The Need to Lead
Preparing to Multiply • Sermon • Submitted
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Selecting Shepherds
Selecting Shepherds
John C. Maxwell, well known leadership expert said, “everything rises and falls on leadership”. One of the concepts he was communicating with that statement was that your ultimate success as a leader depends on your ability to influence others. To add value to their lives.
In a manner of speaking, when Paul wrote to Titus he proposes the same concept. (Just to be clear, Maxwell got the idea from Paul, not the other way around.)
Titus was left on the island of Crete where people had some series issues with ever vice you could imagine. Titus’ task was to finish establishing the church throughout the island of Crete. One of the major parts of establishing churches.... and bringing things into order… is establishing an effective leadership.
As we go through Paul’s letter to Titus, you are going to notice that there is a constant challenge to take responsibility for community.
Last week we saw that challenge lived out as Paul expressed that his calling as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ was for the sake of God’s elect. It wasn’t a position of privilege for his own personal benefit. No, Paul was called for the sake of others in the Christian community.
Paul’s perspective was not meant to be something unique to the Apostle, but was meant to be emulated by each and every believer who would read the words of Scripture and bear the title of Christian.
Every person that Paul addresses in his Epistle bears a responsibility for impacting the lives of others.
Our lives are meant to touch others. A mark of maturity in believers is their sense of responsibility for others in the church community. (The idea of church membership: affirming and overseeing of the members that we discussed this Fall)
Being only a consumer in a Christian community brings poverty to a person’s own spiritual growth as well as those around them.
In these few verses we will look at today, Paul is going to challenge us to make sure that our lives are lived in such a godly and Christ honoring way that we will be examples to all those in our community. Not only will our own personal walk and spiritual growth be encouraged as we apply God’s Word… but we will also affect the growth and development of others.
That’s what leaders are to do. And that is where Paul begins with his instructions to Titus starting chapter 1 verse 5.
As we read God’s Word today, we need to realize that Paul is calling all mature believers never to act like they are only responsible for themselves. God requires us to consider how our attitudes and actions will affect others.
Mature Christian leaders… and every Christian on a certain level, should feel a responsibility for those in God’s extended family, the church.
Paul wants us to understand that in order to promote the importance of living out a godly lifestyle in the church and community, in order to most effectively be able to positively affect the lives of those in our community with the gospel ... certain truths must be embraced and modeled by the leadership of the church.
So Paul begins by instructing Titus about the Choice of Godly Leaders.
I. The Choice of Godly Leaders (v. 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— 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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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.
The way Paul writes verse 5, reminds us that he was on the island of Crete, but was not able to finish establishing the leadership of the church before he left. It seems like the lack of mature leadership has now led to some negative consequences that Titus must deal with.
This is probably referring to the false teachers in the church that Paul will address later in his letter.
Paul’s primary reasons for leaving Titus behind on Crete was so that he would complete the church planting process, appointing local, qualified, Cretan elders in every town. — Which means that there was the expectation that there was or would be some kind of local assembly in each town… led by an elder that would be appointed.
What is an elder? And why would that be a major step to help bring everything into order?
There are two separate and distinct offices in the church. Elder and Deacon. (Some people may think that the words are interchangeable as synonyms, but they are not.
Both offices have an appointed role to enable the church to grow and multiply for God’s glory.
Deacons serve the physical needs of the church… so that the Elders can be free to lead the church towards its goal of multiplying spiritually healthy disciples of Christ.
Overview of the role/ office of an Elder: (3 titles — 1 office)
— Elder: (presbuteros) Highlights the administration and spiritual guidance for the church (Acts 15:6; I Tim 5:17; James 5:14; I Peter 5:1-4)
— Bishop/ Overseer: (episcopos) emphasizes guidance, oversight and leadership in the church (Acts 20:28; Phil1:1; I Tim 3:2-5; Titus 1:7)
— Pastor/ Shepherd: (Poimen) emphasizing (leadership and authority (Acts 20:28-31; Eph 4:11) as well as guidance and provision (I Peter 5:2-3; cf. 2:25)
The titles elder, overseer, and shepherd/ pastor are uses synonymously in the NT (1 Peter 5:1-2).
Note that in verse 5, the word Paul uses here is plural. The fact that Titus was to appoint a plurality of elders in each local church should alert us to the need for multiple people in our church who are qualified and willing/able to assume responsibility for the spiritual care for others.
So we know what an elder is.
Why would appointing qualified elders help to bring the church into order?
At this point, based on the fact that Paul is writing to Titus about this issue as well as some problems in the church that we are told about later, the leaders that was currently heading up the church on Crete were unqualified… ungodly... and actually leading the church into error.
So, Paul calls Titus to establish qualified elders who would be able to administer, oversee, guide, provide for, shepherd, lead, nurture, and discipline as the authoritative leader of God’s flock in each town.
So, Paul charges Titus to appoint godly leaders… elders. Because the ability of a local church being successful in accomplishing its God ordained role is going to depend very much on having Godly leadership.
Paul doesn’t just say, go appoint elders and God’s speed. You figure it out. No, Paul gives Titus some pretty revealing qualifications that every elder must possess.... and every believer should strive for. In verses 6-8, Paul tells us about the example of Godly leaders.
II. The Example of Godly Leaders (v. 6-8)
Titus is to appoint elders in each town. Once Paul gives Titus the charge to choose godly leaders, he then gives instructions about the character and the qualifications of those who would be considered “godly leaders”.
Paul makes it clear throughout his writing that Church members… and especially Church leaders are to live their lives as an example of godliness for others.
Paul specifically refers to the elders that Titus would choose in verse 6 when he says, “anyone who is above reproach”.
As we consider the list of qualifications for an elder, there seems to really be only 1 main qualification listed in both Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.
An Elder MUST be above reproach.
The rest of the qualifications listed are very important, but seem to be a practical outworking of what it means.... what it looks like to be “above reproach”.
I’m going to geek out for a minute and do a little word study with you.
The word translated as “above reproach” in Titus 1 is a word that expresses the idea of someone being brought into a courtroom but then no one being able to accuse him of anything. He us unaccusable.
Actually, he is not merely unaccusable, but he is unaccused. The person who is “above reproach” is completely free from any legal charge. (1 Cor. 1:8; Col. 1:22; 1 Tim. 3:10; Titus 1:6, 7)
Someone who is “above reproach” is considered blameless.
Being blameless does not mean that they do not sin.
Only one person in the history of the world did not sin. Jesus. But someone who is blameless is someone who lives in such a way that there are no charges that can be brought against them.
Let’s look over at 1 Timothy 3 for a few minutes.
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Paul explains the same idea about being “above reproach” to Timothy in 1 Tim 3. He uses a similar word that is translated in our Bibles as “above reproach” but expresses the meaning of being a person that has no handles by which an enemy could grab hold of and base a charge.
Synonyms would be “blameless” or “unrebukable”.
So, when we look at the qualifications of an elder listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, Paul says, that as elders are appointed, they are to be men who are blameless… above reproach.
We know that Paul is not saying that leaders in the church must be sinless. If that were the case, we would have no one serving in any office in the church. The qualification of being above reproach… blameless is directly related to the elders godly example before others.
Notice that as Paul lists the qualifications for leadership in the church there are no mountains to climb, no alligators to wrestle, no pilgrimage to make, no special prophecies to utter, no visions to have, to hardships to endure, no miracles to perform, and no age restrictions.
The standards for Christian leadership strictly relate to one’s example before others.
This is a key understanding that each believer in the local church needs to grasp. The requirements for pastors / elders primarily relate to how one lives before others.
A blameless person in Paul’s mind is someone whom others have no obvious reason to accuse for living inconsistently with his commitments of faith.
Now here is the interesting part.
Paul’s “blameless” standard is based upon what others in the church see and observe… not who we are in our own minds.
In God’s divine wisdom he made sure that the qualifications of leadership were not to be measured internally. Why? Because in our own minds we are awesome superstars of the faith!
But… in reality… well.. reality is sometimes quite different.
This standard of being “blameless” isn’t focused on our internal assessment, but rather reflects the assessment of the local church community.
“What other people observe about a man being considered for office bears on his qualifications for office.” (R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 293.)
According to this passage, how a man is regarded by those in the church is Paul’s primary concern, but his reputation in the community is also pretty important (I Tim. 3:7).
The qualification of being “above reproach” means that an elders life should serve as an example to others. An elder should live in such a way that he constantly avoids even the accusation that he is guilty of any Biblical offense or neglect.
An elders “blamelessness” is directly related to his community reputation.
Again, I want to stop for a moment and remind everyone… while these qualifications we are talking about today are specifically geared towards elders… leadership in the church… they are also applicable to every believer.
The elder Must be above reproach!
But each and every believer should be above reproach.
Being above reproach can bring comfort to those who would be elders because it helps us understand that we don’t have to be perfect to be an elder. If that was the case then there would be no one holding an office in the church.
But, being above reproach also is a strict warning and should bring a pretty heavy amount of concern or distress to all those who do not want to be held accountable by others for how consistently they live according to Scripture.
Every elder must be “blameless”.... and every believer, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit should strive to be blameless.
Once Paul establishes this one main qualification, he goes on to give specific areas of life in which blamelessness (not open to community accusation of un-biblical living) is to occur.
In verses 6-8 Titus is told that anyone who holds the office of elder must be blameless in their relationships (v. 6) and in their conduct (v. 7-8).
A. Blameless Relationships (v. 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.
In verse 6 we see that an elder is to be blameless in his marriage and family relationships.
Since Paul puts these qualifiers first, we can assume that they are potentially more important than the qualifiers that follow.
The first relationship to examine is the marriage relationship.
Paul says that an elder’s blamelessness will be illustrated by the fact that he is the husband of one wife.
There are several different perspectives on how to correctly interpret and understand this verse.
An Elder must be married: (Illustration: Ukraine) It’s unlikely that Paul would state that an elder must be married. Paul wasn’t married when he wrote this, and most likely neither was Titus. So, that would be out of character for Paul to demand something that he himself was not following. — In 1 Cor. 7:29-38, Paul shares that there are times when someone who is not married could be more effective in ministry. — The norm is that church leaders will be married. Paul is addressing marriage here without making it a requirement.
An Elder cannot have multiple wives: Not likely a statement about polygamy. Polygamy was not normally practiced in the context of Titus’ ministry. It would be odd for Paul to address Polygamy since it was understood culturally to be a taboo. One author said that it would be like someone in our society saying that “an elder must not be a cannibal”. — We know what cannibalism is and definitely don’t want our leaders to be cannibals. So, it would be odd to put something like that into a list of qualifications when the problem or practice did not commonly exist.
An Elder cannot have more than one wife (death / divorce): What about is a man has “more than one wife” because of death or divorce?
Paul clearly states in Romans 7:1-3 and 1 Cor. 7:39 that a person is free to re-marry if their spouse dies.
Divorce is probably the most troublesome situation: Biblical/ un-Biblical reasons for divorce… —> It seems unlikely that Paul would try to answer all those questions here or in other letters. —> His intentions are probably more focused on the principles that are related to the “blameless” character and testimony of the elder. If anything that has happened in the marriage relationship that would lead those in the community to see the elder as being less than “blameless”, then he should not serve as an elder.
Those are all interesting interpretations, but they all seem to be lacking.
It’s important to keep that concept of “blameless” in our minds as we think through this interpretation.
God requires the church to determine whether a potential elder’s marriage is whole, healthy, and solid as part of the assessment of whether that person is qualified for leadership in the church.
Paul’s marriage standards for leaders are directly related to what their community observes about them. When we read Paul’s words closely, they literally translate as “a one-woman man”.
The text seems to suggest that Paul is less concerned with the marital history and more focused on whether the man being considered for office is perceived as living in honesty, faithfulness, and devotion to his spouse.
The concepts of blamelessness and fidelity presented in the text help us to understand that those in the church must determine if the community perceives that an elder candidate is consistently living in faithful commitment to one woman.
Recent or serial infidelity would make a man disqualified for office. So would any evidence that the man is not extending to his wife the unique obligations, privileges, and regard required in Biblical marriage (1 Cor. 7:3-4; Eph. 5:28-31; 1 Peter 3:7).
The second relationship that Paul speaks to is the parenting relationship.
Paul says that an elder should be a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient (v.6). —> all parents of teenagers kind of shudder at this point. :-)
I have known pastors who have left the ministry because of the beliefs and behavior of their children. (Worship pastor at Colonial).
Parents are responsible for the proper upbringing and nurturing of their children (Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21). A person is not ready for the responsibilities of overseeing the spiritual welfare of others if they are not able to take responsibility for their own household (1 Tim. 3:4-5).
Let’s try to understand Paul’s meaning more specifically. The word Paul uses is a Greek word that describes children that are still in the home and under their parents authority.
The word is plural, so that helps us understand that we are to look at the belief, actions and character of the family as a whole, not just one individual child.
When Paul uses the phrase “believing children”, He uses a word that could probably be better translated as “faithful”. “Faithful children”.
When we are evaluating someone who would be a potential elder, our examination is to be focused on discerning whether the children of an elder are faithful. Our observations are to be based on the children’s conduct and convictions over time, not based on isolated statements or actions.
Paul is telling Titus, as you appoint elders… if they are married then they need to be living in faithful commitment to that one woman.... and that there should be nothing about their relationship that would lead anyone in the Christian community to view them as anything less than above reproach.
And as Titus appoints elders, if they have children then make sure that the child’s professed testimony is appropriate to his age and shows evidence that there is constant Biblical discipline and spiritual nurturing taking place at home.
Paul wants us to evaluate our home life as a whole. Whether you’re an elder or not… we are to make sure that our relationships are as God honoring and blameless as possible. Remember… our actions and attitudes will have an affect on the people watching in our community.
Paul’s explanation to Timothy helps to shed some more light on the conversation. In 1 Timothy 3:4, Paul says that an elder should “manage his own family well”.
Paul does not say that an elder… or a believer’s family must be perfect and without sin or problem. But, when there are problems, we are to deal with them in a “blameless” way.
Let me ask you this. How can the church assess whether an elder manages his family well, if they never have any struggles as a family?
“Good leadership is not determined in the absence of difficulty but in the prudent discipline and handling of problems when difficulties come.” ( R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 297.)
As we look to identify leaders in the church… especially elders… we are to make our assessments based on overall patters, not exceptions.
Paul explains how an elder must be blameless in his relationships in verse 6. Now in verses 7-8, he tells Titus that elders are to also be blameless in their conduct.
B. Blameless Conduct (v. 7-8)
Notice what Paul says in verse 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
In verse 5, Paul told Titus to appoint elders. Now here in verse 7, he uses the word overseer. Why?
Remember that these titles are synonyms and that “elder” is more of an honorary title and “Overseer”, a functional title describing what an elder does.
Here in verses 7 and 8, Paul uses 5 negative characteristics and 6 positive characteristics to outline the conduct that an elder MUST exhibit.
Keep in mind that word MUST. An elder in the church MUST meet these qualifications. Well you say.... I’m not an elder! So, none of this applies to me.
—> Elders must but all Christians should. <—
Let’s make sure we remember why Paul is giving us this list. Titus was to appoint new elders in order to “straighten out” the problems in the church in Crete. These new leaders would be God’s stewards, entrusted with the work of God.
Each of these characteristics that we are going to look at points out that an elder’s responsibility extends far beyond himself. Leaders are expected to affect others.....Christians are expected to affect the lives of others.
Paul is challenging us to live out the truth that our conduct is to be others-oriented.
Let’s look at the 5 negatives first.
An elder… who is God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must be blameless.
Therefore, an can not be:
Arrogant: Some translations say overbearing or self-willed. This word literally translates as “pleasing himself”. This negative characteristic identifies someone who is only concerned with their own rights and seeing their own agenda come to fruition.
Quick Tempered: The kind of temper that flares out at others (short-fused).
Drunkard: It could also be translated as “addicted to wine” or overindulgent in wine. Paul is using the phrase as an idiom to refer to any kind of outrageous, unconcerned for others conduct. Drunkenness describes that pretty well. When people act drunk or stoned… they are mainly focused on themselves and not too concerned for others.
Violent: Some older translations will say “ not a striker”. That reading helps us to understand that an elder should not be one who strikes out at others either in his words or actions.
Greedy for gain: Could also be translated as “pursuing dishonest gain”. An elder should not be known for taking advantage of people or situations for the sake of money.
This list should act like a mirror that each one of us holds up and looks into. As a Christian, what do others observe about me? Hopefully none of these things. If they do, then we are not doing a good job of representing Jesus and reflecting the gospel to those we meet.
Remember the context of Paul’s instructions to Titus. Paul is concerned for the influence of our conduct on others. What character qualities are visible to other people in the church.... and on the street?
Paul demonstrates his concern that our conduct positively affects others by listing 6 qualities that should never be used to describe the character of an elder… or a Christian! Then, he lists 5 qualities that should always be used to describe the character of every Christian.... and especially the elders.
Positives:
Hospitable: Opening home and heart to others. This is a big contrast… actually the opposite of the first negative; overbearing… being a self-pleaser.
Lover of Good: Loving virtue or whatever promotes good in the lives of others
Self-controlled: Controlling drives that lead to impulsive and damaging behavior.
Upright: Living in accord with God’s law/ Word
Holy: Devout, committed to living a life of godliness
Disciplined: Athletic term related to the practice of training — rigorous application of the Biblical habits, means, and restrictions for growing in godliness.
The last three qualifications seem to be a bit more inward focused… but still have a significant outward application that all those in our circle of influence and community should be able to clearly see.
As Paul tells Titus about living a godly life and being blameless, we need to make sure we understand that we are not to be upright, holy and disciplined just for the sake of our own personal growth and sanctification. Yes, personal growth is needed.... but it is not our only motivation.
That is where the monks got off course. Monks like Martin Luther, that secluding themselves for the purpose of being holy and sanctified, realized that their piety and blamelessness didn’t mean much if it didn’t positively affect the lives of others for the gospel.
Everything Paul is writing is in the context of establishing an elder’s observed blamelessness before others. — As Christians… and especially as leaders… these qualities need to be plainly visible in our lives for others to see.
When speaking specifically of selecting elder’s for local church leadership, the elder’s example in the community heavily weights on his eligibility for the office.
An elder’s actual and perceived spirituality will have consequences in the church. Individual godliness cannot be isolated from community responsibilities. — While this is a must for the elder… it is also extremely important for every believer.
Our individual godliness must be connected with and highlighted in our community.
Bottom line is that our example as Christians demonstrates to others that the gospel and its power are real. When we consistently live the type of godly life that Paul is requiring of an elder.... people in our community will take notice… and be drawn to the grace of God and the power of the gospel at work in our lives.
The message of the gospel has no credibility if the messenger cannot demonstrate the reality that the gospel has freed him from the kind of bondage to sin that the rest of the world experiences.
We are not to pretend that we are perfect or free from all struggles. Paul definitely didn’t present himself that way. But we are to live in such a way that demonstrates that the patterns and practices of worldliness do not dominate our lives.
Paul doesn’t present being blameless in our relationships and in our conduct as something that is just personal. NO, it is a ministry that every believer… especially leaders are called to.... so that we can help other learn see that there is hope that their lives really can be different.
Godly leadership proves that freedom from the slavery of sin and selfishness is possible.
Living a godly lifestyle should be viewed as a gift of hope that we share rather than a burden of laws we assume.
Our lives are to be incarnational pictures of the gospel to those who are drowning in the despairs of sin. By our godliness we demonstrate that the gospel has real power, and we provide hope that change is possible..... we give hope to others that tomorrow doesn’t have to be like yesterday.
Over the years there has been an over-emphasis on the acts of looking godly.... There is an old legalism among evangelicals that taught “you’re not really a Christian if you smoke, drink, chew or go with girls that do.” But, today there is a new legalism that teaches… “You’re not really a mature Christian that understands grace if you don’t smoke, drink, chew or go with girls that do.” This new legalism says that you need to cuss and cut up, at least a little… just to show that you really do understand your freedom from the law. ---
What is happening today is a new form of the same old issues that Paul was telling Titus he would have to defend. In verse 10-14, Paul tells Titus about the Judaizers who have laid out special customs and practices that are the qualifiers which gain a believer access into heaven.
We know that our salvation is not by works… but our human flesh so deeply wants it to be.
As Christians, we are not to judge one another’s spirituality solely on the basis of the use of material things. But, Paul has established for all Christians… and especially those who would serve in the office of elder… that we are required to examine how our lives.. how our example affects others. —> We don’t have time to turn there today, but I challenge you to read through 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and see what else Paul has to say about this topic of restricting or conforming our lives so that the gospel can be shared. <—
Paul has shared with Titus the charge to choose godly leaders. He has laid out the qualifications for those godly leaders and explained how we are to be examples of godliness. Lastly, Paul shares the Responsibility of godly leaders in verse 9.
III. The Responsibility of Godly Leaders (v.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.
A. Encourage Others
There are two main responsibilities listed in this verse. The first is to Encourage others.
An elder is to hold firm to the trustworthy word as it was taught to him. The treasure of the gospel that was passed on to us (1 Tim. 1:14)… is the very same truth we are to be dedicated to passing on to others.
An elder is to be a trustworthy steward of God’s Word… faithfully delivering it without watering it down… or polluting it with his own ideas.
As God’s steward an elder is to clearly and accurately handle God’s Word so that he may give instruction in sound doctrine.
The foundation for effectively teaching the Word is the pastor/elders own understanding of it… and obedience to it.
Basically, Paul is saying that an elder is to be unwaveringly loyal to Scripture. An elder is to love the faithful word of God, respect it, study it, believe it, and obey it.
And elder’s spiritual leadership in the church is not based on his natural abilities, his education, his common sense or his own wisdom. It is built on his knowledge and understanding of the Scripture… how he holds fast to the faithful word and is committed to live it out and apply it to his heart and life.
An elder.... and a Christian that faithfully does this… will be an encouragement to others.
What the church needs is leaders who value Scripture… who value sound doctrine and theology enough to live it out. We need believers who are dedicated to living out the godliness we are called to in the Bible… but are desperately dependent on the grace of God.
Our godly example combined with our confession of the need for grace will encourage others to seek God and come to Him… and God’s people receive powerful encouragement in their own spiritual growth.
Leaders in the church are to demonstrate holiness while giving credit for their holiness to God.
A person who is faithful to the Word and dedicated to sound doctrine is be be a godly example that demonstrates that the One who is in us is more powerful than the one who is in the world.
A dedication to being faithful to the Word and to good theology… sound doctrine is so important! If we are going to truly encourage others… our encouragement must flow from the Word of God… our understanding of it… and our obedience to it.
The elders of the church are to serve as God’s stewards.... holding firm to the Word… so that we will be able to give instruction in sound doctrine so that the body of Christ may be encouraged and built up.
But, Paul also charges the elders with not only encouraging others… but rebuking those who contradict sound doctrine.
B. Rebuke Offenders
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.
Proclaiming the message of grace with a godly example backs up the credibility of the message and also enables elders and church leaders to be able to refute or rebuke those who oppose the gospel.
There were some people who had been allowed to enter the church (10-16) who claimed that the Cretan believers needed to observe certain aspects of Jewish customs and laws in order to be accepted by God. They were adding to the gospel.... they were polluting the sound doctrine laid out in the Word of God.
Paul charges every elder to be ready to rebuke anyone who opposes the gospel and contradict sound doctrine.
Doctrine has real-life consequences. When we allow people to oppose the gospel, then that is when the message of grace gets polluted, is watered down, and lacks life transforming power.
We must refute and rebuke all those who “oppose sound doctrine”. —
Why? —> it’s God’s Word… and is a treasure that is to be protected...
— When sound doctrine is not taught, defended, and lived out... families come apart… young people are let astray… compulsions control us… and despair grips the heart of man.
Paul will later explain in verse 11, that when those who oppose the teaching of sound doctrine are not rebuked..... then whole families are “upset”… or “brought to ruin”.
They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
Allowing even a hint of wrong theology.... incorrect doctrine… or sinful contradiction to enter the church.... is unacceptable. Why? Because it is God’s gospel… and it is Christ’s church… and anything less than they have prescribed.... stands in direct opposition God’s holiness and grace.
The gospel requires leaders to refute and rebuke any form of the message that behaving better and better is the means to get God to help you or love you.
Any message that is not in line with the message of the Bible must be refuted.
Any doctrinal teaching other than salvation by grace through faith.... must be rebuked…
Application/ Conclusion:
So, what are we to do with the message today?
A truth that every Christian must embrace and apply to our lives is this:
Our attitudes and actions have a direct impact on others.
We need to confess our need for grace and proclaim its reality in our lives. Knowing that God’s grace covers us and relieves us from the burden of our guilt will enable us to serve him with greater joy and strength that communities the reality and power of the gospel to all those who see us.
Paul has laid out the call and qualifications for anyone who would serve as an elder in the church. Pretty heavy list of qualifications that MUST be met. Very serious stuff.
But, this passage is not just for the elders. Each and every person who calls themselves Christian being called to have your hearts stirred by the Word of God and live your life in a way that expresses the power of grace… and your desperate need for it.
As you leave here today.... I challenge you to respond to this truth today:
The godly attitudes and actions of God’s people are key to the effective gospel witness of His church in the community.
How do other people view you? Can those you interact with each day look at your life and say… “I can tell that person is a Christian by their example”. “Because of the grace of God in their life… that person is above reproach… is an example of what godliness looks like.”
Can you say that about your life today. — it is possible. If God is working in your heart today… I would love to speak with you after the service and show you from God’s Word how you can live a life of godliness.... and be the example God is calling you to be.
Let’s pray —