Church 101

Introduce the series

Paul stopped in Crete on his ship voyage to Rome. Some scholars believe Paul was released after his first imprisonment at Rome. During the time between his first and second imprisonment, he returned to Crete with Titus. In his letter to Titus Paul wrote, “The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone” ().

Crete - Paul stopped in Crete on his ship voyage to Rome. Some scholars believe Paul was released after his first imprisonment at Rome. During the time between his first and second imprisonment, he returned to Crete with Titus. In his letter to Titus Paul wrote, “The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone” ().

Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible How Titus Fits into God’s “Story”

Paul stopped in Crete on his ship voyage to Rome. Some scholars believe Paul was released after his first imprisonment at Rome. During the time between his first and second imprisonment, he returned to Crete with Titus. In his letter to Titus Paul wrote, “The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone” (Titus 1:5).

We know that Paul stopped in Crete while on his way to Rome while he was a prisoner. We can read that in

Most people date the book in the mid sixties, putting this about 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus

Many scholars believe that he was released and went back to Crete after is initial imprisonment in Rome, this is when he left Titus there to set up the church.

This letter from Paul, has been used a a guide to church planters for years.

My prayer, is that it takes us to the basics a little.

We are going to talk about Leadership in the church

about how the body should interact with one another

how we should interact with the community

Today - Church 101

This chapter gives us a kind of basics in the church, not so much in what we should do, but in the leadership of it… the importance of the leadership.

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, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior: 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 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. 6 An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 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, 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. 10 For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 14 and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth. 15 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. 16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

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, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior:

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith.

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Today we will talk about Church leadership…

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. 6 An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 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, 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.

10 For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 14 and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.

some might be thinking that, you are not in leadership so you can now go to sleep

15 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. 16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

for that person, this is important, not just so that you can hold leadership accountable, I believe that there is space for that

so that you can recognize the Godly leaders and follow them as they follow Jesus

We will end with steps that you can take, to encourage and help the leaders of the body

Paul’s introduction to this book…

Paul a slave, bond servant, voluntarily enslaving himself to God

that is his station, his class if you will

Apostle of Jesus

this is his calling… his position in the church

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, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior: 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

We know that Paul stopped in Crete while on his way to Rome while he was a prisoner. We can read that in

Many scholars believe that he was released and went back to Crete after is initial imprisonment in Rome, this is when he left Titus there to set up the church.

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith.

Paul’s Calling

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

v1 for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…

Paul went on missionary journeys all over. as he went he planted churches all throughout

as Paul would plant churches, you would send or leave people there that he had trained to lead that church

In this case, he left Titus

his “true son in the common faith”

true son - son in the faith, Paul discipled Titus

Common faith - they are saved the same way,

Paul would never leave a new believer at the cross, but ensure they have the tools necessary to grow in their faith.

The same of that of the church…

My calling as the Pastor of this church is not simply the hired man that does stuff…

ask the Deacons, I do not do, I delagate

that you may grow in your knowledge of Jesus…

know him more today than you did yesterday....

that is always my prayer for you, that you would grow in him more

know him more, love him more,

that everyday you would wake up more amazed at the grace and mercy of God

Our Calling

The same of that of the church…

My calling as the Pastor of this church is not simply the hired man that does stuff…

ask the Deacons, I do not do, I delagate

that you may grow in your knowledge of Jesus…

know him more today than you did yesterday....

that is always my prayer for you, that you would grow in him more

know him more, love him more,

that everyday you would wake up more amazed at the grace and mercy of God

11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

We are to grow in Christ

We are to do the work of ministry

you are all ministers - You evangelize, you disciple, you comfort the hurting, you feed the hungry

not draw attention to it… you are to be doing the work of ministry.

the churches role is to teach you these things…

How long… v13, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fulness

growing until we are measured to the fullness of Christ

growing others until they are measured to the fullness of Christ

Elder - Pastor - Overseer

same position; the pastor is often seen as the head elder

I am the one paid

I have heard some say that as the Pastor I have more responsibility, or should be seen as higher

not the case… according to scripture

three words in this passage

Elder twice - two different words

V5 old men - more mature men

V6 certain men - the ones called

Overseer - Guardian

this is not different positions in the church, but different names for the one leadership position

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. 6 An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 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, 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.

three words in this passage

Elder twice - two different words

V5 old men - more mature men

V6 certain men - the ones called

Overseer - Guardian

this is not different positions in the church, but different names for the one leadership position

Leaders that are faithful to God

Blameless - Above Reproach

having a reputation that people would not believe accusations about you, because of the way you live

they would know that it would be out of character

illustration of unbelievable thing about me…

Doug beats his kids...

Doug ate all the ribs at the church dinner…

Blameless does not mean sinless…

not for their sake...

this is not so that people will follow them.

Paul is not trying to get the right people in place so that then other people will join the cause

I’ve seen ministries like this, strategies that go after influential people in effort to grow their ministry

their worry is all about numbers, prestige and their self worth

This is for the sake of the gospel and the name of God

Pray for you on Sunday, rip you off Monday - Thursday

what does this do, turns people away from God, away from the gospel they so desperately need for the salvation of their souls.

Leaders of the church should be walking the walk of their faith, everyday of the week.

Leaders that are faithful to their families

Husband of one wife

the greek actually says, One woman man…

this person is not out running around, looking, making comments in a flirtatious way with others

completely devoted, physically and emotionally to their wives.

But this is more than physical, they are to be leading them to the Lord as well.

speaking about biblical things…

faithful children

same with the children

This does not mean that they have perfect kids… No body would qualify

as a parent, are they raising them up in the Lord

How committed you are to the Lord, will be seen in how raise your kids in it… do you farm that out to somebody else, or are you the spiritual leader

if somebody cannot be the spiritual leader in their family, they cannot be the spiritual leader in the church

Leaders that are faithful to their ministries

there is a misunderstanding of this verse, that an elder of the church must be able to teach, or preach

some people are gifted communicators,

I have met some pastors that just are not that great at preaching, but they are the best pastors you can find

I think that is a misunderstanding of the verse,

as people mature in the faith with good standing, they will be seen as people you can call or go at a time of need, a time where you need biblical advice,

they can speak of the things of God

They can recognize the difference between the truth and lies.

focus on v 9… give sound encouragement (biblical counseling) and refute those who contradict it.

There is a popular verse in , that says that people will get for them preachers, teachers that their itching ears desire.

People that will tell them what they want to hear.

If that time is still to come, I fear how bad it will be. Right now there are people who go to listen to people who will tell them how great they are,

or how great, rich and powerful they could be if they did “christianity” this way

10 For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 14 and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth. 15 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. 16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Silence those who are not speaking the real gospel

we must know the real gospel… this is why this is with the church leaders...

it is the responsibility of the Elders of this church to make sure that what is taught at this church is the truth of God.

we are not into opinions

This is why I try as best I can to preach exegetical sermons

meaning going right through scripture, not grabbing scripture to prove my point.

I have been rebuked for this view in the past, I had somebody that I did not know ask to teach…

I said not until I knew that we believed the same thing

I was told I was prideful, but scripture is clear, leaders in the church more harshly judged

What we teach here is our responsibility and we will be judged by God based on that.

are we leading people to grace or are we leading people to Hell?

As was the case where everywhere Paul went, there were people attempting to change how a person is saved.

it happens everywhere today

the more the gospel is preached, the more it is attacked

Paul said that they must be silenced

this is not saying that they are to be killed, or that their rights are taken away.

I have seen where people advocate closing down masques in our country because of the Islam religion and the evil it represents.

watch out, the government powerful enough to close down a house of worship will not care what that religion is.

they are not to have a platform in the body, with its people or under the banner of the church to spread their lies

meaning they are not allowed to teach, speak write or represent the church in any way

leaders are also to advise those in the church of their lies as well

How do we recognize, those who are attempting to gain financially through the church, those who would speak lies...

you know them by their fruit, by their works

V16 says they say they know God, but their works show otherwise.

that word for know, means to understand the things of God

Jesus said that it is the will of the father that we would know the son,

ginosko… intimate knowledge,

different word

What do your works say about you?

Gospel Invitation

Prayer - There is a reason we put when the Elders meetings are in the bulletin.

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.

I know that I have often been awake at different times at night, with a person on my mind, how they need to be prayed for

We are discussing things praying for things, looking at scripture to attempt to discern the things of God and the direction that he would have us go in different areas of the church

I know that your elders have had that same sort of thing happen

Elder meeting last week… there was Bible study, joy, and unity

We need your prayers as we

this only happens when it is Spirit leading, we need your prayer for that as we meet, that we would be sensitive to the Spirits leading

Not just meetings but in all aspects of our lives, as we counsel and encourage

that we would discern the truth from the lies

the boldness and gentleness to proclaim the truth in the face of the lies

Submit

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud

but gives grace to the humble.,o

CONCLUSION

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

I believe that this is one way that you can tell if you are here as a consumer, or a server

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

we are to serve on another in all humility, we subject ourselves to the authority that God has given us,

but gives grace to the humble.,o

I am not saying that if you believe something is unbiblical you simply go along with, please speak to somebody

CONCLUSION

Illustrate - business meeting at a church...

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

member - “why would we do this, we haven’t even prayed about it?”

they did not realize, maybe from lack of communication that the elders had been praying over this decision for months.

We do not act fast… but we will always act in the way we believe God is leading, if we do not have a leading, we will not act

Encourage

The elders we have at FFC all take this responsibility very seriously

they desire to see our church follow the will of God to the best of our ability

they desire to see you personally grow in your walk in the Lord

They desire to see the Lord rule in each of your families and are constantly praying for that end.

it can be an exhausting task

I get paid… not that I want that to end, but you have other men that do not

they volunteer their time, spend time away from their families meeting together to discuss and pray for you.

They do this for no other reason than it is a task that God has called them to

they are not seeking money… they get no salary

they are not seeking fame… we are a church in the middle of no where

Church 101

Introduction

Faithful Calling

Faithful Leaders

Faithful Action

What Can I do for the Leaders