Titus 1:4-9 - Gospel Leadership
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Last Worship Gathering:
Graceland Dearborn pursues Gospel Identity.
God calls us to be Sanctified, Sent Servants.
The apostle Paul was a pillar for the mission of God after the church left Jerusalem.
On his missionary journeys, it was common practice for Paul to go to a new city, meet friends, make some disciples, and plant a church by raising up leaders.
Then he’d begin going to another city and doing the process all over again.
Paul would travel with young men as he went, training them to be like Jesus and then dropping them off in a city to plant a church.
Now Paul is writing this letter to Titus to give pastoral encouragement and wisdom.
There is so much to this letter
Filled with glorious gospel doctrine that results in gospel duty.
Some consider the book of Titus to be the “Manual for Church Planting.”
So lets dive in.
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Titus was a Greek young man that Paul and Barnabas met as they left Antioch.
Now he’s being dropped off here on the island of Crete.
Crete was a rough area full of rough people
Titus as a “Holy Hit man” or a “Gospel Green Beret”
He was a solid leader, bold and courageous.
He trusted Titus to go into hard places and set things in order, get things fixed, and make things right.
Paul laid the foundation of planting the church
We don’t know how long Paul was there, but we do know that we put some hard work in to the point the church was ready to start.
Yet, he knew the hard work has to be continued and completed.
and now Titus is tasked to carry the work higher!
He was to preach the same gospel and do the same things that Paul would do had he stayed in Crete longer.
Establish leaders/pastors
Raise disciples and train up missionaries.
Leadership is crucial to success. Everything rises and falls on leadership.
No corporation, organization, or church will rise above its leadership.
In order for a church to grow and function with healthy rhythms, its leadership must be strong.
Titus’ task is to grow and mature godly leadership within the churches of Crete.
Many churches do not have good leadership, and the body suffers because of it.
As we plant Graceland Church here in Lawrenceburg, we need to seek out and raise up godly people who will lead ministries laid out by Scripture.
Paul goes into listing what qualities should be within leaders.
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
There are several qualifications here that are also listed in 1 Timothy 3.
The book of 1 Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy, who was a pastor in Ephesus.
He does this to show that God’s measure for leaders does not fluctuate.
A mega church and a small church both need godly people to lead.
These qualities focus more on character than competency.
The only competency found here is the ability to teach.
God is more interested in who you are and then what you do.
You can have a degree in business and not serve well within a church.
Shoot, you can have a degree in theology and not serve well within a church.
Just because you have this/that skill does not qualify you for that particular job within God’s Kingdom.
David was a small shepherd who couldn’t hold his armor before he became King David.
God equips the called, not calls the equipped.
The ability to speak eloquently in public does not make a good pastor.
The ability to have children does not make a good youth leader.
The Lord requires a lot from those who care for His people.
The standard cannot be lowered.
Notice that Paul starts with the home (v. 6)
More than just the church plant, homes in our area need this same type of leadership (v. 6)
Christian living and Christian service starts at home.
Paul throws up the argument:
1 Timothy 3:4-5 “4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
If i’m not caring for my wife or children, why on earth would you trust me to shepherd and care for your soul?
A wise father must win his own family to Christ and nurture them well.
This is the type of men our culture needs.
Not that every man to be should be pastors, but qualified to be.
Elder-qualified men to lead and love their families
Could you imagine how much more families would flourish under this type of leadership?
It’s such a better life.
I feel a strong burden for men to live like Jesus.
Imagine for a moment what this home looks like.
For husbands to care about their families in a way that glorifies God!
That they were disciplined to care for their own bodies so that they could work hard and play hard.
That parents were hospitable, lovers of good welcoming people into their homes to demonstrate to their kids how they love people like Jesus loved people.
That they weren’t quick-tempered and displayed patience when offended.
What happens in the home bleeds into the community.
When you lead your home with Gospel Identity and leadership it bleeds into the community.
The children see their parents living life for Christ and that changes their culture.
They take that type of life-giving joy to school and begin to change the landscape for other kids that go there.
Churches are changed because families are becoming actively engaged and desire to reach nonChristians with the life-changing gospel.
You should be able to find these characteristics in me. Hold me accountable to them.
I never want to say “Do as I say, not as I do.”
I want to say “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
As we continue to grow, we’re going to need more godly leaders. Paul outlines the guidelines for godly pastors/leaders.
Let’s briefly look at all of these, because I want to know what you need to expect out of me and other leaders.
Above reproach
Nots (v. 6-9)
Not arrogant or prideful
An elder mustn’t be self-seeking
This person pushes until they get their own way.
They have no regard for God’s will or others needs, they seek to please themselves.
We’re looking for leadership, not dictatorship.
A self-willed arrogant leader will not take people’s suggestions or criticisms, but they makes sure people bend to their will.
Being proud, stubborn, inflexible is not befitting of a leader.
Not angry or quick-tempered
There’s a righteous anger toward sin, but much of our anger is unrighteous and directed against people.
A righteous man ought to be angry when there is injustice and wrongs are done.
But when you lose your temper because you’re easily provoked and live with a short fuse, that exhibits a lack of self-control.
“Well, that’s just how I am.” No excuse there.
You don’t get to be a rude jerk just because that’s how you are.
That’s not fitting for God’s Kingdom.
Someone once wisely said, “Temper is such a wonderful thing that it’s a shame to lose.”
That’s a good word.
Not a drunkard
This one explains itself.
We’re not a T-totaler church, as there are people here that enjoy the occasional drink
But when you’re given to drink causing you to lose mental sharpness and sound judgement, there’s danger here.
But this is a vice for many people.
You need to examine yourself because perhaps you will over do it.
Seasonable and in moderation someone can enjoy this good gift, but this may be the snake pit for someone else.
If it’s becoming a stumbling block, it needs to go.
Not violent
When it comes to arguments, is your first instinct to throw knuckles down range?
Leaders mustn’t be bullies.
If you’re led toward physical or emotional abuse, then we have some things to work through. Leaders are to build up the church, not tear people down.
Not greedy for gain
Ministry is not a money-making business. Money isn’t our motive.
The gospel is not for you to attempt to make millions on.
1 Timothy 6:10 “10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
The prosperity gospel is not the gospel.
Jesus did not die so that you can have a Rolls-Royce, a private jet, and a million dollars.
Jesus died so that you can be set free from the condemnation for your sin!
The treasure of the gospel is not money, the treasure of the gospel is Jesus Himself!
Ares (v. 8)
Hospitable
This means to bring people into your heart and home and love them as if their family.
Strangers are viewed as friends, and friends are viewed as family.
In the first century, hospitality was a very practical expression of love, not just a source of entertainment.
Feeding people and meeting needs, whether their strangers or friends, believers or unbelievers.
Race, status, and life style shouldn’t prevent us from loving and serving others.
Jesus was continually eating at tables with people who did not live, love, or think like He did.
This is the gospel on display.
Lover of good
This means that we love what is good. Someone who has passion for what is good that is described by God.
Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
We shape our priorities and our lives by what God defines as good.
Self controlled
This is crucial. This is someone who has an accurate and balanced view of life.
Both in action and in judgment, this person walks in wisdom and common sense.
This kind of character is cultivated by God’s grace.
Godly leaders walk toward right priorities and a right pattern of life characterized by righteousness.
Upright and holy
An elder must be someone a church can follow in the way he treats others and in the way he lives before others.
Are you the same person you are behind closed doors as you are in public?
We need leaders who model the gospel in front of everyone, both in public and in private
Disciplined
This is another way of saying self-controlled. This means having control over passions and impulses that would lead away from Christ.
This is someone that has a good grip on themselves.
They know their limitations and they know where they need to grow
Hold firm to the Word
We stand on God’s Word. It alone is our authority.
We believe and teach sound, biblical doctrine from God’s Word.
We are devoted to study and diligent to teaching God’s Word
We rebuke those who speak contrary to God’s word because as Paul said, “there is no other gospel” (Galatians 1:10)
Conclusion
All of these character traits are the marks of a mature believer.
Where do they come from?
This is the very type of leader Jesus is.
This is how Jesus governs His Kingdom.
Jesus does not meet you without these characteristics.
What reproach can you bring against Jesus?
He’s the Husband to one wife, the Church
He’s the steward of God’s grace, pouring it out on us!
Jesus is never puffs His chest to you.
He’s never quick-tempered with you in your sin. He’s gentle and lowly.
He’s not a drunkard, where His judgement would be skewed.
Jesus always acts with a level head. Nothing He does is reckless.
He’s not violent or greedy, so as to hoard eternal life to Himself
Instead, He is a cheerful giver of God’s grace and mercy!
Jesus is hospitable, inviting us to God’s table! Even when we are enemies and strangers, Jesus gives us the invitation to His table.
Jesus loves what it good. He’s self controlled, not caving into the temptations that you and I cave to.
Jesus is upright and holy. He is everything perfect! There is not unrighteousness found in Him. You can look—You wont find anything.
Jesus is discipline, only giving Himself over to the will of God!
Jesus holds firm to His Word.
In Him, every promise His Word made is “yes and amen.”
He doesn’t compromise on His promises, nor does He violate God’s will. He upholds His word.
This very committment to God’s Word led Jesus to the cross to pay the ultimate sacrifice for your sin and for my sin so that through faith, He would save us from our sin!
This very Jesus is the Jesus who welcomes you into His Kingdom.
If you meet any other Jesus, you mustn’t trust Him as Savior.
You can surrender to the leadership of Jesus, who will lead you to live like this, and lead others toward eternal life and joy in Jesus.