCIENCE become DEFILED!
- To them NOTHING is PURE – because they CANNOT give God thanks for it!
- They PROFESS (present / indicative) to KNOW God…
- KNOW – eidō – (perfect) they say they have always SEE God…
- But their WORKS / FRUIT – deny they KNOW him…
- Being ABOMINABLE – only here NT – to have such a stench it makes you turn away…
- DISOBEDIENT – unwilling (or unable) to OBEY the WORD of God…
- DISQUALIFIED (adokimos) for every GOOD work – PROVEN to be FALSE!
- No matter what words are said – the FRUIT of their life does not show salvation…
- Therefore we need LEADERS who will REBUKE them – EXPOSE them…
- We REBUKE them hoping they will turn from evil ways – and be saved…
- We REBUKE them so they cannot continue to teach their LIES – deceiving the church!
- 1st – There are MANY (present / indicative) FALSE TEACHERS…