Titus 1:5-15 - A Word About Pastors

Well Happy New Year! As we start this new year, we are starting a new book, the letter to Titus.

It was written by Paul to this partner in ministry. Titus was a Greek Gentile convert, who was with Paul and Barnabas when they went to Jerusalem for the council meeting regarding expectations for Gentile converts. Titus was obviously evidence of what God was doing among the Gentiles around the world.

A Word About Pastors

Paul had first come to Crete on his way to Rome before his 1st imprisonment. Later after his release he took Titus with him and left him there to help put the church in proper order and appoint elders / pastors in each city.

Paul wrote to encourage Titus in this tough assignment. This letter is thought to have been written in the summer of A.D. 66. This letter is for the edification of the church by encouraging good leadership and solid doctrine.

We will take a very short, broad look at this book.

There are all kinds of preachers today. You can listen to them in person, on media platforms, read their books, get their social media feeds, but they have NO accountability for you. Then there are preachers, who serve a local church week in and out. They study, pray, care, share lives, and give of themselves to a local body of believers. This instruction is for them … So, let’s see what Paul says about the Pastor read with me, and as you pray for your next pastor.

Titus 1:1–3 CSB

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior:

Notice an important phrase in v3 tell us that God “brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted”

says “… God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.”

1 Corinthians 1:21 CSB

For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached.

Folks there is a lot of stuff we could classify as foolishness, and most of it has foolish or meaningless results.

But the most profound and meaningful “foolishness”, is done week in and week out, when faithful godly men stand in the pulpit bringing light to the wonders of God through preaching.

Believer, we CAN read the Bible for ourselves, and we SHOULD read it daily and meditate on. We CAN pray to God and communicate with him by the Spirit within us. And we DO have the Holy Spirit within us to lead us into all truth.

But, God has chosen, in his wisdom and plan, to reveal himself to us through his servants, pastors and teachers, given to the church to equip the body until we all achieve unity in Christ Jesus. There are things that God entrusts to the Pastor that you won’t get any other way or from anyone else.

So, what does Paul teach us about Pastors?

Titus 1:4–15 CSB

To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 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. An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 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, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 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. For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth. To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled.

What does Paul teach?

1. Qualifications

Leading people to Christ is not the END of the job of a church, if so we would only need evangelists and people with evangelistic hearts.

And just opening the doors of a church is not the end of the story.

Paul said, we need to straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders.

Elders = presbyteros – older, or ruler, mature,

And in v7 Paul describes the same people as those who overseer or episkopos = guardian; overseer, of God’s Household … And he is a Steward with a TRUST from God.

The call of the local church pastor is to lead, and guard, those entrusted to him by God.

These pastors have certain qualifications:

Notice that these are not requirements of perfection but it is about the base character of the man.

A. Blameless in Heart

Anenkletos /an-eng-klay-tos/ = that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccused, blameless

I think of the father of John the Baptist, Zechariah, he was a man who was Blameless, though not perfect. Noah was Blameless, not sinless.

That doesn’t mean perfect, but it means that the account has been cleared. Regarding God, and with regards to people, we are right with them. If there is an issue it is dealt with and the slate cleared.

In order to be blameless with God, I first must be born again, and second have to be in a state of having confessed known sin. And the same would be true in person to person relationships, in order to have a good reputation.

He is blameless first in heart or home. He is a

- One Woman Man

I don’t have a lot of time to spend on each of these character traits. But it says that he is the “husband of one wife” which really obscures for us the understood meaning from those who would hear it. It means that his commitment is toward ONE WOMAN. Does that mean he can only have been married to one woman ever in life? If that is true it disqualifies both divorced men AND men who have been widowed or abandoned.

Does it mean only one woman at a time, with the numbers being whatever he wants? If so, that wouldn’t show much commitment or character.

So, let’s leave it at a man who is, as we would say, a “one woman man” by character and we will come back to this in just a minute.

He is blameless in his marriage relationship, and he

- Leads His Children

“with faithful children …”

That’s a tough one. The Pastor must be a faithful husband, but also a successful father – i.e. He has won his own children, and trained them in such a way that the follow God. Does it mean they are perfect? No, but they are followers, with a good reputation. Does that mean if a Pastor’s children have poor reputation that the pastor may be disqualified? Possibly. How? Well I think the question is has he been faithful to teach and to train, or has he neglected them for the work of the church? If so, he has forgotten his first job to be husband and father. If he is guilty of that, then he perhaps is not ready and should step down, and focus on his family for a time.

So, he is blameless at home … And then outside the home…

B. Blameless in Deed

See the Elder doesn’t have his own reputation alone, but the reputation of God and his work so he must be …

- not arrogant / overbearing -

He must not be …

Authades -/ow-thad-ace/ self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant or stubborn

He may passionately pursue the purposes of God, but without arrogance or stubbornness.

And then

- not hot-tempered

Again, it doesn’t mean he never gets angry. Jesus got angry but without sin. And perhaps a pastor may sometimes get angry even in a wrong way … but the qualified pastor has a reputation that he is NOT,

Orgilos = inclined to anger –

If he has a reputation for always getting angry, having a quick temper then he is not qualified

And …

- not an excessive drinker or given to drunkenness

Now again, this is a character trait

Paroinos /par-oy-nos/ addicted to wine, drunkard

This man should not be addicted to wine. Has he ever had a drink, that is not the question in THIS text. That’s up to the people he serves …

Let me just tell you for free in case you don’t know how I feel.

You may want to tell me that Scripture doesn’t say a Christian can’t drink and I would have to agree. But I believe that scripture is clear that it is a character break down if it controls you in ANY way.

We could argue that it is one of the most destructive force in America today

- #1 drug problem

- 12 million alcoholics in the U.S.

- 75% of Americans drink in some form and 6% of those are alcoholics

- $200 million is spent daily in America on alcohol! We could wipe out world hunger with that money!!!!

- A person is killed in an alcohol related car accident every 30 minutes in America

- Nearly 7 million 12-20 year olds are binge drinkers

- 75% of High School seniors have been drunk at least once

- Those who drink before 15 are 4x more likely to become alcoholics than those who wait until 21.

- People with the highest education are MORE likely to drink – how about that?

- As are people with a higher income. Hmmm

A church can decide their stance, but the scripture instruction is for drunkenness not abstinence.

Then …

- not a bully / not violent

The word is plektes /plake-tace/ bruiser, ready for a blow; pugnacious (eager to argue quarrel or fight)

The pastor must not be the kind that is looking for a fight. He does not RUN from a confrontation that is righteous, but he isn’t looking for a fight

And …

- not greedy for money – financially dishonest

Aischrokerdes /ahee-skhrok-er-dace/ eager base gain or greedy for money

There were false teachers in Crete and verse 11 says they had an ulterior motives in their preaching it was just to line their pockets with money

It is Biblical to pay the pastor. Matter of fact, Paul taught Timothy that pastors, especially those whose job is preaching and teaching are worthy of a DOUBLE HONOR … But that is not the REASON we preach and teach. It is something the church does so we can take our mind OFF the cares of the world and not be tempted toward a divided heart and mind.

So he is Blameless in his house

He is blameless in negative actions OUTSIDE of his house

But also he does the right POSITIVE things as well he is

C. Commendable

What does he DO positively that gives him a good reputation? … he is

- hospitable

Philoxenos -/fil-ox-en-os/ generous to guests, hospitable

Is he welcoming? Does he LOVE strangers?

Second … he

- loving what is good (good things)

Philagathos -/fil-ag-ath-os/ - loving goodness

Does he rejoice in what is good, focus on the good, or does he delight in the negative?

And then he is

- self-controlled

Sophron - /so-frone/of a sound mind, SANE, in one’s senses

“sober-minded” is another way. He isn’t out of his mind, or off on a crazy tangent, he gives sane advice or direction. He can be full of innovation without being foolish, wild, or reckless.

And he is

- upright

Dikaios -/dik-ah-yos/ righteous, observing divine laws, virtuous

He knows he is FREE in Christ and YET still lives by God’s ways and laws as an example, and for a good reputation

- holy

Hosios /hos-ee-os/ undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, dedicated, devoted to God

And his reputation is one who is

- disciplined

Enkrates /eng-krat-ace/ - strong, having power over one’s self

Is he disciplined? Is he able to control himself? … and that should be true of so many areas of his life. Thinking, doing, being …

With all of that said, let me come back and address the instruction regarding the pastor being the “Husband of one woman” or literally being a “man of one woman”.

One thing I want to say here and I want you to listen and open your thoughts and heart, and hear what I say, and what I do NOT say.

As we read through this list EVERY one is a Character trait. There is no understanding that the elder has never ever erred in these categories. But the thought is that currently they are proving themselves to have these character traits in order. That is true in every aspect. In our development of this in the modern church we immediately and often permanently disqualify a pastor or a Deacon if they have ever been divorced because they have broken that vow and been married twice. But this is NOT saying that. This instruction like all the others is instructing us to check their character. See if this man is a FAITHFUL man to his wife, even if NEVER divorced. Do I think that an unfaithful pastor who then divorces his wife should just stay at his church office? Maybe not, because he has proven himself as unfaithful. But do I believe that a formerly divorced man, who has gone through a process of restoration, and over a period of time has again proven himself to be faithful in his Character can be considered as a Pastor and for that matter a deacon? YES, I believe that restoration is possible.

Can a man who has at one point had a problem with drinking, but been restored and proven have a chance? YES

What about one who has made mistakes in parenting, but has again proven themselves? YES

These are character traits.

Is Marriage VERY important?

Is a broken marriage vow very serious? YES

Should a pastor, or deacon, be held to a higher standard? YES.

But we must let the passage speak exactly as intended not just say what we have thought or want it to say.

So, the entire point of these qualifications is to show the Character of the pastor that is without blame in all of these areas of his life because his character, though not perfect, is sound.

Now that is largest part today, but let me draw attention to some other things about our Pastor now that he is qualified we see his …

2. Ordination

Paul told Timothy to FIND the men who were qualified and then APPOINT them or Ordain them … they must be recognized and

A. Set Apart v5

Kathistemi /kath-is-tay-mee/ set, place, appoint to an office

What did Paul mean by this? Well it was his common practice Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust

Acts 14:23 CSB

When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

When a Pastor is recognized as qualified, then he is prayed and fasted over and then ordained or set apart.

We are all equal in God’s sight but not all equal in calling and office. The Pastor is set apart to the great responsibility that he has been given to Lead God’s local body and you don’t appoint yourself. He must be called out by the Body at God’s leading.

The Pastor is qualified, recognized and then solidified by the prayer, fasting and laying on of hands of the church.

I didn’t show up here and say “I’m going to be your interim pastor.”

I didn’t ask the Woodforest Baptist Church to Ordain me in 1991. They saw in me the call of God and they set me apart for this ministry.

As you seek a pastor, you seek God’s will, talked with a candidate, then consult each other and the Lord, and declare by vote your desire for him to accept the call as your Pastor. Then you Install him as your Pastor saying, “we recognize your qualifications, God’s will, and we commit to follow your leadership”

Why is this important? Do we really need these kind of Pastors?

Oh yes, there IS An

B. Urgency

There are strict qualifications because there was a Great Need for These Kinds of Pastors. The need will always be great.

V10 - FOR … You see in the towns in Crete as well as in many churches today there was/is an Absence of Substance in both pulpit and pew …

- There are many rebellious people

Anypotakto -/an-oo-pot-ak-tos/ not made subject, cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, INDEPENDENT

We need good pastors because there are people who just want to be “independent Christian contractors” – folks don’t believe that you don’t need a Pastor. I am concerned when I meet a person and they talk about their faith and commitment, and I ask “who’s your Pastor” and they say “Oh I just float around”

That person is not in the will of God for their lives, and they most likely have a problem with authority.

Why is that important? Because if you can’t respond to godly, loving leadership from a faithful pastor/shepherd, who you can see and touch, you probably won’t respond to a Lord/shepherd you can’t see.

Obedience starts in the home, and so it is with the church house, we are taught that it works UPWARD from here …

There is an urgency because of “independent mindedness” and church folks who are

- mere talkers (i.e. not doers)

Mataiologos /mat-ah-yol-og-os/ an idle talker, one who utters empty senseless things

Now folks he is building a case here for false teachers, but it is true of those who have been misled by them

And there are

- deceivers

Phrenapates /fren-ap-at-ace/ a mind deceiver, a seducer

There are those who know how to say the things “tickle their ears”

Tell you what you want to hear … for their OWN benefit for dishonest gain …

And then did you see the biggest urgency … These are not outsiders, radicals, crackpots, but he says

- especially among the religious

He says this is especially true among the circumcision group or those who not ONLY follow Christianity, but Follow the Law to the Letter as well thinking it makes them more religious.

In a world that is saying “give me something, someone to believe in”

We need faithful Pastors who are recognized as qualified, and solidified as they are set apart in these urgent times;

And we need people ready to join them in the work of the Kingdom, as much as ever before.

What are then their Expectations?

3. Expectations

A. Silence the False v11

Epistomizo – put to silence

Why, because what they teach is false and the why they teach is selfish (dishonest gain)

Then,

B. Strengthen Homes

Notice the concern is for the WHOLE HOUSEHOLD, the foundation of society, and the church.

A Pastor has a great task to protect the home by guarding against false teaching.

As the home goes, so goes our churches, communities, and countries.

Then Paul quotes a Creten prophet who centuries before had been quoted as saying that Cretens were “liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons” … His point was that in the natural state, you couldn’t believe them, they were looking to bully, and just gorged themselves on things they didn’t work for.

So HOW do you SILENCE these who are operating in the natural, not the spiritual

You SPEAK THE TRUTH …

C. Rebuke the Unsound v13

A pastor should be self-controlled, but not a milk-toast push-over … no … he just needs to know when and where to use his strength …

- REBUKE

Elegcho - /el-eng-kho/ - to convict, refute – generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted

The Pastor is not afraid to protect his people by standing up and pointing out error, that is intended to hurt his people.

D. So That they will be SOUND in Faith

This is not about being in charge, or being first, or anything else

This is for the PURPOSE of truth and developing God’s people for God’s work

- Sound

Hygiaino -/hoog-ee-ah-ee-no/ sound, well, in good health, correct, well grounded

We are not talking about style, or worship preference, or minor differences, we are talking about the nature of the Gospel, Christ, and his purpose in Salvation … People need to KNOW and LIVE in the Truth

And So, God has called you recognize, qualify, and solidify your Pastor …

Now, Paul had left Titus in this strategic place for a reason. He had charged him with a mission. He had a purpose and it was NOT just finding Pastors who do right.

The purpose was developing churches, full of fully devoted followers of Christ, equipped for every good work, active in their communities, enlarging the Kingdom of God through the presentation of the Gospel, which still is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

So, if you call that man, not perfect, but if I am equal to the call and the task;

If I have been set apart;

if I am living toward the expectations;

How should you respond to the leadership of this Pastor?

The members of the local body of Christ have a responsibility to

4. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY

- Listen to Truth

- Seek his counsel

- Seek his counsel

in the midst of the onslaught on our homes … don’t go through the challenges alone …

- Respond

to his faithful scriptural admonition and rebuke, though “foolish” in the world’s eyes.

- Adjust to the Truth Presented

As you begin a new year, will this church be a social club or a life change center?

Will this be a concert hall and lecture center or an equipping facility for Kingdom

work?

Will the pastor be a nice guy who makes some suggestions, and visits you in the hospital, and says some words at weddings and funerals, or a God appointed vehicle to bring light into your life through the God ordained preaching of the Word?

You know what light is for don’t you; it is to illuminate the right path and to illuminate your path to protect against unseen dangers.

Is that What you want? I believe God will give you what you really, want.

Really …