Healthy Churches- Eldership
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Intro- when we think about church revitalization, or helping churches grow in health, we should think about Titus! The body of Titus is made up of 5 sets of iinstructions for the CHURCH ON CRETE AND ALL CHURCHES (the first is to have BIBLICAL LEADERS!)
Main Point: God’s Word has given us a clear guide for how God’s Church should be led and for how its leaders should live.
Main Point: God’s Word has given us a clear guide for how God’s Church should be led and for how its leaders should live.
Body
Body
Titus 1:1-4 was Paul’s extended introduction to Titus of why HE, PAUL, found it so important to write to TITUS!
And remember, throughout it he highlights two main things- first, CHRIST JESUS IS SAVIOR, second- GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU!
In Titus 1:5, we see the PURPOSE STATEMENT OF THE ENTIRE BOOK!
Titus 1:5
Titus 1:5
5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.
The first half of the verse tells us WHY Paul has sent Titus to Crete and the second half tells us the FIRST thing that Titus is to do!
So why is Titus on Crete?
Titus finds himself of Crete, this “resort of robbers and pirates” to SET RIGHT WHAT WAS LET UNDONE!
Paul sent Titus to Crete to SET THINGS RIGHT, or make things right. The other translation for ἐπιδιορθώσῃ is literally “CORRECT!”
So Titus is on Crete to correct the churches. Paul sends Titus to Crete to FIX what is going on. The churches are undone, they are out of order. They are FALLING SHORT OF God’s Design.
I just want to put this into simple terms- the churches on Crete are a total mess. Like I mentioned, there are 5 things that Paul addresses regarding the churches on Crete in Titus and I think it helps us understand what IS NOT going on at these churches.
First, Paul instructs Titus regarding Godly leadership- the churches on Crete have UNBIBLICAL LEADERS!
Second, Paul instructs Titus that the Churches need to teach truth! The churches on Crete are caught in false teaching!
Third, Paul instructs Titus (this is what we see in chapter 2) about the importance of DISCIPLESHIP AND WALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER!
Fourth, also in chapter 2 and going into chapter 3, Paul tells us to REMEMBER THE GOSPEL AND TO LIVE IT OUT- which includes things like unity and our own individual lives!
Finally, Paul ends his letter by telling Titus that the believers should bear fruit- in other words, these believers aren’t bearing any recognizable fruit. There is no evangelism, there is no discipleship; their faith is DEAD!
That is the situation on Crete and Titus is told to GO THERE!
Paul sees the situation and he recognizes the importance of addressing it.
And let me spoil this a bit- the history of Crete shows us that this works!
God moves powerfully and REVITALIZES or RESTORES the church in Crete!
Put simply- Paul tells Titus to GO and to set right what was left undone, or what was out of order. Titus needs to go and provide leadership and direction to help the Cretan Church STABILIZE!
But Paul doesn’t stop there! Paul gives Titus a first instruction. Paul tells him to APPOINT ELDERS- notice, that’s plural- IN EVERY TOWN.
This is Paul’s strategy to address the LEADERSHIP VACUUM on Crete!
This word for elder comes from the word πρεσβυτέρους. This word first appears in the NT actually talking about Jewish leaders and the Church naturally adopts a plurality of leaders as that is what God had always appointed in the Old Testament.
We see this with Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Eleazar, David and Abiathar, etc.! God always used a plurality.
These leaders were called ELDERS!
I want to be really clear on something with these elders. First, the elders are not elected off of popularity, they are actually chosen, or appointed, based on a list of biblical characteristics.
But it goes further. See, it is implicitly implied that Titus MUST spend time in these churches getting to know people in order to appoint these elders.
Appointing an elder isn’t as simple as voting on someone.
Appointing an elder requires seeing who GOD has called, who GOD has equipped, and then training them before they begin serving as elder!
That process takes time but is so worth it!
And remember- Crete is the island of liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons.
That’s not exactly eldership material. But Paul doesn’t just say, “Well, that’s impossible, so let’s try something else.”
Instead, he sticks to it, trusting what GOD HAS DESIGNED and tells Titus to take the time to help these churches!
Because that’s the thing about revitalization- it takes time and it can’t be done in a day.
I think we can read this purpose statement in Titus 1:5 and envision this all taking just a few weeks, but it doesn’t!
Instead, in Titus 3:12, we see that Paul doesn’t think Titus will FINISH the task, he is just charged with STARTING THE TASK!
In reaching Crete, just as in leading the Church, TEAMWORK AND A PLURALITY IS NEEDED!
From verses 6-9 Paul is going to give 16 unique qualifications to be considered.
I want to be clear- the point of these qualifications is not to say “IF A MAN EVER FAILS, THEN HE IS DISQUALIFIED!” Instead we should see these as, “This is what we are to be looking for in an elder. This is what we need to aim to be as men. This is what our DISCIPLESHIP OF MEN, of HUSBANDS, OF FATHERS- this is what it should be!”
That’s really what these qualifications are about! They are about DISCIPLESHIP! BECAUSE DISCIPLESHIP IS FUNDAMENTAL TO EVERYTHING A CHURCH DOES! And discipleship involves reading the Bible together, but it doesn’t stop there- discipleship is about LIVING LIFE TOGETHER!
These qualifications show us what it means to be a model of following Christ and they show us what it looks like to live RELYING ON GOD NOT OURSELVES!
It’s like what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:16 and 11:1! People should be able to imitate them.
So, let’s look at verse 6.
Titus 1:6
Titus 1:6
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion.
The first three are that an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife and he must have faithful children.
Looking at this first one- An elder should be blameless. This same characteristic can be translated, “ABOVE REPROACH.”
Looking at this first one- An elder should be blameless. This same characteristic can be translated, “ABOVE REPROACH.”
In other words, an elder shouldn’t be caught up in scandals. His life shouldn’t be marked by his sinfulness.
Instead, he should be living a life that is marked by sanctification. HE SHOULD BE GROWING IN HIS FAITH ON A DAILY BASIS!
Second, an elder is to be the husband of one wife, or as it is literally translated, “A ONE WOMAN MAN.”
Second, an elder is to be the husband of one wife, or as it is literally translated, “A ONE WOMAN MAN.”
It’s important to understand that Cretan, and Roman culture on a larger scale, promoted polygamy and sexual deviance.
The heart behind this qualification is simple- an elder needs to be marked by self-control.
A polygamist is not self-controlled. A man who partook in the orgies and the chaos of Roman life was not marked by self-control.
Remember- an elder’s life should look different. An elder should be ABOVE REPROACH!
People shouldn’t be constantly worried that an elder is going to bring HUMILIATION to the gospel!
That’s the opposite of an elder!
And that includes in his personal life!
Third, an elder is to have faithful children.
Third, an elder is to have faithful children.
Let me be really clear- no parent can control the faith of their child.
Paul is not telling you parents to somehow control the faith of your child.
But, Paul IS emphasizing the importance of raising them up to KNOW THE LORD!
Every parent has a million choices a day and parents can point their children towards Christ each day!
And while a child is in the house, a parent CAN control how they are raised and how they are disciplined!
Hence, this is included. Consider with me- accusations of a child’s wildness and open rebellion draw disgrace and condemnation from non-believers and does not draw POSITIVE ATTENTION TO THE GOSPEL!
After all, a non-believer could see this rebellious child and say, “How can you tell me how to live when your own child doesn’t listen to you?”
An elder needs to have control of his household.
Let me summarize these first three instructions in one sentence- the first proving ground for a potential elder is at home.
An elder must LOVE HIS WIFE, HIS KIDS AND NEEDS TO LIVE EACH DAY IN A WAY THAT IS ABOVE REPROACH!
In Titus 1:7, Paul is going to give us 6 qualifications- one positive qualification that he repeats and then 5 things that an ELDER, OR ANY CHRISTIAN MUST AVOID!
These 5 negative qualifications are a great place for us to start in discipleship! We need to AVOID THESE!
Titus 1:7
Titus 1:7
7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money,
Paul starts off by reiterating who he is talking about here- he uses the other main biblical term for elder- ἐπίσκοπον, which is translated here as OVERSEER.
The role though is the same.
And again, Paul starts off by saying that an elder MUST BE BLAMELESS!
This is the exact same word that Paul uses in verse 6. So why does he say it twice?
First, he says it twice for emphasis and secondly, BECAUSE IT IS THAT IMPORTANT!
An elder absolutely MUST BE ABOVE REPROACH!
As Christians we should be above reproach- Paul talks about that in 1 Corinthians 5, but clearly, he’s stressing the idea that if the leaders of the Church aren’t above reproach, then neither will the church!
And it makes sense! Consider again Crete- they are known for lying, laziness and gluttony. If their leaders lie and are lazy and gluttonous, then almost assuredly the church will be also!
Not only will it negatively impact how others view the gospel, it will impact the CHURCH OF GOD!
Every person here this morning should aspire to be blameless!
We will not perfectly succeed because we are sinners. But don’t put yourself in a spot that leads you to sin and to disgrace the name of God!
And especially, men- lead the way in that! It is so important that we are blameless that Paul says 2x in back to back verses that elders need to be blameless!
Paul then gives 5 negative qualities that an elder must avoid.
He says that an elder must not be:
Arrogant
Hot-Tempered
An Excessive Drinker
A Bully
Greedy for Money
Let’s talk about these for a minute.
Arrogant
Arrogant
Being an elder isn’t about power, it’s about service! Christian leaders are not called to lead in pride, but rather to lead like Christ.
And how did Jesus lead? Mark 10:45
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
So an elder ought not to lead pridefully!
As we are moving to an elder led model here at Cornerstone I want to make sure we are all on the same page. Elders lead, but elders are not kings. Elders lead as servants, with the best interests of the CHURCH in mind, not what THEY PERSONALLY WANT!
And this all starts with an elder not being arrogant!
Hot Tempered
Hot Tempered
Secondly, an elder must not have a hot temper!
At some point every elder will get angry. It’s a reality. But, it should not be a defining mark of an elder.
An elder shouldn’t be known by a reputation of ANGER AND HOT-TEMPEREDNESS!
Why?
Because it isn’t blameless and it DOES NOT SHOW SELF-CONTROL!
Let me say it this way- having a hot temper doesn’t bring glory to God, or bring people to the Gospel!
An Excessive Drinker
An Excessive Drinker
We’ve seen that an elder needs to have self-control and it continues here!
An elder needs to be ABOVE REPROACH!
And I’m just going to speak honestly- getting drunk and making a fool of yourself, or really falling into any addiction doesn’t put an elder in a spot to be ABOVE REPROACH!
As Christians, we need to fight against addictions and against those traps that satan puts before us- whether it’s alcohol, drugs, gambling, or something like pornography.
We need to RUN FROM ADDICTION!
A Bully
A Bully
This qualification can also be translated as “violent.” Let me make something really clear- you shouldn’t fear your elders!
There should be NO FEAR IN THAT RELATIONSHIP!
Elders are called to first and foremost be disciples, then disciplemakers and that can’t happen if there is fear, or bullying in that relationship!
Greedy for Money
Greedy for Money
Lastly, an elder cannot be greedy for money, or primarily motivated by seeking after financial gain.
It just can’t happen! Elders are called to serve Christ, not their wallets.
This isn’t to say that an elder should be bankrupt, but rather that it can’t be their primary motivator!
But Paul isn’t all bad news!
In addition to these negative characteristics, Paul gives 9 things that an elder SHOULD BE in verses 8-9.
Titus 1:8-9
Titus 1:8-9
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
There’s 9 positive qualifications in these.
Hospitable
Loving what is Good
Sensible
Righteous
Holy
Self-Controlled
Holding to the Faithful Message
Able to encourage with sound teaching
Refute those who contradict the truth
Let’s talk about these in two sections. The first 6 have something in common.
We will ONLY live out these first six if we are totally reliant on God!
Let me be clear- wisdom, self-control, sanctification, and FAITH are necessary to live out these 6 qualifications and they all come from God!
So for these positive qualifications, it is fair to say that they are only possible if we are walking by FAITH in JESUS!
These positive qualifications are ALL built around FAITH AND THE WILLINGNESS OF AN ELDER TO WALK BY FAITH!
We could simplify it down to say- an elder WALKS BY FAITH, not by THEIR OWN STRENGTH!
An elder has to live from a place of reliance saying, “NOT MY POWER, not MY WILL, but GOD’S POWER AND GOD’S WILL!”
And it’s from that place of Reliance that we ALL need to be living. It’s from that place of reliance on God and God alone, not on ourselves that we can lead in the way that our Lord Jesus Christ has designed and decreed.
Then, Paul gives three more qualifications.
Holding to the Faithful Message
Able to ENCOURAGE WITH SOUND TEACHING
REFUTE THOSE WHO CONTRADICT THE TRUTH!
Listen- an elder must be able to teach. It is that simple.
An elder doesn’t have to be the best preacher in the world, but an elder MUST BE ABLE TO TEACH!
But notice, it isn’t just enough to communicate information, they need to be able to ENCOURAGE believers, or spur believers on as they teach!
The word for encourage is the same word as URGE! The preaching of God’s Word must URGE US ONWARDS!
And what are they to teach? It is to be SOUND TEACHING, or literally HEALTHY TEACHING, THAT IS BASED ON THE FAITHFUL MESSAGE- the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
Paul does something interesting here. Paul doesn’t describe sound teaching with an adjective. Instead, Paul uses a PARTICIPLE!
Let me explain what that means. It means that HEALTHY TEACHING (the other meaning of this word), or SOUND TEACHING is not just a characteristic of the teaching, rather, it should be the CORE OF WHAT IS TAUGHT BY AN ELDER! EVERYTHING THAT AN ELDER TEACHES SHOULD BE BUILT ON THIS CORE OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL!
As elders, we have to guard the HEALTH OF WHAT IS TAUGHT! THAT’S WHY IT’S NOT AN ADJECTIVE! The teaching is built totally on being SOUND and true!
AN ELDER HOLDS TO THE TRUTH, KNOWS THE TRUTH, LOVES THE GOSPEL! THEN, HIS TEACHING WILL NATURALLY FLOW FROM THAT!
Paul doesn’t just tell elders to encourage the Church.
He also tells Titus that elders must be ready to defend the faith and to stop false teaching!
We’ll see that more next week from verses 10-16, but an elder must be ready to LOVINGLY WALK WITH THE FLOCK, and also TURN AROUND AND PROTECT IT THROUGH HIS TEACHING!
Elders have to be willing to call out sin, to stand for truth, EVEN WHEN IT ISN’T POPULAR!
It isn’t just enough to give an elder a microphone and a pulpit. An elder’s teaching on a DAILY BASIS needs to be marked by truth, encouragement, and even the refuting of WHAT IS WRONG!
Application
Application
That is kind of the 30,000 foot overview of Titus 1:5-9. There’s so much more that we could say. But, for now, I want to turn our eyes to how we can apply this passage, because EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US CAN APPLY THIS PASSAGE!
1. Plurality Principle
2. Pursue Sanctification
3. Prioritize Godliness
Plurality Principle
Plurality Principle
This point of application is for us as a Church. We are in the process of moving towards eldership.
We are doing this because the Bible clearly calls for a plurality of elders to lead the Church. We see that in places like Titus 1:5, 1 Timothy 3 and other places.
For the sake of simplicity- and I believe that applications should be simple- let’s stay focused on Titus 1.
Here’s what we need to be doing. We need to see what God’s Word tells us to do and do 2 things.
1- We need to be praying about how we apply that!
2- We need to be praying about the men that God has for us!
See, we need to be praying for the details in this transition and we need to be praying for our own hearts that God would give us peace as we prepare to TRANSITION TO ELDERSHIP!
We need to bring any concerns that we have to God and then let me know! i’d love to talk about them with you!
Second, we need to be praying about the men that God has called!
As you may know, Mike and Dennis are currently serving as elders and we need to be praying for them!
We need to be praying that God would strengthen their faith and protect them! Not just now, but also in the future!
Pursue Sanctification
Pursue Sanctification
I think that it can be really easy for us to think about salvation as the be-all, end-all. And it is so important that you are saved through faith in Jesus!
But we shouldn’t stop there!
Instead, we need to continue on in SANCTIFICATION, which is us growing to be MORE LIKE CHRIST!
See, our story starts (GOSPEL).
But after we put our faith in Jesus, we are not called to stop there! Instead, we need to PURSUE SANCTIFICATION!
That’s one of the main things that Paul is challenging us with in Titus 1!
Yes, these are specifically about elders, but let me challenge us that these should be characteristics that we should ALL seek to live out in OUR LIVES!
We need to focus our lives on SANCTIFICATION, or GROWING IN OUR FAITH!
Prioritize Godliness
Prioritize Godliness
DISCIPLESHIP!
Do you need to grow in one of these areas 17 areas?
MAYBE YOU ARE STRUGGLING IN A SIN AREA?
MAYBE YOU WANT TO GROW?
WE WANT TO DO THAT WITH YOU!
Can I encourage you to do the scariest thing?
Don’t keep it to yourself! Tell someone. Listen, there’s no judgement at all from me! I promise!
We want to walk with you, we want to encourage you, we want to LOVE YOU AND DISCIPLE YOU!