Spiritual Leadership

Titus 1:1-16

Introduction

I am sure all of you know this man. Donald Trump. Today, many people are still scratching their heads, wondering how did this man become President of the United States of America? The most powerful man in the world right now.

We all know that he is not a good person. He has been married three times and while being married, he has had affairs with other women. Over 22 women have accused him of sexual misconduct (พฤติกรรมที่ไม่เหมาะสมทางด้านเพศ). He has had hundreds of lawsuits, been also accused of tax evasion (หลบเลี่ยงภาษี) and business corruption. He has been described as arrogant (หย่ิง ยะโส), vulgar (หยาบคาย) and a bully (อันธพาล ชอบรังแกผู้ที่อ่อนแอกว่า). And yet he is the President. Obvious there are enough people who like him: maybe it is because he is a successful leader and businessman or that they like his policies. If the economy of the US is good, he may even be re-elected for the 2nd term.

Donald Trump and many modern politicians would fit right on the island of Crete in the first century where one of it’s own poets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” (1:12) ชาวครีตชอบพูดปด โหดร้ายเหมือนสัตว์ เกียจคร้านและตระกละ . But church leaders are called to be different. They are called to be exemplary in their life ชีวิต and character ลักษณนิสัย.

I. New Testament Leadership

In the New Testament, 3 words are used to describe leaders in the church. Diakonos (deacon, มัคนายก / ดิคอน), Presbuteros (elder, ผู้ปกครอง) and Episkopos (overseer/bishop ผู้ปกครองดูแล / บิซอป). In many cases, the presbuteros and episkopos were used interchangeably - meaning that the presbuteros and episkopos were the same person. However, by the 2nd century, it was very clear that the early church had 3 distinct levels of leadership – deacon, elder and bishop. Here in Titus 1, Paul uses Presbuteros in verse 5 and Episkopos in verse 7.

Anglican church is the same, but instead of elders we used the word “priest” (preost/preest – old English) which is derived from “presbuteros”. It is different from the Catholics. The Catholic Priest is an OT Priest (ปุโรหิต) but an Anglican Priest is an Elder (ผู้ปกครอง).

In 2 weeks time, we will have an ordination service where Aj. Noppadon and Aj. Phuwasak will be made Priest. เมื่อท่านทั้งสองแต่งตั้งพวกผู้ปกครองในคริสตจักรแต่ละแห่งแล้ว ก็อธิษฐานและถืออดอาหารเพื่อมอบพวกเขาไว้กับองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าที่พวกเขาเชื่อถือนั้น the church would pray and fast for the leaders who were to be ordained.

II. Goal of Christian Leaders (1:1-4)

Let us go to our passage for today. For the next 3 weeks we will preach from the book of Titus. Like Timothy, Titus was a disciple of the Apostle Paul and was sent to the church in the island of Crete to appoint leaders and to teach. The church was a young church and already they were false teaching and lax morality. Therefore, godly leaders were needed to lead the church, correct the wrong teachings and be a positive role model to the other believers.

Chapter 1:1-2, Paul describes his goal for ministry. It would be the goal for Titus and for all church leaders today: Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life. (จากเปาโลซึ่งเป็นผู้รับใช้ของพระเจ้าและอัครทูตของพระเยซูคริสต์ - เพื่อ- ความเชื่อของคนที่พระเจ้าทรงเลือกและ – ความรู้ในความจริง อันนำไปสู่ทางพระเจ้า (godliness) – ซึ่งอยู่บนความหวังของชีวิตนิรันดร์).

The goal of Paul is that everyone will receive Eternal Life. This is what we all want right? Eternal life. But to receive eternal life, we must first have faith. Not faith in anything, but faith in the truth. There were false Christian teachings in Crete (even today in Thailand) which would lead people astray rather than eternal life. Christian truth is not just head knowledge, but it has to lead us to godliness – a life that reflects God. If you have faith in the truth, it has to be seen in your lives. “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). ความเชื่อที่ปราศจากการประพฤติก็ตายแล้วอย่างนั้น

Like Paul, a good pastor ensures that we are all growing in our faith. Teach the right doctrines and help us grow to be like Jesus in our character and priorities.

III. Qualifications of a Leader (1:5-16)

Next in verses 5-16, Paul prescribes to us the qualification of the leaders. For both Presbuteros and Episkopos, they must be “blameless” (ต้องไม่มีข้อตำหนิ).

When a leader is to be “blameless”, it doesn’t mean that he is to be “flawless or sinless” otherwise no human is qualified. But rather he has a reputation that does not invite criticism, where there is no public charge or accusations against him. The leader has to demonstrate godly character and conduct. Unlike Donald Trump.

, แต่หาความผิดไม่ได้ เพราะท่านเป็นคนซื่อสัตย์ จะหาความพลั้งพลาดหรือการทุจริตในท่านไม่ได้เลย they (his enemies) could not find corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. I am sure he wasn’t perfect, but they could find fault with his character. Vs Donald Trump… full of character flaws.

A. Blameless in his Family Life (1:6)

Firstly, an elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife – “one woman man” – meaning that he has to faithful to his wife. Secondly, Paul said that the elder must also have “children who are believers and not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.” In , the qualification for leaders did not say that their children needs to be believers, but rather the leader is “managing their children well”. สามารถปกครองบุตรธิดา และครอบครัวของตนได้ดี

The reason is that there is a direct connection between a leader’s family life and church life. Paul said in , “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s family.” เพราะถ้าชายคนไหนไม่รู้จักปกครองครอบครัวของตน คนนั้นจะดูแลคริสตจักรของพระเจ้าได้อย่างไร

I have a cousin who is the same age as me. Since a very young age, he had a very bad temper and was very naughty. And his father was a church pastor. Once, when his father was preaching, he was making a lot of noise. He was about 8 years old then. His father came down from the pulpit, took his leather belt off and whacked (หวด ตี) him in front of the church. Remember, this was about 40 years ago and I don’t recommend punishing your children that way, especially in front of others. That’s not all. While his father beating him, he grabbed his own neck with both hands and shouted to his father, “why don’t you kill me? Why don’t you kill me now in front of others?” The mother had to take him out before the father punished him again. My cousin was a difficult child.

Children and teenagers have their minds and we cannot force them to follow God, but we have to be seen to trying to manage our household. We cannot do nothing when our children misbehave and say to others that they are “just kids” or that “they are old enough to make their own decision.” My uncle was doing his best to manage my cousin. Today, my cousin has changed. He is a gentle, soft-spoken person and, he is also now a pastor!

B. Blameless in his Character (1:7-8)

In the next section, verses 7 to 8, Paul list 11 characteristics for good leader - 5 negatives and 6 positives.

i. Not arrogant ไม่เย่อหยิ่ง – Thinks he is better than others and believes that he is always right. A leader needs to be humble to listen and learn from others.

ii. Not quick-tempered ไม่อารมณ์ร้อน Christian leadership is a people ministry. Leaders are often with people, talking, teaching, encouraging and counselling them. They are called to serve the people and should be patient and not be quick-tempered.

iii. Not given to drunkenness ไม่ดื่มสุรามึนเมา

iv. Not violent ไม่ก้าวร้าวใช้กำลัง - meaning he is not to quarrelsome, aggressive or a bully. He should not force or insist that others have to follow him.

v. Not pursuing dishonest gain ไม่เป็นคนโลภมักได้- his motivation has to be pure. He has to be motivated by love for the people of God and not money.

These 5 negative traits actually are the 5 temptations of spiritual leadership: Pride, temper, alcohol, power and greed. Next, Paul says that the leader must be

i. Hospitable – welcome and love all people. Strangers, poor, lowly of status. Different background, sinners and does not show favouritism.

ii. Love what is good - Elders must be examples of good. This is stated in , ท่านเองจงประพฤติตนให้เป็นแบบอย่างในการดีทุกด้าน ในการสอนอย่างจริงใจ จริงจัง "In everything set them an example by doing what is good." It means pursuing good habits, good ideas, good personal virtues, and performing good deeds and speaking good.

iii. Self-controlled – allowing God to control his life – his time, finances, eating habits and emotions.

iv. Upright (ซื่อตรง), Holy (ดำเนินชีวิตที่บริสุทธิ์), Disciplined (มีวินัย)– flow out of a God-controlled life. Blameless.

C. Blameless in his Teaching (1:9-16)

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Teaching the right doctrine is so important because many false teachers have caused believers to shipwreck (ความเชื่อที่อับปาง) their faith. Leaders have to teach right doctrine so that believes can grow in godliness and at the same time correct wrong teachings. John Calvin wrote that an elder ‘needs to have two voices, รวบรวมฝูงแกะ one for gathering the sheep and the other for driving away wolves and thieves.” ส่งเสียงไล่สุนัขจิ้งจอก และโจรขโมย

This is my favourite food – a Burger King Whopper with French Fries and Coke Light. Super delicious and makes me super happy. But I know that this is junk food and if I eat this everyday, I will become obese, develop high-blood pressure and could lead to stroke and heart disease. But it’s delicious and exciting. But a balance and healthy mean can be boring – means that I need to eat more fruits and vegetables. Brown rice tastes like cardboard.

There are many Christian teachings on the internet which are junk food. They sound good and exciting – emphasise on blessings, prosperity and makes you feel good, but they damage your spiritual life. Good, balanced teaching is not always exciting – it’s about exercising your faith, dealing with your sins, developing spiritual disciplines – reading the bible, praying and serving. But that is what causes you to grow and mature in your faith.

Our church, the pastors are responsible to provide good, sound and balanced teachings. We are not the most exciting preachers around, but we have to ensure that you are receiving the right teachings and are growing in your Christian life.

Conclusion

These are 2 very popular American pastors today – Andy Savage and Todd Bentley. They are popular because they preach well and are cool. But both have a history of sexually abusing women. Even when the church leaders knew about their past, they tried to cover it up and allow them to continue to serving because they are popular.

Eugene Peterson say that there is a danger in our churches today when we choose pastors for their skill and popularity rather than character. He said that if a person can preach well, manage the church well, has a cool public image, he will become a good Christian leader. The pastors become like celebrities and the church members love them because they make them feel good.

But the apostle Paul, a Christian leader has to be blameless and above reproach – in his character and conduct.