Titus (2)

Introduction: Begin with a Quick review of Paul’s emphasis in 1-4. How is apostle Paul for the faith of God’s elect, for their knowledge of the truth in godliness, and hope of eternal life? How will his instruction to Titus show he is for these things?

In verses 5-9, Paul is revealing the primary task for Titus among the Cretan church. Set things in order by appointing elders. He gives a list of qualifications that men should have in order to serve in this office.

Today: Read text, brief observations of structure emphasizing purpose, task, list of five negatives and 7 positives, emphasizing congregationalism and then reading thru Observations for Elders, closing with some final 4 applications;

First… lets read...

I.To Titus: The recipient of this letter. Who is he? (vs. 4) [Gal. 2:1-3 Greek, Scattered through the letter of 2 Corinthians, a great encouragement and help to Paul.]

True= gnesios, genuine, sincere

Child= teknon, child, descendant, disciple

in a common= ordinary, mutual, wholistic, unified

faith= pistis, confident persuasion and assured trustworthiness of truth contained in the gospel about Jesus Christ. (same as verse 1:1)

Greeting: How is Paul addressing Titus? With...

a. Grace and peace= charis & eirene, unmerited favor & absence of war and worry. (Where does this grace and peace come from? The apostle? No..)

b. From God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

II. Titus’ Task

(Vs. 5) left= apelipon, leave behind

Crete= Island south of Greece

you might put into order= epidiorthose, further alignment, to bring order to something already organized, set right (ie. ship, level a wall, chiropractor)

what remained= leiponta, lacking, fall short, incomplete

How, or what specific task would put things in order? 1:5c

appoint= katasteses, assign a duty, place down a responsibility to someone, to bring it to land(?), establish

every town= polin, city, town, or village

as I directed you= dietaxamen, to authoritatively give someone detailed instructions, give order, to command.

elders= presbyterous, (See meaning by how Paul uses the word in other passages. Throughout the new Testament there are basically two words that are used interchangeably to describe the office of elder.

Acts 20:28, I Timothy 3:2 , Titus 1:7 (Episkopos, overseer, shepherd, or bishop)

I Timothy 5:1, Acts 15:1-2, I Peter 5:1-3 (Presbyturos, elder)

The point is that both of these words are describing the same role within the body of Christ. Presbytrous signifies the office (title)… and episkopos signifies the work (function).

Application: I often hear the question why are there so many different protestant denominations? One answer to that question is the way we translate and interpret these two words. explain…

Another signification note to observe is the plural usage of these words when they describe the office of elder. Other than the passages we have looked at already another example of this plurality of elders is in… Acts 14:23, Philippians 1:1

The point is that within every local body there should be more than one pastor/ elder. Certainly not all elders will function in exactly the same way, just as all deacons wont be doing the same thing. However, every elder must meet the same qualifications and be responsible for the same expectations. There should be more than one elder who is overseeing each local body of Christ. This the pattern we see in Scripture, which is wise and practical in order to share the various responsibilities of shepherding the flock of God. Also, it shares the delegated authority that inevitably comes by serving in an office like this.

Why would this be important for Titus? Certainly, the reminder of Paul’s instructions when he left Titus there… but also Those to whom Titus was responsible to organize needed to know the authoritative representation he had. Apostle Paul, who was a salve of God and apostle of Jesus Christ. Titus would need to depend upon the judgment of the church concerning the appointment of these men, because he hadn’t enough time to get familiar and observe their lives. The Cretan church would need to trust Titus to ordain , or appoint qualified men to this role.

III. 1:6-9 answers how to go about appointing elders in every city. What qualifications should he met in order to be appointed to this office?

above reproach= not worthy of any charge of wrong doing

husband = aner, a married man

of one wife= a married woman (number 1, not 2 or more)

believing children/ not open to charge of debauchery or insubordination= characterized by faith and trust in contrast to accusations of reckless excessive or defiant rebellion.

(1:7) What not to be… having to do with character (5-Do Nots)

overseer= episcopon, leader who watches over the flock of God

God’s Steward=oikonomon, manager, administrator, one who has charge or direction over what belong’s to another

Must= dei, necessary, required , obligated

be= emi, quality of being

above reproach= anenkleton, (same as verse 6) blameless

Must not be arrogant=, authade, concerned about own interest, self willed, self pleasing

Must not be quick-tempered=, orgilon, quickly inclined toward passionate anger

Must not be drunkard=, paroinon, addicted to wine

Must not be violent=, plektes, a cruel and brutal person, a striker, brawler

Must not be greedy for gain= aischrokerde, fond of dishonest gain, so desirous of wealth it brings disgrace and shame, free from love of money.

(1:8) BUT.. In contrast to what he should not be… he should be, having to do with character

a. Must be hospitable= philoxenos, desirous to treat guests and strangers cordially and generously.

b. Must be lover of good= philagathon, characterized by a love for all things good

c. Must be self-controlled= sophrona, prudent, moderate, clear minded, wisdom in keeping desires in check

d. Must be upright= dikaion= righteous, just, life characterized by moral correctness

e. Must be holy= hosios, pleasing to God, characterized by moral purity

f. Must be disciplined= enkrate, resolutely self-controlled, mastery over desires (A guy cannot lead others if he is not leading himself. This is a matter of consistency and integrity) )

(1:9) what he will do, having to do with skill and ability

a. He must hold firm= antecho, devoted to, all in, cling to

a. to the trustworthy word= pisttou logou, the faithful and full contents of the gospel

b. as= kata, according to (the teaching) taught= didachen, instruction, doctrine (what has been taught by the apostles.

b. WHY? so that .. he may be able to.. give instruction= parakalein, urge, implore, exhort, earnestly support

a. in.. sound= hygianinouse, healthy, accurate, free from disease

b. doctrine= didakalia, teaching

c. AND.. to rebuke, elenchein, expose, reprove, refute, strong admonishment

d. those.. who contradict= antilegontas, speak against, contrary answer, oppose

Transition: So, what does this list of qualifications look like in the life of the church? How should we submit to this truth?

Spend time together.

In order for us to observe these characteristics in men among us, we have to be involved in one another lives. These are not characteristics that can be seen from a distance. Our bylaws emphasizes that we want to recognize, train, and affirm elders and deacons to shepherd and serve the church. “The members of Hillcrest should recognize, train, and affirm as many Elders as the Lord raises up within the church. The goal is not to be hasty, but to affirm an adequate number of Elders to shepherd the members of Hillcrest.”

Count the cost.

The office of elder is not a superior position, rather a delegated responsibility. It is a humble privilege to be affirmed by the church to lead as Jesus did, as a foot washer. We have a common faith which equalizes us all at the foot of the cross as sinners in need of the grace and mercy of God. However, this office does come with particular responsibilities and a stricter judgment.

Prioritize Scripture.

Our commitment to train up qualified elders reveals our commitment to the primacy of the Bible in the life of the church. The particular responsibility of an elder to teach the Bible emphasizes and prioritizes that the word of God accomplishes the work of God. Men must take the lead to teach the Bible to their families because it is the word of God that will transform our lives. For those of you who are single, that means you take responsibility to make your home a house of the Word and prayer. For those retired, or without children in the home, that means you make the word of God a continued priority in your home life and marriage. For those of us raising children, we must first be elder shepherds of our wives and children. Not out of compulsion, but willingly, not exasperating your children or provoking them to anger, but nurturing and teaching them the Scriptures. This is the plain and normal children ministry program of Jesus’ church. When men, husbands, and dad’s are doing these things in their own home.... then they begin to show themselves faithful as possible elders among the household of faith.

Godliness is for every Christian.

In order for Hillcrest to affirm leaders among us, we must all be submitting ourselves to discipleship. (This will come up again in Titus) Giving and receiving instruction in the word. Pray and think about how this is going to look in our lives. When someone asks you to spend time together, make that a high priority. Utilize that time to learn from their example, pray together, read scripture , ask questions, search for answers. Ask someone to disciple you.