The Titus Ten

Background to passage:

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

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— 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.

“Conduct is what we do; character is what we are. Conduct is the outward life. Character is the life unseen, hidden within, yet evidenced by that which is seen. Conduct is external, seen from without; character is internal—operating within. In the economy of grace, conduct is the offspring of character. Character is the state of the heart, conduct its outward expression. Character is the root of the tree, conduct, the fruit it bears.” -E. M. Bounds

Main thought:

1) Cultivation

2 Peter 1:5–8 ESV

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1) Cultivation

Explanation: Character does not come automatically, nor does good grades, great work performance, a decent golf swing.

Our spiritual life is life any other area of our life — growth demands effort. Christian character does not appear out of nowhere or by chance; it is cultivated.

Illustration:

Application:

2) Qualities for manhood

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

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— 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.

2) Qualities for manhood

Explanation: Summary: 1) blamelessness, 2) self-control, 3) courage.

Argumentation:

Illustration:

Application:

3) Blamelessness

Explanation: w/o blame means repentance after sin. Has to do with integrity.

Could your family share things about your life that would damage your reputation and disqualify you from leadership?

Argumentation:

Illustration: What if we took out an ad in the paper or online to ask if anyone has any dirt on you

Application: When you sin, do you make it right? Humbly, quickly, faithfully repent.

4) Self-control

Explanation: 5 negatives, 6 positives in Titus 1:5-9

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

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— 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.

Only instruction given to young men, because they must get things under control while they’re young

Argumentation:

Illustration: Think of a habit that you have yet to get under control

Application: reactions, diet, purity, thought, Bible, language,

5) Courage

Explanation: Hard things, yes, but right things, godly things. Everyone will suffer if you aren’t willing to step up for what is right.

Proverbs 28:1 ESV

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Godly men know that the effects of passivity are much more damaging than the cost of courage.

Application: Courage is truly rooted in God. Trust in Him, is abilities, his ways. How do we increase that?

Closing illustration:

Recap