Titus 1:5-9

Gail and Ben Minic (Baby Jonathan)

A baby dedication is not about the salvation of the child, but about the commitment of the parents to raise their children in a godly home and point them toward Jesus Christ.

In Scripture, we see examples of children being brought before the Lord. Hannah dedicated Samuel to God, and Mary and Joseph brought Jesus Christ to the temple.

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.”

2. Charge to the Parents

“Parents, God has entrusted you with one of life’s greatest responsibilities.

Your calling is not simply to provide for your children physically, but to lead them spiritually.

3. Charge to the Church

“Church family, baby dedication is not only a commitment from the parents, but also from the church.

We are called to encourage, support, pray for, and help disciple the next generation.

Introduction:

Written to Titus, who was a Greek believer. Titus had come to Christ through Paul’s personal ministry and had faithfully served alongside him on several important assignments

Paul wrote to Titus, who was his spiritual son, to provide guidance for strengthening the churches on the island of Crete.

Crete was known for moral corruption and false teaching, especially from Jewish legalists who insisted that circumcision and keeping the law were necessary for salvation.

Paul reminded Titus of three things he must do, Preach Gods Word, Ordain qualified Leaders, and Silence false teachers

1. (V5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you

a) For this reason I left you in Create

After a successful evangelistic campaign on the island of Crete, many people had come to faith in Christ.

New believers needed guidance, structure, and spiritual leadership.

Paul left Titus behind to strengthen and stabilize the churches that had been started.

The churches in Crete were unfinished because Paul’s visit had been brief.

Titus was commissioned to continue the work by organizing the churches and appointing qualified elders in every city.

Titus needed wisdom and courage to identify, train, and appoint godly leaders who could shepherd the believers faithfully.

This assignment was especially important because the people of Crete had a reputation for being difficult and undisciplined.

Later in this chapter, Paul even quotes the well-known saying that Cretans were “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).

Application: Just as Titus was called to strengthen and organize the church in Crete, every growing church eventually enters seasons where things must be strengthened, structured, and put in order.

We are a different church than we were a few years ago, and I believe we are in a season of building teams and establishing healthy structure for future growth.

God has brought new people into leadership roles:

Molly Cameron has recently stepped into the role of Children’s Director

Mat Mariscal is overseeing youth ministries and will be teaching junior high on Wednesdays evenings

The Sarkesians will be leading junior high on Sunday mornings.

Ben and Ashley Brandow are leading our high school youth group.

Tim and Kristen Hughes have stepped in to oversee the marriage ministry and Dave and Bonnie Ruby are coming alongside them

As the church grows, healthy leadership becomes essential and I am thankful for you all who faithfully serve the Lord in whatever capacity he has to called you to

b) That you should set in order the things that are lacking

The phrase “set in order” carries the idea of straightening what is crooked or unfinished.

“That phrase is a medical term; it was applied to the setting of a crooked limb.”

There were areas within the churches of Crete that needed correction, strengthening, and proper alignment.

Titus was called to bring stability where things were incomplete.

Churches are living bodies, and healthy growth requires intentional care, organization, and leadership. Spiritual passion alone is not enough; there must also be order, discipleship, and accountability.

This season for us is about building for the future, strengthening ministries, and putting things in place so the church can continue to grow in a healthy and sustainable way

Ministry fair is an opportunity to learn about the different ministries and who is leading them

A healthy church is one where everyone is involved and using their gifting

c) Appoint elders in every city

In Paul’s absence, Titus was given apostolic authority as an extension of Paul’s ministry.

His task was not simply to preach but to establish leadership within each local church.

The word “elders” or in the greek it’s (presbyteros) refers to spiritually mature men who would oversee, shepherd, teach, and protect the church.

Titus was responsible for identifying faithful leaders and appointing them in every city where believers gathered.

This was especially important in Crete because the culture was morally unstable and spiritually immature. Strong churches required strong leadership.

1.1 (V6) If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination

Paul now begins to describe the qualifications for spiritual leadership. This passage reminds us that God has specific standards for those who lead His church.

God’s concern is not simply gifting, talent, or personality, but the spiritual integrity of the man leading His people.

a)  If a man is blameless:

The word “blameless” literally means “nothing to take hold of.”

It describes a man whose life gives no legitimate reason for accusation or scandal.

This does not mean perfection, but it does mean consistency and integrity.

A blameless man lives in such a way that no one can rightly point to ongoing, serious sin in his life that would bring reproach upon the church or the name of Christ.

This is a broad description of a man whose righteousness is visible and evident in everyday life.

Application: This qualification is speaking about an elder, but I would say this should be the case for anyone in leadership

2 Corinthians 6:3 “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.”

b) Husband of one wife:

This phrase literally carries the idea of being “a one-woman man.”

Paul is describing a man who is faithful, devoted, and morally pure in his relationships

This qualification does not mean a leader must be married. If marriage were required for ministry, then both Jesus Christ and Paul the Apostle would be disqualified.

The emphasis is not on marital status but on moral purity and faithfulness.

c) Having faithful children:

The emphasis here is that his children are faithful, they are believing, well-led, and not living in open rebellion or reckless behavior.

Paul adds that they are not to be accused of “dissipation or insubordination.”

The Greek word for dissipation is asotia. It is the same word used in Gospels to describe the prodigal son’s “riotous living.”

The word describes someone who is wasteful, reckless, and morally undisciplined

A spiritual leader must demonstrate godly leadership first within his own home.

Paul teaches that a man’s ability to lead the family of God is first tested by how he leads and shepherds his own children.

If you can’t lead in the home, how are you going to lead in the church

1 Timothy 3:4 “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence”

1.2 (V7) For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not selfwilled, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy fro money

Paul continues describing the qualifications for spiritual leadership, now using the term “bishop” or “overseer.”

The words “elder” (presbyteros) and “bishop/overseer” (episkopos) describe the same office from different perspectives.

“Elder” emphasizes spiritual maturity.

“Overseer” emphasizes responsibility and leadership.

a) a bishop must be blameless

Once again, Paul emphasizes that spiritual leaders must be blameless.

A leader does not need to be perfect, but his life should demonstrate integrity, consistency, and spiritual maturity.

There should be no ongoing pattern of sin that would damage the witness of the church.

Paul reminds Titus that a leader serves “as a steward of God.”

A steward was someone entrusted with the management of another person’s household.

The church does not belong to the pastor, the elders, or the congregation, it belongs to God.

b) Not Self-Willed

A self-willed man demands his own way, resists correction, and leads from pride rather than humility.

Selfish people are disqualified from spiritual leadership because ministry is fundamentally about serving others, not promoting self.

c) Not Quick-Tempered

The Greek word Paul uses here refers not merely to occasional frustration but to a person with a settled spirit of anger.

It describes someone who continually carries resentment, irritation, or bitterness.

d) Not Given to Wine

Paul is warning against a life controlled by substances or addictive behavior.

A spiritual leader must live under the control of the Holy Spirit rather than under the influence of anything else.

This qualification speaks to sobriety, self-control, and wise judgment.

My opinion is pastors should not drink

e) Not Violent

This qualification refers not only to physical violence but also to harshness in speech and behavior.

Bible commentator William Barclay notes that the Greeks expanded this word to describe someone who “browbeats” others — a person who intimidates, crushes, or wounds people through aggressive words and actions.

Godly leadership is firm when necessary but always marked by gentleness, patience, and love.

f) Not Greedy for Money

A spiritual leader cannot be motivated by personal gain or financial ambition.

Ministry must never become a means for selfish profit, status, or material advancement.

Paul’s concern is not that leaders possess money, but that money does not possess the leader.

1.3 (V8) But be hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy, self controlled

In verse 7, Paul listed the negative characteristics that must not define a spiritual leader. Now in verse 8, he shifts to the positive qualities that should be evident in the life of a pastor or elder.

a) Must be hospitable:

In the early church, hospitality was essential because traveling Christians, missionaries, and believers often depended upon the homes of fellow believers.

Hospitality literally means “a love for strangers.”

A godly leader should have an open heart, an open life, and often an open home.

Biblical hospitality is more than entertaining guests or hosting events. It is a willingness to welcome people, care for people, and make room for people.

A shepherd should smell like sheep.

b) A Lover of What Is Good

A spiritual leader should genuinely love what is righteous, beneficial, and honoring to God.

His affections should be shaped by godly things rather than worldly things.

A pastor should love truth, purity, integrity, generosity, justice, and spiritual growth.

c) Sober-Minded

A sober-minded person is clear-thinking, balanced, wise, and serious about spiritual matters.

This does not mean a leader can never laugh or enjoy life, but it does mean he understands the weight and responsibility of spiritual leadership.

d) Just

To be just means to be upright and fair in dealing with people.

A godly leader should be known for honesty, integrity, and righteousness in his relationships and decisions.

He should not show favoritism, manipulate people, or act deceitfully.

e) Holy

To be holy means to be set apart for God.

A pastor’s life should reflect devotion, purity, and reverence toward the Lord.

Holiness is not perfection but consecration — a life increasingly surrendered to God.

f) Self-Controlled

Self-control speaks of discipline, restraint, and mastery over one’s desires, emotions, and appetites.

A spiritual leader cannot lead others well if he cannot lead himself well.

This applies to every area of life:

emotions

speech

desires

habits

reactions

priorities

1.4 (V9) Holding fast to the faithful word as he was taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both exhort and convict those who contradict

a) Hold fast to the faithful word

Hold fast means to cling firmly to the faithful Word of God without compromise.

A spiritual leader must first be grounded and confident in God’s Word personally before teaching others.

Healthy and sound doctrine promotes spiritual growth, stability, and maturity in the church.

Before a person can lead others spiritually, they must first be anchored in biblical truth themselves.

When I was at Calvary Chapel Downey, there was a man in a class that I was teaching. He wanted so badly a pastor, but he had no idea of what he was talking about.

b) By sound doctrine both exhort and convict those who contradict the faith

The elder has a two-fold ministry to build up the church with sound doctrine and refute the false teachers who spread unhealthy doctrine

Sound doctrine equips leaders to both encourage believers and correct error.

Exhort means to strengthen, encourage, and instruct people in truth.

c) Titus must ordain leaders who use the word correctly

Titus was instructed to appoint leaders who handled God’s Word faithfully and accurately.

A teacher of God’s Word must first possess a solid understanding of Scripture before teaching others.

Spiritual leaders must not only know the truth but also live by it and defend it.

Effective leadership in the church is built on a strong foundation of biblical doctrine and faithful teaching.

Call up Lane and Doug are leaving for Kenya on Tuesday

They will be gone for two weeks

Cri has partnered with eqquipping farmers international

This is a critical step towards self sufficency in norther kenya