Being led by Jesus

Series: Living Faithfully with Jesus

Sermon 1: Being led by Jesus

Titus 1.

Leadership in the Church

Big Question: How is God’s church to be led?

FCF: V10 False teaching

Good News: V2, hope of the eternal life

Jesus our Savior: V3 and V 4

Structure:

Titus 1:1-4. (Leader of the Faith)

Titus 1:5-9. (Godly Leadership)

Titus 1:10-16. (Destructive Leadership)

It cannot be understated how important leadership is to a group project. (Slide) The last time I had a group project at school, I remember being designated the task of being the record keeper, other better known as the note taker. We were a group of 6 students tasked to solve a water crisis in a desert community. We had to innovate and work together in order to present a unified piece of work to pass the assignment.

Now, from the start of this project we were destined to fail, mainly because they put me, the dyslexic guy in charge of recording the minutes and keeping the record of our plans. But more importantly, we didn’t understand what good leadership was, we didn’t know how to identify it, nor how to support it. I remember we passed, but I also remember learning that there must be more to this leadership thing than simply telling others what to do.

Such is the message that Paul is bringing to Titus in chapter 1 is to say: (Slide) Leadership matters.

And so in order to be on the same page with our language, Eldership is how Presbyterian churches describe their leadership. You may be new to church, or from another denomination, so it’s helpful for you to know that an edler is not a word to simply describe old people in the context of church leadership.

Presbyterian’s are lead by a number of Elders, just as this church is led by Darryl, Dean, Murray, Peter, and Justin. The elders are what we call, the church leadership.

And so, Paul, here, is the author of this letter and its really his message to the church about how to live faithfully with Jesus.

and part of that living requires leadership.

The recipient is Titus, who is a friend and disciple of Paul, so It’s Titus’ task to implement the message and ensure that church is lead in the correct and healthy manner.

And so this Chapter answers the important question of “how is God’s Church to be led?”

We will look to Paul’s introduction to see the purpose of Godly Leadership (Slide)

He will then show us what Godly Leadership looks like (Slide)

and we will finish by seeing what destructive leadership looks like (Slide)

Because the reality of leadership is that those who lead are on display for all to see, people will see the good moments and they will see the regrettable moments. The bigger a leaders following is, the more people there are to be influenced.

So it is with no surprise then, that Paul would spend time writing to Titus and also Timothy about the importance of Godly leadership.

The letter that Paul has written here, sets up two ends of the spectrum of leadership. On the one hand there’s the Godly leader, the one that everyone desires to have as their church pastor, as their church Elder. and on the other hand, there’s the Destructive leader, the one no one wants to willingly sign up for.

And so just like any organisation or group of people, churches need leaders. Therefore this letter becomes important not only for Titus and other aspiring leaders of churches, but for all believers. Thus this letter has incredible value both for the instruction of the leader but also the protection of the people.

Mission for Christ (V1-4)

Therefor our first point this morning is, the Purpose of Godly Leadership,(Slide)

For we see that at the beginning of the letter, Paul makes it clear that a leaders purpose is to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - in the hope of the eternal life.

Paul is saying, this letter is for God’s people, that they would be built up in God’s truth, that they would live lives that lead to godliness. All on account of the hope of eternal life with Jesus in heaven. For that is what Paul has preached because the goal for Paul, is not conversion, but to see people through to glorification - living in the hope of the eternal life

So if you’re one of God’s people, as in you’re a follower of Jesus, then you need to know what church leadership is all about, you need to be able to identify it, and support it.

However, if you’re not a follower of Jesus, then you too are encouraged to be able to identify the marks of a christian leader, that you can have confidence that this leader will point you to the true eternal hope in Christ.

Because Paul is speaking with authority from God as his Apostle, which is a leader of Gods people, specifically one who witnessed him and was commissioned by him. but also God’s servant, see Paul identifies himself on both sides of this leadership equation. For Paul is both a leader of the church but (Slide) first and foremost, he is a servant of God. Titus 1

This is the foundational example of how a leader should view themselves.

Because above all, God is the leader of his church. Paul, (Slide) does all this by the command of God who is our Savior. Because it is God who has saved and it is God who commands. Not Paul, not Titus, and not an elder. Only God saves, only God commands.

Thus in the context of God’s command and saving grace,

Paul greets Titus and all the church with (slide) Grace and Peace. For that is the manner in which will we approach the content of the letter.

To which Paul provides us with two ends of the spectrum of leadership.

On one end, is the godly leader, the one whom all churches and Christians desire to be led by and taught through. On the other is the destructive leader, the one that no one would choose to follow if they knew the truth of their destructive ways.

What Godly Leadership Looks Like (V5 - 9)

To start with, (Slide) we read about the good leader, the godly leader who should be appointed as an elder in every town. They have a list of qualifications to adhere to which are written in verses 5 - 9.

This list of qualifications as we see them, speak to the character of Elder, it’s not a selection of skill sets, like experience in corporate management or knows how to get things done... No we must see that the focus of qualifications, is not on the abilities of the Elder but rather on the heart of the elder. And therefore so we must also recognize that this list is not something extra that God has declared as an above and beyond the scope of Christian living. Rather, this is the example of Godly behavior. Godly behavior that we all must seek to grow in.

And I say that we all must seek to grow in this because in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives us the two great commands that everything sits under, (Slide) see Christian living is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.

And so, in Titus, It’s not like we are looking at a special list of extra awesome abilities, on top of the two great commands. Rather we are looking at a list of subcategories that specifically pertain to leadership in God’s church. and just like the two great commands, none of us can live up to those on our own. Neither can an Elder live up to the qualifications in their own strength. At it’s core, in order for an elder, or anyone, to seek to exemplify these qualifications God’s Spirit has to be at work. It is impossible for us to do it on our own. We need Gods spirit.

Now, I’m sure this list will generate for each of you, specific questions that you have regarding who can and who can’t be qualified, however, the important thing to note about the passage is that this elder is to model and exemplify these traits as this is God’s list for who the church is to be led by.

Paul, here, is providing a framework of distinctions that qualify an Elder for the role of leading the church and we ought to notice, that it does not include everyone. Therefore, we may have issue with some items regarding qualifications, and that’s where we need to apply Grace and Peace into the discussion.

for it is because this task is not for everyone, that many people can get upset by this section of this letter as it describes the qualified elder. Back in New Zealand, (Slide) I have met a man who had moved around to different churches in the hope of becoming a leader. Thankfully, Paul’s instructions, require time to observe someone before they are eligible for the role. Thus, this man I met, seemed at first a prime candidate, spoke eloquently of God’s word and his wife spoke highly of his character. Unfortunately we learned that he was in fact overbearing and quick tempered, but that was only noticeable by slowing the process down and living alongside him and his family to learn enough about him to see that he was in fact not qualified to lead God’s church. So when the moment came to nominate Elders and his name was not moved forward. His response was sadly to leave our church and move onto the next. It would have been far better for him to stay, in order to grow in godliness and grace.

(Slide) This highlights the importance of understanding that only a few will be able to enter this office and even fewer will live to it continually all their lives. Because while this is a subset of the two great commands, they are a lens that others will examine you each week by, and so the pressure of the office is burdensome and can be a strain. Therefore, anyone who takes this office ought to acknowledge that it is only through God’s Spirit and blessing that they are able to meet the requirements of this list.

And we must remember to read this passage with the understanding that the office of Eldership is not the pinnacle of the faith. See, those who serve as Elders are not more worthy of God’s grace and mercy because they qualify as an Elder, no.

They are serving an important role that functions to manage the church for the sake of God’s people and their knowledge of the truth. That God’s people would know what scripture teaches us that we may faithfully live with Jesus.

Because if the motivation for seeking Eldership is not to grow others in the grace and knowledge of Jesus our savior, helping others to live faithfully with him, then that is the red flag to be concerned about! Which we shall now gracefully turn our attention to Paul’s warning against destructive leaders.

What destructive Leadership looks like (V10 - 16)

On the Island of Crete, there were clearly leaders whom were teaching religious myths and circumcision. Paul’s seemingly harsh words against the Crete’s in verse 12 (Slide), “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons” is simply an acknowledgment of Crete’s own philosopher who spoke against his own people.

Now it’s not giving us permission to cast negative blanket statements over groups of people. Rather Paul is acknowledging how sin, that affects the whole human race, has come to its expression in the leaders of this group. (Slide)

And once again, Paul’s intention is not to get into the arguments of the specifics that are causing disruption. But rather Paul brings to attention the focus of importance of knowing how God’s leaders are to be identified and what purpose they have.

Because there’s something here that should alarm us,

People who lead out of deceit are clearly in positions of leadership where they should not be. But unfortunately these leaders exist and they are causing great pain and damage around the globe.

Recently Ness and I watched the Stan series, ‘Prosper’ (Slide) it follows a mega church pastor and his family as they lead a Charismatic prosperity gospel church. Now its a drama TV series, so understand that its supposed to be provocative. But the reason I’m mentioning it, is that is showed a truth of Paul's passage. This family, were not focused on what our author Paul is focused on. Paul’s mark of a leader is ultimately their concern for their people’s knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness in the hope of the eternal life. Where as this TV church leader was more focused on the money and influence he gained for himself. And insert every church scandal to happen to mega churches, and there’s your TV show Prosper.

(Slide) And the big kicker for Paul, as we will continue to learn from him over the next few weeks, is that, it is God’s people, who need to know these qualifications. God’s people who need to hear of the destructive leaders, Because it is God’s people who need to be able to see, observe, promote and support those whom lead them.

Because For Paul, as he showed at the beginning, he is a leader of God’s church. But first and foremost, he is a servant of God. Deceptive leaders are not the type to submit to God’s word. The way that Paul explains the situation in Crete, it’s clear to see the idolatry that these leaders have indulged in. They idolize themselves, they idolize their status and they lie and cheat in order to stay important.

These are leaders who have forgotten their first and primary role (Slide), which is that they too are servants of the Lord. They are the ones who are supposed to know Gods word and live out Gods word, preaching Christ and his salvation.

Because it is only through Christ that our salvation is secured. It is only in Christ that we have the hope of eternal life. It is only in Christ that we have the Spirit of God to live as God calls us to live.

(Slide) A dishonest leader will use Christ to glorify themselves. (Slide) An honest leader seeks Christ’s glory.

Which is why destructive leaders must be silenced. For they disrupt God’s people through teaching what they ought not to teach as they are out for dishonest gain and must be rebuked.

(Slide) We see here that, Paul has given us two ends of the spectrum of leadership in God’s church. One that leads to Godliness, and another that leads to destruction. Church, we are to be wise in the decisions we make for who leads our church.

For those who may seek to lead God’s church, you must weigh your hearts against this list and honestly approach the calling with humility and grace, dependent upon God to sustain you. Therefore you must examine your motivation for why you might seek Eldership.

But for the church, we must know these qualifications, for we must do a number of things:

(Slide) First we need to pray for those who currently hold the office of Eldership. Pray that God would give them the strength and courage to live up to the requirements each day because this is a task that they can’t do in their own strength.

(Slide)We must encourage and support those who are leaders in the making. Those who are displaying these qualifications and who encourage us to grow in Christ. Because, Elders are often elders before they are elected. Therefore We as a church need to support others as they grow in their potential to lead God’s church

(Slide)We need to ask God for help that each of us would grow in Godliness. Perhaps you see on the list, a particular character trait that you’re struggling with, this week, ask God to help you specifically grow in that area.

(Slide)And lastly, we as a church ought to love God and know his word deeply, that as we travel and as we move around, church it is our responsibility to be able to identify elders that we will submit to. Maybe you move to New Zealand one day, would you be able to identify a healthy church leadership? Could you rebuke and encourage bad leadership to live for Christ and reform their ways?

This task is great, and the cost of getting it wrong is great indeed! However, for the sake of God’s church we are far better to be talking about the Eldership office and encouraging those God has qualified. Than to avoid it because it’s a difficult conversation.

The task is dangerous but God is far greater than any danger we may face. Let us always promote a church that makes God bigger than anything else it does. A church that has leaders who for the sake of Gods people help others to walk faithfully with Jesus.

Lets pray.

Dear God,

You are the one who commands, you are the one who saves.

Lord would you grant us grace and peace as we seek to grow in your truth and our own Godliness. Lord we pray for the Elders that they would be sustained and encouraged by the task of leading the church.